Lirispirolides A-L (1-12), twelve novel sesquiterpene-monoterpene heterodimers featuring distinctive carbon skeletons, were isolated from the branches and leaves of Chinese tulip tree [Liriodendron chinense (L. chinense)], a rare medicinal and ornamental plant endemic to China. The structural elucidation was accomplished through comprehensive spectroscopic analyses, quantum-chemical calculations, and X-ray crystallography. These heterodimers exhibit a characteristic 2-oxaspiro[4.5]decan-1-one structural motif, biosynthetically formed through intermolecular [4 + 2]-cycloaddition between a germacrane-type sesquiterpene and an ocimene-type monoterpene. The majority of the isolated compounds demonstrated significant anti-neuroinflammatory effects in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced BV-2 microglial cells by reducing the production of pro-inflammatory mediators, specifically tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and nitric oxide (NO). Further investigation revealed that the lirispirolides' inhibition of NO release correlated with decreased messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS).
Sesquiterpenes/isolation & purification* ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/isolation & purification* ; Animals ; Mice ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/genetics* ; Nitric Oxide/immunology* ; Microglia/immunology* ; Molecular Structure ; Liriodendron/chemistry* ; Monoterpenes/isolation & purification* ; Plants, Medicinal/chemistry* ; Cell Line ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II/immunology* ; Plant Extracts/pharmacology* ; China

Two novel diketopiperazines (1 and 5), along with ten known compounds (2-4, 6-12) demonstrating significant skin inflammation inhibition, were isolated from a marine-derived fungus identified as Aspergillus sp. FAZW0001. The structural elucidation and configurational reassessments of compounds 1-5 were established through comprehensive spectral analyses, with their absolute configurations determined via single crystal X-ray diffraction using Cu Kα radiation, Marfey's method, and comparison between experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra. Compounds 1, 2, and 8 exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activities in Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes)-induced human monocyte cell lines. Compound 8 demonstrated the ability to down-regulate interleukin-1β (IL-1β) expression by inhibiting Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) expression and modulating the activation of myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling pathways, thus reducing the cellular inflammatory response induced by P. acnes. Additionally, compound 8 showed the capacity to suppress mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation, thereby reducing IL-1β maturation and secretion. A three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationships (3D-QSAR) model was applied to compounds 5-12 to analyze their anti-inflammatory structure-activity relationships.
Humans ; Aspergillus/chemistry* ; Diketopiperazines/isolation & purification* ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/isolation & purification* ; Interleukin-1beta/genetics* ; Toll-Like Receptor 2/immunology* ; Propionibacterium acnes/drug effects* ; NF-kappa B/genetics* ; Molecular Structure ; Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88/immunology* ; Monocytes/immunology* ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/genetics* ; Cell Line

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the spatiotemporal patterns and socioeconomic factors influencing the incidence of tuberculosis (TB) in the Guangdong Province between 2010 and 2019. METHOD: Spatial and temporal variations in TB incidence were mapped using heat maps and hierarchical clustering. Socioenvironmental influencing factors were evaluated using a Bayesian spatiotemporal conditional autoregressive (ST-CAR) model. RESULTS: Annual incidence of TB in Guangdong decreased from 91.85/100,000 in 2010 to 53.06/100,000 in 2019. Spatial hotspots were found in northeastern Guangdong, particularly in Heyuan, Shanwei, and Shantou, while Shenzhen, Dongguan, and Foshan had the lowest rates in the Pearl River Delta. The ST-CAR model showed that the TB risk was lower with higher per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP) [Relative Risk ( RR), 0.91; 95% Confidence Interval ( CI): 0.86-0.98], more the ratio of licensed physicians and physician ( RR, 0.94; 95% CI: 0.90-0.98), and higher per capita public expenditure ( RR, 0.94; 95% CI: 0.90-0.97), with a marginal effect of population density ( RR, 0.86; 95% CI: 0.86-1.00). CONCLUSION The incidence of TB in Guangdong varies spatially and temporally. Areas with poor economic conditions and insufficient healthcare resources are at an increased risk of TB infection. Strategies focusing on equitable health resource distribution and economic development are the key to TB control.
Humans ; China/epidemiology* ; Incidence ; Bayes Theorem ; Spatio-Temporal Analysis ; Tuberculosis/epidemiology* ; Socioeconomic Factors

