Objective To prepare the recombinant Echinococcus granulosus Polo-like kinase 2 (rEgPLK2) protein and evaluate its immunoprotective efficacy against cystic echinococcosis, so as to provide insights into research and development of novel vaccines against echinococcosis. Methods The Polo-like kinase (PLK) protein sequences were retrieved from 12 species in the NCBI protein database, including E. granulosus and E. multilocularis. Multiple sequence alignment was performed using the Clustal Omega program, and structural visualization and homology analysis were conducted using the ESPript 3.2 program. The recombinant plasmid pET-30a-EgPLK2 was transformed into BL21(DE3) competent cells. Protein expression was induced with isopropyl-β-D-thiogalactoside (IPTG), and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) was performed to characterize the expression and molecular weight of the rEgPLK2 protein. The purified rEgPLK2 protein was thoroughly emulsified with Freund’s complete adjuvant at a 1 : 1 volume ratio. Two New Zealand white rabbits were immunized with multipoint subcutaneous injection on the back at a dose of 300 μg per rabbit for primary immunization. For booster immunizations, the protein was emulsified with Freund’s incomplete adjuvant at a 1 : 1 volume ratio and administered on days 14, 28, and 42 after the primary immunization at a dose of 150 μg per rabbit. Serum was sampled from the rabbit ear vein on day 7 after the final immunization to yield anti-rEgPLK2 polyclonal antibodies. Antibody titer was determined by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and antibody specificity was verified by Western blotting. The tissue localization of the EgPLK2 protein was detected in E. granulosus protoscoleces and adult worms using immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Eighteen 6- to 8-week-old female SPF-grade BALB/c mice were randomly divided into three groups, including the blank control group, rEgPLK2-ISA immunization group, and PBS-ISA adjuvant control group, of 6 mice each group. Mice in the rEgPLK2-ISA immunization group and PBSISA group received three primary immunizations via intramuscular injection, and animals in the rEgPLK2-ISA immunization group was inoculated with immunogens prepared by emulsifying rEgPLK2 protein with ISA 201 adjuvant at a 1 : 1 volume ratio (6 μg per mouse), while mice in the PBS-ISA adjuvant control group received an equal volume of PBS emulsified with ISA adjuvant at a 1 : 1 volume ratio. A fourth booster immunization was administered via intraperitoneal injection. Mice in the rEgPLK2-ISA immunization group received a booster immunization with 8 μg of rEgPLK2 protein per mouse, and animals in the PBS-ISA group received an equal volume of PBS, with immunizations given at 2-week intervals. Mice in the blank control group were given no treatment, and housed under standard conditions. Tail vein blood was collected from all mice 7 days after the final immunization, and levels of specific anti-rEgPLK2 IgG antibody and its subclasses (IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b, IgG3) were measured by indirect ELISA. E. granulosus infection was modelled in mice through injection with 1 000 E. granulosus protoscoleces via intrahepatic portal vein in the rEgPLK2-ISA immunization group and PBS-ISA adjuvant control group 2 weeks after the last immunization. All mice were sacrificed and dissected. The number of cysts was counted in mouse livers, and the cyst reduction rate was calculated. Liver tissues were processed for paraffin sectioning and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE), and histopathological changes were examined under a light microscope. Results Sequence analysis revealed that EgPLK2 shared a high amino acid sequence homology with E. multilocularis PLK2 (EmPLK2) and contained the typical domains of the Polo-like kinase family, including the serine/threonine protein kinase catalytic domain (STKc) and Polo-box. The IPTG-induced rEgPLK2 protein was mainly expressed in the form of inclusion bodies, and the purified rEgPLK2 protein showed a relative molecular mass of approximately 70 kDa. The prepared rabbit anti-rEgPLK2 polyclonal antibody had a titer of 1 : 256 000, and Western blotting assay showed that this anti-body specifically recognized the rEgPLK2 protein with a relative molecular mass of approximately 70 kDa. Immunofluorescence assay showed that the EgPLK2 protein was localized in the excretory bladder and rostellum of E. granulosus protoscoleces, as well as the tegument, suckers, and inter-proglottid junctions of adult worms. Immunoprotective assay showed that the serum levels of specific anti-rEgPLK2 IgG, IgG1, IgG2a, and IgG2b antibodies were 2.92 ± 0.49, 0.33 ± 0.10, 0.31 (0.36), and 3.12 (1.73) in mice in the rEgPLK2-ISA immunization group, which were all significantly higher than those in the PBS-ISA adjuvant control group (0.14 ± 0.04, 0.07 ± 0.01, 0.12 ± 0.04, and 0.11 ± 0.04, respectively) (t = 19.28 and 8.46, Z = 3.75 and 4.15; all P values < 0.001); however, there was no significant difference in the serum anti-IgG3 antibody level between the rEgPLK2-ISA immunization group and the PBS-ISA adjuvant control group [0.07 (0.01) vs. 0.073 (0.07); Z = 0.69, P > 0.05)]. In the mouse model of E. granulosus infections, the area of hepatic lesions was reduced and the inflammatory infiltration was alleviated in the rEgPLK2-ISA immunization group than in the PBS-ISA adjuvant control group, and the number of hepatic cysts was higher in the PBS-ISA adjuvant control group than in the rEgPLK2-ISA immunization group [8.00 (2.00) vs. 1.00 (0.75); Z = −2.93, P < 0.01], with a cyst reduction rate of 80.40%. Indirect ELISA assay measured higher serum levels of specific anti-rEgPLK2 IgG (3.28 ± 0.48 vs. 0.11 ± 0.04; t = 15.86, P < 0.01), IgG1 (0.29 ± 0.02 vs. 0.09 ± 0.01; t = 15.67, P < 0.01), IgG2a [3.71 (1.09) vs. 0.08 (0.03); Z = 2.88, P < 0.01], and IgG2b antibodies [3.34 (1.01) vs. 0.08 (0.03); Z = 2.88, P < 0.01] in the rEgPLK2-ISA immunization group than in the PBS-ISA adjuvant control group, and there was no significant difference in the serum level of the specific anti-rEgPLK2 IgG3 antibody between the rEgPLK2-ISA immunization group and the PBS-ISA adjuvant control group (0.07 ± 0.01 vs. 0.07 ± 0.01; t = 1.29, P > 0.05). Conclusions The prokaryotic expression system has been successfully constructed for the EgPLK2 gene and the anti-rEgPLK2 polyclonal antibody has been obtained. The rEgPLK2 protein exhibits a high immunogenicity, and is effective to protect against E. granulosus infection, and inhibits cyst development, which is a promising candidate vaccine target against cystic echinococcosis.

