Background/Aims: Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a chronic liver disease characterized by hepatic steatosis. Ubiquitin-specific protease 29 (USP29) plays pivotal roles in hepatic ischemiareperfusion injury and hepatocellular carcinoma, but its role in MASLD remains unexplored. Therefore, the aim of this study was to reveal the effects and underlying mechanisms of USP29 in MASLD progression. Methods: USP29 expression was assessed in liver samples from MASLD patients and mice. The role and molecular mechanism of USP29 in MASLD were assessed in high-fat diet-fed and high-fat/high-cholesterol diet-fed mice and palmitic acid and oleic acid treated hepatocytes. Results: USP29 protein levels were significantly reduced in mice and humans with MASLD. Hepatic steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis were significantly exacerbated by USP29 deletion and relieved by USP29 overexpression. Mechanistically, USP29 significantly activated the expression of genes related to fatty acid β-oxidation (FAO) under metabolic stimulation, directly interacted with long-chain acyl-CoA synthase 5 (ACSL5) and repressed ACSL5 degradation by increasing ACSL5 K48-linked deubiquitination. Moreover, the effect of USP29 on hepatocyte lipid accumulation and MASLD was dependent on ACSL5. Conclusions USP29 functions as a novel negative regulator of MASLD by stabilizing ACSL5 to promote FAO. The activation of the USP29-ACSL5 axis may represent a potential therapeutic strategy for MASLD.

Background/Aims: Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a chronic liver disease characterized by hepatic steatosis. Ubiquitin-specific protease 29 (USP29) plays pivotal roles in hepatic ischemiareperfusion injury and hepatocellular carcinoma, but its role in MASLD remains unexplored. Therefore, the aim of this study was to reveal the effects and underlying mechanisms of USP29 in MASLD progression. Methods: USP29 expression was assessed in liver samples from MASLD patients and mice. The role and molecular mechanism of USP29 in MASLD were assessed in high-fat diet-fed and high-fat/high-cholesterol diet-fed mice and palmitic acid and oleic acid treated hepatocytes. Results: USP29 protein levels were significantly reduced in mice and humans with MASLD. Hepatic steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis were significantly exacerbated by USP29 deletion and relieved by USP29 overexpression. Mechanistically, USP29 significantly activated the expression of genes related to fatty acid β-oxidation (FAO) under metabolic stimulation, directly interacted with long-chain acyl-CoA synthase 5 (ACSL5) and repressed ACSL5 degradation by increasing ACSL5 K48-linked deubiquitination. Moreover, the effect of USP29 on hepatocyte lipid accumulation and MASLD was dependent on ACSL5. Conclusions USP29 functions as a novel negative regulator of MASLD by stabilizing ACSL5 to promote FAO. The activation of the USP29-ACSL5 axis may represent a potential therapeutic strategy for MASLD.

Background/Aims: Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a chronic liver disease characterized by hepatic steatosis. Ubiquitin-specific protease 29 (USP29) plays pivotal roles in hepatic ischemiareperfusion injury and hepatocellular carcinoma, but its role in MASLD remains unexplored. Therefore, the aim of this study was to reveal the effects and underlying mechanisms of USP29 in MASLD progression. Methods: USP29 expression was assessed in liver samples from MASLD patients and mice. The role and molecular mechanism of USP29 in MASLD were assessed in high-fat diet-fed and high-fat/high-cholesterol diet-fed mice and palmitic acid and oleic acid treated hepatocytes. Results: USP29 protein levels were significantly reduced in mice and humans with MASLD. Hepatic steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis were significantly exacerbated by USP29 deletion and relieved by USP29 overexpression. Mechanistically, USP29 significantly activated the expression of genes related to fatty acid β-oxidation (FAO) under metabolic stimulation, directly interacted with long-chain acyl-CoA synthase 5 (ACSL5) and repressed ACSL5 degradation by increasing ACSL5 K48-linked deubiquitination. Moreover, the effect of USP29 on hepatocyte lipid accumulation and MASLD was dependent on ACSL5. Conclusions USP29 functions as a novel negative regulator of MASLD by stabilizing ACSL5 to promote FAO. The activation of the USP29-ACSL5 axis may represent a potential therapeutic strategy for MASLD.

