ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of modified Huangqi Jianzhong decoction （HQJZ） on gastric precancerous conditions （GPC）. MethodsIn the cell experiment， human gastric mucosal epithelial cells underwent malignant transformation induced by N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine （MNNG） for the modeling of GPC （MC cells）. The cells were allocated into four groups： control ， model， low-dose HQJZ （HQJZ-L）， and high-dose HQJZ （HQJZ-H）. The control and model groups were cultured with the complete medium， while HQJZ-L and HQJZ-H groups received additional interventions with HQJZ at low （0.5 g·L^-1） and high （1.0 g·L^-1） doses， respectively. Cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） assay was used to evaluate cytotoxicity， Transwell assay to assess cell invasion， Annexin V-FITC/PI staining to detect apoptosis， immunofluorescence assay to analyze reactive oxygen species （ROS） expression and mitochondrial autophagy， and Western blot to verify expression of proteins in key pathways. In the animal experiment， the GPC model was established in healthy BALB/c mice through MNNG induction. Twenty-four mice were allocated into four groups： control， model， HQJZ-L， and HQJZ-H. Control and model groups received normal saline （10 mL·kg^-1·d^-1） orally， while HQJZ-L and HQJZ-H groups were administrated with low-dose （6.24 g·kg^-1·d^-1） and high-dose （12.48 g·kg^-1·d^-1） HQJZ， respectively. After treatment， hematoxylin‑eosin （HE） staining and AB-PAS staining were performed to observe histopathological changes in the gastric tissue. Immunofluorescence assay was used to detect reactive oxygen species （ROS） and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 （LC3） levels in the gastric mucosa， TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling （TUNEL） staining to assess apoptosis rates， and Western blotting and immunohistochemistry （IHC） to analyze the expression levels of Ki67， proliferating cell nuclear antigen （PCNA）， and foxhead box O3 （FoxO3）. ResultsCell viability assays showed that HQJZ dose-dependently reduced MC cell viability compared with the control group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Transwell assays revealed that the model group exhibited enhanced cell invasion compared with the control group （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， HQJZ treatment attenuated the cell invasion （P<0.05）. Gastric mucosal pathology in mice demonstrated that compared with the control group， the model group showed elevated HE and AB-PAS pathological scores （P<0.05）， while HQJZ treatment reduced these scores （P<0.05）. Transmission electron microscopy revealed increased mitochondrial number and volume in the model group compared with the control group. HQJZ treatment resulted in abnormal mitochondrial structure and significant alterations in rough endoplasmic reticulum morphology and distribution， presenting as dilated and hollow forms. Mitochondrial and apoptosis assessments indicated that compared with the control group， the model group exhibited enhanced Mito Tracker Green fluorescence （P<0.05）， no significant change in DCFH-DA fluorescence， Mito Tracker Red CMXRos fluorescence， ROS immunofluorescence， or malondialdehyde （MDA） level， increased GSH level （P<0.05）， enhanced LC3 fluorescence （P<0.05）， no significant change in apoptosis rate， and elevated ATP content in cells and mouse serum （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， HQJZ treatment reduced Mito Tracker Green fluorescence （P<0.05）， increased DCFH-DA fluorescence， Mito Tracker Red fluorescence， MDA level， LC3 fluorescence， and apoptosis rate （P<0.05）， and decreased cellular ATP content （P<0.05）. The HQJZ-L group showed no significant change in ROS immunofluorescence or GSH level， whereas the HQJZ-H group demonstrated enhanced ROS immunofluorescence and glutathione （GSH） level （P<0.05）. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting revealed that compared with the control group， the model group exhibited increased numbers of PCNA- and Ki67-positive cells （P<0.05） and elevated protein levels of FoxO3， sirtuin 1 （SIRT1）， and B-cell lymphoma 6 （Bcl-6） （P<0.05）. HQJZ treatment reduced the numbers of PCNA- and Ki67-positive cells （P<0.05） and lowered the protein levels of FoxO3， SIRT1， and Bcl-6 （P<0.05）. ConclusionHQJZ alleviates the progression of gastric precancerous lesions by regulating mitochondrial function via the FoxO3/ROS pathway and promoting apoptosis of GPC-malignant cells.

