Despite therapy with potent antiviral agents, chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients remain at high risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). While metabolites have been rediscovered as active drivers of biological processes including carcinogenesis, the specific metabolites modulating HCC risk in CHB patients are largely unknown. Here, we demonstrate that baseline plasma from CHB patients who later developed HCC during follow-up exhibits growth-promoting properties in a case-control design nested within a large-scale, prospective cohort. Metabolomics analysis reveals a reduction in long-chain acylcarnitines (LCACs) in the baseline plasma of patients with HCC development. LCACs preferentially inhibit the proliferation of HCC cells in vitro at a physiological concentration and prevent the occurrence of HCC in vivo without hepatorenal toxicity. Uptake and metabolism of circulating LCACs increase the intracellular level of acetyl coenzyme A, which upregulates histone H3 Lys14 acetylation at the promoter region of KLF6 gene and thereby activates KLF6/p21 pathway. Indeed, blocking LCAC metabolism attenuates the difference in KLF6/p21 expression induced by baseline plasma of HCC/non-HCC patients. The deficiency of circulating LCACs represents a driver of HCC in CHB patients with viral control. These insights provide a promising direction for developing therapeutic strategies to reduce HCC risk further in the antiviral era.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), a severe type of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), is a leading etiology of end-stage liver disease worldwide, posing significant health and economic burdens. microRNA-320 (miR-320), a ubiquitously expressed and evolutionarily conserved miRNA, has been reported to regulate lipid metabolism; however, whether and how miR-320 affects MASH development remains unclear. By performing miR-320 in situ hybridization with RNAscope, we observed a notable downregulation of miR-320 in hepatocytes during MASH, correlating with disease severity. Most importantly, miR-320 downregulation in hepatocytes exacerbated MASH progression as demonstrated that hepatocyte-specific miR-320 deficient mice were more susceptible to high-fat, high-fructose, high-cholesterol diet (HFHC) or choline-deficient, amino acid-defined, high-fat diet (CDAHFD)-induced MASH compared with control littermates. Conversely, restoration of miR-320 in hepatocytes ameliorated MASH-related steatosis and fibrosis by injection of adeno-associated virus 8 (AAV8) carrying miR-320 in different types of diet-induced MASH models. Mechanistic studies revealed that miR-320 specifically regulated fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF1) production in hepatocytes by inhibiting regulator factor X1 (RFX1) expression. Notably, knockdown of Rfx1 in hepatocytes mitigated MASH by enhancing FGF1-mediated AMPK activation. Our findings underscore the therapeutic potential of hepatic miR-320 supplementation in MASH treatment by inhibiting RFX1-mediated FGF1 suppression.

