Background: Malignant pleural effusion (MPE), a common complication of advanced cancers, is associated with poor prognosis and reduced quality of life. Although host–tumor interactions are known to drive MPE development, the associated immune dynamics during disease progression remain unclear. Using a Lewis lung carcinoma-induced MPE model in C57BL/6JNidfc mice, we systematically evaluated general parameters and immune cell changes at two-day intervals throughout disease progression. Results: The day of Lewis lung carcinoma cell injection into the pleural space was designated as day 0. By day 10 post-injection (p.i.), MPE-bearing mice exhibited ~ 10% body weight loss, marking the experimental endpoint. Pleural tumor mass and pleural effusion volume were minimal up to day 4 p.i. but increased sharply from day 6 onward.CD45⁺ immune cell counts rose over time, and days 6, 8, and 10 p.i. marked key stages of MPE progression. On day 6, B cells, T cells, and natural killer cells, but not macrophages and neutrophils, increased significantly compared to earlier timepoints. By day 8, all immune cell subsets except T cells exceeded day 6 levels, and at day 10, natural killer cell numbers declined while others continued to increase. Besides, the numbers of CD8⁺ T cells, Th1 cells, regulatory T cells, and M2 macrophages progressively increased from day 6 to 10. Based on these data, days 6 and 10 were defined as early and advanced MPE stages, respectively, with distinct immune phenotypes. In advanced MPE, CD8⁺ T cells displayed reduced IFN-γ, TNF-α, Granzyme B, Perforin, FasL, and Ki-67, but upregulated PD-1 and CTLA-4 relative to early stage. Similarly, Th1 cells showed decreased IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-2 production along with reduced Ki-67 expression. Advanced-stage M2 macrophages exhibited lower MHC-II levels and impaired phagocytosis, but higher PD-L1 and IL-10 production, while neutrophils showed reduced TNF-α release and phagocytic activity. Conclusions Our findings characterize the temporal immune dynamics associated with MPE progression in a mouse model, revealing a transition from an early immunostimulatory state to a late immunosuppressive state. This study enhances our understanding of MPE immunopathogenesis and provides a foundation for developing precise, stagespecific therapeutic strategies.

ObjectiveType I interferon (IFN-I) signaling is essential for antiviral innate immunity, yet its sustained or excessive activation contributes to the pathogenesis of several autoimmune diseases and interferonopathies, such as systemic lupus erythematosus and Aicardi-Goutières syndrome. Current strategies targeting this pathway, exemplified by JAK inhibitors, act mainly on downstream signal transduction and provide limited direct control over upstream IFN-I production, while also carrying the risk of broad immunosuppression. Phyllanthus emblica L. has long been used in traditional medicine for inflammatory disorders, but the bioactive constituent responsible for its regulation of IFN-I signaling and the underlying molecular mechanism have not been clearly defined. This study aimed to identify the active anti-inflammatory component of P. emblica and to characterize its mechanism of action on the IFN-I pathway in macrophages. MethodsActive components ofP. emblica and their candidate targets were screened by network pharmacology using the TCMSP and DrugBank databases (oral bioavailability≥30%, drug-likeness≥0.18) and intersected with inflammation-related genes retrieved from public databases. The predicted interaction between EGCG and IFN-I pathway proteins (TBK1, IRF3, STAT1) was evaluated by molecular docking, with BX795 and GSK8612 used as reference TBK1 inhibitors. Mechanistic experiments were performed in THP-1-derived macrophages and primary bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM). Upstream signaling was activated by transfection of the nucleic acid analogs poly(I∶C) and poly(dA∶dT) or by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation, whereas downstream signaling was activated by exogenous IFN-β. An