Hepatitis B virus (HBV)-specific CD8⁺ T cells play a central role in controlling HBV infection; however, their function is impaired during chronic HBV infection, manifesting as a state of dysfunction. Recent studies have revealed that CD8⁺ T cell dysfunction in chronic HBV infection differs from the classical exhaustion observed in other viral infections or tumors. In 2024, several pivotal studies further elucidated novel mechanisms underlying CD8⁺ T cell dysfunction in chronic HBV infection and identified new therapeutic targets, including 4-1BB and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β). This review, while elucidating the dysfunction of CD8⁺ T cells in chronic HBV infection and its underlying mechanisms, focuses on summarizing the key findings from these latest studies and explores their translational value and clinical significance.
Humans ; Hepatitis B, Chronic/virology* ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology* ; Hepatitis B virus/physiology* ; Animals ; Transforming Growth Factor beta/immunology*

Objective:To explore the correlation between intestinal flora disturbance and the diagnosis,treatment of rheumatoid arthritis(RA),and to provide bioinformatics basis for further research on precise targeted intervention of RA.Methods:Genes related to intestinal flora disorders and RA genes were downloaded from disease database.Correlation between the two diseases was analyzed via bioinformatics approach.PPI network was conducted by STRING,Cytoscape and their plug-ins,and key genes were screened.Key genes were mapped into Coremine Medicinal to identify medicinal chemicals and medicinal herbs.Results:A total of 525 genes shared by intestinal flora disorders and RA were obtained through integrated screening of the disease database,and key genes with the highest degree of protein interaction were finally selected,namely IL-6,IL-1β,TNF-α,IL-10,STAT3,STAT1 and RELA.These related tar-geted genes were mainly involved in biological processes such as negative feedback regulation and antigen stimulation,and mediate molecular functions such as lipopolysaccharide receptor binding and NF-κB receptor binding,which are mainly concentrated in the plasma membrane region.KEGG analysis showed that these related genes were mainly involved in classical signaling pathways such as IL-17 pathway and Toll-like receptor pathway.Through drug prediction,it was found that Astragalus,Scutellaria,Schisandra and Cop-tis in traditional Chinese medicine might be potential drug sources for RA treatment.Conclusion:Bioinformatics method can predict key genes and signaling pathways of intestinal flora intervention in pathogenesis and progression of RA,and predict the Chinese herbs that may target the regulation of flora for treatment of risk factors,which providing a theoretical basis for further exploration of targeted treatment of RA.

Objective To investigate the role and biological mechanism of exosomal miRNA-141-3p in inducing the proliferation and invasion of prostate cancer(PCa)cells.Methods The expression level of miR-NA-141-3p in tumor tissues and adjacent tissues from 33 PCa patients,as well as in exosomes of human PCa cells VCap and normal prostate cells RWPE-2,was analyzed using quantitative real-time PCR(qPCR).The di-rect target of miRNA-141-3p was predicted through bioinformatic analysis and verified using a dual-luciferase reporter gene assay.miRNA-141-3p inhibitor plasmid(miRNA-141-3p inhibitor group)and negative control plasmid(negative control group)were transfected into human PCa cells VCap via lipofection.Cell prolifera-tion,migration,and invasion abilities in the miRNA-141-3p inhibitor group and negative control group were detected using MTT assay,wound healing assay,and Transwell assay,respectively.The mRNA expression levels of PHLPP2,E-Cadherin,and Vimentin were measured by qPCR,and the protein expression levels by Western blot,in VCap and RWPE-2 cells as well as in the miRNA-141-3p inhibitor group and negative control group.Results The expression level of exosomal miRNA-141-3p in tumor tissues was significantly higher than in adjacent tissues(P<0.05).Dual-luciferase reporter assay confirmed that PHLPP2 is the direct target gene of miRNA-141-3p.The expression levels of exosomal PHLPP2,E-Cadherin mRNA and protein in VCap cells were lower than in RWPE-2 cells,while the expression levels of Vimentin mRNA and protein were high-er than in RWPE-2 cells,with statistically significant intergroup differences(P=0.012).In the miR-141-3p inhibitor group,exosomal miR-141-3p,Vimentin mRNA expression level,cell proliferation rate(MTS assay),migrating cell count(scratch assay),and transmembrane cell count(Transwell invasion assay)were signifi-cantly decreased compared to the negative control group,while PHLPP2 mRNA and E-Cadherin mRNA ex-pression levels were significantly increased,with statistically significant intergroup differences(P<0.05).Conclusion miR-141-3p promotes proliferation and migration of human PCa cells by targeting PHLPP2.

