ObjectiveTo systematically compare the differential regulation of the maternal-fetal interface cell lineages and communication networks in the CBA/J×DBA/2 mouse model of recurrent pregnancy loss （RPL） by the two classic therapeutic methods-tonifying the kidney to stabilize the fetus and invigorating the spleen to stabilize the fetus （Shoutai Wan， Juyuan Jian）-of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） at the single-cell resolution and clarify their modern scientific connotations. MethodsFemale non-pregnant CBA/J mice were caged with male BALB/c （blank group） and DBA/2 （modeling group） mice separately. Pregnant mice in the modeling group were randomly grouped as follows： high/low-dose Shoutai Wan， high/low-dose Juyuan Jian， model （RPL）， and positive control （dydrogesterone）， with 10 mice in each group. Starting from the day after the detection of the vaginal plug， mice were administrated with drugs or an equal volume of normal saline by gavage for 10 consecutive days. After the intervention， the following indicators were measured. ① Macroscopic evaluation： general conditions， uterine wet weight， embryo loss rate， four coagulation parameters ［prothrombin time （PT）， activated partial thromboplastin time （APTT）， fibrinogen （FIB）， and thrombin time （TT）］， and peripheral blood estradiol （E₂） and progesterone （Pg） levels. The decidua with embryos was stained with hematoxylin-eosin （HE） and evaluated by transmission electron microscopy （TEM）. The expression of B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）， vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF）， angiotensin Ⅱ （AngⅡ）， matrix metalloproteinase-2 （MMP-2）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， leukemia inhibitory factor （LIF）， CXC chemokine ligand 12 （CXCL12）， and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 homolog （LC3）Ⅰ/Ⅱ was quantified by Western blot. ② Mechanism analysis at the single-cell level： The decidua with embryos from the blank， model， high-dose Shoutai Wan， and high-dose Juyuan Jian groups （6 mice per group， with 3 single-cell samples per group， totaling 24 mice） were analyzed by the BD Rhapsody™ platform， and the whole-cell atlas was drawn by uniform manifold approximation and projection （UMAP） dimensionality reduction clustering combined with the single-cell mouse cell atlas （scMCA）. The differentially expressed genes （DEGs） and cell interaction networks were analyzed via Gene Ontology （GO）， Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG）， and CellChat， and the protein-protein interaction （PPI） map of subtype cells was constructed. The CytoTRACE pseudo-temporal analysis was performed to explore the developmental trajectories of core immune cells （natural killer cells， NK cells） from maternal and fetal sources. Results① Pathological and Western blot results indicated that compared with the blank group， the RPL group showed an increase in the embryo loss rate （P<0.01）， down-regulated expression of Bcl-2， LIF， MMP-2， and Vegf in the decidua with embryos （P<0.05）， up-regulated protein levels of CXCL-12， AngⅡ， and IL-6 （P<0.05）， blocked angiogenesis， apoptosis-inflammation imbalance， and coagulation dysfunction. Both prescriptions dose-dependently reduced the abortion rate and restored the angiogenesis-inflammation balance， and Shoutai pill showed superior performance in restoring the E₂ level to the Pg level （P<0.05）. ② Single-cell transcriptome analysis indicated that compared with the blank group， the RPL group showed differences in multiple key cell populations such as decidual cells， trophoblast cells， endothelial cells， erythroblasts， NK cells， and macrophages at the maternal-fetal interface. Immunity and angiogenesis were the key links in RPL. Compared with the RPL group， high-dose Shoutai Wan reversed the changes of NK cells in the embryonic layer （upregulating the mRNA levels of 17 genes and downregulating the mRNA levels of 29 genes） and macrophages （upregulating the mRNA levels of 117 genes and downregulating the mRNA levels of 53 genes） through the regulation of gene expression. High-dose Shoutai pill regulated the immune cells to affect unfolded proteins， cell