Objective:To investigate the epidemiological characteristics, disease spectrum, and laboratory characteristics of human immunodeficiency virus/cytomegalovirus (HIV/CMV) co-infection, to provide references for clinical diagnosis and treatment.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted. Clinical information of 544 HIV/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients who underwent CMV-DNA tests in Beijing Ditan Hospital in 2023 was collected. Participants were categorized into CMV-infection group (126 cases) and non-CMV-infection group (418 cases). The prevalence of CMV infection was analyzed. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to identify risk factors for CMV/AIDS co-infection. The disease spectrum, laboratory characteristics, serum CMV-DNA load changes, treatment prognosis and outcomes in the CMV-infected group were evaluated. SPSS 27.0 was used for statistical analysis including the χ 2 test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Kruskal-Wallis H test. Results:The CMV infection rate among HIV/AIDS patients was 23.16% (126/544). Multivariate analysis identified low CD4 +T-lymphocyte count [<50 cells/μl; OR=27.962, 95% confidence interval( CI) 11.957-65.389] and high HIV RNA load (>1×10 5 copies/ml; OR=2.057, 95% CI 1.237-3.420) as independent risk factors for CMV co-infection in HIV/AIDS patients. Among the 126 HIV/CMV co-infected patients, CMV viremia was the most common manifestation (38.10%, 48/126), followed by CMV pneumonia (33.33%, 42/126) and CMV retinitis (11.90%, 15/126), which were mainly observed in patients with CD4 +T-lymphocyte counts <50 cells/μl. Of the patients receiving anti-CMV therapy, 80.70% (46/57) exhibited reduced CMV-DNA loads compared with baseline. Totally 29.82% (17/57) of those patients initiating antiretroviral therapy alone achieved CMV-DNA reduction compared with baseline. Overall, 80.16% (101/126) of patients achieved favorable prognosis. Conclusion:CMV co-infection is high in HIV/AIDS patients. Disease spectrum of HIV/CMV co-infection are dominated by CMV viremia and CMV pneumonia. Timely anti-CMV therapy is pivotal for reducing CMV-DNA loads and improving prognosis.

