Background The widespread use of herbicides has led to environmental contamination and has implications for human health. The liver is an important organ for the detoxification of environmental pollutants; however, studies on the association between herbicide exposure and liver function are limited. Objectives To investigate the association between baseline serum herbicide levels and changes in liver enzyme levels and liver enzyme abnormalities over a 5-year period in middle-aged and older adults. Methods This study was based on a nested case-control population of type 2 diabetes established in the Dongfeng-Tongji cohort, with a total of 1388 subjects included in this study and followed up for 5 years. Epidemiological data were collected through questionnaires, and baseline serum concentrations of three herbicides (metolachlor, propham, and acetochlor) were measured by gas chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were detected at baseline and follow-up visits. The associations between baseline serum herbicide levels and changes in AST and ALT over 5 years were assessed using linear regression models with herbicide levels categorized into quartiles, adjusting for age, sex, education level, smoking status, drinking status, physical activity, body mass index, and new-onset type 2 diabetes occurred during follow-up. The relationship between baseline serum herbicide levels and the risk of liver enzyme abnormalities during follow-up was further analyzed using logistic regression models. Results The positive rates of metolachlor, propham, and acetochlor were all higher than 80%, and their spiked rates of recovery ranged from 73.46% to 106.77%. The mean ± standard deviation of the age of subjects at baseline was (62.7±7.6) years, with 34.1% being male. The median serum levels of metolachlor, propham, and acetochlor at baseline were 0.05, 0.16, and 0.03 ng·mL⁻¹, respectively. There was no significant difference in baseline serum herbicide levels between the normal and abnormal liver enzyme groups at follow-up (P >0.05). The baseline liver enzyme levels and the changes in AST and ALT over 5 years in those who developed abnormal liver enzymes were significantly higher than those in the normal liver enzyme group (P <0.05). The linear regression analysis showed that the changes in AST increased progressively over 5 years in the second, third, and fourth quartiles of propham compared to the lowest quartile group (the second quartile: b=1.49, 95%CI: 0.10, 2.87; the third quartile: b=1.52, 95%CI: 0.14, 2.90; the fourth quartile: b=1.69, 95%CI: 0.31, 3.08; P <0.05). The associations of serum metolachlor and acetochlor with changes in AST were not significant. Additionally, no significant relationships were found between the three serum herbicides and the changes in ALT over 5 years or the risk of liver enzyme abnormalities. Conclusion Serum propham levels in middle-aged and older adults are positively associated with changes in liver enzyme AST, which may have an effect on liver function. More studies are needed to provide scientific evidence for the association between herbicide exposure and liver function.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the characteristics of immune cell infiltration in tumor samples from Chinese patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and the correlation of immune cell infiltration with tumor stage and response to immunotherapy. METHODS: Tumor samples and clinicopathological data were collected from 154 ccRCC patients treated in Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University from October, 2020 to October, 2023. The immune cell types infiltrating the tumor tissues were identified using immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining, and their correlations with the patients' clinicopathological characteristics were analyzed. Patient-derived tumor tissue fragment models (PDTF) models, constructed using tumor tissues from 22 patients, were treated with PD-1 monoclonal antibody, and T cell activation was detected using flow cytometry to assess the patients' responses to immunotherapy. RESULTS: In Chinese ccRCC patients included in this study, CD8⁺ T cells, CD4⁺ T cells, and CD3⁺ T cells were the most abundant in the tumor tissues. Higher infiltration levels of CD3⁺ T cells (P=0.004), PD-1⁺ T cells (P=0.020), CD68⁺ T cells (P=0.049), CD79⁺ T cells (P=0.049), and Tryptase⁺ cells (P=0.049) were all positively correlated with a larger tumor size (≥5 cm). A higher infiltration level of CD4⁺ T cells was associated with a lower tumor stage. Patients with higher International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) grades had higher infiltration levels of CD3⁺ T cells (P=0.023), CD8⁺ T cells (P=0.045), PD-1⁺ T cells (P=0.014), CD20⁺ B cells (P=0.020) and CD79⁺ B cells (P=0.049), and lower levels of Tryptase⁺ cells (P=0.001). Patients with abundant infiltrating immune cells tended to have better responses to immunotherapy. CONCLUSIONS The infiltrating immune cells are heterogeneous in Chinese ccRCC patients, and immune cell infiltration characteristics are closely correlated with clinicopathological parameters of the patients.
Humans ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell/pathology* ; Kidney Neoplasms/pathology* ; Immunotherapy ; Male ; Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/immunology* ; Female ; Middle Aged ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology* ; Aged ; T-Lymphocytes/immunology* ; Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor/immunology* ; Adult ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology* ; Neoplasm Staging