AIM: To quantitatively evaluate the clinical characteristics of haze after transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy(TPRK)for astigmatism using corneal densitometry.METHODS:In this retrospective clinical study, a total of 74 patients(106 eyes)with astigmatism ≥1.25 D who underwent TPRK in our hospital from October 2022 to December 2024 were continuously collected. All of the study subjects were divided into transparent group(65 eyes)and haze group(41 eyes)based on whether haze occurred after surgery. Pentacam examination was performed before and after surgery, and corneal densitometry was recorded at the time points of preoperation, 1 mo postoperation in the transparent group and the most severe haze degree in the haze group. The collected corneal densitometry included the average densitometry of the entire corneal layer in the central 2 mm, 2-6 mm, and 6-10 mm areas, as well as the average densitometry of the entire layer of the corneal section in the center 6 mm of the astigmatism axis(astigmatism expressed in negative cylindrical form)and orthogonal axis(the axis perpendicular to the astigmatism axis), and the average densitometry of the entire layer of the corneal section in the nasal and temporal 2-6 mm areas of the astigmatism axis in the haze group of patients with regular astigmatism. The change in corneal densitometry after surgery compared with that before surgery was calculated.RESULTS:There was no statistically significant difference in baseline data such as gender, age, and spherical equivalent between the transparent group and the haze group(all P>0.05). The change in corneal densitometry in the 2-6 mm area of the haze group was greater than that in the transparent group(Z=-2.226, P=0.026), while there was no significant difference in the change of corneal densitometry in the central 2 mm and 6-10 mm areas between the two groups(both P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the change of corneal densitometry between the transparent group and haze group along the orthogonal axis(all P>0.05), while the change of corneal densitometry in the haze group along the astigmatism axis was greater than that in the transparent group(Z=-2.371, P=0.018). The temporal corneal densitometry of patients with regular astigmatism in the haze group after surgery was higher than that of the nasal side, and the change in corneal densitometry was also greater than that of the nasal side(Z=-4.288, P<0.001; Z=-4.043, P<0.001).CONCLUSION:Unlike spherical correction for myopia and hyperopia, haze after TPRK for astigmatism was mainly manifested in the peripheral cutting area of the astigmatism axis, and patients with regular astigmatism had a higher probability or severity of haze on the temporal side of the astigmatism axis than on the nasal side.

ObjectiveTo characterize the seasonal patterns of influenza in Kunming City, Yunnan Province before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic, and provide scientific evidence for optimizing influenza prevention and control strategies. MethodsInfluenza-like illness (ILI) and etiological surveillance data for influenza from the 14^th week of 2010 to the 13^th week of 2024 in Kunming City of Yunnan Province were collected. Harmonic regression models were constructed to analyze the epidemic characteristics and seasonal patterns of influenza before (2010/2011‒2019/2020 influenza seasons), during (2020/2021‒2022/2023 influenza seasons), and after (2023/2024 influenza season) the COVID-19 pandemic. ResultsBefore the COVID-19 pandemic, influenza in Kunming City mainly exhibited an annual cyclic pattern without a significant semi-annual periodicity, peaking from December to February of the next year, with an epidemic duration of 20‒30 weeks. During the pandemic, influenza seasonality shifted, with an increase in semi-annual periodicity and an approximate one month delay in annual peaks. However, after the pandemic, the annual amplitude of influenza increased compared with that before the pandemic, and the epidemic duration extended by about one month. Although the annual peak largely reverted to the pre-pandemic levels, the annual peaks for different influenza subtypes/lineages had not fully recovered. ConclusionInfluenza seasonality in Kunming City underwent substantial alterations following the COVID-19 pandemic and has not yet fully reverted to pre-pandemic levels. Continuous surveillance on different subtypes/lineages of influenza viruses remains essential, and prevention and control strategies should be adjusted and optimized in a timely manner based on current epidemic trends.

