ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate whether Bushen Tongluo prescription inhibits macrophage polarization by regulating the Wnt3a/β-catenin signaling pathway， thereby reducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition and excessive extracellular matrix deposition， in order to elucidate the anti-pulmonary fibrosis mechanisms of Bushen Tongluo prescription and provide a new theoretical basis for the clinical treatment of pulmonary fibrosis. MethodsFifty male Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were randomly divided into a blank group， model group， pirfenidone group， and high- and low-dose Bushen Tongluo prescription groups. Except for the blank group， the pulmonary fibrosis model was established by intratracheal instillation of bleomycin. Intervention was initiated on day 28 after modeling. The high- and low-dose Bushen Tongluo prescription groups were administered Bushen Tongluo prescription at doses of 30.88， 15.44 g·kg^-1， respectively， by intragastric gavage. The pirfenidone group was administered pirfenidone capsules at 110 mg·kg^-1 by intragastric gavage. The blank and model groups were given an equal volume of normal saline by gavage， once daily for 90 days. After treatment， the level of transforming growth factor-β₁ （TGF-β₁） in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid （BALF） was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Morphological changes in lung tissue and the collagen volume fraction were compared. The protein distribution and expression of E-cadherin， cytokeratin 19， α-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA）， vimentin， collagen type Ⅰ （Col Ⅰ）， and collagen type Ⅲ （Col Ⅲ） in lung tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry. The protein distribution and expression of CD68， arginase-1 （Arg-1）， inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS）， Wnt3a， and β-catenin in lung tissue were detected by immunofluorescence. The protein expression of Wnt3a and β-catenin in lung tissue was detected by Western blot， and the mRNA expression of Wnt3a and β-catenin was detected by Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. ResultsCompared with the blank group， a large number of inflammatory cells infiltrated the airway walls， alveolar spaces， and interstitial tissue in the model group， with obvious fibrous tissue hyperplasia. The level of TGF-β₁ in BALF was significantly increased. The protein expression of E-cadherin and cytokeratin 19 in lung tissue was decreased， whereas the protein expression of α-SMA， Vimentin， Wnt3a， β-catenin， Col Ⅰ， and Col Ⅲ was increased. The fluorescence-positive area ratios of CD68， Arg-1， iNOS， Wnt3a， and β-catenin in lung tissue were increased. The protein and mRNA expression levels of Wnt3a and β-catenin in lung tissue were significantly increased （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， all treatment groups showed varying degrees of improvement in inflammatory cell infiltration and fibrous tissue hyperplasia in the airway walls， alveolar spaces， and interstitial tissue， decreased TGF-β₁ levels in BALF， increased protein expression of E-cadherin and cytokeratin 19 in lung tissue， decreased protein expression of α-SMA， Vimentin， Col Ⅰ， and Col Ⅲ， decreased fluorescence-positive area ratios of CD68， Arg-1， iNOS， Wnt3a， and β-catenin in lung tissue， and decreased protein and mRNA expression levels of Wnt3a and β-catenin in lung tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionBushen Tongluo prescription can improve bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats by inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition and reducing excessive extracellular matrix deposition. The mechanism may be related to inhibition of the Wnt3a/β-catenin signaling pathway and the macrophage polarization mediated by this pathway.

The pathogenesis of recurrent acute exacerbations of bronchiectasis is considered to be "yang floating and yin weakness". Yin weakness refers to the depletion of the water and fire of true yin in the lower jiao （焦）， which is the root of the disease. Yang floating refers to the ministerial fire floating upward and scorching the lung metal due to the failure of true yin to nourish and constrain yang， which is the manifestation of acute exacerbations. Yin weakness and yang floating interact with each other， forming a vicious cycle of "yin depletion leading to fire floating， and floating fire in turn injuring yin"， which leads to recurrent， prolonged， and refractory acute exacerbations of bronchiectasis. Based on the pathogenesis of yang floating and yin weakness， therapeutic formulas are proposed. Yinhuo Decoction （引火汤） can be used to nourish true yin and anchor floating fire， while a combination of Qianyang Pill （潜阳丹） and Fengsui Pill （封髓丹） is applied to warm the kidneys， subdue yang， and secure true fire， and Quanzhen Yiqi Decoction （全真一气汤） is utilized to drastically supplement the primal origin and rescue both yin and yang simultaneously.

