Objective To generate a dense granule protein 3 (GRA3) gene-deficient mutant of the Toxoplasma gondii ME49 strain and to test the virulence of the mutant. Methods Gene-deficient parasites were generated with the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) system. Guide RNA (gRNA) was designed using the E-CRISPR software, and mutated on the pSAG1::Cas9-U6::sgUPRT plasmid using the Q5 site-directed mutagenesis kit to generate the pSAG1::Cas9-U6::sgGRA3 plasmid. A GRA3 donor plasmid containing GRA3 gene upstream sequences, pyrimethamine resistant gene dihydrofolate reductase-thymidylate synthase (DHFR-TS) and GRA3 gene downstream sequence was generated, and GRA3 donor DNA was amplified using PCR assay. The pSAG1::Cas9-U6::sgGRA3 plasmid and GRA3 donor DNA were electroporated into tachyzoites of the wild-type T. gondii ME49 strain. Then, parasite suspensions were inoculated into human foreskin fibroblast (HFF) cells and screened with pyrimethamine to yield pyrimethamine-resistant parasites for monoclonal screening. The GRA3 gene deficient monoclonal strain (ME49Δgra3) of T. gondii was identified using PCR and Western blotting assays, and the expression of GRA3 protein was determined in the T. gondii ME49Δgra3 strain using Western blotting. Subsequently, 1 000 freshly lysed tachyzoites of T. gondii ME49 and ME49Δgra3 strains were transferred to 12-well plates seeded with HFF cells, and incubated at 37 °C containing 5% CO₂ for 7 days, and the number of plaques was counted by staining with crystal violet solutions. HFF cells infected with tachyzoites of T. gondii ME49 and ME49Δgra3 strains were stained using Giemsa solutions, and the numbers of cells containing 1, 2, 4, and > 4 T. gondii parasitophorous vacuoles were counted. In addition, the survival rates of C57BL/6 mice infected with T. gondii ME49 and ME49Δgra3 strains were compared 35 days post-infection. Results PCR assay revealed successful amplification of both the upstream and downstream homologous arm bands of the DHFR-TS gene in the T. gondii ME49Δgra3 strain, and no corresponding bands were amplified in the ME49 strain. The GRA3 band was amplified in the ME49 strain, and the DHFR-TS band, rather than GRA3 band, was amplified in the ME49Δgra3 strain. Western blotting determined absence of GRA3 protein expression in the ME49Δgra3 strain. Crystal violet staining showed that the T. gondii ME49 strain produced more plaques than the ME49Δgra3 strain [(352.67 ± 26.39) plaques vs. (235.00 ± 26.29) plaques; t = 5.472, P < 0.01], and Giemsa staining revealed that the proportion of T. gondii parasitophorous vacuoles containing at least four T. gondii tachyzoites was higher in HFF cells infected with the ME49 strain than in those infected with the T. gondii ME49Δgra3 strain [(75.67 ± 2.52)% vs. (59.67 ± 2.31)%; t = 8.113, P < 0.01], and the proportion of T. gondii parasitophorous vacuoles containing at least 1 or 2 T. gondii tachyzoites was higher in HFF cells infected with the T. gondii ME49 strain than in those infected with the T. gondii ME49Δgra3 strain [(24.33 ± 2.52)% vs. (40.33 ± 2.31)%; t = −8.113, P < 0.01]. In addition, mice infected with the T. gondii ME49 and ME49Δgra3 strains started to die 8 and 9 days post-infection, and the 35-day mortality rates of mice infected with T. gondii ME49 and ME49Δgra3 strains were 10.00% and 70.00% post-infection (χ² = 6.762, P < 0.01). Conclusions The T. gondii ME49Δgra3 strain has been successfully generated, and GRA3 protein may increase the virulence of the T. gondii ME49 strain.

Booster vaccinations are highly recommended in combating the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant and its subvariants. However, the optimal booster vaccination strategies and related immune mechanisms with different prior vaccinations are under-revealed. In this study, we systematically evaluated the immune responses in mice and hamsters with different prime-boost regimens before their protective efficacies against Omicron were detected. We found that boosting with Ad5-nCoV, S_WT-2P or S_Omicron-6P induced significantly higher levels of neutralization activities against Omicron variants than CoronaVac and ZF2001 by eliciting stronger germinal center (GC) responses. Specifically, S_Omicron-6P induced even stronger antibody responses against Omicron variants in CoronaVac and Ad5-nCoV-primed animals than non-Omicron-specific vaccines but with limited differences as compared to Ad5-nCoV and S_WT-2P. In addition, boosting with a specific vaccine has the potential to remodel the existing immune profiles. These findings indicated that adenovirus-vectored vaccines and mRNA vaccines would be more effective than other types of vaccines as booster shots in combating Omicron infections. Moreover, the protective efficacies of the vaccines in booster vaccinations are highly related to GC reactions in secondary lymphatic organs. In summary, these findings provide timely important information on prime-boost regimens and future vaccine design.

