Photoacoustic imaging is an emerging non-invasive technique combining high contrast of optical imaging with deep penetration of ultrasound imaging.Endogenous probes,leveraging their natural biocompatibility and the advantage of bypassing regulatory approval for exogenous substances,provided foundational contrast for revealing tissue structure and physiological functions,while exogenously probes with precisely designed demonstrated significant potential in markedly enhancing imaging sensitivity,contrast and targeting specificity,hence continuously advancing photoacoustic imaging toward the level of molecular and functional imaging while expanding application boundaries.The current applications and challenges of photoacoustic imaging probes were reviewed in this article.

Objective To investigate the killing effect of the recombinant oncolytic influenza virus OvFlu-GM-CSF,constructed using reverse genetics(RG)technology,in combination with chemotherapy drug,gemcitabine(GEM),against pancreatic cancer cells.Methods The recombinant oncolytic virus OvFlu-GM-CSF was successfully rescued using RG technology in our previous study.The virus was then comprehensively characterized through chicken red blood cell hemagglutination assay,transmission electron microscopy,and viral replication assay.CCK-8 assay was utilized to determine the impact of OvFlu-GM-CSF viruses[multiplicities of infection(MOI):0,0.1,1.0,3.0]on the survival rate of pancreatic cancer cell lines(Panc02,PANC-1,SW1990,BxPC-3)and normal pancreatic ductal epithelial cells(HPDE6-C7)after treatment for 24,48 or 72 h.Using a subcutaneous tumor-bearing mouse model of pancreatic cancer,36 female C57BL/6 mice(6 weeks old)were randomly divided into PBS group,recombinant oncolytic virus group,GEM group,and the combined treatment group,with 9 mice in each group.PBS(100 μL/animal)or OvFlu-GM-CSF virus(1× 107PFU/100 μL)was given to the mice of the corresponding groups through intratumoral injection,while GEM(100 mg/kg)was injected intraperitoneally,once per 3 days,for totally 9 times.Changes in tumor volume and survival rate were monitored.Multi-immunofluorescence staining was employed to analyze T cell infiltration and proliferation in the tumor tissues.HE staining was performed to observe the pathological changes in major organs(heart,liver,lungs,kidneys and brain),and the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase(ALT)and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)were measured to evaluate the safety of the recombinant oncolytic virus.Results The recombinant oncolytic influenza virus OvFlu-GM-CSF has a hemagglutination titer of 28,typical morphological features of influenza virus,and can selectively replicate within pancreatic cancer cells.At the cellular level,the viruses demonstrated a significant selective cytotoxic effect on Panc02,PANC-1,SW1990,and BxPC-3 cells under the conditions of 48 h post-infection and MOI=3.0,when compared to 48 h post-infection and MOI=0(P＜0.01).The cell survival rate was gradually decreased with the increase in MOI value and the extension of infection time(P＜0.01),but the viruses showed no significant effect on normal pancreatic ductal epithelial cells(HPDE6-C7).In the pancreatic cancer tumor-bearing mouse model,the combined treatment of the viruses+GEM significantly reduced the tumor volume than simple virus treatment and simple GEM treatment(P＜0.01),and enhanced the infiltration of T cells in the tumor tissues.No obvious pathological changes were observed in the above-mentioned major organs.Additionally,there were no significant differences in the serum levels of ALT and AST in the OvFlu-GM-CSF group,GEM group,and OvFlu-GM-CSF+GEM group compared to the PBS group.Conclusion RS technology-constructed recombinant oncolytic influenza virus OvFlu-GM-CSF,when combined with the chemotherapeutic agent GEM,enhances the cytotoxic efficacy against pancreatic cancer cells and effectively activates the host's anti-tumor immune response.

In recent years, the role of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) in the prevention and treatment of ischemic stroke has received widespread attention. Researches have shown that n-3 PUFAs can reduce the risk of stroke and improve stroke outcome through various mechanisms, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, improvement of endothelial function, promotion of angiogenesis, and anti-apoptotic effects, demonstrating potential in the prevention and treatment of ischemic stroke. This article reviews the mechanism of action and clinical research of n-3 PUFAs in ischemic stroke.

