Objective To investigate the regulatory role of the programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and its ligand programmed cell death protein ligand 1 (PD-L1) signaling on the subtypes and functions of natural killer (NK) cells at the maternal-fetal interface during the second trimester in mice following Toxoplasma gondii infection during the first trimester. Methods Twelve 6- to 8-week-old female mice of the C57BL/6J strain were divided into a control group and an infection group, of 6 mice in each group. On the 6.5th day of pregnancy (Gd6.5), each pregnant mouse in the infection group was intraperitoneally injected with 150 tachyzoites of the Toxoplasma gondii PRU strain, while mice in the control group were injected with an equal volume of physiological saline. On the 12.5th day of pregnancy (Gd12.5), uterus and placenta tissues were sampled from pregnant mice for pathological observations, and the mRNA expression levels of PD-1, PD-L1, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were quantified in uterus and placenta tissues. The PD-1 and DX5 expression was measured on NK cells at the maternal-fetal interface using flow cytometry. In addition, the in vitro JEG-3 trophoblast cells and NK-92MI cells co-culture system was established as the control group, and the addition of T. gondii tachyzoites in the co-culture system served as the infection group. The PD-1, PD-L1, and DX5 mRNA expression was quantified in cells using real-time fluorescence quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) assay, and the TNF-α concentration was measured in the cell culture supernatant using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results On Gd12.5, clear and intact cellular structures of placental decidual tissues were seen in pregnant mice in the control group, with no remarkable abnormal changes found in the uterine columnar epithelial cells, and inflammatory cell infiltration and blood stasis at varying degrees were found in uterine and placental tissues from pregnant mice in the infection group. The relative PD-1, PD-L1, and TNF-α mRNA expression was (1.004 ± 0.004), (1.001 ± 0.001), and (1.001 ± 0.001) in uterine tissues from pregnant mice in the control group and (2.480 ± 0.720), (3.355 ± 0.920), and (2.391 ± 0.073) in the infection group, respectively. The relative PD-1, PD-L1, and TNF-α mRNA expression was (1.007 ± 0.010), (1.006 ± 0.006), and (1.001 ± 0.001) in the uterine tissues in the control group and (6.948 ± 1.918), (3.225 ± 1.034), and (1.536 ± 0.150) in the infection group, respectively. The relative PD-1, PD-L1, and TNF-α mRNA expression was higher in both the uterine (t = 3.55, 4.43 and 33.02, all P values < 0.05) and placental tissues (t = 5.36, 3.72 and 6.18, all P values < 0.05) in the infection group than in the control group. Flow cytometry showed that the proportions of PD-1⁺ NK cells, PD-1⁺ DX5⁺ NK cells, and DX5⁺ NK cells were (12.200 ± 1.082)%, (9.373 ± 7.728)%, and (44.000 ± 4.095)% in uterine tissues from pregnant mice in the control group, and (21.733 ± 1.630)%, (18.767 ± 1.242)%, and (73.367 ± 0.611)% in the infection group, respectively. The proportions of PD-1⁺ NK cells, PD-1⁺ DX5⁺ NK cells, and DX5⁺ NK cells were (1.100 ± 0.510)%, (2.277 ± 1.337)%, and (96.167 ± 2.831)% in placental tissues from mice in the control group, and (26.867 ± 9.722)%, (23.433 ± 6.983)%, and (82.467 ± 2.248)% in the infection group, respectively. The proportions of PD-1⁺ NK cells (t = 8.45, P < 0.05) and DX5⁺ NK cells (t = 12.29, P < 0.05) were higher in uterine tissues from pregnant mice in the infection group than in the control group, and no significant difference was seen in the proportion of PD-1⁺ DX5⁺ NK cells (Z = -1.09, P > 0.05). The proportions of PD-1⁺ NK cells (t = 4.58, P < 0.05) and PD-1⁺ DX5⁺ NK cells (t = 5.15, P < 0.05) were higher in placental tissues from pregnant mice in the infection group than in the control group, while the proportion of DX5⁺ NK cells was lower in the infection group than in the control group (t = -6.56, P < 0.05). RT-qPCR assay revealed that the relative PD-1, PD-L1, and DX5 mRNA expression was (1.010 ± 0.005), (1.002 ± 0.003), and (1.001 ± 0.001) in the JEG-3 cells and NK92MI cells co-culture system and (3.638 ± 1.258), (0.397 ± 0.158), and (4.267 ± 1.750) in the control group, and ELISA measured that the TNF-α concentration was higher in the cell culture supernatant in the infection group [(22.056 ± 3.205) pg/mL] than in the control group [(12.441 ± 0.001) pg/mL] (t = 5.20, P < 0.05). The PD-1(t = 3.62, P < 0.05) and DX5 mRNA expression (t = 3.23, P < 0.05) was higher in the infection group than in the control group, and the PD-L1 mRNA expression was lower in the infection group than in the control group (t = -6.63, P < 0.05). Conclusions Following T. gondii infection, both PD-L1 expression and PD-1 expression on DX5⁺ NK cells at the maternal-fetal interface are upregulated in mice during the second trimester; however, the proportion of DX5⁺ NK cells decreases. These findings suggest that PD-1/PD-L1 signaling may suppress NK cell functions by modulating DX5⁺ NK cell subsets.