Objective To analyze the characteristics of HIV-1 pretreatment drug resistance(PDR)and molecular transmission networks in Yubei District,Chongqing,providing evidence for targeted interventions.Methods Using a cross-sectional design,plasma samples were collected from HIV/AIDS patients receiving antiretroviral therapy(ART)in Yubei District from January 2022 to December 2023.Pol gene fragments were extracted and amplified for HIV-1 genotyping and drug resistance analysis.Molecular transmission networks were constructed based on genetic distance calculations.Results Among 478 HIV-1 pol sequences,eight geno-types were identified:with CRF07_BC(60.4%,289/478),CRF08_BC(15.5%,74/478),CRF01_AE(11.7%,56/478),and CRF85_BC(5.9%,28/478).The overall PDR rate was 6.3%(30/478),with resistance to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors(NRTIs)and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors(NNRTIs)at 1.7%(8/478)and 5.2%(25/478),respectively.No protease inhibitor(PI)resistance was de-tected.The molecular network included 177 cases(37.0%network entry rate),forming 53 clusters with 198 connections.Cluster sizes ranged from 2 to 17 nodes,and 75.3%(149/198)of connections were associated with five subdistricts/towns:Shuanglonghu Street,Huixing Street,Luoqi Town,Gulu Town,and Baoshenghu Street.Conclusion HIV-1 genotypes in Yubei District exhibit diversity and complexity,with moderate PDR prevalence.Regional clustering of transmission networks suggests the need for enhanced molecular surveil-lance and targeted interventions based on analytical findings.

ObjectiveTo investigate the expression level of lysophosphatidyllecithin acyltransferase 4 （LPCAT4） in pancreatic cancer and its effect on the proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells. MethodsIn this study， the differentially expressed genes of patients with KRAS mutant and wild-type pancreatic cancer were analyzed by online database LinkedOmics. The LPCAT4 expression in pancreatic cancer tissues was analyzed online by the University of Alabama at Birmingham Cancer Data Analysis （UALCAN）， Sangerbox and gene expression profile interaction analysis 2 （GEPIA2）. Kaplan-Meier Plotter database was used to explore the correlation between LPCAT4 and the prognosis of patients with pancreatic cancer. The expression of LPCAT4 in human pancreatic cancer cells were detected by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot analysis. LPCAT4 was knocked down in the high-expressing SW1990 cell line and overexpressed in the low-expressing MIA PaCa-2 cell line. The effects of LPCAT4 expression on cell proliferation were assessed using CCK-8 and EdU assays. STRING and GEPIA2 databases were used to obtain LPCAT4 binding and coexpressed genes in tumors， which were then analyzed by GO and KEGG. ResultsAnalysis of the LinkedOmics online database revealed a significant upregulation of LPCAT4 in patients with KRAS mutant pancreatic cancer compared to patients with KRAS wild-type pancreatic cancer. The online analysis of GEPIA2， UALCAN and Sangerbox 3.0 showed that the expression of LPCAT4 was higher in pancreatic cancer than in normal tissues. Analysis of the Kaplan-Meier Plotter database revealed that high LPCAT4 expression was associated with poorer prognosis in pancreatic cancer patients.Western blot and qPCR results showed that expression of LPCAT4 in pancreatic cancer cell lines was significantly higher than in normal pancreatic ductal epithelial cells. Knockdown of LPCAT4 in SW1990 cells inhibited proliferation， while overexpression in MIA PaCa-2 cells promoted proliferation. Enrichment analysis indicated that LPCAT4 was closely related to sulfur metabolism. ConclusionsLPCAT4 is highly expressed in pancreatic cancer and is associated with poor prognosis of patients. It plays a significant regulatory role in the proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells， with its expression level closely correlated with cell proliferation capacity. These findings reveal the critical role of LPCAT4 in the malignant progression of pancreatic cancer and provide important evidence for its potential as a therapeutic target.

This study was aimed at identifying the pathogenic bacteria responsible for the death of a young tiger at the Fujian Meihua Mountain South China Tiger Breeding Research Institute.Tissue samples from the lungs,liver,and intestines of the deceased tiger were collected,and the bacteria were cultured inasterile environment.The bacterial strains were characterized according to their morphological and molecular biological properties,including assessment of virulence genes and antibiotic resistance genes,mouse lethality tests,and antibiotic susceptibility evaluations.A predominant bacterial strain isolated from the liver of the deceased tiger was identified as enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli(ETEC)strain Tiger22513F.Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene revealed that the Tiger22513F strain exhibited close genetic similarity to the reference strain ETEC(MF919609.1),with 99.9%nucleotide similarity,and resided on the same evolutionary branch.The Tiger22513F strain contained 11 antibiotic resistance genes(tetA,sul1,sul3,cmlA,floR,blaTEM,blaSHV,blaCMY-2,qnrA,qnrS,and qnrD)along with five virulence genes(VT1,fyuA,tsh,iucD,and ST).Mouse lethality tests indicated significant pathogenicity toward mice,affecting primarily the lungs,liver,and intestines.Antibiotic susceptibility testing demonstrated that this strain exhibited resistance to various classes of beta-lactam antibiotics,as well as quinolones and aminoglycosides.This investigation successfully isolated a multi-drug resistant enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strain with pronounced pathogenicity from the liver of a deceased tiger;thus providing valuable scientific insights for clinical diagnosis,as well as prevention and control measures,against ETEC infections in South China tigers.

