OBJECTIVE To investigate the mechanism of Shenling baizhu san （SLBZS） in ameliorating ulcerative colitis （UC）. METHODS Mice were randomly divided into normal group， model group， and low-， medium-， high-dose SLBZS groups （3， 6， 12 g/kg）， with 10 mice in each group. Except for the normal group， mice in other groups were given free access to 3% dextran sulfate sodium solution for 7 days to establish UC models. Simultaneously， mice in each group were intragastrically administered corresponding medicinal liquid or double-distilled water once a day for consecutive 7 days. After the last administration， the histopathological morphology of colon tissues was observed； the serum levels of inflammatory factors including tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β） and IL-18 were detected； the total bile acid contents in liver， gallbladder and colon tissues were determined； the expression level of NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing protein 3 （NLRP3） in colon tissues was tested. The expression levels of flora metabolism-related proteins [G protein-coupled receptor 41（GPR41），GPR43，farnesoid X receptor （FXR）， G protein-coupled bile acid receptor 1 （TGR5）， flavin-containing monooxygenase 3 （FMO3）， cytochrome P450 family 27 subfamily A member 1 （CYP27A1）， CYP7A1] in liver or colon tissues， as well as the proteins related to Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）/nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB）/NLRP3 inflammatory axis [TLR4， NF-κB， phosphorylated NF-κB （p-NF-κB）， myeloid differentiation factor 88 （MyD88）， NLRP3， apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD （ASC）， caspase-1] in colon tissues were measured. RESULTS Compared with the model group， the colon tissue injury and inflammatory cell infiltration were alleviated in medium- and high-dose SLBZS groups. The serum levels of TNF-α， IL-1β and IL-18， total bile acid contents in liver and colon tissues， as well as the protein expression levels of FMO3 and CYP7A1 in liver tissues， TLR4， p-NF-κB， NF-κB， MyD88， NLRP3， ASC and caspase-1 in colon tissues were significantly decreased （P＜0.05）. Meanwhile， the total bile acid content in gallbladder， the protein expression levels of GPR41 and GPR43 in colon tissues， along with CYP27A1， FXR and TGR5 in liver tissues were significantly increased （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS SLBZS may relieve colonic inflammatory injury and ameliorate UC by regulating the expression of flora metabolism-related proteins and inhibiting the abnormal activation of TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammatory axis.

Objective To describe and analyze the epidemiological characteristics of scrub typhus in Huai'an, Jiangsu Province from 2006 to 2024 and explore the long-term incidence trend and distribution of high-risk areas, and to formulate targeted prevention and control strategies. Methods The scrub typhus case report data of Huai'an from 2006 to 2024 in the Chinese Disease Prevention and Control Information System were extracted for descriptive analysis. Results A total of 898 cases of scrub typhus were reported in Huai'an, with an average annual incidence rate of 0.96 per 100 000 from 2006 to 2024. There was a turning point in the incidence trend of scrub typhus in 2011. From 2006 to 2011, the annual percentage change (APC) was 47.09% (95% CI: 7.53 - 859.39), and the upward trend was statistically significant (P < 0.05). From 2012 to 2024, the APC was -2.12% (95% CI: -29.09 - 3.75), and the downward trend was not statistically significant. October and November were the high-incidence months, and the total concentration from 2006 to 2024 was 0.93, indicating that scrub typhus had strict seasonality. The circular distribution method estimated that the peak period of the epidemic was from October 11th to November 25th, and the peak day of incidence was November 3rd. Jinhu County was a high-incidence area. The ratio of male to female cases was 1.03. The age group with the highest reported incidence was 40 to < 80 years old. The occupation with the highest proportion was farmers, accounting for 78.03%. Conclusion From 2006 to 2024, scrub typhus in Huai'an shows a peak every 3 - 4 years. Middle-aged and elderly farmers are the key population at risk, and Jinhu County is a key area. In the future, targeted health education should be carried out to effectively control the prevalence of scrub typhus.

