Interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) is a critical transcription factor that governs the differentiation of cluster of differentiation 4⁺ (CD4⁺) T cells. The pathogenesis and progression of psoriasis are primarily attributed to an immune imbalance stemming from the overproduction of interleukin-17A (IL-17A) by T lymphocytes. However, the role of IRF4 in psoriasis remains unexplored. In this study, we found that IRF4 activity is increased in the cutaneous lesions of patients with psoriasis in response to stimulation by IL-23A and IL-1β. This IRF4 elevation heightens its binding to the E1A binding protein p300 (EP300) promoter, triggering the transcription of downstream retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor-γt (RORγt) and increasing the secretion of IL-17A, thereby establishing the IL-1β/IL-23A-IRF4-EP300-RORC-IL-17A inflammatory cascade in psoriasis. The alleviation of imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriatic-like symptoms was achieved through the creation of a Irf4 ^-/- gene deletion mouse model and pharmacological inhibition using antisense oligonucleotides targeted for Irf4. This amelioration was accompanied by a decreased number of IL-17A-producing CD4⁺ T cells in the skin. The findings of this study suggest that IRF4 plays a crucial role in the promotion of inflammation and exacerbation of IMQ-induced psoriasiform dermatitis. Consequently, IRF4 targeting could be a promising therapeutic strategy.

Stem cells play a crucial role in maintaining tissue regenerative capacity and homeostasis. However, mechanisms associated with stem cell senescence require further investigation. In this study, we conducted a proteomic analysis of human dental pulp stem cells (HDPSCs) obtained from individuals of various ages. Our findings showed that the expression of NUP62 was decreased in aged HDPSCs. We discovered that NUP62 alleviated senescence-associated phenotypes and enhanced differentiation potential both in vitro and in vivo. Conversely, the knocking down of NUP62 expression aggravated the senescence-associated phenotypes and impaired the proliferation and migration capacity of HDPSCs. Through RNA-sequence and decoding the epigenomic landscapes remodeled induced by NUP62 overexpression, we found that NUP62 helps alleviate senescence in HDPSCs by enhancing the nuclear transport of the transcription factor E2F1. This, in turn, stimulates the transcription of the epigenetic enzyme NSD2. Finally, the overexpression of NUP62 influences the H3K36me2 and H3K36me3 modifications of anti-aging genes (HMGA1, HMGA2, and SIRT6). Our results demonstrated that NUP62 regulates the fate of HDPSCs via NSD2-dependent epigenetic reprogramming.
Humans ; Dental Pulp/cytology* ; Nuclear Pore Complex Proteins/genetics* ; Cellular Senescence/genetics* ; Stem Cells/metabolism* ; Epigenesis, Genetic ; Cell Proliferation ; Cell Differentiation ; Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase/metabolism* ; Cells, Cultured ; Cellular Reprogramming ; Cell Movement ; Proteomics

Objective To establish a stable in vitro model of CD8+T cell exhaustion.Methods CD8+T cells were isolated and purified from the spleens of ovalbumin-specific CD8+T cell receptor(OT-I)transgenic mice and subjected to chronic antigen stimulation to induce exhaustion in vitro.Flow cytometry was employed to evaluate the expressions of exhaustion markers,secretion of effector cytokines,and transcription factor profiles in CD8+T cells.Exhausted and effector(non-exhausted)CD8+T cells were co-cultured with tumor cells before tumor cell viability was measured to assess the cytotoxic potential of CD8+T cells.Additionally,N-acetyl-L-cysteine(N-AC)was used as a positive control during exhaustion induction to validate the model.Results Chronic stimulation resulted in a significant upregulation of inhibitory receptors,including programmed cell death protein 1(PD-1),T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-containing protein 3(TIM-3),T-cell immunoglobulin and immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motifdomain(TIGIT),and lymphocyte activation gene 3(LAG-3).Concurrently,the secretion of key effector cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and interferon-γ(IFN-γ)was markedly reduced.Exhausted CD8+T cells exhibited diminished cytotoxicity against tumor cells compared to effector CD8+T cells.Notably,treatment with N-AC effectively restored the function of exhausted CD8+T cells and enhanced their anti-tumor activity.Conclusion This study has established an effective in vitro model for CD8+T cell exhaustion.The use of N-AC demonstrates its potential to restore functionality in exhausted CD8+T cells,underscoring the reliability and utility of this model for investigating the anti-tumor potential of exhausted T cells.

