Background/Aims: Transmembrane 4 L six family member 1 (TM4SF1) is highly expressed and contributes to the progression of various malignancies. However, how it modulates hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression and senescence remains to be elucidated. Methods: TM4SF1 expression in HCC samples was evaluated using immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. Cellular senescence was assessed through SA-β-gal activity assays and Western blot analysis. TM4SF1-related protein interactions were investigated using immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry, co-immunoprecipitation, bimolecular fluorescence complementation, and immunofluorescence. Tumor-infiltrating immune cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. The HCC mouse model was established via hydrodynamic tail vein injection. Results: TM4SF1 was highly expressed in human HCC samples and murine models. Knockdown of TM4SF1 suppressed HCC proliferation both in vitro and in vivo, inducing non-secretory senescence through upregulation of p16 and p21. TM4SF1 enhanced the interaction between AKT1 and PDPK1, thereby promoting AKT phosphorylation, which subsequently downregulated p16 and p21. Meanwhile, TM4SF1-mediated AKT phosphorylation enhanced PD-L1 expression while reducing major histocompatibility complex class I level on tumor cells, leading to impaired cytotoxic function of CD8+ T cells and an increased proportion of exhausted CD8+ T cells. In clinical HCC samples, elevated TM4SF1 expression was associated with resistance to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy. Targeting TM4SF1 via adeno-associated virus induced tumor senescence, reduced tumor burden and synergistically enhanced the efficacy of anti-PD-1 therapy. Conclusions Our results revealed that TM4SF1 regulated tumor cell senescence and immune evasion through the AKT pathway, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target in HCC, particularly in combination with first-line immunotherapy.

Tuberculosis is a zoonotic disease posing a substantial public health threat.Immunological diagnosis and vaccine im-munization are both necessary to control tuberculosis prevalence.However,the identical antigenic components in diagnostic reagents and vaccines hinder the use of animal vaccines and limit the specificity of clinical diagnosis in humans.Differentiating infected from vaccinated animals can overcome these problems.This article reviews the progress in differential diagnosis research from three as-pects:the diagnostic effects of antigens,methods for discovering new antigens,and screening of new host immune markers,to provide a theoretical basis for future research.

Objective To explore the role of sevoflurane(SEV)in sepsis-induced acute lung injury(ALI)and observe its impact on the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.Methods Forty C57 mice were randomly divided into 4 groups(n=10 each):Sham,CLP,SEV,and SEV+XAV(β-catenin inhibitor).A sepsis model was established via cecal ligation and puncture.Lung injury was evaluated using HE staining,lung wet/dry weight ratio,and TUNEL staining.Levels of inflammatory factors(TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6)were detected by ELISA.Oxidative stress indices(SOD,MDA,ROS)were measured by colorimetry and flow cytometry.Hindlimb blood perfusion and oxygenation were assessed with laser speckle flowmetry.Expressions of key Wnt pathway molecules and down-stream target genes(c-Myc,Cyclin D1)were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot.Co-localization of β-catenin and SP-C(a marker of type Ⅱ alveolar epithelial cells)in lung tissues was determined by immunofluorescence staining.Results Compared with the Sham group,the CLP group exhibited significant increases in sepsis severity,lung pathological damage including alveolar structure destruction,inflammatory infiltration,and apoptosis,elevation in pro-inflammatory cytokine levels,and significant decrease in SOD and increase in MDA and ROS.Additionally,lower limb blood flow and oxygenation levels were significantly reduced,while the expression of β-catenin and its downstream target genes,as well as the co-localization signal and fluorescence intensity of β-catenin with SP-C,were significantly downregulated(all P<0.05).Compared with the CLP group,the SEV group showed significant improvements in all these indicators.However,compared with the SEV group,the SEV+XAV group demon-strated a reversed protective effect,with all indicators approaching the levels observed in the CLP group(all P<0.05).Conclusion Sevoflurane alleviates sepsis-induced ALI by activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway,exerting anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects,and enhancing the expression and localization of β-catenin in type Ⅱ alveolar epithelial cells.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of persistent organic pollutants widely present in the environment. They can enter the human body through multiple pathways such as air, water, and diet, and tend to bioaccumulate. In recent years, increasing attention has been paid to the potential impacts of PFAS exposure on male reproductive health. This review systematically summarizes the characteristics of PFAS exposure in men and its effects on semen quality. Epidemiological evidence indicates that PFAS exposure is significantly associated with reduced sperm concentration, motility, and normal morphologyrate. Mechanistic studies suggest that PFAS may induce male reproductive toxicity through various pathways, including germ cell cytotoxicity, dysfunction of Sertoli cells, endocrine disruption, oxidative stress, and epigenetic regulation. This review aims to integrate current evidence to support the assessment of male reproductive risks associated with PFAS exposure and to inform the development of preventive strategies.

