Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers are a leading cause of cancer morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite advances in treatment, cancer relapse remains a significant challenge, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies. In this study, we engineered nanobody-based chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) natural killer (NK) cells targeting cadherin 17 (CDH17) for the treatment of GI tumors. In addition, to enhance the efficacy of CAR-NK cells, we also incorporated CV1, a CD47-SIRPα axis inhibitor, to evaluate the anti-tumor effect of this combination. We found that CDH17-CAR-NK cells effectively eliminated GI cancers cells in a CDH17-dependent manner. CDH17-CAR-NK cells also exhibit potent in vivo anti-tumor effects in cancer cell-derived xenograft and patient-derived xenograft mouse models. Additionally, the anti-tumor activity of CDH17-CAR-NK cells is synergistically enhanced by CD47-signal regulatory protein α (SIRPα) axis inhibitor CV1, likely through augmented macrophages activation and an increase in M1-phenotype macrophages in the tumor microenvironment. Collectively, our findings suggest that CDH17-targeting CAR-NK cells are a promising strategy for GI cancers. The combination of CDH17-CAR-NK cells with CV1 emerges as a potential combinatorial approach to overcome the limitations of CAR-NK therapy. Further investigations are warranted to speed up the clinical translation of these findings.

Photodynamic immunotherapy is a promising strategy for cancer treatment. However, the dysfunctional tumor vasculature results in tumor hypoxia and the low efficiency of drug delivery, which in turn restricts the anticancer effect of photodynamic immunotherapy. In this study, we designed photosensitive lipid nanoparticles. The synthesized PFBT@Rox Lip nanoparticles could produce type I/II reactive oxygen species (ROS) by electron or energy transfer through PFBT under light irradiation. Moreover, this nanosystem could alleviate tumor hypoxia and promote vascular normalization through Roxadustat. Upon irradiation with white light, the ROS produced by PFBT@Rox Lip nanoparticles in situ dysregulated calcium homeostasis and triggered endoplasmic reticulum stress, which further promoted the release of damage-associated molecular patterns, enhanced antigen presentation, and stimulated an effective adaptive immune response, ultimately priming the tumor microenvironment (TME) together with the hypoxia alleviation and vessel normalization by Roxadustat. Indeed, in vivo results indicated that PFBT@Rox Lip nanoparticles promoted M1 polarization of tumor-associated macrophages, recruited more natural killer cells, and augmented infiltration of T cells, thereby leading to efficient photodynamic immunotherapy and potentiating the anti-primary and metastatic tumor efficacy of PD-1 antibody. Collectively, photodynamic immunotherapy with PFBT@Rox Lip nanoparticles efficiently program TME through the induction of immunogenicity and oxygenation, and effectively suppress tumor growth through immunogenic cell death and enhanced anti-tumor immunity.

Background and aims:Environmental pollutants,particularly organochlorine insecticides like endosulfan(ENDO),are increasingly linked to liver toxicity and related diseases.Despite its widespread historical use,the mechanisms underlying ENDO-induced liver damage remain poorly understood.This study aims to elucidate the cellular and molecular mechanisms of ENDO-induced hepatotoxicity.Methods:C57BL/6 mice were exposed to ENDO for two weeks.Single-cell RNA sequencing(scRNA-seq)was subsequently performed on mouse livers to explore ENDO-induced hepatotoxicity at the single-cell level.Differentially expressed genes(DEGs)across cell types and treatments were identified and then subjected to pathway enrichment to uncover key biological processes affected by ENDO.Transcription factor(TF)regulatory network,pseudotime trajectory,and cellular communication analysis were used to explore the molecular and cellular changes after ENDO exposure.Results:ENDO not only caused direct hepatocyte injury but also activated hepatic stellate cells and lymphocytes,triggering inflammatory responses with upregulation of multiple key chemokines and cytotoxic genes.Additionally,ENDO exposure led to the recruitment and activation of myeloid cells,contributing to the inflammatory milieu.An increase in intercellular communication and changes to the hepatic microenvironment,especially the interaction between activated hepatic stellate cells and CD8+T cells were observed,further implicating these processes in ENDO-induced liver damage.Conclusions:This study provides new insights into the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying liver injury induced by organochlorine insecticides like ENDO.Key genes and pathways involved in ENDO-associated liver toxicity have been identified at a single-cell resolution.These findings suggest that altered cellular communications and inflammatory responses may play pivotal roles in the pathogenesis of ENDO-induced liver injury.

