Objective To investigate the role of activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in order to elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying BPH progression. Methods Firstly, we analyzed the correlation between the expression of ATF4 and the volume of prostate transition zone in BPH tissues using publicly available datasets. Subsequently, we explored the potential association among ATF4, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and BPH through single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). Finally, we validated the findings by silencing ATF4 and treating BPH cells with ATF4 protein inhibitors, followed by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), CCK-8 assay, and Western blot. Results The expression of ATF4 in BPH tissues exhibited a significant positive correlation with the volume of prostate transition zone (r=0.64, P＜0.05). scRNA-seq analysis revealed that ATF4 was significantly upregulated in the prostate epithelial cells of BPH patients (P＜0.05), and its expression demonstrated a significant positive correlation with the Hallmark EMT singscore (r=0.14, P＜0.05). In vitro experiments further indicated that knockdown of ATF4 led to a significant reduction in the proliferative activity of BPH-1 cells (P＜0.05). Similarly, inhibition of ATF4 activity resulted in a marked decrease in the proliferative capacity and EMT of BPH-1 cells (P＜0.05). Conclusion ATF4 may exert a promoting effect on BPH by modulating the EMT signaling pathway;therefore, ATF4 may serve as a novel therapeutic target of BPH.

Objective:To analyze the genetic characteristics of the prevalent strains of Varicella-Zoster virus (VZV) in the population of Dali, Yunnan, and to understand its evolutionary status in the population of Dali.Methods:Herpes fluid and 163 sera were collected from 249 patients clinically suspected to have varicella or herpes zoster in the Department of Dermatology of the Second People′s Hospital of Dali city, Yunnan province, China, from 2023 to 2024. The levels of VZV-specific IgG and IgM antibodies in serum were detected using enzyme-linked immunoassay. Viral DNA was extracted from the herpes fluid, and the cycle threshold ( Ct) of the samples was detected using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and some samples with Ct ≦ 22 were selected for sequencing by next-generation sequencing technology (next-generation sequencing). Next-generation sequencing (NGS) was used to obtain 90 whole genome sequences of VZV, and the sequencing result were compared with the sequences of reference strains for multiple sequence comparison and evolutionary analysis. Snapgene was used to translate the nucleotides into amino acids, and the result were compared with the amino acid sequences of the reference strain. Results:Of the 90 VZV whole-genome sequences, one whole-genome sequence was from an adult varicella patient, and the remaining 89 whole-genome sequences were from herpes zoster patients. The serum-specific IgG antibody positivity rate was 99.4%, and the IgM antibody positivity rate was 52.8%. The result of both single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) site typing and genome-wide phylogenetic tree analysis showed that 83 of the 90 VZV whole-genome sequences in this study were on the same branch as Clade 2, and 7 VZV whole-genome sequences were on the branch of Clade 9.Conclusions:The main endemic branch in Dali region in 2023-2024 was Clade 2, with the emergence of Clade 9 branch; there were amino acid mutations in the proteins encoded by ORF22 and ORF68 in 83 VZV whole genome sequences of Clade 2 branch, and the mutations did not cause significant changes to the protein structure.

Objective:To investigate the clinical outcomes of precapsular pocket repositioning for correcting implant malposition following augmentation mammoplasty.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 29 female patients aged 25-37 (28.8±3.4) years who underwent precapsular pocket repositioning at the Affiliated Friendship Plastic Surgery Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from December 2015 to August 2024. The surgical technique involved preserving the original capsule, creating a new implant pocket anterior to the capsule, and closing the original capsular space. Postoperative complications were recorded, and breast satisfaction was evaluated preoperatively and at 6 months postoperatively using the BREAST-questionnaire (BREAST-Q).Results:All 29 patients successfully underwent precapsular pocket repositioning with primary wound healing. During the follow-up period, all patients were satisfied with the correction of implant malposition. The mean BREAST-Q score improved significantly from (43.56±3.17) scores preoperatively to (72.56±13.49) scores at 6 months postoperatively ( P<0.001). No hematoma, implant rupture, recurrent malposition, capsular contracture, or surgical site infection occurred in any patient. Conclusion:Precapsular pocket repositioning provides favorable clinical outcomes for patients with implant malposition after augmentation mammoplasty, and there are no severe complications .