Objective:To explore the correlation between intestinal flora disturbance and the diagnosis,treatment of rheumatoid arthritis(RA),and to provide bioinformatics basis for further research on precise targeted intervention of RA.Methods:Genes related to intestinal flora disorders and RA genes were downloaded from disease database.Correlation between the two diseases was analyzed via bioinformatics approach.PPI network was conducted by STRING,Cytoscape and their plug-ins,and key genes were screened.Key genes were mapped into Coremine Medicinal to identify medicinal chemicals and medicinal herbs.Results:A total of 525 genes shared by intestinal flora disorders and RA were obtained through integrated screening of the disease database,and key genes with the highest degree of protein interaction were finally selected,namely IL-6,IL-1β,TNF-α,IL-10,STAT3,STAT1 and RELA.These related tar-geted genes were mainly involved in biological processes such as negative feedback regulation and antigen stimulation,and mediate molecular functions such as lipopolysaccharide receptor binding and NF-κB receptor binding,which are mainly concentrated in the plasma membrane region.KEGG analysis showed that these related genes were mainly involved in classical signaling pathways such as IL-17 pathway and Toll-like receptor pathway.Through drug prediction,it was found that Astragalus,Scutellaria,Schisandra and Cop-tis in traditional Chinese medicine might be potential drug sources for RA treatment.Conclusion:Bioinformatics method can predict key genes and signaling pathways of intestinal flora intervention in pathogenesis and progression of RA,and predict the Chinese herbs that may target the regulation of flora for treatment of risk factors,which providing a theoretical basis for further exploration of targeted treatment of RA.

Given the systematic, rigorous, and practical characteristics of medical disciplines, ensuring the teaching quality of online courses has become a significant focus. In traditional teaching models, teaching supervision is an important method to guarantee instructional quality, and introducing teaching supervision into online teaching activities is of great significance. This article systematically reviews and summarizes the domestic and international experience of conducting online medical courses. We explore the instructional supervision of online medical courses from the following perspectives: the meaning of supervision, the necessity of online supervision, online supervision methods and technical approaches, the feedback and application of supervision information, and the establishment of a standardized online supervision process.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). Type I and type III interferons, as important available clinically used broad-spectrum antiviral drugs, have been considered as promising candidate drugs for the treatment and prevention of COVID-19. In early 2020, more than 40 clinical trials, including the World Health Organization (WHO) SOLIDARITY study, have been launched in the world to explore the clinical efficacy and application method of interferons in the treatment of COVID-19. Meanwhile, animal models and human clinical specimens were used in many laboratories to explore the immunologic role and mechanistic function of interferons in COVID-19. However, the conclusion of the studies in the past three years were not consistent and even contradictory albeit numerous data were accumulated by the scientific community, which reflects the complexity of the role and function of interferons in COVID-19. Recently, the results of four large high-quality randomized controlled phase III clinical trials were reported. In this review, we systematically summarize and analyze the complicated and contradictory data from the level of immunopathological mechanism and clinical trials. We clarify that the heterogeneous clinical outcome of 2019-nCoV infection is closely related to the level and production time of interferons and that interferons are protective in the early stage of COVID-19 but may cause immunological damages in the late stage which may exacerbate inflammation. Further high-quality prospective clinical trials that strictly control confounding factors are still warranted to finally elucidate the precise role and clinical application of interferons in COVID-19.

Objective    To investigate the diagnostic value and the best criteria of multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) of spiral CT in recurrent laryngeal nerve lymph node metastasis. Methods    We performed multiplanar reconstruction of the spiral CT data of 138 esophageal carcinoma patients admitted to our hospital between December 2016 and June 2019, including 113 males and 25 females with an average age of 47-85 (63.03±15.58) years. The short and long diameters of recurrent laryngeal nerve lymph nodes were measured respectively, and then ratio of short to long diameter was calculated. The three parameters were contrasted with the pathological results and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves for the parameters were drawn. Results    Of the 138 patients, 291 left recurrent laryngeal nerve lymph nodes were dissected with an average number of 0-14 (2.11±0.41) per patient and the metastasis rate was 16.70%; while 436 right ones were dissected with the average number of 0-17 (3.16±0.45) per patient and the metastasis rate was 21.00%. The total metastasis rate was 29.70%. In the diagnosis of lymph node metastasis, the areas under ROC curve for short and long diameters as well as the ratio of short to long diameter of left recurrent laryngeal nerve lymph nodes were 0.808, 0.779, 0.621, respectively, while those for the right ones were 0.865, 0.807, 0.637, respectively. Conclusion    The metastasis rate of recurrent laryngeal nerve lymph nodes is high and the short diameter has a higher diagnostic value for recurrent laryngeal nerve lymph node metastasis.