BACKGROUND:The age distribution of patients with distal femur fracture is bimodal,being more common in young adults with high-energy injuries and older individuals with low-energy injuries.In cases of complex distal femoral fractures,a single less invasive stabilization system or retrograde femoral nail is insufficient to provide a stable environment for fracture healing and combined fixation is often necessary.OBJECTIVE:A novel combined fixation method(less invasive stabilization system combined with retrograde tibial nail)was developed for the treatment of type A3 distal femur fractures.Using finite element analysis,the bio-mechanical properties of this method were compared with two common combined fixation methods—dual plate(less invasive stabilization system combined with locking compression plate)and nail plate combination(less invasive stabilization system combined with retrograde femoral nail).This study aims to provide a theoretical basis for the selection of clinical internal fixation methods for distal femur fracture.METHODS:CT images of a 23-year-old healthy male volunteer were utilized to reconstruct the femur three-dimensional model using Mimics and Geomagic Studio software.This model was then compared with in vitro finite element analysis data from existing literature to validate the accuracy of the femoral three-dimensional model.The three-dimensional model of type A3 distal femur fractures and internal fixation were then created using Creo 5.0 software.Three kinds of different combined fixation methods(less invasive stabilization system+retrograde tibial nail,less invasive stabilization system+locking compression plate,less invasive stabilization system+retrograde femoral nail)were assembled and subjected to Boolean operation to establish three sets of finite element models.These models were then imported into Abaqus finite element analysis software to assign material properties,apply consistent boundary conditions,and submit calculations under three loads(normal standing,slow walking,and descending stairs).The resulting stress distribution within the internal fixation as well as overall and local deformation of the femur was analyzed.Furthermore,the failure risk and anti-deformation ability of the new combined fixation method(less invasive stabilization system combined with retrograde tibial nail)were evaluated.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Although the anti-deformation ability of the less invasive stabilization system combined with retrograde tibial nail was approximately 10％lower than that of the less invasive stabilization system combined with locking compression plate,it was comparable to that of less invasive stabilization system combined with retrograde femoral nail and demonstrated good anti-deformation ability.(2)The stiffness of the femur with all three combined fixation methods remained consistent during gait,while femur displacement increased linearly with load,indicating high stability.(3)The failure risk associated with less invasive stabilization system combined with retrograde tibial nail was lower than that of the other two methods,with a 2.94％reduction in failure risk compared to less invasive stabilization system combined with locking compression plate.(4)This new combined fixation method offers distinct advantages in terms of anti-deformation ability,safety,and effectiveness,laying a theoretical foundation for further clinical application.

Objective:To explore the clinical efficacy of retrograde tibial intramedullary nail (RTN) combined with less invasive stabilization system (LISS) in the treatment of distal femoral fractures.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the data of 11 patients with distal femoral fractures who underwent RTN combined with LISS locking plate treatment at the 909th Hospital from June 2021 to December 2022. There were 5 males and 6 females, with an average age of 56.5±17.5 years. The fracture types were AO/OTA 33A2 in 2 cases, A3 in 2 cases, C1 in 2 cases, and C2 in 2 cases. There were 3 cases of periprosthetic femoral fractures after total knee arthroplasty (TKA), all classified as Rorabeck type Ⅱ. They were treated with retrograde intramedullary nailing of the tibia combined with a minimally invasive lateral internal fixation system. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, fracture healing time, full weight-bearing time, femorotibial angle, range of motion (ROM) of the knee joint, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score, visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, and complications were recorded.Results:The operation was successfully completed in all 11 cases. The operation time was 98.3±9.0 min (range 83-115 min), and the intraoperative blood loss was 167.8±24.3 ml (range 120-210 ml). All 11 cases were followed up for 11.0±1.9 months (range 9-15 months). The healing time of 11 cases was 5.3±0.8 months (range 4-6 months) after operation. The time of complete weight-bearing activity after operation was 55.7±6.5 d (range 46-67 d). At the last follow-up, the femoral-tibial angle of 11 cases was 171.2°±1.8° (range 169°-174°), the ROM of knee joint was 129.5°±4.7° (range 120°-135°), and the HSS score was 86.8±6.9 points (range 69-95 points). There were no major complications except for one case of superficial infection of surgical incision after operation.Conclusion:RTN combined with lateral LISS locking plate showed good clinical effect with the advantages of less trauma, reliable fixation, rapid recovery, less postoperative complications.