With the rapid advancement of vaccines, the research and application of vaccine adjuvants have garnered significant attention. Despite the development of numerous vaccine adjuvants, their applications in human vaccines remain limited due to either insufficient efficacy or severe side effects. Consequently, there is growing interest in developing bioactive compounds derived from traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) as vaccine adjuvants, owing to their natural biocompatibility, diversity, and safety. Here, we systematically review the current application status and potential value of TCM-based bioactive compounds in vaccine adjuvants. Firstly, we elaborate on the types and characteristics of active ingredients, such as polysaccharides, saponins, flavonoids, acids, and alkaloids. The mechanisms by which these compounds function as vaccine adjuvants are then discussed, including their roles in enhancing humoral immunity, cellular immunity, and relieving the immune suppression in the microenvironment. Additionally, we summarize the current strategies for structural modification and platform optimization to adapt to different application scenarios. Finally, we offer insights into the future development directions for these potential adjuvants, highlighting research priorities, technical approaches, and application prospects. In conclusion, natural vaccine adjuvants derived from TCMs present broad application prospects and hold promise for future vaccine development.

Liver transplantation (LT) has become a standard treatment for end-stage liver diseases, and graft injury is intricately associated with poor prognosis. Granzyme B (GZMB) plays a vital role in natural killer (NK) cell biology, but whether NK-derived GZMB affects graft injury remains elusive. Through the analysis of single-cell RNA-sequencing data obtained from human LT grafts and the isolation of lymphocytes from mouse livers following ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI), we demonstrated that 2NK cells with high expression of GZMB are enriched in patients and mice. Both systemically and liver-targeted depletion of NK cells led to a notable reduction in GZMB⁺ cell infiltration, subsequently resulting in diminished graft injury. Notably, the reconstitution of Il2rg ^-/- Rag2 ^-/- mice with purified Gzmb-KO NK cells demonstrated superior outcomes compared to those with wild-type NK cells. Crucially, global knockout of GZMB and pharmacological inhibition exhibited remarkable improvements in liver function in both mouse IRI and rat LT models. Moreover, a phosphorylated derivative of FDA-approved vidarabine was identified as an effective inhibitor of mouse GZMB activity by molecular dynamics, which could provide a potential avenue for therapeutic intervention. Therefore, targeting NK cell-derived GZMB during the LT process suggests potential therapeutic strategies to improve post-transplant outcomes.

Objective:To explore the efficacy of intensive repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (irTMS) in treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and its impact on cognitive function and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII).Methods:Forty-eight TRD patients were divided into observation group and control group using random number table method, with 24 patients in each group. The observation group was treated with irTMS, and the stimulation site was the left dorsolateral prefrontal lobe. The stimulation intensity was 110% of the motor threshold, and the stimulation frequency was 15 Hz. The stimulation interval was 26 s, and 3 000 pulses were stimulated each time. Stimulating 5 times per day, with an interval of 50 min, and continuous treatment for 5 days. The total stimulation amount for 5 days was 75 000 pulses. The control group was treated with pseudo stimulation. Before treatment (T0), 5 days after treatment (T1), and 1 month after treatment (T2), 17-item Hamilton depression scale (HAMD-17) was used to assess depressive mood. Evaluating cognitive function using the Wisconsin card sorting test.A fully automated blood cell analyzer was used to detect platelet count (PLT), neutrophil count (NC), and lymphocyte count (LC), calculate the systemic immune inflammation index (SII), SII=PLT × NC/LC. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS 20.0 software. The comparison between two sets of repeated measurement data was performed using repeated measurement analysis of variance.Simple effect analysis was performed if the interaction effect was significant.Pearson analysis was used for correlation testing.Results:The interaction effect between the time and group of HAMD-17 scores was significant ( F=121.784, P<0.05). The results of simple effects analysis showed that the HAMD-17 scores of the observation group at T1 and T2 ((12.07±4.08) and (14.78±4.99), respectively) were lower than those of the control group ((23.78±5.87) and (24.67±7.00), P<0.05). The treatment response rate and remission rate of the observation group at T1 were higher than those of the control group ( χ2=4.090, 7.378, both P<0.05).The treatment response rate and remission rate of the observation group at T2 were higher than those of the control group ( χ2=4.463, 4.547, both P<0.05). The time and group interaction effects of the percentage of correct response and conceptualization level in the Wisconsin card sorting test were significant ( F=30.087, 20.004, P<0.05). The results of simple effects analysis showed that the percentage of correct response and conceptualization level in the observation group at T1 and T2 were higher than those in the control group (all P<0.05). The time and group interaction effect of SII was significant ( F=8.173, P<0.05). The results of simple effects analysis showed that there was no statistically significant difference in SII between the two groups at T0 ( P>0.05). The SII at T1 and T2 in the observation group was lower than that in the control group ( P<0.05). In the observation group, the changes in SII from T2 to T0 was positively correlated with the change in HAMD-17 scores ( r=0.527, P<0.05), and negatively correlated with the percentage of correct responses to the Wisconsin card sorting test ( r=-0.412, P<0.05) and the percentage of conceptualization level ( r=-0.411, P<0.05). Conclusion:irTMS is effective in treating TRD and can improve patients' cognitive function and immune inflammation damage.

