Objective To investigate the peripheral blood cytokine levels in patients with acute myocardial infarction(AMI),and to analyze its correlation with Killip classification,N-terminal brain natriuretic peptide precursor(NT-proBNP),cardiac troponin I(cTnI),creatine kinase isoenzymes(CK-MB),and to provide a theoretical basis for assessing the severity and prognosis of the disease.Methods A total of 312 patients with AMI admitted to Minhang Hospital,Fudan University from Jul 2021 to Oct 2023 were enrolled as the case group,and 201 patients with unstable angina pectoris were selected as the control group.General clinical data of the subjects were collected,and the concentrations of cytokines(IL-5,IFN-α,IFN-γ,IL-10,IL-12p70,IL-17,IL-1β,IL-2,IL-4,IL-6,IL-8,and TNF-α)in peripheral blood were detected by multiplex bead-based flow cytometry.NT-proBNP,cTnI and CK-MB were measured by chemiluminescence methods.The levels of cytokines between the two groups were compared,and their correlations with Killip classification,NT-proBNP,cTnI and CK-MB were analyzed.The predictive efficacy of cytokines for AMI was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves.Results There were no significant differences in baseline data between the AMI group and the control group(P>0.05),with the exception of age.The levels of IL-6,IL-8 and TNF-α in the AMI group were higher than those in the control group(all P<0.01).The correlation analyses showed that IL-6 was positively correlated with Killip classification,NT-proBNP,cTnI and CK-MB(all P<0.01).ROC analyses showed that IL-6 levels had good predictive efficacy for AMI(AUC=0.882 9,P<0.01).Conclusion The expression of IL-6 was significantly increased in patients with AMI,and it was positively correlated with Killip classification,NT-proBNP,cTnI and CK-MB,suggesting that IL-6 may serve as a potential biomarker for assessing the severity of AMI.

Aim To investigate the effect of ACSL4 on the malignant biological behavior of esophageal cancer cells and gefitinib resistance by regulating FASN,and to explore the related mechanism.Methods Thirty-five fresh esophageal cancer tissues and adjacent nor-mal tissues,and 30 esophageal cancer tissues with ge-fitinib resistance were collected.The expressions of ACSL4 and FASN were detected by qRT-PCR and im-munohistochemistry.The expression levels of ACSL4 and FASN in human normal esophageal cells HET-1 A,esophageal cancer cell lines ECA109,EC9706,TE-1 and TE-1/GR were detected by qRT-PCR.Cells in each group were constructed by liposome transfection technique,and the drug resistance and proliferation a-bility of cells were detected by cloning and CCK-8 as-say,cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry,cell invasion ability was detected by Transwell,and EMT pathway protein expression was detected by Western blot.Results Compared with adjacent normal tis-sues,the expression of ACSL4 and FASN genes in cancer tissues increased,and there was a positive corre-lation.The expression of ACSL4 significantly increased in ECA109,EC9706 and TE-1 cells compared with HET-1 A cells.With the increase of gefitinib concen-tration,the expression of ACSL4 in TE-1 cells gradually increased,and the expression of ACSL4 in TE-1/GR cells was higher than that of TE-1.Compared with the control group and the si-NC group,the cell proliferation and invasion ability of si-ACSL4 group decreased,the number of apoptosis increased,the expression of E-Cadherin increased,and the expression of N-Cadherin,Vimentin and β-catenin decreased.The response ex-periment showed that compared with the si-ACSL4 group and the si-ACSL4+oe-NC group,the cells in the si-ACSL4+oe-FASN group increased drug resistance,increased proliferation and invasion ability,decreased apoptosis number and decreased expression of E-Cad-herin.The expressions of N-Cadherin,Vimentin and β-catenin increased.Conclusions By down-regulating the expression of FASN,ACSL4 reverses the resistance of esophageal cancer TE-1/GR cells to gefitinib and in-hibits the proliferation,invasion and accelerates apopto-sis of TE-1/GR cells,which may be related to the regu-lation of EMT signaling pathway.

