Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a hemorrhagic autoimmune disease characterized by antibody-mediated platelet injury. ITP has complicated immunopathological mechanisms that need further elucidation. It is well known that the costimulatory molecules OX40 ligand (OX40L) and OX40 play essential roles in the immunological mechanisms of autoimmune diseases. Previously, we discovered that the expression of OX40L and OX40 is significantly increased in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of ITP patients. In our present study, OX40L-induced follicular helper T (Tfh) cells exhibited an activated phenotype with elevated expression of inducible T-cell costimulator (ICOS), programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1), and cluster of differentiation 40 ligand (CD40L) in vitro. Moreover, aberrant OX40L‒OX40 expression might promote the Tfh1-to-Tfh2 shift in vivo, inducing the generation of autoantibodies by enhancing the helper function of Tfh cells for B lymphocytes in a mouse model, which might accelerate the progression of ITP. Additionally, signal transduction through the OX40L‒OX40 axis might be related to the activation of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor (TRAF)‒nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and Janus kinase (JAK)‒signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signaling pathways. Overall, OX40L‒OX40 signaling is proposed as a potential novel therapeutic target for ITP.
Animals ; OX40 Ligand/physiology* ; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic/immunology* ; Cell Differentiation ; Mice ; T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer/cytology* ; T Follicular Helper Cells/cytology* ; Signal Transduction ; Receptors, OX40 ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Humans ; Female

Extensive evidence has demonstrated that glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) can ameliorate obesity. Our previous studies revealed that (Ex-4)₂-Fc, a long-acting GLP-1RA we developed, depends on the leptin pathway to treat obesity. However, the mechanisms linking (Ex-4)₂-Fc and leptin resistance remain largely unclear. To address this question, we explored the mechanism of GLP-1RAs from the perspective of the gut microbiota, as increasing evidence indicates an important link between the gut microbiota and obesity. This study aimed to explore the potential role of the gut microbiota in the treatment of GLP-1RAs. We found that (Ex-4)₂-Fc treatment reshaped obesity-induced gut microbiota disturbances and substantially increased the abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila (Am). In addition, (Ex-4)₂-Fc did not respond well in antibiotic-treated (ATB) Obese mice. Subsequent studies have shown that this defect can be overcome by gavage with Am. In addition, we found that Am enhanced (Ex-4)₂-Fc therapy by producing the metabolite inosine. Inosine regulates the macrophage adenosine A2A receptor (A2A) pathway to indirectly reduce leptin levels in adipocytes Thus, elucidating the role of metabolites in regulating the leptin pathway will provide new insights into GLP-1RAs therapy and may lead to more effective strategies for guiding the clinical use of antidiabetic agents.

Objective:To prepare 89Zr-labeled anti-human podoplanin (PDPN) monoclonal antibody SZ168 and evaluate its feasibility for melanoma immunoPET imaging. Methods:89Zr-desferrioxamine (DFO)-SZ168 was prepared by conjugating p-isothiocyanatobenzyl (SCN-Bn)-DFO with SZ168 and chelating with 89Zr. Quality control analyses were conducted, including labeling rate, radiochemical purity, and in vitro stability. Melanoma mouse models were created, with experimental group ( n=3) and control group ( n=3) receiving tail vein injections of 89Zr-DFO-SZ168 and 89Zr-DFO-immunoglobulin (Ig)G solutions (3.7MBq) respectively. The experimental group underwent microPET/CT imaging at 12, 24, 48 and 72h post-injection, while the control group underwent imaging at 48h post-injection. Tumor and organ radioactivity uptake was analyzed using the ROI method. Mice were sacrificed at 7d post-injection to assess the ex vivo biodistribution of 89Zr-DFO-SZ168 and 89Zr-DFO-IgG. Independent-sample t test was used to analyze the data. Results:The pH value of the 89Zr-DFO-SZ168 solution was approximately 7.0, with a labeling rate >60%, radiochemical purity >95% after PD10 column purification, and good stability after 72h in vitro. Series microPET/CT imagings showed significant tumor visualization in tumor-bearing mice. Radioactivity uptake in tumors peaked at 48h post-injection, while the tumor was not clearly detected by 89Zr-DFO-IgG microPET/CT imaging. Ex vivo biodistribution indicated that 89Zr-DFO-SZ168 mainly accumulated in tumors, liver, and bones, with tumor uptake significantly higher than that of 89Zr-DFO-IgG ((29.36±7.29) percentage activity of injection dose per gram of tissue (%ID/g) vs (8.78±1.63) %ID/g; t=4.77, P=0.009). Immunohistochemistry of tumor specimens showed high expression of PDPN in tumor tissues. Conclusions:The probe 89Zr-DFO-SZ168 is successfully prepared, showing potential for specific molecular imaging diagnosis of melanoma. This lays a basis for developing PDPN molecular target-based immuno-PET diagnosis and integrated diagnosis and treatment for melanoma.

