Objective:To prepare pullulan-spermine (PS)-poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) conjugated with CD3 antibody, and to investigate their effects on T cell proliferation and cytokine secretion.Methods:Purulan polysaccharide was sperminized to synthesize PS, hydrophobically modified, and then grafted with PLGA to synthesize PS-PLGA. Infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance hydrogen spectrum were used to characterize the structure of PS-PLGA. PS-PLGA NPs were prepared by ultrasonic dialysis method and then coupled with CD3 antibody to prepare PS-PLGA-CD3 NPs. The morphological features of PS-PLGA-CD3 NPs were observed by the transmission electron microscope. The particle sizes, Zeta potential and dispersive coefficient of the NPs were measured using the dynamic laser particle size analyzer. The amount of coupled CD3 antibody on the surface of the NPs was determined using quantitative fluorescence analysis method. The effects of 1, 10, 50, 100, and 200 μg/ml PS-PLGA-CD3 NPs on T-cell proliferation were determined using cell counting kit-8 method. The effects of 1, 10, 50, 100, 200 μg/ml PS-PLGA-CD3 NPs on secretion of interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-2 (IL-2), and tumor necrosis factor-β (TNF-β) by T cell were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Comparisons were made using independent sample t-test or one-factor analysis of variance. Results:Pullulan and PS showed strong absorption at 2 939 cm ?1, and PS had a weaker absorption peak at 3 384 cm ?1 than pullulan. The proton peaks of spermine appeared at chemical shifts of 1.25 to 1.50, 1.63, and 2.25 to 2.75. The characteristic peaks of PLGA appeared at chemical shifts of 1.50, 3.40, and 4.80 to 5.30. Compared to pullulan, the characteristic peaks of both PS and PLGA appeared in the corresponding intervals for PS-PLGA. The morphology of PS-PLGA-CD3 NPs with spermine substitution at 9.7% was all regular and circular, with a mean particle size of (173.3±24.5) nm, a Zeta potential of (?12.78±3.68) mV, the dispersive coefficient of 0.254±0.101, and the CD3 antibody mass fraction of (52.1±9.4) μg/mg. The differences in cell survival were statistically significant for PS-PLGA-CD3 NPs and PS-PLGA NPs, respectively, after co-incubation with T cell after 24, 48, and 72 h at concentrations of 50, 100, and 200 μg/ml, respectively (all P<0.05). The results of the three concentration comparisons after 24 h of co-incubation were [(129.8±23.1)% vs (95.5±8.9)%, (137.5±22.7)% vs (95.1±15.8)%, and (142.3±25.6)% vs (93.2±9.2)%]; and the results after 48 h were [(145.9±23.7)% vs (95.8±10.6)%, (149.3±23.5)% vs (94.9±16.3)%, and (161.2±26.9)% vs (91.5±8.3)%]; and the results after 72 h were [(147.6±20.1)% vs (95.9±17.8)%, (152.4±22.3)% vs (92.7±16.5)%, and (167.7±25.4)% vs (90.8±17.4)%]. The differences in the levels of IFN-γ, IL-2 and TNF-β were statistically significant (all P<0.05 or 0.01) at 50, 100 and 200 μg/ml concentrations for PS-PLGA-CD3 NPs and PS-PLGA NPs, respectively. For IFN-γ, the results of the comparison of the three concentrations were [(35.7±3.1) ng/ml vs (16.4±6.9) ng/ml, (67.3±5.2) ng/ml vs (19.6±2.8) ng/ml, and (79.0±4.2) ng/ml vs (19.3±2.3) ng/ml]; and for IL-2, the results were [(43.5±8.2) ng/ml vs (12.6±1.9) ng/ml, (53.5±7.8) ng/ml vs (15.8±3.3) ng/ml, and (64.0±8.2) ng/ml vs (17.4±3.8) ng/ml]; and for TNF-β, the results were [(108.4±18.9) pg/ml vs (40.8±1.3) pg/ml, (152.3±28.3) pg/ml vs (56.4±3.7) pg/ml and (185.0±33.6) pg/ml vs (81.6±10.2) pg/ml]. Conclusions:PS-PLGA-CD3 NPs are successfully prepared, which have the function of effectively promoting T cell proliferation and cytokine sectetion.

