Studies have suggested that the nucleus accumbens (NAc) is implicated in the pathophysiology of major depression; however, the regulatory strategy that targets the NAc to achieve an exclusive and outstanding anti-depression benefit has not been elucidated. Here, we identified a specific reduction of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in the subset of dopamine D1 receptor medium spiny neurons (D1-MSNs) in the NAc that promoted stress susceptibility, while the stimulation of cAMP production in NAc D1-MSNs efficiently rescued depression-like behaviors. Ketamine treatment enhanced cAMP both in D1-MSNs and dopamine D2 receptor medium spiny neurons (D2-MSNs) of depressed mice, however, the rapid antidepressant effect of ketamine solely depended on elevating cAMP in NAc D1-MSNs. We discovered that a higher dose of crocin markedly increased cAMP in the NAc and consistently relieved depression 24 h after oral administration, but not a lower dose. The fast onset property of crocin was verified through multicenter studies. Moreover, crocin specifically targeted at D1-MSN cAMP signaling in the NAc to relieve depression and had no effect on D2-MSN. These findings characterize a new strategy to achieve an exclusive and outstanding anti-depression benefit by elevating cAMP in D1-MSNs in the NAc, and provide a potential rapid antidepressant drug candidate, crocin.

Refractory angina is characterized by recurrent and persistent angina with a duration of not less than three months， which is related to reversible ischemia and hypoxia caused by coronary stenosis and obstruction. It mainly involves obstructive coronary artery disease and non-obstructive coronary artery disease with coronary artery spasm and coronary microvascular dysfunction. “Stasis and toxin” play an important role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. The pathogenesis of stasis and toxin is stubborn filthy turbidity featured by slow accumulation and sudden onset，and rapid changes，which coincides with the characteristics of refractory angina which is complex and changeable，prolonged and difficult to cure. The pathogenesis of refractory angina involves a combination of underlying deficiency and excessive manifestation， with "stasis and toxin" playing a crucial role as an important pathological factor in the whole process of refractory angina. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） employs a holistic approach known as "activating blood circulation and removing toxins"， which is supplemented by various methods to tonify Qi and warm Yang， nourish the kidneys and invigorate the spleen， clear heat and transform phlegm. This approach applies anti-inflammatory measures， regulates lipid metabolism， inhibits oxidative stress and thrombus formation， protects endothelial function in blood vessels， as well as establishes collateral circulation for the prevention and treatment of refractory angina. Therefore，based on the theory of "stasis and toxin"，combined with TCM theory and modern medical research，this paper discusses the pathogenesis of refractory angina and the prevention and treatment strategy of TCM，and elucidates the reasons for the difficulty in curing refractory angina and the relationship between refractory angina and common angina pectoris，coronary microvascular dysfunction，coronary artery spasm and obstructive coronary artery disease，hoping to provide certain theoretical basis and clinical ideas for the prevention and treatment of refractory angina with TCM.

In June 2017,National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China released Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of primary liver cancer(2017 edition),which provided important recommendations for the diagnosis,staging,and treatment of liver cancer.Since then,high-level evidence in line with the principles of evidence-based medicine has been continuously obtained from the research on primary liver cancer in China and globally.Therefore,National Health Commission released Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of primary liver cancer(2024 edition).This article gives an interpretation of the updated key points in the guidelines,in order to better guide clinical practice.

The result of liver transplantation (LT) for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is constrained by the high rates of tumor recurrence and metastasis. To remove this bottleneck, precise patient selection is crucial for individuals with HCC, and the goal of down-staging therapy is to transform patients exceeding transplantation criteria into suitable candidates. The difficulty in treating tumor recurrence and metastasis post-transplantation calls for more breakthroughs. Immunotherapy, as an emerging treatment modality, requires further exploration to enhance its safety and efficacy. The immunosuppression strategy is also a key factor in reducing tumor recurrence, requiring precise assessment and balanced control.

