Adipose tissue is a critical energy reservoir in animals and humans, with multifaceted roles in endocrine regulation, immune response, and providing mechanical protection. Based on anatomical location and functional characteristics, adipose tissue can be categorized into distinct types, including white adipose tissue (WAT), brown adipose tissue (BAT), beige adipose tissue, and pink adipose tissue. Traditionally, adipose tissue research has centered on its morphological and functional properties as a whole. However, with the advent of single-cell transcriptomics, a new level of complexity in adipose tissue has been unveiled, showing that even under identical conditions, cells of the same type may exhibit significant variation in morphology, structure, function, and gene expression——phenomena collectively referred to as cellular heterogeneity. Single-cell transcriptomics, including techniques like single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq), enables in-depth analysis of the diversity and heterogeneity of adipocytes at the single-cell level. This high-resolution approach has not only deepened our understanding of adipocyte functionality but also facilitated the discovery of previously unidentified cell types and gene expression patterns that may play key roles in adipose tissue function. This review delves into the latest advances in the application of single-cell transcriptomics in elucidating the heterogeneity and diversity within adipose tissue, highlighting how these findings have redefined the understanding of cell subpopulations within different adipose depots. Moreover, the review explores how single-cell transcriptomic technologies have enabled the study of cellular communication pathways and differentiation trajectories among adipose cell subgroups. By mapping these interactions and differentiation processes, researchers gain insights into how distinct cellular subpopulations coordinate within adipose tissues, which is crucial for maintaining tissue homeostasis and function. Understanding these mechanisms is essential, as dysregulation in adipose cell interactions and differentiation underlies a range of metabolic disorders, including obesity and diabetes mellitus type 2. Furthermore, single-cell transcriptomics holds promising implications for identifying therapeutic targets; by pinpointing specific cell types and gene pathways involved in adipose tissue dysfunction, these technologies pave the way for developing targeted interventions aimed at modulating specific adipose subpopulations. In summary, this review provides a comprehensive analysis of the role of single-cell transcriptomic technologies in uncovering the heterogeneity and functional diversity of adipose tissues.

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy and safety of Tangning Tongluo tablets in the treatment of nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy （DR）. MethodsFourteen research centers participated in this study， which spanned a time interval from September 2021 to May 2023. A total of 240 patients with nonproliferative DR were included and randomly assigned into an observation group （120 cases） and a control group （120 cases）. The observation group was treated with Tangning Tongluo tablets， and the control group with calcium dobesilate capsules. Both groups were treated for 24 consecutive weeks. The vision， DR progression rate， retinal microhemangioma， hemorrhage area， exudation area， glycosylated hemoglobin （HbA1c） level， and TCM syndrome score were assessed before and after treatment， and the safety was observed. ResultsThe vision changed in both groups after treatment （P<0.05）， and the observation group showed higher best corrected visual acuity （BCVA） than the control group （P<0.05）. The DR progression was slow with similar rates in the two groups. The fundus hemorrhage area and exudation area did not change significantly after treatment in both groups， while the observation group outperformed the control group in reducing the fundus hemorrhage area and exudation area. There was no significant difference in the number of microhemangiomas between the two groups before treatment. After treatment， the number of microhemangiomas decreased in both the observation group （Z=-1.437， P<0.05） and the control group （Z=-2.238， P<0.05）， and it showed no significant difference between the two groups. As the treatment time prolonged， the number of microhemangiomas gradually decreased in both groups. There was no significant difference in the HbA1c level between the two groups before treatment. After treatment， the decline in the HbA1c level showed no significant difference between the two groups. The TCM syndrome score did not have a statistically significant difference between the two groups before treatment. After treatment， neither the TCM syndrome score nor the response rate had significant difference between the two groups. With the extension of the treatment time， both groups showed amelioration of TCM syndrome compared with the baseline. ConclusionTangning Tongluo tablets are safe and effective in the treatment of nonproliferative DR， being capable of improving vision and reducing hemorrhage and exudation in the fundus.

