Objective: To characterize perioperative dynamic changes in immune-cell phenotypes and inflammatory cytokines in patients undergoing CPB (cardiopulmonary bypass) cardiac surgery, and to explore their associations with postoperative outcomes. Methods: In this prospective cohort study, 120 adult patients who underwent elective cardiac surgery under CPB at West China Hospital from May 2022 to March 2023 were enrolled. Perioperative immune-cell phenotypes and concentrations of 40 inflammation-related cytokines were measured. The primary outcomes were the sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score at 24 h after surgery and ΔSOFA (the peak SOFA score within 48 h after surgery minus the preoperative SOFA score). Secondary outcomes included major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), acute kidney injury (AKI), respiratory failure, severe liver injury, and infection. Results: The mean age of enrolled patients was 57±10 years. Of these, 52% (62/120) were male and 90% (108/120) underwent valve surgery. During the rewarming to the end of CPB, neutrophil counts rapidly increased (7.39×10 /L vs preoperative 3.07×10 /L, P<0.001), with significant upregulation of CD11b (7.30×10 /L vs preoperative 3.05×10 /L, P<0.001) and CD54 (7.15×10 /L vs preoperative 2.99×10 /L, P<0.001). Lymphocyte counts increased at the end of CPB (1.75×10 /L vs preoperative 1.12×10 /L, P<0.001) but decreased significantly at 24 h after surgery (0.59×10 /L vs preoperative 1.12×10 /L, P<0.001). Plasma analysis showed that multiple pro-inflammatory cytokines increased during CPB and remained elevated up to 24 h after surgery; five chemokines and the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 peaked at the end of CPB. The SOFA score increased from 1 (1, 2) preoperatively to 7 (5, 10) at 24 h after surgery, with a ΔSOFA of 6 (4, 8). Within 30 days after surgery, 48 patients (40.0%) developed AKI, 17 (14.2%) developed infection, 4 (3.3%) developed severe liver injury, 3 (2.5%) developed respiratory failure, and 3 (2.5%) experienced MACE. During the 2-year follow-up, 8 patients (6.7%) experienced MACE and 5 (4.2%) died. Conclusion: Multi-organ dysfunction is common after cardiac surgery under CPB (median ΔSOFA, 6), accompanied by perioperative activation of multiple immune-cell subsets and upregulation of pro-inflammatory, anti-inflammatory, and chemotactic mediators. This study provides data-driven evidence and research clues for further investigation of the associations between CPB-related immune perturbations and postoperative organ dysfunction and clinical outcomes.

The inflammatory microenvironment is closely associated with the initiation and progression of osteoarthritis （OA）， specifically manifesting as macrophage activation， dysregulation of inflammatory cytokines， and redox imbalance. Following an overview of the pathological characteristics of the OA inflammatory microenvironment， this paper reviews the research progress on the mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） intervening in OA by modulating the inflammatory microenvironment. It has been found that TCM monomers/active ingredients （such as total alkaloids from Strychnos nux-vomica ， quercetin， triptolide， etc.）， herb pairs （e.g. Angelica pubescens - Gentiana macrophylla ， Carthami Flos-Lycopodii Herba）， and TCM formulas （such as Zhuanggu jianxi formula， Duhuo jisheng decoction and Rongjin niantong formula， etc.） can inhibit macrophage activation， reduce the release of proinflammatory cytokines and the generation of reactive oxygen species by inhibiting multiple signaling pathways， including nuclear factor-κB， Wnt/ β -catenin， and mitogen-activated protein kinase， thereby alleviating the articular inflammatory microenvironment， restoring local joint homeostasis， and slowing the progression of OA.

Tuberculosis (TB), a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is primarily airborne and remains a global health problem, especially in resource-limited countries and regions. The emergence of drug resistance in M. tuberculosis has rendered the existing means ineffective in the treatment of TB. Therefore, research in new therapeutic directions has become imperative. In this review, we outline functional peptides in terms of the mechanisms of action, anti-TB attempts, advantages and disadvantages, and latest advances, aiming to analyze the research progress in anti-TB peptides. Furthermore, we investigate the potential applications of bioactive compounds found in traditional Chinese Medicine within the context of peptides.

