BackgroundThe violent aggressive behaviors of patients with schizophrenia usually have the characteristics of suddenness， unpredictability， high severity， and great difficulty in prevention. Early identification and accurate assessment of their risk of violent aggression have significant clinical significance. ObjectiveTo construct a predictive model for the violence risk in hospitalized patients with schizophrenia， to identify the key factors influencing the occurrence of violent behavior in these patients， so as to provide references for clinical precise quantitative assessment and early intervention. MethodsA total of 200 patients with schizophrenia who were hospitalized at Taiyuan Psychiatric Hospital from March 2022 to September 2024 and met the diagnostic criteria of the International Classification of Diseases， eleventh edition （ICD-11） were collected to form the modeling cohort. They were randomly divided into a training set （n=140） and a test set （n=60） at a ratio of 7∶3. Based on the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator （LASSO） regression algorithm， the feature variables were screened and dimension-reduced. The support vector machine （SVM） from machine learning was selected for model training and prediction. The discrimination efficacy of the model was evaluated by the area under the receiver operating characteristic （ROC） curve （AUC）， accuracy， precision， sensitivity， specificity， F1 value， and Brier value. ResultsLASSO regression screening identified 16 feature variables. Pearson correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation between prior violent behavior frequency and clinical psychiatric symptom scores （r=0.580， P<0.01）， a positive correlation between hospitalization compliance and current disease status （r=0.550， P=0.003）， and a positive correlation between educational level and family per capita monthly income （r=0.367， P<0.01）. The SVM model achieved an AUC of 0.853， accuracy of 0.800， precision of 0.810， sensitivity of 0.895， specificity of 0.636， F1 value of 0.850， and Brier value of 0.168. ConclusionThe SVM model has a relatively high level of applicability and overall predictive performance in the assessment of violent risk in schizophrenia patients， which is helpful for the early identification of violent risks in such patients. ［Funded by Specialized Research Project for Enhancing the Competence of Health Professionals in Taiyuan City （number， Y2023006）］

ObjectiveThe malaria parasites remodel the host erythrocyte structure by exporting parasite proteins that interact with the membrane skeleton proteins of red blood cells (RBCs), facilitating their intracellular survival and pathogenicity. Skeleton-binding protein 1 (SBP1) is a conserved exported protein across Plasmodium species. In Plasmodium falciparum, SBP1 has been reported to interact with erythrocyte membrane skeleton proteins 4.1R and spectrin, while its contribution to erythrocyte remodeling and parasite virulence in Plasmodium berghei (Pb) remains unclear. This study aims to determine whether PbSBP1 associates with the host cytoskeletal protein 4.1R and to investigate its role in the remodeling of host RBCs and the pathogenicity of Plasmodium berghei. MethodsIn Plasmodium berghei, the relationship between PbSBP1 and the erythrocyte cytoskeletal protein 4.1R was examined using co-immunoprecipitation. A Pbsbp1 gene knockout mutant of Plasmodium berghei (Pbsbp1∆) was generated based on the principle of double crossover homologous recombination. The deformability of erythrocytes infected with Pbsbp1∆ parasites was assessed using microfluidic methods. Microchannels with an array of cylindrical pillars were used to detect modifications in infected RBC deformability. The infected RBCs were squashed between the rows and recovered between the columns and the transit velocity (μm/s) of infected RBCs travelling through the microchannel was recorded. The component of the erythrocyte membrane skeleton junctional complex, tropomodulin (TMOD), was fluorescently labeled, and the cytoskeletal network of infected erythrocytes was imaged using super-resolution stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (STORM) to analyze ultrastructural changes in the cytoskeleton of wild-type (WT) and Pbsbp1∆-infected erythrocytes. Actin-based junctional complexes were displayed as individual clusters by the labeled TMOD in the STORM images, and the cluster densities and distances between adjacent clusters of infected RBCs were calculated. Additionally, rodent malaria models (BALB/c mice) and experimental cerebral malaria models (C57BL/6 mice) were employed to monitor the growth of Pbsbp1∆ and WT parasites during the intraerythrocytic stage and their capacity to induce cerebral malaria in mice. ResultsPbSBP1 may participate in the remodeling of infected erythrocytes through direct or indirect interaction with the erythrocyte cytoskeletal protein 4.1R. Microfluidic assays revealed that the deformability of erythrocytes infected with Pbsbp1∆ parasites was significantly enhanced compared to those infected with WT parasites. STORM imaging further demonstrated that the ultrastructure of the erythrocyte cytoskeleton in Pbsbp1∆-infected cells was altered relative to that in WT-infected erythrocytes. The distances between nearest neighbors of clusters had a tendency to increase while the cluster densities were decreased in Pbsbp1∆-infected RBCs compared to WT-infected RBCs. Subsequent phenotypic analysis indicated that the growth rate of Pbsbp1∆ parasites during the intraerythrocytic stage was significantly slower than that of WT parasites, and their ability to induce cerebral malaria in mice was also attenuated. These findings suggest that PbSBP1 is involved in the remodeling of the erythrocyte membrane skeleton, likely through its direct or indirect interaction with protein 4.1R, thereby regulating the deformability of infected erythrocytes and influencing the pathogenicity of the blood-stage parasites. ConclusionThis study establishes a role for PbSBP1 in host erythrocyte remodeling and parasite virulence, providing new research strategies for the prevention and treatment of malaria.