Interferon stimulating factor STING, a transmembrane protein residing in the endoplasmic reticulum, is extensively involved in the sensing and transduction of intracellular signals and serves as a crucial component of the innate immune system. STING is capable of directly or indirectly responding to abnormal DNA originating from diverse sources within the cytoplasm, thereby fulfilling its classical antiviral and antitumor functions. Structurally, STING is composed of 4 transmembrane helices, a cytoplasmic ligand binding domain (LBD), and a C terminal tail structure (CTT). The transmembrane domain (TM), which is formed by the transmembrane helical structures, anchors STING to the endoplasmic reticulum, while the LBD is in charge of binding to cyclic dinucleotides (CDNs). The classical second messenger, cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate (cGAMP), represents a key upstream molecule for STING activation. Once cGAMP binds to LBD, STING experiences conformational alterations, which subsequently lead to the recruitment of Tank-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) via the CTT domain. This, in turn, mediates interferon secretion and promotes the activation and migration of dendritic cells, T cells, and natural killer cells. Additionally, STING is able to activate nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), thereby initiating the synthesis and release of inflammatory factors and augmenting the body’s immune response. In recent years, an increasing number of studies have disclosed the non-classical functions of STING. It has been found that STING plays a significant role in organelle regulation. STING is not only implicated in the quality control systems of organelles such as mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum but also modulates the functions of these organelles. For instance, STING can influence key aspects of organelle quality control, including mitochondrial fission and fusion, mitophagy, and endoplasmic reticulum stress. This regulatory effect is not unidirectional; rather, it is subject to organelle feedback regulation, thereby forming a complex interaction network. STING also exerts a monitoring function on the nucleus and ribosomes, which further enhances the role of the cGAS-STING pathway in infection-related immunity. The interaction mechanism between STING and organelles is highly intricate, which, within a certain range, enhances the cells’ capacity to respond to external stimuli and survival pressure. However, once the balance of this interaction is disrupted, it may result in the occurrence and development of inflammatory diseases, such as aseptic inflammation and autoimmune diseases. Excessive activation or malfunction of STING may trigger an over-exuberant inflammatory response, which subsequently leads to tissue damage and pathological states. This review recapitulates the recent interactions between STING and diverse organelles, encompassing its multifarious functions in antiviral, antitumor, organelle regulation, and immune regulation. These investigations not only deepen the comprehension of molecular mechanisms underlying STING but also offer novel concepts for the exploration of human disease pathogenesis and the development of potential treatment strategies. In the future, with further probing into STING function and its regulatory mechanisms, it is anticipated to pioneer new approaches for the treatment of complex diseases such as inflammatory diseases and tumors.

ObjectiveAutoimmune thyroiditis （AIT） is a complex and immune-mediated disorder， with no established treatment protocol. Both Western and traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） focus on the pathogenesis and treatment of AIT. This study evaluated the clinical consistency of existing AIT animal models based on the diagnostic criteria of both Western and TCM， using a novel evaluation method. Additionally， it proposed recommendations and future prospects for improving these models. MethodsA comprehensive literature review was conducted on existing AIT animal models， using databases and the diagnostic criteria of both Western and TCM. Core and accompanying symptoms of these models were scored based on the diagnostic criteria of both Western and TCM， and clinical consistency was assessed. ResultsMice are the primary experimental animals used in AIT modeling. Modeling methods include vaccine immunization， iodine induction， heterologous thyroid antigen immunization， and a combination of high iodine water and antigen immunization. The average consistency of clinical syndromes based on TCM and Western medicine is 40%， 60%， 54%， and 63%， with the highest consistency observed in the combined high iodine water and antigen immunization model. Pathological models based on TCM are less common， with the liver-stagnation-spleen-deficiency rat model showing high clinical consistency. While most models are designed according to Western medical theory， meeting the surface and structural effectiveness criteria of Western medicine. However， there is a lack of fine-tuning and clear differentiation of TCM syndromes. ConclusionCurrent AIT syndrome-disease combination animal models primarily reflect the pathological features of Western medicine， with limited integration of TCM syndromes. Future research should aim to combine the syndrome characteristics of TCM with the pathological features of Western medicine， creating multi-factor and dynamic syndrome-disease models. Such models would better facilitate an experimental platform that conforms to the theories of TCM， providing more comprehensive support and guidance for the pathogenesis and treatment strategies of AIT.