Objective:To investigate the influence of COX-2 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) on the infiltration and immune response of conventional type 1 dendritic cells (cDC1).Methods:Clinicopathological data from 111 HCC patients undergoing radical hepatectomy at Peking University People's Hospital from Jan 2016 to Jun 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Immunofluorescence staining was employed to evaluate the cDC1 infiltration and COX-2 expression in tumor tissues. Patients were divided into two groups based on cDC1 infiltration: cDC1 enrichment and cDC1 depletion, and the correlation between COX-2 expression and cDC1 infiltration was analyzed. Single-cell sequencing of HCC tumor tissues was used to further investigate the correlation between PTGS2, the encoding gene of COX-2, and cDC1 infiltration. Hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) were utilized for in vitro generation of cDC1. HSC-derived cDC1s were sorted by FACS and cocultured with HCC cell line SNU423. Celecoxib, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, was used to suppress the COX-2 expression in HCC cell line SNU423. The functions of cDC1 were explored by FITC-dextran uptake assay, flow cytometry, and Luminex multiplex cytokine assay. Results:COX-2 expression was significantly higher in the cDC1 depletion group ( n=73) compared to the cDC1 enrichment group ( n=38) ( P=0.004 2). Patients with higher PTGS2 expression had significantly lower proportion of cDC1. Increased cDC1 infiltration in the HCC tumor microenvironment correlated with improved patient overall survival rates ( P=0.037) and disease-free survival rates ( P=0.048). Results from FITC-dextran uptake assay, flow cytometry, and Luminex assay indicated that cDC1 co-cultured with HCC showed significantly reduced antigen uptake function, co-stimulatory molecule expression, and cytokine secretion, but partially abrogated with celecoxib treatment. Conclusions:The intratumoral infiltration of cDC1 is positively correlated with favorable prognosis in HCC patients. Elevated COX-2 expression in HCC impedes the intratumoral accumulation of cDC1 and compromises their immune response capabilities. COX-2 inhibitors hold promise for enhancing cDC1 function in HCC.

Objective To establish a rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(LC-MS/MS)analysis method for determination of unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine(UDMH)contents in rat plasma and investigate the toxicokinetic characteristics of UDMH in rats.Methods Twenty-two SD rats were divided into the intravenous injection of 10 mg/kg dose group(4 females)and intragastric administration groups(low,medium and high dose,with 6 rats in each group,half males and half females).The rats were given 10mg/kg by intravenous administration and 10 mg/kg,30 mg/kg,and 90 mg/kg single dose of UDMH by gavage.Blood samples were collected from the orbital venous plexus at 0 hour before administration and at different time points after administration.The plasma samples were extracted with protein precipitation and derivatization before being analyzed using the LC-MS/MS method.Separation was carried out on a ZORBAX column(4.6mm×75mm,3.5 μm),with a mobile phase composed of 0.3％acetonitrile/formic acid at a flow rate of 1 mL/min.Propranolol was used as the internal standard.An electrospray ionization(Turbo Ionspray)source was applied and the mass spectrometer was operated in a positive MRM mode.Quantitative analysis showed that the ionization source unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine and propranolol was at m/z:192.0→148.1,m/z:260.2→116.1,respectively.The toxicokinetic parameters were analyzed with the DAS 2.1 software.Results Quantification of UDMH exhibited a good linearity within the concentration range of 50-50000 ng/mL,with a linear correlation coefficient greater than 0.9900 and a lower limit of quantification of 50 ng/mL.The average recovery rate of UDMH was 98.1％,compared with 100.5％for the internal standard propranolol hydrochloride.The inter batch precision of standard curve samples ranged from 0.7％to 6.3％,and the relative error was between-7.1％and 6.2％.The inter batch and intra batch precision of quality control samples ranged from1.8％to 19.8％,and the relative error from-9.8％to 0.2％.The main pharmacokinetic parameters of UDMH in rats exposed to 10 mg/kg,30 mg/kg,and 90 mg/kg gavage were UC(0-t):(7624.99±2569.31),(34284.04±6657.15),(84720.88±22354.80)μg/L·h,t1/2:(0.07±0.15),(2.24±1.45),(3.04±0.90)h,Tmax:(0.75±0.27),(0.51±0.29),(0.29±0.10)h,Cmax:(4454.14±1329.45),(19442.45±9121.07),(32334.35±9882.41)μg/L,F:(77.34±26.06)％,(115.92±22.51)％,(95.48±25.19)％.Conclusion The LC-MS/MS method is highly accurate and specific,and is suitable for the toxicokinetic study of UDMH in rats.Single gavage administration of UDMH results in absorption and elimination saturation at a high dose.This study provides data for toxicological studies related to UDMH.