Objective:To analyze the implementation and effectiveness of standardized training for medical aesthetic practitioners in Guangdong province from 2015 to 2023.Methods:Training data from 2015 to 2023 were retrospectively collected from programs organized by the Guangdong Medical Association, including sessions in aesthetic surgery, dermatology, dentistry, traditional Chinese medicine, laser aesthetics, and injectable aesthetics. The training implementation was summarized. A random sample of 120 trainees was selected to complete a questionnaire to assess training outcomes.Results:A total of 45 offline standardized training sessions were held, covering both theoretical and practical instruction. The total training duration reached 180 days, involving 6 776 participant attendances. Aesthetic surgery accounted for the highest number (1 701 attendances), followed by aesthetic dermatology (1 197 attendances). Among specialized technical programs, laser aesthetics (1 708 attendances) and injectable aesthetics (1 578 attendances) had the most participants. Most trainees (5 705 attendances) were physicians from tertiary public general hospitals. A total of 116 questionnaires were collected, with 115 participants expressing satisfaction with the course content, teaching arrangement, and training materials. All trainees passed the skills assessment and received training certificates.Conclusions:The standardized training for medical aesthetic practitioners in Guangdong province from 2015 to 2023 has been well implemented and shows favorable outcomes. It contributes to improving the technical competence of professionals in the medical aesthetics field.

Objective:To analyze the implementation and effectiveness of standardized training for medical aesthetic practitioners in Guangdong province from 2015 to 2023.Methods:Training data from 2015 to 2023 were retrospectively collected from programs organized by the Guangdong Medical Association, including sessions in aesthetic surgery, dermatology, dentistry, traditional Chinese medicine, laser aesthetics, and injectable aesthetics. The training implementation was summarized. A random sample of 120 trainees was selected to complete a questionnaire to assess training outcomes.Results:A total of 45 offline standardized training sessions were held, covering both theoretical and practical instruction. The total training duration reached 180 days, involving 6 776 participant attendances. Aesthetic surgery accounted for the highest number (1 701 attendances), followed by aesthetic dermatology (1 197 attendances). Among specialized technical programs, laser aesthetics (1 708 attendances) and injectable aesthetics (1 578 attendances) had the most participants. Most trainees (5 705 attendances) were physicians from tertiary public general hospitals. A total of 116 questionnaires were collected, with 115 participants expressing satisfaction with the course content, teaching arrangement, and training materials. All trainees passed the skills assessment and received training certificates.Conclusions:The standardized training for medical aesthetic practitioners in Guangdong province from 2015 to 2023 has been well implemented and shows favorable outcomes. It contributes to improving the technical competence of professionals in the medical aesthetics field.

ObjectiveHost mitochondrial DNA （mtDNA） and chloroplast DNA （cpDNA） contamination severely affects high-throughput sequencing of endophytic bacteria in plants. This study aims to explore and evaluate a novel strategy of inhibiting host gene amplification in high-throughput sequencing of endophytic bacteria in medicinal plants. MethodGreen Shield Sequencing （GSS） was introduced in the 16S rDNA polymerase chain reaction （PCR） of endophytic bacteria to shield the non-target amplification of genes in the host （Ligusticum chuanxiong）. The performance was compared between GSS-PCR and conventional PCR in the high-throughput sequencing of endophytic bacteria and rhizosphere soil bacteria. ResultCompared with conventional PCR， GSS-PCR significantly reduced the amplification of mtDNA and cpDNA in L. chuanxiong in high-throughput sequencing， decreasing the non-target genes by more than 60%. Moreover， this strategy significantly increased the diversity of endophytic bacteria and multiplied the species without compromising the extraction of the information about the dominant bacteria. The GSS amplification of 16S rDNA V4 region of L. chuanxiong showed lower host contamination rate and higher endophytic bacterial diversity than that of V3-V4 regions. ConclusionGSS can significantly reduce host gene contamination in the high-throughput sequencing of L. chuanxiong endophytic bacteria and improve the accuracy of endophytic bacterial diversity analysis at the same sequencing depth， thus improving the high-throughput analysis quality of endophytic bacteria in plants. Accordingly， this strategy improves the feasibility and reliability of high-throughput sequencing for the 16S rDNA V3-V4 and V4 regions of endophytic bacteria. GSS used in this study provides a method reference for studying the endophytic bacteria in other medicinal plants.