In recent years, the incidence of infertility has been steadily increasing. Obesity, recognized as a chronic inflammatory condition, can not only lead to various chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes, but also adversely affects female reproductive health,including rare ovulation, anovulation, menstrual irregularities, and even infertility. The reproductive outcomes of overweight/obese women are not optimistic even among people undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART).However, the mechanisms of overweight and obesity on ART outcomes remain poorly understood. This review aims to summarize current evidence on the impact of overweight and obesity on ART outcomes in women and explore the potential mechanisms.

In recent years, the incidence of infertility has been steadily increasing. Obesity, recognized as a chronic inflammatory condition, can not only lead to various chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes, but also adversely affects female reproductive health,including rare ovulation, anovulation, menstrual irregularities, and even infertility. The reproductive outcomes of overweight/obese women are not optimistic even among people undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART).However, the mechanisms of overweight and obesity on ART outcomes remain poorly understood. This review aims to summarize current evidence on the impact of overweight and obesity on ART outcomes in women and explore the potential mechanisms.

Objective:To evaluate the impact of short-term exposure to daytime heatwaves, nighttime heatwaves, and compound heatwaves on the risk of road traffic mortality and calculate the attributable mortality burden.Methods:This study collected road traffic mortality data from the Disease Surveillance System in Guangdong, Hunan, Zhejiang, Yunnan, and Jilin Provinces from 2013 to 2018. A time-stratified case-crossover design was used in this study, with the death date for each case serving as the case day. Control days were selected from the same year, month, and day of the week as the case day. A conditional logistic regression model was employed to estimate the cumulative associations of short-term exposure to daytime heatwaves, nighttime heatwaves, and compound heatwaves on the risk of road traffic mortality (lag 0-1 day) and to calculate the attributable fractions (AF).Results:Compared to non-heatwave days, the excess risk ( ER) of road traffic mortality on daytime heatwave days, nighttime heatwave days, and compound heatwave days was 5.3% (95% CI: 0.5%-10.2%), 4.9% (95% CI: 0.5%-9.4%) and 7.5% (95% CI: 2.3%- 12.9%), with corresponding AF of 5.0% (95% CI: 0.5%-9.3%), 4.7% (95% CI: 0.5%-8.6%), and 6.9% (95% CI: 2.3%-11.4%), respectively. Stratified analysis showed that the risk of traffic mortalities caused by daytime heatwaves was higher in females ( ER=15.7%, 95% CI: 5.8%-26.5%) than in males ( ER=1.8%, 95% CI: -3.6%-7.4%). Elderly individuals over 64 years old ( ER=10.9%, 95% CI: 0.3%- 22.6%) had a higher risk of road traffic mortalities from compound heatwaves than those under 45 years old ( ER=2.6%, 95% CI: -5.4%-11.2%). The risk of road traffic injury mortality from motor vehicle accidents caused by compound heatwaves ( ER=16.6%, 95% CI:2.4%-32.7%) was higher than that from non-motor vehicle accidents ( ER=5.7%, 95% CI:0.1%-11.5%). Conclusions:Short-term exposure to daytime heatwaves, nighttime heatwaves, and compound heatwaves was associated with an increased risk of road traffic mortality, with the strongest association observed for compound heatwaves. The mortality burden attributable to compound heatwaves was higher than that for daytime and nighttime heatwaves. Heatwaves were more significantly associated with road traffic mortality risk among females, elderly individuals over 64 years old, and motor vehicle accidents.