Objective:This study aimed to explore the clinical value of myostatin(MST) and follistatin(FST) as biological biomarkers in evaluating sarcopenia in elderly women.Methods:This was a retrospective cross-sectional study that enrolled 350 females aged 20-89 years who underwent physical examinations in Shanghai Huadong Hospital in 2021. Demographic characteristics, muscle mass, fat mass, bone mineral density, hand grip strength, gait speed, and serum indices of MST and FST were collected.Results:The serum levels of MST did not change significantly with age. However, the serum levels of FST increased with age. In women aged≥60 years, MST was positively correlated with total lean mass and appendicular skeletal muscle index(ASMI; r=0.236, P=0.041; r=0.289, P=0.014), while FST was negatively correlated with ASMI( r=-0.265, P=0.030). In multivariate stepwise regression analysis, after adjusting for age, body mass index, hip bone mineral density, and total fat mass, only FST was independently correlated with ASMI( β=-0.238, P=0.006), while MST was not correlated with ASMI. The receiver operating characteristic curve was plotted using muscle mass reduction as the state variable and serum FST level as the test variable. The area under the curve was 0.753. And when the FST cutoff value was 17.49 ng/mL, the maximum Jordan index was 0.46, with a sensitivity of 77.3% and a specificity of 68.7%. Women aged ≥60 years were divided into three groups based on serum FST levels. Compared to the upper third of the serum FST level group, the low third of the FST level group had a significantly reduced risk of suffering from sarcopenia( OR=0.098, P =0.036). Conclusions:Serum FST lever has a better correlation with muscle mass among elderly women, making it a promising biomarker for evaluating muscle mass.

Objective To investigate current situation and the influencing factors of disease distress suffered by patients with inflammatory bowel disease hence to provide a foundation for intervention.Methods A total of 240 patients with inflammatory bowel disease who visited or were hospitalized in two Grade III and Class A hospitals from January 2021 to December 2022 were selected as research subjects.General information questionnaire,inflammatory bowel disease distress scale(IBD-DS),social support rating scale(SSRS),general self-efficacy scale(GSES),were used in the survey among the patients.Multiple linear regression were used to explore the influencing factors.Results IBD-DS scores among 235 patients were found from 65 to 93,with an average of 75.8±4.9,at a medium to low level.Pearson correlation analysis and multiple linear regression revealed that marital status,disease duration,SSRS scores,GSES scores and disease activity were the independent risk factors in disease distress,toally explaining 83.6%its variance(P<0.01).Conclusion Patients with inflammatory bowel disease generally suffer a moderate to low level of disease distress.It is necessary to focus on the patients who are unmarried,have a long course of disease,have low social support and self-efficacy,and have high disease activity,and take targeted measures to reduce their disease suffering.

