ObjectiveTo investigate the association of the traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome types of primary liver cancer （PLC） with clinical features and multimodal quantitative radiological features on computed tomography （CT） and magnetic resonance imaging （MRI）， and to provide a reference for the objectification of TCM syndrome differentiation and precise diagnosis and treatment. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 312 patients who were diagnosed with PLC in The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine from March 2020 to June 2025， and according to the TCM syndrome type， they were divided into stagnation of liver Qi group with 40 patients， stagnation of liver Qi and spleen deficiency group with 109 patients， Qi stagnation and blood stasis group with 62 patients， dampness-heat toxin amassment group with 81 patients， and liver-kidney Yin deficiency group with 20 patients. Clinical features and multimodal quantitative radiological features were compared between the patients with different TCM syndrome types. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between multiple groups， and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups； the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between multiple groups， and the Dunn’s multiple test was used for further comparison between two groups； the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups， and the Bonferroni method was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsThere were significant differences between the patients with different TCM syndrome types in China liver cancer staging （CNLC）， Child-Pugh class， alanine aminotransferase， aspartate aminotransferase， albumin， direct bilirubin， total bilirubin， prothrombin time， neutrophil， and albumin-bilirubin score （all P<0.05）. In the stagnation of liver Qi group， the patients with Child-Pugh class A accounted for 75.00%； among the patients with CNLC stage I PLC， the patients with stagnation of liver Qi accounted for 60.00%， and those with Qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome accounted for 59.68%， while among the patients with CNLC stage IV PLC， the distribution proportion of dampness-heat toxin amassment （27.16%） and liver-kidney Yin deficiency （30.00%） was significantly higher than that of stagnation of liver Qi （2.50%） （all P<0.05）. Radiological examination showed that there were significant differences between the patients with different TCM syndrome types in the number of tumors， ascites， venous tumor thrombus， maximum tumor diameter， intrahepatic metastasis， and lymph node metastasis in the hepatic hilar and retroperitoneal regions （all P<0.05）. Compared with the patients with stagnation of liver Qi， the patients with liver depression and spleen deficiency or liver-kidney Yin deficiency were more likely to develop intrahepatic metastasis； the patients with liver depression and spleen deficiency， dampness-heat toxin amassment， or liver-kidney Yin deficiency were more likely to develop lymph node metastasis in the hepatic hilar and retroperitoneal regions； the patients with liver-kidney Yin deficiency were more likely to experience multiple tumors； the patients with liver depression and spleen deficiency or dampness-heat toxin amassment were more likely to develop ascites （all P<0.05）. Compared with the patients with Qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome， the patients with liver depression and spleen deficiency had a significantly longer maximum tumor diameter and a significantly higher proportion of patients with venous tumor thrombus （both P<0.05）. Furthermore， among the 184 patients with MRI diffusion-weighted imaging sequences， the patients with dampness-heat toxin amassment or Qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome had significantly higher ADC values and relative ADC values than those with stagnation of liver Qi （all P<0.05）. ConclusionThere are significant differences in CT/MRI radiological features and clinical features between PLC patients with different TCM syndrome types， among whom the patients with liver depression and spleen deficiency， dampness-heat toxin amassment， and liver-kidney Yin deficiency tend to exhibit progressive radiological features， and those with dampness-heat toxin amassment or Qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome tend to have higher ADC values. These findings provide an objective basis for TCM syndrome differentiation in PLC.

Objective This study reports on the obligatory parasitism of water mites Arrenurus sp. on Anopheles messeae at the Manzhouli Port, Inner Mongolia, China. Methods Duing July 2024, a survey on the mosquito diversity was conducted at the Manzhouli Port. Captured mosquitoes and their ectoparasites were identified to species level. Results A total of 1840 adult mosquitoes were collected, representing species from three genera: Culex(Cx. modestus, Cx. pipiens pallens), Aedes(Ae. dorsalis, Ae. flavidorsalis, Ae. flavescens), and Anopheles (An. messeae). Among all the mosqutioes specimens,3 out of 150 captured An. messeae were found to carry ectoparasitic mites, with number of 2,4,27 mites separately. Morphological and molecular identification reached the same result as water mites(Hydrachnidiae, Hydracrina). COI gene sequence showed 94% similarity with the closest species Arrenurus truncatellus. Conlusions Literature review suggests water mites are host-specific parasitism of mosquito species and herein with the first record of Arrenurus sp. parasiting on An. Messeae in the most high-latitude region globally.

