Coronary CT-derived fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) is a noninvasive alternative to invasive FFR for assessing the hemodynamic significance of coronary artery stenosis. CT-FFR uses routinely acquired coronary CT angiography (CCTA) with artificial intelligence and computational fluid dynamics to estimate pressure gradients, thereby supporting clinical decisionmaking without procedural risk. Adoption and implementation vary widely across regions. In Asia, South Korea exclusively uses HeartMedi+, which enables rapid analysis, streamlined workflow integration, and high user satisfaction. Japan relies primarily on FFR CT, which has national reimbursement and significantly influences treatment strategies, reducing unnecessary invasive procedures. Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam remain in early or exploratory phases due to cost, reimbursement, and infrastructure barriers. In the United States, CT-FFR is guideline-endorsed and reimbursed, where HeartFlow is the most widely used, supported by robust clinical validation and outcome data. Despite regional variability, CTFFR offers a noninvasive solution that enhances patient management, reduces unnecessary invasive testing, and is poised for broader clinical integration as technology and validation advance.

Background/Aims: Natural killer (NK) cell function is generally considered dampened in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection; however, the NK cell pool exhibits phenotypic and functional heterogeneity, and the antibody--mediated effect of NK cells remains less characterized. This study evaluated the dynamic changes in antibody-mediated NK cell responses and the involvement of distinct NK subsets across disease stages and during antiviral treatment. Methods: A T-cell receptor-like antibody specific for the HBV core 18–27 peptide (cTCRL-Ab) was used to determine the antibody-mediated effect of NK cells, and an array of NK cell surface markers were analyzed in cross-sectional and longitudinal cohorts of patients with chronic HBV infection. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) was performed to identify the heterogeneity of NK subsets. Results: The cTCRL-Ab enabled the detection of NK cell cytolytic activity and IFNγ production. Notably, cTCRL-Ab-mediated NK cell responses were compromised in chronically HBV-infected patients, particularly in those receiving pegylated interferon-α (Peg-IFNα), which was associated with the downregulation of CD16 expression. Correspondingly, Peg-IFNα inhibited cTCRL-Ab-mediated NK cell function by reducing CD16 expression in vitro. scRNA-seq revealed that CD16 downregulation occurred mainly within a dysfunctional CD16hi NK subset exhibiting exhaustion properties. In contrast, an activated CD16hiNK subpopulation (CX3CR1⁺KLRC2–CD16hi) with high cytotoxicity was enriched in patients who experienced favorable treatment responses. Furthermore, the intrahepatic CX3CR1+KLRC2–CD16hi subset tended to exhibit functional restoration in HBsAg-loss individuals. Conclusions Our data contribute to the understanding of antibody-mediated responses of NK cells in chronic HBV infection, and highlight a previously unappreciated functional CX3CR1+KLRC2–CD16hiNK subset as a potential therapeutic target.

ObjectiveMigraine is a leading neurological disorder and the fourth most common cause of years lived with disability worldwide, affecting nearly 116 million individuals. Although pharmacological treatments are available, their efficacy is often limited by side effects and variable response rates. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) offers a safe, non-invasive alternative for migraine management. However, the neurophysiological mechanisms, particularly how rTMS modulates local cortical excitability and distributed pain-related circuits, remain poorly understood. Elucidating these mechanisms is essential for optimizing treatment protocols and improving clinical outcomes. MethodsThis study employed concurrent transcranial magnetic stimulation and electroencephalography (TMS-EEG) to investigate neuroplastic and neurocircuitry mechanisms of DLPFC-rTMS in migraine. Study 1 compared 30 migraineurs and 28 healthy controls to identify abnormalities in TMS-evoked potentials (TEPs) and significant current density (SCD) within sensory-discriminative regions including the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) and posterior insula (pINS), cognitive-affective regions including the anterior insula (aINS) and midcingulate cortex (MCC), and a descending modulatory region, the periaqueductal gray (PAG). Study 2 used a single-blind, crossover, sham-controlled design in 34 healthy participants. Each participant received both active (10 Hz, 80% RMT, 1 500 pulses) and sham DLPFC-rTMS in counterbalanced order. TMS-EEG and cold pain tolerance were assessed before and after each session. ResultsIn Study 1, migraineurs showed a significantly less negative N120 amplitude compared to healthy controls (P=0.027, Cohen’s d=0.60), indicating local intracortical disinhibition. No group differences were observed for N40, P60, or P180 components. At the source level, migraineurs exhibited significantly higher SCD in the S1, pINS, aINS, and MCC (allQ<0.05), but not in the ventroposterior thalamus (vpTHAL), mediodorsal thalamus (mdTHAL), or PAG. In Study 2, active rTMS significantly reduced SCD from pre- to post-stimulation in the S1, aINS, and MCC (all Q<0.05). Sham stimulation also reduced SCD in the S1 (Q<0.05) but not in the aINS or MCC. Although no significant group-level analgesic effect was observed between active and sham conditions (P=0.107), correlation analyses revealed that greater SCD reductions in the S1 and MCC were significantly associated with higher post-rTMS pain tolerance (R=-0.487 and -0.495, both Q<0.01) and larger improvements in pain tolerance(R=-0.487 and -0.451, both Q<0.05). No such correlations were found following sham stimulation, suggesting that the behavioural relevance of neural changes is specific to active rTMS. ConclusionThis study provides novel evidence that migraineurs exhibit both local neuroplastic abnormalities (reduced N120 amplitude) and hyperactivity in key pain-processing regions (S1, pINS, aINS, MCC). A single session of DLPFC-rTMS reduced hyperactivity in the aINS, MCC, and S1. Notably, greater reductions in the S1 and MCC were associated with improved pain tolerance. These findings identify distinct cortical circuitries, particularly within the cognitive-affective pain network, that may serve as potential biomarkers for optimizing rTMS treatment in migraine and other chronic pain conditions. Future studies should validate these results in patient populations experiencing spontaneous migraine attacks and explore multi-session or accelerated rTMS protocols.