In order to explore the role of pre-basic course teaching in the standardized training of residents in clinical pathology, we have independently designed and constructed a pre-basic course teaching system mainly focusing on anatomy and histoembryology, consisting of two levels of theoretical teaching (small lectures by students and systematic lectures by instructors) and two dimensions of practical training (sample collection teaching and case teaching). This teaching model centering on participatory lecturing, practice, summarization, assessment, and feedback has been demonstrated effective. The results showed that the theoretical and practical assessment scores of the experimental group [(458.80±17.60) and (415.40±19.30), respectively] were significantly higher than those of the control group [(444.50±20.90) and (398.80±23.70), respectively]. Among 28 students of grades 2019 to 2021 surveyed for teaching effectiveness, 96.43% were satisfied with the teaching model. The established teaching model provides new ideas for the reform of teaching methods in the standardized training of residents in clinical pathology.

Aim The present study was conducted to investigate the expression of organic anion transporter 1(OAT1)in synovial tissue of collagen-induced arthritis(CIA)rats and the effect of paeoniflorin-6'-O-benzene sulfonate(CP-25),and meanwhile reveal its potential regulatory mechanism.Methods The rat CIA model was established and treated with CP-25(50 mg·kg-1·d-1),paroxetine(15 mg·kg-1·d-),prosta-glandin E receptor 4(EP4)antagonist(3 mg·kg-1·d-1),or a combination of CP-25(50 mg·kg-1·d-1)plus EP4 antagonist(3 mg·kg-1·d-1),while methotrexate(0.5 mg·kg-1·3d-1)was used as the positive control drug.Clinical manifestation of CIA rats,including arthritis index,numbers of swollen joints,paw volume of non-injected hind and clinical scores was measured.Moreover,X-ray imaging of paw,pathological examination of the ankle joint and quantitative assessment were conducted.The concen-tration of serum prostaglandin E2(PGE2)was quanti-fied using the ELISA.Western blot analysis was em-ployed to assess the levels of phospho-G protein-cou-pled receptor kinase 2(p-GRK2),protein kinase A(PKA),EP4 and OAT1 membrane proteins of rat syn-ovial tissues following CP-25 treatment.Results The administration of CP-25 resulted in a reduction in foot swelling,global score,arthritis index,paw volume of non-injected,and numbers of swollen joints in CIA rats.Pathological examination and X-ray analysis re-vealed that CP-25 significantly ameliorated the patho-logical changes and bone erosion degree of CIA rats.CP-25 significantly lowered PGE2 concentration in the serum of CIA rats.In the CIA model group,membrane expression of OAT1 and EP4 in synovial tissues of rats was significantly downregulated.Treatment with CP-25 or paroxetine resulted in a significant upregulation of OAT1 and EP4 expression and the effect of CP-25 on OAT1 was blocked when EP4 antagonist was used to-gether.Furthermore,the expression of p-GRK2 in syn-ovial tissue from CIA rats was significantly upregulat-ed,and however,CP-25 or paroxetine interventions led to a significant reduction in p-GRK2 expression.The expression trend of PKA was similar to that of OAT1.Conclusion OAT1 membrane expression is reduced in the synovial tissue of CIA rats,and CP-25 treatment increases OAT1 membrane expression.The PGE2-EP4-PKA pathway may be involved in the regu-lation of OAT1 by CP-25.

