Objective To investigate the impact of Toxoplasma gondii type I, II and III rhoptry protein 16 (ROP16) on programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in lung adenocarcinoma cells, and to examine the effects of T. gondii type I ROP16 protein on the relative PD-L1 expression, the relative PD-L1 distribution on the cell membrane surface, and the binding of programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) to PD-L1 in lung adenocarcinoma cells. Methods Lentiviral vectors overexpressing T. gondii type I, II and III ROP16 proteins were generated, and transfected into the human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cell line. A549 cells were used as a blank control group, and A549 cells transfected with an empty lentiviral expression vector were used as a negative control group, while A549 cells transfected with lentiviral vectors overexpressing T. gondii type I, II and III ROP16 proteins served as experimental groups. Stably transfected cells were selected with puromycin and verified using Western blotting, quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR), and immunofluorescence assays. The PD-L1 expression was quantified at translational and transcriptional levels using Western blotting and RT-qPCR assays in A549 cells in the five groups, and the relative PD-L1 distribution was detected on the A549 cell membrane surface using flow cytometry. In addition, the effect of T. gondii type I ROP16 protein on the PD-1/PD-L1 binding was measured in A549 cells using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results The relative ROP16 protein expression was 0, 0, 1.546 ± 0.091, 1.822 ± 0.047 and 2.334 ± 0.089 in the blank control group, negative control group, and the T. gondii type I, II and III ROP16 protein overexpression groups (F = 1 339.00,P < 0.001), and the relative ROP16 mRNA expression was 2.153 ± 0.949, 2.436 ± 1.614, 14.343 ± 0.020, 12.577 ± 0.285 and 15.090 ± 0.420 in the blank control group, negative control group and the T. gondii type I, II and III ROP16 protein overexpression groups, respectively (F = 483.50,P < 0.001). The ROP16 expression was higher in the T. gondii type I, II and III ROP16 protein overexpression groups than in the blank control group at both translational and transcriptional levels (allP values < 0.001). Immunofluorescence assay revealed that T. gondii type I, II and III ROP16 proteins were predominantly localized in A549 cell nuclei. Western blotting showed that the relative PD-L1 protein expression was 0.685 ± 0.109, 0.589 ± 0.114, 1.007 ± 0.117, 0.572 ± 0.151, and 0.426 ± 0.116 in the blank control group, negative control group, and the T. gondii type I, II and III ROP16 protein overexpression groups (F = 9.46,P < 0.05), and RT-qPCR assay quantified that the relative PD-L1 mRNA expression was 1.012 ± 0.190, 1.281 ± 0.465, 1.950 ± 0.175, 0.889 ± 0.251, and 0.230 ± 0.192 in the blank control group, negative control group, and the T. gondii type I, II and III ROP16 protein overexpression groups (F = 14.18,P < 0.05). The PD-L1 expression was higher in the T. gondii type IROP16 protein overexpression group than in the blank control group at both translational and transcriptional levels (both P values < 0.05). Flow cytometry detected that the relative distributions of PD-L1 protein were (10.83 ± 0.60)%, (11.23 ± 0.20)%, and (14.61 ± 0.50)% on the A549 cell membrane surface (F = 28.31, P < 0.05), and the relative distribution of PD-L1 protein was higher in the T. gondii type IROP16 protein overexpression group than in the blank control group and negative control group (both P values < 0.001). ELISA measured significant differences in the absorbance (A) value among the T. gondii type IROP16 protein overexpression group, the blank control group and the negative control group if the concentrations of the recombinant PD-1 protein were 0.04 (F = 10.45, P < 0.05), 0.08 μg/mL (F = 11.68, P < 0.05) and 0.12 μg/mL (F = 52.68, P < 0.05), and the A value was higher in the T. gondii type IROP16 protein overexpression group than in the blank control group and the negative control group (both P values < 0.05), indicating that T. gondii type IROP16 protein promoted the PD-L1/PD-1 binding in A549 cells in a concentration-dose manner. Conclusions T. gondii type IROP16 protein overexpression may up-regulate PD-L1 expression in A549 cells at both transcriptional and translational levels and the relative PD-L1 distribution on the A549 cell membrane surface, and affect the PD-1/PD-L1 binding in a concentration-dependent manner.

