ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy and safety of Huatan Quyu formula in treating cerebral small vessel disease （CSVD） with phlegm and blood stasis blocking collateral pattern via randomized controlled trial， and explore its mechanism of improving CSVD by regulating glymphatic system （GS） circulation. MethodsSixty-eight CSVD patients with phlegm and blood stasis blocking collateral pattern in the Department of Encephalopathy， Affiliated Hospital of Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine from April to December 2024 were selected and randomly divided into an experimental group （34 cases） and a control group， with 34 cases in each group. Both groups received basic Western medicine treatment， while the experimental group additionally received Huatan Quyu formula. After a course of 12 weeks， the following parameters were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Tinetti performance-oriented mobility assessment （POMA）， Montreal Cognitive Assessment （MoCA）， Scales for Outcomes in Parkinson's Disease-Autonomic （SCOPA-AUT）， and traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome scores of phlegm and blood stasis blocking collateral pattern. Perivascular space （PVS） in the frontal lobe/basal ganglia and cerebrospinal fluid （CSF） flow parameters in the cerebral aqueduct were evaluated by 3.0T brain MRI， cerebrospinal fluid flow imaging， and phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging （PC-MRI）. Then， safety indicators were monitored， and SPSS 25.0 was used for statistical analysis. ResultsSixty-four patients completed the study （32 in each group）. ①Baseline data： No statistically significant difference was found between the two group. ②Efficacy indicators： After treatment， the experimental group exhibited significantly improved total POMA， SCOPA-AUT， and TCM syndrome scores （P<0.01）， outperforming the control group （P<0.05）. No significant change was observed in MoCA scores between the two groups. ③Imaging indicators： The experimental group showed a reduced PVS area alongside significantly increased CSF flow parameters （including downward flow during the systolic period， and upward flow during the diastolic period） （P<0.01）， which were superior to the control group （P<0.01）. ④Safety： The laboratory indicators were normal in both groups， with no drug-related adverse reactions. ConclusionFor CSVD patients with phlegm and blood stasis blocking collateral pattern， Huatan Quyu formula can safely and effectively improve motor function， autonomic nerve function， and TCM syndromes， with potential mechanisms related to pulsatile CSF flow enhancement and GS circulation efficiency improvement.

Objective To explore the effects of Emotional Freedom Techniques combined with PERMA model intervention on fear of disease progression and quality of life in postoperative liver cancer patients.Methods A total of 58 liver cancer patients admitted from September 2023 to February 2024 were randomly divided into the experimental group(n=29)and the control group(n=29)using a random number table method.The experimental group received Emotional Freedom Techniques combined with PERMA-based positive psychological intervention,while the control group received the holistic nursing and routine psychological guidance.Both groups underwent the continuous intervention for 8 weeks.Outcomes were assessed using the Fear of Progression Questionnaire-Short Form(FoP-Q-SF),Distress Thermometer(DT),Self-Rating Anxiety Scale(SAS),Self-Rating Depression Scale(SDS),Cancer Fatigue Scale(CFS),Athens Insomnia Scale(AIS)and Index of Well-Being(IWB).Results After the intervention,the experimental group showed the significantly lower scores than those in the control group in FoP-Q-SF(24.97±2.34/34.10±8.46),DT(2.24±0.95/2.93±1.33),SAS(49.55±1.35/58.55±4.60),SDS(51.86±1.58/61.79±4.00),CFS(4.03±0.94/5.10±1.18),and AIS(2.45±1.12/4.07±0.96)(all P<0.05),while the IWB score(10.56±1.74/7.39±2.05)was significantly higher than that in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion The combination of Emotional Freedom Techniques and PERMA model intervention can effectively alleviate the disease-related fears,improve the negative emotions,reduce the physical symptoms and enhance the subjective well-being in postoperative liver cancer patients,and it has a significant clinical application value.

