Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains one of the leading causes of mortality among adults globally, with continuously rising morbidity and mortality rates. Metabolic disorders are closely linked to various cardiovascular diseases and play a critical role in their pathogenesis and progression, involving multifaceted mechanisms such as altered substrate utilization, mitochondrial structural and functional dysfunction, and impaired ATP synthesis and transport. In recent years, the potential role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) in cardiovascular diseases has garnered significant attention, particularly peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα), which is recognized as a highly promising therapeutic target for CVD. PPARα regulates cardiovascular physiological and pathological processes through fatty acid metabolism. As a ligand-activated receptor within the nuclear hormone receptor family, PPARα is highly expressed in multiple organs, including skeletal muscle, liver, intestine, kidney, and heart, where it governs the metabolism of diverse substrates. Functioning as a key transcription factor in maintaining metabolic homeostasis and catalyzing or regulating biochemical reactions, PPARα exerts its cardioprotective effects through multiple pathways: modulating lipid metabolism, participating in cardiac energy metabolism, enhancing insulin sensitivity, suppressing inflammatory responses, improving vascular endothelial function, and inhibiting smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration. These mechanisms collectively reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease development. Thus, PPARα plays a pivotal role in various pathological processes via mechanisms such as lipid metabolism regulation, anti-inflammatory actions, and anti-apoptotic effects. PPARα is activated by binding to natural or synthetic lipophilic ligands, including endogenous fatty acids and their derivatives (e.g., linoleic acid, oleic acid, and arachidonic acid) as well as synthetic peroxisome proliferators. Upon ligand binding, PPARα activates the nuclear receptor retinoid X receptor (RXR), forming a PPARα-RXR heterodimer. This heterodimer, in conjunction with coactivators, undergoes further activation and subsequently binds to peroxisome proliferator response elements (PPREs), thereby regulating the transcription of target genes critical for lipid and glucose homeostasis. Key genes include fatty acid translocase (FAT/CD36), diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT), carnitine palmitoyltransferase I (CPT1), and glucose transporter (GLUT), which are primarily involved in fatty acid uptake, storage, oxidation, and glucose utilization processes. Advancing research on PPARα as a therapeutic target for cardiovascular diseases has underscored its growing clinical significance. Currently, PPARα activators/agonists, such as fibrates (e.g., fenofibrate and bezafibrate) and thiazolidinediones, have been extensively studied in clinical trials for CVD prevention. Traditional PPARα agonists, including fenofibrate and bezafibrate, are widely used in clinical practice to treat hypertriglyceridemia and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels. These fibrates enhance fatty acid metabolism in the liver and skeletal muscle by activating PPARα, and their cardioprotective effects have been validated in numerous clinical studies. Recent research highlights that fibrates improve insulin resistance, regulate lipid metabolism, correct energy metabolism imbalances, and inhibit the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells, thereby ameliorating pathological remodeling of the cardiovascular system and reducing blood pressure. Given the substantial attention to PPARα-targeted interventions in both basic research and clinical applications, activating PPARα may serve as a key therapeutic strategy for managing cardiovascular conditions such as myocardial hypertrophy, atherosclerosis, ischemic cardiomyopathy, myocardial infarction, diabetic cardiomyopathy, and heart failure. This review comprehensively examines the regulatory roles of PPARα in cardiovascular diseases and evaluates its clinical application value, aiming to provide a theoretical foundation for further development and utilization of PPARα-related therapies in CVD treatment.