Objective To investigate the effects of Toxoplasma gondii type Iand IIrhoptry protein 16 (ROP16) on the polarization and inflammatory response of mouse alveolar macrophages, so as to provide the scientific evidence for unveiling the immunoregulatory mechanisms following T. gondii infection in host cells and the clinical diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary toxoplasmosis. MethodsMouse alveolar macrophages served as blank controls, and mouse alveolar macrophages transfected with the empty lentiviral expression vector served as negative controls, and mouse alveolar macrophages transfected with lentiviral vectors overexpressing T. gondii type I and II ROP16 served as the type I and II ROP16 overexpression groups. Following puromycin selection, stably transfected cells that overexpressed type Iand IIROP16 were generated, observed for green fluorescence expression under a fluorescence microscope and verified using PCR, Western blotting and real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) assays. The expression of ROP16, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), arginase (Arg)-1, mannose receptor (CD206), cluster of differentiation 86 (CD86), NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRP3), caspase-1, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), and interleukin (IL)-1β proteins was determined in mouse alveolar macrophages using Western blotting assay, and the mRNA levels of ROP16, iNOS, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-12, IL-18, Arg-1, IL-10, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β were detected in mouse alveolar macrophages using RT-qPCR assay. Results Fluorescence microscopy showed 90% of mouse alveolar macrophages producing green fluorescent signals in the type Iand II ROP16 overexpression groups and the negative control group. The relative ROP16 protein expression was 1.000 ± 0.000, 1.003 ± 0.020, 1.349 ± 0.055, and 1.376 ± 0.080 in mouse alveolar macrophages in the blank control group, negative control group, and type Iand IIROP16 overexpression groups (F = 35.30, P < 0.01), and the relative ROP16 mRNA expression was 1.007 ± 0.172, 2.030 ± 0.356, 1 409.579 ± 75.960, and 1 413.581 ± 27.712 in the blank control group, negative control group, and type Iand II ROP16 overexpression groups (F = 811.00, P < 0.01). The ROP16 expression was significantly higher in the type Iand IIROP16 overexpression groups than in the blank control group at both protein and mRNA levels (all P value < 0.01). Western blotting assay detected significant differences among the four groups in terms of iNOS, Arg-1, CD86, CD206, NLRP3, caspase-1, ASC, and IL-1β protein expression (F = 124.70, 82.40, 79.82, 919.40, 84.74, 39.85, 2 354.00 and 65.96, all P values < 0.05), and the expression of Arg-1, CD206, NLRP3, caspase-1, ASC, and IL-1β proteins was significantly higher in the type I ROP16 overexpression group than in the blank control group (all P values < 0.001), while the expression of iNOS, CD86, NLRP3, caspase-1, ASC, and IL-1β proteins was significantly higher in the type II ROP16 overexpression group than in the blank control group (all P values < 0.01). RT-qPCR assay detected significant differences among the four groups in terms of iNOS, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-12, IL-18, Arg-1, IL-10, IL-6, TNF-α, and TGF-β mRNA expression (F = 407.00, 1 528.00, 833.10, 267.90, 989.80, 161.80, 461.10, 5 529.00, 849.60 and 8 836.00, all P values < 0.05), and the Arg-1, IL-4, IL-10, and TGF-β mRNA expression was significantly higher in the type I ROP16 overexpression group than in the blank control group (all P values < 0.001), while the iNOS, IL-1β, IL-12, IL-18, IL-6, and TNF-α mRNA expression was significantly higher in the type II ROP16 overexpression group than in the blank control group (all P values < 0.001). Conclusions T. gondii type IROP16 may induce M2-dominant phenotypes of mouse alveolar macrophages, and type II ROP16 may induce M1-dominant phenotypes of mouse alveolar macrophages. Both T. gondii type I and II ROP16 may activate NLRP3, and mediate the activation of ASC, caspase-1 and IL-1β to promote inflammatory responses.

