BACKGROUND:Previous studies by our research group discovered that Jiawei Xiaoyao San has a significant anti-liver cancer effect,but the specific mechanism of action was unclear. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the regulatory effects of the traditional Chinese medicine formula Jiawei Xiaoyao San on the levels of miRNAs in plasma exosomes of rats with diethylnitrosamine chronically induced primary liver cancer,based on high-throughput sequencing combined with bioinformatics. METHODS:SD rats were randomly divided into a blank control group,a liver cancer model group,and a Jiawei Xiaoyao San treatment group.Liver cancer models were induced by continuous administration of diethylnitrosamine for 12 weeks.Starting from the 17th week,rats in the Jiawei Xiaoyao San treatment group were administered Jiawei Xiaoyao San once daily until the end of the 20th week,while rats in the blank control and liver cancer model groups were given an equivalent volume of saline.Anti-hepatocellular carcinoma effects were validated by assessing the morphological structure of rat liver tissues,along with the expression of the hepatocellular carcinoma markers,Glypican-3 protein and serum alpha-fetoprotein.Plasma exosomes from each group of rats were isolated using ultracentrifugation.High-throughput sequencing technology was used to screen for differentially expressed miRNAs in rat plasma exosomes.Bioinformatics was used to predict the potential biomarkers through which Jiawei Xiaoyao San exerts its anti-liver cancer effects via liver cancer-derived exosomal miRNAs,followed by functional analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Jiawei Xiaoyao San significantly improved the morphological structure of liver tissues in a rat model of liver cancer.Compared with the liver cancer model group,the expression of liver cancer markers Glypican-3 protein and serum alpha-fetoprotein was significantly reduced in the Jiawei Xiaoyao San treatment group.(2)Bioinformatics analysis showed that in the Jiawei Xiaoyao San group,upregulated miR-223-3p in the liver cancer model group had target binding sites with genes E2F1 and NCOA1,which were closely related to liver cancer survival and prognosis.Therefore,Jiawei Xiaoyao San has a therapeutic effect on liver cancer,possibly by targeting negative regulation of NCOA1/E2F1 through liver cancer plasma-derived exosomal miR-223-3p,thereby playing anti-liver cancer effect.

Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of mumps in Guangxi from 2012 to 2024, and to provide a scientific basis for formulating prevention and control strategies. Methods Descriptive epidemiological methods were used to analyze the incidence data of mumps in Guangxi from 2012 to 2024. Results A total of 159 873 mumps cases were reported from 2012 to 2024 in Guangxi, with an average annual reported incidence of 25.41/100 000, and no death. Mumps occurred every month, with the peak incidence mainly concentrated in April to July and October to January of the next year. There were 96,118 male cases (29.43 /100 000), and 63 755 female cases (21.07 /100 000). The male to female ratio was 1.40:1, and the difference between male and female was significant (χ²=4 321.276，P＜0.05). The annual incidence of mumps showed a certain periodic change, with the incidence peak and trough alternating every 4 - 5 years. The majority of patients were under 15 years old, accounting for 85.32% of the total number of cases. The patients mainly included students, preschool children and scattered children. The highest average incidence was in Nanning City with 40 231 cases (42.08/100 000), and the lowest was in Qinzhou City with 3 466 cases (8.16/100 000). From 2012 to 2024, a total of 210 mumps outbreaks with 4 483 cases were reported in Guangxi. Conclusion The incidence of mumps in Guangxi from 2012 to 2024 shows a periodic change and obvious seasonality. People under 15 years old are the key group at risk of mumps. The prevention and control of the epidemic of mumps in schools and kindergartens should be strengthened. It is suggested to carry out long-term monitoring of mumps as well as immune effect research, and continue to maintain a high vaccination rate of 2 doses of mumps-containing vaccines.