Background: Malignant pleural effusion (MPE), a common complication of advanced cancers, is associated with poor prognosis and reduced quality of life. Although host–tumor interactions are known to drive MPE development, the associated immune dynamics during disease progression remain unclear. Using a Lewis lung carcinoma-induced MPE model in C57BL/6JNidfc mice, we systematically evaluated general parameters and immune cell changes at two-day intervals throughout disease progression. Results: The day of Lewis lung carcinoma cell injection into the pleural space was designated as day 0. By day 10 post-injection (p.i.), MPE-bearing mice exhibited ~ 10% body weight loss, marking the experimental endpoint. Pleural tumor mass and pleural effusion volume were minimal up to day 4 p.i. but increased sharply from day 6 onward.CD45⁺ immune cell counts rose over time, and days 6, 8, and 10 p.i. marked key stages of MPE progression. On day 6, B cells, T cells, and natural killer cells, but not macrophages and neutrophils, increased significantly compared to earlier timepoints. By day 8, all immune cell subsets except T cells exceeded day 6 levels, and at day 10, natural killer cell numbers declined while others continued to increase. Besides, the numbers of CD8⁺ T cells, Th1 cells, regulatory T cells, and M2 macrophages progressively increased from day 6 to 10. Based on these data, days 6 and 10 were defined as early and advanced MPE stages, respectively, with distinct immune phenotypes. In advanced MPE, CD8⁺ T cells displayed reduced IFN-γ, TNF-α, Granzyme B, Perforin, FasL, and Ki-67, but upregulated PD-1 and CTLA-4 relative to early stage. Similarly, Th1 cells showed decreased IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-2 production along with reduced Ki-67 expression. Advanced-stage M2 macrophages exhibited lower MHC-II levels and impaired phagocytosis, but higher PD-L1 and IL-10 production, while neutrophils showed reduced TNF-α release and phagocytic activity. Conclusions Our findings characterize the temporal immune dynamics associated with MPE progression in a mouse model, revealing a transition from an early immunostimulatory state to a late immunosuppressive state. This study enhances our understanding of MPE immunopathogenesis and provides a foundation for developing precise, stagespecific therapeutic strategies.

