Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and immunological mechanisms of pegylated interferon α-2b (Peg-IFNα-2b) antiviral therapy in treatment-naive patients with chronic hepatitis B(CHB).Methods:A total of 166 treatment-naive CHB patients, who were treated at Department of Infectious Diseases, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from March 2021 to March 2023, were enrolled in this study. All the patients received Peg-IFNα-2b therapy for 48 weeks. Serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA, HBV serological markers, biochemical parameters, peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets and serum cytokine levels were detected and compared before and after treatment. Chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U test and paired sample t test were used for statistical comparison. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the influencing factors of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroconversion by stepwise regression method, and the receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC curve) was used to evaluate the predictive efficacy of immune indicators on HBsAg seroconversion. Results:Among the 166 treatment-naive CHB patients, the rate of HBV DNA negativity following 48 weeks of Peg-IFNα-2b therapy was 71.08%(118/166), the rate of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) negativity was 32.05%(25/78), and the rate of HBsAg negativity was 20.48%(34/166). HBsAg negativity rate was 52.17%(24/46) in patients with baseline HBsAg<200 IU/mL, 10.26%(4/39) in patients with baseline HBsAg 200 to <1 200 IU/mL, and 7.41%(6/81) in patients with baseline HBsAg≥1 200 IU/mL, and the difference was statistically significant( χ2=39.37, P<0.001). After 48 weeks of treatment, serum levels of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), total bilirubin (TBil), and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) were significantly lower than those before treatment ( Z=9.33, 8.58, 5.99, 2.36, respectively, all P<0.05). lmmune indicators were detected in 58 patients, and the proportion of peripheral blood lymphocytes increased significantly post-treatment, with notable increases in CD3 + CD8 + T/CD3 + T, CD3 + CD4 + DR + /CD3 + CD4 + , CD3 + CD8 + DR + /CD3 + CD8 + , CD3 + CD8 + CD38 + /CD3 + CD8 + , CD3 + CD8 + CD28 + /CD3 + CD8 + , and CD19 + B cells, and the differences were all statistically significant ( t=-2.56, t=-8.65, Z=-3.58, t=-3.66, Z=-3.04, t=-3.62, t=-3.87, respectively, all P<0.05). Conversely, the proportion of CD3 + , CD3 + CD4 + T/CD3 + T, CD3 + CD4 + CD45RO + /CD3 + CD4 + , CD3 + CD8 + CD45RO + /CD3 + CD8 + and the CD4 + /CD8 + ratio decreased significantly post-treatment ( t=3.13, t=5.61, t=3.69, Z=3.95, Z=7.33, respectively, all P<0.05). No significant differences were observed in the proportion of CD16 + CD56 + natural killer (NK) cells, CD3 + CD4 + CD28 + /CD3 + CD4 + , CD3 + CD4 + CD38 + /CD3 + CD4 + cells before and after treatment (all P>0.05). Serum levels of interleukin(IL)-8, IL-12P70, and IL-17 significantly decreased post-treatment ( Z=2.85, 3.26, 4.12, respectively, all P<0.05), while IL-2, IL-1β, and interferon(IFN)-α levels were significantly elevated compared to baseline ( Z=-4.92, -4.85, -9.01, respectively, all P<0.001). There were no significant differences in IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10 levels before and after treatment (all P>0.05). Logistic regression analysis identified CD3 + CD8 + T/CD3 + T(odd ratios ( OR)=1.198, 95%confidence interval( CI) 1.003 to 1.432, P=0.046), CD3 + CD4 + DR + /CD3 + CD4 + ( OR=1.185, 95% CI 1.035 to 1.357, P=0.014), CD3 + CD8 + DR + /CD3 + CD8 + ( OR=0.813, 95% CI 0.690 to 0.958, P=0.013), CD3 + CD4 + CD38 + /CD3 + CD4 + ( OR=0.678, 95% CI 0.488 to 0.940, P=0.020), CD3 + CD8 + CD38 + /CD3 + CD8 + ( OR=1.272, 95% CI 1.069 to 1.512, P=0.007), CD19 + B cells( OR=0.752, 95% CI 0.582 to 0.971, P=0.029), IL-2( OR=8.568, 95% CI 1.927 