Background/Aims: Natural killer (NK) cell function is generally considered dampened in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection; however, the NK cell pool exhibits phenotypic and functional heterogeneity, and the antibody--mediated effect of NK cells remains less characterized. This study evaluated the dynamic changes in antibody-mediated NK cell responses and the involvement of distinct NK subsets across disease stages and during antiviral treatment. Methods: A T-cell receptor-like antibody specific for the HBV core 18–27 peptide (cTCRL-Ab) was used to determine the antibody-mediated effect of NK cells, and an array of NK cell surface markers were analyzed in cross-sectional and longitudinal cohorts of patients with chronic HBV infection. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) was performed to identify the heterogeneity of NK subsets. Results: The cTCRL-Ab enabled the detection of NK cell cytolytic activity and IFNγ production. Notably, cTCRL-Ab-mediated NK cell responses were compromised in chronically HBV-infected patients, particularly in those receiving pegylated interferon-α (Peg-IFNα), which was associated with the downregulation of CD16 expression. Correspondingly, Peg-IFNα inhibited cTCRL-Ab-mediated NK cell function by reducing CD16 expression in vitro. scRNA-seq revealed that CD16 downregulation occurred mainly within a dysfunctional CD16hi NK subset exhibiting exhaustion properties. In contrast, an activated CD16hiNK subpopulation (CX3CR1⁺KLRC2–CD16hi) with high cytotoxicity was enriched in patients who experienced favorable treatment responses. Furthermore, the intrahepatic CX3CR1+KLRC2–CD16hi subset tended to exhibit functional restoration in HBsAg-loss individuals. Conclusions Our data contribute to the understanding of antibody-mediated responses of NK cells in chronic HBV infection, and highlight a previously unappreciated functional CX3CR1+KLRC2–CD16hiNK subset as a potential therapeutic target.

ObjectiveTo investigate the role and underlying mechanism of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in the process of Xiaojinwan （XJW）-containing serum interfering with endothelial-mesenchymal transition （EMT） in human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells. MethodsXJW-containing serum was prepared by intragastric administration of XJW （4 g·kg^-1） to SD rats. MDA-MB-231 cells were cultured in vitro. β-Catenin overexpression and knockdown plasmids were constructed and transfected into MDA-MB-231 cells. The optimal XJW-containing serum （4 g·kg^-1） according to previous studies was used for β-catenin intervention and overexpression experiments. The groups for intervention/overexpression experiments included intervention/overexpression blank group， β-catenin intervention/overexpression group， intervention/overexpression blank + XJW group， and β-catenin intervention/overexpression + XJW group. Cell morphology was observed under a microscope. Flow cytometry was used to detect and record apoptosis rates. Western blot was performed to measure apoptosis-related proteins ［B-cell lymphoma 2 （Bcl-2）， Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax）， and active-Caspase-3］ and EMT-related proteins （E-cadherin， N-cadherin， and vimentin）. Real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect β-catenin mRNA expression levels in different groups. ResultsIntervention experiment results showed that compared with the intervention blank group， the β-catenin intervention group and the intervention blank + XJW group showed increased apoptosis rates （P<0.05， P<0.01）， elevated protein levels of Bax， active Caspase-3， and E-cadherin （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and decreased protein levels of Bcl-2 and Vimentin （P<0.05， P<0.01）. β-catenin mRNA expression was reduced in the β-catenin intervention group （P<0.05， 0.63 ± 0.15） and the intervention blank + XJW group （P<0.05， 0.79 ± 0.33）. Compared with the β-catenin intervention group， the β-catenin intervention + XJW group exhibited an increased apoptosis rate （P<0.01）， elevated Bax and active Caspase-3 protein levels （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and decreased Bcl-2， N-cadherin， and Vimentin protein levels （P<0.05）. β-catenin mRNA expression was further reduced in the β-catenin intervention + XJW group （P<0.01， 0.22 ± 0.08）. Compared with the intervention blank + XJW group， the β-catenin intervention + XJW group showed an increased apoptosis rate （P<0.01）， elevated Bax， active Caspase-3， and E-cadherin protein levels （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and decreased Bcl-2， N-cadherin， and vimentin protein levels （P<0.05， P<0.01）. β-catenin mRNA expression was also reduced （P<0.05）. Overexpression experiment results showed that compared with the overexpression blank group， the β-catenin overexpression group exhibited a reduced apoptosis rate （P<0.01）， while the overexpression blank + XJW group showed an increased apoptosis rate （P<0.05）. In the β-catenin overexpression and β-catenin overexpression + XJW groups， Bax and E-cadherin protein levels decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while Bcl-2， N-cadherin， and vimentin levels increased （P<0.05）. In the overexpression blank + XJW group， Bax and E-cadherin levels increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while Bcl-2， N-cadherin， and vimentin levels decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. β-catenin mRNA expression increased in the β-catenin overexpression group （P<0.01， 7.26 ± 1.03） but decreased in the overexpression blank + XJW group （P<0.05， 0.73 ± 0.14）. Compared with the β-catenin overexpression group， the β-catenin overexpression + XJW group showed an increased apoptosis rate （P<0.01）， elevated Bax and E-cadherin levels （P<0.05）， and decreased N-cadherin and vimentin levels （P<0.05）. β-catenin mRNA expression was reduced （P<0.05， 4.65 ± 1.02）. Compared with the overexpression blank + XJW group， the β-catenin overexpression + XJW group exhibited a reduced apoptosis rate （P<0.01）， decreased Bax and E-cadherin levels （P<0.01）， and increased Bcl-2， N-cadherin， and Vimentin levels （P<0.05）. β-catenin mRNA expression increased （P<0.01）. ConclusionXJW-containing serum inhibits breast cancer cell proliferation by suppressing EMT， which is associated with the regulation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.

