BackgroundNegative symptoms of schizophrenia impose a substantial burden on society， and the current antipsychotic drugs have limited efficacy in treating these symptoms. Intermittent theta burst stimulation （iTBS）， as a novel neuromodulation technique， shows potential therapeutic promise. However， the evidence for its efficacy in treating negative symptoms of schizophrenia and its relationship with associated immuno-inflammatory changes remain to be further elucidated. ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy of iTBS targeting the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex （L-DLPFC） on persistent negative symptoms of schizophrenia， and to analyze its relationship with changes in peripheral blood inflammatory markers， so as to provide references for the clinical application of iTBS in treating persistent negative symptoms and to offer clues for further research into its potential biological mechanisms. MethodsA randomized， double-blind， sham-controlled clinical trial was conducted. A total of 60 patients with schizophrenia who were hospitalized at Xuzhou Oriental Peopple's Hospital from February 20， 2024 to May 10， 2025 were consecutively enrolled. All patients met the diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders， fifth edition （DSM-5） and fulfilled the criteria for persistent negative symptoms. Participants were randomly assigned into the study group and the control group， with 30 patients in each group. The two groups respectively received 20 sessions of either active iTBS or sham stimulation over a 4-week period. Clinical symptoms were assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale （PANSS） at the baseline， the end of treatment， and 3 months after treatment. Peripheral blood inflammatory markers were measured at the baseline and at the end of treatment， including white blood cell count， platelet count， neutrophil count， lymphocyte count， and monocyte count， the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio （NLR）， monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio （MLR）， and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio （PLR） were also calculated. A linear mixed model was used to compare PANSS scores between the two groups. Spearman correlation analysis was performed to examine the association between reductions in inflammatory markers at the end of treatment and reductions in PANSS negative symptom subscale scores， with body mass index （BMI） and chlorpromazine-equivalent dose as covariates. Results①The time-group interaction effect for the PANSS negative symptom subscale score was statistically significant （F=5.410， P<0.01）. At the end of treatment and 3 months after treatment， the study group had significantly lower scores on the PANSS negative symptom subscale than the control group （P<0.01）. ② At the end of treatment， group differences in reduction scores for neutrophil count， NLR， and PLR were significant （Z=-2.262， -2.048， -2.070， P<0.05）. However， after FDR correction， the between-group differences in reductions in peripheral blood inflammatory markers were no longer statistically significant （P>0.05）. ③ After adjusting for BMI and chlorpromazine equivalents， the reduction in PANSS negative symptom subscale scores was positively correlated with the reduction in neutrophil count in the study group （r_s=0.382， P=0.045）. ConclusioniTBS targeting the L-DLPFC may be beneficial in improving persistent negative symptoms of schizophrenia， and its clinical efficacy may be associated with changes in neutrophil count. ［Funded by National Natural Science Foundation of China （number， 82371510）； Social Development Project of Jiangsu Province （number， BE2023668）. www.chictr.org.cn number， ChiCTR2500101060］

BACKGROUND: The American Heart Association recently released a new cardiovascular health (CVH) metric, Life's Essential 8 (LE8), for health promotion. However, the association between LE8 scores and the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains uncertain. We aimed to explore the association of LE8 scores with new-onset CKD and examine whether socioeconomic deprivation and genetic risk modify this association. METHODS: A total of 286,908 participants from UK Biobank and without prior CKD were included between 2006 and 2010. CVH was categorized using LE8 scores: low (LE8 scores <50), moderate (LE8 scores ≥50 but <80), and high (LE8 scores ≥80). The study outcome was new-onset CKD, ascertained by data linkage with primary care, hospital inpatient, and death data. Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to investigate the association between CVH categories and new-onset CKD. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 12.5 years, 8857 (3.1%) participants developed new-onset CKD. Compared to the low CVH group, the moderate (adjusted hazards ratio [HR], 0.50; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.47-0.53) and high CVH (adjusted HR, 0.31; 95% CI: 0.27-0.34) groups had a significantly lower risk of developing new-onset CKD. The population-attributable risk associated with high vs. intermediate or low CVH scores was 40.3%. Participants who were least deprived ( vs.  most deprived; adjusted HR, 0.75; 95% CI: 0.71-0.79) and with low genetic risk of CKD ( vs.  high genetic risk; adjusted HR, 0.89; 95% CI: 0.85-0.94) had a significantly lower risk of developing new-onset CKD. However, socioeconomic deprivation and genetic risks of CKD did not significantly modify the relationship between LE8 scores and new-onset CKD (both P -interaction >0.05). CONCLUSION Achieving a higher LE8 score was associated with a lower risk of developing new-onset CKD, regardless of socioeconomic deprivation and genetic risks of CKD.
Humans ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/epidemiology* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease/genetics* ; Aged ; Risk Factors ; Adult ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Socioeconomic Factors