Objective:To investigate the predictive value of procalcitonin to platelet ratio (PPR) and C-reactive protein to albumin ratio (CAR) in severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) and the value of SAP and concomitant acute liver injury (ALI).Methods:Total of 195 patients with AP from June 2021 to December 2022 from 374 patients were screened for inclusion in the study and were divided into non-severe acute pancreatitis (NSAP) and SAP groups. The ALI group was divided into non-acute liver injury (NALI) and ALI groups according to ALI criteria, and then into hepatocellular ALI subgroup, cholangiocellular ALI subgroup and mixed ALI subgroup. Laboratory tests for procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP), albumin and platelet (PLT) were completed within 48 h. Risk factors for SAP, ALI and each subgroup of ALI were analysed by binary logistic regression. Subject work characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted and the optimal thresholds for PPR and CAR were calculated. The predictive value of PPR, CAR and their combination for SAP, ALI and each type of ALI was determined.Results:The AUCs for predicting SAP by plotting ROC curves and calculating the bedside index score of acute pancreatitis severity (BISAP score), PPR, CAR, PPR combined with CAR, PPR combined with BISAP score, CAR combined with BISAP score and combined PPR, CAR and BISAP score were 0.82, 0.85, 0.79 and 0.86. The areas under the ROC curves for PPR, CAR and combined prediction of ALI were 0.81, 0.85 and 0.88, respectively; the areas under the ROC curves for PPR, CAR and combined prediction of hepatocellular ALI were 0.93, 0.77 and 0.92, respectively; and the areas under the ROC curves for PPR, CAR and combined prediction of cholangiocellular ALI were 0.76, 0.76 and 0.77, respectively. The area under the ROC curves for PPR, CAR and combined prediction of mixed ALI were 0.83, 0.76 and 0.82Conclusions:Elevated PPR and CAR are risk factors for SAP and for the development of ALI in AP. PPR has better predictive value than CAR for hepatocellular and mixed ALI, and CAR has better predictive value than PPR for cholangiocellular ALI.

To construct a recombinant Bacillus subtilis strain expressing SpaA and CbpB of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae for oral administration, we constructed the recombinant plasmid pDG1730-CBJA by fusion PCR and seamless cloning. The plasmid was introduced into B. subtilis KC strain by natural transformation, and the recombinant strain KC-spaA-cbpB was screened out on the plate containing spectinomycin (spe^r) and confirmed by PCR and starch degradation test. The SpaA and CbpB expressed by KC-spaA-cbpB were detected by Western blotting and indirect immunofluorescence assay, and the genetic stability of the recombinant strain in mice was determined. The plasmid pMAD-∆spe^r with knockout of spe^r was constructed and transformed into KC-spaA-cbpB. The spe^r-deleted mutant strain KC-spaA-cbpB: : ∆spe^r was screened and identified, and its immunogenicity in a mouse model was evaluated by oral immunization. The results showed that the recombinant strain KC-spaA-cbpB was stable in mice, expressing SpaA on the cell surface and CbpB on the spore surface. KC-spaA-cbpB: : ∆spe^r expressed SpaA and CbpB. The mice vaccinated with the spores of KC-spaA-cbpB: : ∆spe^r had higher levels of SpaA and CbpB-specific IgG in the serum that those vaccinated with the wild-type spores 42 days after vaccination by gavage (P < 0.01). The protective rate of mice immunized with the recombinant spores was 67.5%. The results indicated that a recombinant B. subtilis strain expressing SpaA and CbpB of E. rhusiopathiae was successfully constructed, and the recombinant strain laid a foundation for the development of oral live vector vaccines for swine erysipelas.
Animals ; Bacillus subtilis/immunology* ; Mice ; Erysipelothrix/immunology* ; Bacterial Proteins/immunology* ; Bacterial Vaccines/genetics* ; Erysipelothrix Infections/prevention & control* ; Immunization ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Plasmids/genetics* ; Immunogenicity, Vaccine ; Administration, Oral ; Antigens, Bacterial

