BackgroundPostpartum depression can affect the physical and mental health of mothers and the quality of parenting. Most Chinese women perform traditional postpartum practices （commonly known as "doing the month"） after giving birth， while the existing findings are inconsistent and inconclusive regarding the potential of traditional Chinese postpartum practices to alleviate or exacerbate postpartum depression. ObjectiveTo explore the relationship between traditional Chinese postpartum practices and postpartum depression， so as to provide references for reducing the risk of postpartum depression. MethodsA total of 240 consecutive women who gave birth in the obstetrics department of the Mianyang Central Hospital and the Third Hospital of Mianyang from January to May 2024 were selected. Data were collected using Self-designed General Information Questionnaire， Chinese version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale （EPDS）， the Social Support Rating Scale （SSRS）， the Patient Health Questionnaire-15 （PHQ-15）， the Adherence to Doing-the-Month Practices questionnaire （ADP）， and the Self-compiled Questionnaire on the Cognition of Doing-the-Month. The absolute value （A value） of the difference between scores of ADP and Cognition of Doing-the-Month Questionnaire was calculated to evaluate the degree of cognitive behavioral conflict of postpartum women. Pearson correlation analysis was performed to examine the correlations of EPDS score with SSRS score， PHQ-15 score， ADP total and dimensional scores， Cognition of Doing-the-Month Questionnaire total and dimensional scores， and A value. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the protective and risk factors for developing postpartum depression. ResultsThe postpartum depression was detected in 22.50% of women. The postpartum women had a EPDS score of （6.21±5.00）， ADP score of （70.05±20.57）， SSRS score of （41.96±6.96）， PHQ-15 score of （4.63±3.77）， and Cognition of Doing-the-Month questionnaire score of （40.30±10.13）. The A value was （0.65±0.58）. Correlation analysis revealed that EPDS score was negatively correlated with the total ADP score and the four dimensional scores of the restrictions on social activities， diet， housework， and personal hygiene （r=-0.228， -0.146， -0.184， -0.275， -0.168， P<0.05 or 0.01）， and positively correlated with the A value （r=0.161， P<0.05）. Logistic regression analysis indicated that restriction on housework dimension in ADP was entered into the model （OR=0.930， 95% CI： 0.885~0.978）. ConclusionThe restriction on housework dimension in traditional Chinese postpartum practices may be a protective factor against postpartum depression.

Background: and Purpose Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) is an autoimmune-mediated disorder characterized by demyelinating or axonal injury of the peripheral nerve. Our aim is to determine whether serum amyloid A (SAA) is a biomarker of demyelinating injury and disease severity in patients with GBS. Methods: This study retrospectively enrolled 40 patients with either the demyelinating or axonal GBS and sex- and age-matched controls with other neurological diseases as well as healthy subjects. The demographic and clinical features at entry were collected. The serum levels of the SAA isoforms SAA1, SAA2, and SAA4 were determined in the patients with GBS and the controls using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and analyzed for the associations between levels of different SAA isoforms and the clinical features of the patients. Results: The levels of SAA2 and SAA4 were significantly higher in patients with GBS than in both the other neurological disease controls and the healthy subjects (p<0.05 for all). The level of SAA1 did not differ between patients with GBS and the controls. The level of SAA2 was considerably higher in GBS patients with antecedent infection than in those without infection (p=0.020). The levels of different SAA isoforms were not associated with the disease severity or other clinical features of patients with GBS (p>0.05 for all). Conclusions Increased levels of SAA2 and SAA4 may only represent the acute inflammatory status and so cannot be utilized as biomarkers of the disease severity or demyelinating injury in patients with GBS.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) rs1801133 and γ-glutamyl hydrolase (GGH) rs11545078 gene polymorphisms on plasma concentrations and toxicity following high-dose methotrexate (MTX) therapy in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). METHODS: Children with ALL treated at the Xuzhou Children's Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from January 2021 to April 2024 were selected for this study. Genotypes of MTHFR rs1801133 and GGH rs11545078 were determined using multiplex polymerase chain reaction. MTX plasma concentrations were measured by enzyme-multiplied immunoassay technique, and toxicity was graded according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5.0. The relationships between MTHFR rs1801133 and GGH rs11545078 genotypes and both MTX plasma concentrations and associated toxicities were analyzed. RESULTS: In the low-risk ALL group, the MTHFR rs1801133 genotype was associated with increased MTX plasma concentrations at 72 hours (P<0.05). In the intermediate- to high-risk group, the MTHFR rs1801133 genotype was associated with increased MTX plasma concentrations at 48 hours (P<0.05), and the GGH rs11545078 genotype was associated with increased MTX plasma concentrations at 48 hours (P<0.05). In the intermediate- to high-risk group, the MTHFR rs1801133 genotype was associated with the occurrence of reduced hemoglobin (P<0.05), and the GGH rs11545078 genotype was associated with the occurrence of thrombocytopenia (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Detection of MTHFR rs1801133 and GGH rs11545078 genotypes can be used to predict increased MTX plasma concentrations and the occurrence of toxic reactions in high-dose MTX treatment of ALL, enabling timely interventions to enhance safety.
Humans ; Methotrexate/toxicity* ; Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2)/genetics* ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/blood* ; Male ; Female ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; gamma-Glutamyl Hydrolase/genetics* ; Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic/adverse effects* ; Infant ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Adolescent ; Genotype ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