N⁶-methyladenosine (m⁶A) modification plays a critical role in cell cycle regulation, while the mechanism of m⁶A in regulating mitosis remains underexplored. Here, we found that the total m⁶A modification level in cells increased during mitosis by the liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry and m⁶A dot blot assays. Silencing methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) or METTL14 results in delayed mitosis, abnormal spindle assembly, and chromosome segregation defects by the immunofluorescence. By analyzing transcriptome-wide m⁶A targets in HeLa cells, we identified polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) as a key gene modified by m⁶A in regulating mitosis. Specifically, through immunoblotting and RNA pulldown, m⁶A modification inhibits PLK1 translation via YTH N⁶-methyladenosine RNA binding protein 1, thus mediating cell cycle homeostasis. Demethylation of PLK1 mRNA leads to significant mitotic abnormalities. These findings highlight the critical role of m⁶A in regulating mitosis and the potential of m⁶A as a therapeutic target in proliferative diseases such as cancer.
Humans ; Polo-Like Kinase 1 ; Cell Cycle Proteins/metabolism* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins/metabolism* ; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism* ; Mitosis/physiology* ; HeLa Cells ; Adenosine/genetics* ; Methyltransferases/metabolism* ; RNA, Messenger/metabolism* ; RNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism*

Objective:To investigate the effects of sampling methods on pathological assessment of resected non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) specimen with tumor maximum diameter >3 cm after neoadjuvant therapy.Methods:NSCLC patients with a large tumor (diameter >3 cm) that were resected after neoadjuvant therapy from June 2020 to July 2023 were retrospectively collected in the Department of Pathology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Shanghai, China. Sampling methods of the tumor bed were performed in accordance with the international and Chinese experts recommendations for resection specimens following neoadjuvant therapy (recommended sampling method, RSM), and all remaining tumor bed lesions were completely sampled after recommended sampling (complete sampling method, CSM). The difference of pathological response assessment of residual viable tumor (RVT) between RSM and CSM was examined.Results:A total of 90 cases were identified and analyzed, including 39 cases of squamous cell carcinoma and 51 cases of adenocarcinoma, treated with neoadjuvant therapy including chemotherapy in 22 cases (24.4%), targeted therapy in 14 cases (15.6%), and chemoimmunotherapy in 54 cases (60.0%). There were 62 males and 28 females with an average age of (62.7±17.9) years. The average tumor maximum diameter was 4.3 cm (range, 3.1-8.0 cm). The average number of sampled blocks was 8 blocks (range, 5 to 16) and 15 blocks (range, 8 to 36) per case by RSM and CSM, respectively. According to the definition of major pathological response (MPR) in which RVT is ≤10%, the numbers of patients with MPR were 34 cases by RSM and 30 cases by CSM, respectively. Four cases showed inconsistent RVT between the two methods, including one case of squamous cell carcinoma and three cases of adenocarcinoma. The RVT of the four inconsistent cases was 7%, 7%, 5% and 9% (MPR by RSM), and 15%, 15%, 15% and 20% (non-MPR by CSM), respectively. The kappa values of MPR consistency evaluated by the two sampling methods were 0.893 for all cases, 0.906 for squamous cell carcinoma cases and 0.751 for adenocarcinoma cases. According to MPR cut-off of 65% for invasive primary adenocarcinoma, 24 cases and 20 cases achieved MPR by RSM and CSM, respectively. Of the four inconsistent cases, the RVT by RSM was 60% in three cases and 65% in one case (MPR), whereas the RVT by CSM was 70% in three cases and 75% in one case (non-MPR). The kappa value of the two sampling methods was 0.741.Conclusions:There is high consistency between RSM and CSM in the pathological assessment of post-treatment responses in resected NSCLC specimens with tumor maximum diameter larger than 3 cm. When the percentage of RVT cells is close to MPR, re-evaluation of the specimen is required and CSM may be necessary to accurately evaluate the degree of pathological remission, assist in clinical postoperative treatment, and predict patient prognosis.

