ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Qishao capsules on renal injury in db/db mice with diabetic kidney disease （DKD），and explore its mechanism of protecting the kidney by inhibiting podocyte apoptosis. Methodsdb/m mice （7 mice） were used as the normal group，and db/db mice （35 mice） were randomly divided into a model group，a dapagliflozin group （0.001 g·kg^-1·d^-1），and low-，medium-，and high-dose groups of Qishao capsules （0.341 3，0.682 5，and 1.365 g·kg^-1·d^-1，respectively）. Drug intervention lasted for 8 consecutive weeks. After sampling，the serum renal function indicators ［creatinine（SCr），and urea nitrogen（BUN）］，fasting blood glucose （FBG），24 h urinary protein quantification （24 h-UTP）， and other indicators of the mice were measured. The pathological tissue morphology of the kidney was observed by periodic acid-silver methenamine （PASM） and Masson's trichrome （Masson） staining. Immunohistochemical detection of cysteine-dependent aspartate-specific protease （Caspase）-3 and B-cell lymphoma 2 （Bcl-2） was performed. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of Caspase-8，Caspase-7，Caspase-3， and other molecules. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick End labeling （TUNEL） staining was used to observe apoptosis in renal tissue. Immunofluorescence staining of Wilms tumor suppressor gene-1 （WT-1） was used to observe podocyte injury. Real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was employed to detect Caspase-8 and Caspase-3 mRNA expression in the kidneys of experimental mice. Data analysis was conducted using statistical software GraphPad Prism 10. ResultsCompared with the normal group，the model group showed significantly increased 24 h-UTP，SCr，BUN，and FBG （P<0.01）. Additionally， PASM staining of renal tissue showed increased glycogen deposition，glomerular hypertrophy，and thickening of the basement membrane. Masson staining showed collagen fiber proliferation in renal tissue. Transmission electron microscopy showed thickening of the renal tissue basement membrane and fusion or loss of foot processes in the model group. The immunohistochemical results showed that Caspase-3 in the kidneys of the mice in the model group significantly increased （P<0.01），while the Bcl-2 protein expression level decreased significantly （P<0.01）. The number of TUNEL positive cells in renal tissue significantly increased （P<0.01）. The positive expression of WT-1 in podocytes was significantly reduced （P<0.01）. Western blot analysis showed significant upregulation of Caspase-8，Caspase-7，and Caspase-3 protein expression in renal tissue （P<0.01）. The mRNA expression levels of Caspase-8 and Caspase-3 in the kidneys increased significantly （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group，the Qishao capsules groups can significantly reduce the levels of 24 h-UTP，SCr，BUN，and FBG （P<0.01）. The pathological damage of renal tissue and podocyte injury were improved to some extent. Immunohistochemistry in the kidney showed a significant decrease in Caspase-3 （P<0.01） and a significant increase in Bcl-2 protein expression level （P<0.01）. Additionally， there were a significant decrease in the number of TUNEL positive cells in renal tissue （P<0.01），a significant increase in WT-1 positive expression in podocytes （P<0.01），marked downregulation of Caspase-8，Caspase-7，and Caspase-3 protein expression in renal tissue （P<0.05，P<0.01），and a significant decrease in Caspase-8 and Caspase-3 mRNA expression levels （P<0.01）. ConclusionQishao capsules can inhibit podocyte apoptosis by regulating the expression of Caspase-8，Caspase-7， and Caspase-3，thereby improving the diabetic renal injury in db/db mice.

Objective To investigate the association between plasma homocysteine(Hcy)level and coronary artery calcification(CAC)and its clinical predictive efficacy.Methods A total of 172 patients who underwent coronary CT angiography North China University of Science and Technology Affiliated Hospital from April 2019 to May 2021 and CAC score(CACS)＞0 were enrolled.According to the CACS value,the subjects were divided into mild calcification group(n=136)and severe calcification group(n=36),and the clinical characteristics of two groups were compared and analyzed.Multivariate Logistic regression model was used to screen the independent influencing factors of CAC severity,and a prediction model was constructed based on the Hcy detection value.The clinical diagnostic value was evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Results There were significant differences in Hcy,white blood cell count,triglyceride and magnesium ion levels between two groups(P＜0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that Hcy,white blood cell count and magnesium ion level were independent risk factors for the progression of CAC.Furthermore,a regression model based on Hcy was constructed and ROC curve was fitted to evaluate its predictive efficacy.The results suggested that the predictive model had the best performance when the critical value of Hcy was set at 27.4μmol/L:the sensitivity was 55.6％,the specificity was 97.1％,and the area under the curve was 0.765.Conclusion Hcy serves as an independent risk factor for the severity of CAC and can effectively predict the progression of CAC with high accuracy.

