OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and safety of apatinib combined with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in the treatment of malignant solid tumors. METHODS Randomized controlled trials （RCTs） on apatinib combined with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors （combination group） versus monotherapy （apatinib or PD-1/PD-L1）combined with （or） chemotherapy/other treatments （control group） in the treatment of malignant solid tumors were collected from PubMed， Web of Science， Embase， Cochrane Library， CNKI， VIP， Wanfang Data and China Biomedical Literature Database. The search time limit was from the establishment of the databases to May 2025. After literature screening， data extraction and literature quality evaluation， meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 and Stata 14.0. RESULTS A total of 28 RCTs involving 2 974 patients were included. The objective response rate [RR＝1.639， 95%CI（1.452，1.851）， P＜0.000 01]， disease control rate [RR＝1.284， 95%CI（1.178，1.399）， P＜0.000 01] and CD3+， CD4+， CD4+/CD8+ as well as the incidence of ADR such as hypertension， fatigue， proteinuria， thrombocytopenia were significantly higher in the combination group than control group （P＜0.05 or P＜0.000 01）. The progressive disease rate [RR＝ 0.497， 95%CI（0.437， 0.566）， P＜0.000 01] and serum tumor + marker levels and CD8 were significantly lower in the combination group than control group （P＜0.05 or P＜0.000 01）. Subgroup analysis results of different types of tumors showed that the objective response rate and disease control rate were significantly higher in the combination group than control group （P＜0.05）. The results of sensitivity analysis showed that the stability of this study was good. The results of publication bias analysis showed that there was a high possibility of publication bias in this study. CONCLUSIONS Apatinib combined with PD-1/ PD-L1 inhibitors has a significant efficacy in the treatment of different types of tumors， but attention should be paid to the occurrence of hypertension， fatigue， proteinuria and thrombocytopenia.

In situ tumor vaccine has become an important strategy in cancer immunotherapy owing to its ability to induce immune responses locally and overcome tumor heterogeneity. However, the abnormal structure and mechanical properties of the tumor’s physical microenvironment significantly limit the efficiency of vaccine delivery and immune efficacy. In this review, the key factors in the tumor’s physical microenvironment, including solid pressure, interstitial fluid pressure, matrix stiffness, and tissue microstructure, are systematically discussed. Their obstructive roles in immune cell infiltration, antigen presentation, and immune activation are analyzed. The potential of approaches, such as radiotherapy, anti-angiogenic therapy, extracellular matrix degradation agents, nanomaterials, and hydrogel delivery platforms, in reshaping the tumor’s physical microenvironment is explored. This review aims to offer theoretical and practical guidance for optimizing in situ vaccine strategies through the regulation of the tumor’s physical microenvironment, ultimately advancing the precision and effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy.

Atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory disease, is markedly influenced by both immune and inflammatory reactions throughout its progression. Dendritic cells, as pivotal antigen-presenting entities, play a crucial role in the initiation of immune responses and the preservation of immunological homeostasis. Accumulating data indicates that dendritic cells are present in healthy arteries and accumulate significantly in atherosclerotic plaques. Novel immunotherapeutic approaches and vaccination protocols have yielded substantial clinical advancements in managing chronic inflammatory diseases, with dendritic cell-centric modalities emerging for atherosclerotic management. In this review, we delineate the essential functions and underlying mechanisms of dendritic cells and their subsets in the modulation of atherosclerotic inflammation and immune responses. We underscore the immense promise of dendritic cell-based immunotherapeutic strategies, including vaccines and innovative combinations with nanotechnological drug delivery platforms for atherosclerosis treatment. We also discuss the challenges associated with dendritic cell immunotherapy and provide perspectives on the future direction of this field.