Objective To enhance the gamma spectrometry analysis and detection capabilities of personnel in measuring radionuclides in bio-ash, and ensure the accuracy and precision of gamma spectrometer in our laboratory for the analysis of radionuclides in bio-ash. Methods The laboratory participated in the 2024 national interlaboratory comparison for radionuclide measurement in bio-ash. Radionuclides ²⁴¹Am, ¹³⁷Cs, and ⁴⁰K in four different bio-ash samples were measured. Based on the measurement methods specified in GB/T 16145—2022, sample measurement, result calculation, and uncertainty evaluation were performed using spectrometry analysis software and sourceless efficiency calibration software. The measurement results and performance evaluation of the laboratory in the comparison were analyzed, and factors affecting gamma-spectrometry measurement and result interpretation were discussed. Results The relative deviation (D) of the measurement results for radionuclides ²⁴¹Am and ¹³⁷Cs in the four bio-ash samples ranged from −10.2% to 2.0% and −1.7% to 0.3%, respectively. The P statistic ranged from 7.0% to 12.5% and 5.0% to 10.8%, respectively. These results met the criteria of |D| ≤ 20% (MARB), |D| ≤ 2.58P, and P ≤ 20% (MARB). The ζ-scores for the measurement of ⁴⁰K in the four bio-ash samples ranged from 0.8 to 1.3, satisfying the criterion of |ζ| < 2. All measurement results in this laboratory in the comparison were satisfactory. Conclusion The laboratory uses a high-purity germanium gamma spectrometer to measure radionuclides in bio-ash. The self-absorption correction method, analysis method, and uncertainty evaluation are appropriate, which can ensure the accuracy and precision of the measurement results. The measurement results are accurate and reliable.

This study was aimed at investigating the immunoregulatory function of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Rv3641c gene in modulating host type Ⅰ interferon responses.The shuttle plasmid pMV261 was used to construct Rv3641c overexpression recombinant Mycobacterium smegmatis,and the biological characteristics of the recombinant bacteria were analyzed to explore the effect of Rv3641c on the growth curve,colony morphology and stress resistance of Mycobacterium.Subsequently,RAW264.7 cells were infected with Rv3641c overexpressing Mycobacterium smegmatis,and the transcriptional expression of genes related to the inhibition of type I inter-feron pathway was determined by RT-PCR.The expression level of IFN-βprotein was determined by ELISA,and the intracellular sur-vival level was determined.As a result,the recombinant rMS::pMV261-Rv3641c was successfully constructed.The results of biologi-cal characteristics analysis showed that Rv3641c did not affect the growth of mycobacteria,but significantly changed the colony mor-phology of mycobacteria and improved its resistance to H2O2.The results of recombinant bacteria infection experiments showed that Rv3641c significantly down-regulated the transcription levels of IFN-α,IFN-βand downstream ISGs genes CXCL10,IFIT2 and IL-1β in host cells,and Rv3641c significantly down-regulated the transcription levels of IFN-α,IFN-βand downstream ISGs genes CXCL10,IFIT2 and IL-1βin host cells.The results of intracellular colonization experiments showed that the intracellular mycobacte-ria in the overexpression recombinant bacteria infection group were significantly higher than those in the empty vector group,indicat-ing that Rv3641c could promote the intracellular surviv al of mycobacteria.In summary,the Rv3641c gene of M.tuberculosis can inhibit the host type I interferon response and promote the intracellular survival of M.tuberculosis,which provides a new idea for further explor-ing the immune escape function of M.tuberculosis and the discovery of new targets for anti-tuberculosis drugs.

