Vascular damage plays a significant role in the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying the induction of neuronal injury by vascular damage remain unclear. The present study aimed to examine the impact of fibrinogen (Fg) on tau pathology. The results showed that Fg deposits in the brains of tau P301S transgenic mice interact with tau, enhancing the cytotoxicity of pathological tau aggregates and promoting tau phosphorylation and aggregation. Notably, Fg-modified tau fibrils caused enhanced neuronal apoptosis and synaptic damage compared to unmodified fibrils. Furthermore, intrahippocampal injection of Fg-modified tau fibrils worsened the tau pathology, neuroinflammation, synaptic damage, neuronal apoptosis, and cognitive dysfunction in tau P301S mice compared to controls. The present study provides compelling evidence linking Fg and tau, thereby connecting cerebrovascular damage to tau pathology in AD. Consequently, inhibiting Fg-mediated tau pathology could potentially impede the progression of AD.
Animals ; tau Proteins/metabolism* ; Alzheimer Disease/metabolism* ; Fibrinogen/metabolism* ; Mice, Transgenic ; Mice ; Disease Models, Animal ; Memory Disorders/metabolism* ; Male ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Brain/metabolism* ; Hippocampus/metabolism* ; Protein Aggregation, Pathological/metabolism* ; Apoptosis ; Phosphorylation

Objective:To develop an EGFR-targeting nanobody engineered exosome drug delivery system and evaluate its antitumor efficacy for colorectal cancer.Methods:The HEK293T cell line stably expressing the pan-cancer inhibitor miR-204-5p, previously established by our group, was selected as a tool cell line to prepare miR-204-5p-enriched exosomes. Using metabolic glycoengineering combined with bioorthogonal reaction strategy, these exosomes were modified with the EGFR-specific nanobody 7D12. Western blot, electron microscopy, and dynamic light scattering were used to characterize the engineered exosomes. The tumor target potential of engineered exosomes was evaluated using immunofluorescence and RT-qPCR. The in vitro anti-tumor activities of engineered exosomes were evaluated using cell growth curves, colony formation, Transwell, and apoptosis analyses. The in vivo anti-tumor activity and safety of engineered exosomes were evaluated using a nude mouse xenograft tumor model. Results:The particle size of 7D12-hExo was (116.8±36.8) nm, with a potential of around -10 mV, and there was no significant change compared with the unmodified hExo. Immunofluorescence assay showed that the fluorescence intensity of the hExo group, 7D12-hExo group, and 7D12+7D12-hExo group were 48.4±3.9, 141.0±6.6, and 38.7±3.2 in EGFR + HCT116 cells, respectively. Compared with the hExo group, the fluorescence intensity of HCT116 cells in the 7D12-hExo group was significantly enhanced ( P＜0.05). Compared with the 7D12-hExo group, the fluorescence intensity in HCT116 cells in the 7D12+7D12-hExo group was significantly decreased ( P＜0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the uptake of hExo and 7D12-hExo in EGFR - SW620 colorectal cancer cells. The number of cell clones, invasion, and migration of HCT116 cells in the hExo (204) group was 215.0±14.0, 862.3±61.4, and 1 197.0 ± 36.7, respectively, with an apoptosis rate of (14.1±1.4)%. The number of cell clones, invasion, and migration of HCT116 cells in the 7D12-hExo (204) group was (65.0±15.1), (232.0±27.9), (725.7±32.7), respectively, with an apoptosis rate of (29.3±1.0)%. The 7D12-hExo (204) significantly inhibited the proliferation, invasion, and migration ability of HCT116 cells ( P＜0.05), resulting in promoting the apoptosis of HCT116 cells ( P＜0.05). Nude mouse experiments showed that 7D12-hExo (204) significantly inhibited the growth of tumors transplanted with HCT116 cells, with the inhibition rate being 82.8%. However, there was no significant change in mouse weight, and H&E staining of major organs such as heart, liver, spleen, lung, and kidney did not show any abnormalities. Conclusion:Naturally miR-204-5p-loaded exosomes were successfully modified with nanobody 7D12, which can efficiently deliver miR-204-5p into EGFR + tumor cells, thereby exerting good anti-tumor therapeutic effects.

