The phase changes and quantity-quality transfer of 17 batches of Ostreae Concha(Ostrea rivularis) during the raw material-calcined decoction pieces-standard decoction process were analyzed. The content of calcium carbonate(CaCO_3), the main component, was determined by chemical titration, and the extract yield and transfer rate were calculated. The CaCO_3 content in the raw material, calcined decoction pieces, and standard decoction was 94.39%-98.80%, 95.03%-99.22%, and 84.58%-90.47%, respectively. The process of raw material to calcined decoction pieces showed the yield range of 96.85% to 98.55% and the CaCO_3 transfer rate range of 96.92% to 99.27%. The process of calcined decoction pieces to standard decoction showed the extract yield range of 2.86% to 5.48% and the CaCO_3 transfer rate range of 2.59% to 5.13%. The results of X-ray fluorescence(XRF) assay showed that the raw material, calcined decoction pieces, and standard decoction mainly contained Ca, Na, Mg, Si, Br, Cl, Al, Fe, Cr, Mn, and K. The chemometric results showed an increase in the relative content of Cr, Fe, and Si from raw material to calcined decoction pieces and an increase in the relative content of Mg, Al, Br, K, Cl, and Na from calcined decoction pieces to standard decoction. X-ray diffraction(XRD) was employed to establish XRD characteristic patterns of the raw material, calcined decoction pieces, and standard decoction. The XRD results showed that the main phase of all three was calcite, and no transformation of crystalline form or generation of new phase was observed. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR) was employed to establish the FTIR characteristic spectra of the raw material, calcined decoction pieces, and standard decoction. The FTIR results showed that the raw material had internal vibrations of O-H, C-H, C=O, C-O, and CO■ groups. Due to the loss of organic matter components after calcination, no information about the vibrations of C-H, C=O, and C-O groups was observed in the spectra of calcined decoction pieces and standard decoction. In summary, this study elucidated the quantity-quality transfer and phase changes in the raw material-calcined decoction pieces-standard decoction process by determining the CaCO_3 content, calculating the extract yield and transfer rate, and comparing the element changes, FTIR characteristic spectra, and XRD characteristic pattern. The results were reasonable and reliable, laying a foundation for the subsequent process research and quality control of the formula granules of calcined Ostreae Concha(O. rivularis Gould), and providing ideas and methods for the quality control of the whole process of raw material-decoction pieces-standard decoction-formula granules of Ostreae Concha and other testacean traditional Chinese medicine.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/isolation & purification* ; Calcium Carbonate/analysis* ; Quality Control

Cardiac fibrosis is characterized by an elevated amount of extracellular matrix (ECM) within the heart. However, the persistence of cardiac fibrosis ultimately diminishes contractility and precipitates cardiac dysfunction. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are emerging as important regulators of cardiac fibrosis. Here, we elucidate the functional role of a specific circular RNA CELF1 in cardiac fibrosis and delineate a novel feedback loop mechanism. Functionally, circ-CELF1 was involved in enhancing fibrosis-related markers' expression and promoting the proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts (CFs), thereby exacerbating cardiac fibrosis. Mechanistically, circ-CELF1 reduced the ubiquitination-degradation rate of BRPF3, leading to an elevation of BRPF3 protein levels. Additionally, BRPF3 acted as a modular scaffold for the recruitment of histone acetyltransferase KAT7 to facilitate the induction of H3K14 acetylation within the promoters of the Celf1 gene. Thus, the transcription of Celf1 was dramatically activated, thereby inhibiting the subsequent response of their downstream target gene Smad7 expression to promote cardiac fibrosis. Moreover, Celf1 further promoted Celf1 pre-mRNA transcription and back-splicing, thereby establishing a feedback loop for circ-CELF1 production. Consequently, a novel feedback loop involving CELF1/circ-CELF1/BRPF3/KAT7 was established, suggesting that circ-CELF1 may serve as a potential novel therapeutic target for cardiac fibrosis.

In recent years,more and more researches has focused on the correlation between cognitive activity and physiological variables.The change of pupil is regarded as an important target in the cognitive process,and has become a hot research field.This review focuses on the three key brain regions that regulate pupil change,and reflects the neurophysiological mechanism behind pupil change by elaborating the neural pathways related to pupil change and cognitive performance.Based on recent studies on pupil change in cognitive diseases,it aims to promote the application of pupil change in the field of cognitive science in the future.

