Hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） is a common malignant tumor with a high mortality rate， an insidious onset， and complex pathological mechanisms. In the tumor microenvironment， tumor-promoting immune cells protect tumor cells from immune attacks， while dysfunction of anti-tumor immune cells causes the inhibition of immune response， thereby leading to the continuous deterioration of cancer. In recent years， traditional Chinese medicine has shown good efficacy in the treatment of HCC， and it can inhibit the proliferation and metastasis of cancer cells by regulating immune cells. By analyzing related articles in China and globally， this article summarizes how immune cells affect the progression of HCC through the immunosuppressive pathway and how traditional Chinese medicine exerts an anti-HCC effect by regulating immune cells， in order to provide theoretical basis and reference for optimizing the treatment of HCC.

Objective To investigate the effects and mechanisms of silica dust on the apoptosis of alveolar epithelial cell (AEC) through in vitro and animal experiments. Methods i) In vitro experiment. A549 cells were stimulated with 100 mg/L silica suspension for 0, 12, 24 and 48 hours. The cell apoptosis rate was detected by flow cytometry. ii) Animal experiment. Specific pathogen-free male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control, 14-day, 28-day, and 56-day groups, with five mice in each group. The mice in the control group were sacrificed at 56 days after being treated with 40.0 μL 0.9% sodium chloride solution, and the mice in the last three groups were sacrificed at 14, 28 and 56 days after being treated with 40.0 μL silica suspension with a mass concentration of 125 g/L via tracheal exposure method. The lung tissues of mice were collected to measure lung organ coefficients. Masson staining was used to detect the degree of pulmonary fibrosis, and Ashcroft scores were evaluated. The apoptosis of AEC in mice was observed by TUNEL immunofluorescence assay. iii) The mRNA relative expression of apoptosis-related genes in A549 cells and mouse lung tissue was detected using reverse transcription and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results i) In vitro experiment. The apoptosis rate of A549 cells increased with longer silica exposure (all P<0.05). The relative expression of B cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) mRNA in A549 cells in 24 h group and 48 h group decreased (both P<0.05), and the relative expression of BCL-2 associated X protein (BAX) mRNA increased (both P<0.05), compared with 0 h group. The mRNA relative expression of caspase (CASP) -3 and CASP-9 in A549 cells increased with longer silica exposure (all P<0.05). ii) Animal experiment. The lung organ coefficients and Ashcroft score in mice progressively increased (all P<0.05), the degree of pulmonary fibrosis was gradually aggravated, and TUNEL positive cells in lung tissue were gradually increased, while Bax, Casp-3 and Casp-9 mRNA relative expression increased with longer silica exposure (all P<0.05). Conclusion Silica dust may cause pulmonary fibrosis by inducing apoptosis of AEC, with a time-dependent effect. The mechanism may be related to the effect of silica dust on mitochondrial apoptosis through Bcl-2/Bax/Caspase-3 signaling pathway.

Objective: To explore the muscle mass index (MMI) among adolescents in Xinjiangs agricultural and pastoral areas and its association with cardiovascular risk factors, providing references and basis for the prevention and intervention of cardiovascular diseases among adolescents in these regions. Methods: From March to July 2023, a total of 1 842 students aged 13-18 years from four middle schools in Yili agricultural and pastoral areas of Xinjiang were selected using cluster random sampling. Measurements of muscle mass, physical indicators, questionnaires, and blood samples were conducted and analyzed. Statistical analyses were performed using oneway analysis of variance, Kruskal-Wallis H test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Logistic regression analysis. Results: There were significant differences in weight，body mass index (BMI)，waist circumference，muscle mass，systolic blood pressure，diastolic blood pressure，total cholesterol，highdensity lipoprotein cholesterol and fasting blood glucose among adolescents with severe, insufficient, good, and sufficient MMI in Xinjiangs agricultural and pastoral areas(F=326.78，634.76，261.67，134.56，80.14，16.78，5.84，21.67，3.42，P<0.01). Logistic regression analysis showed that, after adjusting age and BMI, the risk of cardiovascular risk factors aggregation in adolescents with good (OR=0.55-0.62) and adequate (OR=0.52-0.57) MMI were lower than that in adolescents with insufficient MMI (P<0.05). After gender stratification, the risk of cardiovascular risk factors aggregation in adolescents with good MMI for boys (OR=0.48-0.62) and with good MMI for girls (OR=0.61) were also lower than that in adolescents with insufficient MMI (P<0.05). Conclusions MMI in adolescents from agricultural and pastoral areas of Xinjiang are positively correlated with cardiovascular health. Future efforts should focus on muscle strength training for adolescents in these areas, as improving MMI can play a positive role in promoting cardiovascular health in adolescents.