to 38.087, P=0.005), and IL-17( OR=0.728, 95% CI 0.535 to 0.989, P=0.042) as independent factors influencing HBsAg seroconversion. The area under the curve (AUC) of the proportion of dCD19 + B cells (the reciprocal of CD19 + B cells) for predicting HBsAg seroconversion was 0.716, the sensitivity was 0.636, and the specificity was 0.809. The AUC of IL-2 was 0.657, the sensitivity was 0.818, and the specificity was 0.404. The AUC of dIL-17 (the reciprocal of IL-17 levels) was 0.624, the sensitivity was 0.727, and the specificity was 0.489. The AUC of IL-2 and dIL-17 as a combined predictor was 0.830, the sensitivity was 0.909, and the specificity was 0.787. Conclusions:Peg-IFNα-2b demonstrates significant antiviral, biochemical, and serological responses in treatment-naive CHB patients, with enhanced efficacy in patients exhibiting HBsAg levels <200 IU/mL. In patients with HBsAg<200 IU/mL, the rate of HBsAg negativity reached 52.17%.Peg-IFNα-2b can regulate the immune function of patients with CHB by increasing the proportion of activated T lymphocyte subsets and functional subsets. The proportion of CD19 + B cells, IL-2 levels, and IL-17 levels hold predictive value for achieving HBsAg seroconversion.

Objective To explore the feasibility and safety of non-anticoagulation veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation(VV-ECMO)in patients with severe chest trauma.Methods A retrospective cohort study method was used.A total of 19 patients with severe chest trauma who received VV-ECMO with a delayed anticoagulation strategy at Zhengzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University from January 2018 to October 2021 were included in the delayed anticoagulation group,and 20 patients with severe chest trauma who received VV-ECMO with a non-anticoagulation strategy from November 2021 to October 2024 were included in the non-anticoagulation group.The overall clinical characteristics of the patients were statistically analyzed,including gender,age,injury severity score(ISS),acute physiology and chronic health evaluationⅡ(APACHEⅡ),reason for VV-ECMO,use of vasoactive drugs,oxygenation index(PaO2/FiO2),and interval from injury to VV-ECMO.The primary outcomes were hemorrhagic and thrombotic complications.The secondary outcomes were blood transfusion during VV-ECMO,VV-ECMO time,mechanical ventilation time,intensive care unit(ICU)length of stay,and 28-day mortality.Results There was no significant difference in gender,age,ISS score,APACHEⅡscore,reason for VV-ECMO,use of vasoactive drugs,PaO2/FiO2,and interval from injury to VV-ECMO between the non-anticoagulation group and the delayed anticoagulation group.There was no significant difference in overall incidence of hemorrhagic and thrombotic between the two groups[incidence of hemorrhagic complications:15.0%(3/20)vs.31.6%(6/19),incidence of thrombotic:15.0%(3/20)vs.5.3%(1/19),both P>0.05].The infusion rate of 4 or more paked red blood cell(PRBC)within 24 hours during VV-ECMO in the non-anticoagulation group was significantly lower than that in the delayed anticoagulation group[5.0%(1/20)vs.31.6%(6/19),P<0.05].The amount of PRBC and platelet transfusion and the time on VV-ECMO in the non-anticoagulation group during VV-ECMO were significantly lower than those in the delayed anticoagulation group[PRBC(U):5.8±3.8 vs.8.1±3.1,platelets(U):1(0,1)vs.2(1,3),time on VV-ECMO(hours):71.55±24.37 vs.114.21±34.08,all P<0.05].There were no statistically significant differences in the amount of plasma and cryoprecipitate transfusion during VV-ECMO,mechanical ventilation time,ICU hospitalization time,and 28-day mortality between the two groups.Conclusion For patients with severe chest trauma receiving VV-ECMO withholding routine systemic anticoagulation did not result in thrombotic complications or higher mortality and required less PRBC and platelet transfusions.Non-anticoagulant VV-ECMO is safe and feasible for patients with severe chest trauma with high risk of bleeding.