Objective To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of dengue fever in Shenzhen City in 2024, so as to provide insights into formulation of the preventive and control measures for dengue fever. Methods The epidemiological data of dengue cases reported in Shenzhen City in 2024 were extracted from the China Disease Prevention and Control Information System and field epidemiological survey data of dengue fever in Shenzhen City, and the temporal, regional and population distributions of dengue fever cases, source of acquire dengue virus infections, disease diagnosis and treatment and outbreaks were analyzed. The dengue virus nucleic acid was tested and the serotypes of dengue virus were characterized using real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) assay, and the dengue virus gene was sequenced using next-generation sequencing (NGS). In addition, the surveillance on the density of Aedes albopictus was performed using Breteau index (BI) and mosquito oviposition index (MOI). Results A total of 1 735 dengue fever cases were reported in Shenzhen City in 2024, including 952 local cases and 783 imported cases. Most imported dengue fever cases acquired infections from eight cities of Foshan, Guangzhou, Zhongshan, Jiangmen, Dongguan, Zhaoqing, Huizhou, and Zhuhai in the Pearl River Delta region (664 cases, 84.8% of total imported cases) into Baoan, Longgang, and Nanshan districts. The epidemic exhibited an early onset and rapid progression, peaking during the period between September and November (1 632 cases, 94.1% of total cases), and dengue fever cases were distributed across 73 subdistricts in 10 districts, with most cases reported in densely populated central and western regions. The dengue fever cases had a male-to-female ratio of 1.9∶1.0, and a median age of 37 (21) years, with a higher median age among local cases than among imported cases [40 (20) years vs. 33(15) years; Z = -10.30, P < 0.05]. Housework, unemployment, workers, and business service were predominant occupations (1 405 cases, 81.0% of total cases), and there was a significant difference in the constituent ratio of occupations between local and imported cases (χ² = 92.30, P < 0.05). Among the 1 735 dengue fever cases, the median duration from onset to definitive diagnosis was 3.3 (2.9) days, and 1 686 cases (97.2%) were identified in healthcare facilities, with a low rate of hospitalization and isolation seen in 1 701 inpatients with available epidemiological data (485 cases, 28.5% of total inpatients). A total of 29 outbreaks of dengue fever occurred in Shenzhen City across 2024, which primarily in construction sites (27 outbreaks, 93.1% of total). Dengue virus type I was the dominant serotype causing dengue fever in Shenzhen City in 2024. Sequencing showed that the genomes of dengue virus from multiple dengue fever cases in Shenzhen City shared a high sequence homology with those from cities neighboring Shenzhen City, and there might be intra-city transmission of dengue virus among multiple construction sites in Shenzhen City. The Aedes albopictus density was significantly higher in Shenzhen City in 2024 than in 2023, peaking from May to September. The annual MOI values ranged from 0.9 to 14.0, and the BI values ranged from 0.6 to 6.0. Conclusions The overall epidemic of dengue fever was severe in Shenzhen City in 2024, which was greatly affected by case importation from neighboring cities, construction sites-centered local transmission, and the effectives of routine mosquito vector control was not satisfactory. Integrated dengue fever control measures should be implemented, focusing on regional joint prevention and control mechanisms, capacity building for mosquito vector control, addressing challenges in epidemic containment at construction sites, and strengthening case detection and management systems.

Objective To investigate the risk factors for gastrointestinal fistula after esophageal cancer surgery.Methods The clinical data of 437 patients who underwent esophagectomy in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed.According to whether gastrointestinal fistula occurred after operation,they were divided into the study group(n=157)and the control group(n=280).The related risk factors of the ocurrence of postoperative gastrointestinal fistula were screened by univariate and multivariate analyses.Results The results of the univariate analysis showed that there were statistically significant differences of patients between the two groups in terms of operation time,anastomotic site,tumor location,tumor infiltration depth,surgical method,pleural adhesion,reinforcement suture of anastomotic stoma,post-operative pulmonary infection,and postoperative incision infection(P<0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that pleural adhesion,operation time≥4.5 hours,postoperative pulmonary infection,and postoperative incision infection were independent risk factors for the occurence of postoperative gastrointestinal fistula(P<0.05).The reinforcement suture of anastomotic stoma and the increase of the first postoperative hemoglobin level were independent protective factors for the occurrence of postoperative gastrointestinal fistula(P<0.05).Conclusion Controlling operation time,applying active anti-infection measures,implementing dressing changes,taking reinforcement suture of anastomotic stoma,and correcting of anemia may help to reduce the occurrence of gastrointestinal fistulas after esophagectomy.