Sophora Flavescens is the dried root of the leguminous plant Sophora Flavescens Ait. It was first published in Shen Nong's Herbal Classic. Sophora Flavescens contains a variety of active ingredients, mainly including matrine and oxymatrine, with anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-arrhythmia, disease-resistant pathogenic microorganisms and other pharmacological effects. Clinically, the compound preparations of Sophora Flavescens include Compound KuShen injection and KuShen gel and so on, which can be used to treat many types of cancers and improve skin, mucous pruritus, pain and other symptoms. Due to the poor bioavailability, the structure of matrine needs to be reformed. MASM, matrine derivative, only needs a low concentration to have a good therapeutic effect on sepsis and liver fibrosis. In this article, the chemical composition, pharmacological effects, compound preparations and structural modification of matrine were mainly discussed, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for the clinical application of Sophora Flavescens and the development of new drugs.

Matrine is an alkaloid compound isolated and extracted from the traditional Chinese medicinal plant Sophora flavescens, which has anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, and anti-viral effects. However, its clinical application has been limited due to its low in vivo activity, short duration of efficacy, and significant toxic side effects. In response to this challenge，pharmaceutical experts modified the structure of Matrine to obtain derivatives that addressed its limitations. Currently, research on the anti-tumor effects of Matrine and its derivatives is more prevalent, while research in inflammatory-related diseases still needs further strengthening.The progress on the role and mechanism of Matrine and its derivatives in inflammatory diseases were summarized in this paper, which offered valuable insights for the development of therapeutic agents based on Matrine.