ObjectiveTo construct a vaccine literacy evaluation system for community adults and to provide a basis for developing vaccine literacy measurement tools. MethodsThe initial pool of vaccine literacy indicators was developed through a systematic literature review and group discussions, with reference to existing scales. Experts in immunization programs, disease control, epidemiology and related fields were invited to participate in two rounds of Delphi consultations. Indicators were screened and refined using importance scores, coefficients of variation, and full-score rates to form the evaluation system. Subsequently, selected indicators were converted into questionnaire items, and a convenience sample of community residents was surveyed for preliminary reliability and validity testing. ResultsA total of 25 experts participated in the consultation. The effective response rates for the two rounds of questionnaires were 100.00% and 92.00%, respectively, and the expert authority coefficient was 0.90. Kendall’s concordance coefficients (Kendall’s W) for the two rounds were 0.386 and 0.413, respectively (both P<0.001). In the second round, the overall scores for the indicators ranged from 4.04 to 5.00, with coefficients of variation ranging from 0 to 0.25. After two rounds of expert consultation and revision, a vaccine literacy evaluation index system was established, comprising 53 indicators across five dimensions, including knowledge, ability, decision-making, vaccine-specific literacy, and recommendation literacy. Selected Likert-scaled items were converted into a questionnaire for preliminary reliability and validity analyses among residents. The overall Cronbach’s α was 0.850, and the KMO value was 0.91. Exploratory factor analyses identified three common factors, explaining 54.8% of the total variance, with all factor loadings above 0.4. ConclusionThe vaccine literacy evaluation index system for community adults in Shanghai, developed in this study, can serve as a reference for comprehensive assessment of population vaccine literacy, community vaccine health education, and improvement of immunization services.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mRNA expression profile and clinical significance of the RAB24 gene in hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） based on multi-source database including The Cancer Genome Atlas （TCGA） and clinical cohort validation. MethodsData from TCGA （n=424） were utilized to evaluate the prognostic value of RAB24 expression via Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox regression models. An independent clinical cohort comprising 90 HCC and 30 paracancerous tissues was established to validate protein expression and histopathological features through immunohistochemistry （IHC） and routine histological staining. The TIMER database was employed to analyze the association between RAB24 and the tumor microenvironment （TME）. Furthermore， integrated with LinkedOmics， GSEA and GSVA algorithms were used to quantitatively characterize the core molecular pathways regulated by RAB24. ResultsThe mRNA expression level of RAB24 in HCC was significantly higher than that in non-tumor liver tissues （P<0.05）. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that the overall survival （OS） of patients in the RAB24 low-expression group was significantly longer compared to the high-expression group （HR=1.570， Log-rank P=0.01）. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis demonstrated that RAB24 expression （HR=1.480， P=0.028）， T stage （HR=2.949， P<0.001）， M stage （HR=4.077， P=0.017）， and tumor residual status （HR=2.317， P<0.001） were independent prognostic factors for HCC. RAB24 expression was highly correlated with alpha-fetoprotein （AFP） levels and immune infiltration levels （P<0.01）， and showed a significant， low-level positive correlation with the TP53 gene （Rho=0.31， P<0.01）. Quantitative analysis of the RAB24 protein in clinical samples validated that RAB24 expression in HCC tissues was significantly elevated compared to non-tumor liver tissues （P<0.05）. TIMER analysis confirmed that RAB24 expression was highly associated with the infiltration of multiple immune cells （such as B cells and NK cells）， as well as stromal and tumor purity scores in tumor tissues （P<0.01）. GSEA/GSVA enrichment revealed that the P53， MYC， and mTORC1 signaling pathways were activated in the RAB24 high-expression group； correlation analysis confirmed that the RAB24 expression level exhibited a significant， low-level positive correlation with the ribosome pathway activity score （r=0.23， P<0.01）. ConclusionsThe RAB24 gene， as a poor prognostic factor for HCC patients， is a potential biomarker for HCC diagnosis， treatment and prognosis. The study is expected to lay a theoretical foundation for the precise diagnosis and treatment of clinical HCC.

