ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and mechanism of transplantation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell （hUC-MSC） with overexpression of the Numb gene in the treatment of cholestatic liver fibrosis （CLF）. MethodsThe technique of lentiviral transfection was used to induce the overexpression of the Numb gene in hUC-MSC （hUC-MSC^Numb-OE）， and hUC-MSC transfected with empty vector （hUC-MSC^OE-EV） was used as negative control. Bile duct ligation （BDL） was performed to establish a rat model of CLF， and then the rats were randomly divided into BDL group， hUC-MSC group， hUC-MSC^OE-EV group， and hUC-MSC^Numb-OE group， while a sham-operation group was also established. The rats in the intervention groups were given a single splenic injection of the corresponding cells after BDL， and samples were collected at the end of week 4. Related indicators were measured， including serum biochemistry， liver histopathology， the content of hydroxyproline （Hyp） in the liver， hepatic stellate cell activation， ductular reaction， liver regeneration， and the expression levels of key molecules in the Numb-p53 signaling axis. 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 further comparison between two groups. ResultsCompared with the BDL group， the hUC-MSC group and the hUC-MSC^OE-EV group had significant reductions in the levels of serum biochemical parameters （aspartate aminotransferase， gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase， total bile acid， total bilirubin， and direct bilirubin）， liver fibrosis markers （the content of Hyp and the expression levels of alpha-smooth muscle actin， tumor necrosis factor-α， and transforming growth factor-beta 1）， and ductular reaction markers （the expression levels of CK7 and CK19） （all P <0.05）， and compared with the hUC-MSC^OE-EV group， the hUC-MSC^Numb-OE group had significantly greater improvements in the above indicators （all P <0.05）. In addition， compared with the hUC-MSC^OE-EV group， the hUC-MSC^Numb-OE group had significant improvements in the expression levels of liver regeneration-related markers （albumin and hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α） and the molecules associated with the Numb-p53 signaling axis （Numb， pNumb， Mdm2， and p53） （all P <0.05）. ConclusionOverexpression of the Numb gene can enhance the therapeutic effect of hUC-MSC on CLF， possibly by activating the Numb-PTB^L-p53-HNF4α axis， promoting the hepatic differentiation of hUC-MSCs and subsequently enhancing liver regeneration.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the improvement effects and mechanism of Achyranthes bidentata total saponins （ABS） extract on vascular endothelial dysfunction in spontaneously hypertensive rat （SHR） based on cytochrome P450 4A （CYP4A）/20-hydroxyeicosatetetraenoic acid （20-HETE）/G protein-coupled receptor 75 （GPR75） axis. METHODS Ten Wistar- Kyoto rats were taken as the normal control group. Forty SHR were first stratified by systolic blood pressure and then， within each stratum， randomly assigned using a random-number table to the model group （MOD group）， captopril positive control group （CAP group， 10 mg/kg）， ABS low- and high-dose extract groups （ABS-L group， ABS-H group， 60 and 120 mg/kg）， with 10 rats in each group. Animals in each group were given the corresponding drug or equal volume of pure water by gavage， once a day， for 28 consecutive days. After the last administration， systolic blood pressure of rats was measured. The levels of vasoactive substances， inflammatory factors and oxidative stress indicators in serum were measured. The pathological changes of rat thoracic aorta were observed. The level of reactive oxygen species （ROS） in aortic tissue was analyzed. The expressions of endothelial nitric oxide synthase （eNOS）， CYP4A， GPR75， nuclear factor-κB p65 （NF-κB p65）， phosphorylated NF-κB p65， p22phox， and reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 4（NOX4） in thoracic aorta tissue were detected. RESULTS After 28 d of treatment， compared with MOD group， the systolic blood pressure of rats in the ABS-L and ABS-H groups decreased significantly. The levels of 20-HETE， angiotensin Ⅱ， interleukin-1β， interleukin-6， tumor necrosis factor-α， intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 and malondialdehyde in serum were significantly reduced （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）， while the levels of nitric oxide， superoxide dismutase， glutathione peroxidase and catalase were significantly increased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Intimal damage of thoracic aorta was reduced， and endothelial cell morphology was improved. The expressions of ROS， CYP4A， GPR75， p22phox， NOX4 and the phosphorylation level of NF-κB p65 protein in thoracic aorta were down-regulated or reduced （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）， while the expression of eNOS was up-regulated （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS ABS extract may alleviate the inflammatory response and oxidative stress in SHR effectively by down-regulating the expression of CYP4A， reducing the production of 20-HETE， inhibiting the activation of GPR75， and subsequently suppressing the activation of downstream NF-κB and NOX4， thereby improving hypertension-related vascular endothelial dysfunction.