Aim To study the effect of p-benzoyl sali-droside(pOBz)on angiogenesis after ischemic stroke and to explore the underlying mechanism.Methods The MCAO model was prepared by suture method.Rats were divided into four groups:sham,MCAO,pOBz administration,and edaravone positive control,treated for seven days.The mNSS was used to assess the neurological impairment.Western blotting was em-ployed to detect CD31,NICD,and Hes-1 protein ex-pression,while immunofluorescence staining was ap-plies to quantify CD31-positive cells in ischemic brain tissue.In vitro an OGD/R model was established in HUVECs.Following treatment with varying pOBz con-centrations(0.01,0.1,1 μmol·L-1),the CCK-8 as-say was uses to measure cell viability,and in vitro tube formation assay was utilized to evaluate angiogenesis.Western blotting was employed again to assess CD31,NICD and Hes-1 protein levels.To further elucidate the mechanism,HUVEC were treated with the Notch inhibitor DAPT prior to grouping and pOBz administra-tion,and the same parameters were evaluated.Results pOBz significantly reduced the mNSS score of MCAO rats,increased CD31-positive cell counts,and upregu-lated CD31,NICD,and Hes-1 protein expression(P＜0.01).In vitro results further showed that pOBz could dose-dependently increase the survival rate and angio-genesis ability of HUVEC induced by OGD/R,and promote CD31,NICD and Hes-1 proteins(P＜0.01),and Notch inhibitor DAPT could reverse the above effects of pOBz.Conclusion pOBz promotes angio-genesis in HUVEC,and its mechanism involves activa-tion of the Notch signaling pathway.

Objective To understand the current situation of healthcare-associated infection(HAI)in China,pro-vide data support and decision-making basis for formulating scientific and effective strategies for HAI prevention and control.Methods A nationwide cross-sectional survey on HAI was conducted among various types and levels of medical institutions in China according to a unified protocol of bedside surveys and case investigations.Results In 2024,a total of 5 736 medical institutions and 2 751 765 patients were surveyed.Among them,34 889 HAI cases were identified,with a prevalence rate of 1.27％.The number of HAI episodes was 38 032,and case prevalence rate was 1.38％.The prevalence rate of HAI in medical institutions in different regions of China ranged from 0.66％to 2.35％.Among medical institutions of different scales,those with a bed capacity of ≥900 had the high-est incidence of HAI,reaching 1.65％.The most common infection site was the lower respiratory tract(44.66％),followed by the urinary tract(12.94％),surgical site(9.32％),upper respiratory tract(7.02％),and bloodstream infection(5.78％).The top 3 departments with the highest HAI rates were the general intensive care unit(10.02％),department of neurosurgery(5.51％),and department(group)of hematology(5.34％).A total of 23 238 strains of HAI pathogens were detected,with 10 714 strains(46.10％)from lower respiratory tract speci-mens.The top 5 detected strains were Klebsiella pneumoniae(14.76％),Pseudomonas aeruginosa(13.33％),Escherichia coli(12.79％),Acinetobacter baumannii(9.23％),and Staphylococcus aureus(7.88％).231 944 pa-tients underwent class Ⅰ incision surgery were monitored,with 1 647 cases experienced surgical site infection,and the prevalence rate of surgical site infection was 0.71％.The number of patients who should undergo pathogen de-tection(patients receiving therapeutic and therapeutic combined prophylactic antimicrobial agents)was 715 179,while the actual number was 480 492,with a pathogen detection rate of 67.18％.425 225 patients received patho-genic detection before treatment,with a detection rate of 59.46％.Conclusion The overall HAI prevalence in Chi-na is lower,showing disparities among medical institutions of different regions and scales.Therefore,precise imple-mentation of measures is necessary for HAI prevention and control,with a focus on high-risk institutions and high-risk departments,key areas,and critical procedures.All levels of medical institutions should continuously reduce the incidence of HAI by strengthening monitoring,standardizing the use of antimicrobial agents,and reinforcing basic HAI prevention and control measures.