Objective:To investigate the impact of chromate exposure on pulmonary function indices in occupational populations and explore the potential role of alterations in inflammatory indicators in this process.Methods:In July 2024, A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using occupational health examination data of 30875 workers from chromate-related enterprises in Jiangsu Province in 2020 and 2021. Based on the occupational positions and whether there is chromium acid salt exposure in the occupational hazards of the research subjects over the years, they are divided into chromium acid salt exposure group and non-exposure group. For those exposed to chromium acid salts, based on job position descriptions and duration of chromium acid salt exposure, they are further categorized into intermittent exposure group and continuous exposure group; among them, the actual exposure time in the intermittent exposure group is less than half of the working shift time, and the exposure duration is less than the total working life. Pulmonary function test indicators include forced vital capacity (forced vital capacity, FVC) %, first-second forced expiratory volume (forced expiratory volume in one second, FEV 1.0) %, and the ratio of first-second forced expiratory volume to forced vital capacity (FEV 1.0/FVC) %. Peripheral blood samples from the upper limbs of the research subjects were collected on an empty stomach for routine blood tests, selecting neutrophil count, platelet count, and lymphocyte count results, calculating the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR). Quantitative data that meet normal distribution are expressed using Mean±SD, while variables that do not meet normal distribution are represented by M ( Q1, Q3). Categorical data are expressed using frequency or proportion (%). Linear variable comparisons between groups use t-tests. Generalized linear models were employed to assess the correlation between chromate exposure and pulmonary function indices, while mixed regression models were utilized to explore potential underlying effects. Results:Compared with the non-exposed group, the pulmonary function indices FVC (%), FEV 1.0/FVC (%), and FEV 1.0 (%) in the chromate-exposed group showed a decreasing trend ( P<0.01), indicating statistically significant differences. As the frequency of chromate exposure increased, the prevalence of pulmonary dysfunction rose. The prevalence rates of obstructive, restrictive, and mixed respiratory dysfunction among the chromate-exposed population (including intermittent exposure and continuous exposure groups) were 0.26%, 4.67%, and 0.12%, which were higher than those in the non-exposed group (0.09%, 0.84%, and 0.07%, respectively). All these differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). After stratification by gender, a negative correlation was observed between chromate exposure and the inflammatory indicator platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) ( P<0.05). Potential effect analysis revealed that PLR played a certain mediating role between chromate exposure and the decline in pulmonary function indices, with a mediating proportion of 2.2%. Conclusion:Chromate exposure in occupational populations may lead to a decline in pulmonary ventilatory function and alterations in peripheral blood inflammatory indicators. Inflammatory indicators may be involved in the pulmonary function decline caused by chromate exposure.

Objective:By systematically evaluate the implementation of GBZ 2.1, so as to provide technical basis for the future revisions of this standard.Methods:From May to October 2023, Based on the pre survey questionnaire, the semi-structured interview method was used to interviews with experts from CDC, Occupational disease prevention and control hospital institutes, employers, occupational hygiene technical service intermediaries and universities, and the inductive method was used to extract the topics and relevant suggestions.Results:Generally, GBZ 2.1 is scientific, practical, progressiveness and operable. There are still some issues such as OELs overlapping and the correspondence between Chinese and English names. The outstanding problem is the coordination with other standard contents.Conclusion:The technical indicators in GBZ 2.1 could adapt to the needs of current practical work. The coordination between standards needs to be clarified, and the new recommended content needs further promotion and exploration on how to implement it.

Chinese medicine therapy for removing gallstones is one of the methods for the treatment of cholelithiasis.In the view of Professor Liu Fengbin,attacking of external pathogens,improper diet and emotional disorders contribute to the main causes of cholelithiasis,and the pathogenesis of cholelithiasis is due to qi stagnation of both liver and gallbladder,and internal obstruction of damp-heat.The occurrence of cholelithiasis is closely related to deficiency of spleen and stomach,and is correlated with the pathological factors of turbid phlegm and blood stasis.For the Chinese medicine treatment of cholelithiasis,Professor Liu follows the principle of"treatment in accordance with three categories of etiological factors"(i.e,seasons,environment and body constitution).He advocates the integration of traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine,and is good at utilizing Lingnan herbs and distinctive herbs that can dissolve stones and remove stones.The treatment for cholelithiasis is mainly through the therapies of soothing liver and alleviating depression,clearing heat and removing dampness,and normalizing gallbladder function to remove stones,and is also supplemented by the therapies of invigorating spleen and replenishing qi,regulating qi to resolve phlegm,and activiting qi movement and blood circulation.Modified Da Chaihu Decoction plus Sijin Decoction is often used as a basic formula for treating cholelithiasis,which is mainly composed of Desmodii Styracifolii Herba,Galli Gigerii Endothelium Corneum,Bupleuri Radix,Curcumae Radix,Scutellariae Radix,Aucklandiae Radix,Aurantii Fructus Immaturus stir-fried with bran,Paeoniae Radix Rubra,Linderae Radix,and Rhei Radix et Rhizoma.