T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is a highly aggressive hematologic malignancy with a poor prognosis, despite advancements in treatment. Many patients struggle with relapse or refractory disease. Investigating the role of the super-enhancer (SE) regulated gene ubiquitin-specific protease 20 (USP20) in T-ALL could enhance targeted therapies and improve clinical outcomes. Analysis of histone H3 lysine 27 acetylation (H3K27ac) chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) data from six T-ALL cell lines and seven pediatric samples identified USP20 as an SE-regulated driver gene. Utilizing the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE) and BloodSpot databases, it was found that USP20 is specifically highly expressed in T-ALL. Knocking down USP20 with short hairpin RNA (shRNA) increased apoptosis and inhibited proliferation in T-ALL cells. In vivo studies showed that USP20 knockdown reduced tumor growth and improved survival. The USP20 inhibitor GSK2643943A demonstrated similar anti-tumor effects. Mass spectrometry, RNA-Seq, and immunoprecipitation revealed that USP20 interacted with hypoxia-inducible factor 1 subunit alpha (HIF1A) and stabilized it by deubiquitination. Cleavage under targets and tagmentation (CUT&Tag) results indicated that USP20 co-localized with HIF1A, jointly modulating target genes in T-ALL. This study identifies USP20 as a therapeutic target in T-ALL and suggests GSK2643943A as a potential treatment strategy.

Objective To investigate the mechanism by which angiopoietin-like protein 8(ANGPTL8)regulates vascular smooth muscle cell(VSMCs)apoptosis.Methods An in vitro abdominal aortic aneurysm cell model was established by stimulating human VSMCs(HUSMCs)with angiotensin Ⅱ(AngⅡ).Stable ANGPTL8 knockdown and over-expression VSMC cell strains were generated using lentiviral transfection.TUNEL staining was used to de-tect apoptosis.Western blot analysis was performed to measure the protein expression of ANGPTL8,caspase9,caspase3,Bcl-2,Bax,p53,and PUMA,while RT-qPCR was used to assess mRNA expression of ANGPTL8,Bcl-2 and Bax.Results AngⅡ significantly induced ANGPTL8 expression in HVSMCs in a time-and dose-de-pendent manner(P＜0.05).ANGPTL8 knockdown significantly reduced the expression of apoptosis-related proteins caspase9,caspase3,and Bax,while increased the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2(P＜0.05).Con-versely,ANGPTL8 over-expression markedly induced HVSMCs apoptosis,which was significantly suppressed by treatment with the p53 pathway inhibitor pifithrin-α(PFT-α).Conclusions ANGPTL8 may promote VSMC apop-tosis by activation of p53 signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the prevalence of tick-borne rickettsial infections in selected areas of Liupanshui City, Guizhou Province, 2023, so as to provide insights into the management of tick-borne rickettsioses in the city. Methods Ticks were captured from the body surface of bovines and sheep in Gaoxing Village, Dashan Township, Liupanshui City, Guizhou Province during the period between April and June, 2023, and tick species were identified using morphological and molecular biological techniques. In addition, tick-borne Rickettsia was identified using a nested PCR assay, including spotted fever group rickettsiae (SFGR), Coxiella spp., Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia spp., and Orientia spp., and positive amplified fragments were sequenced and aligned with known sequences accessed in the GenBank database. Results A total of 200 ticks were collected and all tick species were identified as Rhipicephalus microplus. Nestle PCR assay combined with sequencing identified ticks carrying Candidatus Rickettsia jingxinensis (40.50%), Coxiella burnetii (1.50%), and Coxiella-like endosymbionts (27.00%), and Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia spp. or Orientsia spp. was not detected. Conclusions R. microplus carried Candidatus R. jingxinensis, C. burnetii, and Coxiella-like endosymbionts in selected areas of Liupanshui City, Guizhou Province. Intensified monitoring of tickborne rickettsial infections is needed in livestock and humans to reduce the damages caused by rickettsioses.