CRISPR/Cas9-based therapeutics face significant challenges in penetrating the dense microenvironment of solid tumors, resulting in insufficient gene editing and compromised treatment efficacy. Current nanostrategies, which mainly focus on the paracellular pathway attempted to improve gene editing performance, whereas their efficiency remains uneven in the heterogenous extracellular matrix. Here, the nanoCRISPR system is prepared with self-cascading mechanisms for gene editing-mediated robust apoptosis and transcellular penetration. NanoCRISPR unlocks its self-cascade capability within the matrix metallopeptidase 2-enriched tumor microenvironment, initiating the transcellular penetration. By facilitating cellular uptake, nanoCRISPR triggers robust apoptosis in edited malignancies, promoting further transcellular penetration and amplifying gene editing in neighboring tumor cells. Benefiting from self-cascade between robust apoptosis and transcellular penetration, nanoCRISPR demonstrates continuous gene transfection/tumor killing performance (transfection/apoptosis efficiency: 1st round: 85%/84.2%; 2nd round: 48%/27%) and homogeneous penetration. In xenograft tumor-bearing mice, nanoCRISPR treatment achieves remarkable anti-tumor efficacy (∼83%) and significant survival benefits with minimal toxicity. This strategy presents a promising paradigm emphasizing transcellular penetration to enhance the effectiveness of CRISPR-based antitumor therapeutics.

Improving the nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of Brassica napus is of significant importance for achieving the national goal of zero growth in chemical fertilizer application and ensuring the green development of the rapeseed industry. This study aims to explore the effects of the nitrate transporter gene BnaNRT1.5s on the nitrogen transport and NUE of B. napus, providing excellent genetic resources for the development of nitrogen-efficient B. napus varieties. The spatiotemporal expression of BnaA05.NRT1.5 as a key nitrogen responsive gene was profiled by qRT-PCR at different growth stages and for different tissue samples of B. napus 'Westar'. Subcellular localization was employed to examine its expression pattern in the cells. Additionally, CRISPR/Cas9 was used to create BnaNRT1.5s knockout lines, which were subjected to hydroponic experiments under high nitrogen (12.0 mmol/L) and low nitrogen (0.3 mmol/L) conditions. After the seedlings were cultivated for 21 days, root and shoot samples were collected for weighing, nitrogen content determination, xylem sap nitrate content assessment, and calculation of total nitrogen and NUE. The B. napus nitrate transporter BnaA05.NRT1.5 was localized to the cell membrane. During the seedling and early bolting stages, BnaA05.NRT1.5 was predominantly expressed in roots, while it was highly expressed in old leaves and mature silique skin during the reproductive stage. Compared with the wild type, the mutant BnaNRT1.5s showed significant increases in the dry weight and total nitrogen of seedlings under both high and low nitrogen conditions. Under low nitrogen conditions, NUE in the roots of BnaNRT1.5s significantly improved. Notably, under both high and low nitrogen conditions, the nitrate content in the shoots of BnaNRT1.5s decreased significantly, while that in the roots increased significantly, resulting in a significantly decreased shoot-to-root nitrate content ratio. BnaNRT1.5s is involved in regulating the transport of nitrate from the roots to the shoots, and its mutation enhances nitrogen absorption and utilization in B. napus seedlings, promoting seedling growth. This study not only provides references for understanding the physiological and molecular mechanisms by which BnaNRT1.5s regulates NUE but also offers valuable genetic resources for improving NUE in B. napus.
Brassica napus/genetics* ; Anion Transport Proteins/metabolism* ; Nitrogen/metabolism* ; Nitrate Transporters ; Plant Proteins/metabolism* ; Nitrates/metabolism* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Biological Transport

A case of Sifrim-Hitz-Weiss syndrome(Sifrim-Hitz-Weiss syndrome,SIHIWES)is presented.The patient was a 35-year-old male with cryptorchidism,growth retardation,skeletal malformations,muscular atrophy,a wide forehead,special facial features like square face,small low-set and cup-shaped ears since birth.Whole-exon sequencing identified a heterozygous mutation(NM_001273:c.3047A>G(chr12-6701125)(p.K1016R))in CHD4 gene.The clinical significance of this mutation is currently unknown,and has not been previously reported.In light of the patient's symptoms,the case was diagnosed as Sifrim-Hitz-Weiss syndrome.This case represents the first instance of Sifrim-Hitz-Weiss syndrome in an adult patient in China.

