The intestine and liver are closely connected both physiologically and pathologically, forming a so-called gut-liver axis, with the gut microbiota serving as a pivotal link in their bidirectional communication. Gut microbiota dysbiosis and gut-liver axis disruption play a key role in the development and progression of colorectal cancer liver metastasis (CRLM), though the underlying mechanisms have not been clearly elucidated. Certain gut microbiota, such as Escherichia coli and Enterococcus spp., can breach the intestinal barrier and translocate to the liver, promoting the formation of pre-metastatic niche. Fusobacterium nucleatum and Enterococcus faecalis enhance tumor cell invasion/migration, while Parabacteroides spp. suppress anti-tumor immunity in the liver TME. Interventions like fecal microbiota transplantation, dietary modifications, and traditional Chinese medicine have shown potential in clinical and preclinical studies to improve patient outcomes by targeting the gut microbiota, but their long-term efficacy and safety require further investigation. Future research should focus on elucidating the effects of specific bacterial species, metabolites, viruses, and fungi on tumorigenesis. Exploring the potential of gut microbiota-based precision medicine and personalized therapies will improve risk stratification and enable more targeted interventions for CRLM patients.

Objective To investigate the underlying mechanisms of the effect of Fufang Changtai Decoction(FFCT)in inhibiting colorectal cancer(CRC)through the ferroptosis pathway using network pharmacology combined with experimental validation.Methods The Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform(TCMSP)and Swiss Target Prediction databases were employed for the systematic screening of potent active ingredients and therapeutic targets of FFCT.In addition,the identification of CRC-associated genes and ferroptosis-related genes(FRGs)was accomplished using the Gene Cards and FerrDb databases,respectively.Venn diagrams,coupled with Cytoscape software,facilitated the comprehensive analysis of key FRGs involved in FFCT's intervention in CRC by mapping the TCM compound-therapeutic target network.Transmission electron microscopy was used to examine the mitochondrial ultrastructure of SW480 and HCT116,2 Human CRC cell lines,after treatment with FFCT-containing serum.Intracellular reactive oxygen species(ROS)levels were measured using a ROS detection kit.To assess the role of ferroptosis,ferroptosis inhibitor liproxstatin-1(Lip-1)was co-administered with FFCT-containing serum.The effects on cancer cell viability and proliferation were evaluated using CCK-8 and colony formation assays.Key molecular targets involved in the regulatory effects of FFCT on the expression of FRGs were further analyzed using PCR Array and Western blot.The findings were then validated with human CRC tissue microarrays.Results A total of 103 active ingredients of FFCT,739 therapeutic targets,9 101 disease-related genes,and 564 FRGs were identified.Venn diagram analysis identified 81 FRGs associated with FFCT intervention.Network analysis revealed that NQO1,TP53,and PTGS2 served as hub nodes in the regulatory network.Findings from the in vitro experiments showed that FFCT induced ferroptosis changes,including mitochondrial condensation,membrane thickening,and cristae reduction,in SW480 and HCT116 cells.FFCT treatment significantly increased intracellular ROS levels in a dose-dependent manner(P<0.05)and reduced cancer cell viability and proliferative capacity(P<0.01).These inhibitory effects were partially reversed by Lip-1,suggesting that FFCT's antitumor activity was closely associated with the ferroptosis pathway.PCR Array and Western blot analyses further confirmed that FFCT significantly downregulated NQO1 mRNA and protein expression in cancer cells(P<0.001),which was consistent with network pharmacology predictions.Immunofluorescence analysis of clinical CRC tissue microarrays revealed that NQO1 expression was significantly higher in tumor tissues than in adjacent non-tumor tissues(P<0.001).Conclusion FFCT may induce intracellular ferroptosis by downregulating the oncogenic gene NQO1,thereby exerting anti-CRC effects.