To describe the incidence and mortality of adult head and neck cancer (HNC) in different regions worldwide and their temporal trends.

Objective:To discuss the optimal doping concentration of vanadium(V)and silicon(Si)co-doped TiO? coating(V-Si TiO?)formed on titanium surface by electrochemical treatment,to evaluate its antibacterial effect under visible light irradiation,and to clarify its visible light response mechanism.Methods:The medical pure titanium sheets were subjected to micro-arc oxidation followed by high-temperature calcination,and V-Si TiO2 coatings with different doping concentrations were prepared by adjusting the ratio of V to Si in the electrolyte.The experiment was divided into 1V:10Si(V5Si50)group,2V:10Si(V10Si50)group,and 3V:10Si(V15Si50)group;control group was set up(contains only bacterial culture medium).The optimal doping concentration was screened based on comprehensive evaluation of surface morphology,ion release,photocatalytic ability,and biocompatibility;cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)method was used to detect the proliferation activities and the survival rates of the cells in various group.Subsequently,the optimized coating was characterized and compared by scanning electron microscope(SEM),atomic force microscopy(AFM),digital eddy current coating thickness gauge,X-ray diffraction(XRD),X-ray photoelectron spectroscope(XPS),and ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy(UV-vis).The experiment was divided into PT group(blank control),PEO group(no element doping),V10 group(V doping),Si50 group(Si doping),and V10Si50 group(2V:10Si).The ability of the coating materials to degrade methylene blue(MB)and generation of reactive oxygen species(ROS)under visible light were detected.For antibacterial experiments,Staphylococcus aureus(S.aureus)and Escherichia coli(E.coli)were used.The colony counts on plates in various groups were recorded after visible light irradiation for 2 h and dark treatment for 2 h,respectively.The ROS levels were detected using 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate(DCFH-DA)ROS probe.ROS scavenging experiment was performed using the optimal doping concentration V10Si50 group,and the two kinds of bacteria were divided into blank control group,N-acetylcysteine(NAC)group,V10Si50 group,and NAC+V10Si50 group.The colony counts on plates in various groups were recorded after visible light irradiation for 2 h.Results:The V concentration of 0.01 mol·L?1 and Si concentration of 0.05 mol·L?1 in the electrolyte solution were the optimal doping concentrations for the V-Si TiO? coating.The SEM observation results showed that compared with V5Si50 group and V15Si50 group,the surface pore size of the coating material in V10Si50 group was significantly decreased(P<0.05),and the coating thickness was significantly increased(P<0.05);its crystal structure was mainly anatase type,and the MB degradation rate of the coating material in V10Si50 group after 9 h of visible light catalysis was significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with control group,the cell proliferation activity and cell survival rate in V10Si50 group were significantly increased at 1,2,and 4 d of cell culture(P<0.05);at 2 and 4 d of cell culture,the cell proliferation activity and cell survival rate in V5Si50 group and V15Si50 group were significantly decreased(P<0.05).Compared with PT,PEO,and Si50 groups,the colony counts of two kinds of the bacteria in V10 group and V10Si50 group after visible light irradiation for 2 h were significantly decreased(P<0.05).Compared with PT group and PEO group,the ROS levels in two kinds of the bacteria in V10Si50 group after 2 h of irradiation were significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with V10Si50 group,the colony counts of two kinds of the bacteria in NAC+V10Si50 group were significantly increased(P<0.05).Conclusion:A reasonably loaded V-Si TiO? coating material(V10Si50)was screened out,which maintained good biological activity and significantly enhanced the antibacterial effect under visible light irradiation.