[Objective] To investigate the infection status and characteristics of HEV among voluntary blood donors in Ningbo, and to provide a basis for improving the blood screening strategy. [Methods] A total of 12 227 blood samples from voluntary blood donors in Ningbo from June 2022 to May 2023 were tested for HEV serology, enzymology, and nucleic acid testing. Furthermore, HEV gene sequencing was performed for genotyping analysis, and donors with reactive nucleic acid testing results were followed up to confirm their infection status. [Results] The reactivity rate of HEV Ag, anti-HEV IgM and anti-HEV IgG was 0.098%, 0.899% and 29.198%, respectively. There was no difference in the reactivity of anti-HEV IgM and anti-HEV IgG between genders, donation frequencies and donation types (P>0.05). The reactivity rate increased significantly with age (P<0.05). The rate of ALT disqualification (ALT>50U/L) was significantly higher than that in non-reactive samples (P<0.05). The HEV Ag reactivity rate (0.098%) was not correlated with gender, donation frequency, donation type or age. One HEV RNA positive case was found, with a positive rate of 0.008%(1/12 227). It was confirmed to be hepatitis E virus genotype 3 by sequencing analysis. Apart from HEV Ag reactivity, all other blood safety screening items were non-reactive, suggesting this case might be in the acute infection phase. The follow-up results showed that all indicators of the donor's previous blood donation were non-reactive. [Conclusion] Pre-donation ALT detection can reduce the risk of transfusion-transmitted HEV (TT-HEV) to a certain extent, and the effective way to prevent TT-HEV is to detect HEV RNA and serology of donor blood.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of bioactive peptides combined with probiotics on serum uric acid (SUA) in patients with hyperuricemia (HUA), so as to provide the evidence for prevention and treatment of HUA. Methods: The patients with HUA aged 18 to 65 years were selected and randomly divided into an intervention group and a control group. The patients in the intervention group received bioactive peptides combined with probiotics for 28 days at a dose of 3 g/d, while the patients in the control group received an equal dose of placebos. Demographic information, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure and blood lipid were collected through questionnaire surveys, physical examination and laboratory tests. SUA levels were detected before and after 14 days and 28 days of interventions. The differences of SUA levels between the two groups were compared using generalized estimation equation. Results: Totally 108 patients with HUA were recruited, including 54 patients in the intervention group and 53 patients in the control group (1 dropout). Before interventions, there were no statistically significant differences in gender, age, course of HUA, exercise duration, frequency of alcohol consumption, frequency of meat broth consumption, BMI, prevalence of hypertension and prevalence of dyslipidemia between the two groups (all P>0.05). After 14 days of interventions, the SUA levels of the patients in the intervention group decreased by 3.00 μmol/L, while those in the control group increased by 7.00 μmol/L. After 28 days of interventions, the SUA levels of the patients in the intervention group and the control group decreased by 26.00 μmol/L and 16.00 μmol/L, respectively. However, there was no statistically significant interaction between the intervention time and group (both P>0.05). Subgroup analysis showed that after 28 days of interventions, the decrease in SUA levels in the patients aged 55 years and older and without hypertension in the intervention group was greater than those in the control group (both P<0.05). Conclusions Bioactive peptides combined with probiotics showed no significant difference in reducing SUA levels in patients with HUA compared to the control group. The effect was more significant for patients aged 55 years and older and without hypertension.