Objective To investigate the influence of herbal compatibility on the chemical composition of Banxia Houpo Decoction(BHD)using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-MS)coupled with multivariate statistical analysis,and to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of key differential components against neuroinflammation and neuronal injury using cellular models.Methods(1)UPLC-MS analysis of chemical constituents in co-decoction and separated decoction(individual herbs decocted separately then combined)of Banxia Houpo Decoction,followed by orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA)to identify differential components before and after herbal compatibility(2)BV2 microglia were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide(LPS)to establish a neuroinflammation model.Cell viability was assessed using the Cell Counting Kit 8(CCK-8)assay.Nitric oxide(NO)levels were measured by the Griess method,while TNF-α and IL-1β concentrations were quantified via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).(3)SH-SY5Y neuronal cells were co-cultured with conditioned medium from LPS-stimulated BV2 cells(LPS-CM)to model neuronal injury.Cell viability was evaluated using the CCK-8 assay.Results UPLC-MS/OPLS-DA identified 11 differential components between compatibility methods,with honokiol and magnolol showing significant post-compatibility increases.In the neuroinflammation model,LPS stimulation elevated NO,TNF-α and IL-1 β levels in BV2 cells,which were suppressed by 5,10 μg/mL honokiol or magnolol.In the neuronal injury model,LPS-CM induced SH-SY5Y apoptosis,while 5,10 μg/mL honokiol or magnolol attenuated this damage.Conclusion Herbal compatibility significantly enhances honokiol and magnolol content in BHD.These components inhibit microglial inflammatory responses and neuronal apoptosis,suggesting their role as primary active constituents mediating BHD's neuroprotective effects.

Objective To establish the genetic typing detection technique of matrix-assisted laser de-sorption ionization-time or flight mass spectrometry(MALDI-TOF MS),and to apply it to investigate the polymorphism of the human platelet antigen(HPA)-29-35w low-frequency gene in blood donor population from Guangxi area.Methods The RS number of 7 target gene mutation sites in dbSNP and 21 primers were designed by using Assay Design Suite(ADS)of MassARRAY platform online primer design tool.Seven over-expression vectors inserting into HPA-29-35bb mutant sequence were constructed.Twenty-nine blood donors were randomly selected among the blood donors team in Guangxi area.The samples and vectors conducted the iPLEX Pro multiple genotyping analysis and mass spectrometric detection.Meanwhile,the above samples were sequenced and the sequencing results conducted the comparison validation with the mass spectrometric detec-tion results,then the MALDI-TOF MS genotyping detection technology was established.Then adopting this technology conducted the platelet antigen HPA-29-35W genotyping detection and polymorphism analysis in the samples from 588 blood donors in Guangxi area.Results The MALDI-TOF MS HPA genotyping detec-tion results were consistent with the sequencing results.The HPA-29-35w genotyping results showed that theHPA-29-35w genotype of 588 blood donors in Guangxi area was aa homozygote.Conclusion The genotype detection method of MALDI-TOF MS for HPA-29-35w is successfully established and applied to the screening of HPA-29-35w gene among the blood donor population in Guangxi area.

Objective: To analyze the distribution characteristics of immunoglobulin A (IgA) concentration in Nanning Zhuang blood donors by measuring the concentration of plasma IgA. Methods: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to measure the absorbance of 2 000 plasma samples from Zhuang blood donors. The IgA concentration in samples was calculated using the ELISA Calc regression/fitting technology program. Results: The standard curve demonstrated that ELISA detection of plasma IgA concentration exhibited good precision. The frequency of IgA deficiency was 0/2 000. No statistically significant difference in the distribution of IgA concentration was observed between males and females (P>0.05). The distribution of IgA concentration varied significantly across age groups: younger individuals (18-39 years old) had lower plasma IgA levels (mg/dL) compared to older individuals (40-56 years old): 5-89.99 mg/dL group, 8.80% (176/2 000) vs 17.20% (344/2 000); 90-450 mg/dL group,20.65% (413/2 000) vs 51.20% (1 024/2 000); >450 mg/dL group, 0.45%, (9/2 000) vs 1.70% (34/2 000), P<0.05. No significant difference in IgA concentration was found among different ABO blood types in Zhuang blood donors (P>0.05). Spearman correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation between age and IgA concentration (R =0.114, P<0.05). Conclusion: No individuals with IgA deficiency were screened out among the Zhuang blood donors in Nanning area, and plasma IgA levels progressively increase with age.