Objective:To investigate the clinical features of patients with congenital atresia of the oval window (CAOW).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 7 cases (8 ears) of surgically confirmed CAOW treated at our department from July 2018 to July 2024. Among the cases, 1 patient had bilateral CAOW, and 4 patients had unilateral CAOW combined with other types of ossicular chain malformations in the contralateral ear. We collected and analyzed the clinical data, audiological features, and temporal bone HRCT results of all patients.Results:The 7 patients were diagnosed at ages ranging from 8 to 19 years, with a mean age of (13.2±6.9) years. None of the patients exhibited significant auricular deformities. All presented with conductive hearing loss or mixed hearing loss predominantly of the conductive type, with an intact tympanic membrane. The diagnosis of CAOW was confirmed via endoscopic tympanotomy, revealing a concave oval window area on the medial wall of the tympanic cavity, sealed by a bony plate. All 8 ears exhibited additional ossicular chain deformities. Stapes absence was present in all 8 ears. Partial absence of the incus long process was observed in 3 ears, while, abnormal bony connections between the incus long process and the promontory were seen in 4 ears, 1 ear had a short malleolar handle, 1 ear had a smaller than normal malleus volume. In addition, facial nerve deformities were found in 6 ears, with 4 ears showing bifurcation of the facial nerve and 2 ears showing facial nerve obscuration of the oval window. Pure-tone audiometry revealed that 62.5% (5/8 ears) of patients had air conduction (AC) thresholds≥60 dB preoperatively, with a mean pure-tone average (PTA) of (69.0±11.8) dB HL and a mean air-bone gap (ABG) of (52.0±7.0) dB. The mean AC threshold and ABG were higher in the low-frequency (125-1 000 Hz) range compared to the high-frequency (2 000-8 000 Hz) range (both P<0.05). Preoperative HRCT showed abnormalities in all patients, with 7 ears being diagnosable as CAOW. Although the remaining 1 ear could not be diagnosed as CAOW, stapes and incus long process absence were detected. Conclusion:CAOW is rare in clinical, as the patients with non-progressive conductive hearing loss (AC≥60 dB, ABG≥50 dB) since childhood, intact tympanic membrane without malformations of auricle and external auditory canal, and thick bony plate covered the oval window of the HRCT imaging, CAOW should be highly suspected, which could be confirmed by the exploratory tympanotomy.

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Objective:To analyze the short-term efficacy and safety of robot-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy（RAPN）for non-metastatic pathological stage T 3a renal cell carcinoma. Methods:The clinical and pathological data of 45 patients with pathologically confirmed non-metastatic T 3a renal cell carcinoma who underwent RAPN at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center between January 2016 and December 2023 were retrospectively reviewed. There were 30 males and 15 females. The average age of the cohort was（54.3±10.7）years，and the average clinical tumor diameter was（4.9±1.8）cm. Of all the patients，35（77.8%）were asymptomatic，7（15.6%）presented with hematuria，and 3（6.7%）presented with lumbar pain. Preoperative imaging assessed 34 patients（75.6%）as having clinical stage T 3a，all suspected of involving the collecting system or perirenal fat invasion；the remaining 11 patients（24.4%）were assessed as having stage T 1-2 disease. The median R.E.N.A.L. nephrectomy score was 8.0（7.0，10.0）. A history of hypertension，diabetes，or chronic kidney disease was present in 18 patients（40.0%）. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival，and the secondary endpoints included postoperative complications and short-term renal function outcomes. Survival curve was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method，and renal function comparisons were made using the paired t-test. Results:The RAPN was performed through a transabdominal approach in 32 patients（71.1%），with a median estimated blood loss of 150.0（50.0，300.0）ml. Seven（15.6%）patients required intraoperative blood transfusion. The median length of postoperative hospital stay was 4.0（4.0，6.0）days. Postoperative complications occurred in 6 patients（13.3%），including 5（11.1%）with mild complications and 1（2.2%）with a severe complication. Renal function returned to baseline in 24 of 39 evaluable patients（61.5%），while 3 patients（7.7%）developed surgery-related chronic kidney disease 3 to 12 months postoperatively，but none required dialysis. The median follow-up time was 31.8（22.7，50.9）months，12（26.7%）patients received programmed cell death protein 1 inhibitor adjuvant therapy postoperatively. During follow-up，3 patients experienced tumor recurrence，the 3-year progression-free survival rate of the entire cohort was 95.4%.Conclusions:For some carefully selected patients with T 3a renal cell carcinoma，RAPN performed by experienced surgeons is a feasible and safe option，providing excellent short-term oncological outcomes，complication control，and renal function recovery. The long-term efficacy remains to be seen.

