Background: s/Aims: Sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare histological subtype of HCC characterized by extremely poor prognosis; however, its molecular characterization has not been elucidated. Methods: In this study, we conducted an integrated multiomics study of whole-exome sequencing, RNA-seq, spatial transcriptome, and immunohistochemical analyses of 28 paired sarcomatoid tumor components and conventional HCC components from 10 patients with sarcomatoid HCC, in order to identify frequently altered genes, infer the tumor subclonal architectures, track the genomic evolution, and delineate the transcriptional characteristics of sarcomatoid HCCs. Results: Our results showed that the sarcomatoid HCCs had poor prognosis. The sarcomatoid tumor components and the conventional HCC components were derived from common ancestors, mostly accessing similar mutational processes. Clonal phylogenies demonstrated branched tumor evolution during sarcomatoid HCC development and progression. TP53 mutation commonly occurred at tumor initiation, whereas ARID2 mutation often occurred later. Transcriptome analyses revealed the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and hypoxic phenotype in sarcomatoid tumor components, which were confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. Moreover, we identified ARID2 mutations in 70% (7/10) of patients with sarcomatoid HCC but only 1–5% of patients with non-sarcomatoid HCC. Biofunctional investigations revealed that inactivating mutation of ARID2 contributes to HCC growth and metastasis and induces EMT in a hypoxic microenvironment. Conclusions We offer a comprehensive description of the molecular basis for sarcomatoid HCC, and identify genomic alteration (ARID2 mutation) together with the tumor microenvironment (hypoxic microenvironment), that may contribute to the formation of the sarcomatoid tumor component through EMT, leading to sarcomatoid HCC development and progression.

Background: s/Aims: Sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare histological subtype of HCC characterized by extremely poor prognosis; however, its molecular characterization has not been elucidated. Methods: In this study, we conducted an integrated multiomics study of whole-exome sequencing, RNA-seq, spatial transcriptome, and immunohistochemical analyses of 28 paired sarcomatoid tumor components and conventional HCC components from 10 patients with sarcomatoid HCC, in order to identify frequently altered genes, infer the tumor subclonal architectures, track the genomic evolution, and delineate the transcriptional characteristics of sarcomatoid HCCs. Results: Our results showed that the sarcomatoid HCCs had poor prognosis. The sarcomatoid tumor components and the conventional HCC components were derived from common ancestors, mostly accessing similar mutational processes. Clonal phylogenies demonstrated branched tumor evolution during sarcomatoid HCC development and progression. TP53 mutation commonly occurred at tumor initiation, whereas ARID2 mutation often occurred later. Transcriptome analyses revealed the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and hypoxic phenotype in sarcomatoid tumor components, which were confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. Moreover, we identified ARID2 mutations in 70% (7/10) of patients with sarcomatoid HCC but only 1–5% of patients with non-sarcomatoid HCC. Biofunctional investigations revealed that inactivating mutation of ARID2 contributes to HCC growth and metastasis and induces EMT in a hypoxic microenvironment. Conclusions We offer a comprehensive description of the molecular basis for sarcomatoid HCC, and identify genomic alteration (ARID2 mutation) together with the tumor microenvironment (hypoxic microenvironment), that may contribute to the formation of the sarcomatoid tumor component through EMT, leading to sarcomatoid HCC development and progression.

Background: s/Aims: Sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare histological subtype of HCC characterized by extremely poor prognosis; however, its molecular characterization has not been elucidated. Methods: In this study, we conducted an integrated multiomics study of whole-exome sequencing, RNA-seq, spatial transcriptome, and immunohistochemical analyses of 28 paired sarcomatoid tumor components and conventional HCC components from 10 patients with sarcomatoid HCC, in order to identify frequently altered genes, infer the tumor subclonal architectures, track the genomic evolution, and delineate the transcriptional characteristics of sarcomatoid HCCs. Results: Our results showed that the sarcomatoid HCCs had poor prognosis. The sarcomatoid tumor components and the conventional HCC components were derived from common ancestors, mostly accessing similar mutational processes. Clonal phylogenies demonstrated branched tumor evolution during sarcomatoid HCC development and progression. TP53 mutation commonly occurred at tumor initiation, whereas ARID2 mutation often occurred later. Transcriptome analyses revealed the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and hypoxic phenotype in sarcomatoid tumor components, which were confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. Moreover, we identified ARID2 mutations in 70% (7/10) of patients with sarcomatoid HCC but only 1–5% of patients with non-sarcomatoid HCC. Biofunctional investigations revealed that inactivating mutation of ARID2 contributes to HCC growth and metastasis and induces EMT in a hypoxic microenvironment. Conclusions We offer a comprehensive description of the molecular basis for sarcomatoid HCC, and identify genomic alteration (ARID2 mutation) together with the tumor microenvironment (hypoxic microenvironment), that may contribute to the formation of the sarcomatoid tumor component through EMT, leading to sarcomatoid HCC development and progression.