siRNA-mediated TREX1 knockdown model was used to mimic endogenous nucleic acid-driven interferonopathy. Expression of IFN-β1 and interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) was measured by RT-qPCR, protein phosphorylation by Western blot, and IFN-β secretion by ELISA. Cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) and drug affinity responsive target stability (DARTS) were used to probe the interactionbetween EGCG and IRF3. ResultsNetwork pharmacology identified (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) as a candidate IFN-I-suppressive constituent of P. emblica, with predicted binding to TBK1, IRF3, and STAT1. Molecular docking yielded binding energies of -9.2, -7.2, and -8.2 kcal/mol for TBK1, IRF3, and STAT1, respectively, indicating an affinity for TBK1 comparable to that of the reference inhibitors BX795 (-5.7 kcal/mol) and GSK8612 (-6.4 kcal/mol). EGCG suppressed IFN-β1 and ISG mRNA expression under poly (I∶C), poly (dA∶dT), and LPS stimulation in both THP-1 macrophages and BMDM. At the protein level, EGCG reduced the phosphorylation of TBK1 and IRF3 without affecting the levels of the upstream sensors cGAS and RIG-I, and lowered IFN-β secretion in a concentration-dependent manner. CETSA and DARTS showed that EGCG did not enhance the thermal stability or protease resistance of IRF3, indicating that its effect on IRF3 is indirect. Following IFN-β stimulation, prolonged EGCG treatment reduced STAT1 phosphorylation in a time-dependent manner without an apparent change in IRF9, and partially attenuated ISG transcription; this effect was not monotonicly concentration-dependent, and CXCL10 showed the most consistent suppression. In TREX1-knockdown cells, the elevated mRNA levels of ISG15, ISG56, and CXCL10 were reduced by EGCG. ConclusionEGCG suppresses IFN-I responses by concurrently inhibiting TBK1-IRF3-dependent IFN‑β production and JAK-STAT1-mediated downstream transcription. These in vitro findings provide a mechanistic basis for the anti-inflammatory use of P. emblica in traditional medicine and identify EGCG as a candidate for further evaluation in interferon-driven autoimmune disease models.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of brivaracetam （BRV） versus perampanel （PER） as add-on therapy for drug-resistant focal epilepsy in adults from the perspective of the Chinese healthcare system.METHODS A Markov model was established to simulate the progression of drug-resistant focal epilepsy in adults， with a simulation cycle of 5 months， a time horizon of 44 years， and a discount rate of 4.5%. Clinical data required for the model were derived from the phase Ⅲ clinical trial of BRV and a post hoc analysis of PER； cost data and utility data were obtained from Yaozh and related literature. The willingness-to-pay （WTP） threshold was set at twice China’s 2025 per capita gross domestic product （GDP） [199 330 yuan per quality-adjusted life year （QALY）]， and a cost-effectiveness analysis was adopted to compare the cost-effectiveness of the regimens. One-way sensitivity analysis and probabilistic sensitivity analysis were performed to confirm the stability of the base-case analysis conclusions.RESULTS The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio （ICER） of BRV 50 mg/d as an add-on therapy versus PER 8 mg/d was 44 823.08 yuan/QALY， which was below the WTP threshold； the ICER of BRV 200 mg/d versus PER 12 mg/d was 238 783.00 yuan/QALY， which was above the WTP threshold. In the one-way sensitivity analysis， the direct medical cost of seizures ≥53 times/year and the health utility value of a seizure-free state per year had a relatively large impact on the two ICER results mentioned above， respectively. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis indicated that the above results were robust.CONCLUSIONS For the selection of add-on therapy for drug-resistant focal epilepsy in adults in China， when twice China’s per capita GDP is used as the WTP threshold， BRV 50 mg/d has a cost-effectiveness advantage over PER 8 mg/d， whereas BRV 200 mg/d not have a cost-effectiveness advantage over PER 12 mg/d.