The transition of cancer cells from epithelial state to mesenchymal state awarded hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) stem cell properties and induced tumorigenicity, drug resistance, and high recurrence rate. Reversing the mesenchymal state to epithelial state by inducing mesenchymal-epithelial remodeling could inhibit the progression of HCC. Using high-throughput screening, chrysin was selected from natural products to reverse epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by selectively increasing CDH1 expression. The target identification suggested chrysin exerted its anti-HCC effect through covalently and specifically binding threonine 205 (Thr205) of alpha-enolase (ENO1). For the first time, we revealed that ENO1 bound β-catenin mRNA, and recruited YTHDF2 to identify the m6A modified β-catenin in the 3'-UTR region to degrade β-catenin mRNA. Eventually, the CDH1 gene expression was improved through the regulation of β-catenin mRNA. ENO1/β-catenin mRNA interaction might be a promising target for cellular plasticity reprogramming. Moreover, chrysin could mediate mesenchymal‒epithelial remodeling through increasing degradation of β-catenin mRNA by promoting the binding of ENO1 and β-catenin mRNA. To the best of our knowledge, chrysin is the first reported small molecule inducing β-catenin mRNA degradation through binding to ENO1. The water-soluble derivative of chrysin may be a natural product-derived lead compound for circumventing metastasis, recurrence, and drug resistance of HCC by mediating mesenchymal‒epithelial remodeling.

Objective:To investigate the correlation of combined detection of p16 and Rb with high-risk human papilloma virus (HR-HPV) infection in non-oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (NOPSCC) of the head and neck.Methods:A total of 68 NOPSCC cases of the head and neck (23 cases of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses and 45 cases of larynx) with complete clinical and pathological data, diagnosed at the Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China from November 2013 to December 2023, were collected. The expression of p16 and Rb was detected using immunohistochemistry of the EnVision two-step method, while the HR-HPV mRNA expression was detected using in situ hybridization. The concordance, sensitivity, and specificity of p16 alone and the combined detection of p16 and Rb for detecting HR-HPV infection were analyzed.Results:Among the 68 patients with NOPSCC, 53 were male and 15 were female, with a median age of 63.5 (range, 57.3 to 66.8) years. 41 patients had a smoking history and 27 did not. 33 patients had an early T stage (T1/T2) and 35 had advanced T stage (T3/T4). 14 patients had lymph node metastasis and 2 had distant metastasis. Histological types included 62 cases of keratinized squamous cell carcinoma, 5 cases of non-keratinized squamous cell carcinoma, and 1 case of basal-like squamous cell carcinoma. 25 cases were positive for p16. Among the 25 cases, 16 cases were positive for Rb, and 6 cases were positive for HR-HPV mRNA. 43 cases were negative for p16, including 38 cases positive for Rb and no cases positive for HR-HPV mRNA. The concordance between p16 and HR-HPV mRNA expression was poor ( Kappa=0.285, P=0.001), with a sensitivity of 100.0% and specificity of 69.4%. In contrast, the combined detection of p16+/Rb- showed high concordance with HR-HPV mRNA expression ( Kappa=0.719, P<0.001), with a sensitivity of 100.0% and specificity of 95.2%. Conclusions:In NOPSCC of the head and neck, the combined detection of p16 and Rb may be used as a marker for assessing HR-HPV infection. Recognizing the p16+/Rb- expression pattern in NOPSCC can improve the specificity of HR-HPV detection.