BACKGROUND:Precision therapy based on multifunctional nanomaterials is a novel therapeutic model for malignancies that can integrate multiple imaging and therapeutic models into one nanoscale platform to achieve visual combination treatment. OBJECTIVE:To prepare novel nanoparticles loaded with Cu2(OH)PO4 nanoparticles(CuNPs)and nuciferine(NF)(h-PCuNF),and to explore their ability to mediate combined photothermal therapy/photodynamic therapy/chemodynamic therapy/chemotherapy for malignancy. METHODS:The h-PCuNF nanoparticles were synthesized through a double-emulsion procedure,through which the CuNPs and NF were loaded into the shell of hollow poly(lactic-co-glycolic)acid nanocarriers.The morphology,structure,particle size,and zeta potential of the h-PCuNF nanoparticles were characterized.In deionized water,the magnetic resonance imaging and photothermal conversion performances of the h-PCuNF nanoparticles,as well as their capability to implement reactive oxygen species production by mediating photocatalysis and Fenton-like reactions,were evaluated.In liver malignant tumor cell line HepG2 cells,the effectiveness of the photothermal therapy/photodynamic therapy/chemodynamic therapy/chemotherapy combination therapy mediated by the nanoparticles was detected by employing fluorescence imaging and MTT assay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The h-PCuNF nanoparticles possessed a hollow spherical structure in which the CuNPs(drug loading rate and encapsulation rate were 26.3%and 63.2%,respectively)and NF(drug loading rate and encapsulation rate were 11.0%and 52.6%,respectively)were loaded into the shell.The average particle size of the h-PCuNF nanoparticles was(309.2±10.0)nm,while the zeta potential was determined to be(-12.5±0.9)mV.In physiological environments,the nanoparticles possess favorable suspension stability.(2)In deionized water,the h-PCuNF nanoparticles could markedly enhance T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging images.The h-PCuNF nanoparticles showed remarkable photothermal conversion and photocatalytic reactive oxygen species generation capabilities under near infrared laser irradiation.In addition,the h-PCuNF nanoparticles could consume glutathione and mediate Fenton-like reactions to produce·OH.(3)The h-PCuNF nanoparticles could be taken up by HepG2 tumor cells and were mainly distributed in the cytoplasm.The synergistic therapeutic effect was demonstrated after the nanoparticles were activated by near infrared laser irradiation,because CuNPs mediated photothermal therapy/photodynamic therapy/chemodynamic therapy and NF mediated chemotherapy could synergistically eliminate the tumor cells.

BACKGROUND: Regulatory dendritic cell (DCreg) subset exhibits a unique capacity for inducing immune tolerance among the variety subsets of dendritic cells (DCs) within gut-associated lymphoid tissues (GALTs). Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (FLT3L) is involved in the differentiation of DCregs and the subsequent expansion of regulatory T-cells (Tregs) mediated by DCregs, though the precise mechanism remains poorly understood. This study aimed to explore the expansion mechanism of Treg induced by DCreg and the role of FLT3L in this process. METHODS: DCregs were distinguished from other DC subsets isolated from GALTs of BALB/c mice through a mixed lymphocyte reaction assay. The functions and mechanisms by which FLT3L promoted Treg expansion via DCregs were investigated in vitro through co-culture experiments involving DCregs and either CD4 + CD25 - T-cells or CD4 + CD25 + T-cells. Additionally, an in vivo experiment was conducted using a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis model in mice. RESULTS: CD103 + CD11b + DC exhibited DCreg-like functionality and was identified as DCreg for subsequent investigation. Analysis of Foxp3 + Treg percentages within a co-culture system of CD4 + CD25 - T-cells and DCregs, with or without FLT3L, demonstrated the involvement of the FLT3/FLT3L axis in driving the differentiation of precursor T-cells into Foxp3 + Tregs induced by DCregs. Cell migration and co-culture assays revealed that the FLT3/FLT3L axis enhanced DCreg migration toward Tregs via the Rho pathway. Additionally, it was observed that DCregs could promote Treg proliferation through the Notch pathway, as inhibition of Notch signaling by DAPT (N-[N-(3,5-difluorophenacetyl)-l-alanyl]-S-phenylglycine t-butyl ester) suppressed Treg expansion within the co-culture system of DCregs and CD4 + T-cells or CD4 + CD25 + T-cells. Furthermore, the FLT3/FLT3L axis influenced JAG1 expression in DCregs, indirectly modulating Treg expansion. In vivo experiments further established that FLT3L promoted DCreg expansion and restored Treg balance in DSS-induced colitis models, thereby ameliorating colitis symptoms in mice. CONCLUSION The FLT3/FLT3L axis is integral to the maintenance of DCreg function in Treg expansion.
Animals ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/immunology* ; Dendritic Cells/immunology* ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Membrane Proteins/metabolism* ; Receptors, Notch/metabolism* ; Lymphoid Tissue/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/physiology* ; Coculture Techniques ; Flow Cytometry

