ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy of Huayu Tongluo Formula （化瘀通络方， HTF） in patients with mid-stage diabetic kidney disease of blood stasis syndrome and explore its potential mechanisms. MethodsA multi-center， randomized， double-blind， placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted. Ninety patients of mid-stage diabetic kidney disease of blood stasis syndrome were divided into a control group of 46 cases and a treatment group of 44 cases. Both groups received conventional western medicine treatment， the treatment group additionally taking HTF， while the control group taking a placebo of the formula. The treatment was administered once daily for 24 weeks. The primary outcomes included 24-hour urine total protein （24 h-UTP）， serum albumin （Alb）， glycated hemoglobin （HbA1c）， and serum creatinine （Scr）.The secondary outcomes included changes in levels of endothelin-1 （ET-1）， nitric oxide （NO）， vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF）， and traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome scores before and after treatment. Clinical efficacy was evaluated based on TCM syndrome scores and overall disease outcomes. Adverse reactions and endpoint events were recorded. ResultsIn the treatment group after treatment， 24 h-UTP， ET-1， and VEGF levels significantly decreased （P＜0.05）， Alb and NO levels significantly increased （P＜0.05）； while the TCM syndrome scores for edema， lumbar pain， numbness of limbs， dark purple lips， dark purple tongue or purpura， and thin， rough pulse all significantly decreased （P＜0.05）. In the control group， no significant changes were observed in any of the indicators after treatment （P＞0.05）.Compared with the control group， the treatment group showed significant reductions in 24 h-UTP， ET-1， and VEGF levels， and increases in Alb and NO levels （P＜0.05）. The TCM syndrome scores for edema， lumbar pain， dark purple tongue or purpura， and thin， rough pulse were all lower in the treatment group than in the control group （P＜0.05）. The total effective rate of TCM syndrome in the treatment group was 59.09% （26/44）， and the overall clinical effective rate was 45.45% （20/44）. In the control group， these rates were 15.22% （7/46） and 8.7% （4/46）， respectively， with the treatment group showing significantly better outcomes （P＜0.05）. A total of 7 adverse events occurred across both groups， with no significant difference （P＞0.05）. No endpoint events occurred during the study. ConclusionOn the basis of conventional treatment of Western medicine， HTF can further reduce urinary protein levels and improve clinical symptoms in patients with mid-stage diabetic kidney disease of blood stasis syndrome. The mechanism may be related to its effects on endothelial function.

Gene therapy, harnessing the power of CRISPR-Cas9 and/or DNAzyme systems, stands as a pivotal approach in cancer therapy, enabling the meticulous manipulation of genes pivotal to tumorigenesis and immunity. However, the pursuit of precise gene therapy encounters formidable hurdles. Herein, a near-infrared upconversion theranostic nanomachine is devised and tailors for CRISPR-Cas9/DNAzyme systems mediate precise gene therapy. An ingenious logic DNAzyme system consists of Chain 1 (C1)/Chain 2 (C2) and endogenous lncRNA is designed. We employ manganese modified upconversion nanoparticles for carrying ultraviolet-responsive C1-PC linker-C2 (C₂P) chain and Cas9 ribonucleoprotein (RNP), with outermost coats with hyaluronic acid. Upon reaching tumor microenvironment (TME), the released Mn²⁺ ions orchestrate a trifecta: facilitating endosomal escape, activating cGAS-STING signaling, and enabling T1-magnetic resonance imaging. Under near-infrared irradiation, Cas9 RNP/C₂P complex dissociates, releasing Cas9 RNP into the nucleus to perform gene editing of Ptpn2, while C1/C2 chains self-assemble with endogenous lncRNA to form a functional DNAzyme system, targeting PD-L1 mRNA for gene silencing. This strategy remodels the TME by activating cGAS-STING signaling and dual immune checkpoints blockade, thus realizing tumor elimination. Our theranostic nanomachine armed with the CRISPR-Cas9/DNAzyme logic systems, represents a resourceful and promising strategy for advancing cancer systemic immunotherapy and precise gene therapy.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the expression profile of circular RNAs (circRNAs) and their potential roles in prognosis and progression of Wilms' tumor (WT). METHODS: Four pairs of WT and adjacent tissues were collected for high-throughput circRNA sequencing to identify the differentially expressed circular RNAs. RT-qPCR was used to verify the expression levels of the top 6 candidate circRNAs in the clinical samples. hsa_circ_0001900 was selected for analysis of its correlation with clinicopathological features and prognosis in 34 patients with WT. Sanger sequencing and RNase R digestion experiments were used to verify the cycling site and structural stability of hsa_circ_0001900 molecule. RESULTS: A total of 23 978 circular RNA molecules were identified in WT tissues by high-throughput circular RNA sequencing, and among them 614 were differentially expressed in WT. hsa_circ_0001900 showed the highest expression level among the differentially expressed circRNAs, which was consistent with the findings in clinical tumor samples and the sequencing results. Correlation analysis showed that hsa_circ_0001900 expression level was positively correlated with WT volume, and the children with high hsa_circ_0001900 expression had a lowered recurrence-free survival rate. The results of Sanger sequencing verified the circular splice site sequence of the molecule, and Rnase R digestion assay confirmed its stable covalent structure. CONCLUSIONS This study presents a comprehensive expression profile of circular RNAs in WT, and the expression level of hsa_circ_0001900 is related to the size of WT and the patients' prognosis, suggesting its possible role as a key driving gene in WT progression.
Humans ; RNA, Circular ; Wilms Tumor/pathology* ; Prognosis ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Kidney Neoplasms/genetics* ; Sequence Analysis, RNA ; Male ; Female