This study aims to reveal the effect and mechanism of Gentianella turkestanorum total extract(GTI) in ameliorating non-alcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH). UPLC-Q-TOF-MS was employed to identify the chemical components in GTI. SwissTarget-Prediction, GeneCards, OMIM, and TTD were utilized to screen the targets of GTI components and NASH. The common targets shared by GTI components and NASH were filtered through the STRING database and Cytoscape 3.9.0 to identify core targets, followed by GO and KEGG enrichment analysis. AutoDock was used for molecular docking of key components with core targets. A mouse model of NASH was established with a methionine-choline-deficient high-fat diet. A 4-week drug intervention was conducted, during which mouse weight was monitored, and the liver-to-brain ratio was measured at the end. Hematoxylin-eosin staining, Sirius red staining, and oil red O staining were employed to observe the pathological changes in the liver tissue. The levels of various biomarkers, including aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alanine aminotransferase(ALT), hydroxyproline(HYP), total cholesterol(TC), triglycerides(TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C), malondialdehyde(MDA), superoxide dismutase(SOD), and glutathione(GSH), in the serum and liver tissue were determined. RT-qPCR was conducted to measure the mRNA levels of interleukin 1β(IL-1β), interleukin 6(IL-6), tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α), collagen type I α1 chain(COL1A1), and α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA). Western blotting was conducted to determine the protein levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and potential drug targets identified through network pharmacology. UPLC-Q-TOF/MS identified 581 chemical components of GTI, and 534 targets of GTI and 1 157 targets of NASH were screened out. The topological analysis of the common targets shared by GTI and NASH identified core targets such as IL-1β, IL-6, protein kinase B(AKT), TNF, and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma(PPARG). GO and KEGG analyses indicated that the ameliorating effect of GTI on NASH was related to inflammatory responses and the phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3K)/AKT pathway. The staining results demonstrated that GTI ameliorated hepatocyte vacuolation, swelling, ballooning, and lipid accumulation in NASH mice. Compared with the model group, high doses of GTI reduced the AST, ALT, HYP, TC, and TG levels(P<0.01) while increasing the HDL-C, SOD, and GSH levels(P<0.01). RT-qPCR results showed that GTI down-regulated the mRNA levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, COL1A1, and α-SMA(P<0.01). Western blot results indicated that GTI down-regulated the protein levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, phosphorylated PI3K(p-PI3K), phosphorylated AKT(p-AKT), phosphorylated inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B alpha(p-IκBα), and nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB)(P<0.01). In summary, GTI ameliorates inflammation, dyslipidemia, and oxidative stress associated with NASH by regulating the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway.
Animals ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/genetics* ; Mice ; Network Pharmacology ; Male ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Liver/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Humans ; Mass Spectrometry ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Molecular Docking Simulation

Objective To analyze the PLCβ4 gene mRNA expression and its clinical significance in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) based on TCGA database. Methods Based on the data on 424 clinical samples (including 374 cases of HCC tissues and 50 cases of nontumor liver tissues) in the TCGA database, Kaplan–Meier method, Cox regression analysis, and immune infiltration analysis were performed to evaluate the relationship between PLCβ4 gene and the clinical characteristics and survival prognosis of HCC patients. Correlation analysis between PLCβ4 gene and 24 types of immune cells was applied to investigate the relationship between PLCβ4 gene and immune cell infiltration and mRNA expression level of TP53 gene, a high-frequency mutation gene in HCC. In addition, paraffin sections of highly, moderately, and poorly differentiated tumor tissues and normal liver tissues from HCC patients were collected. The histopathological observation was carried out via HE staining method, and the expression levels of PLCβ4 and Ki-67 proteins in each clinical sample were verified through the immunohistochemical method. Results The expression level of PLCβ4 gene in HCC was significantly higher than that in normal tissues (P<0.01), and all patients in the PLCβ4 high-expression group had a significantly longer overall survival than those in the low-expression group (P<0.05), which suggested that PLCβ4 substantially affected the prognosis of HCC patients. Correlation analysis showed that the expression level of PLCβ4 gene was highly correlated with immune cell infiltration and the expression level of TP53 gene. As verified by clinical sample experiments, HE staining experiments and immunohistochemical results revealed that PLCβ4 gene expression in HCC tissue samples was significantly higher than that in normal tissues (P<0.001), and it was negatively correlated with the degree of differentiation. Conclusion PLCβ4 may serve as an independent prognostic factor in HCC and is expected to be a novel molecular target for HCC treatment.

