Tuberculosis (TB), a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is primarily airborne and remains a global health problem, especially in resource-limited countries and regions. The emergence of drug resistance in M. tuberculosis has rendered the existing means ineffective in the treatment of TB. Therefore, research in new therapeutic directions has become imperative. In this review, we outline functional peptides in terms of the mechanisms of action, anti-TB attempts, advantages and disadvantages, and latest advances, aiming to analyze the research progress in anti-TB peptides. Furthermore, we investigate the potential applications of bioactive compounds found in traditional Chinese Medicine within the context of peptides.

The study focuses on the concept of multifunctional traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulas and aims to evaluate the efficacy of the classical formula Xiaoyao San (逍遥散). Study employs the integrated evidence chain (Eff-iEC) method to organize, integrate, and evaluate its therapeutic efficacy in treating different diseases with the same therapy, and to investigate the feasibility of using Eff-iEC to evaluate the multifunctionality of TCM formulas. The evaluation covered Xiaoyao San's therapeutic effects on depression, premenstrual syndrome, chronic hepatitis, irritable bowel syndrome, dyspepsia, and menopausal syndrome. Concurrently, the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system was used for evaluation, and authoritative medical documents were incorporated to corroborate the recognition of Xiaoyao San within the medical community. Depression and menopausal syndrome received higher ratings than other conditions in the Eff-iEC, GRADE, and Medical Community Recognition assessments. The Eff-iEC evidence grade for Xiaoyao San was rated as "High" or above for chronic hepatitis, irritable bowel syndrome, dyspepsia, and menopausal syndrome. Premenstrual syndrome received a "Moderate ⁺" rating. The GRADE evidence level was "Low-〇〇⨁⨁" for depression, premenstrual syndrome, and chronic hepatitis; "Moderate-〇⨁⨁⨁" for dyspepsia and menopausal syndrome; and "Very Low-〇〇〇⨁" for irritable bowel syndrome. Depression and menopausal syndrome had the highest inclusion frequency, appearing in all 4 categories. Premenstrual syndrome, chronic hepatitis, and dyspepsia are not recommended in Western medical guidelines, but they are included in TCM guidelines, the China National Basic Medical Insurance Drug List, and the China National Essential Drug List. Irritable bowel syndrome appears only in the China National Basic Medical Insurance Drug List and China National Essential Drug List. The evaluation results obtained using the Eff-iEC method align with Medical Community Recognition, providing an objective and comprehensive assessment of Xiaoyao San's efficacy. The findings suggest that Xiaoyao San has strong evidence for treating depression and menopausal syndrome. However, further experimental and clinical trials are needed to assess its efficacy in treating premenstrual syndrome, chronic hepatitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and dyspepsia. These results support the clinical efficacy and rational use of Xiaoyao San, expand the application scope of the Eff-iEC method, and offer valuable insights and methodological references for the comparative evaluation of multifunctional TCM formulas.

Background/Aims: Dysregulated cholesterol metabolism is a hallmark of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) that drives tumor initiation and progression. However, clinical targeting of cholesterol metabolism has yielded limited benefits due to stringent feedback in tumor cells. Identifying a central mediator capable of restoring cholesterol homeostasis within the cell’s intrinsically fine-tuned regulatory framework is urgently needed. Methods: We integrated a proteomic dataset from patients with cholesterol-dysregulated HCC into a global cholesterol metabolic regulatory network to identify potential therapeutic targets for disrupted cholesterol homeostasis. The prognostic significance of the candidate targets was further validated in an independent cohort through immunohistochemistry. Functional and mechanistic studies were conducted in vitro using HCC cell lines and in vivo using mouse models. The pharmacological efficacy of the candidate agent was evaluated in both subcutaneous and orthotopic HCC mouse models. Results: ER lipid raft-associated 1 (ERLIN1), a pivotal regulator of cholesterol metabolism reprogramming, was identified as an independent favorable prognostic indicator in HCC. ERLIN1 constrains HCC progression both in vitro and in vivo by stabilizing the INSIG1–SCAP–SREBP2 axis and maintaining the metabolic balance of intracellular cholesterol. Under hypoxia, impaired factor-inhibiting hypoxia-1-dependent hydroxylation of ASB11 at asparagine residues 90 and 92 enhances ASB11-mediated ERLIN1 degradation. Pharmacological targeting of this axis using zoledronic acid (ZoA) attenuated HCC progression by weakening the ASB11–ERLIN1 interaction and restoring cholesterol homeostasis. Conclusions ERLIN1 represents a druggable metabolic vulnerability in cholesterol-dysregulated HCC. Targeting the ASB11–ERLIN1 axis with the clinically approved ZoA reestablishes cholesterol homeostasis and offers a promising therapeutic strategy to overcome the current limitations of cholesterol-targeted HCC therapies.