Objective:To analyze the influence factors of urinary tract infection after transurethral bipolar plasma enucleation of the prostate (TUPEP) in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH), and the early predictive value of serum inflammatory indicators for postoperative urinary tract infection.Methods:A total of 300 patients with BPH who received TUPEP treatment in the Department of Urology, Kailuan General Hospital from January 2021 to August 2023 were selected, according to whether they had urinary tract infections after the operation, they were divided into infection group ( n=117) and non-infection group ( n=183). The clinical data of the two groups were collected, and the serum inflammatory indexes of the two groups were recorded within 24 hours after the operation, including white blood cell count (WBC), neutrophil granulocyte (NE%), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), serum amyloid A (SAA), procalcitonin (PCT), heparin-binding protein (HBP), interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), interleukin-10 (IL-10), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and serum ferritin (SF). The differences of clinical data and serum inflammatory indexes between the two groups were analyzed. The measurement data of normal distribution were expressed as mean ± standard deviation ( ± s), and independent sample t-test was used for inter-group comparisons. The measurement data of non- normal distribution were represented by median (interquartile range) [ M ( Q1, Q3)], and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for inter-group comparison. The count data were expressed as cases and percentage, and inter-group comparisons were conducted using the Chi-test. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to explored the influencing factors of urinary tract infections in BPH patients after TUPEP surgery. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted using GraphPad Prism 8.0.1 medical plotting softwar to evaluate the predictive value of serum inflammatory markers and combined detection of multiple markers for early postoperative urinary tract infections. Results:The duration of disease, history of diabetes, international prostate symptom score (IPSS), prostate volume, preoperative serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, preoperative urine residual volume, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative catheter indwelling time, and hospitalization time in the infection group were higher than those in the non-infection group ( P<0.05). The preoperative 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) level and maximum urinary flow rate were lower in the infection group than those in the non- infection group ( P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the course of the disease, history of diabetes, IPSS score, prostate volume, preoperative PSA level, preoperative urine residual volume, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative catheter indwelling time was positively correlated with urinary tract infection after TUPEP ( B=0.660, 0.242, 0.164, 0.125, 0.230, 0.066, 0.382, 0.022, 0.436, P<0.01), and preoperative 25OHD level and preoperative maximum urinary flow rate were negatively correlated with urinary tract infection after TUPEP ( B=-0.216, -0.372, P<0.01). The levels of hs-CRP, SAA, PCT, HBP, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α, IFN-γ, SF in the infection group were higher than those in the non-infection group ( P<0.001). The ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of hs-CRP, SAA, PCT, HBP, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α, IFN-γ, SF in early predicting urinary tract infection after TUPEP in BPH patients were 0.697, 0.775, 0.902, 0.873, 0.884, 0.904, 0.917, 0.823, 0.906, 0.852, 0.807, 0.787. The AUC of the combined detection of multiple serum inflammatory markers was 0.972, the sensitivity and specificity were 93.18% and 96.63%, and the sensitivity and specificity of the combined detection of multiple serum inflammatory markers were higher than those of separate detection. Conclusion:The course of BPH, whether to combine history of diabetes, preoperative IPSS score, prostate volume, preoperative PSA level, preoperative 25OHD level, preoperative maximum urinary flow rate, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative catheter indwelling time are influencing factors of urinary tract infection after TUPEP, hs-CRP, SAA, PCT, HBP, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α, IFN-γ, SF had certain value in the early prediction of urinary tract infection after TUPEP in patients with BPH, the combination of multiple indicators can improve the predictive value of early urinary tract infection.