Objective:To investigate the expression of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) BMPR1B-AS1 in ovarian cancer and its impact on prognosis, so as to evaluate its value as a potential biomarker.Methods:The TCGA, GEPIA, and UALCAN databases were used to retrospectively analyze the expression differences of BMPR1B-AS1 in gynecological tumors, and prognostic analysis was performed in combination with clinical data. The expression level of BMPR1B-AS1 in ovarian cancer tissues and cell lines was verified by real-time fluorescent quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and univariate and multivariate Cox regression models were used to analyze its relationship with the prognosis of ovarian cancer.Results:Database analysis showed that the expression of BMPR1B-AS1 in ovarian cancer and endometrial cancer was higher than that in the non-tumor group (all P<0.05), and high expression of BMPR1B-AS1 in ovarian cancer was associated with better prognosis ( P<0.05). Experimental verification showed that the expression of BMPR1B-AS1 in ovarian cancer tissues was significantly higher than that in benign ovarian tissues, and the expression of BMPR1B-AS1 in ovarian cancer cell lines was higher than that in normal human ovarian epithelial cells ( P<0.05). Cox regression analysis indicated that high expression of BMPR1B-AS1 was an independent protective factor for the prognosis of ovarian cancer ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The expression of BMPR1B-AS1 in ovarian cancer and endometrial cancer is higher than that in non-tumor groups, and it is an independent protective factor for good prognosis in ovarian cancer patients. It may serve as a new biomarker, providing new ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE To explore the mechanism by which Cuscuta chinensis flavonoids （CCF） promote decidualization and improve recurrent spontaneous abortion （RSA）. METHODS HTR-8/SVneo cells in logarithmic growth phase were randomly divided into blank group， lipopolysaccharide （LPS） group， CCF group， SGK2 inhibitor （GSK650394， abbreviated as “GSK”） group and CCF+GSK group. Each group was treated with the corresponding agents accordingly. HTR-8/SVneo cells with SGK2 knockdown were randomly divided into small interfering RNA of SGK2 （siSGK2） group and siSGK2+CCF group； additionally， blank group and LPS group were established； each group was treated with the corresponding agents accordingly. The cell survival rate， expression levels of WNK signaling pathway- and decidualization-related proteins and mRNAs， as well as mitochondrial membrane potential levels， were assessed in each group before and after SGK2 knockdown. RSA mice model was constructed and randomly divided into model group， CCF low-dose group， CCF high-dose group， GSK group， and combined dosing group， with 4 mice in each group. Other 4 normal pregnant female mice were selected as the control group. The number of implanted embryos， viable fetuses， and lost embryos in mice was recorded. The morphological changes of endometrium and decidualization were observed， and WNK signaling pathway- and decidualization-related proteins and mRNAs expressing levels as well as mitochondrial membrane potential levels were all detected. RESULTS Compared with the blank group， the cell survival rate， as well as the protein and mRNA expression levels of SGK2， WNK1， WNK4， prolactin， insulin-like growth factor- binding protein-1， oxidative stress responsive kinase 1， and Ste20-like proline-/alanine-rich kinase were significantly reduced in the LPS group （P＜0.05）； compared with the LPS group， the cell survival rate and the expression levels of the above- mentioned proteins and mRNAs were significantly increased in the CCF group， while the cell survival rate and the expression levels of the above-mentioned proteins and mRNAs were significantly decreased in the GSK group （P＜0.05）； compared with the CCF group， the cell survival rate and the expression levels of the above-mentioned proteins and mRNAs were significantly reduced in the CCF+GSK group （P＜0.05）. After knocking down SGK2， compared with the LPS group， the cell survival rate， red/green fluorescence intensity ratio， and the expression levels of the above-mentioned proteins and mRNAs were significantly reduced in the siSGK2 group （P＜0.05）； compared with the siSGK2 group， the cell survival rate， red/green fluorescence intensity ratio， and the expression levels of the above-mentioned proteins and mRNAs were significantly increased in the siSGK2+CCF group （P＜0.05）. The in vivo experimental results showed that CCF treatment can significantly improve the number of implanted embryos and viable fetuses in RSA model mice and reduce lost embryos， the expression levels of the above-mentioned proteins and mRNAs in endometrial tissue were significantly increased， and the red/green fluorescence intensity ratio was significantly increased （P＜ 0.05）； the combined dosing group could reverse the effect of CCF （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS CCF can activate SGK2， up- regulate the WNK signaling pathway， promote endometrial decidualization， and improve RSA.

Objective:To understand trends and hotspots of TCM research papers published in journals with high IF basing on a bibliometric analysis.Methods:TCM research papers published between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2024 from 80 journals with IF higher than 16.0 were retrieved from medical, life sciences and comprehensive journals in Journal Citation Reports of 2024. CiteSpace 6.3.R1 and Excel 2021 were used to analyze and visualize annual publication volume, research fields, features of clinical study, institutes, funds and keywords.Results:A total of 51 papers were included, showing an increasing trend in annual publication volume; the main research areas were pharmacology, acupuncture&moxibustion and internal medicine. Multi-center randomized controlled trials were the main clinical studies; China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences was the leading institute in terms of publication volume; 84 funds were involved, including National Natural Science Foundation of China. Keywords that appeared most frequently were TCM, efficacy, double blind, electroacupuncture, stimulation and management.Conclusion:The number and quality of TCM research papers are improved simultaneously; future research needs to deepen international cooperation, and pay attention to the integration of TCM diagnosis and treatment characteristics and modern scientific research methods.