Atherosclerosis is a vascular disease characterized by arterial occlusion formed by the pathological accumulation of pathological vascular cells and apoptotic cell debris. Atherosclerotic vulnerable plaque is an important pathological basis for inducing severe thrombotic cardiovascular events， and the study of its etiology and pathogenesis has always been a hot issue in the field of cardiovascular research. Efferocytosis is a new type of programmed death cell removal， which refers to the process of macrophages phagocytosing and degrading apoptotic cells to prevent secondary necrosis. It is a key homeostatic mechanism in the body's physiological process. In the pathological state， the dysfunction of efferocytosis causes the pathological accumulation of apoptotic cells and necrotic debris， leading to the occurrence of secondary cell necrosis and the continuous release of intracellular toxic content and inducing inflammatory regression disorders and cholesterol metabolism disorders， which are closely related to the occurrence and development of atherosclerotic vulnerable plaques. The theory of ''blood stasis and toxin'' is an important theory of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） to explain the occurrence and development of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis starts from the pathological state of blood stagnation. Prolonged blood stagnation leads to blood stasis and toxic substances. Blood stasis and toxic pathogens interact with each other in blood vessels and eventually form plaques in blood vessels. The theory of ''blood stasis and toxin causing a catastrophe'' is an important understanding of the occurrence and development of acute cardiovascular events. From the perspective of TCM theory， the pathophysiological mechanism of efferocytosis is similar to the etiology and pathogenesis of the ''blood stasis and toxin'' in TCM. Therefore， this paper took the theory of ''blood stasis and toxin'' as the breakthrough point to explore the mechanism of efferocytosis in atherosclerotic vulnerable plaques， and proposed a detoxification and blood circulation method to regulate cell burial to prevent and treat atherosclerotic vulnerable plaques. The research strategy aims to provide new ideas and theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis by detoxification and blood circulation.

Objective:To analyze the long-term cumulative survival and tumor-free survival of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients after liver transplantation, as well as the influencing factors.Methods:We conducted a retrospective study on 228 HCC patients receiving liver transplantation from May 1, 2000 to May 1, 2012 at the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Peking University People's Hospital. A total of 166 patients met the recruit criteria. The patients' perioperative data and follow-up data were collected. We analyzed the cumulative survival and tumor-free survival of the recipients, as well as the influencing factors.Results:The 1-, 5- and 10-year cumulative survival of the 166 HCC patients were 80.7%, 52.4% and 45.8%, respectively, while the 1-, 5- and 10-year tumor-free survival of these patients were 60.2%, 47.6% and 44.0%, respectively. Among these patients,a total of 96 recipients met the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) criteria, whose 1-, 5- and 10-year cumulative survival were 83.3%, 66.7%, and 59.4%, respectively, and tumor-free survival were 74.0%, 62.5% and 57.3%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that beyond the UCSF criteria, alpha fetoprotein (AFP) ≥ 400 ng/ml before transplantation and poorly differentiated carcinoma were independent factors affecting cumulative survival and tumor-free survival ( P < 0.05). Conclusions:Liver transplantation is an effective treatment of HCC. Besides the size and the number of the tumors, AFP ≥ 400 ng/ml before transplantation and poorly differentiated tumors are independent factors affecting the long-term cumulative survival and tumor-free survival of HCC patients.