The intestine and liver are closely connected both physiologically and pathologically, forming a so-called gut-liver axis, with the gut microbiota serving as a pivotal link in their bidirectional communication. Gut microbiota dysbiosis and gut-liver axis disruption play a key role in the development and progression of colorectal cancer liver metastasis (CRLM), though the underlying mechanisms have not been clearly elucidated. Certain gut microbiota, such as Escherichia coli and Enterococcus spp., can breach the intestinal barrier and translocate to the liver, promoting the formation of pre-metastatic niche. Fusobacterium nucleatum and Enterococcus faecalis enhance tumor cell invasion/migration, while Parabacteroides spp. suppress anti-tumor immunity in the liver TME. Interventions like fecal microbiota transplantation, dietary modifications, and traditional Chinese medicine have shown potential in clinical and preclinical studies to improve patient outcomes by targeting the gut microbiota, but their long-term efficacy and safety require further investigation. Future research should focus on elucidating the effects of specific bacterial species, metabolites, viruses, and fungi on tumorigenesis. Exploring the potential of gut microbiota-based precision medicine and personalized therapies will improve risk stratification and enable more targeted interventions for CRLM patients.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Qingxuan Zhike granules in improving cough symptoms and shortening the course of influenza (wind-heat invading lung) in children.Methods:In this multicenter, randomized, controlled clinical trial, a total of 240 outpatient influenza patients from 7 hospitals, including the First Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, from April 2023 to December 2023 were collected.The subjects were randomly divided into the control group and the experimental group via SAS software using the block randomization method.The differences between two groups were compared with t test, corrected t test and χ2 test.Subjects in the control group were given Oseltamivir phosphate granules, orally, twice a day (weight ≤15 kg, 30 mg/time; weight >15-23 kg, 45 mg/time; weight >23-40 kg, 60 mg/time; weight >40 kg, 75 mg/time; age≥13 years, 75 mg/time).In addition to Oseltamivir phosphate granules, subjects in the experimental group were also given Qingxuan Zhike granules, orally, 3 times a day (1-3 years old, 1/2 bag each time; >3-6 years old, 3/4 bag each time; >6-14 years old, 1 bag each time).After 5 days of treatment, the medication was suspended for 2 days.The effect of cough, antipyretic effect, clinical recovery rate, clinical recovery time, Canadian Acute Respiratory Illness and Flu Scale (CARIFS) score, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome effect, complication rate, and adverse reactions were evaluated between the two groups. Results:Finally, 232 cases were included in the study, including 115 cases in the experimental group and 117 cases in the control group.Before and after treatment, there were no significant difference in CARIFS cough score between the experimental group and the control group (all P>0.05).After treatment, the change in CARIFS cough score in the experimental group [(-1.00±0.91) scores]was significantly higher than that in the control group [(-0.75±0.98) scores] ( t=-1.995, P=0.047).After treatment, the change in TCM syndrome cough score in the experimental group [(-1.69±1.51) scores] was significantly higher than that in the control group [(-0.97±1.63) scores] ( t′=-0.035, P=0.001).The time of complete regression of fever in the experimental group [(44.82±22.72) h] was shorter than that in the control group [(51.35±27.07) h], and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( t=-1.966, P=0.050).The fever score showed that the area under the curve between the CARIFS symptom fever score and time in the experimental group was 4.40±2.42, while that in the control group was 5.12±2.44, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( t=-2.252, P=0.025).The clinical recovery rate was 93.91%(108/115) in the experimental group and 92.31%(108/117) in the control group, and there was no significant difference between the two groups ( χ2=0.233, P>0.05).The clinical recovery time in the experimental group [(2.93±1.21) d] was shorter than that in the control group [(3.29±1.15) d], and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( t=-2.279, P=0.024).After treatment, there was a significant difference in TCM syndrome score variation between the experimental group [(-12.00±4.13) scores] and the control group [(-10.85±4.31) scores] ( t′=-2.067, P=0.040).No complication occurred in both groups, and there was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse events between the two groups ( χ2=1.299, P>0.05). Conclusions:Qingxuan Zhike granules combined with Oseltamivir phosphate can effectively improve the cough symptoms associated with influenza in children, shorten the time and course of fever, and improve the TCM syndrome score; thus, they are safe in clinical application.