Objective:To analyze the mutation of T-cell and B-cell epitopes derived from HBV PreS-S protein in occult hepatitis B virus (OHBV) and investigate the biological mechanisms of occult hepatitis B virus infection (OBI) and HBsAb positive OBI.Methods:The PreS-S region of OBI samples were amplified by nested PCR, the products were sequenced and HBV genotypes were determined. The mutations of T-cell and B-cell epitopes derived from HBV PreS-S protein were analyzed and compared among groups of HBV genotypes and the presence of HBsAb. The affinity of the high frequency of T-cell epitope substitutions were analyzed by SYF PEITHI, the changes of antigenic characteristics of high frequency of B-cell epitope substitutions were analyzed by Ab Designer, Expasy ProtParam tool, Epitope Prediction and Analysis Tools.Results:The PreS-S region of HBV was amplified in 21 samples, including 4 HBsAb+ OBI B, 6 HBsAb-OBI B, 6 HBsAb+ OBI C, 5 HBsAb-OBI C. The mutation rates in PreS-S region of OBI were significantly higher than wild type HBV strains(OBI Bvs. WT B: 2.64%: 0.66%, P<0.001; OBI Cvs. WT C: 3.67%: 1.19%, P<0.001). The mutation rates of the immunoreactive area were significantly higher than non-immunoreactive area in OBI (OBI B: 3.57%: 1.86%, P=0.005; OBI C: 4.78%: 2.65%, P<0.001). The mutation rates of the immunoreactive and non-immunoreactive area in OBI C were higher than OBI B, but there was no statistically significant difference (immunoreactive area: 4.78%: 3.57%, P=0.107; non-immunoreactive area: 2.65%: 1.86%, P=0.142). The mutation rates of T-cell and B-cell epitopes of HBsAb-OBI were higher than HBsAb+ OBI, although there was no significant difference (HBsAb-OBI Bvs. HBsAb+ OBI B: 4.17∶3.01, P=0.303; HBsAb-OBI Cvs. HBsAb+ OBI C: 5.65∶4.26, P=0.207). The affinity analysis of 4 high frequency T-cell epitope substitutions, including T47A/K, S174N, L175S, V177A, showed that the changes of affinity of most mutation sites were not obvious; the antigenicity analysis of 3 high frequency B-cell epitope substitutions, including G73S, K122R, I126M/T, did not show noticeable changes and the hydrophilicity, surface accessibility of some mutation sites were even better than wild strain. Conclusions:The mutation rates in PreS-S region of OBI were significantly higher than wild type HBV strains. The mutation rates of the immunoreactive area were higher than non-immunoreactive area in OBI. The variant activity of OBI C was higher than OBI B. The mutations of OBI might occur randomly and were not selected by antibody pressure. Single epitope and multi-epitopes combinational mutations might be a reason for OBI.

Objective To investigate the impact of ultra-low dose CT(ULDCT)scanning combined with deep learning image reconstruction(DLIR)on quantitative analysis of pulmonary nodules using computer aided diagnostic system(CAD).Methods Fifty-six further consultation patients with pulmonary nodules were prospectively enrolled.ULDCT and standard-dose CT(SDCT)were performed.The raw ULDCT images were reconstructed using adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction-V40%(ASIR-V40%)and high-strength DLIR(DLIR-H)to obtain ULDCT-ASIR-V40%(group A)and ULDCT-DLIR-H(group B)images,while SDCT images were reconstructed with ASIR-V40%to obtain SDCT-ASIR-V40%(group C)images.Pulmonary nodules with long diameter of 4-30 mm were selected as the target nodules based on reconstructed images.The nodules were divided into solid nodules,calcified nodules and non-solid nodules by 2 physicians.CAD software was used to evaluate the classification of nodules based on 3 groups of images,and the long diameter,transverse diameter,density,volume and malignant risk were quantitatively analyzed.Results Totally 104 target nodules were selected,including 51 solid nodules,26 calcified nodules and 27 non-solid nodules according to physicians.CAD classified 53 solid,24 calcified and 27 non-solid nodules based on group A and B,while based on group C,CAD classification was consistent with that of physicians'.Compared with group C,the density of solid and calcified nodules,the volume and malignant risk of non-solid nodules judged by CAD in group A decreased,so did the density of calcified nodules in group B(all P＜0.05).No significant difference of the other CAD quantitative parameters of nodules was found among 3 groups(all P＞0.05).Conclusion ULDCT scanning combined with DLIR might underestimate the density of calcified pulmonary nodules judged by CAD,but had no significant impact on the other CAD quantitative parameters.