Extensive epigenetic reprogramming involves in memory CD8+ T-cell differentiation. The elaborate epigenetic rewiring underlying the heterogeneous functional states of CD8+ T cells remains hidden. Here, we profile single-cell chromatin accessibility and map enhancer-promoter interactomes to characterize the differentiation trajectory of memory CD8+ T cells. We reveal that under distinct epigenetic regulations, the early activated CD8+ T cells divergently originated for short-lived effector and memory precursor effector cells. We also uncover a defined epigenetic rewiring leading to the conversion from effector memory to central memory cells during memory formation. Additionally, we illustrate chromatin regulatory mechanisms underlying long-lasting versus transient transcription regulation during memory differentiation. Finally, we confirm the essential roles of Sox4 and Nrf2 in developing memory precursor effector and effector memory cells, respectively, and validate cell state-specific enhancers in regulating Il7r using CRISPR-Cas9. Our data pave the way for understanding the mechanism underlying epigenetic memory formation in CD8+ T-cell differentiation.
CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/metabolism* ; Cell Differentiation ; Chromatin/immunology* ; Animals ; Mice ; Immunologic Memory ; Epigenesis, Genetic ; SOXC Transcription Factors/immunology* ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/immunology* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Gene Regulatory Networks ; Enhancer Elements, Genetic

Objective:To compare the safety, number of lymph nodes removed, rate of lymph node metastasis, and prognosis between proximal gastrectomy (PG) and total gastrectomy (TG) in patients with Siewert types II and III adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction.Methods:In this retrospective cohort study, clinical data of patients diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction at Changzhi People's Hospital, affiliated with Changzhi Medical College, between December 2019 and November 2022, were collected. Patients who had received neoadjuvant therapy, had multiple malignant lesions in the stomach, had concomitant malignancies in other organs, had incomplete clinical data, or had been lost to follow-up were excluded. The study cohort comprised 308 patients, 99 in the PG group and 209 in the TG group. To reduce confounding bias, propensity score matching was performed, matching patients for age, sex, body mass index, tumor diameter, and pathological stage in a 1:1 ratio, resulting in 73 patients in each group. The primary outcomes assessed were operative details, number of lymph nodes dissected, rate of lymph node metastasis, postoperative complications, duration of hospital stay, and follow-up and survival outcomes.Results:The PG group had a significantly shorter median operative time than did the TG group (250 vs. 280 minutes, Z = -4.970, P<0.001), with fewer cases of intraoperative blood loss >100 mL (30.1%[22/73] vs. 46.6%[34/73], χ2=4.171, P=0.041), and a smaller number of lymph nodes removed (median 33 vs. 46, Z =-4.774, P<0.001); all of these differences are statistically significant (all P<0.05). Differences between the two groups in postoperative hospital stay and postoperative complications were not statistically significant (both P>0.05). Furthermore, no statistically significant differences were found between the PG and TG groups in the number of lymph nodes dissected or the lymph node metastasis rates at stations No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, No. 4sa, No. 4sb, and No. 7 (all P> 0.05). Among the 209 patients in the TG group, analysis of risk factors for metastasis to distal perigastric lymph nodes (No.4d, No.5, and No.6) showed that patients with tumor diameters ≤4 cm and T1–T3 stage disease had significantly lower rates of metastasis to these lymph nodes than did patients with tumor diameters >4 cm and/or T4 stage disease (0/78 vs. 12/131 [9.2%]); these differences are statistically significant ( P=0.014). The median duration of follow-up for the entire cohort was 26 months. The 3-year overall survival rates for the PG and TG groups were 62.5% and 63.3%, respectively; this difference is not statistically significant (χ 2=0.330, P = 0.565). Multivariate analysis showed that older age ( P = 0.035) and advanced pathological stage ( P = 0.018) were significant independent risk factors that affected overall survival in patients with Siewert type II and III adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction. Conclusions:PG is safe and feasible for patients with Siewert types II and III adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction. The number of lymph nodes dissected and metastasis status were similar in the TG and PG groups.

Objective To investigate the risk factors for mortality and bleeding complications in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation(ECMO)treated patients and to evaluate the impact of thrombocytopenia severity on the prognosis of ECMO therapy.Methods A total of 153 patients who received ECMO treatment at Peking University Third Hospital between January 2013 and September 2024 were en-rolled in this study.The patients were divided into death group(n=97)and recovery group(n=56)based on their final outcomes.Additionally,the patients were categorized into bleeding group(n=104)and non-bleeding group(n=49)based on the occurrence of bleeding complications during ECMO.Clinical baseline characteristics and extreme laboratory values during ECMO were compared be-tween groups.Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors for mortality and bleeding.The patients were further divided,based on the initial platelet(PLT)values on the day of catheter placement and the lowest platelet count during ECMO,into normal group(PLT≥ 100× 109/L),moderate reduction group[PLT=(50～99)× 109/L],and severe reduction group(PLT＜50× 109/L).Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to compare survival rates among these groups.The patients in the moderate and severe reduction groups were further divided into a platelet transfusion group and a non-transfusion group,and the outcomes and complication rates were com-pared.Results The recovery group had a higher proportion of myocarditis,higher minimum values of PLT,Hb,and Fib,and higher initial PLT values,while the maximum values of lactic dehydrogenase(LDH),total bilirubin(T-Bil),prothrombin time(PT),and procalcitonin(PCT)were lower(all P＜0.05)with significant differences.Logistic regression showed that age and maximum PCT were independent risk factors for mortality(OR=1.025 and 1.015 respectively,all P＜0.05).The bleeding group had longer ECMO dura-tions,more plasma transfusions,lower minimum Hb values,and higher maximum values of WBC,neutrophils(Neu),and APTT(all P＜0.05)with statistical differences.The minimum PLT value,maximum WBC value,and maximum APTT value were independent risk factors for bleeding complications(OR=0.986,1.062,and 1.004 respectively,all P＜0.05).Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the patients in the severe reduction group had lower survival rates,regardless of whether the grouping was based on initial or minimum platelet counts(all P＜0.05).Platelet transfusion improved the mortality in the severe reduction group(P＜0.05)but had no effect on the moderate reduction group.Conclusion Age and peak value of PCT are the risk factors for mortality in ECMO patients,while mini-mum PLT count,peak value of WBC and APTT are the risk factors for bleeding complications.Early intervention for infection and in-flammation during ECMO may improve the outcome of patients.Severe thrombocytopenia during ECMO therapy increased the risk of mortality,and targeted platelet transfusion may improve the survival of these patients.