Objective To explore the mechanism of the gut-lung axis in paraquat-induced lung injury in mice, with a focus on analyzing the changes in intestinal gene expression and their potential roles. Methods Specific pathogen-free C57BL/6 wild-type mice were randomly divided into control, low-dose, and high-dose groups, with 10 mice in each group. Mice in the three groups received a single intragastric administration of paraquat solution at doses of 0, 25, or 50 mg/kg body weight. The mice were euthanized on day 21. Lung histopathological changes were assessed, and the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the intestinal tissues of mice in these two groups were analyzed through transcriptomics. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were conducted to explore potential mechanisms of the gut-lung axis in paraquat-induced lung injury and fibrosis. Results Paraquat exposure induced dose-dependent pulmonary injury and fibrosis in the mice. The Ashcroft score of lung tissue was higher in the mice of low-dose group than that in the control group (P<0.05). Both the lung organ coefficient and Ashcroft score of lung tissues in the mice of high-dose group were higher than those in the control group and the low-dose group (all P<0.05). The result of transcriptomic analysis showed 146 DEGs, including 91 upregulated and 55 downregulated genes, in intestinal tissues of mice in the low-dose group, and 57 DEGs, including 47 upregulated and 10 downregulated genes in the high-dose group, compared with the control group. Notably, 19 DEGs were commonly altered in both low- and high-dose groups. The result of GO enrichment analysis showed that the DEGs were primarily involved in biological processes including "immune response", "oxidative stress" and "cell differentiation". The result of KEGG enrichment analyses showed that DEGs were primarily involved in key processes including "oxidative stress response path way", "immune response path way" and "digestion and absorption path way". Conclusion Paraquat exposure alters intestinal gene expression, particularly in genes in biological processes related to immune responses and oxidative stress. These changes may mediate inflammatory signaling via the gut-lung axis and contribute to the development of paraquat-induced pulmonary fibrosis.

Objective:To investigate the expression level of transcription factor dimerization partner 2 (TFDP2) in the placentas of women with preeclampsia, and analyze its effect on the apoptosis of trophoblast cells.Methods:Placental tissues from thirty puerperae with preeclampsia who gave birth by cesarean section in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, the Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School between January 2018 and December 2022 (preeclampsia group) and 30 healthy puerperae undergoing cesarean section during the same period (control group) were retrospectively selected. Immunohistochemistry was used to localize TFDP2 in the placental tissues. Real-time quantitative-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot were used to detect the differences in expression of TFDP2 at mRNA and protein levels in placental tissues between the two groups. Forskolin-exposed BeWo cells were transfected with small interfering RNA (siRNA) to knockdown TFDP2 and the changes in the expression of apoptosis-related indicators, B cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2) and Bcl2 associated X (Bax), at protein and mRNA levels were analyzed by Western blot and qRT-PCR, respectively. Besides, the change in the apoptosis level of BeWo cells was detected using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining and flow cytometry. Downstream signaling pathways were analyzed to understand the involved molecular mechanisms. Two independent samples t-test, Wilcoxon rank-sum test, and Chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. Results:TFDP2 was mostly localized in the syncytiotrophoblasts and the extravillous trophoblasts in the normal placentas. TFDP2 expression in the syncytiotrophoblasts was lower in the preeclampsia group than in the control group at both mRNA (0.722±0.239 vs. 1.000±0.348, t=3.61, P=0.001) and protein (0.728±0.185 vs. 1.000±0.206, t=2.41, P=0.037) levels. Comparing the group without knockdown of TFDP2, the knockdown of TFDP2 in BeWo cells elevated the Bax/Bcl2 ratio (mRNA: 1.755±0.452 vs. 1.000±0.279, t=3.48, P=0.006; protein: 3.206±0.922 vs. 1.000±0.290, t=3.95, P=0.017), and increased cell apoptosis both in number and ratio (TUNEL staining: 4.556±1.740 vs. 2.444±1.130, t=3.05, P=0.008; flow cytometry: 21.37%±1.66% vs. 12.61%±0.38%, t=8.92, P=0.001). Furthermore, following TFDP2 knockdown, a decrease in the phosphorylation activity of catalytic subunit of protein kinase A (PKAc) at the Thr197 site was observed in the cytoplasm of BeWo cells (0.466±0.035 vs. 1.000±0.075, t=11.19, P<0.001) and a reduction in the expression of β-catenin in the cell nucleus was also detected (0.250±0.093 vs. 1.000±0.269, t=4.57, P=0.010). Conclusion:The expression of TFDP2 decreased significantly in the placentas of patients with preeclampsia, which may promote the apoptosis of syncytiotrophoblasts by inhibiting the PKAc/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Objective:To explore the relationship between the life satisfaction of family caregivers and the de-gree of disability of disabled elderly people in Xinjiang Uygur and Kazak nationality,and the role of family mem-bers'participation in the relationship.Methods:A total of 431 elderly people with disabilities at home and their fam-ily caregivers(247 without family members and 184 with family members)were selected from Xinjiang Uygur and Kazak ethnic groups,and the survey was conducted with the Activity of Daily Living Scale(ADL)and Life Satis-faction Index B(LSIB).Results:The LSIB scores in family caregivers were negatively correlated with the ADL scores in the disabled elderly(r=-0.19,P＜0.01),and the family members'participation in care was positively correlated with the LSIB scores of family caregivers(r=0.52,P＜0.01).Family members'participation in care could moderate the negative effect of the ADL scores in the disabled elderly on the LSIB scores in family caregivers(β=0.08,P＜0.05).Conclusion:The involvement of family members in care has a moderating effect on the life satisfaction of Uyghur and Kazak family caregivers and the degree of disability of disabled elderly people.