Xiaoaiping (XAP) Injection demonstrates the anti-prostate cancer (PCa) effects, yet the underlying mechanism remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the impact of XAP on PCa and elucidate its mechanism of action. PCa cell proliferation was evaluated using a cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Cell apoptosis was assessed through Hoechst staining and Western blotting assays. Proteomics technology was employed to identify key molecules and significant signaling pathways modulated by XAP in PCa cells. To further validate potential key genes and important pathways, a series of assays were conducted, including acridine orange (AO) staining, transmission electron microscopy, and immunofluorescence assays. The molecular mechanism of XAP against PCa in vivo was examined using a PC3 xenograft mouse model. Results demonstrated that XAP significantly inhibited cell proliferation in multiple PCa cell lines. In C4-2 and prostate cancer cell line-3 (PC3) cells, XAP induced cellular apoptosis, evidenced by reduced B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) levels and elevated Bcl-2-associated X (Bax) levels. Proteomic, immunofluorescence, and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) investigations revealed a strong correlation between forkhead box O3a (FoxO3a) autophagic degradation and the anti-PCa action of XAP. XAP hindered autophagy by reducing the expression levels of autophagy-related protein 5 (Atg5)/autophagy-related protein 12 (Atg12) and enhancing FoxO3a expression and nuclear translocation. Furthermore, XAP exhibited potent anti-PCa action in PC3 xenograft mice and triggered FoxO3a nuclear translocation in tumor tissue. These findings suggest that XAP induces PCa apoptosis via inhibition of FoxO3a autophagic degradation, potentially offering a novel perspective on XAP injection as an effective anticancer therapy for PCa.
Male ; Humans ; Prostatic Neoplasms/physiopathology* ; Autophagy/drug effects* ; Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Proteomics ; Mice ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Forkhead Box Protein O3/genetics* ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays ; Mice, Nude ; Mice, Inbred BALB C

Cerebral small vessel disease （CSVD） is an important etiology of vascular cognitive impairment and stroke， and there are still many challenges in its early diagnosis and pathological mechanisms. As a type of extracellular vesicles that exist stably in body fluids and can cross the blood-brain barrier， exosomes have attracted wide attention in recent years. Studies have shown that various exosomal proteins have a potential value in the diagnosis and treatment of CSVD and related cognitive impairment， providing new research directions for the noninvasive management of these diseases. This article systematically reviews the latest advances in exosomal proteins for the diagnosis and treatment of CSVD and related cognitive impairment， in order to provide new perspectives for the application of exosomal proteins in the precise treatment of CSVD.
Biomarkers

Gastric cancer with peritoneal metastasis (GCPM) is a common and lethal manifestation of advanced gastric cancer, with a median survival of only 5-11 months. This consensus was developed by 30 experts from Asia (China, Japan, Korea, and Singapore) using the Delphi method and the GRADE evidence grading system. A total of 29 statements were formulated, covering the diagnosis and assessment of GCPM, indications for laparoscopic exploration and NIPS (normothermic intraperitoneal and systemic treatment), treatment regimens, prevention and management of complications, criteria for conversion surgery, and postoperative intraperitoneal therapy. The consensus aims to standardize clinical practice and improve the prognosis of patients with GCPM.

Objective:To investigate the anti-fatigue effect of Dendrobium and Panax Quinquefolius Granules(DPQG)on the overtrained mice,and to clarify its possible mechanism.Methods:A total of 48 mice were randomly divided into control group(equal volume of distilled water),low dose of DPQG group(400 mg·kg-1 DPQG),medium dose of DPQG group(800 mg·kg-1 DPQG),and high dose of DPQG group(1 600 mg·kg-1 DPQG).The DPQG were administered by gavage for 35 d,and the rotarod test and swimming endurance test were performed 30 min after last administration.Serum,liver tissue,and muscle tissue were collected from the mice in various groups.ELISA method was used to detect the serum lacticacid(LAC)levels and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)activities,and the malondialdehyde(MDA)levels,superoxide dismutase(SOD)and glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)activities,and the liver glycogen and muscle glycogen levels in muscle tissue of the mice in various groups;HE staining was used to observe the pathomorphology of muscle tissue of the mice.Transcriptomics and metabolomics technologies were used to identify the key genes and metabolites in muscle tissue of the mice in control group and high dose of DPQG group and to analyze the correlations between differentially expressed genes(DEGs)and differentially expressed metabolites.Results:Compared with control group,the rod turning exhaustion time of the mice in different doses of DPQG groups were significantly increased(P＜0.05),and the swimming exhaution time of the mice in high dose of DPQG group was increased(P＜0.05).Compared with control group,the LDH,SOD,and GSH-Px activities of the mice in medium and high doses of DPQG groups were increased(P＜0.01).Compared with control group,the levels of MDA and liver glycogen of the mice in medium and high doses of DPQG groups were decreased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).The transcriptomics sequencing results showed that DPQG mainly acted on DEGs such as Trib3 and Olfr495;the Gene Ontology(GO)functional enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)signaling pathway enrichment analysis results showed that the DEGs were mainly enriched in olfactory-related processes and signaling pathways;the metabolomics KEGG analysis results showed that the differential metabolites were mainly enriched in the regulation pathway of inflammatory mediators on tryptophan(TRP);the combined analysis of transcriptomics and metabolomics results showed that the piezo1 gene had high correlations with the differential metabolites β1-solamarine(r=-1,P＜0.05)and tilidine(r=1,P＜0.05).Conclusion:DPQG can exert an anti-fatigue effect on the overtrained mice by modulating LAC metabolism and glycogen homeostasis,as well as maintaining the oxidative/antioxidant balance in the body;its anti-fatigue mechanism is related to the Olfr495 and piezo1 genes and the regulation pathway of inflammatory mediators on TRP channels.