ObjectiveTo explore the dose-effect relationship and safety of high， medium， and low doses of raw Astragali Radix in the modified Huangqi Chifengtang （MHCD） for treating proteinuria in immunoglobulin A （IgA） nephropathy， and to provide scientific evidence for the clinical use of high-dose Astragali Radix in the treatment of proteinuria in IgA nephropathy. MethodsA total of 120 patients with IgA nephropathy， diagnosed with Qi deficiency and blood stasis combined with wind pathogen and heat toxicity， were randomly divided into a control group and three treatment groups. The control group received telmisartan combined with a Chinese medicine placebo， while the treatment groups were given telmisartan combined with MHCD containing different doses of raw Astragali Radix （60， 30， 15 g）. Each group contained 30 patients， and the treatment period was 12 weeks. Changes in 24-hour urinary protein （24 hUTP）， traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome scores， effective rate， and renal function were observed before and after treatment. Safety was assessed by monitoring liver function and blood routine. ResultsAfter 12 weeks of treatment， 24 hUTP significantly decreased in the high， medium， and low-dose groups， as well as the control group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The TCM syndrome scores in the high， medium， and low-dose groups also significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Comparisons between groups showed that the 24 hUTP in the high-dose group was significantly lower than in the medium， low-dose， and control groups （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the 24 hUTP in the medium-dose group was significantly lower than in the control group （P<0.05）. The TCM syndrome scores in the high and medium-dose groups were significantly lower than in the low-dose and control groups （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The total effective rates for proteinuria in the high， medium， low-dose， and control groups were 92.59% （25/27）， 85.19% （23/27）， 60.71% （17/28）， and 57.14% （16/28）， respectively. The effective rates in the high and medium-dose groups were significantly higher than in the low-dose and control groups （χ²=13.185， P<0.05， P<0.01）. The effective rates for TCM syndrome scores in the high， medium， low-dose， and control groups were 88.89% （24/27）， 81.48% （22/27）， 71.43% （20/28）， and 46.43% （13/28）， respectively. The efficacy of TCM syndrome scores in the high and medium-dose groups was significantly higher than in the control group （χ²=14.053， P<0.01）. Compared with pre-treatment values， there was no statistically significant difference in eGFR and serum creatinine in the high and medium-dose groups. However， eGFR significantly decreased in the low-dose and control groups after treatment （P<0.05）， and serum creatinine levels increased significantly in the control group （P<0.05）. No statistically significant differences were observed in urea nitrogen， uric acid， albumin， total cholesterol， triglycerides， liver function， and blood routine before and after treatment in any group. ConclusionThere is a dose-effect relationship in the treatment of IgA nephropathy with high， medium， and low doses of raw Astragali Radix in MHCD. The high-dose group exhibited the best therapeutic effect and good safety profile.

Objective:To investigate the predictive value of serum β 2-microglobulin (β 2M) and pro-inflammatory cytokines for post-stroke depression (PSD) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Methods:Patients with AIS admitted to the Department of Neurology, the Affiliated Municipal Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from January 2020 to May 2023 were included retrospectively. At the 6-month outpatient follow-up, the Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) was used to assess depression. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent influencing factors of PSD. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the predictive value of individual and combined independent influencing factors on PSD. Results:A total of 161 patients were enrolled, including 82 males (50.93%), aged 61.78±11.95 years; 47 patients (29.20%) developed PSD. Univariate analysis showed that the proportion of males, serum β 2M, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level, and baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score in the PSD group were significantly different from those in the non-PSD group (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that serum β 2M (odds ratio [ OR] 4.257, 95% confidence interval [ CI]1.441-12.574; P=0.009), IL-1β ( OR 1.415, 95% CI 1.116-1.793; P=0.004), IL-6 ( OR 1.262, 95% CI 1.020-1.561; P=0.032), and TNF-α ( OR 1.246, 95% CI 1.021-1.521; P=0.030) were the independent influencing factors of PSD. ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve of serum β 2M for predicting PSD was 0.753 (95% CI 0.668-0.838), with an optimal cutoff value of 2.255 mg/L. The sensitivity and specificity were 59.6% and 80.7%, respectively. When serum β 2M was combined with IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α for prediction, the area under the curve increased to 0.893 (95% CI 0.837-0.948). Conclusion:The serum β 2M in combination with pro-inflammatory cytokines has good predictive value for PSD.