ObjectiveTo investigate the associations of multiple glycolipid metabolic indicators and their cumulative abnormality burden with incident colorectal cancer risk in a general population-based prospective cohort, and to examine the mediating role of glycolipid metabolic abnormalities in the relationships between smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, and colorectal cancer incidence. MethodsA total of 17 897 eligible participants recruited from the Taizhou Cohort between 2011 and 2014 were included. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to assess the associations of conventional and derived glycolipid indicators, as well as a glycolipid abnormality index constructed from total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting plasma glucose, and insulin, with incident colorectal cancer risk. Restricted cubic spline models were applied to evaluate dose-response relationships for major indicators. Receiver operating characteristic curves were generated to compare predictive performance across indicators. Mediation analyses were conducted to assess the mediating effects of the glycolipid abnormality index on the associations of smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical activity with colorectal cancer incidence. ResultsDuring a median follow-up of 11.2 years, 102 incident colorectal cancer cases were identified, with an incidence density of 51.2 per 100 000 person-years. After adjustment for potential confounders, Cox proportional hazards regression analyses showed that decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was associated with a 1.74-fold higher risk of colorectal cancer (HR=1.74, 95%CI: 1.03‒2.95), elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol was associated with a 1.78-fold higher risk (HR=1.78, 95%CI: 1.05‒3.02), and abnormal fasting plasma glucose was associated with a 1.86-fold higher risk (HR=1.86, 95%CI: 1.15‒3.02). Triglycerides and fasting plasma glucose showed an approximately linear increasing association with colorectal cancer risk in multivariable restricted cubic spline models. The glycolipid abnormality index showed a clear gradient association with colorectal cancer risk; participants with three or more abnormal indicators had a 3.08-fold higher risk than those without abnormalities (HR=3.08, 95%CI: 1.60‒5.92). The area under the curve was 0.795, higher than that of individual glycolipid indicators and other combined indices, and gender-stratified analyses showed generally consistent patterns. Glycolipid metabolic abnormalities partially mediated the associations of smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical activity with colorectal cancer incidence, with mediation proportions of 8.33%, 9.45%, and 9.04%, respectively. ConclusionGlycolipid metabolic abnormalities are associated with an increased risk of incident colorectal cancer. The glycolipid abnormality index shows an increasing relationship with colorectal cancer risk and demonstrates better discrimination, and it partially mediates the associations of smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical activity with colorectal cancer incidence in the overall population.

The key pathological feature of age-related macular degeneration(AMD)is dysfunction of retinal pigment epithelial cells.Cell adhesion,serving as the biological basis for dynamic interactions between cells and between cells and the extracellular matrix,regulates tissue homeostasis through transmembrane signaling networks mediated by adhesion molecules.Studies have shown that the aberrant expression of E-cadherin,which offers advantages such as dynamic plas-ticity,tissue specificity,and signal transduction capability,is closely associated with the pathological mechanism of AMD.Targeting E-cadherin-related molecules may thus serve as a potential strategy for AMD intervention.This article reviews re-cent advances in the molecular regulatory mechanisms and therapeutic research concerning E-cadherin in AMD,aiming to provide a theoretical basis for its clinical translation.

Objective To discuss the preliminary application of CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology in repair of antithrombin gene(SERPINC1)c.318_319insT mutation.Methods The single guide RNA(sgRNA)was designed by CRISPR online design website,and AT c.318_319 insT mutant and CRISPR-Cas9 repairsome were constructed.The gene fragments from the wild-type gene,AT c.318_319 insT mutant and CRISPR-Cas9 repairsome were transferred into lentiviral expression vectors,and then PCR sequencing was performed for verification.The successfully constructed lentiviral recombinant plasmids were transfected into the human embryonic kid-ney cells(HEK293T).After cell culture,HEK293T cells were lysed.The AT:Ag levels in the cell lysing reagents from wild-type gene,CRISPR-Cas9 repairsome and mutant were compared by ELISA and Western blot,respectively.The recombinant AT protein was characterized in vitro by cellular immunofluorescence assay.Results Both the AT c.318_319insT mutant and CRISPR-Cas9 repair-some were successfully constructed.The results of experiments with HEK293T cells in vitro showed that the wild-type AT:Ag in the cell lysing reagents was set as 100％,the AT:Ag of CRISPR-Cas9 repairsome was 47％,and the AT:Ag of AT c.318_319insT was 22％,which were consistent with the results of western blot and cellular immunofluorescence assay.Conclusion The cellular experiments in vitro verified that CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology could effectively repair the SERPINC1 c.318_319 insT mutation in situ,which might provide the experimental support for the application of CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology in the gene therapy of hereditary thrombotic diseases.