Objective:To explore the predictive value of miR-21 combined with high mobility group box-1 protein (HMGB1) for postoperative prognosis in patients with hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage (HICH).Methods:A total of 137 HICH patients (HICH group) admitted to the Central Hospital of Yongzhou from March 2021 to March 2023 were retrospectively selected, and 60 healthy subjects undergoing physical examination in the same hospital during the same period were enrolled as the control group. Serum miR-21 and HMGB1 levels were compared between the two groups, and differences in serum miR-21 and HMGB1 levels among HICH patients with different disease severities and prognoses were analyzed. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to screen influencing factors for postoperative prognosis in HICH patients, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was applied to evaluate the predictive value of miR-21 combined with HMGB1 for postoperative prognosis.Results:The relative expression level of serum miR-21 on postoperative day 1 in the HICH group was significantly lower than that in the control group ( P<0.05), while the HMGB1 level was significantly higher ( P<0.05). With the aggravation of HICH severity, the relative expression of serum miR-21 significantly decreased (all P<0.05), while the HMGB1 level significantly increased (all P<0.05). The relative expression of serum miR-21 in the good prognosis group was significantly higher than that in the poor prognosis group ( P<0.05), while the HMGB1 level was significantly lower ( P<0.05). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that miR-21, HMGB1, preoperative Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, and preoperative hematoma volume were influencing factors for postoperative prognosis in HICH patients (all P<0.05). ROC curve showed that the areas under the curve (AUC) of miR-21 and HMGB1 for predicting poor postoperative prognosis in HICH patients were 0.925 and 0.913, respectively, while the AUC of miR-21 combined with HMGB1 was 0.950. Conclusions:Peripheral blood miR-21 is significantly decreased and HMGB1 level is significantly increased in HICH patients. miR-21 combined with HMGB1 has a good predictive value for poor postoperative prognosis in patients with hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage.

Objective:To explore the predictive value of miR-21 combined with high mobility group box-1 protein (HMGB1) for postoperative prognosis in patients with hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage (HICH).Methods:A total of 137 HICH patients (HICH group) admitted to the Central Hospital of Yongzhou from March 2021 to March 2023 were retrospectively selected, and 60 healthy subjects undergoing physical examination in the same hospital during the same period were enrolled as the control group. Serum miR-21 and HMGB1 levels were compared between the two groups, and differences in serum miR-21 and HMGB1 levels among HICH patients with different disease severities and prognoses were analyzed. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to screen influencing factors for postoperative prognosis in HICH patients, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was applied to evaluate the predictive value of miR-21 combined with HMGB1 for postoperative prognosis.Results:The relative expression level of serum miR-21 on postoperative day 1 in the HICH group was significantly lower than that in the control group ( P<0.05), while the HMGB1 level was significantly higher ( P<0.05). With the aggravation of HICH severity, the relative expression of serum miR-21 significantly decreased (all P<0.05), while the HMGB1 level significantly increased (all P<0.05). The relative expression of serum miR-21 in the good prognosis group was significantly higher than that in the poor prognosis group ( P<0.05), while the HMGB1 level was significantly lower ( P<0.05). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that miR-21, HMGB1, preoperative Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, and preoperative hematoma volume were influencing factors for postoperative prognosis in HICH patients (all P<0.05). ROC curve showed that the areas under the curve (AUC) of miR-21 and HMGB1 for predicting poor postoperative prognosis in HICH patients were 0.925 and 0.913, respectively, while the AUC of miR-21 combined with HMGB1 was 0.950. Conclusions:Peripheral blood miR-21 is significantly decreased and HMGB1 level is significantly increased in HICH patients. miR-21 combined with HMGB1 has a good predictive value for poor postoperative prognosis in patients with hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage.