Objective To explore the efficacy of progressive exercise training based on the modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale (mMRC) grading in respiratory rehabilitation for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) at a primary healthcare setting. Methods A total of 106 patients with COPD admitted to Zhuanqiao Community Health Service Center in Shanghai from Aug.1, 2022 to Jul. 30, 2024 were selected as research subjects. They were randomly divided into a study group and a control group in a 1∶1 ratio, with 53 patients in each group. The control group received conventional treatment, while the study group received conventional treatment combined with progressive exercise training. After 4 weeks of continuous treatment, the changes in the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), COPD assessment test (CAT) score, mMRC grading, Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) grading and pulmonary function were compared between the two groups. Results Patients in both groups showed improvements in 6MWT distance, CAT score, mMRC grading, GOLD grading, and pulmonary function compared to baseline (P＜0.05). Moreover, the study group had better improvements in 6MWT distance, CAT score, mMRC grading, GOLD grading, and pulmonary function than the control group (P＜0.05). Conclusions Conventional treatment combined with progressive exercise training based on mMRC grading can enhance the effect of respiratory rehabilitation in patients with COPD, particularly in improving pulmonary function and exercise tolerance.

Background::There is a need for effective and safe therapies for psoriasis that provide sustained benefits. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of tildrakizumab, an anti-interleukin-23p19 monoclonal antibody, for treating moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in Chinese patients.Methods::In this multi-center, double-blind, phase III trial, patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis were enrolled and randomly assigned (1:1) to receive subcutaneous tildrakizumab 100 mg or placebo at weeks 0 and 4. Patients initially assigned to placebo were switched to receive tildrakizumab at weeks 12, 16, and every 12 weeks thereafter. Patients in the tildrakizumab group continued with tildrakizumab at week 16, and every 12 weeks until week 52. The primary endpoint was the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI 75) response rate at week 12.Results::At week 12, tildrakizumab demonstrated significantly higher PASI 75 response rates (66.4% [73/110] vs. 12.7% [14/110]; difference, 51.4% [95% confidence interval (CI), 40.72, 62.13]; P <0.001) and Physician’s Global Assessment (60.9% [67/110] vs. 10.0% [11/110]; difference, 49.1% [95% CI, 38.64, 59.62]; P <0.001) compared to placebo. PASI 75 response continued to improve over time in both tildrakizumab and placebo-switching to tildrakizumab groups, reaching maximal efficacy after 28 weeks (86.8% [92/106] vs. 82.4% [89/108]) and maintained up to 52 weeks (91.3% [95/104] vs. 87.4% [90/103]). Most treatment-emergent adverse events were mild and not related to tildrakizumab. Conclusion::Tildrakizumab demonstrated durable efficacy through week 52 and was well tolerated in Chinese patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.Trial registration::ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05108766.

Objective To establish an ultra-high liquid chromatography(UPLC)characteristic spectrum of Rheum tanguticum Maxim.ex Balf.water decoction and conduct chemical pattern recognition analysis,and to identify the medicinal materials of different origins and different processed products.Methods:UPLC was adopted to establish the characteristic spectra of 15 batches of Rheum tanguticum Maxim.ex Balf.Cluster analysis combined with principal component analysis was used to analyze their quality.Rhei Radix et Rhizoma from different origins and different processed products of Rheum tanguticum Maxim.ex Balf.were identified.Results:The characteristic spectrum of Rheum tanguticum Maxim.ex Balf.water decoction was established,18 common peaks were identi-fied,and 15 batches of Rheum tanguticum Maxim.ex Balf.were divided into 2 categories according to their origins by cluster analysis.The similarity between 15 batches of samples from different origins and the control spectrum was greater than 0.900.According to OPLS-DA analysis,a total of 6 markers(rhein-8-O-β-D-glu-cosid,resveratrol-4'-O-β-D-(6''-O-D-gallyl)glucopyranside,isolindleyin,rhein,epicatechin-3-O-D-gallate,and catechin)affecting the quality of Rheum tanguticum Maxim.ex Balf.water decoction samples were found.Rhei Radix et Rhizoma from different origins and different processed products of Rheum tanguticum Maxim.ex Balf.can be effectively distinguished.Conclusion:The established characteristic spectrum method is easy to operate and has good repeatability.It can be used for the quality control of Rheum tanguticum Maxim.ex Balf.water decoction,and can provide reference for the formulation of quality standard of formula granules of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma.