Allergic diseases exhibited the characteristics of latent concealment and dynamic transmutation， which highly align with the pathogenic features of "latency and transformative change" described in the theory of latent pathogens. Based on the "latent pathogens with transformative potential" theory， this paper systematically explored the mechanisms of occurrence， transmission， and outcome of allergic diseases. It proposed that the insufficiency of kidney essence is the root cause enabling pathogens to lurk internally， leading to disease onset due to deficient healthy qi and lurking pathogens； the dysfunction of sanjiao serves as the pathway for pathogen stagnation， driving multi-system transmission； the accumulation of phlegm， stasis， and toxins constitutes the predicament of a protracted course， ultimately resulting in intractable pathological entanglement. Accordingly， a tiered intervention strategy is formulated，i.e. during the latency period， treatment should tonify the kidney and replenish essence to consolidate the foundation and halt the tendency of pathogens to lurk internally； during the transmission period， treatment should regulate sanjiao to intercept disease transmission and curb multi-system proliferation； during the protracted period， treatment should purge phlegm and resolve stasis to eliminate stubborn lesions， and break the vicious cycle of chronic accumulation and damage.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of M1 bone marrow-derived macrophages （M1-BMDM） with Wnt5a knockdown on liver fibrosis and regeneration in a rat model of liver cirrhosis， and to investigate its gain-of-function effect compared with unmodified M1-BMDM. MethodsPrimary bone marrow-derived macrophages were isolated from rats and were polarized to M1 phenotype to construct M1-BMDM^Wnt5a-KD cells. A rat model of liver cirrhosis induced by CCl₄/2-AAF was established， and at the end of week 8， rats were randomly divided into model group， M1-BMDM group， M1-BMDM Wnt5a-knockdown empty vector group （M1-BMDM^KD-EV group）， and M1-BMDM Wnt5a-knockdown group （M1-BMDM^Wnt5a-KD group）， with 6 rats in each group. On the first day of week 9， the rats in each group were given a single injection of the corresponding cells via the caudal vein， along with an intraperitoneal injection of a CCR2 inhibitor. Six rats without any treatment were used as normal control group. Samples were collected at the end of week 12 to assess liver histopathology， serum liver function parameters， hepatic stellate cell activation， and the expression levels of mature hepatocyte markers. 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 further comparison between two groups. ResultsCompared with the model group， all cell treatment groups had significant alleviation of liver inflammatory response and significant reductions in the activities of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase （AST） in serum （all P<0.01）， and the M1-BMDM^Wnt5a-KD group had a significantly lower serum level of AST than the M1-BMDM group （P<0.05）. The semi-quantitative analysis based on immunohistochemical staining showed that compared with the model group， all cell treatment groups had a significant reduction in the percentage of CD68-positive area （all P<0.05）， and compared with the M1-BMDM^KD-EV group， the M1-BMDM^Wnt5a-KD group had a significant reduction in the percentage of CD68-positive area and a significant increase in the percentage of CD163-positive area （both P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， all cell treatment groups had significant reductions in the mRNA expression levels of CD68 and tumor necrosis factor-α （all P<0.05） and the protein expression level of CD68 （all P<0.01）； compared with the M1-BMDM^KD-EV group， the M1-BMDM^Wnt5a-KD group had significant increases in the protein and mRNA expression levels of CD163 （both P<0.05）， significant reductions in the protein and mRNA expression levels of CD68 （both P<0.05）， and a significant reduction in the protein expression level of tumor necrosis factor-α （P<0.01）. Sirius Red collagen staining and alpha-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA） immunohistochemical staining showed that compared with the model group， all cell treatment groups had significant alleviation of liver collagen deposition and α-SMA-positive area， with the most significant changes in the M1-BMDM^Wnt5a-KD group， and compared with the M1-BMDM^KD-EV group， the M1-BMDM^Wnt5a-KD group had significantly smaller Sirius Red-positive area and α-SMA-positive area and a significantly lower content of hydroxyproline in liver tissue （all P<0.05）. Compared with the M1-BMDM^KD-EV group， the M1-BMDM^Wnt5a-KD group had significant reductions in the protein and mRNA expression levels of α-SMA and the mRNA expression level of COL-I and TGF-β （all P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， all cell treatment groups had a significant increase in the protein expression level of HNF-4α in liver tissue （all P<0.05）， and the M1-BMDM^Wnt5a-KD group had significantly higher protein and mRNA expression levels of HNF-4α and hepatocyte specific antigen than the M1-BMDM^KD-EV group （both P<0.05）. The M1-BMDM^Wnt5a-KD group had a significantly higher serum level of albumin than the M1-BMDM^KD-EV group （P<0.01）. Immunofluorescence co-staining showed that compared with the model group， all cell treatment groups had a significant increase in the number of cells stained positive for HNF and HNF-4α and Ki67 （all P<0.01）， and the M1-BMDM^Wnt5a-KD group had a significantly higher number of such cells than the M1-BMDM^KD-EV group （P<0.05）. ConclusionInhibition of Wnt5a expression enhances the therapeutic effect of M1-BMDM on rats with liver cirrhosis induced by CCl₄/2-AAF， which provides new ideas for enhancing the anti-cirrhotic effect of M1-BMDM through genetic modification.