Objective:To analyze the genetic characteristics of the prevalent strains of Varicella-Zoster virus (VZV) in the population of Dali, Yunnan, and to understand its evolutionary status in the population of Dali.Methods:Herpes fluid and 163 sera were collected from 249 patients clinically suspected to have varicella or herpes zoster in the Department of Dermatology of the Second People′s Hospital of Dali city, Yunnan province, China, from 2023 to 2024. The levels of VZV-specific IgG and IgM antibodies in serum were detected using enzyme-linked immunoassay. Viral DNA was extracted from the herpes fluid, and the cycle threshold ( Ct) of the samples was detected using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and some samples with Ct ≦ 22 were selected for sequencing by next-generation sequencing technology (next-generation sequencing). Next-generation sequencing (NGS) was used to obtain 90 whole genome sequences of VZV, and the sequencing result were compared with the sequences of reference strains for multiple sequence comparison and evolutionary analysis. Snapgene was used to translate the nucleotides into amino acids, and the result were compared with the amino acid sequences of the reference strain. Results:Of the 90 VZV whole-genome sequences, one whole-genome sequence was from an adult varicella patient, and the remaining 89 whole-genome sequences were from herpes zoster patients. The serum-specific IgG antibody positivity rate was 99.4%, and the IgM antibody positivity rate was 52.8%. The result of both single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) site typing and genome-wide phylogenetic tree analysis showed that 83 of the 90 VZV whole-genome sequences in this study were on the same branch as Clade 2, and 7 VZV whole-genome sequences were on the branch of Clade 9.Conclusions:The main endemic branch in Dali region in 2023-2024 was Clade 2, with the emergence of Clade 9 branch; there were amino acid mutations in the proteins encoded by ORF22 and ORF68 in 83 VZV whole genome sequences of Clade 2 branch, and the mutations did not cause significant changes to the protein structure.

Objective:To investigate the clinical outcomes of precapsular pocket repositioning for correcting implant malposition following augmentation mammoplasty.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 29 female patients aged 25-37 (28.8±3.4) years who underwent precapsular pocket repositioning at the Affiliated Friendship Plastic Surgery Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from December 2015 to August 2024. The surgical technique involved preserving the original capsule, creating a new implant pocket anterior to the capsule, and closing the original capsular space. Postoperative complications were recorded, and breast satisfaction was evaluated preoperatively and at 6 months postoperatively using the BREAST-questionnaire (BREAST-Q).Results:All 29 patients successfully underwent precapsular pocket repositioning with primary wound healing. During the follow-up period, all patients were satisfied with the correction of implant malposition. The mean BREAST-Q score improved significantly from (43.56±3.17) scores preoperatively to (72.56±13.49) scores at 6 months postoperatively ( P<0.001). No hematoma, implant rupture, recurrent malposition, capsular contracture, or surgical site infection occurred in any patient. Conclusion:Precapsular pocket repositioning provides favorable clinical outcomes for patients with implant malposition after augmentation mammoplasty, and there are no severe complications .

Vaccination is a main measure for protecting chickens against Marek's disease,while it is not able to suppress the infection,proliferation,transmission,and virulence enhancement on Marek's disease virus.Inhibiting the proliferation of Marek's disease virus in chicken is therefore an im-portant option for enhancing defense effectiveness.In this study,a compound,DUBs-IN-1,was found to inhibit the activity of MDV049,a protease encoded by Marek's disease virus,via screening a protease inhibitor library using MDV049 as target and ubiquitin probe.Molecular docking re-vealed that DUBs-IN-1 can interact with the residues which formed the catalytic pocket of MDV049,blocking the interaction between Ub substrate and the catalytic center of MDV049,then suppress the activity of MDV049 with competitive inhibition.Using the CPE model,it was found that DUBs-IN-1 at the concentration of 0.35 and 0.70 μmol/L significantly inhibited the CPE in-duced by Marek's disease virus in CEF cells.Quantitative analysis revealed that DUBs-IN-1 inhibi-ted the proliferation of Marek's disease virus in CEF cells(P＜0.01).Furthermore,it was found that the administration of 80 and 150 pg/(kg·d)of DUBs-IN-1 in chicken infected by Marek's disease virus significantly inhibited the proliferation of MDV in T cells(P＜0.01).In summary,this study demonstrated that the compound DUBs-IN-1 is able to inhibit the proliferation of Marek's disease virus in chicken cells,laying a theoretical and practical foundation for further de-velopment of the drugs against Marek's disease virus.

