Objective To investigate the effects of hypoxia on the transcriptional phenotype and ultrastructure of tumor-associated macrophages(TAMs)in glioma.Methods CD14+monocytes were isolated from healthy human peripheral blood samples collected from the Blood Bank of the First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University,and the cells were induced to differentiate into TAMs through co-culture with glioma cell-conditioned medium.Hypoxic TAM models were established using varying concentrations of cobalt chloride hexahydrate(CoCl2,50～400 μmol/L)or hypoxic conditions(1%,5%,10%O2)for 48 h,while normoxic TAM models(21%O2)served as controls.RT-qPCR and transcriptome sequencing were employed to analyze transcriptional changes in TAMs under normoxic and hypoxic conditions.Gene set enrichment analysis(GSEA)was applied to compare the differences in angiogenesis,glycolysis and other hypoxia-responsive pathways between the 2 conditions.Transmission electron microscopy(TEM)or immunofluorescence staining was conducted to assess the ultrastructural alterations in cytoskeleton,endoplasmic reticulum(ER),and mitochondria in normoxic and hypoxic TAMs(1%O2).Results Hypoxic TAMs exhibited up-regulated transcription of hypoxia-responsive markers(oxygen transport,glycolysis,pro-angiogenesis),with the effects correlating with hypoxia severity(P<0.05).GSEA revealed significant up-regulation of hypoxia,angiogenesis regulation,glycolysis and gluconeogenesis,and starvation stress pathways,alongside down-regulation of innate immunity,macrophage activation,cytoskeleton,and protein maturation pathways in hypoxic TAMs(P<0.05).TEM and immunofluorescence staining demonstrated obvious ultrastructure changes,including disrupted cytoskeletal organization,shortened rough ER with reduced ribosomes,mitochondrial swelling with cristae damage,and diminished ER-mitochondria contacts in hypoxic TAMs.Conclusion CoCl2 and hypoxia induce a hypoxic transcriptional phenotype in TAMs,which may potentially associated with ultrastructural remodeling of the cytoskeleton,ER,and mitochondria.

Tuberous sclerosis complex(TSC)is a rare genetic disease that can lead to benign dysplasia in multiple organs such as the skin, brain, eyes, oral cavity, heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, and bones. Its main symptoms include epilepsy, intellectual disabilities, skin depigmentation, and facial angiofibromas, whilst incidence is approximately 1 in 10 000 to 1 in 6000 newborns. This case presents a middle-aged woman who initially manifested with epilepsy and nodular depigmentation. Later, she developed a lower abdominal mass, elevated creatinine, and severe anemia. Based on clinical features and whole exome sequencing, the primary diagnosis was confirmed as TSC. Laboratory and imaging examinations revealed that the lower abdominal mass originated from the uterus. CT-guided biopsy pathology and surgical pathology suggested a combination of leiomyoma and abscess. With the involvement of multiple organs and various complications beyond the main diagnosis, the diagnostic and therapeutic process for this patient highlights the importance of rigorous clinical thinking and multidisciplinary collaboration in the diagnosis and treatment of rare and challenging diseases.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between thyroid autoimmunity and pregnancy outcome in patients with unexplained recurrent abortion.Methods:A retrospective cohort study of 354 patients with normal thyroid function with recurrent abortion of unknown cause admitted to Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University from January 2015 to June 2022 was used to detect thyroid antibody and thyroid function levels during pregnancy or early pregnancy. They were divided into TAI group ( n=144) and non-TAI group ( n=210) according to whether thyroid autoimmunity (TAI) was complicated or not. Tracking pregnancy outcomes. Results:Compared with the non-TAI group, the TAI group had a higher proportion of pregnancy outcomes resulting in miscarriage [42.4%(61/144) vs 27.1%(57/210), P=0.004]. In patients with unexplained recurrent abortion, TAI significantly increased the risk of spontaneous abortion [ OR(95% CI): 2.13(1.34, 3.41), P=0.001]. Positive TPOAb or TgAb also increased the risk of spontaneous abortion [ OR(95% CI): 2.18(1.37, 3.50), P=0.001; OR(95% CI): 2.33(1.31, 4.13), P=0.004]. TAI, TPOAb and TgAb had no significant interaction with age ( P=0.482, 0.724, 0.740). Conclusions:TAI is positively associated with the risk of spontaneous abortion in patients with unexplained recurrent abortion. TAI may be a potential risk factor for unexplained recurrent abortion, expanding the diagnosis and treatment of unexplained recurrent abortion.