Objective:To investigate the epidemiological characteristics, disease spectrum, and laboratory characteristics of human immunodeficiency virus/cytomegalovirus (HIV/CMV) co-infection, to provide references for clinical diagnosis and treatment.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted. Clinical information of 544 HIV/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients who underwent CMV-DNA tests in Beijing Ditan Hospital in 2023 was collected. Participants were categorized into CMV-infection group (126 cases) and non-CMV-infection group (418 cases). The prevalence of CMV infection was analyzed. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to identify risk factors for CMV/AIDS co-infection. The disease spectrum, laboratory characteristics, serum CMV-DNA load changes, treatment prognosis and outcomes in the CMV-infected group were evaluated. SPSS 27.0 was used for statistical analysis including the χ 2 test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Kruskal-Wallis H test. Results:The CMV infection rate among HIV/AIDS patients was 23.16% (126/544). Multivariate analysis identified low CD4 +T-lymphocyte count [<50 cells/μl; OR=27.962, 95% confidence interval( CI) 11.957-65.389] and high HIV RNA load (>1×10 5 copies/ml; OR=2.057, 95% CI 1.237-3.420) as independent risk factors for CMV co-infection in HIV/AIDS patients. Among the 126 HIV/CMV co-infected patients, CMV viremia was the most common manifestation (38.10%, 48/126), followed by CMV pneumonia (33.33%, 42/126) and CMV retinitis (11.90%, 15/126), which were mainly observed in patients with CD4 +T-lymphocyte counts <50 cells/μl. Of the patients receiving anti-CMV therapy, 80.70% (46/57) exhibited reduced CMV-DNA loads compared with baseline. Totally 29.82% (17/57) of those patients initiating antiretroviral therapy alone achieved CMV-DNA reduction compared with baseline. Overall, 80.16% (101/126) of patients achieved favorable prognosis. Conclusion:CMV co-infection is high in HIV/AIDS patients. Disease spectrum of HIV/CMV co-infection are dominated by CMV viremia and CMV pneumonia. Timely anti-CMV therapy is pivotal for reducing CMV-DNA loads and improving prognosis.

Objective:To investigate the expression of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) BMPR1B-AS1 in ovarian cancer and its impact on prognosis, so as to evaluate its value as a potential biomarker.Methods:The TCGA, GEPIA, and UALCAN databases were used to retrospectively analyze the expression differences of BMPR1B-AS1 in gynecological tumors, and prognostic analysis was performed in combination with clinical data. The expression level of BMPR1B-AS1 in ovarian cancer tissues and cell lines was verified by real-time fluorescent quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and univariate and multivariate Cox regression models were used to analyze its relationship with the prognosis of ovarian cancer.Results:Database analysis showed that the expression of BMPR1B-AS1 in ovarian cancer and endometrial cancer was higher than that in the non-tumor group (all P<0.05), and high expression of BMPR1B-AS1 in ovarian cancer was associated with better prognosis ( P<0.05). Experimental verification showed that the expression of BMPR1B-AS1 in ovarian cancer tissues was significantly higher than that in benign ovarian tissues, and the expression of BMPR1B-AS1 in ovarian cancer cell lines was higher than that in normal human ovarian epithelial cells ( P<0.05). Cox regression analysis indicated that high expression of BMPR1B-AS1 was an independent protective factor for the prognosis of ovarian cancer ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The expression of BMPR1B-AS1 in ovarian cancer and endometrial cancer is higher than that in non-tumor groups, and it is an independent protective factor for good prognosis in ovarian cancer patients. It may serve as a new biomarker, providing new ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer.