ObjectiveType I interferon (IFN-I) signaling is essential for antiviral innate immunity, yet its sustained or excessive activation contributes to the pathogenesis of several autoimmune diseases and interferonopathies, such as systemic lupus erythematosus and Aicardi-Goutières syndrome. Current strategies targeting this pathway, exemplified by JAK inhibitors, act mainly on downstream signal transduction and provide limited direct control over upstream IFN-I production, while also carrying the risk of broad immunosuppression. Phyllanthus emblica L. has long been used in traditional medicine for inflammatory disorders, but the bioactive constituent responsible for its regulation of IFN-I signaling and the underlying molecular mechanism have not been clearly defined. This study aimed to identify the active anti-inflammatory component of P. emblica and to characterize its mechanism of action on the IFN-I pathway in macrophages. MethodsActive components ofP. emblica and their candidate targets were screened by network pharmacology using the TCMSP and DrugBank databases (oral bioavailability≥30%, drug-likeness≥0.18) and intersected with inflammation-related genes retrieved from public databases. The predicted interaction between EGCG and IFN-I pathway proteins (TBK1, IRF3, STAT1) was evaluated by molecular docking, with BX795 and GSK8612 used as reference TBK1 inhibitors. Mechanistic experiments were performed in THP-1-derived macrophages and primary bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM). Upstream signaling was activated by transfection of the nucleic acid analogs poly(I∶C) and poly(dA∶dT) or by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation, whereas downstream signaling was activated by exogenous IFN-β. An siRNA-mediated TREX1 knockdown model was used to mimic endogenous nucleic acid-driven interferonopathy. Expression of IFN-β1 and interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) was measured by RT-qPCR, protein phosphorylation by Western blot, and IFN-β secretion by ELISA. Cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) and drug affinity responsive target stability (DARTS) were used to probe the interactionbetween EGCG and IRF3. ResultsNetwork pharmacology identified (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) as a candidate IFN-I-suppressive constituent of P. emblica, with predicted binding to TBK1, IRF3, and STAT1. Molecular docking yielded binding energies of -9.2, -7.2, and -8.2 kcal/mol for TBK1, IRF3, and STAT1, respectively, indicating an affinity for TBK1 comparable to that of the reference inhibitors BX795 (-5.7 kcal/mol) and GSK8612 (-6.4 kcal/mol). EGCG suppressed IFN-β1 and ISG mRNA expression under poly (I∶C), poly (dA∶dT), and LPS stimulation in both THP-1 macrophages and BMDM. At the protein level, EGCG reduced the phosphorylation of TBK1 and IRF3 without affecting the levels of the upstream sensors cGAS and RIG-I, and lowered IFN-β secretion in a concentration-dependent manner. CETSA and DARTS showed that EGCG did not enhance the thermal stability or protease resistance of IRF3, indicating that its effect on IRF3 is indirect. Following IFN-β stimulation, prolonged EGCG treatment reduced STAT1 phosphorylation in a time-dependent manner without an apparent change in IRF9, and partially attenuated ISG transcription; this effect was not monotonicly concentration-dependent, and CXCL10 showed the most consistent suppression. In TREX1-knockdown cells, the elevated mRNA levels of ISG15, ISG56, and CXCL10 were reduced by EGCG. ConclusionEGCG suppresses IFN-I responses by concurrently inhibiting TBK1-IRF3-dependent IFN‑β production and JAK-STAT1-mediated downstream transcription. These in vitro findings provide a mechanistic basis for the anti-inflammatory use of P. emblica in traditional medicine and identify EGCG as a candidate for further evaluation in interferon-driven autoimmune disease models.

Objective To examine the expression pattern of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1(ASK1)in the intestinal tissues of patients with Crohn's disease(CD),and analyze its mechanistic impact on intestinal epithelial barrier function and inflammatory responses.Methods Ileal tissue samples from Crohn's disease patients and healthy controls were collected.ASK1 protein level was assessed by immunohistochemistry,and its relationship with the Crohn's disease activity index(CDAI)was analyzed.A mouse model of acute colitis was constructed using TNBS,and subjected to qRT-PCR,Western blotting and immunohistochemistry for ASK1 expression,and the association between ASK1 expression and the disease activity index was examined.Lentivirus transfection was employed to create stable Caco-2 cell lines with altered ASK1 expression,and the intestinal barrier integrity and inflammation were assessed by measuring transepithelial electrical resistance(TEER),FITC-dextran leakage,and IL-6,IL-1β levels.Furthermore,the effects of ASK1 expression on Krüppel-like factor 4(KLF4)levels was examined using qRT-PCR and Western blotting.Results ASK1 was highly expressed in the ileum of CD patients and positively correlated with CDAI.In a TNBS-induced mouse model of acute colitis,ASK1 expression was up-regulated and positively correlated with DAI.Inflammation-induced ASK1 overexpression weakened the Caco-2 cell intestinal barrier,whereas ASK1 knockdown strengthened it.Moreover,ASK1 had the capability to enhance the expression of inflammatory factors.Additionally,ASK1 knockdown increased KLF4 expression,while overexpression decreased it,indicating a negative correlation between ASK1 and KLF4.Conclusion ASK1 expression is notably higher in CD and positively correlates with disease activity.ASK1 can influence intestinal barrier integrity and inflammatory factor expression,possibly through its impact on KLF4 expression.