Objective: To investigate the iodine nutrition status of children aged 8-10 in Guangming, Longhua and Yantian District of Shenzhen in 2023, and to explore the influencing factors of thyroid volume. To evaluate prevention strategies and to provide a scientific basis for the elimination of iodine deficiency disorders. Methods: Urine and household salt samples were randomly collected from 580 non-boarding students aged 8-10 years foriodine content detection. Thyroid volume was measured using a fully digital ultrasound imaging system, and goiter prevalence was calculated. Results: A total of 580 samples was tested. The median salt iodine concentration was 23.86 mg/kg, with 93.62% qualified iodized salt and 94.48% coverage rate. The median of urinary iodine was 265.00 μg/L, mainly distributed between 200 - < 300 μg/L and ≥300 μg/L. The proportion of children with ap⁃ propriate iodine was 20. 86% , and the proportion of children with insufficient or excessive urinary iodine levels was 10. 86% and 68. 28% of the total surveyed population , respectively. The median thyroid volume was 3. 27 mL , and the goiter rate was 1. 72% . Multiple linear regression analysis showed that age was the risk factor for thyroid volume (8=0 328, P<0.05). while urinary iodine was the protective factor for thyroid volume(B=-4.134x10-4,P<0.05). Conclusion The qualified iodized salt rate, median of urinary iodine,and goiter prevalence of 580 children aged 8 - 10 meet the elimination criteria for iodine deficiency disorders. Age and urinary iodine are closely related to thyroid volume change. The urinary iodine level of children is generally high and requires serious attention.

Objective To investigate the epidemiological characteristics and spatial distribution characteristics of Clonorchis sinensis human infections in Guangdong Province from 2016 to 2022, so as to provide insights into formulation of the clonorchiasis control measures in the province. Methods Xinhui District of Jiangmen City, Longmen County of Huizhou City and Wengyuan County of Shaoguan City in Guangdong Province were selected as fixed surveillance sites for human clonorchiasis from 2016 to 2022, and additional 10% to 15% counties (districts) endemic for clonorchiasis were sampled from Guangdong Province as mobile surveillance sites each year from 2016 to 2022. A village (community) was randomly selected from each surveillance site according to the geographical orientations of east, west, south, north and middle, and subjects were randomly sampled from each village (community). C. sinensis eggs were detected in subjects’ stool samples using the Kato-Katz technique, and the prevalence and intensity of C. sinensis infections were calculated. In addition, subjects’ gender, age, ethnicity, educational level and occupation were collected. The Guangdong Provincial 1:1 million electronic map in vector format was downloaded from the National Geomatics Center of China, and kernel density analysis and spatial autocorrelation analysis of C. sinensis human infections in Guangdong Province from 2016 to 2022 were performed using the software ArcGIS 10.7. Results A total of 153 188 residents were tested for C. sinensis infections in Guangdong Province from 2016 to 2022, including 75 596 men (49.35%) and 77 592 women (50.65%), and there were 5 369 residents infected with C. sinensis, with 3.50% overall prevalence of infections. The prevalence rates of severe, moderate and mild C. sinensis infections were 0.76%, 7.26% and 91.97% among C. sinensis-infected residents in Guangdong Province from 2016 to 2022, and there were age-, gender-, ethnicity-, occupation- and educational level-specific prevalence of C. sinensis human infections (χ² = 2 578.31, 637.33, 52.22, 2 893.28 and 1 139.33, all P values < 0.05). Global spatial autocorrelation analysis showed a cluster in the prevalence of C. sinensis human infections in Guangdong Province (Moran’s I = 0.63, Z = 27.31, P < 0.05). Kernel density analysis showed that the prevalence of C. sinensis human infections with a high kernel density in Guangdong Province was mainly distributed along the Zhujiang River basin in Pearl River Delta areas, followed by in eastern and northern Guangdong Province. In addition, local spatial autocorrelation analysis identified 73 high-high clusters of the prevalence of C. sinensis human infections in Guangdong Province. Conclusions The prevalence of C. sinensis human infections was high in Guangdong Province from 2016 to 2022, and mild infection was predominant among all clonorchiasis cases, with spatial clusters identified in the prevalence of C. sinensis human infections. Targeted clonorchiasis control measures are required among high-risk populations and areas.