OBJECTIVE To study the effect of different proportion compatibility of Astragali Radix and Chuanxiong Rhizoma on the extraction kinetics of flavonoids. METHODS The content determination method of flavonoids(with rutin as the control substance) was established, and the concentrations of flavonoids in the extracts of Astragali Radix membranicum and Chuanxiong Rhizoma in different proportions(1∶1, 1∶2, 1∶3, 1∶4, 1∶5, 2∶1, 3∶1, 4∶1, 5∶1) were determined dynamically within 2 h, respectively. The extraction kinetics model was established according to Feck's first diffusion law. The extraction rate constant was calculated and the difference of dissolution kinetics was compared. RESULTS The compatibility of different proportions of Astragali Radix and Chuanxiong Rhizoma had significant effects on the extraction rate and concentration of flavonoids. The extraction kinetics models of flavonoids were consistent with the characteristics of the first-order kinetic equation. The extraction rate was the fastest when Astragali Radix ∶ Chuanxiong Rhizoma was 3∶1, the extraction rate was the slowest when Chuanxiong Rhizoma∶ Astragali Radix was 2∶1. The equilibrium concentration of flavonoids was the highest when Chuanxiong Rhizoma∶ Astragali Radix was 3∶1, when the ratio of Astragali Radix∶Chuanxiong Rhizoma was 5∶1, it was the lowest. CONCLUSION The compatibility of different proportions of Astragali Radix and Chuanxiong Rhizoma has a significant effect on the extraction rate and concentration of flavonoids.

Objective To observe the effects of Xixin Decoction on the blood-brain barrier permeability and the expressions of P-glycoprotein(P-gp),cannabinoid receptor 1(CB1)and cannabinoid receptor 2(CB2)in hippocampal tissue of rapidly aging mice(SAMP8);To explore the possible mechanism of Xixin Decoction in the treatment of Alzheimer disease(AD).Methods Totally 60 SAMP8 mice were randomly divided into model group,probiotics group,and Xixin Decoction high-,medium-and low-dosage groups,with 12 mice in each group,another 12 SAMR1 mice were set as control group.The medicated groups received corresponding drugs by gavage for 10 weeks respectively,while the control group and model group were gavaged with equal volume of distilled water.Morris water maze test was used to detect the learning and memory ability of mice,the blood-brain barrier permeability was detected by Evans blue method,the contents of matrix metalloproteinase 9(MMP9),nuclear factor(NF)-κB and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in serum were determined by ELISA,the expressions of P-gp,CB1 and CB2 in hippocampal tissue were detected by Western blot,P-gp expression in hippocampal tissue was detected by immunofluorescence staining.Results Compared with the control group,the learning and memory ability of mice in model group significantly decreased,Evans blue exudation in brain tissue significantly increased,the contents of MMP9,TNF-α and NF-κB in serum significantly increased,the expressions of P-gp and CB2 protein significantly decreased,the expression of CB1 protein significantly increased,with statistical significance(P<0.01,P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the learning and memory ability of mice in Xixin Decoction high-dosage group significantly increased,the Evans blue exudation in brain tissue significantly decreased,the contents of MMP9,TNF-α and NF-κB in serum significantly decreased,the protein expressions of P-gp and CB2 significantly increased,and the protein expression of CB1 significantly decreased,with statistical significance(P<0.01,P<0.05).Conclusion Xixin Decoction can improve the spatial learning and memory ability of AD model mice,and its mechanism is related to regulating the permeability of the blood-brain barrier and related protein expression,and inhibiting neuroinflammation.