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of intravenous thrombolysis with low-dose and standard-dose recombinant tissue plasminogen activator(rt-PA)in the elderly patients(aged over 80 years)with acute ischemic stroke(AIS).Methods A total of 201 elderly patients with AIS treated at Tianjin Fourth Central Hospital from February 2019 to February 2023 were prospectively included and randomly assigned to the rt-PA low-dose group(n=93,0.6 mg/kg)and rt-PA standard-dose group(n=108,0.9 mg/kg).The incidence of intra-cranial hemorrhage,symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage,fatal intracranial hemorrhage,neurologic deterioration within 7 days and mortality within 90 days were observed to evaluate the safety.The neurologic improvement rate and good prognosis rate at 90 days were used to evaluate the effectiveness.A stratified analysis of 90-day outcomes was performed based on stroke severity and age.Results The incidence of intracranial hemorrhage,symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage and fatal intracranial hemorrhage within 7 days in rt-PA low-dose group was lower than that in rt-PA standard-dose group(P＜0.05).There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups concerning the residual safety index and the effectiveness index.The 90-day good prognosis rate of moderate stroke sub-group and of≥90 years of age sub-group in rt-PA low-dose group were both higher than that of rt-PA standard-dose group(P＜0.05).Conclusions For AIS patients with moderate stroke and aged over 90 years,intravenous thrombolytic therapy with rt-PA 0.6 mg/kg is recommended.

Objective To explore the effect of glioma stem cells with high expression of protein tyrosin phosphatase receptor type Z1 (PTPRZ1 )on the phenotypic polarization and phagocytosis of tumor-associated macrophages and its regulatory mechanism.Methods GSCs and non-stem tumor cells (NSTCs) were screened out from human glioblastoma (GBM) specimens using flow cytometry,and the PTPRZ1 expression in paired GSCs and NSTCs were detected.Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC)-derived CD14+monocytes were exposed to the conditioned medium from glioma cells or recombinant chemokine C-C motif ligand 20 (CCL20)for TAM polarization.Stable PTPRZ1 knockout GSCs (PTPRZ1-KO GSCs) were constructed using CRISPR/Cas9. TAM phagocytosis to GSCs,NSTCs,PTPRZ1-Control GSCs (PTPRZ1-Ctrl GSCs)and PTPRZ1-KO GSCs and the expression of immunosuppressive phenotype (M2) polarization marker CD163 were examined using flow cytometry.Differentially expressed genes (DEGs ) between paired GSCs and NSTCs were determined using a bulk RNA-sequencing dataset (GSE54791 )from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO).A gene set informing worse outcome of patients with GBM was generated using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)-GBM cohort.By intersecting the aforementioned gene set with the gene set that encodes for human membrance proteins,the PTPRZ1 gene is obtained.Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA)was used for pathway enrichment analysis to compare the differentially regulated pathways between GBMs with high or low PTPRZ1 expression.Bulk RNA sequencing,qRT-PCR and Western blotting were used to identify the DEGs between PTPRZ1-KO GSCs and PTPRZ1-Ctrl GSCs.Results GSCs were more capable of escaping from TAM phagocytosis than NSTCs (P<0.05 )and had specifically up-regulated PTPRZ1 expression.PTPRZ1-KO significantly suppressed GSCs escaping from TAM phagocytosis (P<0.01 ). GBMs with high PTPRZ1 expression showed significant inhibition of pathways mediating phagocytosis (P<0.05).The expression of CCL20 as a M2 TAM polarization chemokine was significantly down-regulated in PTPRZ1-KO GSCs (P<0.05 ).Treatment with recombinant CCL20 up-regulated the expression of CD163 as a M2 TAM marker in TAM.Conclusion PTPRZ1+GSCs mediate M2 TAM polarization and inhibit TAM phagocytosis,which may be related to the up-regulation of CCL20 in PTPRZ1+GSCs.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy and safety of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) intravenous thrombolysis combined with edaravone dexborneol at different timing in super elderly patients (aged≥85 years) with moderate to severe acute ischemic stroke (AIS).Methods:A prospective study was performed. Seventy-one super elderly patients with moderate to severe AIS treated with rt-PA intravenous thrombolysis combined with edaravone dexborneol from December 2020 to March 2023 in Department of Neurology, Affiliated Fourth Central Hospital of Nankai University were selected and randomly divided into early group ( n=35) and advanced group ( n=36); patients in the early group were given edaravone dexborneol immediately after rt-PA intravenous thrombolysis, and patients in the advanced group were given edaravone dexborneol 24 h after rt-PA intravenous thrombolysis. In addition, 31 patients with moderate to severe AIS received rt-PA intravenous thrombolysis only in Department of Neurology of the hospital from August 2018 to December 2020 were selected as control group. Differences in efficacy and safety indexes among the 3 groups were