ObjectiveTo investigate the value of different noninvasive diagnostic models in the diagnosis of esophageal and gastric varices since there is a high risk of esophageal and gastric varices in patients with compensated hepatitis B cirrhosis and significant portal hypertension， and to provide a basis for the early diagnosis of esophageal and gastric varices. MethodsA total of 108 patients with significant portal hypertension due to compensated hepatitis B cirrhosis who attended Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from November 2017 to November 2023 were enrolled， and according to the presence or absence of esophageal and gastric varices under gastroscopy， they were divided into esophageal and gastric varices group （GOV group） and non-esophageal and gastric varices group （NGOV group）. Related data were collected， including age， sex， imaging findings， and laboratory markers. The chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups； the least significant difference t-test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between groups， and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between groups. The receiver operating characteristic （ROC） curve was plotted to evaluate the diagnostic value of five scoring models， i.e.， fibrosis-4 （FIB-4）， LOK index， LPRI， aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index （APRI）， and aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase ratio （AAR）. The binary logistic regression method was used to establish a combined model， and the area under the ROC curve （AUC） was compared between the combined model and each scoring model used alone. The Delong test was used to compare the AUC value between any two noninvasive diagnostic models. ResultsThere were 55 patients in the GOV group and 53 patients in the NGOV group. Compared with the NGOV group， the GOV group had a significantly higher age （52.64±1.44 years vs 47.96±1.68 years， t=0.453， P<0.05） and significantly lower levels of alanine aminotransferase ［42.00 （24.00 — 17.00） U/L vs 82.00 （46.00 — 271.00） U/L， Z=-3.065， P<0.05］， aspartate aminotransferase ［44.00 （32.00 — 96.00） U/L vs 62.00 （42.50 — 154.50） U/L，Z=-2.351， P<0.05］， and platelet count ［100.00 （69.00 — 120.00）×10⁹/L vs 119.00 （108.50 — 140.50）×10⁹/L， Z=-3.667， P<0.05］. The ROC curve analysis showed that FIB-4， LOK index， LPRI， and AAR used alone had an accuracy of 0.667， 0.681， 0.730， and 0.639， respectively， in the diagnosis of esophageal and gastric varices （all P<0.05）， and the positive diagnostic rates of GOV were 69.97%， 65.28%， 67.33%， and 58.86%， respectively， with no significant differences in AUC values （all P>0.05）， while APRI used alone had no diagnostic value （P>0.05）. A combined model （LAF） was established based on the binary logistic regression analysis and had an AUC of 0.805 and a positive diagnostic rate of GOV of 75.80%， with a significantly higher AUC than FIB-4， LOK index， LPRI， and AAR used alone （Z=-2.773，-2.479，-2.206， and-2.672， all P<0.05）. ConclusionFIB-4， LOK index， LPRI， and AAR have a similar diagnostic value for esophageal and gastric varices in patients with compensated hepatitis B cirrhosis and significant portal hypertension， and APRI alone has no diagnostic value. The combined model LAF had the best diagnostic efficacy， which provides a certain reference for clinical promotion and application.