This study was aimed at analyzing the molecular epidemiological characteristics of all 14 cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9)virus in Xinjiang from 2014 to 2018,to provide a scientific basis for prevention,control,and treatment.The genomic sequence was obtained through high-throughput gene sequencing after nucleic acid extraction.Homolo-gy analysis,evolution analysis,mutation locus analysis,and homology modeling were performed in bioinformatics analysis software.The nucleotide homology and amino acid homology of the HA gene in 14 human infected H7N9 viruses were(97.39％-100％)and(98.38％-100％),respectively.The nucleotide homology of the NA gene and the amino acid homology ranged from 97.73％to 100％.All viruses were low pathogenic avian influenza viruses belonging to the Yangtze River Delta lin-eage and were divided into two subclades,which were most similar to the A/Hunan/02650/2016 vaccine strain.All HA pro-teins G186V and T160A were mutated;13 strains of Q226L were mutated;and none of the four key neuraminidase inhibitor resistance sites of NA protein were mutated.All sites of M2 protein S31N and V27A were mutated,all sites of PB1 protein T368V were mutated,and all sites of PA protein K356R were mutated.Xinjiang H7N9 virus exhibited double receptor bind-ing,and was resistant to amantadine drugs and sensitive to neuraminidase inhibitors,which may be used in early disease sta-ges.Strengthened monitoring and timely detection of avian in-fluenza virus genome changes will be critical for prevention and control,and formulation of countermeasures.

Objective:To investigate the effect of CD8+CD28-T cells on acute graft-versus-host disease(aGVHD)after haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(haplo-HSCT).Methods:The relationship between absolute count of CD8+CD28-T cells and aGVHD in 60 patients with malignant hematological diseases was retrospectively analyzed after haplo-HSCT,and the differences in the incidence rate of chronic graft-versus host disease(cGVHD),infection and prognosis between different CD8+CD28-T absolute cells count groups were compared.Results:aGVHD occurred in 40 of 60 patients after haplo-HSCT,with an incidence rate of 66.67％.The median occurrence time of aGVHD was 32.5(20-100)days.At 30 days after the transplantation,the absolute count of CD8+CD28-T cells of aGVHD group was significantly lower than that of non-aGVHD group(P=0.03).Thus the absolute count of CD8+CD28-T cells at 30 days after transplantation can be used to predict the occurrence of aGVHD to some extent.At 30 days after transplantation,the incidence rate of aGVHD in the low cell count group(CD8+CD28-T cells absolute count＜0.06/μl)was significantly higher than that in the high cell count group(CD8+CD28-T cells absolute count ≥0.06/μl,P=0.011).Multivariate Cox regression analysis further confirmed that the absolute count of CD8+CD28-T cells at 30 days after transplantation was an independent risk factor for aGVHD,and the risk of aGVHD in the low cell count group was 2.222 times higher than that in the high cell count group(P=0.015).The incidence of cGVHD,fungal infection,EBV infection and CMV infection were not significantly different between the two groups with different CD8+CD28-T cells absolute count.The overall survival,non-recurrent mortality and relapse rates were not significantly different between different CD8+CD28-T cells absolute count groups.Conclusion:Patients with delayed CD8+CD28-T cells reconstitution after haplo-HSCT are more likely to develop aGVHD,and the absolute count of CD8+CD28-T cells can be used to predict the incidence of aGVHD to some extent.The absolute count of CD8+CD28-T cells after haplo-HSCT was not associated with cGVHD,fungal infection,EBV infection,and CMV infection,and was also not significantly associated with the prognosis after transplantation.

Objective:To investigate the effect of feeder layer cells expressing interleukin(IL)-21 on the amplification of NK cells in vitro.Methods:The K562 cell line with IL-21 expression on its membrane was constructed by electroporation,and co-cultured with NK cells after inactivation.The proliferation of NK cells was observed.The killing function of the amplified NK cells in vitro was evaluated by the lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)and interferon-γ(IFN-y)release assay.A colorectal cancer xenograft model in NOD/SCID mice was established,and a blank control group,a NK cell group and an amplified NK cell group were set up to detect the tumor killing effect of amplified NK cells in vivo.Results:K562 cells expressing IL-21 on the membrane were successfully constructed by electroporation.After co-culturing with K562 cells expressing IL-21 on the membrane for 17 days,the NK cells increased to 700 times,which showed an enhanced amplification ability compared with control group(P＜0.001).In the tumor cell killing experiment in vitro,there was no significant difference in the killing activity on tumor cells between NK cells and amplified NK cells,and there was also no significant difference in mice in vivo.Conclusion:K562 cells expressing IL-21 on the membrane can significantly increase the amplification ability of NK cells in vitro,but do not affect the killing function of NK cells in vitro and in vivo.It can be used for the subsequent large-scale production of NK cells in vitro.