compared. Results:After 7 d of treatment, the improvement rate of neurological function in early group was significantly higher than that in control group and advanced group ( P<0.05). After 90 d of treatment, modified Rankin scale (mRS) scores in early group were statistically lower than those in control group and advanced group ( P<0.05); good prognosis rate in early group was statistically higher than that in control group and advanced group ( P<0.05). The incidences of intracranial hemorrhage and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage in early group were significantly lower than those in control group and advanced group ( P<0.05). After 30 and 90 d of treatment, the advanced group had significantly lower mortality than the control group, but significantly higher mortality than the early group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Edaravone dexborneol immediately after rt-PA intravenous thrombolysis is the optimal timing for super elderly patients with moderate to severe AIS, which can improve the efficacy and safety.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of botulinum toxin type A (BTXA) on flap surgery in animal models.Methods:Nine databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, Ovid, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, CBM, CNKI, and WANFANG database) were searched for published literature comparing the effects of BTXA (BTXA group) versus saline or no treatment (control group) on flap operation in animal models from January 1979 to March 2022. The literature was screened according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Indicators included flap survival rate, blood flow and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression level after surgery. The subjects were divided into pre-operation injection group and intraoperation injection group according to the intervention timing, and were divided into random flap group and axial flap group according to the type of flaps, and subgroup analysis was conducted respectively. Review Manager (RevMan) 5.3 software and Stata 15.1 software were used for all statistical analysis.Results:A total of 603 animals from 19 studies were included after rigorous inclusion and exclusion screening. Compared with control group, BTXA group revealed a significantly higher flap survival rate [mean difference ( MD)=15.65%, 95% CI: 13.11%-18.19%, Z=12.08, P<0.001], blood flow [standardized mean difference ( SMD)=1.96, 95% CI: 1.39-2.54, Z=6.71, P<0.001] and VEGF expression (at mRNA level: SMD=6.01, 95% CI: 0.89-11.13, Z=2.30, P=0.020; at protein level: SMD=3.44, 95% CI: 2.44-4.43, Z=6.73, P<0.001). Subgroup analysis showed that the flap survival rate of the pre-operation injection group ( MD=21.54%, 95% CI: 16.07%-27.01%, Z=7.71, P<0.001) was significantly higher than that of the intraoperative injection group ( MD=9.40%, 95% CI: 6.79%-12.00%, Z=7.07, P<0.001). The flap survival rate of the random flap group ( MD=20.87%, 95% CI: 16.67%-25.07%, Z=9.73, P<0.001) was significantly higher than that of the axial flap group ( MD=13.11%, 95% CI: 8.91%-17.31%, Z=6.12, P<0.001). Conclusion:BTXA assisted flap surgery may have positive effects on the survival rate, blood flow and VEGF expression in animal models. In addition, injection timing and flap type may also be important factors in the effect of BTXA on flap surgery.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of botulinum toxin type A (BTXA) on flap surgery in animal models.Methods:Nine databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, Ovid, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, CBM, CNKI, and WANFANG database) were searched for published literature comparing the effects of BTXA (BTXA group) versus saline or no treatment (control group) on flap operation in animal models from January 1979 to March 2022. The literature was screened according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Indicators included flap survival rate, blood flow and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression level after surgery. The subjects were divided into pre-operation injection group and intraoperation injection group according to the intervention timing, and were divided into random flap group and axial flap group according to the type of flaps, and subgroup analysis was conducted respectively. Review Manager (RevMan) 5.3 software and Stata 15.1 software were used for all statistical analysis.Results:A total of 603 animals from 19 studies were included after rigorous inclusion and exclusion screening. Compared with control group, BTXA group revealed a significantly higher flap survival rate [mean difference ( MD)=15.65%, 95% CI: 13.11%-18.19%, Z=12.08, P<0.001], blood flow [standardized mean difference ( SMD)=1.96, 95% CI: 1.39-2.54, Z=6.71, P<0.001] and VEGF expression (at mRNA level: SMD=6.01, 95% CI: 0.89-11.13, Z=2.30, P=0.020; at protein level: SMD=3.44, 95% CI: 2.44-4.43, Z=6.73, P<0.001). Subgroup analysis showed that the flap survival rate of the pre-operation injection group ( MD=21.54%, 95% CI: 16.07%-27.01%, Z=7.71, P<0.001) was significantly higher than that of the intraoperative injection group ( MD=9.40%, 95% CI: 6.79%-12.00%, Z=7.07, P<0.001). The flap survival rate of the random flap group ( MD=20.87%, 95% CI: 16.67%-25.07%, Z=9.73, P<0.001) was significantly higher than that of the axial flap group ( MD=13.11%, 95% CI: 8.91%-17.31%, Z=6.12, P<0.001). Conclusion:BTXA assisted flap surgery may have positive effects on the survival rate, blood flow and VEGF expression in animal models. In addition, injection timing and flap type may also be important factors in the effect of BTXA on flap surgery.