Helicobacter pylori （H. pylori） infection is not only associated with gastrointestinal diseases， but also potentially links with neuropsychiatric disorders revealed by recent studies. Through a systematic review of the existing literature， this review summarizes epidemiological evidence for the association between H. pylori infection and diseases such as Parkinson′s disease （PD）， Alzheimer′s disease （AD）， multiple sclerosis （MS）， migraine， depression， and anxiety disorders， and further explores potential mechanisms by which it affects central nervous system function， including neural pathways mediated by the enteric nervous system and the vagus nerve， immune pathways mediated by inflammatory cytokines， and endocrine pathways mediated by gut microbial metabolites. Additionally， the current challenges facing H. pylori eradication therapy and the prospects for emerging adjuvant strategies such as probiotics and fecal microbiota transplantation are discussed. Finally， future research directions are outlined， emphasizing the need for prospective cohort studies based on standardized diagnostic methods and further investigation using animal models to elucidate the pathophysiological mechanisms， with the aim of providing new perspectives for the prevention， treatment， and early intervention of related neuropsychiatric disorders.

ObjectiveTo investigate the current status of HIV-related health service uptake among cross-border couples (Chinese husbands and Myanmar wives) in Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture (hereinafter referred to as Dehong Prefecture), and to provide evidence for optimizing HIV prevention and control strategies in border areas. MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted from September 2022 to September 2023 among 14 662 cross-border couples (Chinese husbands and Myanmar wives) in Dehong Prefecture. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, HIV/AIDS knowledge awareness, and utilization of HIV-related health services within the past year were collected. Multivariable logistic regression was used to analyze factors associated with HIV testing uptake among husbands and wives. ResultsA total of 29 324 individuals (14 662 couples) were included. The overall awareness rate of HIV/AIDS was 82.09%, with the rate among husbands significantly higher than that among wives (85.17% vs. 79.01%, P<0.001). Overall, 94.98% of participants had received at least one HIV-related health service, and the HIV testing rate in the past year was 65.52%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that, compared with participants married for 0‒3 years, those married for 4‒10 years and ≥11 years were more likely to have received HIV testing. The corresponding ORs were 1.344 (95%CI: 1.187‒1.521) and 1.381 (95%CI: 1.211‒1.574) among husbands, and 1.308 (95%CI: 1.155‒1.481) and 1.344 (95%CI: 1.178‒1.533) among wives, respectively. Compared with those holding a marriage certificate, those possessing a border marriage registration certificate were positively associated with HIV testing uptake, with ORs of 1.710 (95%CI: 1.575‒1.857) among husbands and 1.700 (95%CI: 1.565‒1.847) among wives. Compared with illiterate participants, those with primary school education showed lower testing rates, with ORs of 0.738 (95%CI: 0.650‒0.837) among husbands and 0.827 (95%CI: 0.766‒0.891) among wives. Additionally, a history of sexually transmitted diseases (OR=3.656, 95%CI: 1.243‒15.589) and participation in the New Rural Cooperative Medical Scheme (OR=1.51, 95%CI: 1.179‒1.935) were independently associated with higher testing rates among husbands. ConclusionThe overall utilization of HIV-related health services among cross-border couples in Dehong Prefecture is satisfactory, but significant gender disparities exist, with foreign wives showing lower rates of knowledge awareness and lower proportions obtaining such knowledge through certain channels compared with their Chinese husbands. Couples with shorter marriage duration, those with primary school education, and those not included in the border marriage registration system are vulnerable groups with lower HIV testing uptake. Future interventions should prioritize cross-border marriage families at the early stage of entry and in the newly married period. Based on the border marriage registration management system and primary healthcare networks, health education and HIV testing services targeting foreign spouses should be strengthened to improve service accessibility and equity.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of paeoniflorin （PF） on neuroinflammation and cognitive impairment in the rat model of Alzheimer's disease （AD） and to clarify whether its mechanism is associated with regulation of the Janus kinase 2 （JAK2）/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （STAT3） signaling pathway. MethodsGlycosides related to AD-associated neuroinflammation were screened through bibliometric analysis， and the potential targets of PF were predicted through network pharmacology and molecular docking. A rat model of AD was established by intraperitoneal injection of D-galactose （100 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）. Rats were assigned into a control group， a model group， a PF （200 mg·kg^-1） group， and a donepezil （0.5 mg·kg^-1·d^-1） group， and drugs were administered by gavage for 21 days. The learning and memory abilities were evaluated by the Morris water maze （MWM）. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and Nissl staining were performed to observe hippocampal neuronal morphology. The mRNA levels of inflammatory factors were determined by Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）， and the protein levels of molecules in the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway were determined by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the control group， the model group showed prolonged escape latency and decreased platform crossings and time spent in the target quadrant （P<0.05， P<0.01）， accompanied by increased expression of interleukin-1β （IL-1β） and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， as well as elevated ratios of phosphorylated （p）-JAK2/JAK2 and p-STAT3/STAT3 （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the PF group and donepezil group exhibited shortened escape latency and increased platform crossings and time spent in the target quadrant （P<0.05， P<0.01）， decreased expression levels of IL-1β and TNF-α， upregulated mRNA levels of interleukin-4 （IL-4） and interleukin-10 （IL-10）， and reduced ratios of p-JAK2/JAK2 and p-STAT3/STAT3 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionPaeoniflorin can alleviate cognitive impairment and neuroinflammation in the rat model of AD by inhibiting the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.

