Liver fibrosis is a critical pathological stage in the progression of various chronic liver diseases to liver cirrhosis and liver cancer， and it is characterized by the activation of hepatic stellate cells and excessive deposition of extracellular matrix. There are currently limited clinical treatment methods for liver fibrosis， and gene therapy has attracted increasing attention as a promising intervention strategy. Owing to its advantages of low immunogenicity， strong tissue tropism， and long-term gene expression， adeno-associated virus （AAV） has become an ideal vector for gene therapy. This article systematically reviews the structural and functional features of AAV， the tissue-targeting properties of different serotypes， and the methods for preparation and purification of recombinant AAV and focuses on the advances in the application of AAV-mediated gene overexpression， gene silencing， gene editing， and cellular reprogramming in mechanism research and intervention of liver fibrosis， as well as the challenges in clinical translation and corresponding strategies. AAV-mediated gene therapy is expected to provide novel tools and strategies for the precise treatment and mechanism study of liver fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: The American Heart Association recently released a new cardiovascular health (CVH) metric, Life's Essential 8 (LE8), for health promotion. However, the association between LE8 scores and the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains uncertain. We aimed to explore the association of LE8 scores with new-onset CKD and examine whether socioeconomic deprivation and genetic risk modify this association. METHODS: A total of 286,908 participants from UK Biobank and without prior CKD were included between 2006 and 2010. CVH was categorized using LE8 scores: low (LE8 scores <50), moderate (LE8 scores ≥50 but <80), and high (LE8 scores ≥80). The study outcome was new-onset CKD, ascertained by data linkage with primary care, hospital inpatient, and death data. Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to investigate the association between CVH categories and new-onset CKD. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 12.5 years, 8857 (3.1%) participants developed new-onset CKD. Compared to the low CVH group, the moderate (adjusted hazards ratio [HR], 0.50; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.47-0.53) and high CVH (adjusted HR, 0.31; 95% CI: 0.27-0.34) groups had a significantly lower risk of developing new-onset CKD. The population-attributable risk associated with high vs. intermediate or low CVH scores was 40.3%. Participants who were least deprived ( vs.  most deprived; adjusted HR, 0.75; 95% CI: 0.71-0.79) and with low genetic risk of CKD ( vs.  high genetic risk; adjusted HR, 0.89; 95% CI: 0.85-0.94) had a significantly lower risk of developing new-onset CKD. However, socioeconomic deprivation and genetic risks of CKD did not significantly modify the relationship between LE8 scores and new-onset CKD (both P -interaction >0.05). CONCLUSION Achieving a higher LE8 score was associated with a lower risk of developing new-onset CKD, regardless of socioeconomic deprivation and genetic risks of CKD.
Humans ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/epidemiology* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease/genetics* ; Aged ; Risk Factors ; Adult ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Socioeconomic Factors