Objective To study the effect of IL-22 on the colonic barrier and its relationship with Nrf2 pathway in liver fibrosis mice.Methods The mice were divided into four groups:the control group(CON group),the model group(MOD group),the interleukin-22 group(IL-22 group),and the IL-22+ML385 group(ML385,an inhibitor of Nrf2),with 10 mice in each group,and the modeling cycle was 8 weeks.Liquid feed containing alcohol and carbon tetrachloride olive oil were given intraperitoneally in all groups except the CON group;IL-22 was given on top of this in the IL-22 group;and ML385 was injected intraperitoneally in the IL-22+ML385 group one hour before IL-22 treatment.At the end of modeling,the livers were stained with HE and Masson staining to clarify whether fibrosis occurred in the mice;the feces were collected to detect the cocci to bacillus ratio and observe the growth of intestinal flora;the colons were stained with HE staining,immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry,and analyzed for the expression of tight junction proteins ZO-1,Occludin,and the Nrf2 pathway proteins(Nrf2,HO-1,and NQO1).The expression of these proteins was analyzed by immunohistochemistry.Results Compared with the CON group,mice in the MOD group showed significant fibrosis in the liver tissue,inflammatory cell infiltration in the colon tissue,and decreased expression of tight junction proteins(P<0.05).No overgrowth of various pathogenic bacteria was seen in fecal media.And there was no significant difference in the bulb-to-bar ratio.Compared with the MOD group,both liver and colon histopathologic damage were reduced in the IL-22 group,and tight junction protein expression was elevated,in addition,the expression levels of Nrf2,NQO1,and HO-1 were also elevated(P<0.05),whereas there was no significant change in the IL-22+ML385 group.Conclusion IL-22 improved the colonic barrier function in liver fibrosis mice,and the mechanism was related to the activation of Nrf2 anti-oxidative stress pathway.

[Objective] To explore the association between methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) and prostate cancer (PCa) prognosis, so as to establish a novel prognostic prediction model for PCa. [Methods] Public datasets and PCa tissue microarray were used to evaluate the gene and protein expressions of METTL3, the association between METTL3 and Gleason score (GS), and the ability of METTL3 to predict poor outcomes of PCa.A nomogram was constructed to quantitatively evaluate the prognosis of PCa. [Results] The gene and protein expressions of METTL3 were significantly upregulated in PCa tissues compared to normal tissues (P<0.05). Moreover, the expressions of METTL3 were significantly higher in high-risk PCa tissues (GS>7) compared to low-moderate risk PCa tissues (GS≤7) (P<0.05). Patients with elevated expressions of METTL3 exhibited poorer short-term and long-term progression-free and overall survival outcomes when compared to those with lower expressions of METTL3 (P<0.05). In addition, a risk model composed of 7 target genes regulated by METTL3 N6-methyladenine (m6A) modification was established.The 7 target genes were closely associated with the cell cycle process.The protein expression of METTL3 exhibited a significant positive correlation with the protein expression of cell cycle protein B1 (CCNB1) (r=0.30, P=0.002 5). [Conclusion] METTL3 exhibits the potential as a prognostic predictor for PCa, which may affect PCa prognosis through the regulation of the expressions of target genes closely associated with the cell cycle process via m6A modification.