BACKGROUND:Oxidative modification of high-density lipoprotein occurs in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.However,the relationship between oxidized high-density lipoprotein and ovulation dysfunction and its mechanism are unknown. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect and potential mechanism of oxidized high-density lipoprotein on ovarian granulosa cell apoptosis. METHODS:Polycystic ovary syndrome rat model was established,then the high-density lipoprotein was harvested from the rat serum of heart blood.The degree of oxidation of the high-density lipoprotein was detected by high-density lipoprotein inflammation index assay,malondialdehyde assay and lipoprotein agarose gel electrophoresis assay.The normal rat ovarian granulosa cells were isolated and treated with high-density lipoprotein and oxidized high-density lipoprotein isolated from the model rat serum.Cell viability was detected by CCK-8 assay.Cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry.The generation of reactive oxygen species was detected by H2DCF-DA staining.The p38 signaling activity was detected by western blot assay.Ovarian granulosa cells were pretreated with reactive oxygen species inhibitors N-acetylcysteine,tetramethylpiperidine(Tempol)and p38 inhibitor SB203580,and then treated with oxidized high-density lipoprotein.Finally,cell apoptosis,reactive oxygen species production and p38 signaling activity were detected. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:A portion of the high-density lipoprotein from the serum of polycystic ovary syndrome model rats affected oxidative modification.High-density lipoprotein and oxidized high-density lipoprotein isolated from the model rat serum inhibited granulosa cell viability and promoted apoptosis(all P<0.05).They promoted rat granulosa cell reactive oxygen species production and p38 activation(all P<0.05).N-acetylcysteine,Tempol and SB203580 reversed oxidized high-density lipoprotein induced granulosa cell apoptosis(all P<0.05).N-acetylcysteine and Tempol suppressed oxidized high-density lipoprotein-induced p38 activation(all P<0.05).SB203580 did not have a regulatory effect on reactive oxygen species production(P>0.05).In summary,polycystic ovary syndrome can promote partial oxidative modification of high-density lipoprotein.The oxidized high-density lipoprotein promotes rat granulosa cell apoptosis by the activation of the reactive oxygen species-initiated p38 signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of micellar curcumol (MC) regulating the immune microenvi-ronment of ovarian cancer by promoting the polarization of M2-type macrophages to M1-type in ovarian cancer asci-tes.Methods ① After the mice were divided into groups, a mouse ovarian cancer ascites model was constructed by using the mouse ovarian cancer cell line ID8.Then weight changes were observed, tumor tissue and ascites were collected.The expression of CD86 and CD206 on macrophages of the tumor tissue and ascites was detected by flow cytometry.The expression of protein kinase B (PKB/Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) was detected by Western blot.②A human monocytic leukemia cell line (THP-1) was induced to transform into M2 macrophage (THP-1 M2 macrophage) in vitro, and then treated with 10μg/ml MC.The apoptosis was detected by flow cytom-etry.The mRNA levels of macrophage mannose receptor (CD206), transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β), inter-leukin (IL)-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were detected by qRT-PCR.The expression of CD86 and CD206 was detected by flow cytometry, and Akt/mTOR expression and phosphorylation was detected by Western blot.Results ① In vitro study showed that the average body weight of the MC group was lower than that of the control group.Compared with the control group, CD206 expression of macrophages decreased in tumor tissue and ascites in the MC group, while the expression of CD86 increased.The Akt and mTOR phosphorylation level of mac-rophages in the MC group's ascites was lower than that in control group.②In vivo study showed that there was no difference in apoptosis rate among the groups detected by flow cytometry.The mRNA expression level of CD206, TGF-β and the protein expression level of CD206 in MC group were significantly lower than those in the control group, while the mRNA expression of IL-1β, TNF-α and the protein expression level of CD86 were significantly higher than those in the control group.Compared with the control group, the phosphorylation level of Akt and mTOR in the MC group decreased.Conclusion MC promotes M1 polarization of macrophages in ascites to regulate the immune microenvironment of ovarian cancer, which may be related to the Akt/mTOR pathway.

Objective To investigate the relationship between combined plasma ferritin and triglyceride (TG) concentrations in early pregnancy and the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods A total of 1 000 pregnant women who had antenatal care at the Sixth Hospital of Wuhan from January 2021 to January 2023 were selected as the research subjects. The cut-offs of ferritin and TG were analyzed by using unrestricted cube splines. All participants were divided into 4 groups according to the cut‐off values of ferritin and TG. Associations between combined ferritin and TG concentrations and GDM risk were estimated using multivariable logistic regression models. Results A total of 158 (15.8%) participants were diagnosed with GDM. The ferritin and TG levels in early pregnancy of pregnant women in the GDM group were significantly higher than those in the non-GDM group (P<0.05). After adjusting for potential confounders, the OR for the risk of developing GDM after combining ferritin with TG was 2.35 (1.65, 3.35). Couclusion The increase in plasma ferritin and TG concentrations in early pregnancy is positively correlated with the increased risk of GDM. Pregnant women with high plasma ferritin (˃65.7 ng/mL) and high TG (˃1.9mmoL/L) have the greatest risk of GDM.

Objective:To compare the diagnostic efficacy of 22 G fine needle aspiration (FNA) needles and 22 G end-cutting fine needle biopsy (FNB) needles for solid pancreatic lesion using both cytological and histological examination.Methods:Clinical data of 116 patients who underwent endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration/biopsy (EUS-FNA/FNB) at the Digestive Endoscopy Center of Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from June 2022 to March 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Sixty-three patients sampled with 22 G FNA needles were the FNA group, and 53 sampled with 22 G FNB needles were the FNB group. The diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and cytological and histological diagnostic yield of FNA needles and FNB needles for solid pancreatic lesions were compared.Results:There were no significant differences in age, gender, lesion location, lesion size, or the number of passes between the FNA group and the FNB group ( P>0.05). There were no significant differences in the diagnostic accuracy [93.7% (59/63) VS 90.6% (48/53), P=0.730], sensitivity [93.0% (53/57) VS 90.2% (46/51), P=0.732], specificity [100.0% (6/6) VS 100.0% (2/2), P=1.000], positive predictive value [100.0% (53/53) VS 100.0% (46/46), P=1.000] and negative predictive value [60.0% (6/10) VS 28.6% (2/7), P=0.335] of combined cytology and histology in distinguishing benign and malignant lesions between the two groups. In the FNA group, the diagnostic accuracy of combined cytology and histology was higher than cytology alone [93.7% (59/63) VS 81.0% (51/63), P=0.008], and was higher than histology alone without statistical significance [93.7% (59/63) VS 87.3% (55/63), P=0.125]. In the FNB group, the diagnostic accuracy of combined cytology and histology was higher than cytology alone [90.6% (48/53) VS 69.8% (37/53), P=0.001], but not than histology alone [90.6% (48/53) VS 90.6% (48/53)， P=1.000]. For solid masses located in pancreatic body/tail, the diagnostic accuracy for malignancy by histology using FNB needles tended to be higher than that of FNA needles [100.0% (17/17) VS 81.3% (26/32), P=0.080]. Conclusion:Both FNA needles and FNB needles exhibit adequate diagnostic yield for solid pancreatic masses when combining cytology and histology. FNB needles may offer a higher histological diagnostic yield.