Body weight abnormalities, including overweight, obesity, and underweight, have become a dual public health challenge in Chinese adults: overweight and obesity lead to a variety of chronic complications, while underweight increases the risks of malnutrition, sarcopenia, and organ dysfunction. To systematically address these issues, multidisciplinary experts in endocrinology, sports science, nutrition, and psychiatry from various regions have held multiple weight management seminars. Based on the latest epidemiological data and clinical evidence, they expanded the guideline to include assessment and intervention strategies for underweight, in addition to the core content of obesity management. This guideline outlines the etiological mechanisms, evaluation methods, and multidimensional management strategies for overweight and obesity, covering key areas such as diagnosis and assessment, medical nutrition therapy, exercise prescription, pharmacological intervention, and psychological support. It is intended to provide a scientific and standardized approach to weight management across the adult population, aiming to curb the rising prevalence of obesity, mitigate complications associated with abnormal body weight, and improve nutritional status and overall quality of life.

Objective:To assess the predictive value of the percentage of Gleason pattern 4 (G4%) in prostate biopsy for adverse pathology and biochemical recurrence.Methods:We retrospectively analyzed consecutive patients who underwent radical prostatectomy in our institution between January 2019 and December 2023, and included those who were diagnosed with ISUP 2-3 cancer at biopsy. A total of 109 patients were included in this study. The average age of patients was (67.40±6.11) years, and the average BMI of patients was (25.36±2.97) kg/m 2. 49 Cases (45.0%) had a PI-RADS score of 5, and the median prostate volume was 32.60 (24.57, 45.63) ml. The median of most recent tPSA before biopsy was 9.76 (6.89, 12.95) ng/ml, the median PSAD was 0.28 (0.17, 0.44) ng/ml 2, and the median f/tPSA was 0.11 (0.08, 0.16). Clinical T 2b or higher stage was found in 84 cases (77.1%). The total biopsy core length was (22.91±5.18) cm, with a median of 24 (20, 24) biopsy cores and a median of 6 (4, 9) positive cores. Gleason score 3+ 4 was found in 52 cases (47.7%), and Gleason score 4+ 3 in 57 cases (52.3%). Cribriform was present in 30 cases (27.5%). G4% was calculated based on the proportion of Gleason grade 4 tumor relative to total tumor, tumor proportion relative to total tissue, and tissue length. Patients were divided into high-G4% (≥2.45%) and low-G4% (<2.45%) groups based on the median G4% value, with 55 and 54 cases, respectively. No significant differences were observed in baseline characteristics between the two groups ( P>0.05). The main risk factor of adverse pathology was analyzed by logistic regression, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and area under curve (AUC) were performed. Patients were further stratified by the G4% cutoff value from ROC, and Kaplan-Meier survival curves were plotted to compare biochemical recurrence free survival (BCRFS) between groups. The main risk factor affecting BCRFS was analyzed by Cox regression. Adverse pathology was defined as postoperative Gleason score ≥4+ 3 or pathological stage ≥T 3a. Results:Adverse pathology occurred in 44 (80.0%) high-G4% and 16 (29.6%) low-G4% patients ( P<0.01). Multivariate analysis identified G4% as an independent risk factor for adverse pathology ( OR=1.23, 95% CI 1.02-1.50, P=0.033). The highest ROC AUC value was seen for G4% (0.799), significantly outperforming Gleason score (0.799 vs. 0.641, P=0.003), tPSA (0.799 vs. 0.615, P=0.003), PSAD (0.799 vs. 0.679, P=0.038), positive cores (0.799 vs. 0.677, P=0.009), clinical T stage (0.799 vs. 0.607, P=0.001) and cribriform (0.799 vs. 0.639, P=0.001). The G4% cutoff value for predicting biochemical recurrence was 10.97%. The median BCRFS was significantly higher in the low G4% (<10.97%) group than that in the high G4% (≥10.97%) group (55 vs. 28 months, P=0.002). Cumulative recurrence free survival rates at 1 and 3 years were 94.6% vs. 74.1% and 78.0% vs. 47.6%, respectively. Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicates that G4% was an independent risk factor affecting BCRFS ( HR=1.11, 95% CI 1.00-1.23, P=0.041). Conclusions:For patients with ISUP 2-3 nmPCa, a higher G4% in biopsy specimens demonstrates strong predictive ability for adverse pathology and biochemical recurrence, outperforming traditional clinical indicators such as Gleason score and PSA.