ObjectiveTo explore the drug resistance of Morganella morganii （Mm） and the risk factors for extended-spectrum β-lactamase （ESBL） positive infection in type 2 diabetes foot （DF） patients with Mm， and to provide a reference for clinical treatment. Methods310 samples of DF patients with Mm infection were collected from Shanghai Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2020 to March 2023. The patients were selected for the first time to detect Mm bacteria through cultivation， and were divided into ESBL producing group （n=45） and non ESBL producing group （n=265）. Bacterial identification and drug sensitivity experiments on Mm were conducted. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the risk factors. The stepwise regression method （SRM） was used to screen the most important correlation factors for constructing risk prediction model and its evaluation. ResultsBoth ESBL producing and non ESBL producing Mm were sensitive to imipenem （IPM） and meropenem （MEM）. Compared with the non ESBL producing group， the resistance of Mm in the ESBL producing group to other tested antibiotics ［excluding ampicillin （AM）/sulbactam （SU）］ was higher （P<0.05）. Aged ≥60 years old， concomitant hypoproteinemia （HP）， combined use of antibiotics， and history of third-generation cephalosporin use were all independent risk factors for the occurrence of ESBL producing strain infection （P<0.05）. SRM screening identified age， HP， and use of third-generation cephalosporins as the most associated factors with ESBL producing strain infection， and these three factors were included in the multivariate logistic regression prediction model. After calculation， when P=0.80， the Jordan index was the highest and the prediction effect was the best. The prediction accuracy was 89.35%， the sensitivity was 86.67%， and the specificity was 89.81%. The model evaluation results showed that the predictive model has good discrimination and high accuracy. ConclusionThe Mm strain producing ESBL has strong resistance to commonly used antibiotics， and it is recommended that clinical physicians use antibiotics reasonably. Age， HP， combined use of antibiotics， and use of third-generation cephalosporins are all independent risk factors for the occurrence of ESBL producing bacterial infections. Clinical monitoring should be carried out on susceptible populations based on risk factors， and infection management should be strengthened.

OBJECTIVE To learn the practical experience of medical insurance payment standards adjustment in Japan and South Korea， which will serve as a reference for the improvement of simple renewal mechanism in China. METHODS Retrieving relevant literature from CNKI and related policy documents from official websites of Japan and South Korea， the medical insurance payment standards adjustment practice in Japan and South Korea would be elucidated from 2 perspectives of adjustment criteria and formulas， and then were compared with the current simple renewal mechanism in China to clarify the areas where simple renewal mechanism in China can be optimized and propose several suggestions. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS In terms of adjustment methods， Japan and South Korea were similar to China. For excessive drugs， the reduction rate of drugs was calculated based on the situation of excess and adjustments were implemented； however， there were differences in the specific adjustment criteria and formulas. Japan and South Korea adopted a linear price reduction approach for drugs with significant oversupply， while China adopted a gradient price reduction approach for drugs with both current and expected oversupply. The results of the comparative analysis show that China has initially established simple renewal mechanisms that are in line with the national conditions and the actual medical insurance situation， and has taken some innovative measures， including considering the current and expected oversupply of drugs and introducing a halving mechanism in the adjustment formula. However， there are also certain shortcomings， such as a relatively single set of indicators for adjusting conditions and a too broad range of gradient price reduction in adjustment formulas， which fail to fully reflect the market-oriented mechanism of “volume for price”. It is recommended that China’s medical insurance department increase consideration of drug fund expenditures， refine the gradient price reduction range of adjustment formulas， increase policy preferences for special category drugs when adding new indications， and further improve the mechanism for simple renewal.

