Rheumatoid arthritis （RA） is a common chronic systemic autoimmune disease with synovitis as the main manifestation， which often causes joint swelling and pain or even deformity. It is considered to be an incurable lifelong disease. Although the current Western medicine treatment can alleviate the progression of the disease， it has the clinical limitations of liver injury， cardiovascular complications， and other adverse reactions， along with easy recurrence. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） has a long history and has the advantages of individualized treatment and fewer adverse reactions. It can effectively relieve the symptoms of joint swelling and pain in RA patients and slow down the progression of bone destruction， which has attracted wide concern in the medical community. Janus kinase （JAK）/signal transducer and activator of transcription （STAT） signaling pathway is an important intracellular pathway involved in cell proliferation， differentiation， apoptosis， immune regulation， and other biological behaviors， and plays an important role in the pathophysiological process of RA. In recent years， many studies have confirmed that TCM monomers and compounds can inhibit inflammation and angiogenesis by regulating the JAK/STAT signaling pathway， induce apoptosis and inhibit proliferation of fibroblast-like synoviocytes （FLS）， regulate immune response， and thus exert an effect in the treatment of RA. However， there is still a lack of comprehensive and systematic induction and overview. Therefore， by searching the relevant literature in China National Knowledge Infrastructure （CNKI） and PubMed databases from 2009 to 2024， this study described the mechanism of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway in the occurrence and development of RA and summarized the research progress of TCM monomers and compounds in regulating the JAK/STAT signaling pathway in RA intervention. The study aims to provide new ideas and strategies for the clinical treatment of RA with TCM and the research and development of new drugs.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and safety of immune checkpoint inhibitors （ICIs） combined with neoadjuvant chemotherapy in the treatment of early triple-negative breast cancer （TNBC）. METHODS Randomized controlled trials （RCTs） comparing ICIs combined with neoadjuvant chemotherapy （experimental group） versus neoadjuvant chemotherapy alone （control group） were retrieved from PubMed， Cochrane Library， Embase， Web of Science， CNKI， Wanfang Data， and VIP databases， as well as relevant studies published at oncology academic conferences. The search period was from database inception to June 30， 2025. After literature screening， data extraction， and quality assessment， a meta-analysis was performed by using RevMan 5.4 software. RESULTS A total of 6 RCTs involving 3 786 patients were finally included. The meta-analysis results showed that the experimental group had superior event-free survival [HR＝0.73， 95%CI （0.62， 0.85）， P＜0.000 1]， overall survival [HR＝0.69， 95%CI （0.57， 0.84）， P＝0.000 3]， and pathological complete response （pCR） [OR＝1.57， 95%CI （1.37， 1.80）， P＜0.000 01] compared to the control group. The incidence of ≥grade 3 adverse event （AE）， severe AE （SAE）， and ≥ grade 3 immune-related adverse event （irAE） in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in the incidence of any AE or any irAE （P＞0.05）. Subgroup analysis revealed that， regardless of programmed cell death ligand 1 expression status （negative or positive），the pCR in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group （P＜0.05）. Additionally， the pCR of the patients with positive lymph nodes in the experimental group was significantly higher to that in the ontrol group （P＜0.05）. There was no statistically significant difference in pCR between the two groups with negative lymph nodes （P＝0.09）. CONCLUSIONS ICIs combined with neoadjuvant chemotherapy can significantly improve event-free survival and overall survival in patients with TNBC， providing patients with long-term survival benefits. However， the risk of ≥ grade 3 AE， SAE and ≥ grade 3 irAE has increased.

This paper summarizes Professor Gao Jiansheng's clinical experience in treating herpes simplex keratitis （HSK） based on the theory of hidden pathogens. It is believed that the core pathogenesis of HSK involves deficiency of vital qi and the internal presence of pathogenic factors. In the early stage， the pathogenesis is characterized by lung and spleen qi deficiency and invasion of external pathogens. In the middle stage， pathogenesis worsens due to latent pathogens damaging the vital qi and spleen deficiency with dampness. In the late stage， kidney yang deficiency and lingering pathogenic toxins are the root cause of recurrent attacks. In clinical practice， it is recommended to strengthen and protect the vital qi. In the early stage， the Modified Yupingfeng Powder （玉屏风散） is used. In the middle stage， the Modified Linggui Zhugan Decoction （苓桂术甘汤） is used. In the late stage， a self-formulated Modified Bushen Tuodu Fomulation （补肾托毒方） is applied. Additionally， herbs of tonifying qi and strengthening the exterior are used throughout the treatment to reduce recurrence.

Benign essential blepharospasm(BEB)is a neurological disorder characterized by involuntary contractions of periocular muscles, which can lead to functional blindness and significantly impair patients' quality of life. This article systematically reviews the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, pathogenesis, and therapeutic advances in BEB. Epidemiological data indicate that the global prevalence of BEB is approximately 1 in 200000, with a predilection for individuals over 50 years of age and a significantly higher incidence in female than in male. The exact pathogenesis of BEB remains incompletely understood, though current evidence suggests close associations with neurotransmitter dysfunction, reduced cortical inhibition, and genetic susceptibility. Therapeutic strategies primarily focus on symptomatic management. Botulinum toxin type A(BTX-A)injection remains the first-line treatment but requires repeated administrations due to transient efficacy. Other treatments, including oral drugs, surgery, and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, also have major limitations. By synthesizing recent research progress from domestic and international studies, this review aims to provide novel insights for the clinical management of BEB, ultimately improving patient outcomes.