Objective:To explore the efficacy of intensive repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (irTMS) in treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and its impact on cognitive function and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII).Methods:Forty-eight TRD patients were divided into observation group and control group using random number table method, with 24 patients in each group. The observation group was treated with irTMS, and the stimulation site was the left dorsolateral prefrontal lobe. The stimulation intensity was 110% of the motor threshold, and the stimulation frequency was 15 Hz. The stimulation interval was 26 s, and 3 000 pulses were stimulated each time. Stimulating 5 times per day, with an interval of 50 min, and continuous treatment for 5 days. The total stimulation amount for 5 days was 75 000 pulses. The control group was treated with pseudo stimulation. Before treatment (T0), 5 days after treatment (T1), and 1 month after treatment (T2), 17-item Hamilton depression scale (HAMD-17) was used to assess depressive mood. Evaluating cognitive function using the Wisconsin card sorting test.A fully automated blood cell analyzer was used to detect platelet count (PLT), neutrophil count (NC), and lymphocyte count (LC), calculate the systemic immune inflammation index (SII), SII=PLT × NC/LC. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS 20.0 software. The comparison between two sets of repeated measurement data was performed using repeated measurement analysis of variance.Simple effect analysis was performed if the interaction effect was significant.Pearson analysis was used for correlation testing.Results:The interaction effect between the time and group of HAMD-17 scores was significant ( F=121.784, P<0.05). The results of simple effects analysis showed that the HAMD-17 scores of the observation group at T1 and T2 ((12.07±4.08) and (14.78±4.99), respectively) were lower than those of the control group ((23.78±5.87) and (24.67±7.00), P<0.05). The treatment response rate and remission rate of the observation group at T1 were higher than those of the control group ( χ2=4.090, 7.378, both P<0.05).The treatment response rate and remission rate of the observation group at T2 were higher than those of the control group ( χ2=4.463, 4.547, both P<0.05). The time and group interaction effects of the percentage of correct response and conceptualization level in the Wisconsin card sorting test were significant ( F=30.087, 20.004, P<0.05). The results of simple effects analysis showed that the percentage of correct response and conceptualization level in the observation group at T1 and T2 were higher than those in the control group (all P<0.05). The time and group interaction effect of SII was significant ( F=8.173, P<0.05). The results of simple effects analysis showed that there was no statistically significant difference in SII between the two groups at T0 ( P>0.05). The SII at T1 and T2 in the observation group was lower than that in the control group ( P<0.05). In the observation group, the changes in SII from T2 to T0 was positively correlated with the change in HAMD-17 scores ( r=0.527, P<0.05), and negatively correlated with the percentage of correct responses to the Wisconsin card sorting test ( r=-0.412, P<0.05) and the percentage of conceptualization level ( r=-0.411, P<0.05). Conclusion:irTMS is effective in treating TRD and can improve patients' cognitive function and immune inflammation damage.