Objective:To investigate the effect of modified citrus pectin (MCP) on the glucose metabolism of rabbit articular chondrocytes.Methods:The third generation (P3) rabbit knee chondrocytes were extracted and cultured with 0 μg/ml (MCP0, control group) and 500 μg/ml of MCP (MCP500) for 3 days. Chondrocytes (P2-P7)were cultured continuously, and each generation of chondrocytes was treated with MCP0 and MCP500 medium for 3 days. Chondrocytes were treated with interleukin-1β (IL-1β) for 1 day and then treated with MCP0 and MCP500 medium for 3 days, respectively. Chondrocytes were treated with 2-deoxy-glucose (2DG) for 1 day and then treated with MCP0 and MCP500 medium for 3 days, respectively. After three days of culture, the proliferation of chondrocytes was calculated by CCK-8. Glucose uptake activity and lactate production of chondrocytes were measured by glucose and lactate detection kits. The synthesis of type Ⅱ collagen (COL2A1) in sequential chondrocytes was investigated by immunofluorescence staining. The gene expression of COL2A1, proteoglycan ( ACAN), SOX9, hypoxia-inducible factor-1α ( HIF-1α), glucose transporter-1 ( Glut-1), pyruvate kinase M2 ( PKM2), lactate dehydrogenase-A ( LDHA) and glucose transporter-1 ( Glut-3) were further detected by RT-qPCR. Results:Compared with the control group, MCP treatment could increase the glucose uptake activity and lactate production of chondrocytes, and enhance the gene expression ability of HIF-1α, Glut-1, PKM2 and ACAN. Besides, MCP treatment could stimulate chondrocyte proliferation, maintain chondrocyte phenotype, increase lactate production, and upregulate the expression of COL2A1, ACAN, SOX9, HIF-1α, Glut-1, PKM2 and LDHA. After the treatment with IL-1β, MCP treatment could increase glucose uptake activity and upregulate the expression of COL2A1, ACAN, HIF-1α and Glut-1. After treatment with 2DG, MCP treatment could increase glucose uptake activity and upregulate the expression of SOX9, HIF-1α, PKM2 and Glut-3 genes. Conclusions:MCP can enhance the glucose uptake capacity of chondrocytes and increase the level of chondrocyte glycolytic metabolism.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of Gastrodiae Rhizoma-Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma drug pair in the treatment of hypertension based on the network pharmacology method and animal experiment verification.Methods(1)TCMSP,BATMAN and TCMIP databases were used to screen the active components and targets of Gastrodiae Rhizoma-Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma drug pair.The hypertension-related targets were obtained by searching the Drugbank,Genecard,TTD and Disgenet databases.The intersection(common target)of the active component target and the target related to hypertension disease was taken,and the obtained intersection target was the potential target of Gastrodiae Rhizoma-Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma drug pair for the treatment of hypertension.The active ingredients and their targets of Gastrodiae Rhizoma-Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma drug pair were imported into Cytoscape 3.9.1 software to construct a'Chinese medicines-active ingredients-targets'network and screen key active ingredients.The protein-protein interaction(PPI)network of potential targets was constructed to screen potential core targets.The Metascape platform was used to analyze the GO function and KEGG pathway enrichment of potential targets.The key active components and potential core targets were selected for molecular docking verification.