Human Respiratory Stem Cells (RSCs) play a crucial role in the maintenance, repair and regeneration of the respiratory system. As a novel therapeutic method, stem cell therapy is a popular research direction in the medical field. And with the in-depth research on the mechanism of pneumonia caused by respiratory infections in recent years, the use of RSCs to explore pneumonia caused by respiratory infections and its therapeutic strategies has become a hot topic. In this paper, we firstly outlined the types of RSCs, summarized the mechanism of pneumonia caused by respiratory tract infections, discussed the advantages of RSCs application and the progress of culture differentiation, and elaborated the therapeutic exploration of RSCs in pneumonia caused by respiratory tract infections.

Objective:To evaluate the role of inositol 1, 4, 5 triphosphate receptor 1 (IP3R1)-regulated changes in mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membrane (MAM) structure in the long-term cognitive impairment induced by multiple exposures to sevoflurane anesthesia in neonatal mice.Methods:Sixty SPF-grade healthy neonatal C57BL/6J mice of either sex, aged 6 days, weighing 6-10 g, were divided into 3 groups ( n=20 each) using a random number table method: control group (group C), multiple sevoflurane anesthesia group (group S), and IP3R antagonist 2-APB+ multiple sevoflurane anesthesia group (group I+ S). Group S and group I+ S inhaled 3% sevoflurane anesthesia for 2 h starting from 6, 8 and 10 days after birth. In group I+ S, 2-APB 3 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected before each sevoflurane anesthesia. The open field test was performed at day 31 after birth to assess the spontaneous mobility. The Morris water maze test was performed at days 31-36 after birth to assess the cognitive function. Mice were sacrificed at the end of the water maze test, hippocampal CA1 region was isolated and hippocampal tissues were obtained for determination of the intracellular calcium ion concentration ([Ca 2+ ] i) and rate of necroptosis (using Flow cytometry) and expression of IP3R1, G protein-coupled receptor 75 (GRP75), receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1), RIPK3, and phosphorylated human mixed-series protein kinase-like structural domains (p-MLKL) (by Western blot). Transmission electron microscopy was performed to observe and record the partial length of MAMs, endoplasmic reticulum circumference and mitochondrial circumference. Results:There were no statistically significant differences in the speed, distance, and time of staying at the center in open field tests among the three groups ( P>0.05). Compared with group C, the escape latency was significantly prolonged on postnatal days 33-35, the number of crossing the original platform was reduced, the necroptosis rate in the hippocampal CA1 region and [Ca 2+ ] i were increased, the expression of IP3R, GRP75, RIPK1, RIPK3 and p-MLKL was up-regulated, and the ratio of MAMs partial length/endoplasmic reticulum perimeter and ratio of MAMs partial length/mitochondria perimeter in hippocampal neurons were elevated in group S ( P<0.05). Compared with group S, the escape latency was significantly shortened on postnatal days 32-35, the number of crossing the original platform was increased, the necroptosis rate in the hippocampal CA1 region and [Ca 2+ ] i were decreased, the expression of IP3R, GRP75, RIPK1, RIPK3 and p-MLKL was down-regulated, and the ratio of MAMs partial length/endoplasmic reticulum perimeter and ratio of MAMs partial length/mitochondria perimeter in hippocampal neurons were decreased in group I+ S ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Structural changes in MAMs in the hippocampal CA1 region mediated by the up-regulation of IP3R1 expression are involved in the process of long-term cognitive impairment induced by multiple exposures to sevoflurane anesthesia in neonatal mice.