Objective:To investigate the effect of genetic polymorphism of MTHFR C677T (rs1801133) on methotrexate (MTX) related toxicity in pediatric mature B-cell lymphoma patients. Methods:Fifty-eight intermediate and high risk patients under 18 years of age with mature B-cell lymphoma who received 5 g/m2 MTX (24 h intravenous infusion) in Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center from August 2014 to December 2021 were included,and their toxicity of high-dose MTX (HD-MTX) were monitored and analyzed. Results:Among the 58 pediatric patients,the number of CC,CT,and TT genotypes for MTHFR C677T was 33,19 and 6,respectively. A total of 101 courses of HD-MTX therapy were counted,of which plasma MTX level>0.2 μmol/L at 48 h post-MTX infusion were observed in 35 courses,≤0.2 μmol/L in 66 courses. Inter-group comparison showed that plasma MTX level>0.2 μmol/L at 48 h post-MTX infusion increased the risk of developing oral mucositis (P<0.05). Compared with wild-type (CC genotype),patients in the mutant group (CT+TT genotype) were more likely to develop myelosuppression,manifested as anemia,leucopenia,neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. However,plasma MTX level at 48 h was not associated with MTHFR C677T gene polymorphism. Conclusion:The risk of developing oral mucositis in children with mature B-cell lymphoma is associated with plasma MTX concentration. Polymorphism of MTHFR C677T gene is not related to plasma MTX concentration in children with mature B-cell lymphoma,but is related to grade Ⅲ to Ⅳ hematological toxicity.

Objective:To explore the correlation between multidimensional nutritional evaluation indexes of folate and vitamin B 12 and mild cognitive impairment in community-dwelling older adults. Methods:In this study, cross-sectional study design was used, and the elderly people aged 60 years and above were recruited from three parallel communities in Shijiazhuang City.The survey was conducted including basic information questionnaire and semi-quantified food frequency questionnaires(FFQ)in the past year.The Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale(MoCA)assessed the cognitive function.The subjects were divided into two groups of normal cognition and mild cognitive impairment according to the criteria categorized by education levels recommended by the 2018 China Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines.Serum folate, vitamin B 12 and erythrocyte folate levels were measured by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay, serum homocysteine concentrations were measured by circulating enzyme assay, dietary folate and vitamin B 12 intake was calculated by FFQ survey and food composition tables.Logistic regression models were used to analyze the association between multidimensional nutritional indicators of folate and vitamin B 12 and mild cognitive impairment. Results:A total of 537 subjects were included in the study, involving 379(70.6%)with normal cognition and 158(29.4%)with mild cognitive impairment.Dietary vitamin B 12 intake and erythrocyte folate concentration was significantly lower in the elderly with mild cognitive impairment than in those with normal cognition[median(interguartile): 18.9(11.0, 32.9)μg/d vs.20.1(14.2, 34.8)μg/d, Z=2.010, P=0.044; median: 359.4(304.2, 413.4)μg/L vs.378.4(322.5, 433.1)μg/L, Z=2.168, P=0.031].The elderly with mild cognitive impairment had a higher prevalence of folate deficiency than those with normal cognition[17(10.8%) vs.22(5.8%), χ2=4.065, P=0.044].After adjusting for age, sex, and energy intake, the OR(95% CI)values for dietary vitamin B 12 intake and erythrocyte folate concentration in relation to mild cognitive impairment in the elderly were 0.99(0.987, 0.996)( P=0.039)and 0.98(0.974, 0.993)( P=0.021), respectively.The OR(95% CI)values for folate deficiency for mild cognitive impairment was 1.96(1.009, 3.795)( P=0.046). Conclusions:Long-term high dietary vitamin B 12 intake and better in vivo nutritional deposition of folate were negatively associated with mild cognitive impairment in community-dwelling elderly adults, whereas indicators reflecting the short-term nutritional status of folate and vitamin B 12 may be less associated with mild cognitive impairment.