Accurate timing of myelination is crucial for the proper functioning of the central nervous system. Here, we identified a de novo heterozygous mutation in TMEM63A (c.1894G>A; p. Ala632Thr) in a 7-year-old boy exhibiting hypomyelination. A Ca²⁺ influx assay suggested that this is a loss-of-function mutation. To explore how TMEM63A deficiency causes hypomyelination, we generated Tmem63a knockout mice. Genetic deletion of TMEM63A resulted in hypomyelination at postnatal day 14 (P14) arising from impaired differentiation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs). Notably, the myelin dysplasia was transient, returning to normal levels by P28. Primary cultures of Tmem63a^-/- OPCs presented delayed differentiation. Lentivirus-based expression of TMEM63A but not TMEM63A_A632T rescued the differentiation of Tmem63a^-/- OPCs in vitro and myelination in Tmem63a^-/- mice. These data thus support the conclusion that the mutation in TMEM63A is the pathogenesis of the hypomyelination in the patient. Our study further demonstrated that TMEM63A-mediated Ca²⁺ influx plays critical roles in the early development of myelin and oligodendrocyte differentiation.
Animals ; Cell Differentiation/physiology* ; Oligodendroglia/metabolism* ; Mice, Knockout ; Mice ; Male ; Myelin Sheath/metabolism* ; Humans ; Child ; Cells, Cultured ; Oligodendrocyte Precursor Cells/metabolism*

High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), when released extracellularly, plays a pivotal role in the development of spinal cord synapses and exacerbates autoimmune diseases within the central nervous system. In experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a condition that models multiple sclerosis, the levels of extracellular HMGB1 and interleukin-33 (IL-33) have been found to be inversely correlated. However, the mechanism by which IL-33 deficiency enhances HMGB1 release during EAE remains elusive. Our study elucidates a potential signaling pathway whereby the absence of IL-33 leads to increased binding of P300/CBP-associated factor with HMGB1 in the nuclei of astrocytes, upregulating HMGB1 acetylation and promoting its release from astrocyte nuclei in the spinal cord of EAE mice. Conversely, the addition of IL-33 counteracts the TNF-α-induced increase in HMGB1 and acetylated HMGB1 levels in primary astrocytes. These findings underscore the potential of IL-33-associated signaling pathways as a therapeutic target for EAE treatment.
Animals ; Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/metabolism* ; Astrocytes/metabolism* ; Interleukin-33/metabolism* ; HMGB1 Protein/metabolism* ; Acetylation ; Mice, Knockout ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; p300-CBP Transcription Factors/metabolism* ; Mice ; Spinal Cord/metabolism* ; Cells, Cultured ; Female ; Signal Transduction

This study investigates the mechanism by which Xintong Granules improve myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury(MIRI) through the regulation of gut microbiota and their metabolites, specifically short-chain fatty acids(SCFAs). Rats were randomly divided based on body weight into the sham operation group, model group, low-dose Xintong Granules group(1.43 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), medium-dose Xintong Granules group(2.86 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), high-dose Xintong Granules group(5.72 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), and metoprolol group(10 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)). After 14 days of pre-administration, the MIRI rat model was established by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery. The myocardial infarction area was assessed using the 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride(TTC) staining method. Apoptosis in tissue cells was detected by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling(TUNEL) assay. Pathological changes in myocardial cells and colonic tissue were observed using hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-1β(IL-1β), interleukin-6(IL-6), creatine kinase MB isoenzyme(CK-MB), and cardiac troponin T(cTnT) in rat serum were quantitatively measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) kits. The activities of lactate dehydrogenase(LDH), creatine kinase(CK), and superoxide dismutase(SOD) in myocardial tissue, as well as the level of malondialdehyde(MDA), were determined using colorimetric assays. Gut microbiota composition was analyzed by 16S rDNA sequencing, and fecal SCFAs were quantified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS). The results show that Xintong Granules significantly reduced the myocardial infarction area, suppressed cardiomyocyte apoptosis, and decreased serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines(TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6), myocardial injury markers(CK-MB, cTnT, LDH, and CK), and oxidative stress marker MDA. Additionally, Xintong Granules significantly improved intestinal inflammation in MIRI rats, regulated gut microbiota composition and diversity, and increased the levels of SCFAs(acetate, propionate, isobutyrate, etc.). In summary, Xintong Granules effectively alleviate MIRI symptoms. This study preliminarily confirms that Xintong Granules exert their inhibitory effects on MIRI by regulating gut microbiota imbalance and increasing SCFA levels.
Animals ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects* ; Rats ; Male ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Humans ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism* ; Interleukin-6/genetics* ; Malondialdehyde/metabolism*