Objective : o investigate the feasibility and safety of transumbilical single⁃port laparoscopic total hysterectomy with a self⁃made single⁃port laparoscopic platform for uterine fibroids. Methods : 114 patients with uterine fibroids who needed total hysterectomy were divided into 3 groups : Microchannel transumbilical single⁃port laparoscopy group ( group Micro⁃channel , n = 38) , standard access transumbilical single⁃port laparoscopy group ( group Single⁃port , n = 25) and traditional laparoscopy group ( group Traditional , n = 51) , in which self⁃made single⁃port laparoscopic access platform was used in group Micro⁃channel and group Single⁃port. The operation time , intraoperative blood loss , preoperative and postoperative hemoglobin value changes , postoperative VAS pain score , incision cosmetic score , postoperative complications , postoperative gastrointestinal recovery time , treatment costs and hospital stay were compared among the three groups. Results : Compared with the other two groups , Microchannel transumbilical single⁃port laparoscopy group had less intraoperative blood loss , shorter hospital stay , faster postoperative recovery , lower postoperative VAS score and higher postoperative cosmetic score , and the differences were statistically significant ( P < 0. 05 ) . Transumbilical single⁃port laparoscopic surgery had shorter discharge time , lower pain scores , and better cosmetic scores than traditional laparoscopic surgery , and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0. 05) . There was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative complications , the rate of postoperative analgesic use and the change of postoperative hemoglobin among the three groups ( P > 0. 05 ) . Conclusion Microchannel transumbilical single⁃port laparoscopic surgery is safe and effective in the treatment of uterine fibroids , and can improve the therapeutic effect of patients. The self⁃made single⁃port laparoscopic platform is safe and effective , and can reduce the cost of treatment for patients.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical significance of neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy in the treatment of larynx preservation in locally advanced hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Methods:Patients with locally advanced HPSCC（cT3-T4aN0-N3M0） were eligible. All received 2 cycles of pembrolizumab combined with docetaxel and platinum neoadjuvant induction therapy. After two cycles, the efficacy was evaluated, followed by radical chemoradiotherapy or surgery and adjuvant chemoradiotherapy according to the efficacy. The primary endpoints were objective response rate（ORR） ，larynx-preservation（LP） rate at 3 months post-treatment and the adverse reactions during neoadjuvant therapy. Results:From December 2021 to December 2022, 10 patients with locally advanced HPSCC（cT3-T4aN0-N3M0） were enrolled. After 2 cycles of the neoadjuvant therapy, 2 patients achieved complete response（CR）, 7 patients achieved partial response（PR）, 1 patient was stable disease（SD）, objective response rate（ORR） was 90%, and disease control rate（DCR） was 100%. 5 patients received radical chemoradiotherapy, 5 patients received surgery and adjuvant chemoradiotherapy, four of them received partial laryngectomy and partial hypopharyngeal resection surgery, and one of them received total laryngectomy and partial hypopharyngeal resection surgery. All patients were able to withstand adverse reactions of neoadjuvant therapy and successfully completed the whole treatment of HPSCC without grade 3-4 treatment-related adverse reactions. There was no recurrence or metastasis during 3-18 months of follow-up. 1 patient died of severe pneumonia 3 months after the completion of radical chemoradiotherapy. At 3 months after treatment, the larynx-preservation rate was 80%. Conclusion:Neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy has good short-term efficacy and the adverse reactions were tolerable. It can improve the larynx-preservation rate of patients with locally advanced HPSCC, thus improving the prognosis and quality of life of patients.
Humans ; Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck/etiology* ; Neoadjuvant Therapy ; Quality of Life ; Cisplatin ; Treatment Outcome ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use* ; Larynx ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; Immunotherapy