Objective To explore the effects and mechanisms of Changpu Yujin Tang(CPYJT)on the NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3/cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-1/Gasdermin D(NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD)signaling pathway-mediated neuroinflammation in rats with Tourette syndrome(TS).Methods SPF-grade male SD rats were randomly divided into the Control and TS groups.After successful modeling in the TS group,the rats were randomly divided into the Model,Tiapride,and CPYJT groups,and were treated with the corresponding drugs for 4 weeks.After the treatment,the rats' behavior was scored,H & E staining was used to observe pathological changes in the striatum,ELISA was used to measure the content of IL-1β and IL-18,RT-qPCR was used to detect the expression of NLRP3 and ASC mRNA,and Western blot was used to detect the expression of NLRP3,ASC,Caspase-1,Cleaved-Caspase-1,GSDMD,and GSDMD-NT proteins.Results Compared with the Control group,the Model group showed increased scores of stereotyped and motor behaviors(P＜0.01),pathological changes in the striatal tissue,increased content of IL-1β and IL-18(P＜0.01),and upregulated expression of NLRP3,ASC mRNA,and NLRP3,ASC,Caspase-1,Cleaved-Caspase-1,GSDMD,and GSDMD-NT proteins(P＜0.01).Compared with the Model group,the Tiapride group and the CPYJT group showed decreased scores of stereotyped and motor behaviors(P＜0.01),improved pathological damage in the striatal tissue,reduced content of IL-1β and IL-18(P＜0.01),and inhibited expression of NLRP3,ASC mRNA,and NLRP3,ASC,Caspase-1,Cleaved-Caspase-1,GSDMD,and GSDMD-NT proteins(P＜0.01).Conclusion The therapeutic effect of CPYJT on TS is related to the inhibition of the neuroinflammatory response mediated by the NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD signaling pathway.

Objective To explore the effects and mechanisms of Changpu Yujin Tang(CPYJT)on the NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3/cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-1/Gasdermin D(NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD)signaling pathway-mediated neuroinflammation in rats with Tourette syndrome(TS).Methods SPF-grade male SD rats were randomly divided into the Control and TS groups.After successful modeling in the TS group,the rats were randomly divided into the Model,Tiapride,and CPYJT groups,and were treated with the corresponding drugs for 4 weeks.After the treatment,the rats' behavior was scored,H & E staining was used to observe pathological changes in the striatum,ELISA was used to measure the content of IL-1β and IL-18,RT-qPCR was used to detect the expression of NLRP3 and ASC mRNA,and Western blot was used to detect the expression of NLRP3,ASC,Caspase-1,Cleaved-Caspase-1,GSDMD,and GSDMD-NT proteins.Results Compared with the Control group,the Model group showed increased scores of stereotyped and motor behaviors(P＜0.01),pathological changes in the striatal tissue,increased content of IL-1β and IL-18(P＜0.01),and upregulated expression of NLRP3,ASC mRNA,and NLRP3,ASC,Caspase-1,Cleaved-Caspase-1,GSDMD,and GSDMD-NT proteins(P＜0.01).Compared with the Model group,the Tiapride group and the CPYJT group showed decreased scores of stereotyped and motor behaviors(P＜0.01),improved pathological damage in the striatal tissue,reduced content of IL-1β and IL-18(P＜0.01),and inhibited expression of NLRP3,ASC mRNA,and NLRP3,ASC,Caspase-1,Cleaved-Caspase-1,GSDMD,and GSDMD-NT proteins(P＜0.01).Conclusion The therapeutic effect of CPYJT on TS is related to the inhibition of the neuroinflammatory response mediated by the NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the correlation between serum ubiquitin-specific protease 14(USP14)and growth factor receptor binding protein 2(GRB2)levels and vascular lesions of the lower limbs(LEAD)in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes(T2DM).Methods 153 elderly T2DM patients admitted to Beijing Nuclear Industrial Hospital from July 2020 to August 2023 were selected and divided into lesion group(n=64)and non-lesion group(n=89)according to the presence or absence of LEAD,in addition and 153 healthy volunteers who matched the age of elderly T2DM patients in the same period were selected as the control group.