Cholestatic liver disease(CLD)encompasses a range of acute and chronic disorders characterized by impaired bile formation and/or flow.If left untreated,it may progress to cirrhosis and even liver failure.In recent years,with the development of molecular biology and omics technologies,the diagnosis and treatment of CLD are entering the era of precision medicine.This article reviews the advances in the diagnosis of CLD based on genetic testing and omics biomarkers and summarizes the latest studies and clinical trials on hydrophilic bile acid,FXR agonist,PPAR agonist,antibiotics,and novel molecules in targeted therapy for CLD.In the future,integrating omics data and implementing individualized diagnosis and treatment will be the main directions in precision medicine for CLD.This article aims to provide a reference for basic research and clinical translation in the field of CLD.

Objective:To investigate the cytopathological features of thyroid tumor with DICER1 mutation.Methods:A retrospective study on the preoperative cell smear was conducted on thyroid tumors with DICER1 gene mutations detected by Sanger sequencing in the Department of Pathology Shanghai Sixth People′s Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine from May 2022 to November 2024.Results:Totally 163 cases with histological features indicating DICER1 mutation related thyroid tumor underwent Sanger sequencing. Fifteen cases were confirmed to harbor DICER1 mutation (15/163,9.2%). Fourteen of 15 patients were female, and only 1 was male; average age 42(31,47) years. Eight cases presented with D1709 hotspot mutation (8/15) and 7 cases with the E1813 hotspot mutation (7/15) and there was no statistical significant difference between mutation rate of different hotspot ( F=0.620， P=0.438). All specimens were stained with hematoxylin-eosin staining. A moderate number of cells were observed for all cases, predominantly with macrofollicular pattern and rare small papillae. The cell nuclei were mainly uniform, small, round and dark, slightly enlarged or medium-sized. Several cases could also present RAS-like nuclear features: 3 cases showed visible nuclear grooves. According to the expert consensus on the cytopathological diagnosis of thyroid fine needle aspiration (version 2023),the cytopathological diagnostic categories were: Ⅱ, 6 cases; Ⅲ, 2 cases; Ⅳ, 6 cases; and Ⅴ, 1 case. Postoperative histological diagnoses included follicular thyroid carcinoma in 2 cases, high-grade differentiated thyroid carcinoma in 1 case, follicular thyroid adenoma in 3 cases, follicular thyroid tumor of undetermined malignant potential in 4 case, and thyroid follicular nodular disease in 5 cases. Conclusions:The morphological features of DICER1-mutated thyroid tumors are predominant macrofollicles, with uniformly small round and dark nuclei. It is difficult to identify typically diagnostic atrophic follicles on cell smear, leading to a preoperative diagnosis of benign non-neoplastic or indeterminate category. Therefore, it is necessary to carefully observe the macro-follicles and small round dark nuclear features, which is necessary to suggest a genetic test of DICER1 gene and to confirm the diagnosis before surgery.