Objective To systematically evaluate and integrate qualitative studies on perception of exercise behaviors in community-dwelling older adults with frailty,and to provide references for clinical development of targeted exercise intervention strategies.Methods A systematic search of PubMed,Medline,Embase,PsycINFO,the Cochrane Library,SinoMed,Wanfang Database,CNKI,and VIP Database for qualitative studies on perception of exercise behaviors in older adults with frailty in the community was conducted from the inception of the databases to June 2024.Literature quality was evaluated using the Australian Joanna Briggs Institute Centre for Evidence-Based Health Care Quality Assessment Criteria for Qualitative Research(2016 edition),and Meta-synthesis was performed using the theme synthesis method.Results A total of 10 papers were included,grouped into 10 categories and integrated into the 3 domains of the capability,opportunity,and motivation-behavior model(COM-B model),i.e.Preparation for exercise behavior is influenced by capability factors(physical reserve,knowledge reserve,psychological preparation);stage-specific motivational evolution promotes the internalization of exercise behavior(guiding,focusing,stimulating,and maintaining);external conditions provide opportunities for exercise behavior(individual interaction,community environment,and social support).Conclusion Perceptions of exercise behavior among community-dwelling older adults with frailty or are complex and influenced by a variety of factors.Future exercise intervention strategies should consider modifiable factors,enhance knowledge education,stimulate intrinsic motivation,and solidify external conditions,while also accommodating individual differences and preferences,so as to promote exercise participation and health enhancement in this group.

Objective:To analyze the morphology and molecular biology of Rhodococcus erythropolis isolated from blood culture, and clarify its microbiological characteristics, clinical diagnosis and treatment. Methods:Strain F1069 was isolated and cultured. Then, it was analyzed by morphology, physiological tests, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry(MALDI-TOF MS), 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and whole-genome sequencing analysis.Results:The colonies of Rhodococcus erythropolis were light yellow, moist, round, and raised, and had neatly-edged margins after being cultured for 48 h. They could turn orange-red after a prolonged cultivation time. The strain was gram-positive bacillus without spores and was negative in acid-fast staining. The strain was identified as Rhodococcus erythropolis by MALDI-TOF MS, and the result was confirmed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The F1069 strain contained the RbpA resistance gene and multiple virulence genes. Conclusions:Cases of Rhodococcus erythropolis infection are rare. The diagnosis of such cases depends on the pathogen detection results, especially molecular biology methods. A definitive diagnosis enables rapid guidance for clinical anti-infection treatment.

Under the background of the in-depth implementation of the Healthy China initiative,the high-quality devel-opment of public hospitals has become a key link in deepening the reform of the medical and health system.This research,focu-sing on public hospitals in Tianjin,systematically investigates innovative approaches to operational management through literature review and field research methods.Typical case analysis illustrates the status of construction of operational management depart-ments of Tianjin's public hospitals.Meanwhile the study explores the issues such as underdeveloped management infrastructure,inadequate intelligentization,and challenges in inter-departmental coordination.Consequently,it proposes countermeasures and suggestions such as establishing a data-driven real-time monitoring systems and improving cross-departmental governance frame-works.This research offers theoretical insights for optimizing the operational and management system of public hospitals,provides replicable practical experience for healthcare reforms in similar cities,and contributes to achieving the synergistic alignment of so-cial benefits and operational quality of public hospitals.

Objective To discuss the preliminary application of CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology in repair of antithrombin gene(SERPINC1)c.318_319insT mutation.Methods The single guide RNA(sgRNA)was designed by CRISPR online design website,and AT c.318_319 insT mutant and CRISPR-Cas9 repairsome were constructed.The gene fragments from the wild-type gene,AT c.318_319 insT mutant and CRISPR-Cas9 repairsome were transferred into lentiviral expression vectors,and then PCR sequencing was performed for verification.The successfully constructed lentiviral recombinant plasmids were transfected into the human embryonic kid-ney cells(HEK293T).After cell culture,HEK293T cells were lysed.The AT:Ag levels in the cell lysing reagents from wild-type gene,CRISPR-Cas9 repairsome and mutant were compared by ELISA and Western blot,respectively.The recombinant AT protein was characterized in vitro by cellular immunofluorescence assay.Results Both the AT c.318_319insT mutant and CRISPR-Cas9 repair-some were successfully constructed.The results of experiments with HEK293T cells in vitro showed that the wild-type AT:Ag in the cell lysing reagents was set as 100％,the AT:Ag of CRISPR-Cas9 repairsome was 47％,and the AT:Ag of AT c.318_319insT was 22％,which were consistent with the results of western blot and cellular immunofluorescence assay.Conclusion The cellular experiments in vitro verified that CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology could effectively repair the SERPINC1 c.318_319 insT mutation in situ,which might provide the experimental support for the application of CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology in the gene therapy of hereditary thrombotic diseases.