Objectives To analyze the spatial and temporal aggregation of multidrug resistant pulmonary tuberculosis (MDR-TB) incidence in Nanning at the township / street scale from 2017 to 2021, to explore the spatial and temporal characteristics of the spread of MDR-TB in Nanning, and to provide a scientific reference basis for the health administrative departments to achieve the precise implementation of MDR-TB prevention and control. Methods Based on the data of MDR-TB cases in Nanning from 2017 to 2021, the spatial-temporal scanning analysis software SaTScan v9.7 was used to retrospectively detect and analyze the areas where MDR-TB cases gathered. Results Through simple spatial scanning analysis, it was found that there were three first-class aggregation areas (the aggregation center was Fujiayuan Street, Jiangnan District, 2017, Xinyang Street, Xixiangtang District, 2019, and Zhonghe Town, Yongning District, 2020), and one second-class aggregation area (the aggregation center was Jinchai Town, Mashan County, 2020). Simple time scanning showed that the clustering occurred from May 2019 to December 2020. Temporal and spatial aggregation analysis showed that Xinyang Street in Xixiangtang District was the center of the first-class aggregation area, Zhonghe Town in Yongning District was the center of the second-class aggregation area, and Jinchai Town in Mashan County was the center of the third-class aggregation area. Conclusion The multidrug resistant pulmonary tuberculosis epidemic in Nanning is distributed in an aggregated manner, especially in Xinyang Street, Xixiangtang District, which has the highest spatial and temporal aggregation. It is necessary to focus on and take regional prevention and control measures to control the epidemic.

Objective To study the role of ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme 9(UBC9)in the pyroptosis of homocysteine-induced macrophages mediated by small ubiquitin-like modifier(SUMO)modification.Methods First,the effects of homocysteine at different concentrations(0 μmol/L,50 μ.mol/L,100 μmol/L,150 μmol/L and 200 μmol/L)on the viability and pyrodeath of mouse macrophages(RAW264.7)were detected by CCK-8 and Western blot.Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of UBC9,SUMO-1,and the inflammatory cytokine IL-1β in different groups of cells.qRT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of UBC9 before and after RNA interference and the expression of UBC9,pyrogen-related protein,and SUMO-1 after RNA interference.Results After stimulation with 100 μmol/L homocysteine,the effect of macrophage activity was minimal,and NLRP3 and Caspase-1 were the proteins with the most obvious increase in expression(P＜0.05).Compared with the Control group,the Hcy group's expression of IL-1β and SUMO-1 was increased(P＜0.01).Compared with the Control group,the Hcy group's UBC9 protein and mRNA levels were increased(P＜0.05).The expression of NLRP3,Caspase-1,IL-1β,UBC9,and SUMO-1 was decreased in the si-UBC9+Hcy group compared with the si-NC+Hcy group(P＜0.01).Conclusions Homocysteine induces pyroptosis in macrophages,and its mechanism of action is related to the up-regulation of UBC9 to induce SUMO modification.

AIM:To investigate the role of specific long noncoding RNA SLC25a6(lncSLC25a6)in homocys-teine(Hcy)-induced cuproptosis in cardiomyocytes.METHODS:Rat cardiomyocytes were cultured in vitro and divided into control group and Hcy group.After 48 h of intervention,the expression levels of cuproptosis-related proteins,ferre-doxin 1(FDX1)and heat shock protein 70(HSP70),were detected by Western blot and immunofluorescence staining.The oxidative stress state of cardiomyocytes was assessed using fluorescence staining,and the intracellular Cu2+levels were measured using a copper ion assay kit.Furthermore,the impact of Hcy on the expression of cuproptosis-related proteins in cardiomyocytes was analyzed following overexpression of lncSLC25a6.RESULTS:Compared with the control group,80 μmol/L Hcy significantly accelerated cardiomyocyte damage,with a notable underexpression of lncSLC25a6(P<0.05).Western blot results indicated that,compared with the control group,the expression level of FDX1 in the Hcy intervention group was significantly reduced(P<0.05),while the expression level of HSP70 was significantly elevated(P<0.05),and the expression level of copper ions in cardiomyocytes of the Hcy group was increased(P<0.05).Immunofluorescence staining showed a significant reduction in FDX1 fluorescence intensity and a significant increase in HSP70 fluorescence in-tensity in the Hcy group.Further overexpression of lncSLC25a6 significantly mitigated Hcy-induced cuproptosis in cardio-myocytes,resulting in elevated expression of FDX1 and reduced expression of HSP70(P<0.05).Pearson correlation analysis demonstrated that the expression level of lncSLC25a6 was negatively correlated with FDX1 protein expression(r=-0.676,P=0.046)and positively correlated with HSP70 expression(r=0.680,P=0.044).CONCLUSION:lnc-SLC25a6 significantly mitigates Hcy-induced cuproptosis in cardiomyocytes,positioning it as a potential therapeutic target for managing Hcy-induced cardiac injury.