Objective To compare the clinical efficacy of transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion under unilateral biportal endoscopy(UBE-TLIF)and traditional posterior lumbar interbody fusion(PLIF)in treating single-segment degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis with lumbar spinal stenosis(DLS-LSS).Methods The clinical data of 85 patients diagnosed with DLS-LSS who underwent surgery between Jan.2020 and Jan.2022 in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed.Patients were assigned to UBE-TLIF group(46 cases)and PLIF group(39 cases)based on the surgical procedure.The general characteristics,perioperative data,radiological parameters,and clinical efficacy indicators were analyzed.Results There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics,preoperative radiological parameters,pain visual analogue scale(VAS)score,or Oswestry disability index(ODI)score between the 2 groups(all P＞0.05).Compared with the PLIF group,the UBE-TLIF group had significantly longer operation time([156.42+26.65]min vs[141.36+21.46]min,P=0.006),significantly less operation blood loss([170.15+10.87]mL vs[203.15+15.67]mL,P＜0.001),and significantly shorter hospital stay([6.73+2.42]d vs[9.61+2.56]d,P＜0.001).The UBE-TLIF group had significantly smaller lumbar lordosis and segmental angle 3 months postoperatively([42.52±8.57]° vs[46.61+7.31]°,[10.93+2.59]° vs[12.16+3.05]°)and at final follow-up([41.35+7.46]° vs[44.62+6.42]°,[10.65+2.43]° vs[11.87+2.53]°)compared with the PLIF group(all P＜0.05).The fusion rate was significantly lower in the UBE-TLIF group compared with the PLIF group 3 months after operation(34.78％[16/46]vs 58.97％[23/39],P＜0.05),with no significant difference at final follow-up(93.48％[43/46]vs 94.87％[37/39],P＞0.05).The VAS score and ODI score 3 months after operation were significantly lower in the UBE-TLIF group compared with the PLIF group(2.43+0.92 vs 3.12±1.03,26.81+9.14 vs 33.35+8.76,both P＜0.01),with no significant differences at final follow-up(both P＞0.05).Conclusion As a minimally invasive surgical technique,UBE-TLIF has the advantages of minimal trauma,fast recovery,mild postoperative pain,and a reliable fusion rate.It is an effective treatment for DLS-LSS and deserves to be promoted.

By collecting inspection results from medical device clinical trials from 2016 to 2023,to analyze and discuss common problems of clinical trials from both in vitro diagnostic reagents and medical devices,and propose the suggested mea-sures taken by participants in the clinical trial,so as to avoid similar problems occur and ensure the quality of clinical trials.

A case of Sifrim-Hitz-Weiss syndrome(Sifrim-Hitz-Weiss syndrome,SIHIWES)is presented.The patient was a 35-year-old male with cryptorchidism,growth retardation,skeletal malformations,muscular atrophy,a wide forehead,special facial features like square face,small low-set and cup-shaped ears since birth.Whole-exon sequencing identified a heterozygous mutation(NM_001273:c.3047A>G(chr12-6701125)(p.K1016R))in CHD4 gene.The clinical significance of this mutation is currently unknown,and has not been previously reported.In light of the patient's symptoms,the case was diagnosed as Sifrim-Hitz-Weiss syndrome.This case represents the first instance of Sifrim-Hitz-Weiss syndrome in an adult patient in China.

By collecting inspection results from medical device clinical trials from 2016 to 2023,to analyze and discuss common problems of clinical trials from both in vitro diagnostic reagents and medical devices,and propose the suggested mea-sures taken by participants in the clinical trial,so as to avoid similar problems occur and ensure the quality of clinical trials.

Objective To investigate the expression of Nanog and its regulatory relationship with MMP-2/MMP-9 proteins in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC).Methods We detected Nanog and MMP-2/MMP-9 protein expressions in 127 ESCC tissues and 82 adjacent normal tissues using immunohistochemistry and explored their correlations with the clinicopathological parameters and prognosis of the patients.GEO database was utilized to analyze the pathways enriched with the stemness-related molecules including Nanog,and TIMER online tool was used to analyze the correlations among TβR1,MMP-2,and MMP-9 in esophageal cancer.Results Nanog and MMP-2/MMP-9 proteins were significantly upregulated in ESCC tissues and positively intercorrelated.Their expression levels were closely correlated with infiltration depth and lymph node metastasis of ESCC but not with age,gender,or tumor differentiation.The patients with high expressions of Nanog and MMP-2/MMP-9 had significantly shorter survival time.Bioinformatics analysis showed enrichment of stemness-associated molecules in the TGF-β signaling pathway,and the expressions of MMP-2/MMP-9 and TβR1 were positively correlated.In cultured ESCC cells,Nanog knockdown significantly decreased the expression of TβR1,p-Smad2/3,MMP-2,and MMP-9 and strongly inhibited cell migration.Conclusion The high expressions of Nanog,MMP-2,and MMP-9,which are positively correlated,are closely related with invasion depth,lymph node metastasis,and prognosis of ESCC.Nanog regulates the expressions of MMP-2/MMP-9 proteins through the TGF-β signaling pathway,and its high expression promotes migration of ESCC cells.