Objective:To evaluate the application of metagenomic next-generation sequencing（mNGS）in the identification of non-tuberculous mycobacteria（NTM）.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on mNGS results of 358 bronchoalveolar lavage fluid（BALF）samples positive for NTM collected at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine from February 2021 to January 2024. The analysis included the distribution of NTM species，the detection of mixed pathogens，and the performance of conventional mycobacterial detection methods.Results:The results showed that 362 strains of 15 NTM species were identified from 350 specimens，8 specimens were not precise to the species level. The most frequently detected species were Mycobacterium intracellulare（37.3%，135/362）， Mycobacterium abscessus（26.8%，97/362），followed by Mycobacterium avium（11.0%，40/362）， Mycobacterium kansasii（8.0%，29/362）and Mycobacterium chelonae（7.7%，28/362）. Single NTM species were detected in 339 specimens，while two or three NTM species were simultaneously detected in 11 specimens（3.1%，11/358）. Non-NTM microorganisms co-infected were detected in 53.4%（191/358）of NTM-positive BALF samples，including common pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa， Staphylococcus aureus，and Aspergillus fumigatus；and difficult-to-identify pathogens such as Legionella pneumophila and Talaromyces marneffei. In NTM-positive patients detected by mNGS，the results supported the diagnosis of NTM infection in 298 cases（298/358，83.2%）and 105 cases（105/358，29.3%）initiated anti-NTM treatment accordingly；while in 60 cases（60/358，16.8%）the positive results were considered as colonization or unrelated to clinical infection. For samples tested with acid-fast staining，mycobacterial liquid culture，and DNA microarray，the positivity rates for NTM were 31.5%（73/232），48.7%（57/117），and 43.0%（46/107），respectively. Conclusions:mNGS demonstrates advantages in identification of NTM. However，the test may detect multiple microorganisms，in that case，the interpretation with clinical and radiological results is requried to determine the main pathogens.

Objective To explore the ways of breast cancer patients and family fusion and self-adjustment strategies,and to provide reference information for the adjustment of breast cancer patients and their families.Methods By purposive and theoretical sampling,we selected patients who sought medical treatment at a tertiary hospital from September 2020 to July 2023.The semi-structured interviews were conducted in the suspicion,diagnosis,treatment,and recovery periods,respectively.Charmaz's constructivist grounded theory was used for data analysis.Results The behavioural characteristics of breast cancer patients'fusion with their families throughout the disease trajectory were anxiety transmission,information sharing,emotional connection and experience review.The patient's fusion behaviour can bring dual psychological experiences to the patients,including a sense of relaxation and anxiety,a sense of trust and loss of control,a sense of intimacy and constraint,and a sense of meaning and burden.Self-adjustment strategies,such as staying calm,opening communication,setting boundaries and self-identification,can promote patients'and families'adaptation.Conclusion The adjustment model of breast cancer patients and family fusion suggests medical staff to pay attention to the identification of emotional reactions of patients and their families in family fusion according to the behavioural characteristics of patients and family integration,and timely apply self-adjustment strategies to improve patients'behavioural management ability,reduce negative emotions in the family system,and promote the adjustment of patients and families.