Mycophenolic acid (MPA), the active moiety of both mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium (EC-MPS), serves as a primary immunosuppressant for maintaining solid organ transplants. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) enhances treatment outcomes through tailored approaches. This study aimed to develop an evidence-based guideline for MPA TDM, facilitating its rational application in clinical settings. The guideline plan was drawn from the Institute of Medicine and World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Using the Delphi method, clinical questions and outcome indicators were generated. Systematic reviews, Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) evidence quality evaluations, expert opinions, and patient values guided evidence-based suggestions for the guideline. External reviews further refined the recommendations. The guideline for the TDM of MPA (IPGRP-2020CN099) consists of four sections and 16 recommendations encompassing target populations, monitoring strategies, dosage regimens, and influencing factors. High-risk populations, timing of TDM, area under the curve (AUC) versus trough concentration (C₀), target concentration ranges, monitoring frequency, and analytical methods are addressed. Formulation-specific recommendations, initial dosage regimens, populations with unique considerations, pharmacokinetic-informed dosing, body weight factors, pharmacogenetics, and drug‍-‍drug interactions are covered. The evidence-based guideline offers a comprehensive recommendation for solid organ transplant recipients undergoing MPA therapy, promoting standardization of MPA TDM, and enhancing treatment efficacy and safety.
Mycophenolic Acid/administration & dosage* ; Drug Monitoring/methods* ; Humans ; Organ Transplantation ; Immunosuppressive Agents/administration & dosage* ; Delphi Technique

Intestinal fibrosis is a significant clinical challenge in inflammatory bowel diseases, but no effective anti-fibrotic therapy is currently available. Glucagon receptor (GCGR) and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP1R) are both peptide hormone receptors involved in energy metabolism of epithelial cells. However, their role in intestinal fibrosis and the underlying mechanisms remain largely unexplored. Herein GCGR and GLP1R were found to be reduced in the stenotic ileum of patients with Crohn's disease as well as in the fibrotic colon of mice with chronic colitis. The downregulation of GCGR and GLP1R led to the accumulation of the metabolic byproduct lactate, resulting in histone H3K9 lactylation and exacerbated intestinal fibrosis through epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Dual activating GCGR and GLP1R by peptide 1907B reduced the H3K9 lactylation in epithelial cells and ameliorated intestinal fibrosis in vivo. We uncovered the role of GCGR/GLP1R in regulating EMT involved in intestinal fibrosis via histone lactylation. Simultaneously activating GCGR/GLP1R with the novel dual agonist peptide 1907B holds promise as a treatment strategy for alleviating intestinal fibrosis.

Recent studies have indicated that the expression of ubiquitin-specific protease 51 (USP51), a novel deubiquitinating enzyme (DUB) that mediates protein degradation as part of the ubiquitin‒proteasome system (UPS), is associated with tumor progression and therapeutic resistance in multiple malignancies. However, the underlying mechanisms and signaling networks involved in USP51-mediated regulation of malignant phenotypes remain largely unknown. The present study provides evidence of USP51's functions as the prominent DUB in chemoresistant triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells. At the molecular level, ectopic expression of USP51 stabilized the 78 kDa Glucose-Regulated Protein (GRP78) protein through deubiquitination, thereby increasing its expression and localization on the cell surface. Furthermore, the upregulation of cell surface GRP78 increased the activity of ATP binding cassette subfamily B member 1 (ABCB1), the main efflux pump of doxorubicin (DOX), ultimately decreasing its accumulation in TNBC cells and promoting the development of drug resistance both in vitro and in vivo. Clinically, we found significant correlations among USP51, GRP78, and ABCB1 expression in TNBC patients with chemoresistance. Elevated USP51, GRP78, and ABCB1 levels were also strongly associated with a poor patient prognosis. Importantly, we revealed an alternative intervention for specific pharmacological targeting of USP51 for TNBC cell chemosensitization. In conclusion, these findings collectively indicate that the USP51/GRP78/ABCB1 network is a key contributor to the malignant progression and chemotherapeutic resistance of TNBC cells, underscoring the pivotal role of USP51 as a novel therapeutic target for cancer management.