Research in photodynamic therapy (PDT) primarily focuses on enhancing light penetration depth, improving oxygen supply, and optimizing photosensitizer delivery. Notably, the delivery efficiency of the photosensitizer is crucial for therapeutic efficacy. Carboxyl-substituted phthalocyanines, as important photosensitizing molecules, possess unique chemical modification sites that enable direct targeted delivery or integration into diverse delivery systems. Their synthesis predominantly employs mixed- or cross-condensation, selective synthesis, and axial modification strategies to introduce carboxyl groups. However, their inherent hydrophobicity significantly hinders effective delivery. To address this limitation, modifications with peptides or quaternary ammonium salt derivatives may facilitate precise delivery to tumor cells and pathogens. With advances in nanotechnology, carboxyl-substituted phthalocyanines can serve as key photosensitizer modules, effectively integrated into nanomaterials such as biomacromolecules, inorganic metals, and polymers for both active and passive delivery. Recently, researchers have exploited the π-π stacking and other intermolecular forces among carboxyl-substituted phthalocyanine molecules to drive their self-assembly into nano-micelles, enabling carrier-free delivery or co-delivery with other therapeutic agents for synergistic effects. This review systematically outlines the synthesis strategies for carboxyl-substituted phthalo-cyanines. Taking mono-carboxyl-substituted zinc phthalocyanine as a model molecule, the performance of three delivery modalities were compared: single-molecule targeted delivery, nanocarrier-encapsulated delivery, and carrier-free self-assembled delivery, in terms of PDT efficacy, biocompatibility, and imaging-guided tracing capabilities, to provide a systematic technical framework for the rational design of novel modular photosensitizers and to advance the clinical translation of PDT in precision oncology and anti-infective therapy.
Photochemotherapy/methods* ; Indoles/administration & dosage* ; Isoindoles ; Photosensitizing Agents/administration & dosage* ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Humans

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide, with above 80% of cases be non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), among which lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) occupies a significant proportion. Although comprehensive cancer therapies have considerably improved the overall survival of patients, patients with advanced LUSC have a poorer prognosis. Therefore, there is a need for a biomarker to predict the progress of advanced LUSC in order to improve prognosis through early diagnosis. Previous studies have shown that miRNAs are differentially expressed in lung cancer tissues and play roles as potential oncogenes or tumor suppressors. The aim of this study is to identify differentially expressed miRNAs between early-stage and advanced-stage LUSC, and to establish a set of miRNAs that can predict the progress of advanced LUSC. METHODS: Clinical data and miRNA-related data of LUSC patients were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Bioinformatic methods were applied to analyze the data. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted, and various online tools were used to predict target genes, with subsequent analysis of the potential biological mechanisms of these genes. RESULTS: A total of 58 differentially expressed miRNAs were identified between the experiment group and the control group. Seven miRNAs were selected for potential construction of a miRNA biomarker through LASSO regression, and based on the area under the curve (AUC) values of each miRNA, four of these miRNAs (miR-377-3p, miR-4779, miR-6803-5p, miR-3960) were ultimately chosen as biomarkers for predicting advanced LUSC. The AUC under the ROC curve for the combined four miRNAs was 0.865. Enrichment analysis showed that these target genes were involved in several pathways, including cancer-related pathways, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway, serine/threonine kinase, and tyrosine kinase signaling pathways. CONCLUSIONS The combined use of miR-377-3p, miR-4779, miR-6803-5p and miR-3960 provides a good predictive ability for the progress of advanced LUSC patients, with an AUC of 0.865.
Humans ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Lung Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism* ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Male ; Female ; Prognosis ; ROC Curve ; Middle Aged