(2)Thirty male spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHR)were randomly divided into model group,western medicine group(Candesartan Cilexetil,0.72 mg·kg-1)and low-,medium-and high-dose groups of Gastrodiae Rhizoma-Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma(2.25,4.50,9.00 g·kg-1).Another male WKY rats were selected as blank group,with 6 rats in each group,once a day for 8 weeks.The systolic blood pressure of rat tail artery was detected before administration and 2,4,6 and 8 weeks after drug intervention.The pathological changes of thoracic aorta were observed by HE staining.The protein expression levels of GRP78,CHOP and Caspase-12 in aorta abdominalis were detected by Western Blot.Results(1)A total of 83 active components of Gastrodiae Rhizoma-Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma were obtained,and 158 potential targets(intersection targets)for the treatment of hypertension were screened out.Five key active ingredients:p-hydroxybenzoic acid,4-hydroxybenzylamine,tanshinone I,tanshinone,γ-sitosterol;6 potential core targets:IL6,TNF,CASP3,JUN,PTGS2,IL1B;GO functional enrichment analysis obtained 1 826 biological process items,89 cell component items,and 199 molecular function items.KEGG pathway enrichment analysis obtained 186 pathways,mainly involving neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction,calcium signaling pathway,inflammatory response(such as TNF and MAPK signaling pathway),vascular protection(such as HIF-1 and cAMP signaling pathway),oxidative stress(such as PI3K-Akt signaling pathway)and other signaling pathways.Tanshinone I and tanshinone had strong binding force to 6 potential core targets,and γ-sitosterol had strong binding force to IL6,CASP3,JUN,PTGS2 and IL1B.(2)Compared with the blank group,the systolic blood pressure of the model group was significantly increased(P＜0.01).The thoracic aortic endothelial injury was obvious,the endothelial cell morphology was abnormal,swelling and exfoliated cells could be seen,the intima of the tissue was disordered,the intima structure was incomplete,and the intima was thickened.The protein expressions of GRP78,CHOP and Caspase-12 in abdominal aorta were significantly increased(P＜0.01).Compared with the model group,the systolic blood pressure of the rats in the administration group was significantly decreased(P＜0.01);the injury of thoracic aorta was alleviated,and the morphology,intima structure and thickness of endothelial cells were improved to varying degrees.The protein expressions of GRP78,CHOP and Caspase-12 in abdominal aorta were significantly decreased(P＜0.01).Conclusion Gastrodiae Rhizoma-Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma drug pair may act on core targets such as IL6,TNF,CASP3,JUN,PTGS2,and IL1B through key active components such as p-hydroxybenzoic acid,tanshinone,and γ-sitosterol,and regulate key signaling pathways such as TNF signaling pathway,MAPK signaling pathway,PI3K-Akt signaling pathway,and PERK signaling pathway to improve vascular endothelial dysfunction,inhibit endoplasmic reticulum stress,and lower blood pressure.

This article summarized the experience of Professor Xiong Jibai,a national TCM master,in treating pulmonary nodules based on the theory of"body fluids and blood stasis mixing"in Huang Di Nei Jing.Professor Xiong Jibai believes that the basic pathogenesis of pulmonary nodules is that"body fluids and blood stasis mixing"accumulate in lung collaterals,and the fundamental pathological factor is phlegm and blood stasis.Xiong's treatment is based on dissipating phlegm and activating qi,activating blood circulation and resolving masses,paying attention to syndrome differentiation and treatment,examining syndromes and seeking causes,flexibly selecting prescriptions and treating both symptoms and root causes;attaching importance to maintaining healthy qi,preventing both illness and change,and preventing recovery after illness.Clinical medical records were attached to prove the clinical thinking and medication characteristics.