adhesion， and programmed cell death， thereby promoting decidualization and angiogenesis and modulating embryo-membrane development. High-dose Juyuan Jian regulated the key subgroups of NK cells （up-regulating the mRNA levels of 9 genes and down-regulating the mRNA levels of 17 genes） and macrophages （up-regulating the mRNA levels of 110 genes and down-regulating the mRNA levels of 81 genes）， which affected decidual inflammation and apoptosis and intervened in glycolysis. ③ The pseudo-temporal analysis and communication network indicated that the communication frequency of the RPL group decreased. High-dose Shoutai Wan restored maternal-fetal tolerance through pathways such as NKG2D， CDH5， GDF， and FASLG. High-dose Juyuan Jian enhanced the IL-6/LIFR/JAK/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （STAT3） and desmosome/SEMA6/tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis （TWEAK） signaling to improve endometrial receptivity. The RPL group showed an increased proportion of toxic dNK7， a decreased proportion of reparative dNK4， and blocked embryo fNK1. High-dose Shoutai Wan down-regulated dNK7 and up-regulated dNK4. High-dose Juyuan Jian inhibited the terminal differentiation of dNK7 and up-regulated LILRB1， thus restoring the balance of cytotoxicity and repair. ConclusionBoth the kidney-tonifying and spleen-invigorating methods are effective in treating RPL. NK and macrophages are the key immune cells in the interaction between the embryo and the membrane. The kidney-tonifying method （Shoutai Wan） has an advantage in regulating the phenotypes of unfolded protein， cell adhesion， and programmed cell death， and shows expression characteristics closer to the physiological state in the regulation of NKG2D and CDH5 signals. The spleen-invigorating method （Juyuan Jian） has an advantage in regulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition （EMT）， angiogenesis， and glycolysis and shows higher communication intensity in the IL-6 and LIFR pathways.

Objective To investigate the discovery and disposal process and epidemiological characteristics of the first confirmed case of mpox (formerly named monkeypox) in Huai'an, Jiangsu Province, and to provide reference for the prevention and control of key infectious diseases in this region. Methods The on-site epidemiological investigation data of the first confirmed case of mpox on June 21, 2023, as well as the results of nucleic acid detection and gene sequencing of laboratory specimens were analyzed retrospectively. Possible sources of infection were explored. Results The first confirmed case of mpox was an AIDS patient, men who had sex with men (MSM), who had no history of travel abroad or outside the city within 21 days before the onset of the disease, but had interacted with some people outside the city, and the epidemiological trajectory was complex. The detection of mpox virus nucleic acid was positive (BioGerm reagent: Ct value 21.8, ZhuoCheng reagent: Ct value 21.2). According to genetic sequencing, the first confirmed case was classified as C.1.1 lineage of clade IIb. During the investigation on the source of infection of the first confirmed case, one new asymptomatic infected person was found. Based on the epidemiological investigation and laboratory results, the first confirmed case was believed to be caused by local infection, however, the source of infection was unclear. Although there was an epidemiological association with asymptomatic infected people, the direct evidence of mutual infection was insufficient, and it could not be ruled out that there was still a hidden transmission chain between regions. The source of infection of the asymptomatic infected person was presumed to be the first confirmed case or an unidentified person with whom he had high-risk sex and caused anal bleeding. Conclusion The first confirmed case is caused by local infection. Awareness of case diagnosis and reporting in medical institutions should be improved, and publicity and education should be provided to key exposed populations, especially those men who have sex with men, to prevent the occurrence of large-scale local epidemic.