The dysregulation of cyclin-dependent kinase 12 (CDK12), which may result from genomic alterations or modulation by upstream effectors, is implicated in cancer oncogenesis and progression. CDK12 overexpression or activation is sufficient to induce tumor initiation, recurrence, and therapeutic resistance. However, CDK12 may also exert tumor-suppressive functions in a context-dependent manner. Therefore, caution is warranted when targeting CDK12 in future clinical trials. A comprehensive elucidation of the dual roles and underlying mechanisms of CDK12 in carcinogenesis is urgently needed to advance precision oncology. This review provides an overview of the current understanding of the dysregulation and biological roles of CDK12 in cancer. Subsequently, we systematically summarize the functions and mechanisms of the oncogenic and tumor-suppressive roles of CDK12 in different contexts. Finally, we discuss the potential of CDK12 as a novel therapeutic target and its implications in clinical oncology, offering insights into future directions for innovative cancer treatment strategies.

Objective To explore the regulatory effect of miR-204-5p on biological behaviors of bladder cancer cells and its molecular mechanism.Methods Survival analysis and correlation analysis were performed using TCGA database to explore the association of miR-204-5p expression with survival outcomes and clinicopathological parameters of bladder cancer patients.The expression level of miR-204-5p was detected in bladder cancer and adjacent tissues and in normal uroepithelial cells and bladder cancer cells.In cultured bladder cancer cells,the effects of miR-204-5p overexpression and knockdown on cell proliferation,migration,invasion,and apoptosis were analyzed.Transcriptome sequencing,bioinformatics analysis and dual-luciferase assay were carried out to confirm targeted inhibition of RAB22A by miR-204-5p to promote malignant biological behaviors of bladder cancer cells.Results Patients with high miR-204-5p expressions had lowered median survival time and poor prognosis(P<0.05).The expression of miR-204-5p was significantly up-regulated in bladder cancer tissues and cells(P<0.05).In bladder cancer cells,miR-204-5p overexpression significantly promoted cell proliferation,migration and invasion and reduced cell apoptosis.Transcriptome sequencing,bioinformatics analysis and dual-luciferase assay all suggested that RAB22A was a key downstream factor of miR-204-5p.Overexpression of miR-204-5p significantly inhibited RAB22A expression in bladder cancer cells,and overexpression of RAB22A partially reversed miR-204-5p overexpression-induced enhancement of bladder cancer cell proliferation.Conclusion High expression of miR-204-5p promotes proliferation,migration and invasion and reduces apoptosis of bladder cancer cells by negatively regulating RAB22A expression.

Objective To explore the regulatory effect of miR-204-5p on biological behaviors of bladder cancer cells and its molecular mechanism.Methods Survival analysis and correlation analysis were performed using TCGA database to explore the association of miR-204-5p expression with survival outcomes and clinicopathological parameters of bladder cancer patients.The expression level of miR-204-5p was detected in bladder cancer and adjacent tissues and in normal uroepithelial cells and bladder cancer cells.In cultured bladder cancer cells,the effects of miR-204-5p overexpression and knockdown on cell proliferation,migration,invasion,and apoptosis were analyzed.Transcriptome sequencing,bioinformatics analysis and dual-luciferase assay were carried out to confirm targeted inhibition of RAB22A by miR-204-5p to promote malignant biological behaviors of bladder cancer cells.Results Patients with high miR-204-5p expressions had lowered median survival time and poor prognosis(P<0.05).The expression of miR-204-5p was significantly up-regulated in bladder cancer tissues and cells(P<0.05).In bladder cancer cells,miR-204-5p overexpression significantly promoted cell proliferation,migration and invasion and reduced cell apoptosis.Transcriptome sequencing,bioinformatics analysis and dual-luciferase assay all suggested that RAB22A was a key downstream factor of miR-204-5p.Overexpression of miR-204-5p significantly inhibited RAB22A expression in bladder cancer cells,and overexpression of RAB22A partially reversed miR-204-5p overexpression-induced enhancement of bladder cancer cell proliferation.Conclusion High expression of miR-204-5p promotes proliferation,migration and invasion and reduces apoptosis of bladder cancer cells by negatively regulating RAB22A expression.