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism through which Banxia Baizhu Tianmatang ameliorates cognitive impairment in epileptic rats induced by lithium chloride-pilocarpine by regulating the neuroinflammatory reaction mediated by NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3） inflammasomes. MethodsSixty male SD rats were randomly allocated into blank， model， carbamazepine （0.125 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， Banxia Baizhu Tianmatang （1.04 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， and carbamazepine （0.125 g·kg^-1·d^-1） + Banxia Baizhu Tianmatang （1.04 g·kg^-1·d^-1） groups （n=12）. After the modeling of epilepsy， rats were administrated with corresponding agents by gavage for 12 weeks. At the 6th and 12th week of the intervention， the rats’ hyper-excited behavior was evaluated by the stylus experiment， and at the 12^th week of intervention， the cognitive function was evaluated by Barnes maze. At the same time， the seizure frequency and severity grade （Racine score） were recorded. The serum and hippocampus tissue samples were collected after anesthesia for the following tests. Nissl staining was used to evaluate the degree of neuronal damage in the hippocampal CA1 area. The content of malondialdehyde （MDA） in the hippocampus was determined by the thiobarbituric acid （TBA） method. Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， and interleukin-18 （IL-18） were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Immunohistochemical method was adopted to detect the expression of apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a card （ASC） in the hippocampus. Western blot was employed to quantitatively analyze the protein levels of NLRP3， cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-1 （Caspase-1）， and brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF） in the hippocampus. ResultsThe model group showed increased stylus scores at the 6th and 12^th week after modeling， a decreased Barnes maze strategy score at the 12^th week， a prolonged incubation period （P<0.05）， elevated serum levels of inflammatory factors （P<0.05）， decreased neurons with scattered arrangement and large gaps in the hippocampus， increased content of MDA in the hippocampus （P<0.05）， an increased positive expression of ASC， and up-regulated protein levels of Caspase-1， NLRP3， and BDNF （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， the intervention with Banxia Baizhu Tianmatang for 12 weeks was accompanied by a decreased stylus score， epileptic seizures with a decreased score， a decreased number， and shortened duration， an increased Barnes maze strategy score， shortened escape latency （P<0.01）， declined serum levels of inflammatory factors （P<0.05）， regular morphology of hippocampal neurons， reduced MDA content in the hippocampus （P<0.05）， a decreased positive expression of ASC， and down-regulated protein levels of Caspase-1， NLRP3， and BDNF （P<0.05， P<0.01）. In addition， compared with the carbamazepine group， Banxia Baizhu Tianmatang + carbamazepine showed improved performance in controlling the seizure， improved the cognitive behavior score and morphology of hippocampal neurons， alleviated the oxidative stress products， lowered the levels of inflammatory factors， reduced the positive expression of ASC in the hippocampus， and down-regulated the expression of Caspase-1， NLRP3 and BDNF， with no significant differences. ConclusionBanxia Baizhu Tianmatang may reduce neuroinflammation， control epileptic seizures， and ameliorate cognitive impairment by inhibiting the expression of NLRP3 inflammasomes.

ObjectiveTo investigate the value of preoperative dual-layer spectral detector CT （DLCT） parameters in predicting lymph node metastasis （LNM） of non-functional pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms （NF-pNENs）. MethodsA retrospective study was conducted on patients with pathologically confirmed NF-pNENs who underwent preoperative contrast-enhanced DLCT examination between September 2019 and July 2024. Regions of interest （ROIs） were manually delineated on three representative slices of the solid component of the lesion， and the mean values were recorded. Conventional CT parameters， monochromatic energy images （40 keV， 70 keV， 100 keV）， iodine concentration maps， and effective atomic number （Z_eff） maps in the pancreatic parenchymal phase and portal venous phase were acquired. A total of 34 parameters， including clinical characteristics， imaging features， conventional CT and DLCT quantitative parameters， were analyzed. Intergroup differences were compared between the LNM and non-LNM groups. Independent predictive factors were screened using logistic regression and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator （LASSO） regression. Receiver operating characteristic （ROC） curves were generated for each predictive model， and the area under the curve （AUC） was calculated to evaluate the predictive efficacy. ResultsA total of 82 patients with NF-pNENs were enrolled， including 37 males and 45 females， with a mean age of 49.7±14.7 years. Thirty patients were performed with LNM and 52 were with non-LNM. After univariate logistic regression， LASSO regression and multivariate stepwise logistic regression analyses， body mass index （BMI）， organ invasion， normalized CT value in the portal venous phase （nCTv） and normalized iodine concentration in the portal venous phase （nICv） were identified as independent predictive factors. The AUCs of the clinical-radiological qualitative model （BMI+organ invasion）， conventional CT model （nCTv）， DLCT model （nICv） and comprehensive model （organ invasion+nICv） were 0.815 （0.719， 0.910）， 0.750 （0.642， 0.858）， 0.829 （0.733， 0.925） and 0.865 （0.879， 0.953）， respectively. The comprehensive model combining clinical-radiological and DLCT characteristics exhibited superior predictive performance. ConclusionDLCT parameters are more effective than conventional CT parameters in predicting LNM in NF-pNENs， enabling non-invasive preoperative prediction and assisting clinical decision-making.