Purpose To investigate the diagnostic value of quantitative 123I-Metaiodobenzylguanidine(MIBG)xSPECT/CT imaging in bone metastases of neuroblastoma in children.Materials and Methods We retrospectively assessed 123I-MIBG xSPECT/CT images of 61 children with neuroblastoma confirmed by pathology analyzed the influencing factors of bone metastatic lesions and normal bone quantitative parameters from March 2022 to March 2023 in Beijing Friendship Hospital,Capital Medical University,and compared the differences in standard uptake value(SUV).We used receiver operating characteristics curves to determine the optimum maximum standard uptake value(SUVmax),average standard uptake value(SUVavg),minimum standard uptake value(SUVmin)and peak standard uptake value(SUVpeak)cut-off value to diagnose bone metastatic lesions.Results There was no statistically significant difference in normal bone SUV values among different physical parameters(r=-0.204-0.071,all P>0.05).SUVmax,SUVavg,SUVmin and SUVpeak of bone metastatic lesions were significantly higher than those of normal bone(Z=-10.118--9.703,all P<0.000 1),and there was no significant statistical difference in SUV measurements of bone metastatic lesions among different Curie score intervals(H=0.226,0.107,0.149,0.342,all P>0.05).The area under the curve of SUVmax,SUVavg,SUVmin and SUVpeak were 0.929(95%CI 0.884-0.974),0.948(95%CI 0.906-0.989),0.935(95%CI 0.890-0.981),0.942(95%CI 0.899-0.985);sensitivity was 90.9%,90.2%,93.7%,92.3%,and specificity was 86.9%,93.4%,85.2%,88.5%,respectively,with statistically significant differences(P<0.000 1).The optimal diagnostic thresholds for SUVmax,SUVavg,SUVmin and SUVpeak were 0.39 g/ml,0.33 g/ml,0.20 g/ml and 0.33 g/ml,respectively.Conclusion We demonstrate that SUVavg above 0.33 g/ml in neuroblastoma patients have best diagnostic efficacy in the diagnosis of bone metastasis of neuroblastoma.Quantitative indexes of xSPECT/CT increase the specificity of diagnosing bone metastases of neuroblastoma,demonstrating the high diagnostic efficiency of 123I-MIBG xSPECT/CT imaging quantitative analysis and its potential usefulness as a diagnostic aid for visual evaluation.

Purpose To investigate the diagnostic value of quantitative 123I-Metaiodobenzylguanidine(MIBG)xSPECT/CT imaging in bone metastases of neuroblastoma in children.Materials and Methods We retrospectively assessed 123I-MIBG xSPECT/CT images of 61 children with neuroblastoma confirmed by pathology analyzed the influencing factors of bone metastatic lesions and normal bone quantitative parameters from March 2022 to March 2023 in Beijing Friendship Hospital,Capital Medical University,and compared the differences in standard uptake value(SUV).We used receiver operating characteristics curves to determine the optimum maximum standard uptake value(SUVmax),average standard uptake value(SUVavg),minimum standard uptake value(SUVmin)and peak standard uptake value(SUVpeak)cut-off value to diagnose bone metastatic lesions.Results There was no statistically significant difference in normal bone SUV values among different physical parameters(r=-0.204-0.071,all P>0.05).SUVmax,SUVavg,SUVmin and SUVpeak of bone metastatic lesions were significantly higher than those of normal bone(Z=-10.118--9.703,all P<0.000 1),and there was no significant statistical difference in SUV measurements of bone metastatic lesions among different Curie score intervals(H=0.226,0.107,0.149,0.342,all P>0.05).The area under the curve of SUVmax,SUVavg,SUVmin and SUVpeak were 0.929(95%CI 0.884-0.974),0.948(95%CI 0.906-0.989),0.935(95%CI 0.890-0.981),0.942(95%CI 0.899-0.985);sensitivity was 90.9%,90.2%,93.7%,92.3%,and specificity was 86.9%,93.4%,85.2%,88.5%,respectively,with statistically significant differences(P<0.000 1).The optimal diagnostic thresholds for SUVmax,SUVavg,SUVmin and SUVpeak were 0.39 g/ml,0.33 g/ml,0.20 g/ml and 0.33 g/ml,respectively.Conclusion We demonstrate that SUVavg above 0.33 g/ml in neuroblastoma patients have best diagnostic efficacy in the diagnosis of bone metastasis of neuroblastoma.Quantitative indexes of xSPECT/CT increase the specificity of diagnosing bone metastases of neuroblastoma,demonstrating the high diagnostic efficiency of 123I-MIBG xSPECT/CT imaging quantitative analysis and its potential usefulness as a diagnostic aid for visual evaluation.

