Background With the large-scale production and application of carbon black nanoparticles (CBNPs), occupational and general exposure is obviously increasing. Related studies have shown that exposure to CBNPs can induce oxidative stress, inflammation, and DNA damage. Objective To establish a CBNPs-induced malignant transformation (C-BEAS-2B) model of human lung epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) and explore the role and mechanism of circCCDC138 in the malignant transformation process. Methods At 0, 10, 20, 40 and 80 μg·mL⁻¹ CBNPs concentrations, cell viability was detected by CCK8 assay. BEAS-2B cells were exposed to 20 mg·mL⁻¹ CBNPs for three months, and a malignant transformation model of BEAS-2B induced by CBNPs was constructed. The migration and invasion abilities of the cells were detected by cell scratch and Transwell assays. The expressions of circ-CCDC138 in BEAS-2B and C-BEAS-2B were detected by qRT-PCR, and its stability was verified by a digestive resistance test. A cell model with interference or overexpression of circCCDC138 was constructed, and the expression of circCCDC138 in the cells was detected by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR. The cell cycle and apoptosis were determined by flow cytometry. Western blot was used to analyze the expression of p53 protein. Results The CBNPs used in the experiment were spherical particles with a chain-like structure. In the 20 μg·mL⁻¹ CBNPs group, the reduction in the viability of BEAS-2B cells was relatively small (10%). Compared with the control cells, the 20 μg·mL⁻¹ CBNPs group showed more obvious cell migration and invasion at 24 h and 48 h, indicating that the exposure to CBNPs induced early malignant transformation of BEAS-2B cells (P<0.01). The circCCDC138 expression in C-BEAS-2B was upregulated in a time-dependent manner after exposure to CBNPs. Compared with the C-BEAS-2B cells, the C-BEAS-2B cells over-expressing circCCDC138 exhibited arrested S phase progression (36.9%) and apoptosis resistance (P<0.01), along with down regulation of p53 protein expression in the cells (P<0.01), while the C-BEAS-2B cells interfering with circCCDC138 showed the opposite results (P<0.01). Conclusion BEAS-2B cells exposed to CBNPs (20 μg·mL⁻¹) have significantly enhanced migration and invasion abilities, showing early malignant transformation characteristics. In addition, circCCDC138 is highly expressed in C-BEAS-2B cells with RNase R digestive resistance and increases in a time-dependent manner with CBNPs exposure. More importantly, circCCDC138 may promote the induction of malignant transformation of cells by inhibiting p53 protein expression.

Lysosomes represent a promising target for cancer therapy and reducing drug resistance. However, the short treatment time and low efficiency of lysosomal targeting have limited the application in lysosome-targeting anticancer drugs. In this study, we proposed an adhesive-bandage approach and synthesized a new lysosomal targeting drug, namely long-term lysosome-targeting anticancer drug (LLAD). It contains a SLC38A9-targeting covalently bound moiety and an alkaline component both to prolong the inhibition of SLC38A9 in lysosomes and alkalinize lysosomes. Upon short term and low-dose treatment of HeLa cells, at passage 0, with LLAD, it rapidly alkalinized lysosomes and also can be detected in lysosomes even at passage 15. LLAD induced apoptosis in HeLa cells through long-term lysosomal damage, and showed better long-term anticancer effect than cisplatin in vivo. Overall, our study paves the way for developing long-term lysosomal targeting drugs to treat cancer and overcome the drug resistance of cancer cells, and also provides a candidate drug, LLAD, for treating cancer.

Diabetes, a metabolic disease stemming from impaired or defective insulin secretion, ranks among the most severe chronic illnesses globally. While several approved drugs exist for its treatment, they often come with multiple side effects. Therefore, there is a pressing need for safe and effective anti-diabetic medications. Traditional Chinese medicine has recognized Lycium barbarum (LB; goji berry) plant, commonly known as "wolfberry fruit" in China, for over 2,000 years. Natural compounds derived from LB show promise in reducing diabetes levels. Although research on the impact of LB on diabetes is still limited, our review aims to explore the potential of LB in reducing the risk of diabetes and examine the underlying mechanisms involved. LB can modulate diabetes through various pathways, such as inhibiting α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities, promoting β-cell proliferation, stimulating insulin secretion, inhibiting glucagon secretion, improving insulin resistance and glucose tolerance, and enhancing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Additionally, LB improves gut flora and immunomodulation, further aiding diabetes management. These findings highlight the potential clinical utility of LB in managing diabetes and its complications within the framework of evidence-based modern medicine.