Deflazacort,as a glucocorticoid medication,is conductive to improving motor function and muscle strength,delaying the loss of ambulation,enhancing pulmonary function,reducing the risk of scoliosis,slowing the progression of cardiomyopathy,and increasing survival rates in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy(DMD).In February 2017,the U.S.Food and Drug Administration(FDA)approved deflazacort for the treatment of DMD.In May 2024,deflazacort entered Peking Union Medical College Hospital for desig-nated use through the ＂ temporary import＂ pathway.This article provides an overview of deflazacort from the perspectives of its mechanism of action,pharmacokinetics,clinical efficacy,and adverse effects,aiming to offer a reference for its rational and safe application in clinical practice.

Body weight abnormalities, including overweight, obesity, and underweight, have become a dual public health challenge in Chinese adults: overweight and obesity lead to a variety of chronic complications, while underweight increases the risks of malnutrition, sarcopenia, and organ dysfunction. To systematically address these issues, multidisciplinary experts in endocrinology, sports science, nutrition, and psychiatry from various regions have held multiple weight management seminars. Based on the latest epidemiological data and clinical evidence, they expanded the guideline to include assessment and intervention strategies for underweight, in addition to the core content of obesity management. This guideline outlines the etiological mechanisms, evaluation methods, and multidimensional management strategies for overweight and obesity, covering key areas such as diagnosis and assessment, medical nutrition therapy, exercise prescription, pharmacological intervention, and psychological support. It is intended to provide a scientific and standardized approach to weight management across the adult population, aiming to curb the rising prevalence of obesity, mitigate complications associated with abnormal body weight, and improve nutritional status and overall quality of life.

Sarcomatoid carcinoma is an uncommon malignancy, and its occurrence in the penis is even rarer. This paper reports a case of primary sarcomatoid carcinoma of the penis. The patient was admitted to the hospital with a mass on the glans penis with ulceration, and underwent partial penectomy, and the postoperative pathology confirmed the diagnosis of sarcomatoid carcinoma. One month after surgery, lower abdominal ultrasound and MRI showed abnormal enlargement of bilateral inguinal area and pelvic lymph nodes, respectively. PET/CT scan showed multiple lymph node metastases in retroperitoneum, pelvis, and inguinal area. The patient was recommended chemotherapy, which was refused by the patient and his family. At 9-month postoperative follow-up, there was no recurrence of the penile stump and no deterioration of the condition.

Objective To analyze the prevalence and risk factors of underscreening among cervical cancer screening participants in Wuxiang County,Shanxi Province in 2019,providing evidence-based support for optimizing mobilization strategies.Methods Data from cervical cancer screening programs conducted between 2019 and 2024 in Wuxiang County were retrospectively collected.The follow-up screening behaviors of women screened in 2019 were analyzed,and factors associated with underscreening were identified.Results A total of 3759 women underwent cervical cancer screening in 2019.Among them,492 women(13.09％)with abnormal primary screening results requiring follow-up in 12 months,yet only 43(8.74％)completed;2154 women(57.30％)with negative liquid-based cytology testing(LCT)results needed re-screening after 3 years,701(32.54％)completed;1113 women(29.61％)with negative HPV/combined results needed re-screening after 5 years,734(65.95％)completed.Overall,2299 women(60.69％)exhibited underscreening.Multivariate analysis showed that underscreening was more likely among community residents than rural residents(OR=2.309,P=0.018),older women(OR=1.065,P＜0.001),those in organized screening compared to opportunistic screening(OR=3.789,P＜0.001),those undergoing LCT(OR=4.607,P＜0.001)or combined screening instead of human papillomavirus testing(OR=3.624,P＜0.001),and those with abnormal screening results(OR=6.859,P＜0.001).Conclusion Substantial proportions of cervical cancer screening participants demonstrate poor adherence to guideline-recommended screening intervals,and particularly need to focus on older women and those with abnormal screening results.Implementation of electronic screening record systems and emphasizing knowledge of periodical screening in health education could enhance compliance with"70％screening coverage"target for cervical cancer prevention.