This study utilized the CCK-8 assay to examine the effects of various concentrations of CoCl2(0,50,100,200,300,400 μmol/L)and different treatment durations(0,6,12,24,48 h)on the viability of adipocytes,in order to determine the most suitable treatment conditions.Western blot analysis was employed to investigate the impact of different concentrations of CoCl2(0,50,100,200,400 μmol/L)on the expression of hypoxia and its downstream key proteins in adipocytes.The results indicated that higher concentrations of CoCl2 led to lower adipocyte viability,with sig-nificant decreases in cell viability observed in the 300,400 μmol/L treatment groups(P＜0.01),while the 200 μmol/L group exhibited the highest cell viability.Compared to the control group,the 200 μmol/L CoCl2 treatment group showed a significant upregulation in the expression of hypoxia and its downstream signaling pathway key molecules:hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha(HIF-1α),glucose transporter type 4(GLUT4),vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1(FLT-1),prolyl hydroxylase 2(PHD2),and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)(P＜0.01).Addi-tionally,the 200 μmol/L CoCl2 treatment group exhibited higher levels of key lipolytic enzymes,including adipose triglyceride lipase(ATGL),perilipin 1(PLIN1),protein kinase A(PKA),and increased phosphorylation levels of hormone-sensitive lipase(HSL)in the 300 and 400 μmol/L groui ps(P＜0.01).CoCl2-mediated hypoxia in the 200 μmol/L treatment group also in-creased the protein expression of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)and the phosphorylation level of protein kinase B(Akt).These findings suggest that adding 200 μmol/L CoCl2 can enhance the expression of hypoxia-related proteins,lipolytic enzymes,and insulin-related signaling proteins in primary bovine adipocytes.

Objective:To summarize the clinicopathologic characteristics of undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma of the liver.Methods:The clinical data of 16 patients with undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma of the liver admitted to Shandong Provincial Hospital and Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital from Jan 2000 to Jan 2023 was retrospectively analyzed.Results:The diagnosis of undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma in all the 16 patients was established by postoperative pathology. The clinical manifestations of the patients were mainly asymptomatic abdominal mass, abdominal pain and discomfort. The laboratory examination was mostly nonspecific, the image exam showed mostly solid cystic mass. 14 cases underwent radical surgical resection.The minimum survival time was 7 months, maximum survival time was 121 months with median survival time of 35.9 months.Conclusions:Undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma of the liver is an extremely rare malignant tumor of the liver. The disease lacks specific clinical manifestations. CT examination can assist in the diagnosis of the disease. Diagnosis of undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma of the liver depends on pathological examination. The prognosis of patients is poor, surgical resection of the tumor is an effective treatment.

Objective:To investigate the expression of retinoic acid receptor responsive gene 2 (RARRES2), microtubule microfilament cross-linking factor 1 (MACF1), and core protein polysaccharide (DCN) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with neurosyphilis, and their diagnostic value for neurosyphilis.Methods:A total of 64 non neurosyphilis syphilis patients (syphilis group) and 78 neurosyphilis patients (neurosyphilis group) admitted to the Second Hospital of Nanjing between June 2020 and September 2022 were included. Among neurosyphilis patients, there were 48 early neurosyphilis patients (early group) and 30 late neurosyphilis patients (late group). Patients with neurosyphilis are treated with routine symptomatic therapy and antibiotic therapy to expel syphilis. The mRNA levels of RARRES2, MACF1, and DCN in CSF of patients with neurosyphilis before and after treatment were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) was used to evaluate the neurological function of patients with neurosyphilis before and after treatment. The diagnostic value of various indicators for neurosyphilis was analyzed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.Results:The mRNA levels of RARRES2, MACF1, and DCN in CSF of patients with neurosyphilis were higher than those in the syphilis group (all P<0.001). The mRNA levels of RARRES2, MACF1, and DCN in the CSF of patients with advanced neurosyphilis were higher than those in the early group (all P<0.001). Compared with before treatment, the NIHSS score and RARRES2, MACF1, and DCN mRNA levels of neurosyphilis patients decreased after treatment (all P<0.001). The area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity of the combined diagnosis of RARRES2, MACF1, and DCN mRNA in CSF for neurosyphilis were 0.995%, 100.00%, and 93.75%, respectively. The AUC and sensitivity were higher than those of individual diagnosis. Conclusions:The expression of RARRES2, MACF1, and DCN is elevated in CSF of patients with neurosyphilis, and is associated with disease severity and treatment response. These three genes may be candidate biomarkers for diagnosing neurosyphilis.