Objective:To investigate the effect of long non-coding RNA glucuronidase β pseudogene 11(GUSBP11)regulating miR-339-5p/mouse two-minute homolog 2(MDM2)axis on the proliferation,migration,and invasion of gastric cancer AGS cells.Methods:Cancerous and adjacent tissues from 25 gastric cancer patients who underwent surgical treatment at Foshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine from December 2023 to June 2024 were collected.Gastric cancer AGS cells and normal gastric mucosal epithelial GES-1 cells were routinely cultured.The control plasmids and knockdown plasmids were transfected into AGS cells using transfection reagents,dividing the cells into Ctrl group,sh-NC group,sh-GUSBP11 group,sh-GUSBP11+anti-NC group,and sh-GUSBP11+anti-miR-339-5p group.The mRNA expression of GUSBP11,miR-339-5p,and MDM2 in gastric cancer tissues and cells of each group was detected by qPCR.A dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was used to detect the targeting relationship between GUSBP11 or MDM2 and miR-339-5p.EdU staining,scratch healing assay,and Transwell chamber assay were adopted to assess the proliferation,migration,and invasion abilities of AGS cells,respectively.WB assay was used to measure the protein expression of CDK1,MMP-2,and MMP-9 in AGC cells.The effects of GUSBP11 knockdown on tumor growth were examined through AGS cell xenograft experiments.Results:The mRNA expression of GUSBP11 and MDM2 were significantly upregulated in gastric cancer tissues and cells(both P<0.05),while miR-339-5p was significantly downregulated(P<0.05).A targeting relationship was found between GUSBP11 and miR-339-5p,as well as between MDM2 and miR-339-5p.Knockdown of GUSBP11 in AGS cells significantly inhibited MDM2 protein expression and promoted miR-339-5p expression,while inhibition of miR-339-5p promoted MDM2 protein expression.GUSBP11 knockdown significantly inhibited the proliferation,migration,and invasion of AGS cells,while inhibition of miR-339-5p reversed this effect.GUSBP11 knockdown significantly inhibited the protein expression of CDK1,MMP-2,and MMP-9,and inhibition of miR-339-5p reversed this effect.Furthermore,GUSBP11 knockdown significantly inhibited the growth of AGS cell xenografts.Conclusion:GUSBP11 is highly expressed in gastric cancer tissues and cells,and knocking down GUSBP11 expression may inhibit malignant biological behaviors of gastric cancer cells through regulating the miR-339-5p/DM2 axis.

Objectives:This study aims to investigate the incidence,characteristics and clinical outcomes of vagal response(VR)during pulmonary vein isolation(PVI).Methods:A total of 702 patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation(AF)who received the first PVI radiofrequency ablation in Central China Fuwai Hospital from January 2022 to December 2023 were consecutively enrolled.PVI was initiated from right superior pulmonary vein(RSPV),followed by other pulmonary veins(PVs).The VR was defined as atrioventricular block(AVB),asystole or a 50%increase in the RR interval.Results:Among 702 patients with AF,380 patients(54.1%)were paroxysmal AF and 322 patients(45.9%)were persistent AF.77 patients(11.0%)developed 81 VR episodes,which were more common in paroxysmal group than in persistent AF group(19.5%vs.0.9%,P<0.001).VR manifestations included 51 sinus arrest(63.0%),26 sinus bradycardia(32.1%),and 4 atrioventricular block(AVB,4.9%).Most VR episodes were observed in the left superior ganglionated plexi(67[82.7%]).Paroxysmal AF(OR=18.667,95%CI:6.638-52.491,P<0.001),body mass index(BMI)≥28.0 kg/m2(OR=2.361,95%CI:1.376-4.051,P=0.002)and left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)≥62.0%(OR=1.964,95%CI:1.119-3.447,P=0.019)were independent risk factors of VR.During a mean of(13.0±7.1)months follow up,among paroxysmal AF patients,6 patients(8.1%)with VR and 33 patients(10.8%)without VR experienced AF recurrence(P=0.496).Kaplan-Meier curves estimated that the AF-free survival rate was similar between VR group and non-VR group among paroxysmal AF patients(log-rank P=0.735).Conclusions:The most common sites of VR when initiating PVI from right RSPV occur in left superior ganglionated plexi.Paroxysmal AF,BMI≥28.0 kg/m2 and LVEF≥62.0%are independent risk factors of VR.VR does not affect AF-free survival.

Tuberculosis is a zoonotic disease posing a substantial public health threat.Immunological diagnosis and vaccine im-munization are both necessary to control tuberculosis prevalence.However,the identical antigenic components in diagnostic reagents and vaccines hinder the use of animal vaccines and limit the specificity of clinical diagnosis in humans.Differentiating infected from vaccinated animals can overcome these problems.This article reviews the progress in differential diagnosis research from three as-pects:the diagnostic effects of antigens,methods for discovering new antigens,and screening of new host immune markers,to provide a theoretical basis for future research.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of persistent organic pollutants widely present in the environment. They can enter the human body through multiple pathways such as air, water, and diet, and tend to bioaccumulate. In recent years, increasing attention has been paid to the potential impacts of PFAS exposure on male reproductive health. This review systematically summarizes the characteristics of PFAS exposure in men and its effects on semen quality. Epidemiological evidence indicates that PFAS exposure is significantly associated with reduced sperm concentration, motility, and normal morphologyrate. Mechanistic studies suggest that PFAS may induce male reproductive toxicity through various pathways, including germ cell cytotoxicity, dysfunction of Sertoli cells, endocrine disruption, oxidative stress, and epigenetic regulation. This review aims to integrate current evidence to support the assessment of male reproductive risks associated with PFAS exposure and to inform the development of preventive strategies.