Colorectal cancer is one of the common malignant tumor in China. However, cases of colorectal cancer with synchronous bone marrow metastasis are extremely rare in clinical practice, and there are few reports on its treatment worldwide. Due to the destructed hematopoietic function caused by tumor cells occupying the bone marrow, the efficacy of chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy is very poor. As a result, colorectal cancer with bone marrow metastasis has a very high mortality and very short survival, resulting in a very poor prognosis. The authors review the epidemiology, etiology, pathogenesis, clinical features, diagnosis methods, treatment options and prognosis of this disease.

BACKGROUND:The clearance pathway of metabolic waste in the brain is crucial for maintaining neural homeostasis.The accumulation of metabolic waste disrupts this equilibrium,representing a common pathological feature of many central nervous system diseases.In recent years,research focusing on the glymphatic system has emerged as a hotspot in the nervous system field.OBJECTIVE:To construct a knowledge map of glymphatic system research,visually analyze the current state of research,main hotspots,and future development trends within this area.METHODS:Utilizing CiteSpace,VOSviewer,and the Bibliometrix package in the R language environment,this study conducted an in-depth visual analysis of glymphatic system-related literature from the Web of Science Core Collection database,spanning from January 2012 to March 2024.This analysis included authors,institutions,countries,journals,keywords,and co-citation frequencies.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:A total of 687 related articles were included in this study.The number of publications in this field increased year by year,showing an explosive growth trend in the past three years.The countries,institutions,and authors with the largest number of publications in this research field were the United States,University of Rochester,and Professor Maiken Nedergaard.The journal with the highest number of publications was JOURNAL OF CEREBRAL BLOOD FLOW AND METABOLISM.The high-frequent and high-central keywords mainly focused on the mechanism such as cerebrospinal fluid hydrodynamics,neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease,and imaging techniques such as diffusion tensor imaging.The literature with the highest co-citation frequency was a classic review of the glymphatic system.The above results show that the research of glymphatic system is an emerging and active field,which has attracted wide attention at home and abroad and gradually expand from theoretical research to clinical practice.

Objective:To investigate the influences of long non-coding RNA metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma tran-script 1(lncRNA MALAT1)/miR-876-5p/forkhead box protein M1(FOXM1)axis on TNF-α-induced proliferation,apoptosis and in-flammatory response of HaCaT cells.Methods:HaCaT cells were grouped into Ct group,Model group,si-NC group,si-MALAT1 group,mimic NC group,miR-876-5p mimic group,si-MALAT1+inhibitor NC group,and si-MALAT1+miR-876-5p inhibitor group.Except for the Ct group,cells in other groups were treated with 25 μg/L TNF-α to induce the in vitro cell model of psoriasis,and after 24 hours of TNF-α induction,the corresponding transfectants were transfected for 48 hours for subsequent experiments.qRT-PCR was applied to detect the expression of MALAT1 and miR-876-5p in cells;CCK-8 method and EdU staining were applied to detect cell pro-liferation;flow cytometry was applied to detect apoptosis;ELISA method was applied to detect the levels of IL-6,TNF-α,and IL-1β in cell supernatant;Western blot was applied to detect the protein expressions of FOXM1,proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA),Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax)and B-lymphocytoma-2(Bcl-2);dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was applied to verify the rela-tionship between MALAT1 and miR-876-5p,miR-876-5p and FOXM1;and RNA pull down experiments were applied to verify the re-lationship between MALAT1 and miR-876-5p.Results:Compared with the control group,the expressions of MALAT1 and FOXM1 protein expression in the experimental group were increased,and the expression of miR-876-5p was decreased(P<0.05);compared with Ct group,the expressions of MALAT1 and FOXM1 protein expression in HaCaT cells,A450 value,EdU positive rate,the levels of IL-6,TNF-α,IL-1β,and the protein expressions of PCNA and Bcl-2 in cell supernatant in Model group increased,the expression of miR-876-5p,apoptosis rate and the protein expression of Bax were decreased(P<0.05);silencing MALAT1 or overexpressing miR-876-5p could inhibit the proliferation and inflammatory response of HaCaT cells induced by TNF-α,and promote cell apoptosis;miR-876-5p inhibitor attenuated the inhibitory effects of silencing MALAT1 on TNF-α-induced HaCaT cell proliferation and inflammatory response,and the promotion on cell apoptosis;MALAT1 targeted and regulated the miR-876-5p/FOXM1 axis.Conclusion:Silencing MALAT1 may inhibit the expression of FOXM1 by up-regulating miR-876-5p,thereby inhibiting the proliferation and inflammatory re-sponse of HaCaT cells induced by TNF-α,and promoting cell apoptosis.