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of a skin care ointment containing oligomeric maltose X in the adjuvant treatment of eczema-related pruritus.Methods:A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled clinical study was conducted. From March to September 2021, outpatients with mild to moderate eczema were collected from departments of dermatology of 4 hospitals, including Beijing Friendship Hospital, Hebei Traditional Chinese Medical Hospital, the Third People′s Hospital of Hubei Province, and Taizhou Central Hospital in Zhejiang Province. The patients were randomly divided into two groups by using a random number table: observation group topically treated with a skin care ointment containing oligomeric maltose X, and vehicle control group topically treated with an ointment vehicle. The ointments were applied during the attacks of itching for 14 consecutive days. Visits were scheduled before, 7, and 14 days after the start of the adjuvant treatment. The efficacy was evaluated according to the eczema area and severity index (EASI) and visual analog scale (VAS) , and adverse events were recorded. The efficacy and safety analyses were conducted by using chi-square test and t test. Results:Totally, 232 patients with eczema were enrolled, including 90 males and 142 females, with the age being 40.13 ± 13.36 years; 156 patients were in the observation group, and 76 in the vehicle control group. Before the adjuvant treatment, there were no significant differences in EASI (2.07 ± 2.24 points vs. 2.29 ± 2.28 points) or VAS (6.22 ± 1.78 points vs. 6.20 ± 1.79 points) scores between the observation group and vehicle control group ( t = -0.70, 0.06, P = 0.486, 0.955, respectively) . After one-day treatment, the VAS scores significantly decreased compared with the baseline scores in the two groups ( P < 0.001, P = 0.003, respectively) . After 14-day treatment, the VAS score was significantly lower in the observation group (2.67 points) than in the vehicle control group (3.35 points; t = -2.28, P = 0.024) . After 7- and 14-day treatment, the EASI scores significantly decreased compared with the baseline scores in both the two groups (all P < 0.001) , but there were no significant differences between the two groups ( P = 0.853, 0.731) . No adjuvant treatment-related adverse events were recorded in either of the two groups. Conclusion:The skin care ointment containing oligomeric maltose X is safe and effective in the adjuvant treatment of eczema-related pruritus, and can be applied to clinical practice.

Background::Gut-resident macrophages (gMacs) supplemented by monocytes-to-gMacs differentiation play a critical role in maintaining intestinal homeostasis. Activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) is involved in immune cell differentiation. We therefore set out to investigate the role of ATF4-regulated monocytes-to-gMacs differentiation in sepsis-induced intestinal injury.Methods::Sepsis was induced in C57BL/6 wild type (WT) mice and Atf4-knockdown ( Atf4+/-) mice by cecal ligation and puncture or administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Colon, peripheral blood mononuclear cells, sera, lung, liver, and mesenteric lymph nodes were collected for flow cytometry, hematoxylin and eosin staining, immunohistochemistry, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Results::CD64, CD11b, Ly6C, major histocompatibility complex-II (MHC-II), CX3CR1, Ly6G, and SSC were identified as optimal primary markers for detecting the process of monocytes-to-gMacs differentiation in the colon of WT mice. Monocytes-to-gMacs differentiation was impaired in the colon during sepsis and was associated with decreased expression of ATF4 in P1 (Ly6C hi monocytes), the precursor cells of gMacs. Atf4 knockdown exacerbated the impairment of monocytes-to-gMacs differentiation in response to LPS, resulting in a significant reduction of gMacs in the colon. Furthermore, compared with WT mice, Atf4+/- mice exhibited higher pathology scores, increased expression of inflammatory factor genes ( TNF-α, IL-1β), suppressed expression of CD31 and vascular endothelial-cadherin in the colon, and increased translocation of intestinal bacteria to lymph nodes and lungs following exposure to LPS. However, the aggravation of sepsis-induced intestinal injury resulting from Atf4 knockdown was not caused by the enhanced inflammatory effect of Ly6C hi monocytes and gMacs. Conclusion::ATF4, as a novel regulator of monocytes-to-gMacs differentiation, plays a critical role in protecting mice against sepsis-induced intestinal injury, suggesting that ATF4 might be a potential therapeutic target for sepsis treatment.