Objective:To investigate the main occupational hazards,occupational protection facilities and workers'health examination in 17 plywood manufacturing enterprises in Guangxi,so as to provide valuable basis for ensuring workers'physical and mental health.Methods:A total of 17 plywood enterprises in Guangxi were selected as the observation objects.Through the occupational hazard assessment survey,the occupational hazards in the working environment and the collection of workers'occupational health examination data,the main occupational health problems were comprehensively analyzed and evaluated.Results:The over-standard rates of wood dust,formaldehyde,noise,and high temperature in 17 plywood manufacturing enterprises were 5.6%,28.1%,24.9%,and 29.1%,respectively.The noise in 17 enterprises exceeded standards,the mood dust and formaldehyde in 5 enterprises exceeded standards,and high temperature in 2 enterprises exceeded standards.The coincidence rate of dustproof and poisonproof facilities in production protection was 98.3%,the coincidence rate of heat-proof facilities was 88.2%and the coincidence rate of noise protection facilities was 76.5%.The coincidence rate of wearing and using personal protective equipment was 52.9%,and the coincidence rate of installing eyewash spray devices was 58.8%.The total physical examination rate in 17 enterprises was 42.6%(705/1 654),and the abnormal detection rate of physical examination was 14.6%,among which the abnormal detection rates of hearing,chest X-ray,and lung function were 7.4%,2.1%,and 1.7%,respectively.Conclusions:The main occupational health problems in 17 plywood manufacturing enterprises in Guangxi are wood dust,formaldehyde,noise,and high temperature,especially noise.The prevention and control effects of wood dust and formaldehyde are good,but the prevention and control measures for high temperature and noise need to be further strengthened.

Objective To compare and analyze the predictive value of different immune-inflammatory parameters for adverse outcomes in severe community-acquired pneumonia(SCAP).Methods A total of 196 severe pneumonia patients admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from May 2021 to April 2024.Patients were divided into good prognosis group(n=107)and poor prognosis group(n=89)based on the 28-day hospital outcome.Laboratory indicators were collected and inflammatory indices such as neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR)and NLR to hemoglobin ratio(NLR/Hb)were calculated.Logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent risk factors for poor prognosis in SCAP and to construct a regression model.The diagnostic efficacy of NLR/Hb for adverse outcomes in SCAP was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic curve.Results NLR during hospitalization in good prognosis group was higher than that in poor prognosis group.Hemoglobin(Hb)in good prognosis group was higher than that in poor prognosis group,and Hb value of admitted patients generally showed a downward trend.platelet(PLT)count in good prognosis group showed an overall upward trend during hospitalization,while poor prognosis group showed a downward trend.NLR/Hb at day 7 showed the most stable significance in multi-model multi-factor Logistic regression analysis(P＜0.001).The indicators with differences were included in multi-factor Logistic regression model.NLR/Hb at day 7,D-dimer,and invasive mechanical ventilation were risk factors for poor prognosis,and platelet count at day 7 was a protective factor for poor prognosis(P＜0.05).Conclusion Dynamic monitoring of blood routine is very necessary in clinical practice,and NLR/Hb is expected to become an effective indicator for judging the poor prognosis of severe pneumonia patients.

IFN-β,secreted by fibroblasts,leukocytes,epithelial cells and other cells,plays an important role in the intrinsic immune response,and involves in the body's anti-viral immune response by inducing a variety of antiviral genes.It has various biological functions such as inhibiting viral replication,anti-parasite,influencing cell proliferation,participating in immune regulation,and anti-tumor.This paper mainly reviews the activation of IFN-β and its antiviral effects after DNA virus and RNA virus infections and the immune escape mechanism evolved by some viruses,and summarizes the progress of the research on the interferon signaling pathway regulated by viral infections,so as to provide references for the future research on the mechanism of antiviral infections and their prevention and treatment.

IFN-β,secreted by fibroblasts,leukocytes,epithelial cells and other cells,plays an important role in the intrinsic immune response,and involves in the body's anti-viral immune response by inducing a variety of antiviral genes.It has various biological functions such as inhibiting viral replication,anti-parasite,influencing cell proliferation,participating in immune regulation,and anti-tumor.This paper mainly reviews the activation of IFN-β and its antiviral effects after DNA virus and RNA virus infections and the immune escape mechanism evolved by some viruses,and summarizes the progress of the research on the interferon signaling pathway regulated by viral infections,so as to provide references for the future research on the mechanism of antiviral infections and their prevention and treatment.