Objective To monitor the susceptibility of clinical isolates to antimicrobial agents in tertiary hospitals in major regions of China in 2022.Methods Clinical isolates from 58 hospitals in China were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility using a unified protocol based on disc diffusion method or automated testing systems.Results were interpreted using the 2022 Clinical &Laboratory Standards Institute(CLSI)breakpoints.Results A total of 318 013 clinical isolates were collected from January 1,2022 to December 31,2022,of which 29.5％were gram-positive and 70.5％were gram-negative.The prevalence of methicillin-resistant strains in Staphylococcus aureus,Staphylococcus epidermidis and other coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species(excluding Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and Staphylococcus schleiferi)was 28.3％,76.7％and 77.9％,respectively.Overall,94.0％of MRSA strains were susceptible to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and 90.8％of MRSE strains were susceptible to rifampicin.No vancomycin-resistant strains were found.Enterococcus faecalis showed significantly lower resistance rates to most antimicrobial agents tested than Enterococcus faecium.A few vancomycin-resistant strains were identified in both E.faecalis and E.faecium.The prevalence of penicillin-susceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae was 94.2％in the isolates from children and 95.7％in the isolates from adults.The resistance rate to carbapenems was lower than 13.1％in most Enterobacterales species except for Klebsiella,21.7％-23.1％of which were resistant to carbapenems.Most Enterobacterales isolates were highly susceptible to tigecycline,colistin and polymyxin B,with resistance rates ranging from 0.1％to 13.3％.The prevalence of meropenem-resistant strains decreased from 23.5％in 2019 to 18.0％in 2022 in Pseudomonas aeruginosa,and decreased from 79.0％in 2019 to 72.5％in 2022 in Acinetobacter baumannii.Conclusions The resistance of clinical isolates to the commonly used antimicrobial agents is still increasing in tertiary hospitals.However,the prevalence of important carbapenem-resistant organisms such as carbapenem-resistant K.pneumoniae,P.aeruginosa,and A.baumannii showed a downward trend in recent years.This finding suggests that the strategy of combining antimicrobial resistance surveillance with multidisciplinary concerted action works well in curbing the spread of resistant bacteria.

Objective To investigate the distribution and antimicrobial resistance profiles of the common pathogens isolated from urine from 2015 to 2021 in the CHINET Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Program.Methods The bacterial strains were isolated from urine and identified routinely in 51 hospitals across China in the CHINET Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Program from 2015 to 2021.Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by Kirby-Bauer method,automatic microbiological analysis system and E-test according to the unified protocol.Results A total of 261 893 nonduplicate strains were isolated from urine specimen from 2015 to 2021,of which gram-positive bacteria accounted for 23.8％(62 219/261 893),and gram-negative bacteria 76.2％(199 674/261 893).The most common species were E.coli(46.7％),E.faecium(10.4％),K.pneumoniae(9.8％),E.faecalis(8.7％),P.mirabilis(3.5％),P.aeruginosa(3.4％),SS.agalactiae(2.6％),and E.cloacae(2.1％).The strains were more frequently isolated from inpatients versus outpatients and emergency patients,from females versus males,and from adults versus children.The prevalence of ESBLs-producing strains in E.coli,K.pneumoniae and P.mirabilis was 53.2％,52.8％and 37.0％,respectively.The prevalence of carbapenem-resistant strains in E.coli,K.pneumoniae,P.aeruginosa and A.baumannii was 1.7％,18.5％,16.4％,and 40.3％,respectively.Lower than 10％of the E.faecalis isolates were resistant to ampicillin,nitrofurantoin,linezolid,vancomycin,teicoplanin and fosfomycin.More than 90％of the E.faecium isolates were ressitant to ampicillin,levofloxacin and erythromycin.The percentage of strains resistant to vancomycin,linezolid or teicoplanin was＜2％.The E.coli,K.pneumoniae,P.aeruginosa and A.baumannii strains isolated from ICU inpatients showed significantly higher resistance rates than the corresponding strains isolated from outpatients and non-ICU inpatients.Conclusions E.coli,Enterococcus and K.pneumoniae are the most common pathogens in urinary tract infection.The bacterial species and antimicrobial resistance of urinary isolates vary with different populations.More attention should be paid to antimicrobial resistance surveillance and reduce the irrational use of antimicrobial agents.