Objective:To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) in patients with acute respiratory infection (ARIs) in sentinel hospitals of the Hubei influenza surveillance network from 2016 to 2023.Methods:ARIs samples [including influenza-like cases (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infection (SARI)] were collected from influenza surveillance sentinel hospitals in Hubei Province from 2016 to 2023, and case information was collected. HRSV virus nucleic acid typing was performed by fluorescence quantitative PCR method, and the data were collated, plotted and analyzed.Results:From 2016 to 2023, 12 779 cases of ILI and 9 166 cases of SARI were collected. The positive rate of HRSV was the highest in<5 years of age group [15.77% (168/1 065)], among which the positive rate was the highest in 2 to 5 years of age group of ILI cases [13.60% (31/228)], and the positive rate was the highest in 0 to 2 years of age group of SARI cases [25.97% (60/231)] (all P values<0.001). The positive rate of HRSV in SARI cases was 2.31%-25.97%, higher than that in ILI cases (0-13.60%) ( P=0.016). HRSV was prevalent in autumn and winter from 2016 to 2020 and in spring in 2023. Alternating epidemics of HRSV virus type A and B in Hubei Province from 2016 to 2023 (dominant epidemics of type B in 2016 and 2020; dominant epidemics of type A in 2017-2019 and 2023). Conclusion:SARI and ILI patients under five years old are the main infection groups of HRSV. The seasonal prevalence characteristics of HRSV in Hubei Province from 2016 to 2023 shift from autumn and winter to spring.

Objective:To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) in patients with acute respiratory infection (ARIs) in sentinel hospitals of the Hubei influenza surveillance network from 2016 to 2023.Methods:ARIs samples [including influenza-like cases (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infection (SARI)] were collected from influenza surveillance sentinel hospitals in Hubei Province from 2016 to 2023, and case information was collected. HRSV virus nucleic acid typing was performed by fluorescence quantitative PCR method, and the data were collated, plotted and analyzed.Results:From 2016 to 2023, 12 779 cases of ILI and 9 166 cases of SARI were collected. The positive rate of HRSV was the highest in<5 years of age group [15.77% (168/1 065)], among which the positive rate was the highest in 2 to 5 years of age group of ILI cases [13.60% (31/228)], and the positive rate was the highest in 0 to 2 years of age group of SARI cases [25.97% (60/231)] (all P values<0.001). The positive rate of HRSV in SARI cases was 2.31%-25.97%, higher than that in ILI cases (0-13.60%) ( P=0.016). HRSV was prevalent in autumn and winter from 2016 to 2020 and in spring in 2023. Alternating epidemics of HRSV virus type A and B in Hubei Province from 2016 to 2023 (dominant epidemics of type B in 2016 and 2020; dominant epidemics of type A in 2017-2019 and 2023). Conclusion:SARI and ILI patients under five years old are the main infection groups of HRSV. The seasonal prevalence characteristics of HRSV in Hubei Province from 2016 to 2023 shift from autumn and winter to spring.

Objective To explore the clinical effect and nursing cooperation of the new robot-assisted puncture system RC120 in CT-guided lung puncture biopsy,so as to provide practical basis for the promotion and utilization of the new robot-assisted puncture system.Methods Using random sampling method,a total of 29 patients,who received robot-assisted lung puncture at the Shanghai Municipal Pulmonary Hospital of China between January and June of 2022,were collected as the study group,while other 29 patients,who received traditional manual lung puncture under CT guidance in the same period,were collected as the control group.For the patients of the control group traditional nursing was implemented,while for the patients of the study group on the basis of traditional nursing the additional targeted nursing care was carried out.The accuracy of puncture localization,satisfaction with the nursing care,and incidence of complications were compared between the two groups.Results The accuracy of puncture localization in the study group was 5.0 mm(3.6-6.2 mum),which was better than 6.4 mm(4.0-8.4 mm)in the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(Z=-2.179,P=0.034).The patient satisfaction score in the study group was(91.1±1.6)points,which was significantly higher than(82.2±1.7)points in control group,and the difference was statistically significant(t=21.047,P＜0.001).In the study group 2 patients developed complications with an incidence of 6.9％,while in the control group 8 patients developed complications with an incidence of 27.6％,and the difference was statistically significant(x2=4.350,P=0.037).Conclusion The implementation of targeted nursing care can reduce the risk of complications caused by CT-guided lung puncture with RC120 auxiliary puncture system,improve the accuracy of puncture localization,and improve patient satisfaction with nursing care,therefore,the targeted nursing care deserves promotion in clinical practice.(J Intervent Radiol,2024,33:549-553)