This study aims to investigate the polarized microscopic mineral phase characteristics, inorganic element content, and potential health risks associated with the intake of raw and calcined fossil mineral Chinese medicinal material Draconis Os. Microscopy was employed to observe the mineralogical characteristics of Draconis Os and compare the microscopic features and phase composition of raw and calcined Draconis Os under monochromatic and orthogonal polarized light. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(ICP-MS) was employed to determine the content of 30 inorganic elements. Health risk assessment was conducted by calculating the single pollution index(P_i), average daily intake of elements for adults(ADI), target hazard quotient(THQ), non-carcinogenic assessment method-hazard quotient(HQ), and the carcinogenic risk of elements(CR). The results indicated that under monochromatic polarized light, the Draconis Os powder sections exhibited light gray-brown to gray-brown irregular fragments, some with undulating textures that were slightly curved. Under crossed polarized light, they appeared dark gray, grayish-white, and yellowish-white. Clear apatite was visible in the ground sections of Draconis Os under crossed polarized light. P_i results indicated that Draconis Os samples were free from contamination and were of good quality. According to the maximum allowable limits of heavy metals stipulated in ISO Traditional Chinese Medicine: Determination of heavy metals in herbal medicines used in Traditional Chinese Medicine, ADI, THQ, HQ, and CR were taken as assessment indicators. Only the THQ value for As(arsenic) in raw Draconis Os was greater than 1, while the THQ values for other heavy metal elements in the Draconis Os samples were all less than 1. The study demonstrates that the primary mineral phase of raw and calcined Draconis Os is apatite, with some samples co-existing with calcite, which can serve as one of the means for quality control of Draconis Os. The elemental analysis results from ICP-MS provide scientific evidence for the safety assessment of Draconis Os, indicating that Draconis Os is safe in clinical application.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/analysis* ; Risk Assessment ; Minerals/chemistry* ; Fossils ; Humans ; Drug Contamination ; Mass Spectrometry

OBJECTIVE: To screen anti-tumor drugs that improve antigen processing and presentation in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells. METHODS: A TCR-like or TCR mimic antibody that can specifically recognize HLA-A*0201:WT1_126-134 ( RMFPNAPYL) complex (hereafter referred to as HLA-A2:WT1) was synthesized to evaluate the function of antigen processing and presentation machinery (APM) in AML cells. AML cell line THP1 was incubated with increasing concentrations of IFN-γ, hypomethylating agents (HMA), immunomodulatory drugs (IMiD), proteasome inhibitors (PI) and γ-secretase inhibitors (GSI), followed by measuring of HLA-ABC, HLA-A2 and HLA-A2:WT1 levels by flow cytometry at consecutive time points. RESULTS: The TCR-like antibody we generated only binds to HLA-A*0201⁺WT1⁺ cells, indicating the specificity of the antibody. HLA-A2:WT1 level of THP-1 cells detected with the TCR-like antibody was increased significantly after co-incubation with IFN-γ, showing that the HLA-A2:WT1 TCR like antibody could evaluate the function of APM. Among the anti-tumor agents screened in this study, GSI (LY-411575) and HMA (decitabine and azacitidine) could significantly increase the HLA-A2:WT1 level. The IMiD lenalidomide and pomalidomide could aslo upregulate the expression of HLA-A2:WT1 complex under certain concentrations of the drugs and incubation time. As proteasome inhibitors, carfilzomib could significantly decreased the expression of HLA-A2:WT1, while bortezomib had no significant effect on HLA-A2:WT1 expression. CONCLUSION HLA-A2:WT1 TCR-like antibody can effectively reflect the APM function. Some of the anti-tumor drugs can affect the APM function and immunogenicity of tumor cells.
Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/immunology* ; Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology* ; Antigen Presentation/drug effects* ; HLA-A2 Antigen/immunology* ; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/immunology* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Interferon-gamma

Cholestatic liver disease(CLD)encompasses a range of acute and chronic disorders characterized by impaired bile formation and/or flow.If left untreated,it may progress to cirrhosis and even liver failure.In recent years,with the development of molecular biology and omics technologies,the diagnosis and treatment of CLD are entering the era of precision medicine.This article reviews the advances in the diagnosis of CLD based on genetic testing and omics biomarkers and summarizes the latest studies and clinical trials on hydrophilic bile acid,FXR agonist,PPAR agonist,antibiotics,and novel molecules in targeted therapy for CLD.In the future,integrating omics data and implementing individualized diagnosis and treatment will be the main directions in precision medicine for CLD.This article aims to provide a reference for basic research and clinical translation in the field of CLD.