Objective To observe the effects of Huatan Quyu Decoction on cognitive function and the expressions of GABA and VILIP-1 in brain tissue of rats with cerebral small vessel disease;To discuss its mechanism for treatment on cerebral small vessel disease.Methods Totally 48 male SD rats were randomly divided into blank group,model group,Huatan Quyu Decoction low-and high-dosage groups,with 12 rats in each group.Except for the blank group,a rat model of cerebral small vessel disease was prepared by in vitro injection of homologous microemboli.Huatan Quyu Decoction low-and high-dosage groups were given Huatan Quyu Decoction 1.25 and 2.5 g/kg by gavage,the blank group and model group were gavage with equal amounts of distilled water for 28 consecutive days.Morris water maze experiment was conducted on day 1,7,14,and 28 after administration to evaluate the learning and memory abilities of rats,HE staining was used to observe pathological changes in hippocampal tissue,and immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expressions of GABA and VILIP-1 proteins in brain tissue.Results Compared with the blank group,the escape latency of Morris water maze experiment in model group significantly prolonged(P<0.05),and the number of crossing platforms was significantly reduced(P<0.05);the arrangement of hippocampal tissue cells was disordered,gaps widen,and nuclei atrophy and necrosis,the GABA expression in brain tissue significantly decreased(P<0.05),while the VILIP-1 expression significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the escape latency of Morris water maze experiment in the Huatan Quyu Decoction low-and high-dosage groups significantly shortened(P<0.05)on day 7,14,and 28 of administration,and the number of crossing platforms significantly increased(P<0.05),GABA expression significantly increased(P<0.05),while VILIP-1 expression significantly decreased(P<0.05).Compared with the Huatan Quyu Decoction low-dosage group,the escape latency of Morris water maze experiment in Huatan Quyu Decoction high-dosage group decreased at various time points,and the number of crossing platforms increase,the pathological damage of hippocampal tissue was reduced,the expression of GABA in brain tissue increased,and the expression of VILIP-1 decreased,with statistical significance(P<0.05).Conclusion Huatan Quyu Decoction can increase the expression of GABA in brain tissue and inhibit the expression of VILIP-1,thereby improve the cognitive function of rats with cerebrovascular disease.

Objective:To evaluate the correlation between ultrasound parameters of internal carotid artery blood flow and regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rScO 2) in elderly patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Methods:Sixty-four elderly patients undergoing elective CABG under CPB, aged 60-80 yr, regardless of gender, with body mass index of 18.1-28.9 kg/m 2, of American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification Ⅱ or Ⅲ, with New York Heart Association class Ⅱ or Ⅲ, with left ventricular ejection fraction≥50%, were selected. The rScO 2 and ultrasonic parameters of internal carotid artery including peak systolic velocity (PSV-ICA), end-diastolic velocity (EDV-ICA), diameter (D-ICA) and blood flow volume (Q-ICA) were recorded before anesthesia induction (T 0), at surgical skin incision (T 1), at 30 and 60 min of CPB (mean value was calculated, T 2), and at 30 and 60 min after termination of CPB (mean value was calculated, T 3). The ratio of unilateral internal carotid artery blood flow to cardiac output (Q/CO) was calculated. The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to analyze the accuracy of ultrasound parameters of internal carotid artery blood flow in predicting rScO 2 < 60%. Results:PSV-ICA was positively correlated with rScO 2 at T 0, T 1 and T 3 ( P<0.05), but no correlation was found between PSV-ICA and rScO 2 at T 2 ( P>0.05). There was no correlation between EDV-ICA and rScO 2 at each time point ( P>0.05). Q-ICA was positively correlated with rScO 2 at each time point ( P<0.05). Q/CO was not correlated with rScO 2 at T 1 ( P>0.05), but Q/CO was positively correlated with rScO 2 at T 2 and T 3 ( P<0.05). During the non-CPB period (T 0, T 1, T 3), the cutoff values of PSV-ICA and Q-ICA in predicting rScO 2< 60% were 51.35 cm/s and 283.5 ml/min respectively, the sensitivity was 0.900 and 0.900 respectively, and the specificity was 0.610 and 0.857 respectively (AUC=0.761, P=0.006; AUC=0.903, P< 0.001). During the CPB period, the cutoff values of Q-ICA and Q/CO in predicting rScO 2<60% were 296.5 ml/min and 5.84% respectively, the sensitivity was 0.900 and 0.800, and the specificity was 0.545 and 0.659 (AUC=0.764, P=0.001; AUC=0.748, P=0.002), respectively. Conclusions:PSV-ICA and Q-ICA are positively correlated with rScO 2 during the non-CPB period, and Q-ICA and Q/CO are positively correlated with rScO 2 during the CPB period in elderly patients undergoing CABG. PSV-ICA, Q-ICA and Q/CO can accurately predict rScO 2<60%.