Objective To clarify the active ingredients and the potential molecular mechanism of Guben Qushi Huayu Prescription in treating psoriasis recurrence.Methods An ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF/MS)was applied to analyze the whole formula and the constituents absorbed into blood of Guben Qushi Huayu Prescription,and molecular docking technology was used to study the binding affinity of the constituents absorbed into blood with psoriasis-related immunomodulatory proteins such as CD69 and CD103 proteins.Results Mass spectrometry analysis identified 21 active ingredients such as paeoniflorin in Guben Qushi Huayu Prescription,including several known anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory compounds.Analysis of the constituents absorbed into blood identified 11 ingredients,including paeoniflorin,that may affect the course of psoriasis through blood circulation.Molecular docking studies revealed that the constituents absorbed into blood,including astilbin,isoastilbin,chlorogenic acid,neochlorogenic acid,cryptochlorogenic acid,helicine,paeoniflorin,ononin,all had high binding affinities with CD69 and CD103 proteins.Conclusion This research reveals the main active ingredients of Guben Qushi Huayu Prescription and their potential mechanism for regulating the recurrence of psoriasis by mass spectrometry and molecular docking technology,contributing to providing scientific basis for further pharmacological research and clinical application.

Objective To assess the clinical value of a novel surgical technique—Tubeless subxiphoid uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery with percutaneous suspension technique via balance-shaped sternal elevation device in the resection of anterior mediastinal masses. Methods Patients who underwent tubeless subxiphoid uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery via balance-shaped sternal elevation device in anterior mediastinal masses process at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University from March to April 2025 were included, and their clinical data were analyzed. Results A total of 4 patients were included, with 2 males and 2 females, aged 58-75 years. The diameter of the tumor was 2.5-3.0 cm. The operation time was 60.0-150.0 min, intraoperative blood loss was 5-10 mL, pain score on the 3rd day after surgery was 0 points, and postoperative hospital stay was 2-3 days. All patients achieved complete resection of the masses and thymus without perioperative complications. Conclusion The tubeless subxiphoid uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery with percutaneous suspension technique via balance-shaped sternal elevation device technique optimizes surgical visualization and instrument maneuverability while avoiding complications related to conventional anesthesia and tubing, thereby markedly enhancing the minimally invasive profile of anterior mediastinal masses resections. In addition to maintaining procedural safety, this approach effectively reduces postoperative pain and accelerates patient recovery, highlighting its potential for widespread clinical adoption.

Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)serves as a treasure trove of ancient knowledge,holding a crucial position in the medical field.However,the exploration of TCM's extensive information has been hindered by challenges related to data standardization,completeness,and accuracy,primarily due to the decen-tralized distribution of TCM resources.To address these issues,we developed a platform for TCM knowledge discovery(TCMKD,https://cbcb.cdutcm.edu.cn/TCMKD/).Seven types of data,including syndromes,formulas,Chinese patent drugs(CPDs),Chinese medicinal materials(CMMs),ingredients,targets,and diseases,were manually proofread and consolidated within TCMKD.To strengthen the integration of TCM with modern medicine,TCMKD employs analytical methods such as TCM data mining,enrichment analysis,and network localization and separation.These tools help elucidate the molecular-level commonalities between TCM and contemporary scientific insights.In addition to its analytical capabilities,a quick question and answer(Q&A)system is also embedded within TCMKD to query the database efficiently,thereby improving the interactivity of the platform.The platform also provides a TCM text annotation tool,offering a simple and efficient method for TCM text mining.Overall,TCMKD not only has the potential to become a pivotal repository for TCM,delving into the pharmaco-logical foundations of TCM treatments,but its flexible embedded tools and algorithms can also be applied to the study of other traditional medical systems,extending beyond just TCM.

Objective:To investigate the effect of elimination,combination,rearrangement and simplification(ECRS)management combined with risk assessment on reducing the incidence of multidrug-resistant bacteria infections of patients who received mechanical ventilation in intensive care unit(ICU).Methods:The management mode of prevention and control for multidrug-resistant bacteria infections of patients in ICU was optimized on the basis of ECRS management combined with risk assessment.A total of 600 patients who received mechanical ventilation in ICU of Jiuquan Hospital of Shanghai General Hospital(Jiuquan People's Hospital)from January 2022 to December 2023 were selected.According to different management methods,these patients were divided into a control group and an observation group,with 300 cases in each group.The control group was managed by using the risk assessment management method,while the observation group was managed by using the ECRS management on the basis of risk assessment management method.The indicators of respiratory function,patients'satisfaction score,stay time in ICU,time of mechanical ventilation and incidence of multidrug-resistant bacteria were compared between the two groups.Results:The mean value of the ratio of forced expiratory volume in one second(FEV1)to forced vital capacity(FVC)(FEV1/FVC),and the FEV1 level in observation group by using ECRS management combined with risk assessment method were respectively(78.69±4.65)%and(1.58±0.24)L,both of which were higher than those of control group,and the differences of them between two groups were statistically significant(t=16.483,11.742,P<0.05).The average scores of work efficiency,emergency response capability,professional ethics,isolation and resettlement,and overall patients'satisfaction in the observation group were respectively(23.12±1.20),(23.34±1.08),(23.65±1.10),(23.80±1.05)and(92.24±4.37),all of which were higher than those in the control group,and the differences of them between two groups were statistically significant(t=22.176,27.903,22.373,31.364,13.963,P<0.05).The average ICU stay time and the average time of mechanical ventilation were respectively(14.15±1.60)and(9.15±2.13)days in the observation group,both of which were lower than those in the control group,and the differences of them between two groups were statistically significant(t=16.872,15.410,P<0.05).The incidence of multidrug-resistant bacteria was 0.33%in 300 patients of the observation group,which was lower than that of the control group,with a statistically significant difference(x2=4.561,P<0.05).Conclusion:The application of ECRS management combined with risk assessment in the management of ICU for patients who receive mechanical ventilation can protect respiratory function of patients,and decrease the risk of occurring the infection of multidrug-resistant bacteria,and reduce ICU stay time and the time of mechanical ventilation of patients,and improve patients'satisfaction.

[Objective]To investigate the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in semen after COVID-19 infection in vaccinated individuals and to evaluate the impact of different recovery stages on sperm quality.[Methods]From January to March 2023,vaccinated male patients with recent SARS-CoV-2 infections confirmed by throat swabs were recruited from the Reproductive Medicine Center at the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University.Semen samples were analyzed with RT-qPCR to detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA.A retrospective analysis assessed sperm quality across recovery stages,comparing patients within 30 days of recovery to those with 30 days or more.Semen parameters evaluated included volume,total sperm count,forward motility percentage,abnormal morphology rate,and sperm DNA fragmentation index.In addition,a longitudinal self-comparison was performed to examine changes in semen quality before and after recovery(＜30 days and≥30 days).[Results]SARS-CoV-2 RNA was undetectable in the semen of all 205 patients.Neither cross-sectional comparisons nor longitudinal analyses showed significant differences in semen volume,sperm concentration,total sperm count,sperm morphology rate,sperm DNA fragmentation index,or high DNA stainability between recovery stages or compared to pre-infection values(P＞0.05).However,forward motility percentage markedly decreased during recovery,with statistical significant between groups(P＜0.05).[Conclusions]In vaccinated individuals who contracted COVID-19,SARS-CoV-2 was not transmitted through semen.Although the incidence of asthenozoospermia may increase within 30 days post-infection,this effect appears reversible in the short time.