China emerges as a major country in nuclear energy development and the application of nuclear and radiologic technology. The diagnosis and treatment of acute radiation syndrom (ARS) caused by external irradiation represent a core function in the country′s medical rescue of nuclear and radiological emergencies. Clinically, ARS manifests hematopoietic, gastrointestinal, cutaneous, and central nervous system syndromes, with specific clinical manifestations, signs, severity, and prognosis strongly correlated with radiation dose. China has established a number of national and provincial centers for treating radiation-induced damage. Nevertheless, most medical staff have limited experience in ARS treatment. This consensus presents a summary of recent experience in treating ARS of China. In combination with recommendations from international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), this consensus proposes key evidence of critical clinical issues of ARS, covering all links in the rescue of external irradiation-induced ARS. Initially, clinical diagnosis, syndromes, and severe degrees should be determined based on clinical symptoms and dose estimates. It is necessary to normalize clinical treatment measures for hematopoietic recovery, gastrointestinal injury treatment, infection control, symptomatic treatment, and multi-organ function preservation. To this end, this consensus offers cautions. This consensus provides principles of treatment with traditional Chinese medicine, psychological intervention, and follow-up. Additionally, it highlights multidisciplinary collaboration. It is recommended that this consensus be applied in relevant treatment centers.

Objective:To investigate multi-system involvement in Kennedy′s disease and its association with disease progression.Methods:We retrospectively reviewed the clinical, laboratory, and electrophysiological data from 48 genetically confirmed patients with Kennedy′s disease at the Department of Neurology, First Medical Center of the Chinese PLA General Hospital, between February 2016 and February 2024. The disease progression rate was calculated based on the functional scores at baseline and follow-up. Correlation analyses and multiple linear regression models were employed to assess the relationships among clinical variables and to identify potential predictors of disease progression.Results:The age of muscle weakness onset ranged from 16 to 66 years (mean 42±11 years), with a diagnostic delay of 5.0 (3.0, 9.8) years. Lower limb weakness was the most common initial symptom in 72.9% (35/48) of patients, and 37.5% (18/48) exhibited non-motor manifestations prior to the onset of weakness. Core motor manifestations included bulbar weakness (89.6%, 43/48) and symmetric proximal limb weakness (83.3%, 40/48), frequently accompanied by gynecomastia (74.2%, 23/31) and sexual dysfunction (64.6%, 31/48). The median CAG repeat length was 43 (42, 46), which showed a significant negative correlation with the age at onset ( r=-0.406, P=0.004). Patients with CAG repeats > 43 had a higher prevalence of sexual dysfunction. Elevated serum muscle enzymes were observed in 97.9% (47/48), and abnormal sex hormone levels were detected in 81.2% (39/48). Sensory neuropathy was present in 68.1% (32/47), with CAG repeat length inversely correlating with compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitudes in the median ( β=-0.29; t=-2.27, P=0.029) and ulnar ( β=-0.22; t=-2.23, P=0.031) nerves. Low-frequency repetitive nerve stimulation (RNS) revealed a decrement in 43.3% (13/30) of patients, most commonly affecting the axillary and spinal accessory nerves. The disease progression rate was 1.3±0.3 (range: 0.5-2.0). Furthermore, serum creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) levels were negatively correlated with disease progression rate ( r=-0.303, P=0.036). Conclusions:Kennedy′s disease presents with diverse initial manifestations and frequent multi-system involvement. Non-motor manifestations may precede muscle weakness, serving as valuable clues for early diagnosis. Widespread sex hormone abnormalities (particularly testosterone/luteinizing hormone dysregulation) support the role of androgen insensitivity in disease pathogenesis. Sensory neuropathies are frequent and not length-dependent. The presence of decremental responses on low-frequency RNS suggests neuromuscular junction dysfunction, which may underlie motor impairment in patients with Kennedy′s disease. Finally, serum CK-MB may serve as a potential biomarker for disease progression.

Objective To explore the impact of antimicrobial volume-based procurement(VBP)and classification management policy on the clinical use of carbapenem antibiotics.Methods Changing trend in defined daily doses(DDDs),procurement cost(Cost),defined daily dose cost(DDDc),and DDDs per 1 000 inhabitants daily(DID)of carbapenem antibiotics in all levels of medical institutions were analyzed by Mann-Kendall trend test.May 1,2020 was taken as the intervention cut-off point of VBP policy,September 2021 was as intervention cut-off point of cla-ssification management list.The impact of VBP and classification management policy on the clinical use of carbape-nem antibiotics were studied by interrupted time series analysis.Results After implementing VBP policy,the DDDs and DID of carbapenem antibiotics increased obviously,but the long-term trend didn't change significantly.Compared with before the implementation of the policy,the cost and DDDc of carbapenem antibiotics decreased im-mediately,the long-term trend of DDDc changed significantly,but the long-term trend of cost didn't change signifi-cantly.The DDDs and Cost of carbapenem antibiotics decreased immediately after the update of classification ma-nagement list,but the long-term downward trend was not significant,and DDDc presented a long-term upward trend.Conclusion VBP policy reduces the DDDc and short-term cost of carbapenem antibiotics,but its long-term impact on DDDs,cost and DID is limited.Classification management has limited impact on the use of carbapenem antibiotics in medical institutions.