Objective: To explore the correlation between Candida albicans and the development of oral leukoplakia (OLK), and to provide a basis for improving the pathogenic mechanism of the malignant transformation of OLK. Methods: Oral microbiome data were obtained from public databases (NCBI BioProject, PRJNA788378; GEO, GSE227919), and bioinformatic methods were employed to evaluate the correlation between Candida albicans infection and OLK. Approval was obtained from the institutional Medical Ethics Committee. A tissue microarray was constructed using samples collected from an OLK clinical cohort. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining were performed to analyze the relationship between the Candida albicans detection rate and clinicopathological features. Approval was obtained from the institutional Animal Ethics Committee. A mouse model was established by combining 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4NQO) in drinking water with oral inoculation of Candida albicans (4NQO + Candida albicans group), while mice treated with 4NQO in drinking water and PBS served as the control group (4NQO + PBS group). The degree of epithelial dysplasia was compared between the two groups to assess the impact of Candida albicans infection on lesion progression (defined in this study as the progression from mild/moderate epithelial dysplasia to severe dysplasia/carcinoma in situ or invasive squamous cell carcinoma). Results: Bioinformatic analysis revealed that the detection rate of Candida albicans in OPMDs and OLK tissues was significantly higher than that in the healthy control group. Staining results of clinical samples demonstrated that Candida albicans colonized OLK lesions; compared with Candida albicans-negative patients, positive patients exhibited a state of high-grade progression. Animal experiments indicated that, compared with the 4NQO + PBS group, the degree of oral epithelial dysplasia in the 4NQO + Candida albicans group was significantly exacerbated, and the malignant transformation rate was higher, suggesting that Candida albicans promotes the high-grade progression of OLK. Conclusion Candida albicans exhibits a increasing trend during the malignant progression of the OLK. It aggravates the degree of epithelial dysplasia in OLK and promotes its transformation into high-grade lesions, suggesting that Candida albicans plays a crucial promoting role in the high-grade progression of OLK.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of mitochondrial calcium uniporter （MCU） on the cytoskeleton of pancreatic ductal epithelial cells in a mouse model of acute pancreatitis （AP） induced by caerulein （CAE）， to analyze the role of MCU in the development of AP， and to provide a theoretical basis for clinical treatment. MethodsIn the in vivo experiment， wild-type male C57BL6/J mice， aged 4 weeks， were randomly divided into control group and AP group， with 6 mice in each group. The mice in the AP group were given intraperitoneal injection of CAE to establish a model of AP， and those in the control group were given intraperitoneal injection of an equal volume of normal saline. Serum and pancreatic tissue samples were collected after 24 hours of modeling. HE staining was used to observe pancreatic histopathological changes； Western Blot was used to measure the expression levels of MCU， glutathione peroxidase 4 （GPX4）， and acyl-CoA synthetase long chain family member 4 （ASCL4）； kits were used to measure the serum level of amylase. In the in vitro experiment， the human pancreatic ductal epithelial cell line HPDE6-C7 was co-cultured with CAE for 24 hours to establish an in vitro AP model， and the cells were divided into control group， CAE group， RR （an MCU activity inhibitor） group， CAE+RR group， Fer-1 （an ferroptosis inhibitor） group， CAE+Fer-1 group， Erastin （an ferroptosis inducer） group， and CAE+Erastin group. CCK-8 assay was used to observe the influence of different agents on cell viability； Western Blot was used to measure the expression levels of MCU， GPX4， and ASCL4； immunofluorescence assay was used to measure reactive oxygen species （ROS）， actin cytoskeleton， and monolayer permeability； kits were used to measure the concentrations of malondialdehyde （MDA）， glutathione （GSH）， Fe²⁺， and total iron. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups， and the least significant difference t-test was used for comparison between two groups. ResultsIn the in vivo experiment， compared with the control group， the AP group had significant increases in pancreatic histopathological score， the serum level of amylase， and the expression levels of MCU and ASCL4， as well as a significant reduction in the expression of GPX4 （all P<0.05）. In the in vitro experiment， compared with the control group， the CAE group had significant increases in the expression levels of MCU and ASCL4， a significant reduction in the expression of GPX4， and significant increases in the concentrations of Fe²⁺， total iron， and MDA， the green fluorescence intensity of ROS， and monolayer permeability， as well as a significant reduction in the concentration of GSH （all P<0.05）， with the presence of actin cytoskeleton disruption. Compared with the CAE group， the CAE+RR group had a significant increase in the expression level of GPX4， a significant reduction in the expression level of ASCL4， and significant reductions in the concentrations of Fe²⁺， total iron， and MDA， the green fluorescence intensity of ROS， and monolayer permeability and a significant increase in the concentration of GSH （all P<0.05）， with alleviation of actin cytoskeleton disruption. Compared with the CAE group， the CAE+Fer-1 group had significant reductions in the concentrations of Fe²⁺， total iron， and MDA， the green fluorescence intensity of ROS， and monolayer permeability and a significant increase in the concentration of GSH （all P<0.05）， with alleviation of actin cytoskeleton disruption. Compared with the CAE group， the CAE+Erastin group had significant increases in the concentrations of Fe²⁺， total iron， and MDA， the green fluorescence intensity of ROS， and monolayer permeability and a significant reduction in the concentration of GSH （all P<0.05）， with aggravation of actin cytoskeleton disruption. ConclusionDuring the onset of AP， MCU mediates oxidative stress-induced ferroptosis and leads to the disruption of the pancreatic ductal epithelial barrier， which may be one of the possible pathogeneses of AP.

Objective Sanguisorba officinalis is the principal medicinal ingredient of Sicaokeyin gel. Gallic acid is commonly used as a key indicator component for evaluating the quality of Sanguisorba officinalis and its preparations. To establish a HPLC method for the determinant of gallic acid in Sicaokeyin gel. Methods With gallic acid as reference substance，HPLC analysis was performed on a Agilent Eclipse XDB-C₁₈ column （4.6 mm ×25 mm，5 μm） with methanol-0.05%phosphoric acid （5∶95） under isocratic elution. The flow rate was 1.0 ml/min and the detection wavelength was 272 nm. The column temperature was 30℃, the injection volume was 10 μl. Results Gallic acid showed good linear relationship in the range of 1.004-50.18 μg/ml （r=0.999 9）. The average recovery was 102.9% （n=9）. Conclusion The method was easy to operate; the result was accurate and reliable, which could be used for the quality control of sanguisorba officinalis in Sicaokeyin gel.

ObjectiveTo investigate whether Carthamus tinctorius L.-derived nanovesicles （CDNVs） can alleviate angiotensin Ⅱ （ANGⅡ）-induced cardiomyocyte （H9C2） hypertrophy by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway and to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms. MethodsCDNVs were isolated and purified by ultracentrifugation combined with sucrose density gradient centrifugation， and their morphology and particle size distribution were identified by transmission electron microscopy and nanoparticle tracking analysis. Rat H9C2 cardiomyocytes were cultured in vitro and randomly divided into the normal control group （NC）， ANGⅡ （1.0 μmol/L） group， ANGⅡ+CDNVs group， and ANGⅡ+CDNVs+NF-κB activator 1 group. After 24 h of intervention， cell viability was detected by the CCK-8 assay， the expression of myocardial hypertrophy-related genes （ANP， BNP） was determined by qPCR， the relative cell area was measured by phalloidin staining， the expression of hypertrophy marker proteins and NF-κB pathway proteins （P-p65/p65， P-IκBα/IκBα） was examined by Western blot， and nuclear translocation of p65 was observed by immunofluorescence. Subsequently， NF-κB signaling pathway agonist activator 1 was added， and the expression of myocardial hypertrophy marker proteins and NF-κB pathway proteins was detected. ResultsCDNVs exhibited a typical round-like vesicle structure with an average particle size of 140.4 nm， which was consistent with the morphological characteristics of exosomes. ANGⅡ at concentrations of 0.1-1.0 μmol/L had no significant effect