Objective:To investigate the influences of long non-coding RNA metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma tran-script 1(lncRNA MALAT1)/miR-876-5p/forkhead box protein M1(FOXM1)axis on TNF-α-induced proliferation,apoptosis and in-flammatory response of HaCaT cells.Methods:HaCaT cells were grouped into Ct group,Model group,si-NC group,si-MALAT1 group,mimic NC group,miR-876-5p mimic group,si-MALAT1+inhibitor NC group,and si-MALAT1+miR-876-5p inhibitor group.Except for the Ct group,cells in other groups were treated with 25 μg/L TNF-α to induce the in vitro cell model of psoriasis,and after 24 hours of TNF-α induction,the corresponding transfectants were transfected for 48 hours for subsequent experiments.qRT-PCR was applied to detect the expression of MALAT1 and miR-876-5p in cells;CCK-8 method and EdU staining were applied to detect cell pro-liferation;flow cytometry was applied to detect apoptosis;ELISA method was applied to detect the levels of IL-6,TNF-α,and IL-1β in cell supernatant;Western blot was applied to detect the protein expressions of FOXM1,proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA),Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax)and B-lymphocytoma-2(Bcl-2);dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was applied to verify the rela-tionship between MALAT1 and miR-876-5p,miR-876-5p and FOXM1;and RNA pull down experiments were applied to verify the re-lationship between MALAT1 and miR-876-5p.Results:Compared with the control group,the expressions of MALAT1 and FOXM1 protein expression in the experimental group were increased,and the expression of miR-876-5p was decreased(P<0.05);compared with Ct group,the expressions of MALAT1 and FOXM1 protein expression in HaCaT cells,A450 value,EdU positive rate,the levels of IL-6,TNF-α,IL-1β,and the protein expressions of PCNA and Bcl-2 in cell supernatant in Model group increased,the expression of miR-876-5p,apoptosis rate and the protein expression of Bax were decreased(P<0.05);silencing MALAT1 or overexpressing miR-876-5p could inhibit the proliferation and inflammatory response of HaCaT cells induced by TNF-α,and promote cell apoptosis;miR-876-5p inhibitor attenuated the inhibitory effects of silencing MALAT1 on TNF-α-induced HaCaT cell proliferation and inflammatory response,and the promotion on cell apoptosis;MALAT1 targeted and regulated the miR-876-5p/FOXM1 axis.Conclusion:Silencing MALAT1 may inhibit the expression of FOXM1 by up-regulating miR-876-5p,thereby inhibiting the proliferation and inflammatory re-sponse of HaCaT cells induced by TNF-α,and promoting cell apoptosis.

BACKGROUND:The clearance pathway of metabolic waste in the brain is crucial for maintaining neural homeostasis.The accumulation of metabolic waste disrupts this equilibrium,representing a common pathological feature of many central nervous system diseases.In recent years,research focusing on the glymphatic system has emerged as a hotspot in the nervous system field.OBJECTIVE:To construct a knowledge map of glymphatic system research,visually analyze the current state of research,main hotspots,and future development trends within this area.METHODS:Utilizing CiteSpace,VOSviewer,and the Bibliometrix package in the R language environment,this study conducted an in-depth visual analysis of glymphatic system-related literature from the Web of Science Core Collection database,spanning from January 2012 to March 2024.This analysis included authors,institutions,countries,journals,keywords,and co-citation frequencies.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:A total of 687 related articles were included in this study.The number of publications in this field increased year by year,showing an explosive growth trend in the past three years.The countries,institutions,and authors with the largest number of publications in this research field were the United States,University of Rochester,and Professor Maiken Nedergaard.The journal with the highest number of publications was JOURNAL OF CEREBRAL BLOOD FLOW AND METABOLISM.The high-frequent and high-central keywords mainly focused on the mechanism such as cerebrospinal fluid hydrodynamics,neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease,and imaging techniques such as diffusion tensor imaging.The literature with the highest co-citation frequency was a classic review of the glymphatic system.The above results show that the research of glymphatic system is an emerging and active field,which has attracted wide attention at home and abroad and gradually expand from theoretical research to clinical practice.