Objective:To evaluate the impact of short-term exposure to daytime heatwaves, nighttime heatwaves, and compound heatwaves on the risk of road traffic mortality and calculate the attributable mortality burden.Methods:This study collected road traffic mortality data from the Disease Surveillance System in Guangdong, Hunan, Zhejiang, Yunnan, and Jilin Provinces from 2013 to 2018. A time-stratified case-crossover design was used in this study, with the death date for each case serving as the case day. Control days were selected from the same year, month, and day of the week as the case day. A conditional logistic regression model was employed to estimate the cumulative associations of short-term exposure to daytime heatwaves, nighttime heatwaves, and compound heatwaves on the risk of road traffic mortality (lag 0-1 day) and to calculate the attributable fractions (AF).Results:Compared to non-heatwave days, the excess risk ( ER) of road traffic mortality on daytime heatwave days, nighttime heatwave days, and compound heatwave days was 5.3% (95% CI: 0.5%-10.2%), 4.9% (95% CI: 0.5%-9.4%) and 7.5% (95% CI: 2.3%- 12.9%), with corresponding AF of 5.0% (95% CI: 0.5%-9.3%), 4.7% (95% CI: 0.5%-8.6%), and 6.9% (95% CI: 2.3%-11.4%), respectively. Stratified analysis showed that the risk of traffic mortalities caused by daytime heatwaves was higher in females ( ER=15.7%, 95% CI: 5.8%-26.5%) than in males ( ER=1.8%, 95% CI: -3.6%-7.4%). Elderly individuals over 64 years old ( ER=10.9%, 95% CI: 0.3%- 22.6%) had a higher risk of road traffic mortalities from compound heatwaves than those under 45 years old ( ER=2.6%, 95% CI: -5.4%-11.2%). The risk of road traffic injury mortality from motor vehicle accidents caused by compound heatwaves ( ER=16.6%, 95% CI:2.4%-32.7%) was higher than that from non-motor vehicle accidents ( ER=5.7%, 95% CI:0.1%-11.5%). Conclusions:Short-term exposure to daytime heatwaves, nighttime heatwaves, and compound heatwaves was associated with an increased risk of road traffic mortality, with the strongest association observed for compound heatwaves. The mortality burden attributable to compound heatwaves was higher than that for daytime and nighttime heatwaves. Heatwaves were more significantly associated with road traffic mortality risk among females, elderly individuals over 64 years old, and motor vehicle accidents.

Objective:To prepare 89Zr-labeled anti-human podoplanin (PDPN) monoclonal antibody SZ168 and evaluate its feasibility for melanoma immunoPET imaging. Methods:89Zr-desferrioxamine (DFO)-SZ168 was prepared by conjugating p-isothiocyanatobenzyl (SCN-Bn)-DFO with SZ168 and chelating with 89Zr. Quality control analyses were conducted, including labeling rate, radiochemical purity, and in vitro stability. Melanoma mouse models were created, with experimental group ( n=3) and control group ( n=3) receiving tail vein injections of 89Zr-DFO-SZ168 and 89Zr-DFO-immunoglobulin (Ig)G solutions (3.7MBq) respectively. The experimental group underwent microPET/CT imaging at 12, 24, 48 and 72h post-injection, while the control group underwent imaging at 48h post-injection. Tumor and organ radioactivity uptake was analyzed using the ROI method. Mice were sacrificed at 7d post-injection to assess the ex vivo biodistribution of 89Zr-DFO-SZ168 and 89Zr-DFO-IgG. Independent-sample t test was used to analyze the data. Results:The pH value of the 89Zr-DFO-SZ168 solution was approximately 7.0, with a labeling rate >60%, radiochemical purity >95% after PD10 column purification, and good stability after 72h in vitro. Series microPET/CT imagings showed significant tumor visualization in tumor-bearing mice. Radioactivity uptake in tumors peaked at 48h post-injection, while the tumor was not clearly detected by 89Zr-DFO-IgG microPET/CT imaging. Ex vivo biodistribution indicated that 89Zr-DFO-SZ168 mainly accumulated in tumors, liver, and bones, with tumor uptake significantly higher than that of 89Zr-DFO-IgG ((29.36±7.29) percentage activity of injection dose per gram of tissue (%ID/g) vs (8.78±1.63) %ID/g; t=4.77, P=0.009). Immunohistochemistry of tumor specimens showed high expression of PDPN in tumor tissues. Conclusions:The probe 89Zr-DFO-SZ168 is successfully prepared, showing potential for specific molecular imaging diagnosis of melanoma. This lays a basis for developing PDPN molecular target-based immuno-PET diagnosis and integrated diagnosis and treatment for melanoma.