on cardiomyocyte viability. Compared with the NC group， ANGⅡ significantly upregulated the gene expression of ANP and BNP， increased the relative surface area of cardiomyocytes， elevated the levels of myocardial hypertrophy marker proteins and NF‑κB pathway proteins， and promoted the nuclear translocation of p65 （P<0.05）. Following treatment with CDNVs， all the above indicators were markedly reduced in comparison with the ANGⅡ group （all P<0.05）. However， all these experimental results were reversed after the addition of an NF‑κB agonist. ConclusionCDNVs alleviate ANGⅡ-induced H9C2 cell hypertrophy by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE To explore the mechanism of Yiqi yangyin huazhuo tongluo formula in ameliorating diabetic kidney disease （DKD） based on the gut microbiota-lipopolysaccharide （LPS）/Caspase-11/gasdermin D （GSDMD） pathway.METHODS A DKD mouse model was established by high-fat and high-sugar diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of low-dose streptozotocin. The successfully modeled mice were randomly divided into model group， metformin group （positive control， 200 mg/kg） and Yiqi yangyin huazhuo tongluo formula group （32.4 g/kg， calculated as crude drug dosage）， with 10 mice in each group； another 10 mice were set as the control group. Mice were intragastrically administered with corresponding drug solutions or normal saline once a day for 8 consecutive weeks. After the last administration， serum glycolipid metabolism indicators and urinary renal function indicators of mice were determined； the pathological and morphological changes of renal and colonic tissues were observed； LPS contents in renal tissues， colonic contents and serum were detected. 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing was performed for gut microbiota analysis of colonic contents. The protein expressions of Occludin and zonula occludens-1 （ZO-1） in colonic tissues as well as Caspase-11 and GSDMD in renal tissues were detected.RESULTS Compared with the control group， the model group exhibited significantly elevated levels of serum fasting blood glucose， triglyceride， total cholesterol， serum creatinine， blood urea nitrogen and microalbumin， LPS contents in each sample， as well as protein expressions of Caspase-11 and GSDMD in renal tissues （ P ＜0.05）. The protein expressions of ZO-1 and Occludin in colonic tissues， together with Chao1 and Ace indices of gut microbiota， were markedly decreased （ P ＜0.05）， and the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes was abnormally increased. Obvious histopathological changes were observed in renal and colonic tissues； the percentage of PAS-positive area in kidney was markedly increased （ P ＜0.05）. Compared with the model group， the Yiqi yangyin huazhuo tongluo formula group showed remarkable reductions in glycolipid metabolism and renal function-related indicators（except total cholesterol）， LPS contents in various samples， and renal protein expressions of Caspase-11 and GSDMD （ P ＜0.05）. The protein expression level of ZO-1 in colonic tissues and the Ace index of gut microbiota were significantly increased （ P ＜0.05）， and the relative abundance of beneficial genera including Bifidobacterium ， Faecalibaculum and Akkermansia in the gut microbiota was elevated.CONCLUSIONS The mechanism by which Yiqi yangyin huazhuo tongluo formula ameliorates DKD may be related to reshaping gut microbiota， repairing intestinal mucosal barrier， reducing LPS translocation into blood， and further inhibiting Caspase-11/GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis in kidney.

The deficiency of fingers due to various reasons leads to a certain degree of loss of full or part hand functions. Physical and mental health of patients are seriously affected, and patients have varying degrees of reduced quality of life. Prosthesis fingers play an important role in completing the body shape and enhancing patients’ self-confidence and self-esteem. However, how to make prosthesis fingers perform coordinated movements and restore complete functions is a crucial problem that urgently needs to be solved. This paper reviews the methods of brain-computer interface controlled fine finger movements and elaborates on the origin, current situation, and advancements of the development of this technology, laying a foundation for subsequent research, with the expectation of helping patients solve the problems arising from the insufficiency or absence of finger functions.