Objective:To investigate the impact of chromate exposure on pulmonary function indices in occupational populations and explore the potential role of alterations in inflammatory indicators in this process.Methods:In July 2024, A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using occupational health examination data of 30875 workers from chromate-related enterprises in Jiangsu Province in 2020 and 2021. Based on the occupational positions and whether there is chromium acid salt exposure in the occupational hazards of the research subjects over the years, they are divided into chromium acid salt exposure group and non-exposure group. For those exposed to chromium acid salts, based on job position descriptions and duration of chromium acid salt exposure, they are further categorized into intermittent exposure group and continuous exposure group; among them, the actual exposure time in the intermittent exposure group is less than half of the working shift time, and the exposure duration is less than the total working life. Pulmonary function test indicators include forced vital capacity (forced vital capacity, FVC) %, first-second forced expiratory volume (forced expiratory volume in one second, FEV 1.0) %, and the ratio of first-second forced expiratory volume to forced vital capacity (FEV 1.0/FVC) %. Peripheral blood samples from the upper limbs of the research subjects were collected on an empty stomach for routine blood tests, selecting neutrophil count, platelet count, and lymphocyte count results, calculating the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR). Quantitative data that meet normal distribution are expressed using Mean±SD, while variables that do not meet normal distribution are represented by M ( Q1, Q3). Categorical data are expressed using frequency or proportion (%). Linear variable comparisons between groups use t-tests. Generalized linear models were employed to assess the correlation between chromate exposure and pulmonary function indices, while mixed regression models were utilized to explore potential underlying effects. Results:Compared with the non-exposed group, the pulmonary function indices FVC (%), FEV 1.0/FVC (%), and FEV 1.0 (%) in the chromate-exposed group showed a decreasing trend ( P<0.01), indicating statistically significant differences. As the frequency of chromate exposure increased, the prevalence of pulmonary dysfunction rose. The prevalence rates of obstructive, restrictive, and mixed respiratory dysfunction among the chromate-exposed population (including intermittent exposure and continuous exposure groups) were 0.26%, 4.67%, and 0.12%, which were higher than those in the non-exposed group (0.09%, 0.84%, and 0.07%, respectively). All these differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). After stratification by gender, a negative correlation was observed between chromate exposure and the inflammatory indicator platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) ( P<0.05). Potential effect analysis revealed that PLR played a certain mediating role between chromate exposure and the decline in pulmonary function indices, with a mediating proportion of 2.2%. Conclusion:Chromate exposure in occupational populations may lead to a decline in pulmonary ventilatory function and alterations in peripheral blood inflammatory indicators. Inflammatory indicators may be involved in the pulmonary function decline caused by chromate exposure.

Objective:By systematically evaluate the implementation of GBZ 2.1, so as to provide technical basis for the future revisions of this standard.Methods:From May to October 2023, Based on the pre survey questionnaire, the semi-structured interview method was used to interviews with experts from CDC, Occupational disease prevention and control hospital institutes, employers, occupational hygiene technical service intermediaries and universities, and the inductive method was used to extract the topics and relevant suggestions.Results:Generally, GBZ 2.1 is scientific, practical, progressiveness and operable. There are still some issues such as OELs overlapping and the correspondence between Chinese and English names. The outstanding problem is the coordination with other standard contents.Conclusion:The technical indicators in GBZ 2.1 could adapt to the needs of current practical work. The coordination between standards needs to be clarified, and the new recommended content needs further promotion and exploration on how to implement it.