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and molecular mechanism of exosomes derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells（BMSC-exos） modified with Bushen Yisui capsule（BSYS）-containing serum on promoting the differentiation and maturation of OLN-93 oligodendrocytes by regulating miR-15b/Wnt signaling pathway. MethodsOLN-93 cells were divided into 5 groups， including the normal（NC） group， BMSC-exos group， BSYS-BMSC-exos group， BSYS-BMSC+LV-miR-15b-5p inhibitor-exos group， and BSYS-BMSC+LV-miR-15b-5p NC-exos group. DiR staining was used to observe the uptake of Exos by OLN-93 cells. The effective dosage of BSYS-BMSC-exos on OLN-93 cells was assessed by cell proliferation and activity assay（CCK-8）. Stable BMSCs lentiviral transfection strains were established to inhibit miR-15b-5p expression in both BMSCs and their exos， and transfection efficiency was verified by real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction（Real-time PCR） detection of miR-15b-5p. The expressions of 2′，3′-cyclic nucleotide 3′-phosphodiesterase（CNPase） and myelin proteolipid protein（PLP） in OLN-93 cells were detected by immunocytochemistry（ICC） and Western blot. The mRNA expressions of miR-15b-5p and Wnt3a in OLN-93 cells were detected by Real-time PCR， and the protein expression of Wnt3a was measured by Western blot. The expression levels of key molecules in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway of OLN-93 cells， including glycogen synthase kinase（GSK）-3β， β-catenin， and T-cell specific transcription factor 4/transcription factor 7-like 2（TCF4/TCF7L2）， were measured by Real-time PCR and Western blot. ResultsDiR-labeled Exos were efficiently taken up by OLN-93 cells. The CCK-8 assay results indicated that 20 mg·L^-1 of BSYS-BMSC-exos exhibited the most significant effect in enhancing OLN-93 cell viability（P<0.01） and this dosage was selected for subsequent experiments. Following lentiviral transfection of BMSCs， Real-time PCR results revealed that miR-15b-5p was significantly suppressed in BMSCs（P<0.01）， and miR-15b-5p was also notably inhibited in BSYS-BMSC-exos（P<0.01）. ICC analysis further revealed an increase in the number of differentiated， mature CNPase and PLP-positive cells following BSYS-BMSC-exos treatment（P<0.01）. Western blot results demonstrated that the protein expression of CNPase and PLP was significantly enhanced with BSYS-BMSC-exos treatment（P<0.01）. Additionally， BSYS-BMSC-exos also increased the expression levels of miR-15b-5p and p-β-catenin proteins in OLN-93 cells， while decreased the mRNA and protein expressions of Wnt3a， as well as the mRNA expressions of β-catenin and TCF4/TCF7L2， and the protein expression level of p-GSK-3β（Ser9） was significantly reduced（P<0.05， P<0.01）. After the transfection of miR-15b-5p inhibitor into BSYS-BMSC-exos， the above effects were significantly diminished（P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionBSYS-BMSC-exos facilitate the differentiation and maturation of OLN-93 cells， and its mechanism is related to the upregulation of miR-15b-5p in OLN-93 cells， which inhibits the expression of Wnt3a and thereby suppresses the Wnt signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo investigate the intervention effects and mechanisms of the flavonoid hyperoside （Hyp） on lipopolysaccharide （LPS）-induced inflammation in the zebrafish model. MethodsZebrafish larvae were either microinjected with 0.5 g·L^-1 LPS or immersed in 1 g·L^-1 LPS for the modeling of inflammation. The larvae were then treated with Hyp at 25， 50， and 100 mg·L^-1 through immersion for four consecutive days. The inflammatory phenotypes were assessed by analyzing the mortality rate， malformation rate， body length， and yolk sac area ratio. Behavioral tests were conducted to evaluate the inflammatory stress responses， and macrophage migration was observed by fluorescence microscopy. Additionally， the mRNA levels of inflammation-related genes， including interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， chemokine C-C motif ligand 2 （CCL2）， chemokine C-X3-C motif receptor 1 （CX3CR1）， chemokine C-C motif receptor 2 （CCR2）， and genes associated with the Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）/myeloid differentiation factor 88 （MyD88）/nuclear factor-kappa B （NF-κB） signaling pathway， were measured by Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction（Real-time PCR）. ResultsCompared with the pure water injection group， the model group exhibited increased mortality， malformation rates and yolk sac area ratio （P0.01）， reduced body length （P0.01）， increased total swimming distance and high-speed swimming duration （P0.01）， and up-regulated mRNA levels of TLR4， MyD88， NF-κB， IL-1β， IL-6， CCL2， CX3CR1， and CCR2 （P0.01）. Hyp at low， medium and high doses， as well as aspirin， reduced the mortality and malformation rates （P0.05，P0.01）， increased the body length （P0.05，P0.01）， decreased the yolk sac area ratio （P0.01）， reduced the high-speed swimming duration （P0.01）， and down-regulated the mRNA levels of TLR4， MyD88， NF-κB， IL-1β， IL-6， CCL2， CX3CR1， and CCR2 （P0.05，P0.01） compared with the model group. ConclusionHyp may modulate the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway to ameliorate inflammatory phenotypes and alleviate stress conditions in zebrafish， thereby exerting the anti-inflammatory effect.