Aim To clarify the differential proteins of mammary tissues in Xihuang pills(XHP)against hy-perplasia of mammary glands(HMG)based on quanti-tative proteomics technology and validate them,and to explore the mechanism of action.Methods SD rats were randomly divided into blank group,model group and XHP group,with 10 rats in each group.Except for the blank group,estrogen and progesterone were injec-ted intramuscularly to establish a rat model of mamma-ry hyperplasia for 30 d.After XHP was administered for 14 d,the rats in each group were observed to have morphological changes in the apparent morphology of the mammary tissues,and pathological changes in the mammary tissues were stained with hematoxylin-eosin staining(HE),and the differentially expressed pro-teins(DEPs)in the groups were screened by quantita-tive proteomics technology and subjected to bioinforma-tics analysis,and Western blot to verify the key DEPs.Results Compared with the model group,the appar-ent pathological morphology of the XHP group was sig-nificantly improved,the diameter of the nipple height of the rats was significantly reduced(P＜0.01),and the degree of histopathology was significantly allevia-ted.Quantitative proteomics identified 4,299 DEPs in mammary tissue,and bioinformatics analysis of 14 DEPs with consistent changes between the XHP group and the blank group relative to the model group re-vealed that they were related to the regulation of mus-cular systemic processes,regulation of muscle contrac-tion,DNA replication,and pre-initiation of DNA repli-cation.Western blot results showed that,compared with the model group,rat mammary tissue of the XHP group showed significantly lower levels of ACLY and ALDOC protein expression levels were significantly re-duced and BIN1 protein expression levels were signifi-cantly increased(P＜0.01).Conclusions XHP may exert its anti-mammary hyperplasia effect through the regulation of BIN1,ACLY and ALDOC protein lev-els,the regulation of DNA replication,the regulation of pre-initiation of DNA replication and muscular sys-temic processes,and the regulation of muscle contrac-tion.

Objective:To analyze the genes related to platelet activation in essential thrombocythemia (ET)based on transcriptome sequencing technology (RNA-seq ),and to explore the potential targets related to ET thrombosis. Methods:Blood samples from ET patients and healthy individuals were collected for RNA-seq,and differentially expressed lncRNAs,miRNAs,and mRNAs were selected to construct a lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network. Differential mRNAs in the regulatory network were enriched and analyzed using Gene Ontology (GO ) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG).The real-time PCR method was applied to validate differential mRNAs on crucial signaling pathways.Results:A total of 32 lncRNAs (3 up-regulated,29 down-regulated),16 miRNAs (8 up-regulated,8 down-regulated),and 35 mRNAs (27 up-regulated,8 down-regulated)were identified as differentially expressed.Among them,5 lncRNAs,12 miRNAs,and 19 mRNAs constituted the regulatory network.KEGG enrichment analysis showed that the differential mRNAs were related to the platelet activation signaling pathway,and there were 6 differential mRNAs related to platelet activation,namely F2R,ITGA2B,ITGB1,ITGB3,PTGS1,and GP1 BB,which were all up-regulated in their expression.RT-PCR results showed that the expression of five mRNAs including F2R,ITGA2B,ITGB1,ITGB3,and GP1BB were upregulated in ET patients compared with healthy subjects,and consistent with RNA-seq results,while PTGS1 expression was not significantly different.Conclusion:Differential mRNAs in ET patients are related to the platelet activation pathway,and F2R,ITGA2B,ITGB1,ITGB3,and GP1BB mRNAs may serve as novel targets associated with platelet activation in ET.