AIM To investigate the tumor-suppressive mechanism of Guiqi Yiyuan Extract combined with cisplatin in Lewis lung cancer mice.METHODS Ten intact C57BL/6J mice were assigned to the blank group.Sixty additional mice were developed into Lewis lung cancer models bearing transplanted tumor and subsequently allocated into the model group,the cisplatin group(5 mg/kg),the high-dose Guiqi Yiyuan Extract group(6.6 g/kg),and the low-dose,medium-dose and high-dose Guiqi Yiyuan Extract combined with cisplatin group(1.6,3.3,6.6 g/kg+5 mg/kg),with 10 mice in each group.Mice in the blank and model groups received saline via daily gavage,while treatment groups were administered Guiqi Yiyuan Extract orally(once daily),and cisplatin injection intraperitoneally(once every other day).After 14 days of drug administration,mice were euthanized for endpoint analysis.The following assessments were conducted:general health status and body weight changes monitored throughout the study period;tumor excision and weighing for inhibition rate calculation;histopathological examination of tumors via hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining;serum quantification of IL-1 β,IL-18 and HMGB1 by ELISA;ultrastructural analysis of tumor cell death using transmission electron microscopy(TEM);spatial localization of TXNIP and GSDMD-N in tumor sections via immunofluorescence(IF);and Western blot detection of TXNIP,NLRP3,Caspase-1,cleaved Caspase-1,GSDMD,GSDMD-N protein expressions in tumor tissues.RESULTS Compared to the model group,the cisplatin group and all combination therapy groups exhibited significant reduction in tumor weight(P＜0.05)and increased tumor suppression rate;enhanced tumor tissue necrosis with characteristic pyroptotic morphology;elevated serum levels of IL-1β,IL-18 and HMGB1(P＜0.05);and upregulated expressions of pyroptosis-associated proteins TXNIP,NLRP3,Caspase-1,cleaved Caspase-1,GSDMD and GSDMD-N(P＜0.05).The high dose combination group demonstrated optimal therapeutic efficacy(P＜0.05).CONCLUSION Guiqi Yiyuan Extract enhances cisplatin sensitivity,demonstrating synergistic anti-tumor effects in Lewis lung carcinoma-bearing mice.This combinatorial therapeutic effect likely involves modulation of the TXNIP/NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD pathway.

Objective:To preliminarily explore whether sirtuin1 (SIRT1) activation can inhibit neuronal ferroptosis in rats after traumatic brain injury (TBI) by regulating hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α)-mediated glycolysis.Methods:(1) Six SD rats were randomly divided into sham-operated group and TBI group, with 3 rats in each group; TBI model in the TBI group was established by hydraulic impact method, and rats in the sham-operated group underwent same surgery without impact. Cortical tissues of the two groups were sent for tandem mass tag (TMT) labeled quantitative proteomics detection to analyze the differential expression proteome; Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were used to detect pathway enrichment of the screened differential proteins. (2) Twelve SD rats were randomly divided into sham-operated group and 1-day, 3-day and 7-day post-TBI groups, with 3 rats in each group. Treatment methods were the same as above; Western blotting was used to detect SIRT1 protein expression. (3) Forty-eight rats were randomly divided into sham-operated group, TBI group, TBI+vehicle group and TBI+SIRT1 agonist group, with 12 rats in each group; rats in the sham-operated group and TBI group accepted treatment as above; rats in the TBI+SIRT1 agonist group were intraperitoneally injected with SRT1720 (dissolved in ≤ 5% dimethyl sulfoxide, at a dose of 20 mg/kg) within 30 minutes after modeling, twice a day (with an interval of 12 hours); and rats in the TBI+vehicle group were injected with same dose of dimethyl sulfoxide at the same time. One d after modeling, neurological deficit was assessed using modified Neurological severity score (mNSS), brain water content was measured by dry-wet weight method, histopathological changes in the cortical lesions were observed by HE staining, mitochondrial ultrastructure was examined by transmission electron microscopy, malondialdehyde (MDA) content and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the brain tissues