Objective To investigate the diagnostic potential of low-dose computed tomography angiography(CTA)and global biomimetic three-dimensional model reconstruction technology in patients with arterial erectile dysfunction(ED).Methods A total of 136 patients with ED were selected.Digital subtraction angiography(DSA)was performed on all patients as per their treatment requirements and conditions,following ultrasound and CTA examination,and 75 patients finally completed DSA examination.All patients with International Index for Erectile Function(IIEF5)score ranged from 1 to 20.All patients received immediate ultrasound monitoring after injection of alprostadil 10 μg and underwent CTA examination.DSA was conducted at a minimum interval of 72 h.The global biomimetic three-dimensional model tool was used to reconstruct the CTA data and evaluate the stenosis of the pudendal vessels.The diagnostic efficacy of CTA examination,ultrasound and DSA examination were compared and calculated.Results A total of 1 632 vessels were evaluated in 136 patients,including 155 stenoses.DSA was performed in 75 patients.A total of 900 vessels were evaluated,of which 88 were stenoses.Compared with the results of CTA,ultrasound and DSA,the average stenosis scores of all measured vessels were not statistically significant(P＜0.05).The correlation between CTA and ultrasound(r2=0.939 9,P＜0.000 1)and DSA(r2=0.944 0,P＜0.000 1)in the evaluation of vascular stenosis were good,and the diagnostic consistency was consistent.Conclusion Low-dose CTA and global biomimetic three-dimensional model reconstruction technology can effectively diagnose pudendal artery stenosis,and can perform all-round reconstruction observation,which is worthy of further clinical application.

OBJECTIVE To provide reference for medication therapy management （MTM） of diabetic patients complicated with cardiovascular disease. METHODS A 63-year-old male diabetic patient who suffered from temporary headache every morning after percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI） visited the neurology department of our hospital， and then was recommended to the pharmaceutical outpatient department. The pharmacists thought that the patient’s symptoms of headache， severe constipation and hyperuricemia were more likely induced by the medication used. The pharmacists further found that his atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease （ASCVD） influencing factors such as blood pressure， heart rate， blood glucose and blood lipids did not reach standard. The pharmacists provided MTM services for the patient through pharmacy inquiry and adverse drug reactions judgement， medication evaluation， medication reconciliation， medication education and pharmacy follow-up. RESULTS Through fifteen MTM services for thirteen weeks， the pharmacists reconciliated and optimized the medication therapy plan， discontinued the use of Isosorbide mononitrate sustained-release tablets， Nifedipine controlled-release tablets， and Indapamide tablets， which caused adverse drug reactions； the number of drugs was adjusted from fifteen to seven， and the symptom of headache disappeared； severe constipation had also been significantly improved， and hyperuricemia dropped to normal range. The ASCVD influencing factors of blood pressure， heart rate， fasting plasma glucose， glycosylated hemoglobin， low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and uric acid were reduced from ＞140/90 mmHg（1 mmHg＝0.133 kPa）， 70-80 beats per minute， 7.71 mmol/L， 7.2%， 2.13 mmol/L and 494 μmol/L before MTM services to ＜130/80 mmHg， 55-60 beats per minute， 6.22 mmol/L， 6.3%， 1.55 mmol/L and 348 μmol/L after MTM services. CONCLUSIONS The pharmacists providing MTM services to the patients can improve their quality of life and therapeutic efficacy， reduce medication risks， and enhance the level of rational drug use in hospitals and pharmaceutical service capabilities.

Objective:To compare the differences in the prevalence of mild micro-hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) among patients with cirrhosis by using the psychometric hepatic encephalopathy score (PHES) and the Stroop smartphone application (Encephal App) test.Methods:This prospective, multi-center, real-world study was initiated by the National Clinical Medical Research Center for Infectious Diseases and the Portal Hypertension Alliance and registered with International ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05140837). 354 cases of cirrhosis were enrolled in 19 hospitals across the country. PHES (including digital connection tests A and B, digital symbol tests, trajectory drawing tests, and serial management tests) and the Stroop test were conducted in all of them. PHES was differentiated using standard diagnostic criteria established by the two studies in China and South Korea. The Stroop test was evaluated based on the criteria of the research and development team. The impact of different diagnostic standards or methods on the incidence of MHE in patients with cirrhosis was analyzed. Data between groups were differentiated using the t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, and χ2 test. A kappa test was used to compare the consistency between groups. Results:After PHES, the prevalence of MHE among 354 cases of cirrhosis was 78.53% and 15.25%, respectively, based on Chinese research standards and Korean research normal value standards. However, the prevalence of MHE was 56.78% based on the Stroop test, and the differences in pairwise comparisons among the three groups were statistically significant (kappa = -0.064, P < 0.001). Stratified analysis revealed that the MHE prevalence in three groups of patients with Child-Pugh classes A, B, and C was 74.14%, 83.33%, and 88.24%, respectively, according to the normal value standards of Chinese researchers, while the MHE prevalence rates in three groups of patients with Child-Pugh classes A, B, and C were 8.29%, 23.53%, and 38.24%, respectively, according to the normal value standards of Korean researchers. Furthermore, the prevalence rates of MHE in the three groups of patients with Child-Pugh grades A, B, and C were 52.68%, 58.82%, and 73.53%, respectively, according to the Stroop test standard. However, among the results of each diagnostic standard, the prevalence of MHE showed an increasing trend with an increasing Child-Pugh grade. Further comparison demonstrated that the scores obtained by the number connection test A and the number symbol test were consistent according to the normal value standards of the two studies in China and South Korea ( Z = -0.982, -1.702; P = 0.326, 0.089), while the other three sub-tests had significant differences ( P < 0.001). Conclusion:The prevalence rate of MHE in the cirrhotic population is high, but the prevalence of MHE obtained by using different diagnostic criteria or methods varies greatly. Therefore, in line with the current changes in demographics and disease spectrum, it is necessary to enroll a larger sample size of a healthy population as a control. Moreover, the establishment of more reliable diagnostic scoring criteria will serve as a basis for obtaining accurate MHE incidence and formulating diagnosis and treatment strategies in cirrhotic populations.