Objective To compare and analyze the predictive value of different immune-inflammatory parameters for adverse outcomes in severe community-acquired pneumonia(SCAP).Methods A total of 196 severe pneumonia patients admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from May 2021 to April 2024.Patients were divided into good prognosis group(n=107)and poor prognosis group(n=89)based on the 28-day hospital outcome.Laboratory indicators were collected and inflammatory indices such as neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR)and NLR to hemoglobin ratio(NLR/Hb)were calculated.Logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent risk factors for poor prognosis in SCAP and to construct a regression model.The diagnostic efficacy of NLR/Hb for adverse outcomes in SCAP was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic curve.Results NLR during hospitalization in good prognosis group was higher than that in poor prognosis group.Hemoglobin(Hb)in good prognosis group was higher than that in poor prognosis group,and Hb value of admitted patients generally showed a downward trend.platelet(PLT)count in good prognosis group showed an overall upward trend during hospitalization,while poor prognosis group showed a downward trend.NLR/Hb at day 7 showed the most stable significance in multi-model multi-factor Logistic regression analysis(P＜0.001).The indicators with differences were included in multi-factor Logistic regression model.NLR/Hb at day 7,D-dimer,and invasive mechanical ventilation were risk factors for poor prognosis,and platelet count at day 7 was a protective factor for poor prognosis(P＜0.05).Conclusion Dynamic monitoring of blood routine is very necessary in clinical practice,and NLR/Hb is expected to become an effective indicator for judging the poor prognosis of severe pneumonia patients.

Objective:To investigate the distribution and related factors of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] level in healthy Tajik and Kazak adults in China.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted from May to October 2021 and March to June 2022, and blood samples were collected from 2, 637 healthy Tajik adults [1 010 men, average age: (40.08±14.74) years; 1 627 women, average age: (38.27±12.90) years] in Tashkurgan Tajik Autonomous County and 1 911 healthy Kazak adults [720 men, average age: (42.10±12.26) years; 1 191 women, average age: (38.27±12.90) years] in Fuyun County of Xinjiang. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), creatinine (Cr), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and Lp(a) were measured. The distribution of Lp(a) levels in different sex and age groups was compared. The Lp(a) level of Tajik and Kazakh ethnic groups was compared by Mann-Whitney U test, and correlation factors of Lp(a) level were analyzed by multiple logistic regression. Results:The distribution of Lp(a) level in Tajik and Kazak population was skewed. Lp(a) levels of Tajik and Kazak ranged from the lowest 0.40 mg/L and 0.62 mg/L to the highest 1 229.40 mg/L and 2 108.58 mg/L, respectively, and the median Lp(a) level was 78.90 (38.60, 190.20) mg/L and 103.30 (49.57, 234.27) mg/L, respectively. Median Lp(a) level of Kazak was significantly higher than that of Tjik ( P<0.001). The median Lp(a) levels of Tajik males and females were similar: 77.45 (39.80, 187.10) mg/L and 79.90 (38.60, 192.30) mg/L ( P=0.948). The median Lp(a) levels of Kazakh males and females were also similar: 109.42 (50.49, 230.38) mg/L and 99.01 (49.11, 237.25) mg/L, respectively ( P=0.578). After pooling the data of Tajik and Kazak and adjusting for age, sex, BMI, smoking, drinking, blood pressure, blood glucose and other factors, Lp(a) level was correlated with ethnic (standard partial regression coefficient 0.066, P=0.008) and LDL-C level (standard partial regression coefficient 0.136, P<0.001). Conclusions:Lp(a) level in healthy Tajik and Kazak adults varied greatly among individuals, and Kazak residents had a higher Lp(a) level than Tajik residents. There was no significant sex difference in Lp(a) level among Tajik and Kazakh, and LDL-C and ethnicity are independent factors related to Lp(a) level.