Objective: To assess the conventional and functional MRI features of parotid Warthin tumor (adenolymphoma) and to investigate the correlation between MRI and clinicopathological features which can provide evidence for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Methods: Sixty-seven patients with parotid Warthin tumor who were treated in the Department of Stomatology, The Fifth Clinical Medical College of Yangzhou University, Changshu No. 2 People′s Hospital from June 2008 to April 2017 were included in this study. The retrospective study evaluated preoperative conventional and functional MRI features and clinicopathological findings of this group of patients. Among 67 patients (65 males, 2 females) with 92 lesions, there were 16 patients with multiple lesions and others with single lesion. Their age was (62.1±8.8) years, ranging from 42 to 84 years. According to pathological features, parotid Warthin tumor were classified into two types. Type Ⅰ was predominantly solid component which included completely solid or solid tumor with some cystic components. Type Ⅱ was predominantly cystic component which was characterized by big cyst with some solid components, and could be divided into capsule-like and scum-like cystic type, based on whether its interface of solid and cystic component was clear or not. On contrast-enhanced MRI, according to whether the lesion showed enhancement or not, solid or cystic component was defined. Results: Seventy-two lesions were located in the lower pole of the parotid gland, of which sixty-eight lesions were located in posterior inferior quadrant. In addition, sixteen lesions were located in the upper pole and four lesions in the middle. Because MRI features were consistent with pathological findings, parotid Warthin tumor were classified into solid (73) and cystic types (19). On T2WI, solid components showed isointense (92), whereas on T1WI cystic components demonstrated hyperintense (90). On contrast enhanced T1WI, solid types showed marginal vasculature sign (73), mild (69) or moderate (4) enhancement, whereas its cystic component showed no enhancement. On contrast enhanced T1WI, cystic types showed ring-like enhancement of cycle-wall and intra-cystic septal linear enhancement, whereas its solid components demonstrated mild enhancement (19). On diffusion weighted imaging, these masses demonstrated hyperintensity and lower apparent diffusion coefficient value indicating restricted diffusion (59/59). On dynamic contrast-enhanced-MRI, the masses showed "wash-out" pattern (28/29) or plateau pattern (1/29). Conclusions Parotid Warthin tumor mainly occur in the posterior inferior quadrant of parotid gland and mostly in mid-aged or elder men. It has certain characteristics on conventional and function MRI. There is correlation between MRI and clinicopathological findings and it is useful for accurate diagnosis and treatment to understand these features.

Hilar cholangiocarcinoma is a dread disease for humankind due to its high level of malignant,quick metastatic,and high mortality rate.Some patients get treated at the stage of obstructive jaundice,when the intestines are mostly or even completely obstructed,whom can not be radically treated since it can only lead to many complications and a low level of life quality.Despite the various ways of curing this disease,we will talk about the latest progress of surgical excision,palliative treatment,as well as liver transplantation in the eyes of surgical skills.This essay aims to summarize the latest treatment for hilar cholangiocarcinoma in the area of surgery,updating our knowledges,as a way of upgrading our skills and transforming our minds,so as to raise the life quality of our patients by avoiding complications.At the same time,it can provide some ideas for further research in this area.Besides,the paper sheds light on the current treatment of the disease by pointing out some questions on clinical works,which also focuses on lowering the death rate and raising the life quality of our patients.

Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of precise hepatectomy in treatment of hepatolithiasis. Methods Clinical data of 93 patients with hepatolithiasis who underwent hepatectomy in Anhui Provincial Hospital between January 2013 and January 2017 were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were divided into precise hepatectomy group (precise group, n=59) and conventional resection group (conventional group, n=34) according to different surgical procedures. There were 28 males and 31 females in precise group, with an average age of (56±5) years old. There were 18 males and 16 females in conventional group, with an average age of (56±4) years old. The informed consents of all patients were obtained and the local ethical committee approval was received. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative length of stay, postoperative ALT, AST level between two groups were compared by t test or Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test. The incidence of postoperative complication was compared by Chi-square test. Results The operation time was (210±61) min in precise group, significantly longer than (157±60) min in conventional group (t=1.586, P<0.05). The intraoperative blood loss was (386±99) ml in precise group, significantly less than (518±153) ml in conventional group (t=-1.421, P<0.05). The median postoperative length of stay was 8(6-10) d in precise group, significantly shorter than 10(8-15) d in conventional group (Z=-2.018, P<0.05).The ALT and AST level at postoperative 1 d was respectively (214±87) and (368±106) U/L in precise group, significantly lower than (594±133) and (625±165) U/L in conventional group, (t=-3.395, -2.047; P<0.05). The incidence of postoperative complication was 8.5% (5/59) in precise group, significantly lower than 23.5%(8/34) in conventional group (χ2=4.066, P<0.05). Conclusions Compared with conventional hepatectomy, precise hepatectomy possesses advantages of smaller surgical trauma, less intraoperative blood loss and lower incidence of postoperative complication. It has better clinical application value.