Objective:To analyze the epidemic characteristics of human brucellosis in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and to provide a basis for formulating targeted intervention strategies and implementation measures.Methods:The data of brucellosis cases with onset date from 2014 to 2023 and current address in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region were collected from the Chinese Disease Control and Prevention Information System. Descriptive epidemiological method was used to analyze the three-dimensional distribution of human brucellosis in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.Results:From 2014 to 2023, a total of 131 201 brucellosis cases were reported in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, with no death and an average annual incidence rate of 52.90/100 000. The lowest incidence was in 2016 (6 567 cases, 26.15/100 000), and the highest was in 2021 (21 910 cases, 91.14/100 000). All 12 cities (leagues) in the region had reported cases of brucellosis, with Tongliao City (27 012 cases), Chifeng City (15 286 cases), Hinggan League (14 859 cases), Hulunbuir (12 235 cases) and Ulanqab (11 972 cases) ranking among the top 5 cities (leagues) in terms of reported cases. Among the cases, 90 455 (68.94%) were males, with a incidence rate of 70.93/100 000, and 40 746 (31.06%) were females, with a incidence rate of 33.70/100 000. The age of onset is mainly 50 and less than 60 years old (37 610 cases, 28.67%). The occupational distribution was mainly farmers (102 091 cases, 77.81%), followed by herdsmen (13 209 cases, 10.07%).Conclusions:The incidence of human brucellosis in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region is at a relatively high level, particularly showing an upward trend from 2016 to 2021. Cities such as Tongliao City, Chifeng City and Hinggan League have a relatively high incidence of brucellosis. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the monitoring of brucellosis in these areas, implement prevention and control measures, and closely monitor the changes in the trend of human brucellosis outbreaks. Farmers and herdsmen are the primary high-risk groups, and it is recommended to enhance health education and behavioral interventions for these key populations.

Objective:To analyze the epidemic characteristics of human brucellosis in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and to provide a basis for formulating targeted intervention strategies and implementation measures.Methods:The data of brucellosis cases with onset date from 2014 to 2023 and current address in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region were collected from the Chinese Disease Control and Prevention Information System. Descriptive epidemiological method was used to analyze the three-dimensional distribution of human brucellosis in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.Results:From 2014 to 2023, a total of 131 201 brucellosis cases were reported in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, with no death and an average annual incidence rate of 52.90/100 000. The lowest incidence was in 2016 (6 567 cases, 26.15/100 000), and the highest was in 2021 (21 910 cases, 91.14/100 000). All 12 cities (leagues) in the region had reported cases of brucellosis, with Tongliao City (27 012 cases), Chifeng City (15 286 cases), Hinggan League (14 859 cases), Hulunbuir (12 235 cases) and Ulanqab (11 972 cases) ranking among the top 5 cities (leagues) in terms of reported cases. Among the cases, 90 455 (68.94%) were males, with a incidence rate of 70.93/100 000, and 40 746 (31.06%) were females, with a incidence rate of 33.70/100 000. The age of onset is mainly 50 and less than 60 years old (37 610 cases, 28.67%). The occupational distribution was mainly farmers (102 091 cases, 77.81%), followed by herdsmen (13 209 cases, 10.07%).Conclusions:The incidence of human brucellosis in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region is at a relatively high level, particularly showing an upward trend from 2016 to 2021. Cities such as Tongliao City, Chifeng City and Hinggan League have a relatively high incidence of brucellosis. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the monitoring of brucellosis in these areas, implement prevention and control measures, and closely monitor the changes in the trend of human brucellosis outbreaks. Farmers and herdsmen are the primary high-risk groups, and it is recommended to enhance health education and behavioral interventions for these key populations.

Photoacoustic imaging is an emerging non-invasive technique combining high contrast of optical imaging with deep penetration of ultrasound imaging.Endogenous probes,leveraging their natural biocompatibility and the advantage of bypassing regulatory approval for exogenous substances,provided foundational contrast for revealing tissue structure and physiological functions,while exogenously probes with precisely designed demonstrated significant potential in markedly enhancing imaging sensitivity,contrast and targeting specificity,hence continuously advancing photoacoustic imaging toward the level of molecular and functional imaging while expanding application boundaries.The current applications and challenges of photoacoustic imaging probes were reviewed in this article.

AIM:This study aimed to observe the analgesic effects of Hegu acupoint catgut embedding in a rat model of labor and investigate its influence on biomarkers such as calcitonin gene-related peptide(CGRP)signals at the Hegu acupoint.METHODS:Thirty-six pregnant rats were randomly divided into three groups:control group,Hegu acu-puncture group,and Hegu catgut embedding group.Pain threshold changes were assessed using the tail immersion test and paw withdrawal thermal latency at four time points:pre-induction,before the onset of labor,at the onset of labor,and at the mid-stage of labor.Tissue samples from the Hegu acupoint were collected at the mid-stage of labor to detect the ex-pression of CGRP,substance P(SP),and mast cells using immunofluorescence.The concentrations of ATP and ade-nosine were measured using ELISA.RESULTS:Before labor induction,there was no significant difference in tail immer-sion test and paw withdrawal thermal latency among the three groups(P>0.05).Before the onset of labor,both the acu-puncture and catgut embedding groups exhibited significantly higher tail-flick times and paw withdrawal latencies com-pared to the control group(P<0.05).At labor initiation and mid-labor,the catgut embedding group had significantly higher tail-flick times and paw withdrawal latencies compared to both the control and acupuncture groups(P<0.05).During mid-labor,the expression of CGRP,SP,mast cells,ATP,and adenosine concentrations in the catgut embedding group was significantly higher than that in the control and acupuncture groups(P<0.05),with co-expression of CGRP,SP,and mast cells observed.CONCLUSION:Hegu acupoint catgut embedding effectively alleviates labor pain,and its mechanism may involve increased local expression of CGRP and SP,promoting mast cell degranulation,and increasing ATP release and its conversion to adenosine.