Objective:To investigate the diagnostic accuracy of serological indicators and evaluate the diagnostic value of a new established combined serological model on identifying the minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) in patients with compensated cirrhosis.Methods:This prospective multicenter study enrolled 263 compensated cirrhotic patients from 23 hospitals in 15 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities of China between October 2021 and August 2022. Clinical data and laboratory test results were collected, and the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score was calculated. Ammonia level was corrected to the upper limit of normal (AMM-ULN) by the baseline blood ammonia measurements/upper limit of the normal reference value. MHE was diagnosed by combined abnormal number connection test-A and abnormal digit symbol test as suggested by Guidelines on the management of hepatic encephalopathy in cirrhosis. The patients were randomly divided (7∶3) into training set ( n=185) and validation set ( n=78) based on caret package of R language. Logistic regression was used to establish a combined model of MHE diagnosis. The diagnostic performance was evaluated by the area under the curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic curve, Hosmer-Lemeshow test and calibration curve. The internal verification was carried out by the Bootstrap method ( n=200). AUC comparisons were achieved using the Delong test. Results:In the training set, prevalence of MHE was 37.8% (70/185). There were statistically significant differences in AMM-ULN, albumin, platelet, alkaline phosphatase, international normalized ratio, MELD score and education between non-MHE group and MHE group (all P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that AMM-ULN [odds ratio ( OR)=1.78, 95% confidence interval ( CI) 1.05-3.14, P=0.038] and MELD score ( OR=1.11, 95% CI 1.04-1.20, P=0.002) were independent risk factors for MHE, and the AUC for predicting MHE were 0.663, 0.625, respectively. Compared with the use of blood AMM-ULN and MELD score alone, the AUC of the combined model of AMM-ULN, MELD score and education exhibited better predictive performance in determining the presence of MHE was 0.755, the specificity and sensitivity was 85.2% and 55.7%, respectively. Hosmer-Lemeshow test and calibration curve showed that the model had good calibration ( P=0.733). The AUC for internal validation of the combined model for diagnosing MHE was 0.752. In the validation set, the AUC of the combined model for diagnosing MHE was 0.794, and Hosmer-Lemeshow test showed good calibration ( P=0.841). Conclusion:Use of the combined model including AMM-ULN, MELD score and education could improve the predictive efficiency of MHE among patients with compensated cirrhosis.

Triptolide is a key active component of the widely used traditional Chinese herb medicine Tripterygium wilfordii Hook.F.Although triptolide exerts multiple biological activities and shows promising efficacy in treating inflammatory-related diseases,its well-known safety issues,especially reproductive toxicity has aroused concerns.However,a comprehensive dissection of triptolide-associated testicular toxicity at single cell resolution is still lacking.Here,we observed testicular toxicity after 14 days of triptolide exposure,and then constructed a single-cell transcriptome map of 59,127 cells in mouse testes upon triptolide-treatment.We identified triptolide-associated shared and cell-type specific differentially expressed genes,enriched pathways,and ligand-receptor pairs in different cell types of mouse testes.In addition to the loss of germ cells,our results revealed increased macrophages and the inflammatory response in triptolide-treated mouse testes,suggesting a critical role of inflammation in triptolide-induced testicular injury.We also found increased reactive oxygen species(ROS)signaling and down-regulated pathways associated with spermatid development in somatic cells,especially Leydig and Sertoli cells,in triptolide-treated mice,indicating that dysregulation of these signaling pathways may contribute to triptolide-induced testicular toxicity.Overall,our high-resolution single-cell landscape offers comprehensive information regarding triptolide-associated gene expression profiles in major cell types of mouse testes at single cell resolution,providing an invaluable resource for understanding the underlying mechanism of triptolide-associated testicular injury and additional discoveries of therapeutic targets of triptolide-induced male reproductive toxicity.