Objective To investigate the association between primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and colorectal cancer (CRC) by using two-sample Mendelian randomization (TSMR). Methods The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data associated with PSC and CRC were obtained from Finland Biobank and UK Biobank, respectively. A secondary data analysis was performed for all pooled data based on genome-wide association studies to select the genetic loci closely associated with PSC as instrumental variables, and TSMR was conducted by seven methods, i.e., Egger regression in Mendelian randomization, weighted median, inverse variance weighted (IVW) random effects model, maximum likelihood, linear weighted median, IVW radial method, and IVW fixed effects model. Odds ratio (OR) value was used to evaluate the causal relationship between PSC and the risk of CRC. Results There was a positive causal relationship between gene predicted PSC and CRC, and with the IVW fixed effects model as an example, genetically determined patients with PSC could increase the risk of CRC ( OR =1.002 243, 95% confidence interval: 1.001 319-1.003 167). TSMR results showed no heterogeneity ( P =0.87) or horizontal pleiotropy ( P =0.95). The three instrumental variables selected for PSC were strong instrumental variables ( F =11.86). Conclusion TSMR shows the genetic evidence for the association between PSC and the risk of CRC. Regardless of the presence or absence of inflammatory bowel disease, active enteroscopy screening among patients with PSC may help with the early identification and timely intervention of CRC.

BACKGROUND: Microsatellite instability (MSI) is a key biomarker for cancer immunotherapy and prognosis. Integration of MSI testing into a next-generation-sequencing (NGS) panel could save tissue sample, reduce turn-around time and cost, and provide MSI status and comprehensive genomic profiling in single test. We aimed to develop an MSI calling model to detect MSI status along with the NGS panel-based profiling test using tumor-only samples. METHODS: From January 2019 to December 2020, a total of 174 colorectal cancer (CRC) patients were enrolled, including 31 MSI-high (MSI-H) and 143 microsatellite stability (MSS) cases. Among them, 56 paired tumor and normal samples (10 MSI-H and 46 MSS) were used for modeling, and another 118 tumor-only samples were used for validation. MSI polymerase chain reaction (MSI-PCR) was performed as the gold standard. A baseline was built for the selected microsatellite loci using the NGS data of 56 normal blood samples. An MSI detection model was constructed by analyzing the NGS data of tissue samples. The performance of the model was compared with the results of MSI-PCR. RESULTS: We first intersected the target genomic regions of the NGS panels used in this study to select common microsatellite loci. A total of 42 loci including 23 mononucleotide repeat sites and 19 longer repeat sites were candidates for modeling. As mononucleotide repeat sites are more sensitive and specific for detecting MSI status than sites with longer length motif and the mononucleotide repeat sites performed even better than the total sites, a model containing 23 mononucleotide repeat sites was constructed and named Colorectal Cancer Microsatellite Instability test (CRC-MSI). The model achieved 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity when compared with MSI-PCR in both training and validation sets. Furthermore, the CRC-MSI model was robust with the tumor content as low as 6%. In addition, 8 out of 10 MSI-H samples showed alternations in the four mismatch repair genes ( MLH1 , MSH2 , MSH6 , and PMS2 ). CONCLUSION MSI status can be accurately determined along the targeted NGS panels using only tumor samples. The performance of mononucleotide repeat sites surpasses loci with longer repeat motif in MSI calling.
Humans ; Microsatellite Instability ; Colorectal Neoplasms/diagnosis* ; Microsatellite Repeats/genetics* ; DNA Mismatch Repair

Aristolochic acids (AAs) have long been considered as a potent carcinogen due to its nephrotoxicity. Aristolochic acid I (AAI) reacts with DNA to form covalent aristolactam (AL)-DNA adducts, leading to subsequent A to T transversion mutation, commonly referred as AA mutational signature. Previous research inferred that AAs were widely implicated in liver cancer throughout Asia. In this study, we explored whether AAs exposure was the main cause of liver cancer in the context of HBV infection in mainland China. Totally 1256 liver cancer samples were randomly retrieved from 3 medical centers and a refined bioanalytical method was used to detect AAI-DNA adducts. 5.10% of these samples could be identified as AAI positive exposure. Whole genome sequencing suggested 8.41% of 107 liver cancer patients exhibited the dominant AA mutational signature, indicating a relatively low overall AAI exposure rate. In animal models, long-term administration of AAI barely increased liver tumorigenesis in adult mice, opposite from its tumor-inducing role when subjected to infant mice. Furthermore, AAI induced dose-dependent accumulation of AA-DNA adduct in target organs in adult mice, with the most detected in kidney instead of liver. Taken together, our data indicate that AA exposure was not the major threat of liver cancer in adulthood.