ObjectiveTo investigate the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and the level of serum homocysteine (Hcy) in association with the incidence of stroke in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. MethodsBased on the chronic disease risk factor surveillance cohort in Pudong New Area, Shanghai, excluding those with stroke in baseline survey, T2DM patients who joined the cohort from January 2016 to October 2020 were selected as the research subjects. During the follow-up period, a total of 318 new-onset ischemic stroke patients were selected as the case group, and a total of 318 individuals matched by gender without stroke were selected as the control group. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to adjust for confounding factors and explore the serum TyG index and the Hcy biochemical indicator in association with the risk of stroke. ResultsThe Cox proportional hazards regression results showed that after adjusting for confounding factors, the risk of stroke in T2DM patients with 10 μmol·L⁻¹-¹ and Hcy>15 μmol·L⁻¹ was 1.532 times (95%CI: 1.017‒2.309 times, P=0.041) and 1.738 times (95%CI: 1.119‒2.699 times, P=0.014) higher respectively, compared to T2DM patients with Hcy≤10 μmol·L⁻¹. T2DM patients with TyG>9.074 had 1.396 times higher risk of stroke (95%CI: 1.091‒1.787, P=0.008) compared to those with TyG≤9.074. The study found that urea and α1-antitrypsin (α1-AT) were independent risk factors for the incidence of stroke in T2DM patients. For every unit increase in urea andα1-AT, the risk of stroke in T2DM patients increased by 233.6% (HR=3.336, 95%CI: 1.588‒7.009, P=0.001) and 11.3% (HR=1.113, 95%CI: 1.028‒1.205, P=0.008), respectively. Cumulative risk curves showed that Hcy>10 μmol·L⁻¹ and TyG>9.074 accelerated the time to stroke occurrence in T2DM patients. ConclusionElevated levels of Hcy>10 μmol·L⁻¹ and a higher TyG index are risk factors for stroke in T2DM patients. Effective interventions for Hcy and TyG should be conducted for diabetic patients to reduce the incidence of stroke.

Objective Zinc finger protein 335 (Zfp335) plays a crucial role in the early development of thymic T cells and the differentiation of peripheral T cell subpopulations. The objective of this study is to investigate the role and underlying mechanisms of Zfp335 in the regulation of regulatory T cell (Treg) within tumor immunity. Methods The Zfp335 gene was specifically knocked out in Treg using tamoxifen (Zfp335^fl/fl FOXP3^creERT2), and the MC38 tumor model was established. On the 7th day after tumor inoculation, tumor size was observed and measured. Tumor size was monitored and recorded daily starting from day 7 post-inoculation. On day 12, tumors were harvested, and the proportions of CD4⁺ T cells, CD8⁺ T cells, and Treg were analyzed by flow cytometry. Additionally, the mitochondrial function of effector regulatory T cell (eTreg) was assessed. Results From day 10 post-tumor inoculation, tumor volume in the Zfp335^CKO group was significantly reduced compared to that of the wild-type (WT) group. Furthermore, the infiltration of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells, along with their respective effector cells, was significantly higher in the Zfp335^CKO group than in the WT group. The proportions of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells producing interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were also significantly increased in the Zfp335^CKO group compared to that of the WT group. In addition, the percentage of CD8⁺ T cells secreting granzyme B (GzmB) was significantly higher in the Zfp335^CKO group than that in the WT group. In contrast, the proportion of Treg and inducible T cell co-stimulator (ICOS)⁺ Treg in the Zfp335^CKO group was significantly lower than that in the WT group. Finally, the expression level of Mitotracker Deep Red in eTreg from the Zfp335^CKO group was significantly reduced compared to that in the WT group. Conclusion During tumorigenesis, the specific deletion of Zfp335 impairs Treg activation, which is related to decreased mitochondrial function in eTreg. In Zfp335^CKO mice. Tumors exhibit increased infiltration of effector T cells, accompanied by elevated levels of cytotoxic cytokines, ultimately enhancing resistance to tumor progression.
Animals ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/metabolism* ; Mice ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology* ; Neoplasms/genetics* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Knockout ; DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics* ; Female