Objective To investigate whether the extracts of Patrinia heterophylla(MTH)inhibits the activation of macrophages induced by lipopolysaccharide(LPS)in vitro and the inflammatory response induced in vivo by suppressing the nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB)signaling pathway.Methods Cellular studies:RAW264.7 cells were divided into 6 groups:control group,LPS group,LPS+Dexamethasone(DEX)group and LPS+MTH(low,medium,high dose)groups.The LPS group,LPS+DEX and LPS+MTH group were induced with a final concentration of 100 ng/ml LPS.While the LPS+DEX group was additionally treated with 5.0 ng/ml DEX,the LPS+MTH group was additionally treated with MTH(final concentrations of 0.1,0.2 and 0.4 mg/ml).The cell activity was detected using CCK-8 assay,cell invasion was detected using Transwell assay,cell apoptosis was detected using flow cytometry,and interleukin-6(IL-6),interleukin-17(IL-17)and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)were detected using real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,respectively.The expression and secretion levels of nitric oxide(NO)in cells were detected by Griess assay,total reactive oxygen species(ROS)levels were detected by flow cytometry.The phosphorylation level of p65 and inhibitor of κB(IκB)were detected by protein immunoblotting assay.The transcriptional activity was detection by luciferase reporter gene assay.Animal studies:50 rats were randomly divided into 5 groups,10 per group,namely the control group,LPS group,LPS+DEX group,LPS+MTH low-dose group(6 g/kg)and LPS+MTH high-dose group(24 g/kg).LPS was injected into the lungs of rats,and the groups were orally administered at 36 h,24 h,12 h before modeling,and 12 h,24 h after modeling.12 h after the last administration,bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was collected,and the IL-6,IL-17,TNF-α and NF-κB signaling pathway-related indicators in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were measured.Results Cellular studies:Compared with the control group,the cell activity,invasion,apoptosis,IL-6,IL-17 and TNF-α mRNA and protein,NO,ROS,phosphorylation level of P536 protein S536 site and IκB protein S32 site and transcription activity of NF-κB had significantly increased in the LPS group(all P＜0.05).Compared with the LPS group,the cell activity,invasion,IL-6,IL-17,and TNF-αmRNA and protein,NO,ROS,phosphorylation level of P536 protein S536 site and IκB protein S32 site and transcription activity of NF-κB had significantly decreased in 3 LPS+MTH groups(all P＜0.05),and apoptosis was significantly increased in 3 LPS+MTH groups(all P＜0.05).All of which showed a dose-dependent trend of MTH.Animal studies:Compared with the control group,the LPS group showed a significant increase in IL-6,IL-17,TNF-α and phosphorylation levels of p65 protein at S536 site and IκB protein at S32 site(all P＜0.05).Compared with the LPS group,the 2 LPS+MTH groups showed a significant decrease in IL-6,IL-17,TNF-α and phosphorylation levels of p65 protein at S536 site and IκB protein at S32 site(all P＜0.05).These indicators showed a dose-dependent trend with MTH.Conclusion MTH can inhibit the activation of mouse macrophage RAW264.7 induced by LPS and the inflammatory response in the lungs of rats induced by LPS,which may be related to the inhibition of the NF-κB signaling pathway.

Objective Pertussis cases have increased markedly since 2018 in Guangxi.The aim of this study was to evaluate antibody levels and the infection status of pertussis in the resident population. Method A total of 10,215 serum samples from residents were collected from August-November 2018 and tested for anti-pertussis IgG and toxin IgG using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Results Of the collected samples,1,833(17.94%)tested positive for anti-pertussis IgG,with the median concentration of 16.06 IU/mL.Antibody level<10 IU/mL accounted for more than 60%in children under 4 years of age,but declined with age,whereas the percentages of the other three levels(10-40,40-50,and≥50 IU/mL)increased almost with age(P<0.001).Moreover,7,924 samples were selected for anti-pertussis toxin IgG,of which 653(8.24%)tested positive(≥40 IU/mL)with the median concentration of 5.89 IU/mL,and 204 participants(2.56%)had recent pertussis infection(≥100 IU/mL).Among the different age groups,the highest rates of positivity and recent infection were observed at 11-20 years of age,the lowest positivity rate at 5 years of age,and the lowest recent infection rate at 4 years of age(P<0.001,P=0.005,respectively). Conclusion The survey results showed that all age groups in Guangxi lacked immunity against pertussis,which was one of the main factors contributing to the resurgence of pertussis in 2018.In addition,the prevalence of pertussis is relatively high in Guangxi,and its incidence is seriously underestimated,especially in adolescents and adults.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the validity of four screening questionnaires on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) among community residents in Shanghai, and to provide a scientific basis for selecting suitable screening questionnaires and plans for the community use. MethodsA multi-stage random sampling method was used to select community residents aged ≥40 for COPD questionnaire screening and spirometry. The screening questionnaires included the COPD Population Screener Questionnaire (COPD-PS), the COPD Screening Questionnaire (COPD-SQ), the COPD Diagnosis Questionnaire (CDQ), and the Lung Function Questionnaire (LFQ). The diagnostic gold standard for COPD was defined as a ratio of post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in one second to forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) less than 0.7. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to assess the validity of each questionnaire, and DeLong’s test was used to compare the area under the curve (AUC) of different questionnaires. ResultsAmong the 1 122 residents screened, 99 (8.8%) were diagnosed with COPD based on the gold standard criteria. The AUC values for the four questionnaires ranged from 0.643 to 0.682, with no statistically significant differences in screening accuracy among them (P>0.05). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) for each questionnaire at recommended cut-off points were as follows: COPD-PS (sensitivity: 33.3%, specificity: 84.9%, PPV: 17.6%, NPV: 92.9%), COPD-SQ (34.3%, 85.8%, 19.0%, 93.1%), CDQ (73.7%, 42.4%, 11.0%, 94.4%), and LFQ (48.5%, 74.8%, 15.7%, 93.8%). Optimal cut-off values for this population differed from the recommended values. When selecting the optimal cut-off value, the sensitivity of COPD-PS (58.6%), COPD-SQ (55.6%), and LFQ (64.7%) increased, while the specificity of CDQ (75.9%) increased. The AUC of sequential lung function testing for all four screening questionnaires increased to 0.7 or above. The optimal cut-off values for the four questionnaires in this population differed from the recommended values. When applying the optimal cut-off values, the sensitivity of three questionnaires increased: COPD-PS (58.6%), COPD-SQ (55.6%), and LFQ (64.7%), while the specificity of CDQ rose to 75.9%. The AUC of each questionnaire increased to above 0.7 when followed by sequential lung function testing. ConclusionThe COPD-PS, COPD-SQ, CDQ, and LFQ have limited value for COPD screening among Shanghai community residents, indicating that further refinement of these tools is needed.

Objective To investigate whether the extracts of Patrinia heterophylla(MTH)inhibits the activation of macrophages induced by lipopolysaccharide(LPS)in vitro and the inflammatory response induced in vivo by suppressing the nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB)signaling pathway.Methods Cellular studies:RAW264.7 cells were divided into 6 groups:control group,LPS group,LPS+Dexamethasone(DEX)group and LPS+MTH(low,medium,high dose)groups.The LPS group,LPS+DEX and LPS+MTH group were induced with a final concentration of 100 ng/ml LPS.While the LPS+DEX group was additionally treated with 5.0 ng/ml DEX,the LPS+MTH group was additionally treated with MTH(final concentrations of 0.1,0.2 and 0.4 mg/ml).The cell activity was detected using CCK-8 assay,cell invasion was detected using Transwell assay,cell apoptosis was detected using flow cytometry,and interleukin-6(IL-6),interleukin-17(IL-17)and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)were detected using real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,respectively.The expression and secretion levels of nitric oxide(NO)in cells were detected by Griess assay,total reactive oxygen species(ROS)levels were detected by flow cytometry.The phosphorylation level of p65 and inhibitor of κB(IκB)were detected by protein immunoblotting assay.The transcriptional activity was detection by luciferase reporter gene assay.Animal studies:50 rats were randomly divided into 5 groups,10 per group,namely the control group,LPS group,LPS+DEX group,LPS+MTH low-dose group(6 g/kg)and LPS+MTH high-dose group(24 g/kg).LPS was injected into the lungs of rats,and the groups were orally administered at 36 h,24 h,12 h before modeling,and 12 h,24 h after modeling.12 h after the last administration,bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was collected,and the IL-6,IL-17,TNF-α and NF-κB signaling pathway-related indicators in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were measured.Results Cellular studies:Compared with the control group,the cell activity,invasion,apoptosis,IL-6,IL-17 and TNF-α mRNA and protein,NO,ROS,phosphorylation level of P536 protein S536 site and IκB protein S32 site and transcription activity of NF-κB had significantly increased in the LPS group(all P＜0.05).Compared with the LPS group,the cell activity,invasion,IL-6,IL-17,and TNF-αmRNA and protein,NO,ROS,phosphorylation level of P536 protein S536 site and IκB protein S32 site and transcription activity of NF-κB had significantly decreased in 3 LPS+MTH groups(all P＜0.05),and apoptosis was significantly increased in 3 LPS+MTH groups(all P＜0.05).All of which showed a dose-dependent trend of MTH.Animal studies:Compared with the control group,the LPS group showed a significant increase in IL-6,IL-17,TNF-α and phosphorylation levels of p65 protein at S536 site and IκB protein at S32 site(all P＜0.05).Compared with the LPS group,the 2 LPS+MTH groups showed a significant decrease in IL-6,IL-17,TNF-α and phosphorylation levels of p65 protein at S536 site and IκB protein at S32 site(all P＜0.05).These indicators showed a dose-dependent trend with MTH.Conclusion MTH can inhibit the activation of mouse macrophage RAW264.7 induced by LPS and the inflammatory response in the lungs of rats induced by LPS,which may be related to the inhibition of the NF-κB signaling pathway.