Objective:To analyze the distribution and drug resistance of the pathogen of bloodstream infections in patients with malignancies in Shanxi Province Cancer Hospital.Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted. A total of 8 654 patients with malignancies whose blood culture was detected in Shanxi Province Cancer Hospital between January 2019 and December 2021 were collected, and venous blood was drawn for blood culture. WHONET 5.6 software and SPSS 23.0 software were used to analyze the distribution and drug resistance of the pathogen of bloodstream infections.Results:A total of 600 (6.9%) pathogens were isolated, including 413 (68.8%) strains of Gram-negative bacteria, 168 (28.0%) strains of Gram-positive bacteria, 19 (3.2%) strains of fungi. The top 5 gram-negative bacteria were Escherichia coli (37.7%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (14.2%), Enterobacter cloacae (4.5%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (3.0%), and Acinetobacter baumannii (2.5%). The top 5 gram-positive bacteria were Staphylococcus aureus (4.2%), Enterococcus faecium (4.0%), Staphylococcus hominis (3.8%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (3.5%) and Streptococcus (3.0%); except Klebsiella pneumoniae, there were no statistically significant differences in the composition ratio of other major pathogens from 2019 to 2021 (all P > 0.05). The resistance rates of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Enterobacter cloacae to ampicillin were 94.7% (214/226), 100.0% (85/85) and 96.3% (26/27); the resistance rates of those to ciprofloxacin were 61.9% (140/226), 17.6% (15/85) and 7.4% (2/27); and the resistance rates of those to cefoperazone were 62.4% (141/226), 30.6% (26/85) and 25.9% (7/27), respectively. The resistance rates of P. aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii to carbapenems were 5.5% (1/18) and 93.3% (14/15). Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus hominis, Staphylococcus epidermidis were predominantly Staphylococcus. Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis were the main types of enterococcus. Positive blood culture samples were mainly distributed in hematology department and intensive care unit. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (39 strains) and acute myeloid leukemia (12 strains) were the main diseases. Conclusions:The main pathogen of bloodstream infection in patients with malignancies in this area is Gram-negative bacteria, and drug resistance is common. Hospitals should rationally use antibiotics by combining with drug sensitivity test.

Objectives:To investigate the value of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) in the diagnosis of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) in patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) .Methods:The data of 98 patients with suspected pulmonary infection after allo-HSCT who underwent pathogen detection from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid between June 2016 and August 2023 at Nanfang Hospital were analyzed. The diagnostic performance of mNGS, conventional methods, and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) for PJP were compared.Results:A total of 12 patients were diagnosed with PJP, including 11 with a proven diagnosis and 1 with a probable diagnosis. Among the patients with a proven diagnosis, 1 was positive by both conventional methods and qPCR, and 10 were positive by qPCR only. Pneumocystis jirovecii was detected by mNGS in all 12 patients. The diagnostic sensitivity of mNGS for PJP was 100%, which was greater than that of conventional methods (8.3%, P=0.001) and similar to that of qPCR (91.6%, P=1.000) . A total of 75% of the patients developed mixed pulmonary infections, and cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus were the most common pathogens. Mixed infection was detected in eight patients by mNGS and in five patients by qPCR, but not by conventional methods ( P=0.008) . Conclusions:mNGS had good sensitivity for diagnosing PJP after allo-HSCT and was advantageous for detecting mixed infectious pathogens; therefore, mNGS might be an effective supplement to regular detection methods and qPCR.

Patients with severe trauma require an extremely timely treatment and transfusion plays an irreplaceable role in the emergency treatment of such patients. An increasing number of evidence-based medicinal evidences and clinical practices suggest that patients with severe traumatic bleeding benefit from early transfusion of low-titer group O whole blood or hemostatic resuscitation with red blood cells, plasma and platelet of a balanced ratio. However, the current domestic mode of blood supply cannot fully meet the requirements of timely and effective blood transfusion for emergency treatment of patients with severe trauma in clinical practice. In order to solve the key problems in blood supply and blood transfusion strategies for emergency treatment of severe trauma, Branch of Clinical Transfusion Medicine of Chinese Medical Association, Group for Trauma Emergency Care and Multiple Injuries of Trauma Branch of Chinese Medical Association, Young Scholar Group of Disaster Medicine Branch of Chinese Medical Association organized domestic experts of blood transfusion medicine and trauma treatment to jointly formulate Chinese expert consensus on blood support mode and blood transfusion strategies for emergency treatment of severe trauma patients ( version 2024). Based on the evidence-based medical evidence and Delphi method of expert consultation and voting, 10 recommendations were put forward from two aspects of blood support mode and transfusion strategies, aiming to provide a reference for transfusion resuscitation in the emergency treatment of severe trauma and further improve the success rate of treatment of patients with severe trauma.