OBJECTIVES: To assess the preliminary efficacy and safety of a dose-intensified C5VD regimen (cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil, vincristine, and doxorubicin) in children with locally advanced hepatoblastoma. METHODS: This prospective study enrolled 24 children with newly diagnosed, locally advanced hepatoblastoma who received the dose-intensified C5VD regimen at Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, and Shanghai Children's Hospital between January 2020 and December 2023. Clinical characteristics, treatment outcomes, and chemotherapy-related toxicities were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 24 patients, 13 were male and 11 were female, with a median age at diagnosis of 18.7 months (range: 3.5-79.4 months). All patients achieved complete macroscopic resection of hepatic lesions without liver transplantation. Serum alpha-fetoprotein levels decreased significantly after two chemotherapy cycles. During a median follow-up of 38.4 months (range: 15.8-50.7 months), all patients maintained continuous complete remission, with 3-year event-free survival and overall survival rates of 100%. Across 144 chemotherapy cycles, the incidence rates of grade 3-4 neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and infections were 97%, 77%, and 71%, respectively; no treatment-related deaths occurred. Notably, 5 patients (21%) developed Brock grade ≥3 hearing loss, of whom 1 required a hearing aid. CONCLUSIONS The dose-intensified C5VD regimen demonstrates significant efficacy with an overall favorable safety profile in the treatment of newly diagnosed, locally advanced pediatric hepatoblastoma. Grade 3-4 myelosuppression and infection are the predominant toxicities. However, high‑dose cisplatin-induced ototoxicity remains a concern, highlighting the need for improved otoprotective strategies.
Humans ; Hepatoblastoma/pathology* ; Male ; Female ; Infant ; Liver Neoplasms/pathology* ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use* ; Child, Preschool ; Prospective Studies ; Doxorubicin/adverse effects* ; Child ; Cisplatin/adverse effects* ; Vincristine/adverse effects* ; Fluorouracil/adverse effects*

OBJECTIVE: To screen novel diagnostic marker or therapeutic target for multiple myeloma (MM). METHODS: Sel1L, SPAG4, KCNN3 and PARM1 were identified by bioinformatics method based on GEO database as high expression genes in MM. Their RNA and protein expression levels in bone marrow mononuclear cells from myeloma cell lines U266, NCI-H929, MM.1s, RPMI8226 and leukemia cell line THP1, as well as 31 MM patients were evaluated by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. Meanwhile, 5 samples of bone marrow from healthy donors for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation were employed as controls. RESULTS: Compared with leukemia cell line THP1, the expression levels of KCNN3, PARM1 and Sel1L mRNA were significantly increased in myeloma cell lines U266, NCI-H929 and MM.1s, while PARM1 was further increased in myeloma cell lines 8226. Western blot showed that the 4 genes were all expressed in the 4 myeloma cell lines. Compared with healthy controls, the expression levels of Sel1L, SPAG4, KCNN3 and PARM1 mRNA were significantly higher in MM patients (all P < 0.05). Western blot showed that the 4 genes were all expressed in MM patients, and the protein expression level of Sel1L and KCNN3 were significantly different compared with healthy donors (all P < 0.01). CONCLUSION Sel1L, SPAG4, KCNN3 and PARM1 may be potential diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets for MM.
Humans ; Multiple Myeloma/genetics* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Proteins/metabolism* ; Computational Biology ; RNA, Messenger/genetics*