Objective To analyze the virus subtypes, molecular evolutional and molecular transmission network features of the first confirmed mpox case in Huai’an City, Jiangsu Province, so as to provide insights into understanding of the transmission and evolution dynamics of mpox virus and formulation of the mpox control strategy in the city. Methods Genomic DNA was extracted from swabs of the first confirmed mpox case’s skin lesions in Huai’an City, and the amplicon sequencing library was constructed using the hypersensitive mpox virus whole-genome capture kit. High-throughput sequencing was performed using the GridION X5 nanopore sequencer on the Nanopore sequencing platform, and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis of mpox virus genome sequences was performed following sequence assembly. In addition, phylogenetic analysis, genetic genealogy and molecular traceability analysis were performed. Results The virus whole genome sequence of the first confirmed mpox case was successfully obtained by high-throughput sequencing, with a full length of 197 182 bp, and was named hMpxV/China/JS-HA01/2023, which belonged to the clade IIb (West African clade) lineage B.1.3. Compared with the mpox virus reference sequence MPXV-M5312_HM12_Rivers-001 (GenBank accession number: NC_063383), the genome sequence of the Huai’an virus isolate carried 86 SNPs, including 40 SNPs in the coding region as non-synonymous mutations and 73 SNPs as nucleotide mutations caused by APOBEC3 (APOBEC3). Of the 97 mpox virus gene sequences, 79 sequences were included in the molecular network (81.44%), and the threshold of the genetic distance accessed to the network was 0.35/10⁵. There were two large molecular transmission clusters and one scattered cluster in the molecular transmission network of the mpox virus, andthehMpxV/China/JS-HA01/2023 sequence was located in the large cluster. The 97 gene sequences formed 92 haplotypes, including three shared haplotypes Hap_4, Hap_6 and Hap_38, and an exclusive haplotype Hap_1 of hMpxV/China/JS-HA01/2023 generated from mutation of the exclusive haplotype Hap_43, while the exclusive haplotype Hap_43 was generated from mutation of the shared haplotype Hap_38. Conclusions The whole genome sequence of the mpox virus isolated from the first confirmed mpox case in Huai’an City has been successfully obtained, and the molecular evolutionary and molecular transmission network characteristics of the virus have been preliminarily understood.

[摘 要] 目的：观察白细胞介素-37（IL-37）在乳腺癌患者的表达变化对CD8+ T细胞活性的影响。方法：纳入2020年7月至2022年9月在新乡医学院第一附属医院就诊的46例乳腺癌患者、24例乳腺良性肿瘤患者、20例对照者。采集外周血，分离血浆和外周血单个核细胞（PBMC），收集接受手术治疗的乳腺癌患者肿瘤组织和癌旁组织，分离组织中肿瘤浸润淋巴细胞（TIL），纯化CD8+ T细胞。ELISA法检测IL-37、可溶型单免疫球蛋白IL-1受体相关蛋白（SIGIRR）表达，实时定量PCR法检测组织中IL-37 mRNA，流式细胞术检测CD8+ T细胞中IL-18受体α链（IL-18Rα）和SIGIRR表达。外源性IL-37刺激纯化的CD8+ T细胞，与乳腺癌细胞系MCF-7共培养，通过测定乳酸脱氢酶水平计算靶细胞死亡比例，ELISA法检测上清中穿孔素、颗粒酶B、干扰素-γ（IFN-γ）、肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）水平。结果：乳腺癌患者血浆IL-37水平高于乳腺良性肿瘤患者[（554.17 ± 96.63）pg/mL vs （499.52 ± 78.66）pg/mL，P = 0.020]和对照者[（483.97 ± 47.23）pg/mL，P = 0.003]。乳腺癌患者肿瘤组织中IL-37 mRNA相对表达量高于癌旁组织[（1.88 ± 0.21） vs （1.00 ± 0.53）pg/mL，P < 0.001]。外周血IL-18Rα+ CD8+细胞比例、SIGIRR+ CD8+细胞比例、血浆可溶型SIGIRR水平在乳腺癌患者、乳腺良性肿瘤患者、对照者之间的差异无统计学意义（均P > 0.05）。CD8+ TIL表达IL-18Rα和SIGIRR的比例在肿瘤组织和癌旁组织之间的差异无统计学意义（P > 0.05）。重组人IL-37刺激后，CD8+ T细胞诱导靶细胞死亡比例、上清中IFN-γ和TNF-α水平在直接接触和间接接触共培养系统中均低于无刺激（均P < 0.05）。在直接接触共培养系统中，IL-37刺激后上清中穿孔素和颗粒酶B水平均低于无刺激（均P < 0.001），但在间接接触共培养系统中，上清中穿孔素和颗粒酶B水平在无刺激和IL-37刺激之间的差异无统计学意义（均P > 0.05）。结论：乳腺癌患者中IL-37水平升高可能参与诱导外周血和肿瘤微环境中CD8+ T细胞功能衰竭。