Urticarial vasculitis is a skin disease with urticaria-like lesions and a histopathological pattern of leukocytoclastic vasculitis. It is considered a "hidden rash" in traditional Chinese medicine. Xuanfu is the portal that regulates qi, blood, fluid, and the ascending, descending, exiting, and entering of nutrition qi and defensive qi. Collaterals are the pathways for the circulation of qi and blood. The two accompany each other, connecting zang-fu organs, reaching the surfaces of the skin, hair, and external body, circulating qi and fluid, and moistening and protecting the skin. Based on the theory of Xuanfu-collateral, this study aimed to clarify the etiology, pathogenesis, and treatment method of urticarial vasculitis. External assault by wind and Xuanfu blockage are believed to be the initiating factors of this disease. The malnutrition of Xuanfu and collaterals and accumulated dampness-heat are important links in the occurrence and development of urticarial vasculitis. It spreads from Xuanfu to the collaterals, and blockage of the collaterals is the immanent trend of this disease. Clinically, by closely adhering to the core pathogenesis of blockage of Xuanfu-collateral, treatment method such as using wind medicinals to open Xuanfu with pungent and dispersing properties, using the method of supplement deficiency and removing the blockage, and using medicinals to promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis to unblock the blocked collaterals. The herbs are flexibly added or subtracted to unblock Xuanfu and collaterals, harmonize qi and blood, thus all symptoms can be relieved. We hope that this study will provide new ideas for the treatment of urticarial vasculitis with traditional Chinese medicine.

This review summarizes the applications and advancements of artificial intelligence(AI)in the analysis of retinal vascular parameters. Retinal vascular parameters, including vessel diameter, fractal dimension, vascular tortuosity, branching angles, and vessel density, are important indicators for assessing changes in the retinal vascular network structure. These parameters are not only related to various ophthalmic diseases but also reflect the conditions of systemic diseases such as diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. This article provides a detailed discussion on the advantages of AI technology in the automated identification and quantification of retinal vascular parameters, particularly in improving measurement efficiency and accuracy, and enabling the early detection and monitoring of various diseases. Additionally, the challenges faced by AI in the analysis of retinal vascular parameters were discussed, such as data standardization and insufficient sample diversity, and proposes directions for future research. By thoroughly analyzing the application of AI in retinal vascular parameter analysis, this article aims to offer new perspectives and methods for clinical diagnosis and early intervention of diseases, holding significant clinical significance and application prospects.

Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics of lung transplantation and post-transplantation changes in patients with pneumoconiosis.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the clinical and pathological data of 28 patients with pulmonary silicosis who underwent lung transplantation and were managed at the Department of Internal Medicine, Henan Provincial People′s Hospital, Zhengzhou, China from January 2015 to December 2024. Among them, 8 patients underwent lung biopsy 6-20 months after transplantation to evaluate the histopathological changes of the recipient and the donor lungs post-transplantation. The expression of relevant indicators was examined using immunohistochemical EnVision staining, while presence of microorganisms was assessed using histochemical special staining. The patients were all followed up.Results:Among the 28 patients with pneumoconiosis who underwent lung transplantation, 26 were male and 2 were female, with a male-to-female ratio of 13∶1. Their ages ranged from 23 to 68 years, median 50.0 (46.0, 53.5) years. They were diagnosed with pneumoconiosis at local occupational disease prevention and control centers for 3 to 15 years (mean, 9.65 years), including 13 left single lung transplants and 15 right single lung transplants. Gross examination showed fleshy nodules with irregular cystic cavities at the periphery. The cut surfaces exhibited gray-brown color and firm texture. Microscopically, most alveolar structures of the lung were obliterated, with nodular or diffuse proliferation of collagen fibers accompanied by hyaline degeneration. Focal massive carbon dust deposition and massive silicotic fibrosis were observed, surrounded by lung parenchyma with emphysematous changes and localized bullae formation. Seven patients underwent re-biopsy after transplantation that showed extensive infiltration of inflammatory cells. In 4 cases, microscopy revealed complete coagulative necrosis, with negative acid-fast staining and TB-DNA results. Of the 4 cases, 3 cases exhibited Aspergillus infection confirmed by Grocott′s methenamine silver and PAS stains, while 2 cases showed chronic bronchitis with squamous metaplasia. Follow-up revealed that 8 patients died of acute respiratory failure due to severe infection, while the remaining 20 demonstrated significant postoperative improvement in lung function.Conclusions:For patients with advanced pulmonary dust deposition disease who undergo lung transplantation, it is necessary to conduct standardized sampling and pathological assessment of the recipient lungs. In the early post-transplant period, the complications of re-biopsy tissues are mainly fungal infections. The combination of morphological manifestations and immunohistochemical detection is helpful to distinguish infection from rejection reactions. At the same time, it is essential to integrate clinical information and laboratory results to provide post-transplantation pathological assessment for individualized treatment.