were detected by colorimetry, and protein expressions of SIRT1, HIF-1α (key protein in the glycolytic pathway), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4, key protein in the ferroptosis pathway), and acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4, key protein in the ferroptosis pathway) were evaluated by Western blotting.Results:(1) KEGG analysis revealed that the glycolysis pathway and HIF-1 signaling pathway were obviously enriched in the cortical tissues of rats in the TBI group compared with the sham-operated group; GSEA showed that the HIF-1 signaling pathway (mmu04066) and ferroptosis pathway (mmu04216) gene sets in the cortical tissues of rats in the TBI group exhibited enrichment trends compared with those in the sham-operated group. (2) Compared with the sham-operated group, the 1-day, 3-day, and 7-day post-TBI groups had significantly decreased SIRT1 protein expression ( P<0.05), with the most prominent decline in 1-day post-TBI group. (3) Compared with the TBI+vehicle group, rats in the TBI+SIRT1 agonist group showed significantly reduced mNSS score and brain tissue water content (9.83±1.17 vs. 7.66±1.21; [83.62±0.91]% vs. [80.09±0.68]%, P<0.05). HE staining indicated clearer structure of the cortical area at the injury sites, and improved neuron morphology in the TBI+SIRT1 agonist group compared with those in the TBI+vehicle group; and transmission electron microscopy showed reduced mitochondrial shrinkage and partial restoration of cristae structures in the TBI+SIRT1 agonist group compared with those in the TBI+vehicle group. Compared with the TBI+vehicle group, the TBI+SIRT1 agonist group exhibited significantly decreased MDA content ([62.72±9.20] nmol/g vs. [39.34±3.48] nmol/g), increased SOD activity ([1.95±0.23] U/mg vs. [2.48±0.14] U/mg), elevated GPX4 protein expression (0.37±0.04 vs. 0.46±0.03), and decreased HIF-1α and ACSL4 protein expressions (1.16±0.15 vs. 0.81±0.12; 1.14±0.06 vs. 1.29±0.04), with significant differences ( P<0.05). Conclusion:SIRT1 activation can exert neuroprotective effect by inhibiting HIF-1α-mediated glycolysis and reducing neuronal ferroptosis after TBI.

Alzheimer's disease (AD), a progressive dementia, is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases. Clinical trial results of amyloid-β (Aβ) and tau regulators based on the pretext of straightforward amyloid and tau immunotherapy were disappointing. There are currently no effective strategies for slowing the progression of AD. Herein, we spotlight the dysregulation of lipid metabolism, particularly the elevation of ceramides (Cers), as a critical yet underexplored facet of AD pathogenesis. Our study delineates the role of Cers in promoting microglial pyroptosis, a form of programmed cell death distinct from apoptosis and necroptosis, characterized by cellular swelling, and membrane rupture mediated by the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway. Utilizing both in vivo experiments with amyloid precursor protein (APP)/presenilin 1 (PS1) transgenic mice and in vitro assays with BV-2 microglial cells, we investigate the activation of microglial pyroptosis by Cers and its inhibition by icariin (ICA), a flavonoid with known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Our findings reveal a significant increase in Cers levels and pyroptosis markers (NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain, caspase-1, gasdermin D (gasdermin D (GSDMD)), and interleukin-18 (IL-18)) in the brains of AD model mice, indicating a direct involvement of Cers in AD pathology through the induction of microglial pyroptosis. Conversely, ICA treatment effectively reduces these pyroptotic markers and Cer levels, thereby attenuating microglial pyroptosis and suggesting a novel therapeutic mechanism of action against AD. This study not only advances our understanding of the pathogenic role of Cers in AD but also introduces ICA as a promising candidate for AD therapy, capable of mitigating neuroinflammation and pyroptosis through the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)-NLRP3 inflammasome-gasdermin D (GSDMD) axis. Our results pave the way for further exploration of Cer metabolism disorders in neurodegenerative diseases and highlight the therapeutic potential of targeting microglial pyroptosis in AD.