Objective:To investigate the prevalence and severity of symptom burden among long-term survivors of oropharyngeal cancer after radiotherapy, to identify core symptom clusters, and to explore their correlation with quality of life.Methods:A previous retrospective study was conducted by the Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences on patients with oropharyngeal cancer who underwent radiotherapy between January 2010 and December 2020. Patients who were still alive as of December 2023 were further followed and analyzed. From December 2023 to August 2024, symptom burden and quality of life were assessed using the Chinese version of the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory–Head and Neck Module (MDASI-HN) and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ). Exploratory factor analysis (principal component analysis with Promax rotation) were used to identify symptom clusters. Spearman correlation analysis was performed to explore the relationship between total symptom cluster scores and standardized domain scores of quality of life. Multivariate linear regression analysis was further employed to determine the relationship between identified symptom clusters and overall quality of life.Results:A total of 273 patients were included, with a median follow-up duration of 6.2 years (range: 3.5-14.5 years) and a median age of 61 years (range: 27-88 years) at follow-up. The top 5 incidence rates of symptom reported by patients were mucus problems in the mouth or throat (147 cases, 53.8%), dental or gum issues (143 cases, 52.4%), xerostomia (140 cases, 51.3%), difficulty swallowing or chewing (95 cases, 34.8%), and taste disturbance (79 cases, 28.9%). Among them, xerostomia was the most serious symptom. The most frequently reported interference was impact on work (including household chores) (55 cases, 20.1%). Exploratory factor analysis identified 3 symptom clusters: fatigue-nausea cluster, eating-voice cluster, and xerostomia-sleep cluster, all of which were significantly correlated with lower overall quality of life of patients (all P<0.001). Conclusion:Long-term survivors of oropharyngeal cancer after radiotherapy experience substantial symptom burden. The fatigue-nausea, eating-voice, and xerostomia-sleep clusters are the core symptom clusters impacting quality of life.

Objective To explore the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of multiple-molecular classifier endometrioid adenocarcinomas with DNA polymerase epsilon catalytic subunit(POLE)mutations.Methods In this study,we involved 261 patients with endometrioid adenocarcinoma admitted to the Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University.We detected the expression of the POLE gene and that of p53 protein and mismatch repair(MMR)proteins using gene sequencing and immunohistochemistry,respectively.We analyzed the correlation between different molecular classifications and clinicopathological characteristics using x2 or Fisher test,and Kaplan-Meier survival curves to analyze patients' prognosis.Results We identified nine multiple-molecular classifier cases of endome-trioid adenocarcinoma with POLE mutations,including six POLE mutated+p53 abnormal(POLE mut+p53abn)and three POLE mutated+MMR-deficient(POLE mut+dMMR)cases.Patients with POLE mut+p53abn exhibited significant differences from those with p53abn in terms of the pathological characteristics of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and the presence of tumors with peritumoral lymphocyte infiltra-tion(P＜0.05),while no statistically significant difference was present compared to patients with POLE mut(P＞0.05).Kaplan-Meier sur-vival curve analysis revealed that the progression-free survival rates of patients with POLE mut+p53abn and POLE mut+dMMR(100.0％)were higher than those of patients with p53abn(50.0％)and dMMR(8.8％,P＜0.05).Conclusion The clinicopathological characteris-tics of patients with POLE mut+p53abn are similar to those with POLE mut.Both patients with POLE mut+p53abn and POLE mut+dMMR display a good prognosis.