ObjectiveTo investigate whether menaquinone-4 （MK-4） can exert a protective effect against carbon tetrachloride （CCl₄）-induced acute liver injury （ALI） in mice by alleviating ferroptosis. MethodsAfter adaptive feeding， adult male ICR mice， aged 8 weeks， were divided into Control group， MK-4 group， CCl₄ model group （6-hour， 12-hour， and 24-hour）， and MK-4+CCl₄ group （6-hour， 12-hour， and 24-hour）， with 6 mice in each group. The mice in the Control group were given intraperitoneal injection of an equal dose of corn oil； the mice in the MK-4 group were given intraperitoneal injection of 40 mg/kg MK-4 solution， followed by an equal dose of corn oil after 1 hour； the mice in the MK-4+CCl₄ group （6-hour， 12-hour， and 24-hour） were given intraperitoneal injection of 40 mg/kg MK-4 solution， and after 1 hour， the mice in this group and the CCl₄ model group （6-hour， 12-hour， and 24-hour） were given intraperitoneal injection of 0.3 mL/kg CCl₄ solution， with samples collected at 6， 12， and 24 hours. HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of mouse liver； Prussian blue staining was used to observe iron accumulation in liver tissue； a biochemical analyzer was used to measure the serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase （AST） and alanine aminotransferase （ALT）； related kits were used to measure the levels of tissue iron content and the oxidative stress indices malondialdehyde （MDA） and glutathione （GSH） in liver homogenate； RT-PCR was used to measure the expression levels of ferroptosis marker genes （acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 ［ACSL4］， prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 ［PTGS2］， and glutathione peroxidase 4 ［GPX4］） and iron metabolism-related genes （hemojuvelin ［HJV］， transferrin receptor 1 ［TFR1］， and ferroportin ［FPN］）， and Western blot was used to measure the protein expression level of GPX4. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups， and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsIn the aging study， compared with the Control group， the CCl₄ model group （6-hour， 12-hour， and 24-hour） had significant increases in liver weight coefficient and the serum levels of ALT and AST （all P<0.05）， and HE staining also showed that liver injury gradually aggravated over time. Meanwhile， compared with the CCl₄ model group （6-hour， 12-hour， and 24-hour）， the MK-4+CCl₄ （12-hour） group had significant reductions in liver weight coefficient and the serum levels of ALT and AST （all P<0.05）， with a reduction in the necrotic area of liver tissue， and therefore， 12-hour mouse tissue samples were used for detection in the following study. Compared with the Control group， the CCl₄ group had a significant increase in MDA and a significant reduction in GSH （both P<0.05）， and compared with the CCl₄ group， the MK-4+CCl₄ group had a significant reduction in MDA and a significant increase in GSH （both P<0.05）. Compared with the Control group， the CCl₄ group had significant increases in the key ferroptosis indices ASCL4 and PTGS2 and a significant reduction in GPX4 （all P<0.05）； compared with the CCl₄ group， the MK-4+CCl₄ group had significant reductions in the mRNA expression levels of ASCL4 and PTGS2 and a significant increase in the mRNA expression level of GPX4 （all P<0.05）. Western blotting showed that compared with the Control group， the CCl₄ group had a significant reduction in the protein expression level of GPX4 （P<0.05）， and compared with the CCl₄ group， the MK-4+CCl₄ group had a significant increase in the protein expression level of GPX4 （P<0.05）. Prussian blue staining showed that compared with the Control group， the CCl₄ group had a significant increase in iron accumulation； after MK-4 intervention， compared with the CCl₄ group， the MK-4+CCl₄ group had a significant reduction in iron accumulation. As for the measurement of iron metabolism genes in mouse liver， compared with the Control group， the CCl₄ group had a significant increase in iron content， significant reductions in the mRNA expression levels of FPN and HJV， and a significant increase in the mRNA expression level of TFR1 （all P<0.05）； after protection with MK-4， there was a significant reduction in iron content， significant increases in the mRNA expression levels of FPN and HJV， and a significant reduction in the mRNA expression level of TFR1 （all P<0.05）. ConclusionMK-4 intervention in advance can alleviate CCl₄-induced ALI in mice， possibly by inhibiting ferroptosis and improving the expression of iron metabolism-related genes in mouse liver.