Objective To understand the distribution characteristics of fungi on object surface in hospital environ-ment,and provide reference for the scientific and precise formulation of environment control strategies based on fun-gal in clinic.Methods From December 7 to 23,2023,a total of 60 environmental specimens of 19 categories in 6 departments of a large tertiary first-class hospital were collected and divided into water-related environmental speci-men group,complete facade environmental specimen group,and sanitary ware environmental specimen group.18S rRNA sequencing was performed on specimens with fungi detected.Results Fungal detection rate of environmental specimens was 20.00％(12/60).Sink in the department of endocrinology had the highest fungal colony count(15 CFU/cm2),followed by the air outlet of air disinfection device in the department of thoracic surgery and the in-ternal part of a faucet in the department of endocrinology(both 10 CFU/cm2).The water-related environmental specimen group detected most diverse fungal genera(14 species),with high relative abundances of Aspergillus(100％),Meyerozyma(99.06％),Ophiocordyceps genus(95.63％),and Kodamaea(87.86％).The air outlet of air disinfection device was detected with a high abundance of Chaetomium(44.08％)and Corollospora(39.71％).There was no statistically significant difference in the α-diversity(Shannon and Simpson indices,P values of 0.661 and 0.568,respectively)and β-diversity(P=0.712)among the three environmental specimens.Conclusion Under the routine implementation of basic environmental cleaning and disinfection in medical institutions,fungi are in a low prevalence in the environment.However,moist surfaces and air disinfection device are prone to fungal colonization,and it is necessary to strengthen daily monitoring and take corresponding intervention measures to reduce the risk of infection.

Objective:To investigate the current situation and changing trends of coal-burning-borne endemic fluorosis (coal-burning-borne fluorosis) areas in Henan Province, and evaluate the effectiveness of prevention and control measures.Methods:From 2019 to 2021, monitoring was carried out in all villages affected by coal-burning-borne fluorosis in Henan Province. A simple random sampling method was used to select 30 households in each affected village each year to investigate the use of stoves and the formation of related healthy living behaviors. According to the criteria of "Diagnosis of Dental Fluorosis" (WS/T 208-2011), all children aged 8 to 12 in the affected villages were examined for dental fluorosis. The evaluation for control and elimination of the disease areas was carried out in accordance with the "Evaluation Approach for Control and Elimination of Priority Endemic Diseases (2019 Edition)".Results:From 2019 to 2021, a total of 7 472 households were monitored, the rate of qualified improved stoves were all ≥99.80%, the correct use rate of qualified improved stoves and correct drying of corn and pepper were reached 100%. From 2019 to 2021, the prevalence of dental fluorosis in children was 5.38% (237/4 405), 5.18% (232/4 477), and 3.68% (145/3 937), respectively, showing a declining trend (χ 2trend = 12.73, P < 0.001). The prevalence of dental fluorosis among children in affected villages was less than 15%. From 2019 to 2021, all affected villages in coal-burning-borne fluorosis in Henan Province had met the elimination criteria. Conclusion:Coal-burning-borne fluorosis areas in Henan Province have been continuously eliminated, with significant prevention and control effects, and the disease has been effectively controlled.

Objective:To establish a reference interval for serum iodine of pregnant women with normal thyroid function and to analyze the relationship between serum iodine and thyroid disease risk.Methods:From July 2022 to October 2023, using cross-sectional survey method, pregnant women aged 18 to 48 years old who had lived in iodine-deficient areas in the six provinces of China (Shanxi Province, Fujian Province, Yunnan Province, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Zhejiang Province, and Anhui Province) for more than six months were selected as the survey subjects. Blood samples were collected, serum iodine was tested, and the percentile method was used to establish a reference interval for serum iodine of pregnant women with normal thyroid function. Meanwhile, serum levels of free thyroxine, thyroid stimulating hormone, thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb), and thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) were tested, and logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between serum iodine and thyroid disease risk.Results:A total of 1 409 pregnant women from 6 provinces were investigated, including 1 087 with normal thyroid function and 322 with abnormal thyroid function. The median serum iodine level of pregnant women with normal thyroid function was 79.74 μg/L, and the preliminary reference interval for serum iodine was 47.57 - 128.96 μg/L. When serum iodine levels were lower (< 47.57 μg/L), pregnant women had a significantly increased risk of developing TgAb positivity, TPOAb positivity, hypothyroxinemia, hypothyroidism, and autoimmune thyroiditis ( OR = 4.44, 2.91, 3.41, 41.67, 23.43, P < 0.05). When serum iodine levels were high (> 128.96 μg/L), pregnant women had a significantly increased risk of developing hyperthyroidism ( OR = 9.91, P = 0.001). Conclusions:The reference interval for serum iodine of pregnant women with normal thyroid function is successfully established. Low serum iodine levels are associated with an increased risk of TgAb positivity, TPOAb positivity, hypothyroxinemia, hypothyroidism, and autoimmune thyroiditis, while high serum iodine levels are associated with an increased risk of hyperthyroidism.