Objective To explore the effect and preliminary mechanism of the plant-derived immunostimulatory molecule,ophiopogonin,on enhancing the immune response of a subunit vaccine with the receptor-binding domain(RBD)of coronavirus spike protein as the antigen.Methods CCK-8 assay was used to determine the cytotoxicity of ophiopogonin D'(OPD')on bone marrow-derived dendritic cells(BMDCs).Female Balb/c mice were randomly divided into RBD,RBD/OPD',RBD/Alum,and control groups.The immunization dose was 5 μg of antigen per mouse and 100 μg of adjuvant per mouse,and immunization was carried out according to the intramuscular injection immunization procedure on days 0,21,and 42.The titers of specific IgG and its subtype antibodies were detected by ELISA.The cytokine levels in the supernatant of splenocytes were detected using ELISA.The number of splenocytes secreting IFN-γ was detected by ELISpot.Laser confocal microscopy was employed to observe the uptake of antigen by BMDCs.The phagocytic ability of BMDCs for antigen was quantitatively analyzed by flow cytometry.The mechanism of its enhanced immune effect was preliminarily explored using transcriptomics technology combined with bioinformatics research.Results When the concentration of OPD'was less than 5 μg/mL,the survival rate of BMDCs was 100%.After a single intramuscular injection in mice,except for a slight decrease in body weight,the other biochemical indicators were within corresponding normal ranges.After intramuscular injection immunization of the vaccine,the titers of serum-specific IgG,IgG1,and IgG2a in the RBD/OPD'group were significantly higher than those in the RBD group(P<0.05).Compared with the RBD group,the RBD/OPD'group induced a high-level Th1 cell immune response of IL-1β,TNF-α,and IFN-γ(P<0.01)and had more lymphocytes secreting IFN-γ(P<0.001).Laser confocal microscopy displayed that BMDCs took up more antigens after OPD'treatment,which was further confirmed with flow cytometry in quantitative analysis on antigen uptake rate(P<0.01).Transcriptomics results indicated that there was more significant enrichment of the PPAR signaling pathway in the RBD/OPD'group than the RBD group,suggesting that OPD'may activate the PPAR signaling pathway to exert its adjuvant effect.Conclusion OPD'effectively enhances the immune response of the RBD subunit vaccine,and its action mechanism may be related to the activation of the PPAR signaling pathway.

Objective To establish a mouse model of infection with the minimum lethal dose of Vibrio vulnificus(V.vulnificus)and to evaluate the protective efficacy of inactivated whole-cell(IWC)vaccine using this model.Methods A mouse model of lethal-dose infection was established by intraperitoneal injection of different doses of V.vulnificus.Bacterial colonization in the organs was detected with tissue homogenate plating,and pathological changes in the organs were observed after tissue section staining.Flow cytometry was used to detect immune cell responses after liver tissues were digested into single-cell suspension.IWC vaccine of V.vulnificus was prepared,and the mice were immunized through different routes to observe the protective efficacy of the vaccine.Results A mouse model of infection with the minimum lethal dose at 1×106 CFU of V.vulnificus was successfully established.After infection,the bacteria were mainly colonized in the liver of mice and caused severe pathological damages.Compared with the uninfected mice,the proportion of neutrophils in the liver was significantly increased in the infected mice,whereas the proportions of B cells and T cells were correspondingly decreased(P<0.05).A single intramuscular or intraperitoneal injection of the IWC vaccine could protect the mice effectively against lethal infection of V.vulnificus in 7 d later(P<0.01),although the level of serum IgG having no significant increase.Conclusion A mouse model of lethal-dose infection with V.vulnificus is successfully established,with histopathological characteristics.The IWC vaccine of V.vulnificus rapidly mediates immune protection in this model probably independent of IgG.