With the development of science and technology worldwide, the blooming of artificial intelligence (AI) and big data has brought new opportunities and challenges to the promotion of the research capacity of professional master's students in oncology. The construction of the new medical education in China aims to cultivate high-level medical talents with comprehensive multidisciplinary skills and innovative abilities to flexibly solve complex problems at the frontier of medicine. In this context, professional master's students in oncology, who are facing problems such as low scientific research output and uneven quality and needing improving scientific research literacy, have been required to develop into compound talents with both clinical and research prowess. To cultivate and promote the research capacity of professional master's students in oncology, the key steps include accelerating the construction of AI education and databases, highlighting the cultivation of their scientific research capacity, implementing and fostering the cultivation of innovative ability and scientific research thinking, piloting joint cultivation models by engineering universities and medical universities, emphasizing the construction of the curriculum and teacher team for oncology, piloting the multidisciplinary mode and COME mode, and establishing a multidisciplinary cooperation network.

Colorectal inflammatory cancer transformation poses a major risk to patients with colitis. Patients with chronic intestinal inflammation have an approximately 2-3 folds increased risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC). Unfortunately, there is currently no effective intervention available. Huangqin decoction (HQD), a well-known traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, is frequently clinically prescribed for treating patients with colitis, and its active ingredients have effective antitumour efficacy. Nonetheless, the mechanism of HQD-mediated prevention of colorectal inflammatory cancer transformation remains unclear. A strategy integrating metagenomic, lipidomic, and messenger RNA (mRNA) sequencing analysis was used to investigate the regulatory effects of HQD on the gut microbiome, metabolism and potential mechanisms involved in colorectal inflammatory cancer transformation. Our study revealed that HQD suppressed colorectal inflammatory cancer transformation, which was associated with enhanced intestinal barrier function, decreased the inflammatory response, and regulation of the gut microbiome. Notably, cohousing experiments revealed that the transfer of the gut microbiome from HQD-treated mice largely inhibited the pathological transformation of colitis. Moreover, gut microbiome transfer from HQD-treated mice primarily resulted in the altered regulation of fatty acid metabolism, especially the remodeling of arachidonic acid metabolism, which was associated with the amelioration of pathological transformation. Arachidonic acid metabolism and the key metabolic enzyme arachidonic acid 12-lipoxygenase (ALOX12) were affected by HQD treatment, and no obvious protective effect of HQD was observed in Alox 12 ^-/- mice, which revealed that ALOX12 was a critical mediator of HQD protection against colorectal inflammatory cancer transformation. In summary, multiple omics analyses were applied to produce valuable data and theoretical support for the application of HQD as a promising intervention for the transformation of inflammatory CRC.

Objective:To investigate the impact of evaluating the alcohol intake on all-cause mortality in patients with metabolic-associated fatty liver disease（MAFLD）and metabolic dysfunction and alcohol-related liver disease（MetALD）.Method:The retrospective study included patients aged 20 to 74 years with hepatic steatosis diagnosed by ultrasound，with data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey（NHANES III）between 1988 and 1994. Participants were categorized into light，moderate，and heavy drinking groups according to daily alcohol intake. Multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios（aHR）and their 95% confidence intervals（ CI）were calculated by Cox proportional risk regression modeling to assess the effect of alcohol intake on all-cause mortality. Results:A total of 2 322 patients were included in the study. Males accounted for 50.2%（1 166/2 322），with a age of 42.0（31.3，57.0）years，a median follow-up of 316.0（270.0，337.0）months，and an all-cause mortality rate of 1.48% per person-year. There were 1，763 cases in the light drinking group，333 in the moderate drinking group，and 226 in the heavy drinking group.The all-cause mortality rates for patients in the three drinking groups were 1.38%，1.67%，and 2.10% per person-year，respectively. The moderate（a HR=1.37，95% CI：1.12 to 1.67， P=0.002）and heavy（a HR=1.45，95% CI：1.17 to 1.80， P=0.001）drinking groups were independently associated with increased all-cause mortality following covariate adjustment. There was a difference in all-cause mortality for alcohol intake in non-type 2 diabetes mellitus（T2DM）patients under 60 years of age（ P<0.05），but the difference was not statistically significant between non-T2DM patients over 60 years of age and T2DM patients of all ages（ P>0.05）according to the analysis of diabetes status and age subgroups. Conclusion:Alcohol intake has a dose-dependent negative effect on patients with MAFLD and MetALD. The risk of all-cause mortality increased significantly with increasing alcohol intake.