Objective:To explore the impact of different autonomous breathing exercises on regional pulmonary ventila-tion using electrical impedance tomography(EIT),in order to provide effective rehabilitation guidance for pa-tients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)in selecting exercise standards and methods. Method:A total of 28 healthy volunteers were recruited in the study,who performed the following breathing exercises in a comfortable standing position:①quiet breathing;②diaphragmatic breathing;③pursed-lip breath-ing;④pursed-lip combining diaphragmatic breathing.The four breathing modes were randomly determined for each subject.Chest EIT was continuously performed during the whole process.The tidal volume(TV),end-ex-piratory lung impedance(EELI),center of ventilation(CoV),global inhomogeneity index(GI)and regional ventilation delay(RVD)were compared during the four breathing modes. Result:Compared with quiet breathing,diaphragmatic breathing,pursed-lip breathing,and diaphragmatic pursed-lip breathing significantly increased TV(P＜0.05),reduced EELI(P＜0.05)and decreased CoV(P＜0.05,with in-creased ventral ventilation).GI of diaphragmatic breathing and pursed lip combining diaphragmatic breathing was significantly reduced(P＜0.05,more uniform ventilation),while RVD of pursed lip breathing and pursed lip combining diaphragmatic breathing was significantly increased(P＜0.05). Conclusion:Diaphragmatic breathing,pursed-lip breathing,and pursed-lip combining diaphragmatic breathing can effectively increase pulmonary ventilation and reduce pulmonary functional residual volume.However,the three breathing exercises have different impacts on pulmonary ventilation:pursed-lip breathing shifts ventilation more significantly towards the ventral side(smaller COV),and has a more significant regional ventilation de-layed(larger RVD),while diaphragmatic breathing improves ventilation homogeneity(smaller GI).Therefore,from the perspective of regional pulmonary ventilation,it is recommended that COPD patients should alternate between diaphragmatic breathing and pursed-lip breathing independently during breathing exercises to achieve better breathing exercise effects.

The biological clock(also known as the circadian rhythm)is the fundamental reliance for all organisms on Earth to adapt and survive in the Earth's rotation environment.Circadian rhythm is the most basic regulatory mechanism of life activities,and plays a key role in maintaining normal physiological and biochemical homeostasis,disease occurrence and treatment.Recent studies have shown that the biologi-cal clock plays an important role in the development of oral tissues and in the occurrence and treatment of oral diseases.Since there is cur-rently no guiding literature on the research methods of biological clock in stomatology,researchers mainly conduct research based on pub-lished references,which has led to controversy about the research methods of biological clock in stomatology,and there are many confusions about how to rationally apply the research methods of circadia rhythms.In view of this,this expert consensus summarizes the characteristics of the biological clock and analyzes the shortcomings of the current biological clock research in stomatology,and organizes relevant experts to summarize and recommend 10 principles as a reference for the rational implementation of the biological clock in stomatology research.