ObjectiveTo investigate the value of preoperative dual-layer spectral detector CT （DLCT） parameters in predicting lymph node metastasis （LNM） of non-functional pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms （NF-pNENs）. MethodsA retrospective study was conducted on patients with pathologically confirmed NF-pNENs who underwent preoperative contrast-enhanced DLCT examination between September 2019 and July 2024. Regions of interest （ROIs） were manually delineated on three representative slices of the solid component of the lesion， and the mean values were recorded. Conventional CT parameters， monochromatic energy images （40 keV， 70 keV， 100 keV）， iodine concentration maps， and effective atomic number （Z_eff） maps in the pancreatic parenchymal phase and portal venous phase were acquired. A total of 34 parameters， including clinical characteristics， imaging features， conventional CT and DLCT quantitative parameters， were analyzed. Intergroup differences were compared between the LNM and non-LNM groups. Independent predictive factors were screened using logistic regression and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator （LASSO） regression. Receiver operating characteristic （ROC） curves were generated for each predictive model， and the area under the curve （AUC） was calculated to evaluate the predictive efficacy. ResultsA total of 82 patients with NF-pNENs were enrolled， including 37 males and 45 females， with a mean age of 49.7±14.7 years. Thirty patients were performed with LNM and 52 were with non-LNM. After univariate logistic regression， LASSO regression and multivariate stepwise logistic regression analyses， body mass index （BMI）， organ invasion， normalized CT value in the portal venous phase （nCTv） and normalized iodine concentration in the portal venous phase （nICv） were identified as independent predictive factors. The AUCs of the clinical-radiological qualitative model （BMI+organ invasion）， conventional CT model （nCTv）， DLCT model （nICv） and comprehensive model （organ invasion+nICv） were 0.815 （0.719， 0.910）， 0.750 （0.642， 0.858）， 0.829 （0.733， 0.925） and 0.865 （0.879， 0.953）， respectively. The comprehensive model combining clinical-radiological and DLCT characteristics exhibited superior predictive performance. ConclusionDLCT parameters are more effective than conventional CT parameters in predicting LNM in NF-pNENs， enabling non-invasive preoperative prediction and assisting clinical decision-making.

AIM: To investigate the potential inhibitory effect of pterostilbene on the endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition(EndMT)induced by high glucose conditions in human retinal microvascular endothelial cells(HRMECs).METHODS: The optimal concentration of pterostilbene for treating HRMECs was determined using the CCK-8 assay, with 12.5 and 25 μmol/L concentrations selected for subsequent experiments. Four experimental groups were established: control group, high glucose group, high glucose combined with 12.5 μmol/L pterostilbene treatment group, and high glucose combined with 25 μmol/L pterostilbene treatment group. The expression levels of HDAC7 and EndMT-associated markers were detected via Western blot analysis. Cell migration ability was assessed using Transwell migration assays and scratch wound healing tests, while vasculogenic capability was evaluated through tube formation assays.RESULTS: The CCK-8 assay revealed that pterostilbene at a concentration of 22.07 μmol/L inhibited 50% of cell viability in HRMECs. Western blot analysis demonstrated that compared with the control group, the expression levels of HDAC7, ZEB1, Vimentin, and Snail were significantly upregulated in HRMECs cultured in high glucose(all P<0.01), while the expressions of VE-cadherin and CD31 were significantly reduced(all P<0.01). Compared to the high glucose group, the treatment with 12.5 and 25 μmol/L pterostilbene significantly reduced the expression of HDAC7, ZEB1, Vimentin, and Snail under high glucose conditions(all P<0.01). Notably, 25 μmol/L pterostilbene enhanced the expression of VE-cadherin and CD31(all P<0.01). Scratch wound healing tests revealed that HRMECs treated with high glucose exhibited a significantly increased cell migration rate compared to the control group(P<0.05), while the application of 25 μmol/L pterostilbene significantly suppressed HRMECs migration under high glucose conditions(P<0.01). Transwell migration assays demonstrated that the cell migration rate in the high glucose group was significantly higher than that in the control group(P<0.01), with cell migration rate markedly reduced following treatment with both of 12.5 and 25 μmol/L pterostilbene(all P<0.01). The tube formation assay revealed that the ability of HRMECs to form tubular structures was significantly enhanced under high glucose conditions(P<0.01), and both 12.5 and 25 μmol/L of pterostilbene effectively inhibited this effect(all P<0.01).CONCLUSION: Pterostilbene can inhibit HDAC7 expression, suppress EndMT-mediated migration of HRMECs, and impair tube formation under high-glucose conditions.