OBJECTIVE: To screen anti-tumor drugs that improve antigen processing and presentation in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells. METHODS: A TCR-like or TCR mimic antibody that can specifically recognize HLA-A*0201:WT1_126-134 ( RMFPNAPYL) complex (hereafter referred to as HLA-A2:WT1) was synthesized to evaluate the function of antigen processing and presentation machinery (APM) in AML cells. AML cell line THP1 was incubated with increasing concentrations of IFN-γ, hypomethylating agents (HMA), immunomodulatory drugs (IMiD), proteasome inhibitors (PI) and γ-secretase inhibitors (GSI), followed by measuring of HLA-ABC, HLA-A2 and HLA-A2:WT1 levels by flow cytometry at consecutive time points. RESULTS: The TCR-like antibody we generated only binds to HLA-A*0201⁺WT1⁺ cells, indicating the specificity of the antibody. HLA-A2:WT1 level of THP-1 cells detected with the TCR-like antibody was increased significantly after co-incubation with IFN-γ, showing that the HLA-A2:WT1 TCR like antibody could evaluate the function of APM. Among the anti-tumor agents screened in this study, GSI (LY-411575) and HMA (decitabine and azacitidine) could significantly increase the HLA-A2:WT1 level. The IMiD lenalidomide and pomalidomide could aslo upregulate the expression of HLA-A2:WT1 complex under certain concentrations of the drugs and incubation time. As proteasome inhibitors, carfilzomib could significantly decreased the expression of HLA-A2:WT1, while bortezomib had no significant effect on HLA-A2:WT1 expression. CONCLUSION HLA-A2:WT1 TCR-like antibody can effectively reflect the APM function. Some of the anti-tumor drugs can affect the APM function and immunogenicity of tumor cells.
Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/immunology* ; Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology* ; Antigen Presentation/drug effects* ; HLA-A2 Antigen/immunology* ; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/immunology* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Interferon-gamma

Background: and Purpose Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) is an autoimmune-mediated disorder characterized by demyelinating or axonal injury of the peripheral nerve. Our aim is to determine whether serum amyloid A (SAA) is a biomarker of demyelinating injury and disease severity in patients with GBS. Methods: This study retrospectively enrolled 40 patients with either the demyelinating or axonal GBS and sex- and age-matched controls with other neurological diseases as well as healthy subjects. The demographic and clinical features at entry were collected. The serum levels of the SAA isoforms SAA1, SAA2, and SAA4 were determined in the patients with GBS and the controls using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and analyzed for the associations between levels of different SAA isoforms and the clinical features of the patients. Results: The levels of SAA2 and SAA4 were significantly higher in patients with GBS than in both the other neurological disease controls and the healthy subjects (p<0.05 for all). The level of SAA1 did not differ between patients with GBS and the controls. The level of SAA2 was considerably higher in GBS patients with antecedent infection than in those without infection (p=0.020). The levels of different SAA isoforms were not associated with the disease severity or other clinical features of patients with GBS (p>0.05 for all). Conclusions Increased levels of SAA2 and SAA4 may only represent the acute inflammatory status and so cannot be utilized as biomarkers of the disease severity or demyelinating injury in patients with GBS.

Background: and Purpose Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) is an autoimmune-mediated disorder characterized by demyelinating or axonal injury of the peripheral nerve. Our aim is to determine whether serum amyloid A (SAA) is a biomarker of demyelinating injury and disease severity in patients with GBS. Methods: This study retrospectively enrolled 40 patients with either the demyelinating or axonal GBS and sex- and age-matched controls with other neurological diseases as well as healthy subjects. The demographic and clinical features at entry were collected. The serum levels of the SAA isoforms SAA1, SAA2, and SAA4 were determined in the patients with GBS and the controls using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and analyzed for the associations between levels of different SAA isoforms and the clinical features of the patients. Results: The levels of SAA2 and SAA4 were significantly higher in patients with GBS than in both the other neurological disease controls and the healthy subjects (p<0.05 for all). The level of SAA1 did not differ between patients with GBS and the controls. The level of SAA2 was considerably higher in GBS patients with antecedent infection than in those without infection (p=0.020). The levels of different SAA isoforms were not associated with the disease severity or other clinical features of patients with GBS (p>0.05 for all). Conclusions Increased levels of SAA2 and SAA4 may only represent the acute inflammatory status and so cannot be utilized as biomarkers of the disease severity or demyelinating injury in patients with GBS.