Objective To investigate the effect of long non-coding RNA(lncRNA)macrophage migration inhibitory factor antisense RNA1(MIF-AS1)on the malignant biological behavior of prostate cancer(PC)cells by regulating the miR-423-5p/pyrroline-5-carboxylic acid reductase 1(PYCR1)axis.Methods PC3 cells were cultured in vitro to knock down the expression of MIF-AS1 or down-regulate the expression of miR-423-5p.The expression of MIF-AS1,miR-423-5p and PYCR1 mRNA in tumor tissues and adjacent tissues and cells of PC patients were detected.The cell proliferation,apoptosis,migration,and invasion were detected and the expression of PYCR1 protein was detected by Western blot.The relationships between miR-423-5p,IF-AS1 and PYCR1 were verified.Results The MIF-AS1 and PYCR1 mRNA were observed to be highly expressed in the tumor tissues,while miR-423-5p was lowly expressed.Silenced MIF-AS1 inhibited the proliferation,migration and invasion of PC3 cells and up-regulated miR-423-5p induced cell apoptosis(P＜0.05).Inhibition of miR-423-5p expression reversed the inhibitory effect of silencing MIF-AS1 on malignant behavior of PC3 cells(P＜0.05).miR-423-5p was correlated with MIF-AS1 and PYCR1 by targeted regulation.Conclusion Silencing MIF-AS1 may inhibit the expression of PYCR1 by up-regulating miR-423-5p,thereby inhibiting the malignant behavior of PC cells.

The incidence of osteoporotic thoracolumbar vertebral fracture (OTLVF) in the elderly is gradually increasing. The kyphotic deformity caused by various factors has become an important characteristic of OTLVF and has received increasing attention. Its clinical manifestations include pain, delayed nerve damage, sagittal imbalance, etc. Currently, the definition and diagnosis of OTLVF with kyphotic deformity in the elderly are still unclear. Although there are many treatment options, they are controversial. Existing guidelines or consensuses pay little attention to this type of fracture with kyphotic deformity. To this end, the Lumbar Education Working Group of the Spine Branch of the Chinese Medicine Education Association and Editorial Committee of Chinese Journal of Trauma organized the experts in the relevant fields to jointly develop Clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporotic thoracolumbar vertebral fractures with kyphotic deformity in the elderly ( version 2024), based on evidence-based medical advancements and the principles of scientificity, practicality, and advanced nature, which provided 18 recommendations to standardize the clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Objective:To analyze the dosimetric differences between gamma knife stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) and linear accelerator-based SBRT for lung tumors by comparison to provide a theoretical basis for the selection of treatment strategies.Methods:Seven patients who underwent SBRT for lung tumors in the Cancer Center of Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University from January 2022 to May 2023 were enrolled. Plans of gamma knife SBRT (γ_SBRT) or linear accelerator-based SBRT plans (X_SBRT) were designed for the 13 lesions in the patients, with adjacent lesions in the same patient sharing one plan. As a result, 10 γ_SBRT plans and 10 X_SBRT plans were obtained. All lesions received 30-50 Gy of radiation in 5-10 fractions. Then, dosimetric parameters were analyzed and compared between γ_SBRT and X_SBRT plans, including the target coverage, gradient index (GI), conformity index (CI), maximum dose ( Dmax); mean dose ( Dmean), and minimum dose ( Dmin) of planning target volumes (PTVs); lung volumes receiving 20 Gy or more ( V20), 10 Gy or more ( V10), 5 Gy or more ( V5), 100% of the prescription dose ( V100%), and 50% of the prescription dose ( V50%); Dmean and the percentages of lung volume receiving doses of 20 Gy or more (Lung_ V20) and 5 Gy or more (Lung_ V5) of ipsilateral lung; Dmean and Lung_ V5 of contralateral lung; and Dmax values of the esophagus, spinal cord, and heart. Results:Compared to X_SBRT plans, γ_SBRT plans exhibited superior GI, V20, V10, V5, V50%, the Dmean, Lung_ V20, and Lung_ V5 of ipsilateral lung, the Dmean and Lung_ V5 of the contralateral lung, and the Dmax of esophageal and heart ( z = -2.81 to -1.99, P < 0.05), higher Dmax and Dmean of PTVs ( z = -2.80, -2.80, P < 0.05), and longer delivery time ( z=-2.70, P<0.05). Meanwhile, there was no significant difference in target coverage, CI, and Dmax of the spinal cord ( P > 0.05). Conclusions:Gamma knife SBRT plans can achieve sharper dose falloff outside target volumes than linear accelerator-based SBRT plans. Gamma knife radiosurgery is expected to reduce the radiation dose to low-dose areas around PTVs and normal lung tissue in SBRT for lung tumors. However, it significantly prolongs the delivery time.