Background::Previous studies have reported associations of specific maternal and paternal lifestyle factors with offspring’s cognitive development during early childhood. This study aimed to investigate the prospective associations between overall parental lifestyle and offspring’s cognitive performance during adolescence and young adulthood in China.Methods::We included 2531 adolescents aged 10-15 years at baseline in 2010 from the China Family Panel Studies. A healthy parental lifestyle score (ranged 0-5) was constructed based on the following five modifiable lifestyle factors: Smoking, drinking, exercise, sleep, and diet. Generalized estimating equation models were used to examine the association between baseline parental healthy lifestyle scores and offspring’s fluid and crystallized intelligence in subsequent years (2012, 2014, 2016, and 2018).Results::Offspring in the top tertile of parental healthy lifestyle scores performed better in overall fluid intelligence (multivariable-adjusted β = 0.53, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.29-0.77) and overall crystallized intelligence (multivariable-adjusted β = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.16-0.54) than those in the bottom tertile of parental healthy lifestyle scores. The results were similar after further adjustment for the offspring’s healthy lifestyle scores and persisted across the subgroups of parental socioeconomic status. Additionally, maternal and paternal healthy lifestyle scores were independently associated with better offspring’s cognitive performance, with significant contribution observed for paternal never-smoking, weekly exercise, and diversified diet. When both parents and offspring adhered to a healthier lifestyle, we observed the highest level of the offspring’s overall crystallized intelligence. Conclusions::Our study indicates that parental adherence to a healthier lifestyle is associated with significantly better offspring’s cognitive performance during adolescence and early adulthood, regardless of socioeconomic status. These findings highlight the potential cognitive benefits of promoting healthy lifestyles among parents of adolescents.

Objective:We aimed to develop a novel visualized model based on nomogram to predict postoperative overall survival.Methods:This was a multicenter, retrospective, observational cohort study, including participants with histologically confirmed gastric and colorectal cancer who underwent radical surgery from 11 medical centers in China from August 1, 2015 to June 30, 2018. Baseline characteristics, histopathological data and nutritional status, as assessed using Nutrition Risk Screening 2002 (NRS 2002) score and the scored Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment, were collected. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression and Cox regression were used to identify variables to be included in the predictive model. Internal and external validations were performed.Results:There were 681 and 127 patients in the training and validation cohorts, respectively. A total of 188 deaths were observed over a median follow-up period of 59 (range: 58 to 60) months. Two independent predictors of NRS 2002 and Tumor-Node-Metastasis (TNM) stage were identified and incorporated into the prediction nomogram model together with the factor of age. The model's concordance index for 1-, 3- and 5-year overall survival was 0.696, 0.724, and 0.738 in the training cohort and 0.801, 0.812, and 0.793 in the validation cohort, respectively.Conclusions:In this study, a new nomogram prediction model based on NRS 2002 score was developed and validated for predicting the overall postoperative survival of patients with gastric colorectal cancer. This model has good differentiation, calibration and clinical practicability in predicting the long-term survival rate of patients with gastrointestinal cancer after radical surgery.