Objective:To discuss the effect of zanubrutinib(BGB-3111)combined with bortezomib(Btz)on the apoptosis of the human multiple myeloma(MM)cells,and to clarify its possible mechanism.Methods:The human MM cell lines U266,PS-R,RPMI8226,KMS28-PE,KMS28-BM,and H929 were cultured in vitro.Western blotting method was used to detect the expression level of Bruton's tyrosine kinase(BTK)protein in various cells;cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)method was used to detect the survival rates of the RPMI8226,U266,and KMS28-BM cells after treated with 0,10,20,30,40,and 50 μmol·L?1 BGB-3111.The RPMI8226,U266,and KMS28-BM cells at the logarithmic growth phase were selected and divided into control group,BGB-3111 group,Btz group,and BGB-3111+Btz group.Flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptotic rates of the cells in various groups;Western blotting method was used to detect the expression levels of myeloid cell leukemia 1(MCL-1),B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2),Bcl-2-interacting mediator of cell death(Bim),phosphorylated Bim(p-Bim),P65,phosphorylated P65(p-P65),tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor(TRAF)2,and tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced protein 3(A20)in different kinds of cells.The U266 cells were divided into A20 overexpression group(A20-OE group)and empty vector control group(EV group).Each group was further divided into control group,BGB-3111 group,Btz group,and BGB-3111+Btz group.The corresponding plasmids were transfected;Western blotting method was used to detect the transfection efficiency of the cells in various groups;flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptotic rates of the cells in various groups after over-expression of A20.Results:The Western blotting results showed that compared with KMS28-BM cells,the expression levels of BTK protein in the U266,RPMI8226,and H929 cells were significantly increased(P<0.05 or P<0.01).The CCK-8 results showed that compared with 0 μmol·L?1 BGB-3111 group,the survival rates of the RPMI8226 and U266 cells in 10,20,30,40,and 50 μmol·L?1 BGB-3111 groups were significantly decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01),and the survival rates of the KMS28-BM cells in 20,30,40,and 50 μmol·L?1 BGB-3111 groups were significantly decreased(P<0.05).Compared with RPMI8226 and U266 cells,the survival rates of the KMS28-BM cells in 20,30,and 40 μmol·L?1 BGB-3111 groups were significantly increased(P<0.05).Therefore,10 μmol·L?1 BGB-3111 was selected for subsequent experiments.The flow cytometry results showed that compared with control group,the apoptotic rates of the RPMI8226 and U266 cells in BGB-3111 group,Btz group,and BGB-3111+Btz group were significantly increased(P<0.05 or P<0.01);compared with BGB-3111 group and Btz group,the apoptotic rates of the RPMI8226 and U266 cells in BGB-3111+Btz group were significantly increased(P<0.01);compared with control group,the apoptotic rates of the KMS28-BM cells in Btz group and BGB-3111+Btz group were significantly increased(P<0.01);compared with BGB-3111 group,the apoptotic rate of the KMS28-BM cells in BGB-3111+Btz group was significantly increased(P<0.01);compared with EV group,the apoptotic rates of the cells in A20-OE group in Btz group and BGB-3111+Btz group were significantly increased(P<0.05).The Western blotting results showed that compared with control group,the expression levels of Bim protein in the RPMI8226 and U266 cells in BGB-3111 group,Btz group,and BGB-3111+Btz group were significantly increased(P<0.05),while the expression levels of MCL-1,p-Bim,and Bcl-2 proteins in the RPMI8226 and U266 cells in Btz group and BGB-3111+Btz group were significantly decreased(P<0.05);compared with BGB-3111 group and Btz group,the expression levels of Bim protein in the RPMI8226 and U266 cells in BGB-3111+Btz group were significantly increased(P<0.05),while the expression levels of MCL-1,p-Bim,and Bcl-2 proteins were significantly decreased(P<0.05).Compared with control group,the expression levels of p-P65 protein in the RPMI8226 and U266 cells in Btz group and BGB-3111+Btz group were significantly increased(P<0.05),while the expression levels of TRAF2 and A20 proteins were significantly decreased(P<0.05);compared with BGB-3111 group and Btz group,the expression levels of p-P65 protein in the RPMI8226 and U266 cells in BGB-3111+Btz group were significantly increased(P<0.05),while the expression levels of TRAF2 and A20 proteins were significantly decreased(P<0.05).The flow cytometry results showed that compared with EV group,the expression level of A20 protein in A20-OE group cells was significantly increased(P<0.01).Conclusion:BGB-3111 induces apoptosis in the MM cells by inhibiting BTK activity and enhances the pro-apoptotic effect of Btz.Over-expression of A20 increases the sensitivity of the MM cells to the combined treatment.The antitumor effect may be related to the inhibition of the nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB)signaling pathway.