High-performance phototheranostics with combined photothermal therapy and photoacoustic imaging have been considered promising approaches for efficient cancer diagnosis and treatment. However, developing phototheranostic materials with efficient photothermal conversion efficiency (PCE), especially over the second near-infrared window (NIR-II, 1000-1700 nm), remains challenging. Herein, we report an ultraefficient NIR-II-activated nanomedicine with phototheranostic and vaccination capability for highly efficient in vivo tumor elimination and metastasis inhibition. The NIR-II nanomedicine of a semiconducting biradical oligomer with a motor-flexible design was demonstrated with a record-breaking PCE of 87% upon NIR-II excitation. This nanomedicine inherently features extraordinary photothermal stability, good biocompatibility, and excellent photoacoustic performance, contributing to high-contrast photoacoustic imaging in living mice and high-performance photothermal elimination of tumors. Moreover, a whole-cell vaccine based on a NIR-II nanomedicine with NIR-II-activated performance was further designed to remotely activate the antitumor immunologic memory and effectively inhibit tumor occurrence and metastasis in vivo, with good biosafety. Thus, this work paves a new avenue for designing NIR-II active semiconducting biradical materials as a promising theranostics platform and further promotes the development of NIR-II nanomedicine for personalized cancer treatment.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2024.03.030.].

Magnetic stimulation has made significant strides in the treatment of psychiatric disorders. Nonetheless, current magnetic stimulation techniques lack the precision to accurately modulate specific nuclei and cannot realize deep brain magnetic stimulation. To address this, we utilized superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles as mediators to achieve precise targeting and penetration. We investigated the effects of magnetic fields with varying frequencies on neuronal activity and compared the activation effects on neurons using a 10-Hz precise magneto-stimulation system (pMSS) with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in mice. Oxytocin levels, dendritic morphology and density, and mouse behavior were measured before and after pMSS intervention. Our findings suggest that pMSS can activate oxytocinergic neurons, leading to upregulation of oxytocin secretion and neurite outgrowth. As a result, sociability was rapidly improved after a one-week pMSS treatment regimen. These results demonstrate a promising magneto-stimulation method for regulating neuronal activity in deep brain nuclei and provide a promising therapeutic approach for autism spectrum disorder.
Animals ; Autism Spectrum Disorder/physiopathology* ; Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus/physiology* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation/methods* ; Male ; Social Behavior ; Mice ; Oxytocin/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Neurons/physiology*

Ethanol (EtOH) is a common trigger for gastric mucosal diseases, and mitigating oxidative stress is essential for attenuating gastric mucosal damage. Capsaicin (CAP) has been identified as a potential agent to counteract oxidative damage in the gastric mucosa; however, its precise mechanism remains unclear. This study demonstrates that CAP alleviates EtOH-induced gastric mucosal injuries through two primary pathways: by suppressing the chemokine receptor 4 (CCR4)/Src/p47phox axis, thereby reducing oxidative stress, and by inhibiting the phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-κB p65 (NF-κB) p65, resulting in diminished inflammatory responses. These findings elucidate the mechanistic pathways of CAP and provide a theoretical foundation for its potential therapeutic application in the treatment of gastric mucosal injuries.