Objective: To investigate the current status and influencing factors of quality of life among HIV/AIDS cases, so as to provide the basis for improving HIV/AIDS cases quality of life. Methods: From March to July 2024, HIV/AIDS cases under follow-up management at various community health service centers in Jinshan District, Shanghai Municipality, were selected as the survey subjects using a convenience sampling method. Demographic information and receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) were collected through questionnaire surveys. Quality of life was assessed using the Chinese version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire for HIV brief version. A multiple linear regression model was employed to analyze the factors affecting quality of life. Results: A total of 179 HIV/AIDS cases were investigated, including 150 males (83.80%) and 29 females (16.20%), with a mean age of (47.00±12.90) years. The subjective self-evaluation score for the quality of life among HIV/AIDS cases was (13.87±2.84) points. The scores in the domains of physical, psychological, independence, social relationship, environment, and spiritual support/religion/personal beliefs were (14.77±2.64) (13.57±2.04) (13.86±2.04) (12.99±2.26) (13.58±1.98) (14.59±3.05) points, respectively. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed statistically significant associations (all P<0.05) between the following factors and quality of life domain scores: educational level (college degree or above, β' =0.162) and receiving ART (β' =-0.197) were associated with the subjective self-evaluation domain score; educational level (college degree or above, β' =0.186) and receiving ART (β' =-0.299) were associated with physical domain score; receiving ART (β' =-0.263) and symptoms related to sexually transmitted diseases (β' =-0.243) were associated with psychological domain score; occupation (retirees, β' =-0.191) and symptoms related to sexually transmitted diseases (β' =-0.220) were correlated with the independence domain score; annual household income per capita (≥30 000 yuan, β' =0.281) and receiving ART (β' =-0.299) were correlated with the social relationship domain score; educational level (college degree or above, β' =0.206) and receiving ART (β' =-0.285) were correlated with the environment domain score; and receiving ART (β' =-0.492) and duration since HIV confirmation (3 to <6 years, β' =0.233; ≥6 years, β' =0.161) were correlated with the spiritual support/religion/personal beliefs domain score. Conclusions The overall quality of life among HIV/AIDS cases in Jinshan District is relatively good, but the domains of psychological, independence, and social relationship were still room for improvement. It is mainly influenced by factors such as occupation, educational level, annual household income per capita, receiving ART, symptoms related to sexually transmitted diseases, and duration since HIV confirmation.

This study investigates the expression pattern and functional significance of EF-hand domain-containing protein 2 (EFHD2) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), with particular focus on its regulatory effects on tumor proliferation, migration, and invasion. Cellular experimental study was completed from June 2024 to January 2025 in the Basic Laboratory of the General Hospital of Southern Theater Command. TCGA database to determine EFHD2 expression and its clinicopathological correlations. GSCA database to assess methylation patterns and immune infiltration. Model of transient overexpression and knockdown of EFHD2 was constructed in hepatocellular carcinoma cells Hep3B, then RT-qPCR and Western blot were applied to verify the transfection efficiency. CCK-8 and colony formation assays for proliferation assessment, Transwell chambers for migration/invasion quantification. Protein-protein interaction networks were constructed via STRING, followed by GO/KEGG enrichment analysis. Statistical analysis was performed using the two independent samples t-test. The results showed that EFHD2 demonstrated significant upregulation in HCC tissues versus normal controls ( P<0.05). Elevated EFHD2 expression correlated with advanced clinical stage ( P<0.05) and poor differentiation ( P<0.05). In the CCK-8 assay, the EFHD2 overexpression group demonstrated significantly higher cell viability than the control group, as evidenced by 450 nm relative absorbance values on Day 1 (0.529±0.019 vs. 0.515±0.016, F=0.041, P=0.320), Day 2 (1.356±0.019 vs. 1.094±0.042, F=3.833, P<0.001), Day 3 (2.817±0.049 vs. 2.143±0.124, F=3.833, P<0.001), and Day 4 (3.848±0.015 vs. 3.430±0.021, F=0.469, P<0.001). The EFHD2 knockdown group showed reduced cell viability compared to controls: Day 1 (0.541±0.020 vs. 0.552±0.015, F=0.098, P=0.423), Day 2 (1.154±0.009 vs. 1.326±0.029, F=2.485, P<0.001), Day 3 (2.453±0.041 vs. 2.653±0.031, F=0.479, P<0.001), and Day 4 (3.685±0.038 vs. 3.836±0.021, F=6.804, P<0.001). In colony formation assays, the overexpression group displayed a significant increase in colony numbers (254.667±23.861 vs. 186.000±16.703, F=0.865, P=0.015), whereas the knockdown group exhibited decreased colony formation (229.000±24.637 vs. 306.667±36.501, F=0.988, P=0.038). In Transwell assays, the EFHD2 overexpression group revealed enhanced migratory capacity [ (605.000±72.670) cells vs. (472.667±28.095) cells, F=2.462, P=0.042] and invasive potential [(767.333±21.221) cells vs. (414.333±16.623) cells, F=0.331, P<0.001]. The knockdown group showed attenuated migration [(311.000±71.084) cells vs. (479.667±50.846) cells, F=0.718, P=0.029] and invasion [(247.667±48.263) cells vs. (345.667±32.130) cells, F=0.727, P=0.043] compared to controls. The network of EFHD2-interacting proteins was further constructed by the STRING database, and the GO and KEGG analysis were used to perform bioinformatics analysis reveal that EFHD2 is mainly involved in actin cytoskeleton regulation. In conclusion, EFHD2 is highly expressed in HCC and is involved in the process of proliferation, migration and invasion of HCC.

The αPD-L1 antibody-based immune checkpoint blockade therapy is still limited by the poor clinical response rate as it is mainly utilized to block surface PD-L1 on tumor cells while ignoring abundant PD-L1 exosomes secreted in the environment, causing tumor immune evasion. Here, we proposed an exosome biogenesis inhibition strategy to suppress tumor exosomes secretion from the source, reducing the inhibitory effect on T cells and enhancing chemo-immunotherapy efficacy. We developed sulfafurazole homodimers (SAS) with disulfide linkages, effectively releasing the drug in response to glutathione (GSH) and inhibiting 4T1 tumor-derived exosomes secretion. Subsequently, gemcitabine (Gem) was encapsulated to induce immunogenic cell death (ICD). Consequently, Gem@SAS inhibited the secretion of tumor exosomes by more than 70%, increased proliferation and granzyme B secretion ability of T cells by more than 2 times, and showed superior efficacy in breast cancer treatment as well as lung metastasis of breast cancer.

Ovulatory dysfunction (OD) is one of the main causes of infertility in women of childbearing age, which not only affects their reproductive ability, but also physical and mental health. Traditional treatment strategies have limited efficacies, and the emergence of biomedicines provides a promising alternative solution via the strategies of combining engineered design with modern advanced technology. This review explores the pathophysiological characteristics and related induction mechanisms of OD, and evaluates the current cutting-edge advances in its treatments. It emphasizes the potentials of biomedicines strategies such as hydrogels, nanoparticles and extracellular vesicles in improving therapeutic precision and efficacy. By mimicking natural physiological processes, and achieving controlled drug release, these advanced drug carriers are expected to address the challenges in ovarian microenvironment reprogramming, tissue repair, and metabolic and immune regulation. Despite the promising progress, there are still challenges in terms of biomedical complexity, differences between animal models and human physiology, and the demand for intelligent drug carriers in the therapy of OD. Future researches are mainly dedicated to developing precise personalized biomedicines in OD therapy through interdisciplinary collaboration, promoting the development of reproductive regenerative medicine.