OBJECTIVE To study the correlation between the early postoperative symptom groups and quality of life in patients with thyroid cancer. METHODS From July 2023 to October 2023,patients after thyroid cancer at 1 to 3 days in Beijing and Shanxi Hospitals were selected,and the general data questionnaire,thyroid cancer quality of life scale(EORTC QLQ-THY 34) and quality of life core questionnaire(EORTC QLQ-C30) were used. Exploration factors were used to extract the early symptom group of thyroid cancer patients,investigate the scores of the quality of life,and conduct Pearson correlation analysis. RESULTS Factor analysis extracted four symptom groups:throat-voice symptom group,limb numbness-emotional symptom group,swallowing related symptom group,physical stress symptom group,The cumulative variance contribution rate was 64.93％. The overall health status score of patients with thyroid cancer in the early postoperative stage was 5.12±1.65,it was below the normal level. In the functional domain,the cognitive function score was 3.74±0.45,emotional function score 3.21±0.43,social function 2.96±0.76,and role function 2.66±0.73. The highest scores in the symptom domain were fatigue 1.77±0.39 and pain 1.75±0.50. The symptom group scores were negatively correlated with the scores of all dimensions of quality of life(P<0.05). Each symptom group and each dimension of the quality of life showed significant correlation. The throat-voice symptom group had the strongest correlation with sleep disturbance and role function(r=0.646,r=-0.561). Limb numbness-emotional symptom group was most associated with social functioning,insomnia,and general health(r=-0.538,r=0.529,r=-0.529). Groups of abnormal swallowing symptoms were most associated with physical function,sleep disturbance,and fatigue(r=-0.491,r=0.491,r=0.476),Groups of physical stress symptoms were most associated with physical function and fatigue(r=-0.523,r=-0.520). Sleep disorder had strong associations with each symptom group(r>0.400). CONCLUSION There are four symptom groups in thyroid cancer patients in the early postoperative period,which affect the quality of life of the patients after surgery. Medical staff should timely evaluate and identify the relevant symptoms of the patients after surgery,and conduct effective management,so as to improve the quality of life of the patients after surgery and promote recovery.

Objective To analyze the changes in left ventricular deformation function in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma(DLBCL)treated with different doses of anthracycline chemotherapy using 3D speckle-tracking imaging(3D-STI).Methods 66 DLBCL patients receiving anthracycline chemotherapy were enrolled.Based on the cumulative dose of anthracycline received,the patients were divided into a high-dose group(＞360 mg/m2,n=39)and a low-dose group(≤360 mg/m2,n=27).Patients underwent transthoracic echocardiography before chemotherapy and within one week after completion of the entire chemotherapy cycle.Left ventricular global longitudinal strain(LVGLS),left ventricular global circumferential strain(LVGCS),and other indices were analyzed using 3D-STI to assess changes in left ventricular deformation indices after chemotherapy and between two groups.Results Compared to baseline,DLBCL patients showed significant reductions in LVGLS,LVGCS and left atrial global longitudinal strain(LAGLS)after treatment completion(P＜0.001).When comparing the high-dose group with the low-dose group,there was a significant increase in relative LVGCS change rate at the end of chemotherapy(21.12[6.52,35.37]vs 5.49[-14.73,27.01];P=0.03).However,there were no statistically significant differences in relative left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),LVGLS,LVGCS,LVEF change rate,or LVGLS change rate between the two groups.Conclusions 3D-STI can be a potential method to identify the sub-clinical deterioration of left ventricular systolic function in patients received anthracycline chemotherapy,the difference of change rate of LVGCS may predict the variation of sub-clinical deterioration of left ventricular function between patients received high and low doses of anthracycline chemotherapy.