Objective:To explore the perioperative safety and postoperative efficacy of prophylactic jejunal nutrition tube placement during early gastric body cancer pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (PPG).Methods:The clinical data of 29 gastric cancer patients treated by Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 2018 to December 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 17 males (58.6%) and 12 females (41.4%), aged from 43 to 74 years, with an average age of (58.9 ± 8.3) years, and an average body mass index (BMI) of (24.3 ± 3.0) kg/m 2. According to the type of catheterization, all cases were divided into jejunal nutrition tube group ( n=12) and gastric tube group( n=17). The main outcome was the incidence of delayed gastric emptying within one month after surgery in both groups. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS26.0 software. Results:Patients in the jejunal feeding tube group resumed oral liquid intake, soft diet and regular diet significantly earlier postoperatively compared to those in the gastric tube group, with statistically significant differences ( P<0.05). Conversely, the time to removal of the tube was significantly earlier in the gastric tube group than in the jejunal feeding tube group ( P<0.05). However, the proportion of patients requiring reinsertion of a gastric or jejunal feeding tube postoperatively was significantly higher in the gastric tube group (7 cases) compared to the jejunal feeding tube group (0 case) ( P<0.05). In the jejunal feeding tube group, there were 4 cases occurred DGE, in the gastric tube group, there were 8 cases occurred DGE. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in either the overall incidence of DGE or the distribution of DGE severity grades. On postoperative 7th day , the Gastric Outlet Obstruction Scoring System (GOOSS) grade was significantly better in the jejunal feeding tube group than in the gastric tube group ( P<0.05), and all patients in the jejunal feeding tube group had resumed liquid intake, compared to only 58.8% in the gastric tube group. Conclusions:Compared with gastric tube placement, intraoperative prophylactic jejunal feeding tube placement for PPG has significant advantages in perioperative safety and postoperative recovery, but large-sample prospective studies are still needed for further verification.

Objective To explore the application value of CT classification of lumbar spinal stenosis(LSS)in selecting endoscopic decompression surgery approach.Methods The clinical data and CT imaging materials of 300 patients with LSS,who received percutaneous endoscopic decompression surgery from March 2018 to December 2024 were selected from Hengshui Municipal People's Hospital in Hebei(Halison International Peace Hospital),were retrospectively analyzed.Preoperative CT scan was performed in all patients.Taking endoscopic classification as the golden standard,the consistency between CT classification results and endoscopic classification results was assessed by Kappa consistency analysis.The effect of surgery of different approaches for percutaneous endoscopic decompression surgery was compared.Results CT diagnostic classification of type Ⅰ LSS was obtained in 87 patients(among them 3 patients with type Ⅲ LSS were misdiagnosed as type Ⅰ LSS),type Ⅱ LSS in 141 patients and type ⅢLSS in 72 patients,the total diagnostic accuracy rate was 97.67％.Using endoscopic classification as the gold standard,the Kappa values for CT diagnosis of type Ⅰ,type Ⅱ and type Ⅲ were 0.975,1.000 and 0.973,respectively.According to the CT classification results,all 300 patients successfully selected different surgical approaches to complete the surgery,and their clinical symptoms were significantly relieved without significant complications.After surgery,the Oswestry disability index(ODI)and visual analogue scale(VAS)scores of leg/lower back in patients with different LSS types showed a decreasing trend(P＜0.05).After treatment,the total frequency of taking non-steroidal drugs was significantly lower than that before surgery(P＜0.05).Conclusion The classification of LSS is highly consistent between CT scan and endoscopic examination,which is of great value for the selection of percutaneous endoscopic decompression surgery approach.