Urticarial vasculitis is a skin disease with urticaria-like lesions and a histopathological pattern of leukocytoclastic vasculitis. It is considered a "hidden rash" in traditional Chinese medicine. Xuanfu is the portal that regulates qi, blood, fluid, and the ascending, descending, exiting, and entering of nutrition qi and defensive qi. Collaterals are the pathways for the circulation of qi and blood. The two accompany each other, connecting zang-fu organs, reaching the surfaces of the skin, hair, and external body, circulating qi and fluid, and moistening and protecting the skin. Based on the theory of Xuanfu-collateral, this study aimed to clarify the etiology, pathogenesis, and treatment method of urticarial vasculitis. External assault by wind and Xuanfu blockage are believed to be the initiating factors of this disease. The malnutrition of Xuanfu and collaterals and accumulated dampness-heat are important links in the occurrence and development of urticarial vasculitis. It spreads from Xuanfu to the collaterals, and blockage of the collaterals is the immanent trend of this disease. Clinically, by closely adhering to the core pathogenesis of blockage of Xuanfu-collateral, treatment method such as using wind medicinals to open Xuanfu with pungent and dispersing properties, using the method of supplement deficiency and removing the blockage, and using medicinals to promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis to unblock the blocked collaterals. The herbs are flexibly added or subtracted to unblock Xuanfu and collaterals, harmonize qi and blood, thus all symptoms can be relieved. We hope that this study will provide new ideas for the treatment of urticarial vasculitis with traditional Chinese medicine.

Objective To observe the repair effect and mechanism of Danhuang Powder-containing serum on high glucose-induced vascular endothelial cell injury.Methods Danhuang Powder-containing serum was prepared.Human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs)were cultured to be divided into control group,recombinant human epidermal growth factor(called"growth factor"for short)group,Danhuang Powder group,high glucose group,high glucose+growth factor group,and high glucose+Danhuang Powder group.After corresponding intervention in each group for 48 hours,the cell ultrastructure and autophagy were observed under transmission electron microscope,apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry,and the protein expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),epidermal growth factor(EGF)and basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF)in the cells were detected by Western Blot.Results(1)The intra-mitochondrial ridges in the control group were clearly visible,autophagosomes and autolysosomes were fewer;mitochondria in the high glucose group were swollen and irregular,and appeared vacuolated;and the more typical autophagy-like structures were seen in the high glucose+Danhuang Powder group.(2)Compared with the high glucose group and high glucose+growth factor group,the apoptosis rate of cells in the high glucose+Danhuang Powder group was significantly decreased(P<0.05).(3)Compared with the high glucose group and the high glucose+growth factor group,the protein expression levels of VEGF,EGF and bFGF in the cells of the high glucose+Danhuang Powder group were significantly increased(P<0.05).Conclusion Danhuang Powder-containing serum can reduce the high glucose-induced damage in HUVEC cells,and its mechanism may be related to the activation of mitochondrial autophagy,and the inhibition of apoptosis,as well as the up-regulation of the expression of VEGF,EGF and bFGF.

A 70-year-old male patient was admitted to a hospital on March 1,2024 due to"muscle soreness in his extremities for over a month".Diagnosis consideration:polymyalgia rheumatica(with a high likelihood,the possi-bility of a tumor needs to be excluded).The patient was treated with methylprednisolone.After discharge from the hospital,the patient's symptoms worsened due to self-withdrawal of medication(methylprednisolone treatment for 20 days),and developed fever and cough.He then revisited the hospital and was confirmed to have Legionella mar-ssiliensis infection through metagenomic sequencing of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(nucleic acid of all microorga-nisms were extracted from the specimens and compared in the PMDB database to obtain species information of the suspected pathogenic microorganisms).Subsequently,the patient was treated with a combination of 0.75 g levo-floxacin intravenous infusion qd+0.1 g doxycycline enteric-coated capsules orally bid for anti-infective therapy.The patient's symptoms,such as cough and muscle pain,improved significantly after anti-inflammatory and anti-in-fective treatment,and he was discharged on March 18.As the first reported case of Legionella marssiliensis pulmo-nary infection in China,this case highlights that among the multiple species of Legionella,there is another bacte-rium that can infect the human body and cause disease.This case report is beneficial for improving medical staff's understanding on Legionella marssiliensis and providing reference for the diagnosis and treatment of future cases of Legionella marssiliensis infection.