Objective To provide a scientific basis for vector prevention and control in port areas, vector monitoring has been conducted continuously to characterize the composition, density, and seasonal fluctuations of vectors across 21 port-areas of Shandong province from 2017 to 2023. Methods In accordance with the Regional Vector Monitoring Plan for Frontier Ports, vector surveillance of mosquitoes, flies, cockroaches, rodents, and other disease vectors was performed. Data were analyzed to describe vector community composition and identify seasonal fluctuations. Results A total of 601 rodents belonging to 1 family, 4 genera, and 4 species were captured. Three dominant rodent species inhabit port areas. In addition, 88 104 mosquitoes were captured and classified into 3 subfamilies, 4 genera, and 12 species; 38 959 flies were trapped and classified into 8 families,31 genera, and 51 species, including 9 dominant fly species in port-areas; and 54 672 captured cockroaches were classified into 2 families,4 genera, and 4 species, with Blattella germanica as the dominant species. Conclusions Significant vector community changes(P＜0.005)have been identified after the epidemic. To improve the pertinence and efficacy of port health quarantine work, continuous and strong attention should be paid to vector compositions and population densities at Shandong ports.

Objective To investigate the application effect of postural gravity traction combined with floss and titanium clip pulley external traction in endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD)for early intestinal lesions.Methods A total of 100 patients with early colorectal lesions admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University from January 2022 to September 2024 were selected as the research subjects and divided in-to the observation group and the control group,with 50 cases in each group.The control group underwent con-ventional intestinal ESD treatment,while the observation group used positional gravity traction combined with dental floss and titanium clips to form pulley external traction in ESD treatment.Clinical data including opera-tion time,number of submucosal injections,intraoperative blood loss,lesion resection effect,complication inci-dence,and hospital stay were compared between the two groups.Results The total operation time in the ob-servation group was shorter than that in the control group,and the total number of submucosal injections was less than that in the control group,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).There were no signifi-cant differences in intraoperative blood loss,complete resection rate,complication incidence,en bloc resection rate,and hospital stay between the two groups(P>0.05).For lesions≤1 cm or>5 cm in size,there were no significant differences in operation time,complete resection rate and en bloc resection rate between the two groups(P>0.05).For lesions>1-3 cm or>3-5 cm in size and laterally spreading lesions,significant differences were observed in operation time,number of submucosal injections,complete resection rate,and en bloc resection rate between the two groups(P<0.05).For pedunculated polyps,there were no significant differences in the number of submucosal injections,complete resection rate and en bloc resection rate between the two groups(P>0.05),but the operation time differed significantly(P<0.05).Conclusion Postural gravity traction combined with dental floss and titanium clip to form pulley external traction is simple to oper-ate in ESD for early intestinal lesions.It can maintain a clear field of view,shorten operation time,reduce the incidence of complications,and is safe and effective.

Objective To develop models for predicting response to chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy in patients with esophageal squamous carcinoma with various machine learning algorithms,and then select the optimal model.Methods A retrospective study was performed for 174 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma undergoing chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy admitted in Department of Thoracic Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University from January 2022 to December 2023.The CT scans and clinical information were collected before treatment.They were randomly divided into a training set(n=122)and a testing set(n=52)in a ratio of 7∶3.CT radiomic features were extracted and selected,and then 5 machine-learning algorithms were employed to establish the prediction models,including radiomics model and clinical-radiomics model.Five-fold cross-validation was conducted on the training set,and the performance of the prediction models was evaluated on the testing set using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve and the F1 score.The best-performing model was further explained using local interpretable model-agnostic explanations(LIME)algorithm.Results Among the 174 patients,115(66.1%)achieved clinical remission.From the clinical information and CT images,1 clinical features and 10 radiomic features were identified.The area under of ROC curve(AUC)for the radiomics and clinical-radiomics models was 0.750(95%CI:0.616～0.883),and 0.766(95%CI:0.637～0.895),respectively.The F1 score of the optimal clinical-radiomics model was 0.829.LIME algorithm indicated that this best model demonstrated reliability in predicting individual samples.Conclusion The clinical-radiomics prediction model based on machine learning algorithm performs well,and can provide a reference for doctors'clinical decision-making by predicting the response to chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.