Background::The conversion of adenosine (A) to inosine (I) through deamination is the prevailing form of RNA editing, impacting numerous nuclear and cytoplasmic transcripts across various eukaryotic species. Millions of high-confidence RNA editing sites have been identified and integrated into various RNA databases, providing a convenient platform for the rapid identification of key drivers of cancer and potential therapeutic targets. However, the available database for integration of RNA editing in hematopoietic cells and hematopoietic malignancies is still lacking.Methods::We downloaded RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data of 29 leukemia patients and 19 healthy donors from National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, and RNA-seq data of 12 mouse hematopoietic cell populations obtained from our previous research were also used. We performed sequence alignment, identified RNA editing sites, and obtained characteristic editing sites related to normal hematopoietic development and abnormal editing sites associated with hematologic diseases.Results::We established a new database, "REDH", represents RNA editome in hematopoietic differentiation and malignancy. REDH is a curated database of associations between RNA editome and hematopoiesis. REDH integrates 30,796 editing sites from 12 murine adult hematopoietic cell populations and systematically characterizes more than 400,000 edited events in malignant hematopoietic samples from 48 cohorts (human). Through the Differentiation, Disease, Enrichment, and knowledge modules, each A-to-I editing site is systematically integrated, including its distribution throughout the genome, its clinical information (human sample), and functional editing sites under physiological and pathological conditions. Furthermore, REDH compares the similarities and differences of editing sites between different hematologic malignancies and healthy control.Conclusions::REDH is accessible at http://www.redhdatabase.com/. This user-friendly database would aid in understanding the mechanisms of RNA editing in hematopoietic differentiation and malignancies. It provides a set of data related to the maintenance of hematopoietic homeostasis and identifying potential therapeutic targets in malignancies.

The C-glycosidic bond that connects the sugar moiety with aglycone is difficult to be broken or made due to its inert nature. The knowledge of C-glycoside breakdown and synthesis is very limited. Recently, the enzyme DgpA/B/C cascade from a human intestinal bacterium PUE was identified to specifically cleave the C-glycosidic bond of puerarin (daidzein-8-C-glucoside). Here we investigated how puerarin is recognized and oxidized by DgpA based on crystal structures of DgpA with or without substrate and biochemical characterization. More strikingly, we found that apart from being a C-glycoside cleaving enzyme, DgpA/B/C is capable of efficiently converting O- to C-glycoside showing the activity as a structure isomerase. A possible mechanistic model was proposed dependently of the simulated complex structure of DgpB/C with 3″-oxo-daidzin and structure-based mutagenesis. Our findings not only shed light on understanding the enzyme-mediated C-glycosidic bond breakage and formation, but also may help to facilitate stereospecific C-glycoside synthesis in pharmaceutical industry.

Objective:To study the effects of modified citrus pectin (MCP) on the viability and gene expressions of synovial fibroblasts (SF) as well as SF treated by galectin-3 (Gal-3).Methods:Rabbit SF was isolated and cultured in vitro. Then SF was treated with different concentrations of MCP (0, 250, 500, and 750 mg/L). In addition, SF was further treated with the same different concentrations of MCP after treatment with 10 μg/ml Gal-3 for 24 h. The viability of SF was detected by CCK-8 on the first, third, and fifth day after treatment. The mRNA expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), type I collagen (COL1A2), and Gal-3 in SF was detected by real-time quantitative PCR. The synthesis of type I collagen in SF was investigated by immunofluorescence staining. Results:MCP, especially at a concentration of 500 mg/L can inhibit the proliferation of SF significantly (all P < 0.05) on the first, third, and fifth day after treatment. Compared with the control group, MCP at different concentrations induced different gene expression profiles. In particular, MCP at high concentrations can upregulate the expression of TGF-β1, COL1A2 and Gal-3 in SF. However, MCP shows no significant effect on the synthesis of type I collagen in SF. MCP can down-regulate the expression of TGF-β1, COL1A2, and significantly reduce the synthesis of type I collagen in SF after Gal-3 treatment. Particularly, the effect of MCP at a concentration of 500 mg/L on inhibiting the expression of TGF-β1, COL1A2, and Gal-3 in SF is significant. Conclusions:MCP can inhibit the excessive proliferation of SF and regulate gene expression in SF.