BACKGROUND: The available evidence regarding the benefits of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on patients receiving dialysis with coronary artery disease (CAD) is limited and inconsistent. This study aimed to evaluate the association between PCI and clinical outcomes as compared with medical therapy alone in patients undergoing dialysis with CAD in China. METHODS: This multicenter, retrospective study was conducted in 30 tertiary medical centers across 12 provinces in China from January 2015 to June 2021 to include patients on dialysis with CAD. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), defined as a composite of cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and non-fatal stroke. Secondary outcomes included all-cause death, the individual components of MACE, and Bleeding Academic Research Consortium criteria types 2, 3, or 5 bleeding. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess the association between PCI and outcomes. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) and propensity score matching (PSM) were performed to account for potential between-group differences. RESULTS: Of the 1146 patients on dialysis with significant CAD, 821 (71.6%) underwent PCI. After a median follow-up of 23.0 months, PCI was associated with a 43.0% significantly lower risk for MACE (33.9% [ n  = 278] vs . 43.7% [ n  = 142]; adjusted hazards ratio 0.57, 95% confidence interval 0.45-0.71), along with a slightly increased risk for bleeding outcomes that did not reach statistical significance (11.1% vs . 8.3%; adjusted hazards ratio 1.31, 95% confidence interval, 0.82-2.11). Furthermore, PCI was associated with a significant reduction in all-cause and cardiovascular mortalities. Subgroup analysis did not modify the association of PCI with patient outcomes. These primary findings were consistent across IPTW, PSM, and competing risk analyses. CONCLUSION This study indicated that PCI in patients on dialysis with CAD was significantly associated with lower MACE and mortality when comparing with those with medical therapy alone, albeit with a slightly increased risk for bleeding events that did not reach statistical significance.
Humans ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention/methods* ; Male ; Female ; Coronary Artery Disease/drug therapy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Renal Dialysis/methods* ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; China ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: The study aim was to investigate the effects of exposure to multiple environmental organic pollutants on cardiopulmonary health with a focus on the potential mediating role of oxidative stress. METHODS: A repeated-measures randomized crossover study involving healthy college students in Beijing was conducted. Biological samples, including morning urine and venous blood, were collected to measure concentrations of 29 typical organic pollutants, including hydroxy polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (OH-PAHs), bisphenol A and its substitutes, phthalates and their metabolites, parabens, and five biomarkers of oxidative stress. Health assessments included blood pressure measurements and lung function indicators. RESULTS: Urinary concentrations of 2-hydroxyphenanthrene (2-OH-PHE) ( β = 4.35% [95% confidence interval ( CI): 0.85%, 7.97%]), 3-hydroxyphenanthrene ( β = 3.44% [95% CI: 0.19%, 6.79%]), and 4-hydroxyphenanthrene (4-OH-PHE) ( β = 5.78% [95% CI: 1.27%, 10.5%]) were significantly and positively associated with systolic blood pressure. Exposures to 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OH-PYR) ( β = 3.05% [95% CI: -4.66%, -1.41%]), 2-OH-PHE ( β = 2.68% [95% CI: -4%, -1.34%]), and 4-OH-PHE ( β = 3% [95% CI: -4.68%, -1.29%]) were negatively associated with the ratio of forced expiratory volume in the first second to forced vital capacity. These findings highlight the adverse effects of exposure to multiple pollutants on cardiopulmonary health. Biomarkers of oxidative stress, including 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine and extracellular superoxide dismutase, mediated the effects of multiple OH-PAHs on blood pressure and lung function. CONCLUSION Exposure to multiple organic pollutants can adversely affect cardiopulmonary health. Oxidative stress is a key mediator of the effects of OH-PAHs on blood pressure and lung function.