Breast cancer is the most common malignant tumor in women.With the development of genomics technology and medical frontier technology,the systemic treatment of breast cancer has gradually entered the era of personalized medicine.However,the decision-making of adjuvant radiotherapy for breast cancer still mainly relies on traditional clinicopathological factors,and there is a lack of scientific and reliable tools to guide precise radiotherapy in different populations.Hormone receptor(HR)positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER2)negative breast cancer is the most common molecular subtype of breast cancer.The 21-Gene recurrence score(RS)test(Oncotype Dx?,Genomic Health,Redwood City,CA)is a commercially available genomic test for breast cancer.In this article,we reviewed the current research evidence on the use of 21-Gene RS test for radiotherapy decision-making in HR-positive HER2-negative early breast cancer.Current clinical studies support the predictive value of 21-Gene RS test for adjuvant radiotherapy,and several large-scale prospective clinical studies in this area are underway.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate(DEHP)in inducing cholestasis and liver injury in mice.Methods In the in vivo experiment,adult female ICR mice were randomly divided into control group(corn oil)and DEHP group(200 mg/kg/d),and a model of cholestasis was established by intragastric administration for 4 weeks.After blood and liver tissue samples were collected from all mice,a biochemical analyzer was used to measure the level of total bile acid(TBA)in serum and the liver,and a microplate reader was used to measure alkaline phosphatase(ALP)and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase(GGT);HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of the liver;RT-PCR was used to measure the mRNA expression levels of the inflammatory factors interleukin-1β(IL-1β),interleukin-6(IL-6),and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in the liver;liquid chromatography/triple quadrupole mass spectrometry was used to measure the bile acid profile in the liver of mice.In the in vitro experiment,AML-12 mouse hepatocytes were cultured and treated with DEHP(250 μmol/L),DCA(125 μmol/L),and CDCA(125 μmol/L)for 24 hours,and RT-PCR was used to measure the mRNA expression levels of the inflammatory cytokines IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-α.The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups;a one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between multiple groups,and the LSD-t test was used for further comparison between two groups.Results The in vivo experiment showed that compared with the control group,the DEHP group had significant increases in the serum levels of TBA,ALP,and GGT and the level of TBA in the liver(the t values are respectively-4.396,-5.109,-8.504,-3.792 and-7.974,all P<0.05,).Compared with the control group,the DEHP group had significant increases in cholic acid,chenodeoxycholic acid,taurocholic acid,deoxycholic acid,and ursodeoxycholic acid(the t values are respectively-2.802,-3.177,-2.633,-2.874 and-2.311,all P<0.05).HE staining of the liver showed that the mice in the DEHP group had enlargement of the portal area,bile duct deformation,inflammatory cell infiltration around the bile duct,and significant increases in the mRNA expression levels of the inflammatory factors IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-α in the liver(the t values are respectively-2.539,-2.823 and-4.636,all P<0.05).The in vitro experiment showed that the actual difference in hepatocyte viability after 0-1 000 μmol/L DEHP treatment does not exceed 15%,but there were significant increases in the mRNA expression levels of the inflammatory cytokines IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-α after treatment with DEHP at different concentrations of 125 μmol/L,250 μmol/L,and 500 μmol/L(all P<0.05).Compared with DEHP stimulation alone,the combined stimulation of CDCA and DEHP upregulates the cytokine in hepatocyte IL-1β mRNA levels(P<0.01);the combined stimulation of DCA and DEHP can significantly increase the cytokine in hepatocyte IL-1β and IL-6 mRNA levels(all P<0.01).Conclusion DEHP exposure can cause cholestasis and induce liver inflammation in mice,possibly by promoting the production of toxic bile acids and the secretion of inflammatory factors.