ObjectiveTo investigate the inhibitory effect of Mahuang Xixin Fuzitang on the migration of dendritic cells （DCs） in mice and its underlying mechanism. MethodMouse bone marrow-derived DCs were isolated and cultured. The morphological changes of the cells at different stages were observed under a microscope， and the CD11c⁺ proportion was detected by flow cytometry to identify DC purity. Cells were treated with Mahuang Xixin Fuzitang （1， 2， 5， 10， 20， 40， 50， 100 g·L^-1） for 24 hours， and the effect of Mahuang Xixin Fuzitang on cell proliferation was assessed using the cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） assay to determine the appropriate concentrations for treatment. After modeling by lipopolysaccharide （LPS） induction， DCs were divided into a blank group， a model group， and Mahuang Xixin Fuzitang groups （2， 4， 8 g·L^-1）. The expression of surface molecules CD80， CD86， and major histocompatibility complex-Ⅱ （MHC-Ⅱ） were detected by flow cytometry. Transwell chamber assay was used to observe cell migration. The levels of chemokine C-C-primitive receptor 7 （CCR7） and chemokine C-X-C-primitive receptor 4 （CXCR4） on the cell surface were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The expression of filamentous actin （F-actin） in the cell microfilament cytoskeleton was detected by immunofluorescence （IF） staining. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was employed to determine the mRNA expression levels of Ras homolog family member A （RhoA） and Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase 1 （ROCK1）. Western blot analysis was performed to detect the protein expression of RhoA and ROCK1. ResultCompared with the blank group， the model group exhibited significantly higher expression levels of CD80， CD86， and MHC-Ⅱ （P<0.01）， a significantly increased number of cells migrating to the lower chamber （P<0.01）， and significantly elevated levels of CCR7 and CXCR4 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Additionally， F-actin expression was significantly increased （P<0.01）， and both RhoA and ROCK1 mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly higher （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， treatment with Mahuang Xixin Fuzitang （2， 4， 8 g·L^-1） for 24 hours resulted in significantly lower expression levels of CD80， CD86， and MHC-Ⅱ （P<0.01）， a significantly reduced number of cells migrating to the lower chamber （P<0.05）， and significantly decreased levels of CCR7 and CXCR4 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Furthermore， F-actin expression was significantly reduced （P<0.01）， and both RhoA and ROCK1 mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionMahuang Xixin Fuzitang can inhibit the migration of DCs in mice， and its mechanism of action may be related to reducing the activity of the Rho/ROCK signaling pathway， thereby affecting changes in the cell cytoskeleton.

Four pyrazines were isolated from the n-butanol fraction of Hypecoum erectum L. by using various chromatographic methods, including MCI gel, ODS, silica gel and semi-preparative HPLC. The structures of the isolated compounds were identified as hyperectpyrazin A (1), 1′S-(6-methylpyrazin-2-yl)-ethane-1′,2′-diol (2), 2-hydroxymethyl-6-methylpyrazin (3) and pyrazine-2-carboxylic acid (4) by spectroscopy methods (1D NMR, 2D NMR, UV, IR, MS, etc.). The absolute configuration of compound 2 was determined by using the Mo₂(OAc)₄ induced CD analysis for the first time. Compound 1 was a new compound, compounds 2-4 were isolated from H. erectum for the first time. Compounds 1-4 were evaluated for their inhibition against acetylcholinesterase and nitric oxide generation induced by lipopolysaccharide-RAW264.7 macrophage cells. At a concentration of 50 μmol·L^-1, compounds 2 and 4 displayed inhibitory effects on acetylcholinesterase with the inhibition rates of 44.40% and 43.99%, respectively.