Objective:To explore the curative efficacy of Dingke Decoction in the treatment of post infectious cough based on the the real-world clinical data.Methods:Retrospective cohort study was conducted. 245 patients with cough after infection in the hospital of Jingan Chinese Medical Hospital from July 2021 to July 2022 were set as study objects. The fact that whether the patients with Dingke Decoction or not were divided into control group (90 cases, without Dingke Decoction) and treatment group (155 cases, with Dingke Decoction). By using propensity nearest neighbor 1:1 matching to balance the confounding factors before treatment, 56 cases were successfully matched in both groups. The control group was treated symptomatically according to the actual clinical situation, while the treatment group was treated with modified Dingke Decoction on the basis of symptomatic treatment in the control group. The treatment for both groups lasted for 2 weeks. TCM symptom scores and cough severity score were evaluated using the Leicester Cough Quality of Life Questionnaire (LCQ) before and after treatment. Levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were detected through ELISA; adverse reactions during the treatment were recorded, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated.Results:The total effective rate of the treatment group was 91.07% (51/56), while that of the control group was 76.79% (43/56), with a statistically significant difference between the two groups ( χ2=4.24, P=0.040). The daytime cough symptom score (1.03 ± 0.67 vs. 1.20 ± 0.66, t=7.40) and nighttime cough symptom score (0.74 ± 0.62 vs. 1.26 ± 0.54, t=6.27) in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group after treatment ( P<0.001). After treatment, the LCQ physiological (5.30 ± 0.79 vs. 4.78 ± 1.09, t=-2.44), psychological (5.33 ± 0.92 vs. 4.70 ± 1.12, t=-2.39), and social (5.23 ± 0.94 vs. 4.60 ± 0.81, t=-2.86) scores in the treatment group were higher than those in the control group ( P<0.05). After treatment, he treatment group serum IL-6 [(14.29 ± 3.94) ng/L vs. (19.99 ± 5.17) ng/L, t=4.80] and TNF-α [(36.23 ± 7.83) ng/L vs. (42.44 ± 7.63) ng/L, t=3.11] were lower than those in the control group ( P<0.01). The incidence of adverse reactions in the control group was 8.92% (5/56) and 5.36% (3/56), respectively, without statistical significance ( χ2=0.54, P=0.716). Conclusion:Based on the real-world research method, medicine Dingke Decoction can improve the clinical efficacy and the quality life of post infectious cough patients, and the mechanism may be related to reducing airway inflammation response.

Bronchiectasis has the characteristics of long course,gradual aggravation,easy recurrence and difficult to treat.The characteristics are similar to those arouse by incubative pathogenic factors.Based on the theory of incubative pathogenic factors,this disease is often related to the incubative pathogenic factors in the body's areas with deficient healthy qi,which occur at regular times.The etiology can be external,congenital,or internal.Treatment should focus on different characteristics of incubative pathogenic factors.Attention should be paid to clearing and dispersing in external pathogenic factors,while attention should be paid to supporting and promoting healthy qi in congenital pathogenic factors,and do not forget to remove internal pathogenic factors.

ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate the effect of modified Baitouwengtang （MBTWD） on tumor growth and the number of tumor-associated macrophages （TAMs） in tumor tissue of MC38 cell tumor-bearing mice with colorectal cancer and explores whether MBTWD mediates the remodeling of TAM phenotype to play an immunologically antitumor effect. MethodFirstly， The C57BL/6 mouse tumor model grafted subcutaneously was established， and then model mice were classified into a model group， positive control group（3 mg·kg^-1）， and MBTWD groups with high and low dosages（23.43、46.86 g·kg^-1）， with 10 mice in each group. In addition， 10 healthy mice were set as the blank group， and the changes in body weight， tumor volume， and survival status of mice in each group were observed. Tumor tissue， spleen， and peripheral blood were collected to calculate the tumor volume change， tumor inhibition rate， and spleen mass. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe the morphological changes of tumor tissue， and an immunofluorescence assay was used to detect the expression levels of CD4， CD8， and CD206 in tumor tissues of tumor-bearing mice. The secretion levels of transforming growth factor （TGF）-β， interleukin （IL）-6， and chemokine （C-C Motif） ligand 2 （CCL2） in peripheral serum were measured by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Secondly， a co-culture model induced by IL-4 in vitro of MC38 cells and murine monocytic macrophage RAW264.7 cells was established. Cell proliferation and activity assay （CCK-8） was used to detect the inhibitory effect of MBTWD containing serum on cell proliferation. A transwell experiment was used to detect the effect of IL-4-induced M2 macrophages on the invasion of MC38 cells. Flow cytometry was used to detect the expression of CD86 on the membrane of M2 macrophages induced by IL-4 with MBTWD containing serum. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect the effect of MBTWD containing serum on the mRNA expression levels of M1 macrophage-related polarization factors CD86， nitric oxide synthase （iNOS）， and IL-12， as well as M2 macrophage-related polarization factors CD206， CD163， and IL-10 after co-cultivation. Finally， the protein expression levels of colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor （CSF1R）， stimulator of interferon genes （STING）， and TANK binding kinase 1 （TBK1） in tumor tissues of tumor-bearing mice were detected by Western blot. ResultIn vivo experimental results show that compared with the model group， the MBTWD can significantly inhibit the tumor growth of tumor-bearing mice. Immunofluorescence experiments show that the MBTWD can increase the number of CD8⁺ T cell infiltration in tumor tissue of tumor-bearing mice， reduce the number of CD206⁺ TAMs infiltration， and down-regulate the secretion levels of cytokines IL-6， TGF-β， and CCL2 in peripheral blood of tumor-bearing mice. The results of in vitro experiments show that the MBTWD containing serum has no obvious inhibitory effect on cell proliferation， but the cell supernatant after co-cultivation with RAW264.7 cells can inhibit the proliferation activity of MC38 cells， and the invasion ability of MC38 cells is enhanced by IL-4-induced M2 macrophages. However， this effect can be inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner by the MBTWD containing serum. At the same time， the results of Real-time PCR show that the MBTWD containing serum can up-regulate the mRNA expression levels of M1 macrophage-related polarization factors CD86， iNOS， and IL-12 and down-regulate those of M2 macrophage-related polarization factors CD206， CD163， and IL-10. Flow cytometry results also confirm that the MBTWD containing serum can increase the number of repolarized CD86⁺ M1 macrophages， indicating that MBTWD can induce M2 macrophages to repolarized M1 macrophages to play an anti-tumor growth role. Finally， Western blot results show that MBTWD can down-regulate the expression of CSF1R protein and up-regulate that of STING and TBK1 proteins in tumor tissue of tumor-bearing mice. ConclusionMBTWD can down-regulate the infiltration number of CD206⁺ TAMs and increase the infiltration of CD8⁺ T cells， thereby playing an immunologically antitumor effect on the growth inhibition of colorectal cancer， which may be related to regulating CSF1R signaling and then activating STING/TBK1 signaling pathway to induce phenotypic remodeling of TAMs.

A case is presented involving a patient with a history of pelvic fracture who experienced progressive difficulty in urination following the removal of a urethral catheter. Attempt to retain the catheter was unsuccessful, leading to an ultrasound-guided suprapubic puncture cystostomy. Subsequently, the patient developed persistent abdominal pain, distension, nausea, and vomiting. Analysis of turbid greyish-yellow thin purulent fluid obtained during abdominal paracentesis indicated the presence of peritonitis. Urgent surgical exploration revealed that the diversion tube had passed through the abdominal cavity and into the bladder. The entire abdominal cavity was filled with yellowish-thin purulent fluid. Intraoperatively, the patient presented with worsening hypotension, tachycardia, oliguria, and decreased skin temperature, suggestive of septic shock resulting from peritonitis. Prompt management, including antimicrobial therapy, hemodynamic support, and fluid resuscitation, successfully controlled the infectious symptoms, leading to complete recovery. In clinical practice, the emphasis is often placed on assessing injuries to intra-abdominal organs, whereas awareness and understanding of peritoneal injuries remain limited. As a result, postoperative peritonitis is frequently attributed solely to intra-abdominal organ damage, overlooking the potentially grave consequences of pure peritoneal injury. Therefore, it is imperative to enhance our recognition and knowledge regarding peritoneal injuries, enabling timely diagnosis and treatment to prevent the occurrence of complications.

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common infectious diseases. It has the characteristics of high recurrence rate and prolonged course. At present, the problem of antibiotic resistance is becoming more and more serious, the incidence of adverse reactions is high, and the disadvantages of long-term administration appear, which brings severe challenges to the treatment of recurrent urinary tract infection. The prevention and treatment of UTI recurrence has become the focus of research. Recurrent urinary tract infection is related to the immune regulation mechanism of the body. Administration of immune regulation can provide new ideas for prevention and treatment. The vaccine based on immune regulation to prevent rUTI has made some progress. It can not only reduce the frequency of recurrences, but also decrease related symptoms. At the same time, the vaccine has good tolerance, high safety and good application prospect. This paper aims to summarize the progress of immune regulation and immune vaccines in vivo and clinical research.