The multidisciplinary diagnosis and treatment (MDT) mode plays a positive role in diagnosing and treating difficult and complicated diseases, improving service quality, and promoting the construction of an integrated medical system. In March 2023, Zhejiang Provincial People′s Hospital had launched the " 6 New" MDT management practice to further improve the hospital′s inpatient MDT service level, including new concepts, new architectures, new standards, new processes, new models, and new quality control. This practice had improved the quality and efficiency of MDT management and promoted interdisciplinary integration by strengthening top-level design, establishing MDT leadership and quality control teams, developing relevant standards and specifications, enhancing the level of information management throughout the entire process, implementing diversified MDT models, and implementing quality control measures. As of July 2024, the hospital had established 80 MDT teams covering 30 clinical departments, conduct 120 MDT discussions for hospitalized cases per month, and with the continuous promotion of inpatient MDT work, the number of MDT teams and cases continued to increase. This practice had achieved good results and could provide references for other public hospitals in China to improve the level of inpatient MDT services.

Objective To explore the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of multiple-molecular classifier endometrioid adenocarcinomas with DNA polymerase epsilon catalytic subunit(POLE)mutations.Methods In this study,we involved 261 patients with endometrioid adenocarcinoma admitted to the Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University.We detected the expression of the POLE gene and that of p53 protein and mismatch repair(MMR)proteins using gene sequencing and immunohistochemistry,respectively.We analyzed the correlation between different molecular classifications and clinicopathological characteristics using x2 or Fisher test,and Kaplan-Meier survival curves to analyze patients' prognosis.Results We identified nine multiple-molecular classifier cases of endome-trioid adenocarcinoma with POLE mutations,including six POLE mutated+p53 abnormal(POLE mut+p53abn)and three POLE mutated+MMR-deficient(POLE mut+dMMR)cases.Patients with POLE mut+p53abn exhibited significant differences from those with p53abn in terms of the pathological characteristics of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and the presence of tumors with peritumoral lymphocyte infiltra-tion(P＜0.05),while no statistically significant difference was present compared to patients with POLE mut(P＞0.05).Kaplan-Meier sur-vival curve analysis revealed that the progression-free survival rates of patients with POLE mut+p53abn and POLE mut+dMMR(100.0％)were higher than those of patients with p53abn(50.0％)and dMMR(8.8％,P＜0.05).Conclusion The clinicopathological characteris-tics of patients with POLE mut+p53abn are similar to those with POLE mut.Both patients with POLE mut+p53abn and POLE mut+dMMR display a good prognosis.

Objective To investigate the association between plasma homocysteine(Hcy)level and coronary artery calcification(CAC)and its clinical predictive efficacy.Methods A total of 172 patients who underwent coronary CT angiography North China University of Science and Technology Affiliated Hospital from April 2019 to May 2021 and CAC score(CACS)＞0 were enrolled.According to the CACS value,the subjects were divided into mild calcification group(n=136)and severe calcification group(n=36),and the clinical characteristics of two groups were compared and analyzed.Multivariate Logistic regression model was used to screen the independent influencing factors of CAC severity,and a prediction model was constructed based on the Hcy detection value.The clinical diagnostic value was evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Results There were significant differences in Hcy,white blood cell count,triglyceride and magnesium ion levels between two groups(P＜0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that Hcy,white blood cell count and magnesium ion level were independent risk factors for the progression of CAC.Furthermore,a regression model based on Hcy was constructed and ROC curve was fitted to evaluate its predictive efficacy.The results suggested that the predictive model had the best performance when the critical value of Hcy was set at 27.4μmol/L:the sensitivity was 55.6％,the specificity was 97.1％,and the area under the curve was 0.765.Conclusion Hcy serves as an independent risk factor for the severity of CAC and can effectively predict the progression of CAC with high accuracy.

The multidisciplinary diagnosis and treatment (MDT) mode plays a positive role in diagnosing and treating difficult and complicated diseases, improving service quality, and promoting the construction of an integrated medical system. In March 2023, Zhejiang Provincial People′s Hospital had launched the " 6 New" MDT management practice to further improve the hospital′s inpatient MDT service level, including new concepts, new architectures, new standards, new processes, new models, and new quality control. This practice had improved the quality and efficiency of MDT management and promoted interdisciplinary integration by strengthening top-level design, establishing MDT leadership and quality control teams, developing relevant standards and specifications, enhancing the level of information management throughout the entire process, implementing diversified MDT models, and implementing quality control measures. As of July 2024, the hospital had established 80 MDT teams covering 30 clinical departments, conduct 120 MDT discussions for hospitalized cases per month, and with the continuous promotion of inpatient MDT work, the number of MDT teams and cases continued to increase. This practice had achieved good results and could provide references for other public hospitals in China to improve the level of inpatient MDT services.