Objective To understand the current situation of healthcare-associated infection(HAI)in China,pro-vide data support and decision-making basis for formulating scientific and effective strategies for HAI prevention and control.Methods A nationwide cross-sectional survey on HAI was conducted among various types and levels of medical institutions in China according to a unified protocol of bedside surveys and case investigations.Results In 2024,a total of 5 736 medical institutions and 2 751 765 patients were surveyed.Among them,34 889 HAI cases were identified,with a prevalence rate of 1.27％.The number of HAI episodes was 38 032,and case prevalence rate was 1.38％.The prevalence rate of HAI in medical institutions in different regions of China ranged from 0.66％to 2.35％.Among medical institutions of different scales,those with a bed capacity of ≥900 had the high-est incidence of HAI,reaching 1.65％.The most common infection site was the lower respiratory tract(44.66％),followed by the urinary tract(12.94％),surgical site(9.32％),upper respiratory tract(7.02％),and bloodstream infection(5.78％).The top 3 departments with the highest HAI rates were the general intensive care unit(10.02％),department of neurosurgery(5.51％),and department(group)of hematology(5.34％).A total of 23 238 strains of HAI pathogens were detected,with 10 714 strains(46.10％)from lower respiratory tract speci-mens.The top 5 detected strains were Klebsiella pneumoniae(14.76％),Pseudomonas aeruginosa(13.33％),Escherichia coli(12.79％),Acinetobacter baumannii(9.23％),and Staphylococcus aureus(7.88％).231 944 pa-tients underwent class Ⅰ incision surgery were monitored,with 1 647 cases experienced surgical site infection,and the prevalence rate of surgical site infection was 0.71％.The number of patients who should undergo pathogen de-tection(patients receiving therapeutic and therapeutic combined prophylactic antimicrobial agents)was 715 179,while the actual number was 480 492,with a pathogen detection rate of 67.18％.425 225 patients received patho-genic detection before treatment,with a detection rate of 59.46％.Conclusion The overall HAI prevalence in Chi-na is lower,showing disparities among medical institutions of different regions and scales.Therefore,precise imple-mentation of measures is necessary for HAI prevention and control,with a focus on high-risk institutions and high-risk departments,key areas,and critical procedures.All levels of medical institutions should continuously reduce the incidence of HAI by strengthening monitoring,standardizing the use of antimicrobial agents,and reinforcing basic HAI prevention and control measures.

Objective:To explore the genetic etiology of a Chinese pedigree with recurrent Joubert syndrome with negative results by whole-exome sequencing in the prior proband.Methods:A Chinese pedigree which opted elective abortion at the Women and Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Chongqing Medical University in December 2024 was selected as the study subject. Whole-genome sequencing was carried out on fetal tissue after termination of pregnancy. Candidate variants were validated by Sanger sequencing and interpreted, while non-coding variant was analyzed using in silico prediction tools. RNA sequencing and cDNA sequencing were conducted on fetal brain tissue. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Hospital (Ethics No.2024YL045-02). Results:Both the fetus and the affected child were found to harbor compound heterozygous variants of the CEP290 gene, namely c. 7341dup (p.Leu2448fs*8) (pathogenic, maternally inherited) and c. 1523-408G>A (likely pathogenic, paternally inherited). Both in silico analysis and fetal brain RNA sequencing confirmed aberrant RNA splicing caused by the intronic variant. Conclusion:This case has highlighted the value of combining whole-genome sequencing with RNA functional validation. Above results not only enriched the spectrum of CEP290 gene mutations but also underscored its diagnostic value in resolving complex prenatal cases, providing critical clues for the prenatal diagnosis and recurrence risk assessment in genetic counseling.