AIM:To observe the role of enoyl-coenzyme A hydratase/L-3-hydroxyacyl-coenzyme A dehydroge-nase(Ehhadh)in renal tubulointerstitial inflammation in high-fat diet(HFD)fed mice,and to explore its molecular mecha-nism.METHODS:Twenty-four C57BL/6N mice were randomly divided into 4 groups:standard diet(SD)group,HFD group,HFD with Ehhadh overexpression(HFD+Ehh)group and HFD with blank vector(HFD+Vec)group.Each group consisted of 6 mice.The HFD mice were fed with a diet containing 60%fat,20%protein,and 20%carbohydrates for 16 weeks.Briefly,at the end of 8 weeks,the mice in HFD+Ehh or HFD+Vec group were injected with adeno-associated virus 9(AAV9)-Ehhadh or AAV9-vector via the tail vein,and then continued another 8-week HFD feeding.At the end of the experiments,the renal function and morphological changes were observed.The protein expression levels of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3),caspase-1 p10,interleukin-1β(IL-1β)and IL-18 in the kidney were detected by Western blot and immunohistochemistry.Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the colocalization of Ehhadh and peroxisomal biogenesis factor 14(Pex14).ELISA was used to detect the content of IL-1β and IL-18 in the urine.Lipid droplet formation in renal tissues was detected by Nile red staining.Absolute quantitative lip-idomic analysis were used to detect the differential lipid species in renal cortices of the mice in SD,HFD and HFD+Ehh groups.RESULTS:Compared with SD group,the expression of Ehhadh protein was significantly decreased in the peroxi-some of renal tubular epithelium cells in HFD-fed mice(P<0.01).Overexpression of Ehhadh significantly improved renal function(P<0.01)and alleviated the morphological changes of renal tubular epithelial cells in HFD group.Moreover,it significantly inhibited the expression of inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18 and macrophage infiltration in renal tu-bule interstitium of HFD-fed mice(P<0.01).At the same time,Ehhadh overexpression inhibited HFD-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation(P<0.01).It also attenuated lipid deposition in renal tubular epithelium cells(P<0.01)and promoted the β-oxidation of long-chain fatty acid such as cholesterol and phospholipids in peroxisomes.CONCLUSION:The Ehhadh inhibits tubulointerstitial inflammation by promoting long-chain fatty acid β-oxidation in peroxisomes and in-hibiting the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in HFD-fed mice.

Micro/nanoplastics (MNPs), recognized as emerging environmental pollutants, are widely distributed in natural environments. Due to their small particle size and significant migratory capacity, MNPs can infiltrate diverse environmental matrices, then invade and accumulate in the organism via the skin, respiration, and digestion. Recently, concerns have grown over the detrimental effects and potential toxicity of MNPs on reproductive health. This review summarized published epidemiological and toxicological studies related to MNPs exposure and their effects on reproductive health. Firstly, this review critically examined the current landscape of epidemiological evidence and found that MNPs (e.g., polystyrene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, etc.) are present in various biological specimens from both males and females, and their presence may be associated with an increased risk of reproductive disorders. Secondly, extensive toxicological studies revealed that MNPs exposure induces reproductive health damage through mechanisms such as disrupting the microstructure of reproductive organs and altering molecular-level expressions. Oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and apoptosis are identified as potential links between MNPs exposure and reproductive damage. Finally, this review addressed the prevalent shortcomings in existing studies and proposed future directions to tackle the challenges posed by MNPs-induced reproductive harm. These insights aim to inform strategies for safeguarding public reproductive health and ecological security, providing a scientific foundation for mitigating risks associated with MNPs pollution.