Interferon-γ (IFN-γ), a key effector molecule in anti-tumor immune response, has been well documented to correlate with the intratumoral infiltration of immune cells. Of interest, however, a high level of IFN-γ has been reported in salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma (SACC), which is actually a type of immunologically cold cancer with few infiltrated immune cells. Investigating the functional significance of IFN-γ in SACC would help to explain such a paradoxical phenomenon. In the present study, we revealed that, compared to oral squamous cell carcinoma cells (a type of immunologically hot cancer), SACC cells were less sensitive to the growth-inhibition effect of IFN-γ. Moreover, the migration and invasion abilities of SACC cells were obviously enhanced upon IFN-γ treatment. In addition, our results revealed that exposure to IFN-γ significantly up-regulated the level of programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) on SACC cell-derived small extracellular vesicles (sEVs), which subsequently induced the apoptosis of CD8⁺ T cells through antagonizing PD-1. Importantly, it was also found that SACC patients with higher levels of plasma IFN-γ also had higher levels of circulating sEVs that carried PD-L1 on their surface. Our study unveils a mechanism that IFN-γ induces immunosuppression in SACC via sEV PD-L1, which would account for the scarce immune cell infiltration and insensitivity to immunotherapy.
B7-H1 Antigen/metabolism* ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/pathology* ; Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic/pathology* ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Humans ; Immunosuppression Therapy ; Interferon-gamma/pharmacology* ; Mouth Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor/metabolism* ; Salivary Gland Neoplasms/pathology*

Objective:To explore the effect of early education intervention combined with touching therapy intervention on infants' intelligence and motor function.Methods:Convenient sampling was used to 300 infants admitted from January 2018 to May 2019 in Zhumadian Central Hospital of Henan Province, According to the intervention method, infants were divided into observation group and control group, each with 150 cases. Control group carried out routine care, while observation group was treated with early education intervention combined with touching therapy. The Mental Development Index (MDI) , Psychomotor Development Index (PDI) , and Gesell Developmental Schedules were compared between the two groups at 3 and 6 months after intervention.Results:The MDI score, PDI score, social competence score, language score, fine motor score, large motor score, and adaptability score of observation group 3 and 6 months after intervention were all higher than those of control group, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:Early education intervention combined with touching therapy for infants has a significant effect, which can promote growth and intellectual development.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common clinical reproductive endocrine disease, and its incidence is increasing year by year. The occurrence and development of PCOS are related to many factors, among which genetic factors may play a key role. Circular RNA (circRNA) is a new type of universal and diverse endogenous non-coding RNA. The 3' and 5' ends of circRNA can be covalently linked together, causing it to form a circular structure. In addition, circRNA can resist degradation and maintain a high degree of stability under the mediation of RNA exonuclease. CircRNA also has cell specificity, tissue specificity and timing specificity. Compared with microRNA, circRNA is a more ideal disease biomarker, providing a new target for subsequent treatment of various diseases. An increasing number of studies have shown that circRNA is related to the pathophysiology of PCOS, and plays a role in endocrine hormone secretion, follicle development, granulosa cell proliferation and apoptosis, and genetic tendency, and participates in each link of the occurrence and development of PCOS. This article reviews the research reports on the relationship between circRNA and PCOS in recent years, hoping to provide new ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of PCOS.