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients with blast-induced hearing loss（BIHL）. Methods:The clinical features, laboratory parameters, audiometric profiles, and treatment efficacy of patients with blast induced hearing loss and those with idiopathic sudden hearing loss（ISHL） were analyzed using t-tests, Wilcoxon rank-sum tests, and chi-square tests, with a significance level set at P<0.05. Results:A total of 59 patients in the BIHL group and 117 patients in the ISHL group were included in this study. The mean age of the BIHL group was（39.07±14.49） years, comprising 45 males and 14 females. After the blast, 21 patients went to the hospital within the initial 14-day period, and an additional 38 patients seeking admission thereafter. In the BIHL group, 33 patients had unilateral hearing loss with PTA of （50.30±28.85） dB HL, while 26 had bilateral hearing loss with a PTA of（44.54±26.22） dB HL. In comparison, among the ISHL group, 112 patients had unilateral hearing loss with a PTA of（56.28±14.19） dB HL, and 5 had bilateral involvement with a PTA of（56.25±35.14） dB HL. The effective treatment rate within 14 days for the BIHL group was 31.8%, while for the ISHL group, the effective rate within 14 days was 77.0%. Conclusion:Blast-induced hearing loss is caused by exposure to high-intensity noise. The overall treatment effectiveness during hospitalization is lower compared to idiopathic sudden hearing loss, and the treatment window is shorter. Therefore, greater emphasis should be placed on prevention.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult ; Blast Injuries/therapy* ; Treatment Outcome ; Hearing Loss, Sudden/etiology* ; Adolescent ; Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced/diagnosis*

Probiotics are natural systems bridging synthetic biology, physical biotechnology, and immunology, initiating innate and adaptive anti-tumor immune activity. We previously constructed an all-in-one engineered food-grade probiotic Lactococcus lactis (FOLactis) which could boost the crosstalk among different immune cells such as dendritic cells (DCs), natural killer cells, and T cells. Herein, considering the limited clinical efficacy of naked personalized neoantigen peptide vaccines, we decorate FOLactis with tumor antigens by employing a Plug-and-Display system comprising membrane-inserted peptides. Intranodal injection of FOLactis coated with neoantigen peptides (Ag-FOLactis) induces robust DCs presentation and neoantigen-specific cellular immunity. Notably, Ag-FOLactis not only triggers a 45-fold rise in the quantity of locally reactive neoantigen-specific T cells but also induces epitope spreading in both subcutaneous and metastatic tumor-bearing models, leading to potent inhibition of tumor growth. These findings imply that Ag-FOLactis represents a powerful platform to rapidly and easily display antigens, facilitating the development of a bio-activated platform for personalized therapy.

Dysfunction of drug transporters significantly affects therapeutic outcomes and drug efficacy in patients with liver injury. Clinical and experimental evidence demonstrates that liver injury involves complex inter-organ interactions among the brain, eye, liver, intestine, and kidney. Recent advances in basic and clinical research have illuminated the physiologic and molecular mechanisms underlying transporter alterations in liver injury, particularly those associated with bilirubin, reactive oxygen species, ammonia, bile acid, and inflammatory factors. Notably, the influence of these transporter modifications on drug pharmacokinetics in liver injury patients remains inadequately understood. Additional research is necessary to fully comprehend these effects and their therapeutic implications. The documented alterations of transporters in distant organs across various liver diseases indicate that dosage modifications may be required when administering transporter-substrate drugs, including both traditional Chinese and Western medicines, to patients with liver dysfunction. This strategy helps maintain drug concentrations within therapeutic ranges while reducing adverse reactions. Furthermore, when utilizing transporter inducers or inhibitors clinically, consideration of their long-term effects on transporters and subsequent therapeutic impact is essential. Careful attention must be paid to avoid compromising the elimination of toxic metabolites and proteins when inhibiting these transporters. Similarly, prudent use of inducers or inducer-type therapeutic drugs is necessary to prevent enhanced drug resistance. This review examines recent clinical and experimental findings regarding the inter-organ interaction of drug transporters in liver injury conditions and their clinical relevance.
Humans ; Liver/drug effects* ; Animals ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/metabolism* ; Membrane Transport Proteins/metabolism* ; Biological Transport ; Liver Diseases/drug therapy* ; Pharmaceutical Preparations/metabolism*

Objective:To explore the clinical phenotype and genetic basis of a child with Bainbridge-Ropers syndrome (BRPS).Methods:A child with BRPS who had visited Nanjing Children′s Hospital on June 26, 2019 was selected as the study subject. Clinical data of the child was reviewed. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples of the child and her parents. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was carried out, and candidate variant was verified by Sanger sequencing and bioinformatic analysis.Results:The child was a 6-month-old girl with peculiar facial features, feeding difficulties, malnutrition, global developmental delay, hypotonia, mildly elevated aminotransferase and ulnar deviation. Results of WES showed that she has harbored a c. 1533_1534del variant of the ASXL3 gene. Sanger sequencing confirmed that neither of her parents has carried the same variant. No similar case had been retrieved from the HGMD and ClinVar databases. No frequency for this variant among Asian populations was available in the ExAC, 1000 Genomes, and gnomAD databases. Based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), the c. 1533_1534del variant of the ASXL3 gene was determined to be likely pathogenic (PVS1+ PS2+ PM2_Supporting). Conclusion:The ASXL3 gene c. 1533_1534del variant probably underlay the BRPS in this child. Above finding has provided a reference for the clinical diagnosis and genetic counseling for children with similar disorders.