Objective To construct a risk prediction model by integrating the molecular subtypes of pan-creatic ductal adenocarcinoma(PDAC)and immune-related genes.Methods With GSE71729 data set(n=145)as the training set,the differentially expressed genes and differential immune-related genes between the squamous and non-squamous subtypes of PDAC were integrated to construct a regulatory network,on the basis of which five immune marker genes regulating the squamous subtype were screened out.An integrated immune score(IIS)model was constructed based on patient survival information and immune marker genes to predict the clinical prog-nosis of PDAC patients,and its predictive performance was tested with 5 validation sets(n=758).Results PDAC patients were assigned into high risk and low risk groups according to the IIS.In both training and validation sets,the overall survival of patients in the high risk group was shorter than that in the low risk group(both P＜0.001).The multivariable Cox regression showed that IIS was an independent prognostic factor for PDAC(HR=2.16,95％CI=1.50-3.10,P＜0.001).Conclusion IIS can be used for risk stratification of PDAC patients and may become a potential prognostic marker for PDAC.

Objective:To study the correlation between the copy number variations of CCND1 gene and chromosome 11 and their associations with clinicopathologic features in acral melanoma.Methods:Thirty-three acral melanoma cases diagnosed at the Department of Pathology of Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China from January 2018 to August 2021 were collected. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was used to detect the copy number of CCND1 gene and centromere of chromosome 11. The relationship between the copy numbers of CCND1 and chromosome 11 centromere, and the correlation between CCND1 copy number and clinicopathologic characteristics were analyzed.Results:There were 15 male and 18 female patients, with an age ranging from 22-86 years. 63.6% (21/33) of the patients had an increased CCND1 gene copy number. 21.2% (7/33) of patients with increased CCND1 copy number had an accompanying chromosome 11 centromere copy number increase. 27.3% (9/33) of the cases had a low copy number of CCND1 gene, and 4 of them (4/33, 12.1%) were accompanied by chromosome 11 centromere copy number increase. 36.4% (12/33) of the cases had a high copy number of CCND1 gene, and 3 (3/33, 9.1%) of them were accompanied by chromosome 11 centromere copy number increase. No cases with CCND1 low copy number increase showed CCND1/CEP11 ratio greater than 2.00. The 11 cases with CCND1 high copy number increase showed CCND1/CEP11 ratio greater than or equal to 2.00. However, there was no significant correlation between CCND1 copy number increase and any of the examined clinicopathologic features such as age, sex, histological type, Breslow thickness, ulcer and Clark level.Conclusions:CCND1 copy number increase is a significant molecular alteration in acral melanoma. In some cases, CCND1 copy number increase may be accompanied by the copy number increase of chromosome 11. For these cases the copy number increase in CCND1 gene may be a result of the copy number change of chromosome 11.

AIM: To investigate the structural changes in anterior segment of cataract patients after phacoemulsification combined with intraocular lens(Phaco+IOL)implantation, and to analyze theirs correlation.METHODS: Retrospective case study. A total of 44 cases(88 eyes)of cataract patients who underwent Phaco+IOL surgery at ophthalmology department of the Peking University Third Hospital from January 2018 to December 2022 and consented to pre- and postoperative ultrasound biomicroscopy(UBM)were included. Patients' sex, age, axial length, corneal curvature, and IOL parameters were collected. UBM was utilized to measure various anterior segment parameters pre- and post-surgery, including anterior chamber depth(ACD), scleral ciliary process angle(SCPA), iris-lens contact distance(ILCD), maximum ciliary body thickness(CBTmax), and ciliary body thickness at 0 mm from the scleral spur(CBT0). The posterior chamber area(PCA)was calculated using Image J software.RESULTS: Significant increases in ACD 3.50(2.89, 3.68)mm, CBTmax 1.199±0.233 mm, CBT0 1.11(0.964, 1.23)mm, and PCA 1.21(0.926, 1.57)mm2 were identified postoperatively compared with preoperative values(all P<0.001). The postoperative ILCD was significantly reduced to 0.00(0.00, 0.794)mm(P<0.001). There was no significant change in the postoperative SCPA 37.9°(33.4°, 46.6°; P=0.908). The increase in PCA varied significantly between genders(P=0.045), with males showing a greater mean postoperative increase(0.679 mm2)than females(0.304 mm2). Age significantly correlated with postoperative SCPA, CBTmax, and CBT0(P=0.002, 0.004, 0.009, respectively).CONCLUSION: Phaco+IOL surgery resulted in an enlargement of the PCA, significant increases in ACD, CBTmax, and CBT0, and a reduction in ILCD. The post-surgery increase of PCA was influenced by multiple factors, with age, preoperative ACD and SCPA being positively correlated, and preoperative CBT0 being negatively correlated. No significant differences were observed in the impact of different IOL brands on the structural changes of the anterior segment.