Humans ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Male ; Cross-Over Studies ; Female ; Young Adult ; Environmental Pollutants/toxicity* ; Environmental Exposure/adverse effects* ; Biomarkers/blood* ; Adult ; Blood Pressure/drug effects* ; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons/urine* ; Beijing

BACKGROUND:Ankle fracture complicated with deltoid ligament injury is clinically common,and one stage repair of deltoid ligament with internal fracture fixation has gradually become a main therapeutic method,which can significantly reduce the long-term complications of ankle joint.In recent years,new progress has been made in anatomical structure characteristics and dynamic biomechanical research of deltoid ligament,thus greatly improving repairing techniques for injury in the deep layer of deltoid ligament,but there are still some controversies.OBJECTIVE:To explore the clinical efficacy of suture anchor and medial malleolus repair in the treatment of ankle joint fractures with the deep layer of deltoid ligament.METHODS:A total of 56 patients with ankle joint fractures and complete fracture of the deep and superficial layer of deltoid ligament treated in Affiliated Haikou Hospital,Xiangya School of Medicine,Central South University from January 2017 to January 2022 were selected,and they were divided into two groups according to different treatment methods in repairing the deep layer of deltoid ligament with suture anchor:suture anchor repair group(n=32)and medial malleolus repair group(n=24).The medial clear space of ankle joint and American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society Score of patients in the two groups were evaluated before and after operative treatment.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)All the 56 patients finished the surgery smoothly and were followed up for more than 12 months after operation.Their ankle fracture healed,and the time for fracture healing was 8-12 weeks,with a mean of 10.5 weeks.(2)The medial clear space of ankle joint in the two groups 12 months after operation was remarkably narrower than that before operation,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.001).The medial clear space of ankle joint in the two groups maintained a normal range 12 months after operation,and there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups(P＞0.05).(3)The AOFAS scale of patients in the two groups 6 and 12 months after operation was obviously bigger than that before operation(P＜0.001),but there was no statistically significant difference in the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society Score of patients between the two groups at corresponding time points(P＞0.05).(4)It is concluded that both suture anchor and medial malleolus repair in the treatment of injury in the deep layer of deltoid ligament can recover the medial clear space of ankle joint,effectively keep the stability of ankle,and thus achieve good clinical efficacy.

Objective:To report the blood group antigen and antibody specificity identification methods for a patient with high-frequency antibodies, and the process of finding and providing compatible blood for the patient.Methods:A patient sent from the Blood Transfusion Department of Shanxi Provincial People′s Hospital to Taiyuan Blood Center in November 2022 was selected for the study. Classical serological methods were used to determine the patient′s blood type, screen for unexpected antibodies, identify antibodies, and perform crossmatching. High-frequency antibody identification was carried out using red blood cells treated with various enzymes. Blood group genotyping was conducted using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) and Sanger sequencing. Multiple strategies were employed to address the patient′s blood source problem. The study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Taiyuan Blood Center [Ethics No. 2024 Ethics Review No.(2)].Results:①The patient′s blood type was B, RhD positive. Initial screening of the patient′s serum with multiple screening cells and antibody identification cells in saline medium was negative, but positive in antiglobulin medium. The patient′s serum showed varying reaction intensities with red blood cells treated with different enzymes. ②MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and Sanger sequencing revealed a homozygous nonsense variant c. 376C>T (p.Gln126Ter) in the ABCG2 gene, resulting in the Jr(a-) phenotype. During family donor selection, the patient′s son was found to have a heterozygous variant c. 376C>T (p.Gln126Ter), and another heterozygous variant c. 421C>A (p.Gln141Lys), which predicted a Jr(a+ w) phenotype. ③Crossmatch tests confirmed the compatibility of blood from the patient′s son, which was used to address the urgent blood requirement. Later, rare blood from a Jr(a-) donor from the Guangzhou Blood Center was used for the patient′s ongoing treatment, saving the patient′s life. Conclusion:Combining classic serological testing with blood group gene typing techniques successfully identified the rare Jr(a-) blood type and high-frequency anti-Jra antibodies. Enzyme-treated red blood cell identification methods confirmed the presence of anti-Jra antibodies. By searching within the family and seeking help from other blood centers, compatible blood was found. This approach may provide insights for resolving similar complex blood matching problems in the future.