AIM: To investigate the potential inhibitory effect of pterostilbene on the endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition(EndMT)induced by high glucose conditions in human retinal microvascular endothelial cells(HRMECs).METHODS: The optimal concentration of pterostilbene for treating HRMECs was determined using the CCK-8 assay, with 12.5 and 25 μmol/L concentrations selected for subsequent experiments. Four experimental groups were established: control group, high glucose group, high glucose combined with 12.5 μmol/L pterostilbene treatment group, and high glucose combined with 25 μmol/L pterostilbene treatment group. The expression levels of HDAC7 and EndMT-associated markers were detected via Western blot analysis. Cell migration ability was assessed using Transwell migration assays and scratch wound healing tests, while vasculogenic capability was evaluated through tube formation assays.RESULTS: The CCK-8 assay revealed that pterostilbene at a concentration of 22.07 μmol/L inhibited 50% of cell viability in HRMECs. Western blot analysis demonstrated that compared with the control group, the expression levels of HDAC7, ZEB1, Vimentin, and Snail were significantly upregulated in HRMECs cultured in high glucose(all P<0.01), while the expressions of VE-cadherin and CD31 were significantly reduced(all P<0.01). Compared to the high glucose group, the treatment with 12.5 and 25 μmol/L pterostilbene significantly reduced the expression of HDAC7, ZEB1, Vimentin, and Snail under high glucose conditions(all P<0.01). Notably, 25 μmol/L pterostilbene enhanced the expression of VE-cadherin and CD31(all P<0.01). Scratch wound healing tests revealed that HRMECs treated with high glucose exhibited a significantly increased cell migration rate compared to the control group(P<0.05), while the application of 25 μmol/L pterostilbene significantly suppressed HRMECs migration under high glucose conditions(P<0.01). Transwell migration assays demonstrated that the cell migration rate in the high glucose group was significantly higher than that in the control group(P<0.01), with cell migration rate markedly reduced following treatment with both of 12.5 and 25 μmol/L pterostilbene(all P<0.01). The tube formation assay revealed that the ability of HRMECs to form tubular structures was significantly enhanced under high glucose conditions(P<0.01), and both 12.5 and 25 μmol/L of pterostilbene effectively inhibited this effect(all P<0.01).CONCLUSION: Pterostilbene can inhibit HDAC7 expression, suppress EndMT-mediated migration of HRMECs, and impair tube formation under high-glucose conditions.

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 brain iron status in the sensorimotor cortex of patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) and its relationship with changes in resting-state functional connectivity (RS-FC).Methods:This was a cross-sectional study. Thirty-two patients with CLBP (CLBP group) who were treated at Wuxi People′s Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University from July 2023 to March 2024 and 30 age-and gender-matched healthy volunteers (control group) were prospectively included. All subjects underwent pain and neuropsychological assessments and head MRI examinations, including conventional sequences, quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM), and blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) functional MRI. QSM values of the sensorimotor cortex and the left middle frontal gyrus, right inferior temporal gyrus, right olfactory cortex, and right posterior cingulate gyrus were extracted using the ANTs toolkit. The bilateral postcentral gyrus and posterior portion of the bilateral precentral gyrus in the sensorimotor cortex were selected as seed points using SPM software to extract the average time series of BOLD signals and evaluate the changes in RS-FC values with other brain regions. Two-sample t-tests were used to compare the differences in QSM values and RS-FC values between the two groups. Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between iron deposition in key brain regions and RS-FC values and clinical scale scores. Results:The QSM values in the posterior portion of the bilateral precentral gyrus and the left postcentral gyrus in the CLBP group were significantly higher than those in the control group ( t=2.17, P=0.009; t=4.44, P<0.001), and the QSM value in the left postcentral gyrus was positively correlated with pain-related scale scores ( P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the QSM values in the left orbital part of the middle frontal gyrus ( t=2.22, P=0.031) and the right inferior temporal gyrus ( t=2.98, P=0.004) were increased, while the QSM values in the right olfactory cortex ( t=2.54, P=0.014) and the right posterior cingulate gyrus ( t=2.70, P=0.009) were decreased in the CLBP group. Compared with the control group, the RS-FC values between the left postcentral gyrus, the posterior part of the bilateral precentral gyrus, and the left superior frontal gyrus were increased in the CLBP group ( P<0.001), the RS-FC value between the right postcentral gyrus and the right precuneus was increased ( P<0.001). The RS-FC of the bilateral motor cortex and the left dorsolateral superior frontal gyrus was positively correlated with the QSM values of the bilateral motor cortex ( r=0.444, P=0.015). Conclusion:Iron deposition in the sensorimotor cortex (posterior portion of the bilateral precentral gyrus and the left postcentral gyrus) is increased in CLBP patients and is correlated with abnormal functional connectivity within and between brain regions.