Ethanol/toxicity* ; Animals ; Gastric Mucosa/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Capsaicin/pharmacology* ; Male ; NADPH Oxidases/genetics* ; Mice ; Humans ; src-Family Kinases/genetics*

Objective To compare the effects of nalbuphine combined with etomidate and nalbuphine combined with propofol in painless colonoscopy for elderly patients with hypertension. Methods Elderly patients with hypertension who underwent painless colonoscopy in the Department of Anesthesiology of Affiliated Huaian No.1 People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from August 2022 to February 2023 were selected and randomly divided into three groups: nalbuphine combined with etomidate group (E group), nalbuphine combined with propofol group (P group), and the nalbuphine combined with etomidate and propofol group (EP group). The primary endpoint was the incidence of hypotension during anesthesia. Secondary endpoints included mean arterial pressure (MAP), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and heart rate (HR) at five time points: before anesthesia (T₀), before colonoscopy (T₁), 5 minutes after colonoscopy (T₂), at the end of the examination (T₃), upon leaving the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU, T₄). Additionally, examination time, awakening time, Ramsay score, and adverse reactions were compared among the three groups. Results A total of 180 patients were included in the analysis, with 60 cases in each group. The incidence of hypotension was 11.7%, 55.0%, and 33.3% in the E group, P group, and EP group, respectively. The incidence of hypotension in the E group was lower than that in the P and EP groups (P＜0.05). At T₁, T₂, T₃, and T₄, MAP, SBP, and DBP in the E group were significantly higher than those in the P and EP groups (P＜0.05). There were no statistically significant differences among the three groups in awakening time, Ramsay score, or incidence of adverse reactions. Conclusions Compared with nalbuphine combined with propofol, nalbuphine combined with etomidate for painless colonoscopy in elderly patients with hypertension resulted in a lower incidence of hypotension, less impact on hemodynamics, and higher safety.

Objective To investigate the nutritional status and dietary structure of tuberculosis patients among dif-ferent populations, analyze the factors influencing the nutritional status of tuberculosis patients, and provide theo-retical basis for improving clinical nutrition and related issues in tuberculosis patients.Methods Tuberculosis pa-tients, non-tuberculosis patients, and healthy individuals were randomly selected for a questionnaire survey.De-scriptive analysis was conducted using SPSS 20.0 software.Statistical description was performed using rates and composition ratios, and qualitative data were described using relative numbers.Chi-square test was used to compare overall rates and composition ratios among different health conditions groups, with a significance level of α=0.05.Independent factors analysis of nutritional status body mass index (BMI) was conducted using multiple Logistic re-gression analysis for variables with statistically significant differences in the univariate analysis.Results There were differences in the nutritional status (x2 =62.184, P<0.05) and dietary diversity score (x2 =64.049, P<0.05) among tuberculosis patients, non-tuberculosis patients, and healthy individuals.Univariate analysis of nutri-tional status BMI showed statistically significant differences in gender, smoking, meat-based diet, vegetable-based diet, moderate diet diversity score, and 6 other variables for tuberculosis patients (P <0.05) , and in gender, age, ethnicity, marital status, occupation, education level, smoking, drinking white wine, drinking beer, meat-based diet, moderate diet, and 11 other variables for healthy individuals (P<0.05) .The variables with statisti-cally significant differences in the univariate analysis were included in the multiple ordinal logistic regression analy-sis model for both tuberculosis patients and healthy individuals.The results showed that the level of education, veg-etable intake, moderate food diversity score (DDS) of 4-6 were independent influencing factors of nutritional sta-tus BMI among tuberculosis patients (P<0.05);marital status was an independent influencing factor of nutritional status BMI among non-tuberculosis patients (P<0.05);while gender and occupation were independent influencing factors of nutritional status BMI among healthy individuals (P<0.05).Conclusion The dietary nutritional status of the three population groups varied.Targeted health education should be conducted, especially for tuberculosis patients, to address the issue of uneven dietary intake and promote good dietary habits among local tuberculosis pa-tients.