Objective:To investigate the prognostic impact of perineural invasion in patients with stageⅢ colon cancer and to clarify its guidance value for the duration of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy.Methods:This study employed a retrospective cohort study method. It analyzed 426 patients with stageⅢ colon cancer who underwent radical surgery at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center and Longyan First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, between April 2008 and June 2020. Inclusion criteria: patients received at least 3 months of adjuvant CapeOX therapy post-surgery, had complete pathological data, and were followed up for at least 12 months after the last chemotherapy. Among these patients, 231 were male, the median age was 59 (50~67) years, and 263 tumors were located in the right-sided colon. Postoperative pathology indicated that 107 cases (25.12%) had neural invasion, and 131 patients (30.75%) had vascular tumor thrombus. All patients received at least 4 cycles of postoperative CapeOX adjuvant chemotherapy, with 193 patients receiving 8 cycles and 233 patients receiving 4 to 7 cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy. The study analyzed the impact of neural invasion status and the duration of adjuvant chemotherapy on disease-free survival (DFS). Furthermore, within subgroups stratified by different risk levels (referencing the criteria proposed by the IDEA study: high risk: T4, N2 or T4N2; low risk: T3N1) and different neural invasion statuses, the impact of the duration of adjuvant chemotherapy on prognosis was analyzed.Results:The median follow-up time for the entire cohort was 94.00 months (55.27-128.80 months). Multivariate Cox analysis indicated that pathological T stage T4 (HR = 2.457, 95%CI: 1.499-4.029, P<0.001) and postoperative pathological confirmation of perineural invasion (HR = 2.465, 95% CI: 1.519-4.000, P<0.001) were independent adverse prognostic factors for 5-year DFS. In the perineural invasion-positive group, the 5-year DFS for patients who received 8 cycles of postoperative adjuvant CapeOX chemotherapy was 86.90%, compared to 58.22% for those who received 4-7 cycles, with statistically significant differences (both P<0.05). In the perineural invasion-negative group, the 5-year DFS for patients who received 8 cycles was 88.66%, compared to 90.99% for those who received 4-7 cycles, with no statistically significant differences ( P=0.929). Among IDEA high-risk patients with perineural invasion, the 5-year DFS was 91.81% for those who received 8 cycles versus 50.66% for those who received 4-7 cycles, showing a statistically significant difference ( P=0.003). In IDEA high-risk patients without perineural invasion, the 5-year DFS for those who received 8 cycles was 82.28% compared to 87.32% for those who received 4-7 cycles, with no statistically significant difference ( P=0.806). In the IDEA low-risk patients, no differences were observed in the 5-year DFS between patients receiving 8 cycles and those receiving 4-7 cycles of adjuvant CapeOX chemotherapy in both perineural invasion-positive and negative subgroups (both P>0.05). Conclusion:Perineural invasion serves as a significant prognostic factor for 5-year DFS in stage Ⅲ colon cancer patients who have undergone radical surgery and postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. It can also be considered an important reference factor in deciding the duration of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy.

Objective Advances in synthetic DNA technology have made it much easier to fake human DNA samples.There are literature reports that fake human DNA can be synthesized by different methods and implanted in the field to confuse the investigation or mislead the trial.Therefore,distinguishing authentic human DNA from synthetic DNA and performing individual identification has become a critical scientific challenge.Methods We define a novel composite genetic marker(methylation-microhaplotype)by combining CpG sites stably hypermethylated or hypomethylated in natural human DNA and nearby immediately adjacent microhaplotype sites.A total of 19 locis were obtained according to the screening criteria,and a composite detection system for methylation-microhaplotypes was established using MPS technology.Random volunteer DNA samples were extracted and synthetic DNA samples were prepared based on whole genome amplification techniques.Population DNA samples were analyzed to evaluate forensic parameters and methylation variability of the methylation-microhaplotype markers.Comparative analyses of human and synthetic DNA were conducted to assess the markers'ability to discriminate between the two and to detect/type both components in mixed mixed samples.Results The composite detection system composed of 19 locis demonstrated high individual identification ability,achieving a cumulative individual identification probability of 0.999 999 999 996 86.12 hypermethylated locis and 7 hypomethylated locis had relatively stable methylation levels in 57 human DNA samples.According to the allele methylation rate(Ram)value,the system can effectively identify natural and synthetic DNA samples.Meanwhile,for mixed DNA samples,the presence of human and synthetic DNA samples can be found and genotyped.Conclusion Methylation-microhaplotype genetic markers,which can discover human DNA and synthetic DNA and can detect the presence and genotyping of them from mixed samples,is a potential useful tool for forensic DNA analysis.