As a hot spot in clinical research today, immune checkpoint inhibitor has been recommended by guidelines in the first- and second-line treatments of advanced cervical cancer as immune monotherapy or combination therapy. It has also achieved good efficacy in clinical practice. In locally advanced cervical cancer, immune checkpoint inhibitors have been included in the guidelines for adjuvant therapy, and good tumor regression effects have been achieved in clinical practice. Based on the results of existing trials, immune checkpoint inhibitors have also shown good clinical potential as neoadjuvant therapy. Furthermore, the issue of immunotherapy rechallenge has increasingly captured clinicians’ attention, offering a potential new therapeutic strategy for cervical cancer patients with prior immunotherapy exposure. In this article, the clinical application and research progress of immune checkpoint inhibitors in the treatment of cervical cancer in recent years are summarized to provide valuable ideas and directions for clinical treatment.

Panax species are mostly valuable medicinal plants. While some species' seeds are sensitive to dehydration, the dehydration tolerance of seeds from other Panax species remains unclear. The phospholipase D(PLD) gene plays an important role in plant responses to dehydration stress. However, the characteristics of the PLD gene family and their mechanisms of response to dehydration stress in seeds of Panax species with different dehydration tolerances are not well understood. This study used seeds from eight Panax species to measure the germination rates and PLD activity after dehydration and to analyze the correlation between dehydration tolerance and seed traits. Bioinformatics analysis was also conducted to characterize the PnPLD and PvPLD gene families and to evaluate their expression patterns under dehydration stress. The dehydration tolerance of Panax seeds was ranked from high to low as follows: P. ginseng, P. zingiberensis, P. quinquefolius, P. vietnamensis var. fuscidiscus, P. japonicus var. angustifolius, P. japonicus, P. notoginseng, and P. stipuleanatus. A significant negative correlation was found between dehydration tolerance and seed shape(three-dimensional variance), with flatter seeds exhibiting stronger dehydration tolerance(r=-0.792). Eighteen and nineteen PLD members were identified in P. notoginseng and P. vietnamensis var. fuscidiscus, respectively. These members were classified into five isoforms: α, β, γ, δ, and ζ. The gene structures, subcellular localization, physicochemical properties, and other characteristics of PnPLD and PvPLD were similar. Both promoters contained regulatory elements associated with plant growth and development, hormone responses, and both abiotic and biotic stress. During dehydration, the PLD enzyme activity in P. notoginseng seeds gradually increased as the water content decreased, whereas in P. vietnamensis var. fuscidiscus, PLD activity first decreased and then increased. The expression of PLDα and PLDδ in P. notoginseng seeds initially increased and then decreased, whereas in P. vietnamensis var. fuscidiscus, the expression of PLDα and PLDδ consistently decreased. In conclusion, the dehydration tolerance of Panax seeds showed a significant negative correlation with seed shape. The dehydration tolerance in P. vietnamensis var. fuscidiscus and dehydration sensitivity of P. notoginseng seeds may be related to differences in PLD enzyme activity and the expression of PLDα and PLDδ genes. This study provided the first systematic comparison of dehydration tolerance in Panax seeds and analyzed the causes of tolerance differences and the optimal water content for long-term storage at ultra-low temperatures, thus providing a theoretical basis for the short-term and ultra-low temperature long-term storage of medicinal plant seeds with varying dehydration tolerances.
Seeds/metabolism* ; Panax/physiology* ; Plant Proteins/metabolism* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Phospholipase D/metabolism* ; Plants, Medicinal/enzymology* ; Germination ; Multigene Family ; Water/metabolism* ; Dehydration ; Phylogeny