O-acetyl-L-homoserine (OAH) is a promising platform compound for the production of L-methionine and other valuable compounds, while its low yield and low conversion rate limit the industrial application. To solve these problems, we constructed a strain for high OAH production with the previously constructed L-homoserine producer Escherichia coli HS33 as the chassis by systematic metabolic engineering. Firstly, PEP accumulation, pyruvate utilization, and OAH synthesis pathway (overexpressing aspB, aspA, and thrA^C1034T) were enhanced to obtain an initial strain accumulating 13.37 g/L OAH. Subsequently, the co-factor synthesis genes were integrated to supply reducing power and energy, which increased the yield to 15.79 g/L. The OAH yield of the engineered strain OAH28 was further increased to 17.49 g/L by strengthening the acetic acid reuse pathway, improving the supply of acetyl-CoA, and regulating the expression of MetX from different sources. Finally, in a 5 L fermenter, OAH28 achieved an OAH titer of 47.12 g/L, with a glucose conversion rate of 32% and productivity of 0.59 g/(L·h). The results lay a foundation for increasing the OAH production by metabolic engineering and give insights into the industrial production of OAH.
Metabolic Engineering/methods* ; Escherichia coli/genetics* ; Homoserine/biosynthesis* ; Fermentation

Objective To explore the neuroprotective effects and mechanisms of asiaticoside(AS)in rats with transient cerebral ischemia.Methods One hundred male Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were randomly divided into five groups:sham-operated(Sham)group,transient middle cerebral artery occlusion(tMCAO)group,and low-,medium-,and high-dose AS(AS-L,AS-M,AS-H)groups,with 20 rats in each group.Except for the Sham group,rats in the other four groups under-went tMCAO surgery.Rats in the AS-L,AS-M,and AS-H groups received intragastric administration of 20,40 and 80 mg/kg AS respectively,once daily for 7 days starting 1 hour post-surgery.Rats in the Sham and tMCAO groups received equivalent volumes of saline.Neurological deficit score,brain water content,and TTC staining were used to evaluate neurological impairment,cerebral edema,and infarct volume.HE staining and Nissl staining wereused to assess histopathological changes and neu-ronal damage.Autophagy was detected via transmission electron microscopy.Immunofluorescence staining was usedto analyze the expression and localization of microtubule-associated protein light chain 3B(LC3B).TUNEL staining was used to evaluate apoptosis,and Western blot was used to measure protein expression.Results Compared with the Sham group,rats in the tMCAO group ex-hibited significantly increased neurological deficit score,brain water content,infarct volume,and histopathological damage,as well as significantly decreased Nissl body counts(P＜0.05).AS dose-dependently reduced neurological deficits,brain water content,infarct volume,and histopatho-logical damage while increased Nissl body numbers.The tMCAO group showed significantly higher numbers of autophagosomes,lysosomes,and LC3B-positive cells,along with significantly elevated LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ,Beclin-1,Bax,cleaved caspase-3 compared to the Sham group;in contrast,p-PI3K,p-Akt,and p-mTOR protein levels,intact mitochondria count and p62 and Bcl-2 protein levels were significantly lower inthe tMCAO group(P＜0.05).Compared with the tMCAO group,AS treatment dose-dependently significantly decreased autophagosomes,lysosomes,LC3B-positive cells,and the expression of LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ,Beclin-1,Bax,cleaved caspase-3 while significantly increased p-PI3K,p-Akt,and p-mTOR protein,intact mitochondria and p62 and Bcl-2 levels(P＜0.05).Conclusion AS exerts neuroprotective effects by inhibiting excessive autophagy and apopto-sis in rats with transient cerebral ischemia via activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.

Objective To explore the value of plaque-to-aorta CT value ratio(standardized CT value)in differentiating coronary lipid and fibrous plaques,and to preliminarily analyze the stability of the cutoff.Methods Patients who underwent coronary computed tomography angiography(CCTA)and intravascular ultrasound(IVUS)within 1 week were included.The plaque CT value was obtained by measuring the all,four and two short-axis planes,respectively.The CT value of the ascending aorta was measured and standardized(plaque-to-aorta CT value ratio).The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves of the standardized and the traditional CT values were drawn.Results A total of 60 patients with 74 plaques were included,35 lipid and 39 fibrous plaques were diagnosed by IVUS.The aorta CT value was significantly correlated with the plaque(r=0.420,P<0.01);the cutoffs for the CT value of all,four and two plaque slices were 55 HU,48 HU and 52 HU,respectively,and all there of the cutoffs of standardized CT value were 0.149;the sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value(PPV)and negative predictive value(NPV)of four-slice traditional and standardized CT values to differentiate lipid and fibrous plaques were 69%,87%,83%,76%and 91%,82%,82%,91%,respectively.Conclusion Compared with traditional CT value,the standardized CT value can greatly improve the sensitivity and NPV in differentiating coronary lipid and fibrous plaques,while maintaining modest to high specificity and PPV.Furthermore,the cutoff is stable.