Purpose To investigate the predictive value of placental microflow combined with serum cystatin C(Cys C)for late-onset preeclampsia(LOP).Materials and Methods This was a prospective study including 188 singleton pregnant women who underwent prenatal ultrasound examination and delivered in the First Affiliated Hospital,School of Medicine,Shihezi University from October 2021 to October 2022.The placental microvascular indexes,including vascularization index,flow index and vascularization-flow index(VFI),were detected by three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasound in the second trimester,and the serum Cys C level was detected.The pregnancy outcome of the pregnant women was divided into LOP group and normal group(NLOP group),and the predictive value of placental microflow combined with serum Cys C for LOP was analyzed.Results Placental vascularization index and VFI of the LOP group were lower than those of the NLOP group(29.77±11.97 vs.44.44±9.86,9.23±3.51 vs.15.05±4.38).However,serum Cys C in the LOP group was higher than that in the NLOP group[(1.13±0.17)mg/L vs.(0.84±0.18)mg/L],and the differences were statistically significant(t=-3.616,-4.790,4.682,all P<0.05).The area under the curve of placental VFI combined with serum Cys C for predicting LOP was 0.899,which had the highest predictive value.Conclusion Placental VFI combined with serum Cys C detection can help to improve the prediction efficiency of LOP,and it is better than each single item.

BACKGROUND:Precision therapy based on multifunctional nanomaterials is a novel therapeutic model for malignancies that can integrate multiple imaging and therapeutic models into one nanoscale platform to achieve visual combination treatment. OBJECTIVE:To prepare novel nanoparticles loaded with Cu2(OH)PO4 nanoparticles(CuNPs)and nuciferine(NF)(h-PCuNF),and to explore their ability to mediate combined photothermal therapy/photodynamic therapy/chemodynamic therapy/chemotherapy for malignancy. METHODS:The h-PCuNF nanoparticles were synthesized through a double-emulsion procedure,through which the CuNPs and NF were loaded into the shell of hollow poly(lactic-co-glycolic)acid nanocarriers.The morphology,structure,particle size,and zeta potential of the h-PCuNF nanoparticles were characterized.In deionized water,the magnetic resonance imaging and photothermal conversion performances of the h-PCuNF nanoparticles,as well as their capability to implement reactive oxygen species production by mediating photocatalysis and Fenton-like reactions,were evaluated.In liver malignant tumor cell line HepG2 cells,the effectiveness of the photothermal therapy/photodynamic therapy/chemodynamic therapy/chemotherapy combination therapy mediated by the nanoparticles was detected by employing fluorescence imaging and MTT assay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The h-PCuNF nanoparticles possessed a hollow spherical structure in which the CuNPs(drug loading rate and encapsulation rate were 26.3%and 63.2%,respectively)and NF(drug loading rate and encapsulation rate were 11.0%and 52.6%,respectively)were loaded into the shell.The average particle size of the h-PCuNF nanoparticles was(309.2±10.0)nm,while the zeta potential was determined to be(-12.5±0.9)mV.In physiological environments,the nanoparticles possess favorable suspension stability.(2)In deionized water,the h-PCuNF nanoparticles could markedly enhance T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging images.The h-PCuNF nanoparticles showed remarkable photothermal conversion and photocatalytic reactive oxygen species generation capabilities under near infrared laser irradiation.In addition,the h-PCuNF nanoparticles could consume glutathione and mediate Fenton-like reactions to produce·OH.(3)The h-PCuNF nanoparticles could be taken up by HepG2 tumor cells and were mainly distributed in the cytoplasm.The synergistic therapeutic effect was demonstrated after the nanoparticles were activated by near infrared laser irradiation,because CuNPs mediated photothermal therapy/photodynamic therapy/chemodynamic therapy and NF mediated chemotherapy could synergistically eliminate the tumor cells.

Pulmonary sarcoidosis is an immune system disease with an unclear etiology. Guided by the yang-reinforcing method， it is believed that the fundamental pathogenesis of pulmonary sarcoidosis lies in the disharmony between water and fire and the reckless movement of the ministerial fire. The failure of the spleen and stomach to maintain warmth， leading to the production of phlegm and blood stasis， is an important pathogenesis. The invasion of external pathogenic toxins， deeply penetrating into the interior， is considered a triggering factor for the disease. The treatment focuses on supplementing the yang， consolidating the kidney， drawing fire back to its source， warming the yang， benefiting the kidney， and nourishing the spleen to generate metal. It also emphasizes unblocking the yang， transforming turbidity， and eliminating phlegm and blood stasis.