Objective To prepare tubeimoside Ⅲ nanoemulsion(TBMⅢ-NE)and evaluate its adjuvant effect in vaccines.Methods TBMⅢ-NE was prepared using low-energy emulsification.Dynamic light scattering was used to characterize the particle size and polydispersity index of the obtained TBMⅢ-NE,and transmission electron microscopy(TEM)was employed to observe the morphology.CCK-8 assay was utilized to determine the cytotoxicity of TBMⅢ-NE on bone marrow-derived dendritic cells(BMDCs).The in vitro safety of TBMⅢ-NE was evaluated using a hemolysis assay.The ability of TBMⅢ-NE to promote the phagocytosis of antigens by DC2.4 cells was observed using confocal laser microscopy.After co-incubation of TBMⅢ-NE with BMDCs,the expression levels of CD40,CD86,MHC-Ⅰ,and CCR7 on the surface of BMDCs were detected using flow cytometry,and the levels of cytokines in the supernatant of BMDCs were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).After female BALB/c mice were immunized with the SARS-CoV-2 antigen RBD in combination with TBMⅢ-NE,ELISA was conducted to determine the serum levels of specific IgG,IgG2a,and IgG1 antibodies.The number of specific IFN-γ-secreting cells in mouse splenocytes was detected using enzyme-linked immunospot(ELISpot)assay.Results The prepared blank nanoemulsion(BNE)and TBMⅢ-NE were in a particle size of 25.46 and 25.89 nm,and a polydispersity index of 0.214 and 0.125,respectively.TEM displayed that TBMⅢ-NE was in uniform sphere and well dispersed.When the TBMⅢ-NE adjuvant was diluted by 400-fold,the survival rate of BMDCs was approximately 86%.Compared with free TBMⅢ,the hemolytic toxicity of TBMⅢ-NE was significantly reduced(P<0.01).TBMⅢ-NE promoted the phagocytosis of antigens by DC2.4 cells and significantly increased the expression of CCR7 on the surface of BMDCs(P<0.05),indicating its potential to promote more dendritic cells to effectively migrate to lymph nodes.TBMⅢ-NE also promoted the expression of IL-6 and IL-1β in the supernatant of BMDCs(P<0.05).When combined with RBD,TBMⅢ-NE significantly increased the levels of specific IgG,IgG2a,and IgG1 antibodies in mouse serum(P<0.01)and promoted the secretion of specific IFN-γ in splenocytes(P<0.01),indicating that TBM Ⅲ-NE could enhance specific cellular immune responses.Conclusion A stable and highly effective TBMⅢ-NE that can induce humoral and cellular immune responses is successfully prepared.