【Objective】 To statistically analyze the relationship between homologous recombination repair deficiency (HRD) score and clinicopathological characteristics, genomic mutations in patients with high-risk and metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) and the prognostic predictive value in mHSPC. 【Methods】 A total of 127 patients diagnosed with high-risk prostate cancer and mHSPC, treated at the Department of Urology of Chinese PLA General Hospital during Dec.2021 and Nov.2023 were enrolled.Homologous recombination repair (HRR) gene sequencing was performed, and the genomic scar score (GSS) algorithm were conducted to calculate the HRD score.The relationship between HRD scores and clinicopathological features, genomic alterations, and prognosis were analyzed. 【Results】 The median HRD score was 1.6(0.8, 5.2), 30(23.6%) patients’ HRD scores ≥10, and 11(8.7%) patients’ HRD scores ≥20.Clinicopathological features, including ISUP classification ≥4 (P=0.044) and metastatic status (P=0.008) were associated with high HRD score.Patients with mutations in the BRCA, TP53 and MYC systems had significantly higher HRD score than those with wild-type genes (P<0.05).In mHSPC, the risk of biochemical recurrence was 12.836 times higher in patients with HRD score ≥20 than in those with <20 [OR:12.836 (1.332-124.623), P=0.028]. 【Conclusion】 Baseline HRD score was lower in patients with high-risk prostate cancer and mHSPC.Patients with high HRD score may have higher histological grading (ISUP≥4) and later clinical stage.Further investigation is needed to determine the threshold of HRD scores as biochemical markers suggestive of a poor prognosis.

Objective:This study aims to investigate the current application and the level of knowledge of intraoperative facial nerve monitoring among medical staff in China.Methods:A comprehensive online questionnaire was conducted among medical professionals across different regions in China from October 2022 to February 2023. The survey exclusively targeted departments specializing in otolaryngology, head and neck surgery, neurosurgery, and oral and maxillofacial surgery. The questionnaire covered various aspects including general information, intraoperative facial nerve monitoring practices, training history, indications for monitoring, parameters used during monitoring procedures, as well as factors influencing its implementation.Results:A total of 417 participants from 31 provincial, municipal, and autonomous regions were included. Intraoperative facial nerve monitoring was found to be implemented in 227 (54.4%,227/417) repondents of 53 institutions (24.9%, 53/213). The top three indications for implementing this technique were acoustic neuroma, parotid gland surgery, and modified middle ear surgery (mastoidectomy). Herein 81.1%(184/227) medical staff involved in intraoperative facial nerve monitoring had received relevant training, 57.3%(130/227)-92.1%(209/227) reported a lack of clear description regarding recording thresholds, stimulation currents/frequencies/wave widths.Conclusion:The majority of the institutions surveyed have not yet adopted intraoperative facial nerve monitoring. Furthermore, significant gaps concerning the procedure exist. It is imperative to establish standards or guidelines to promote its better development and application.

Objectives:To investigate the impact of baseline non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(non-HDL-C)levels on new-onset cardiovascular disease(CVD)in postmenopausal women. Methods:This prospective cohort study selected 8 893 postmenopausal women who participated from 2006 to 2018 employee health examination of Kailuan Group and had complete total cholesterol(TC)and HDL-C data and no history of CVD.Participants were followed up to 31 December,2021.The primary endpoint was the occurrence of CVD or death.According to the Chinese Lipid Management Guidelines(2023),the participants were divided into non-HDL-C<4.1 mmol/L group(n=6 079),4.1 mmol/L≤non-HDL-C<4.9 mmol/L group(n=1 824)and non-HDL-C≥4.9 mmol/L group(n=990).The cumulative incidence of CVD in different groups of non-HDL-C levels was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and tested by log-rank analysis.Multivariate Cox regression model was used to analyze the effects of different non-HDL-C levels on CVD. Results:The mean follow-up time was(10.78±4.48)years,the cumulative incidence of CVD in different non-HDL-C level groups was 1.82%,3.24%and 2.89%,respectively.Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed a statistically significant difference in cumulative incidence among the three groups(log-rank P<0.0001).The results of Cox regression analysis showed that after adjusting for confounding factors such as age and sex,the HR(95%CI)values for CVD in the 4.1≤non-HDL-C<4.9 mmol/L group and the non-HDL-C≥4.9 mmol/L group were 1.40(1.13-1.74)and 1.35(1.03-1.78),respectively. Conclusions:High non-HDL-C levels are an independent risk factor for new-onset CVD in postmenopausal women.