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to detect serum USP14 and GRB2 levels in patients.Multifactorial Logistic regression was used to analyze the factors affecting the occurrence of LEAD in patients with elderly T2DM.Receiver operating curve(ROC)analysis of USP14 and GRB2 levels in elderly T2DM patients for the diagnostic value of LEAD occurrence.Results Compared with the control group,serum USP14(8.56±1.57ng/ml,6.34±1.27ng/ml vs 4.23±1.02ng/ml),GRB2 levels(7.45±1.56ng/ml,5.23±1.12ng/ml vs 3.19±0.78ng/ml)were significantly increased in the diseased and non-diseased groups,and the differences were statistically significant(q=33.555,18.259;37.326,19.960,all P<0.05).Class A,B and C serum USP14(7.14±1.31ng/ml,8.67±1.52ng/ml,9.98±2.01ng/ml),GRB2 levels(6.31±1.25ng/ml,7.47±1.58ng/ml,8.69±1.74ng/ml)increased in that order,and the differences were all statistically significant(F=14.754,11.404,all P<0.05).Multifactorial Logistic regression analysis showed that USP14,GRB2,TC,TG,LDL-C and HbA1c were all influencing factors affecting the occurrence of LEAD in patients with T2DM(Wald χ2=11.618～41.458,all P<0.05).The results of the ROC curve showed that the area under the curve(AUC)of the combined diagnosis of LEAD by serum USP14 and GRB2 was greater than that of USP14 and GRB2 diagnosed alone(Z=2.706,3.124,all P<0.05).Conclusion USP14 and GRB2 were both highly expressed in the serum of patients with elderly T2DM combined with LEAD,which increased with the increase of LEAD grade,and can be used as serum markers for the diagnosis of elderly T2DM combined with LEAD,and the efficacy of the combined detection of the two is better.

Multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagella (MMAF) represent a severe form of sperm defects leading to asthenozoospermia and male infertility. In this study, we identified a novel homozygous splicing mutation (c.871-4 ACA>A) in the adenylate kinase 7 (AK7) gene by whole-exome sequencing in infertile individuals. Spermatozoa from affected individuals exhibited typical MMAF characteristics, including coiled, bent, short, absent, and irregular flagella. Transmission electron microscopy analysis showed disorganized axonemal structure and abnormal mitochondrial sheets in sperm flagella. Immunofluorescence staining confirmed the absence of AK7 protein from the patients' spermatozoa, validating the pathogenic nature of the mutation. This study provides direct evidence linking the AK7 gene to MMAF-associated asthenozoospermia in humans, expanding the mutational spectrum of AK7 and enhancing our understanding of the genetic basis of male infertility.
Humans ; Male ; Sperm Tail/ultrastructure* ; Homozygote ; Consanguinity ; Asthenozoospermia/pathology* ; Infertility, Male/genetics* ; Mutation ; Pakistan ; Adenylate Kinase/genetics* ; Adult ; Pedigree ; RNA Splicing ; Exome Sequencing ; Spermatozoa

Multiple morphological abnormalities of sperm flagella (MMAF) is a severe form of asthenoteratozoospermia, characterized by morphological abnormalities and reduced motility of sperm, causing male infertility. Although approximately 60% of MMAF cases can be explained genetically, the etiology of the remaining cases is unclear. Here, we identified two novel compound heterozygous variants in the gene, dynein axonemal heavy chain 10 ( DNAH10 ), in three patients from two unrelated Pakistani families using whole-exome sequencing (WES), including one compound heterozygous mutation ( DNAH10 : c.9409C>A [p.P3137T]; c.12946G>C [p.D4316H]) in family 1 and another compound heterozygous mutation ( DNAH10 : c.8849G>A [p.G2950D]; c.11509C>T [p.R3687W]) in family 2. All the identified variants are absent or rare in public genome databases and are predicted to have deleterious effects according to multiple bioinformatic tools. Sanger sequencing revealed that these variants follow an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining revealed MMAF, including sperm head abnormalities, in the patients. In addition, immunofluorescence staining revealed loss of DNAH10 protein signals along sperm flagella. These findings broaden the spectrum of DNAH10 variants and expand understanding of the genetic basis of male infertility associated with the MMAF phenotype.
Adult ; Humans ; Male ; Alleles ; Asthenozoospermia/pathology* ; Axonemal Dyneins/genetics* ; Dyneins/genetics* ; Exome Sequencing ; Infertility, Male/pathology* ; Mutation ; Pakistan ; Pedigree ; Sperm Tail/pathology*