Sepsis is a severe and life-threatening symptom that poses a significant risk to human health.Treatment mainly involves supportive care,but research on new drugs is ongoing.Advancements have been achieved in the management of immune function,inflammatory pathway,blood coagulation,and vascular endothelial homeostasis in sepsis.The advances in the treatment of sepsis in recent years were these reviewed in this article.

BackgroundThere are differences in executive function between major depressive episode patients with or without psychotic symptoms， and childhood trauma may affect the executive function of patients with major depressive episode. Previous research studies predominantly focused on adult patients with major depressive episode， with a lack of studies specifically focusing on adolescent patients with major depressive episode. ObjectiveTo investigate the differences in executive function among adolescent patients with major depressive episode， with or without psychotic symptoms and childhood trauma. MethodsA total of 112 hospitalized adolescent patients with major depressive episode who met the criteria of the International Classification of Diseases， tenth edition （ICD-10） were included in the study. The participants were recruited from the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry， Shenzhen Kangning Hospital during the period from August 2020 to November 2021. Additionally， 27 healthy controls were recruited through public advertisements. The Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery （CANTAB） was used to assess executive function through the administration of the Motor Screening Task （MOT）， Spatial Working Memory（SWM） and Rapid Visual Information Processing （RVP） modules. Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form （CTQ-SF） was used to assess the trauma type. ResultsCompared with healthy controls， adolescent patients with major depressive episode had a longer mean delay （Z=-3.407， P=0.001） in the MOT task. In the SWM task， the patients had a higher total number of intergroup error responses （Z=-3.291， P=0.001）， a higher total number of intragroup error responses （Z=-3.461， P=0.001）， more total number of double error responses （Z=-3.218， P=0.001）， a higher total error responses （Z=-3.312， P=0.001）， higher strategy scores （Z=-2.437， P=0.015） and longer average delay time （Z=-2.055， P=0.040）. In the RVP task， the patients had fewer hits （Z=-3.196， P=0.001）， more misses （Z=-3.179， P=0.001）， fewer rejections （Z=-2.772， P=0.006）， lower hit probability （Z=-3.187， P=0.001） and lower A´ scores （Z=-3.070， P=0.002）.Compared with adolescent patients with major depressive episode without psychotic symptoms， those with psychotic symptoms had a lower total number of double error responses （Z=-2.566， P=0.010） in SWM task. Compared with adolescent patients with major depressive episode who did not experience emotional neglect， those who experienced emotional neglect had longer average delay time （Z=-3.183， P=0.001） in MOT task， fewer total hits （Z=-2.445， P=0.014）， more total missed reports （Z=-2.467， P=0.014）， lower hit probability （Z=-2.445， P=0.014） and lower A´scores （Z=-2.089， P=0.037） in RVP task. Adolescent patients with major depressive episode who had experienced emotional abuse had longer average delay time in MOT task than those who had not experienced emotional abuse （Z=-2.552， P=0.011）. ConclusionAdolescent patients with major depressive episode exhibit abnormalities in a majority of executive function domains. Specifically， those without psychotic symptoms and with childhood trauma demonstrate significantly impaired executive function. ［Funded by Shenzhen Fund for Guangdong Provincial High-level Clinical Key Specialties （number， SZGS013）， Basic and Applied Basic Research Fund of Guangdong Province （number， 2019A1515110047）， Shenzhen Science and Technology Planning Project （number， JCYJ20190809155019338）］

Objective:To study the dynamic changes of the main active components in wine-processed Cuscuta chinensis with dif-ferent rocessing methods. Methods: An HPLC method was adopted for the content determination of chlorogenic acids, hyperoside, quercetin and kaempferol in C. chinensis and wine-processed C. chinensis with different baking temperature, baking time and amount of yellow wine. The chromatographic conditions were as follows: the detection wavelength was 360 nm, and methanol-0. 1% phosphoric acid was used as the mobile phase with gradient elution. Results:The wine processing system could increase the content of quercetin and kaempferol, while decrease the content of chlorogenic acids and hyperin. Conclusion: Different processing methods have certain effects on the main active components, which provide basis for the further study on the processing mechanism and quality control of wine-processed C. chinensis.