Objective:To investigate the changes of T lymphocyte subsets in patients with stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ cervical cancer after surgery and their relationship with postoperative lymph node metastasis according to the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage (2014) .Methods:A total of 192 patients with FIGO stage ⅠA, ⅠB1, ⅠB2 and ⅡA1 who received radical cervical cancer resection and pelvic lymph node dissection in People's Hospital of Yuechi County of Sichuan Province and West China Guang'an Hospital of Sichuan University from November 2018 to November 2020 were selected for this study. According to FIGO stage, patients were divided into stage Ⅰ group ( n=85) and stage Ⅱ group ( n=107) . The dynamic changes of T lymphocytes subsets in patients with different FIGO stages were compared before and after surgery. Repeated measurement of variance was used to analyze the levels of T lymphocytes subsets in patients of different stages during treatment. Logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of postoperative lymph node metastasis in patients with cervical cancer. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between T lymphocytes subsets and postoperative lymph node metastasis. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the predictive efficacy of T lymphocytes level in postoperative lymph node metastasis. Results:The postoperative lymph node metastasis rate in stage Ⅱ patients [32.71% (35/107) ] was higher than that in stage Ⅰ patients [14.12% (12/85) ], with a statistically significant difference ( χ2=8.86, P=0.003) . Compared with the stage Ⅱ group, the levels of CD3 +, CD4 + T lymphocytes and CD4 +/CD8 + ratio were significantly higher in the stage Ⅰ group 1 day before surgery (all P<0.001) , and the level of CD8 + T lymphocytes was significantly lower ( P<0.001) . The levels of CD3 +, CD4 +, CD8 + T lymphocytes and the ratio of CD4 +/CD8 + showed dynamic changes at different stages after surgery. On 1, 7 and 30 days after surgery, the levels of CD3 +, CD4 + T lymphocytes and the ratio of CD4 +/CD8 + in stage Ⅰ group were higher than those in stage Ⅱ group (all P<0.001) , CD8 + T cell levels were lower than those in stage Ⅱ group (all P<0.001) . There were statistically significant differences in T lymphocytes subsets CD3 +, CD4 +, CD8 + and CD4 +/CD8 + time effect, intergroup effect and interaction effect between the two groups (all P<0.001) . Univariate analysis showed that the pathological type ( OR=1.85, 95% CI: 1.14-2.33, P=0.015) , differentiation degree ( OR=1.93, 95% CI: 1.18-2.67, P=0.024) , depth of myometrial invasion ( OR=2.08, 95% CI: 1.26-2.59, P=0.012) , tumor morphology ( OR=2.17, 95% CI: 1.57-2.63, P=0.009) , parametrial invasion ( OR=1.95, 95% CI: 1.43-2.76, P=0.036) and lymphovascular space invasion ( OR=2.03, 95% CI: 1.28-2.57, P=0.021) were the influencing factors for postoperative lymph node metastasis in patients with FIGO stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ cervical cancer. Multivariate analysis showed that the degree of differentiation ( OR=1.75, 95% CI: 1.08-2.03, P=0.015) , depth of myometrial invasion ( OR=2.30, 95% CI: 1.43-2.84, P=0.021) , parametrial invasion ( OR=2.50, 95% CI: 1.76-2.97, P=0.018) and lymphovascular space invasion ( OR=1.96, 95% CI: 1.03-2.51, P=0.033) were independent factors for postoperative lymph node metastasis in patients with FIGO stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ cervical cancer. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the levels of CD3 +, CD4 +, CD8 + T cells and the ratio of CD4 +/CD8 + in patients with stage Ⅰ and stage Ⅱ cervical cancer 1 day before surgery were independent influencing factors for postoperative lymph node metastasis (all P<0.05) . ROC curve analysis showed that the areas under the curve of CD3 +, CD4 +, CD8 + T lymphocytes levels and the ratio of CD4 +/CD8 + in stage Ⅰ patients 1 day before surgery for predicting postoperative lymph node metastasis were 0.86, 0.82, 0.83, 0.89, respectively, and those in stage Ⅱ patients were 0.90, 0.93, 0.87, 0.95, respectively. CD4 +/CD8 + ratio was significantly more effective in predicting postoperative lymph node metastasis than other indexes (all P<0.001) . Conclusions:The levels of CD3 +, CD4 + T lymphocytes, and the CD4 +/CD8 + ratio in patients with FIGO stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ cervical cancer are significantly higher in 1-30 days after surgery than before, while the level of CD8 + T lymphocytes is significantly lower than before. There is a significant correlation between T lymphocytes subsets and lymph node metastasis after surgery. In addition, low differentiation, depth of myometrial invasion ≥1/2, parametrial invasion, and lymphovascular space invasion are independent risk factors for postoperative lymph node metastasis.

Objective To explore the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome character-istics and medication patterns of cerebral small vessel disease(CSVD)using data mining techniques.Methods Clinical research literature on TCM treatment of CSVD,published from the establishment of the database to September 1,2024,was retrieved from the China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI),Wanfang,and VIP databases.Analyses were conducted on syndromes,drug frequencies,properties,flavors,and meridian tropisms.Data mining was performed using R4.4.1 software to ex-plore associations,correlations,and clustering of TCM herbs,aiming to elucidate medication patterns in CSVD treatment.Results A total of 60 prescription formulas for treating CSVD were screened,involving 142 TCM herbs with a total usage frequency of 1,312 times.The top five most frequently used herbs were Chuanxiong,Danggui,Dilong,Huangqi,and Chishao.Herb properties were pre-dominantly warm and cold;flavors were mainly pungent,bitter,and sweet;and meridian tropisms were primarily to the liver,spleen,and heart meridians.Twenty-nine strong association rules were identified,and association analysis revealed core herbal combinations centered around Chuanxiong,Chishao,and Danggui.Clustering analysis yielded five herbal combinations.Conclusion CSVD is characterized by a deficiency in essence and excess in superficiality.Treatment should focus on tonify-ing deficiencies and eliminating excesses,combining both tonification and purgation methods.Medication patterns predominantly involve herbs for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis,often combined with herbs for nourishing the kidney and marrow,calming the liver and suppressing wind,and awakening the mind and opening the orifices.