AIM To study the chemical constituents of dichloromethane fraction from Hypericum perforatum L.METHODS The dichloromethane fraction from H.perforatum was isolated and purified by silica gel,ODS,Sephadex LH-20,semi-preparative HPLC and etc.The structures of obtained compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data.RESULTS Eleven compounds were isolated and identified as hypernorpoleketone A(1),α-onocerin(2),(3R)-thunberginol C(3),2-geranyloxy-1-(2-methylpropanoyl)-phloroglucinol(4),4,6-dihydroxy-2-O-(3″,7″-dimethyl-2″,6″-octadienyl)-1-(2′-methylbutanoyl)benzene(5),norhyperpalum G(6),garsubellin A(7),garsubellin B(8),(2″R/S)-kellerine C(9),kobusone(10),eriodictyol(11).CONCLUSION Compound 1 is a new compound.Compounds 2-3 are isolated from the plants of family Guttiferae for the first time.Compounds 4-10 are isolated from this plant for the first time.

Objective:To investigate the effect and mechanism of the V-set and immunoglobulin domain-containing 4 ( VSIG4 ) gene mutation on the function of microglia in retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Methods:Localization of VSIG4 in the retina was detected by immunofluorescence.HMC3 cells (human microglial cells) were transfected with wild-type (Len-WT) VSIG4 gene, mutant type (Len-Mut) VSIG4 gene and empty vector virus (Len-Cont) and stimulated by the presence or absence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), then divided into control group, LPS-Len-Mut group, LPS-Len-WT group, LPS-Len-Cont group, Len-Mut group, Len-WT group and Len-Cont group.The mRNA expression levels of the inflammatory factors interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR.Protein expression levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB) p65 subunit (P65), and phosphorylated P65 (PP65) were detected by Western blot.Cell phagocytic function was detected by phagocytosis assay.Cell migration ability was detected by cell scratch and transwell migration assay.LPS- stimulated HMC3 cells were co-cultured with 661W cells (mouse retinal photoreceptor cells), and the expression levels of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl-2-associated X (Bax) proteins of the cells were detected by Western blot.The number of apoptotic cells was determined by apoptosis assay. Results:VSIG4 was localized to microglia in mouse retina.The real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR results showed that compared with LPS-Len-WT group, the relative expression levels of IL-1β and TNF-α mRNA in HMC3 cells were significantly increased in LPS-Len-Mut group (both at P<0.05).The Western blot results showed that compared with LPS- Len-WT group, the protein expression levels of Nrf2, HO-1, and GPX4 in HMC3 cells were significantly reduced in LPS-Len-Mut group, and the PP65/P65 ratio was significantly increased (all at P<0.05).The phagocytic experiment results showed that the phagocytic rates of HMC3 cells in Len-Cont group, LPS-Len-Cont group, LPS-Len-WT group, and LPS-Len-Mut group were (35.67±3.22)%, (63.67±10.07)%, (84.00±3.46)%, and (64.67±2.31)%, respectively, showing a statistically significant difference ( F=59.06, P<0.001).Compared with LPS-Len-WT group, the phagocytic rate of HMC3 cells was significantly reduced in LPS-Len-Mut group ( P<0.05).The results of cell scratch and transwell migration assay showed that compared with LPS-Len-WT group, the migration rate of HMC3 cells at 24 and 48 hours and the number of invading cells per unit area at 24 hours were significantly reduced in LPS-Len-Mut group (all at P<0.05).Compared with LPS-Len-WT group, the expression ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 protein and the number of cell apoptosis were significantly increased in the LPS-Len-Mut group under the co-culture system (both at P<0.05). Conclusions:VSIG4 is localized to mouse retinal microglia.When the VSIG4 gene in RP mutates, HMC3 cells under LPS stimulation exhibit a series of changes, including activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway, decreased activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway, increased secretion of inflammatory cytokines, reduced phagocytic and migratory abilities, and increased cell apoptosis in co-culture systems.