Objective:To investigate whether kisspeptin can influence the maternal-fetal interface regulatory T cells(Treg),thereby participating in the pathogenesis of recurrent spontaneous abortion(RSA).Methods:Normal pregnancy(NP)and RSA mice models were established,where NP mice received a tail vein injection of PBS(NP-PBS group),and RSA mice received a tail vein in-jection of PBS(RSA-PBS group)and active fragment of kisspeptin KP10(RSA-KP10 group),observing embryo absorption rates.Im-munohistochemistry was employed to assess expressions of kisspeptin and Foxp3 in mice uterine tissues.Peripheral blood Treg cells were isolated and expanded through magnetic bead separation.Intervention with KP10 and KP234(kisspeptin receptor antagonist)was administered,and flow cytometry was used to detect levels of IL-10 and TGF-β1 secretion by Treg cells,as well as differences in proliferation and apoptosis.RNA-Seq transcriptomic sequencing was conducted on uterine tissues from RSA-PBS group and RSA-KP10 group of mice.Differentially expressed genes(DEGs)were subjected to GO,KEGG and GSEA enrichment analyses.Results:Embryo absorption rate in RSA mice was higher than that in NP mice,the embryo absorption rate was decreased after tail vein injec-tion of KP10.Expressions of kisspeptin and Foxp3 in uterus of RSA mice was lower than that in NP mice,while increased after injec-tion of KP10.Kisspeptin could modulate the secretion of IL-10 and TGF-β1 by Treg cells,influencing their proliferation without affect-ing apoptosis.Enrichment analysis results showed that DEGs were mainly enriched in reproductive structure development,IL-17,and TGF-β signaling pathways.Conclusion:Kisspeptin can influence both the quantity and function of Treg cells,offering a new theoreti-cal foundation for investigating the pathogenesis and treatment of RSA.

Over the past decade, China has made remarkable achievements in the updating of molecular characteristics and diagnostic criteria of lung cancer, pathological characteristics of COVID-19, classification scheme of interstitial lung disease, application of artificial intelligence in pulmonary pathological diagnosis, and clinical application of new biomarkers such as liquid biopsy. The Chinese Journal of Pathology has witnessed a revolution in this field. On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the journal, this article reviews the development of pulmonary pathology over the past decade and looks forward to the future trend.

Objective To investigate the effects of miR-23c and its target gene OCT1 on the proliferation,migration and apoptosis of hepatocellular liver cancer.Methods The expression level of miR-23c in normal liver cell line LO2 and hepatocel-lular carcinoma cell lines(including Huh7,HepG2,Hep-3B,SK-HEP1,HCCLM3 and MHCC97H)was detected by real-time flu-orescence quantitative PCR(qRT-PCR).The miR-23c mimics were designed to measure the proliferation status,migration abili-ty and apoptosis level of cells in the hepatocellular carcinoma cell line Huh7 using CCK-8 assay,cell migration assay and flow cytometric analysis.The target relationship between miR-23c and OCT1 was verified by predictive site prediction and dual lucif-erase assay,and the effect of miR-23c overexpression on OCT1 level was analyzed by Western blotting.The effect of miR-23c targeting OCT1 on the proliferation,migration and apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma was investigated by rescue as-say.Results Compared with the normal liver cell line LO2,the expression of miR-23c was significantly downregulated in liver cancer cell lines.In comparison with the NC group,Huh7 cells transfected with miR-23c mimics showed reduced proliferation and migration,while apoptosis was significantly enhanced.The interaction between miR-23c and OCT1 was verified.OCT1 pro-tein expression in Huh7 cells was reduced after miR-23c overexpression.The proliferation and migration of Huh7 cells were in-hibited,and apoptosis was promoted after transfection of miR-23c mimics.These effects were reversed by overexpression of OCT1.Conclusion miR-23c can downregulate OCT1,thereby inhibiting proliferation and migration,and promoting apoptosis in hepatocellular liver cancer cells.