Objective To evaluate the stability,safety and immune enhancement and anti-tumor effects of Wilms'tumor gene 1(WT1)peptide combined with AddaVaxTM emulsion vaccine for acute myeloid leukemia.Methods The stability of WT1 peptide in the adjuvant vaccine was evaluated using MALDI-TOF-MS time-of-flight mass spectrometry.Female C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into PBS group,WT1 peptide group,and WT1 peptide+AddaVaxTMemulsion adjuvant vaccine group.The immunization was performed at a dose of 50 μg/mouse for antigen and 50 μg/mouse for adjuvant,with intramuscular injection on days 0,14,and 28.HE staining was used to assess the toxicity of intramuscular vaccination on mouse organ tissues.Cytokine levels were detected by ELISA,and the number of IFN-γ-secreting splenocytes was measured by ELISpot.Flow cytometry was employed to detect the maturation of bone marrow-derived dendritic cells(BMDCs)promoted by the vaccine in vitro and the promotion for lymphocyte activation,and H-2Db WT1 tetramer was utilized to detect the proportion of specific CD8+T cells.After establishing a mouse leukemia tumor model using the C1498-mWT1 stable cell line,the anti-tumor effects of the vaccine for prevention and treatment were evaluated.Results The WT1 peptide stably existed in the vaccine without causing significant organ tissue changes in mice after intramuscular injection.Compared to the mice immunized with WT1 aqueous solution,the mice after intramuscular injection of the WT1 peptide emulsion adjuvant vaccine showed stronger immune responses of Th1 cells,including IFN-γ and TNF-α,as well as Th17 cells of IL-17A(P＜0.05),and the mice had not only promoted number of IFN-γ secreting splenocytes(P＜0.01)but also enhanced maturation of BMDCs,as indicated by an increase in the proportions of CD40+/CD11c+and CD86+CD80+/CD11c+ cells(P＜0.05).Additionally,there were increases in both the proportion of CD4+/CD3+T and CD69+/CD8+T cells(P＜0.05)and the proportion of specific CD8+T cells(P＜0.05).In the anti-tumor effect study using the C1498-mWT1 mouse model,the median survival time of the WT1+AddaVaxTM group was extended by 6 d compared to the WT1 aqueous solution group.At day 50,the survival rate of mice in the WT1+AddaVaxTM group was still 28.5％,while all mice in the other groups had died(P＜0.05).Conclusion The vaccine with the WT1 peptide and AddaVaxTM emulsion adjuvant exhibits good immunological and anti-tumor effects.

Objective:Lung cancer is characterized by its high incidence and case fatality rate.Factors related to population composition and cancer prevention programme policy have an effect on the incidence and diagnosis of lung cancer.This study aims to provide scientific support for early diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer by investigating the clinic information,pathological,and imaging characteristics of surgical patients with lung cancer. Methods:The data of 2 058 patients,who underwent surgery for lung cancer in the Department of Thoracic Surgery of Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from 2016 to 2019,were retrospectively collected to analyze changes in clinic information,pathological,and imaging characteristics. Results:From 2016 to 2019,the number of patients per year was 280,376,524,and 878,respectively.Adenocarcinoma(68.1%)was the most common pathological type of surgical patients with lung cancer.From 2016 to 2019,the proportion of adenocarcinoma was increased from 55.5%to 74.1%.The proportion lung cancer patients in stage IA was increased from 38.9%to 62.3%,and the proportion of patients who underwent sublobar resection was increased from 1.8%to 8.6%.The proportion of lymph node sampling was increased in 2019.Compared with the rate in 2016,the detection rate of nodules with diameter≤1 cm detected by CT before surgery in 2019 was significantly improved(2.0%vs 18.2%),and the detection rate of nodules with diameter>3 cm was decreased(34.7%vs 18.3%).From 2016 to 2019,the proportion of lesions with pure ground-glass density and partial solid density detected by CT was increased from 2.0%and 16.6%to 20.0%and 37.3%,respectively.The proportion of solid density was decreased from 81.4%to 42.7%. Conclusion:The number of lung cancer surgery patients is rapidly increasing year by year,the proportion of CT-detected purely ground-glass density and partially solid density lesions are increasing,the proportion of patients with adenocarcinoma is rising,the proportion of early-stage lung cancer is increasing,smaller lung cancers are detected in earlier clinical stage leading to a more minimally invasive approach to the surgical methods.