Hepatitis B virus （HBV） exclusively infects liver parenchymal cells and forms covalently closed circular DNA （cccDNA） within their nuclei. HBV cccDNA serves as the essential template for viral gene transcription， the sole source of progeny virus production， and the key driver of viral antigen expression， and it is the molecular basis for the persistence of HBV infection. Therefore， elimination and/or functional silencing of cccDNA is the key to eradicate chronic HBV infection. This article discusses the critical scientific issues that need to be solved during elimination of the harm of HBV infection from the perspectives of the synthesis， transcription， and clearance of cccDNA， as well as the impact of nonparenchymal cells on cccDNA， in order to provide a reference for eradicating HBV infection in the future.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of Zhengxintai granules as in the treatment of microvascular angina （MVA） following percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI） in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction （STEMI） and qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome. METHODS Patients with STEMI and qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome who underwent PCI and developed MVA and were admitted to the Jinan Fourth People’s Hospital （Jinan Cardiovascular Hospital） from March 2022 to March 2025 were selected， they were randomly divided into the control group and the observation group according to a random number table， with 76 cases in each group. Patients in the control group received conventional Western medicine treatment combined with a placebo， while patients in the observation group received Zhengxintai granules （5 mg per dose， three times daily， for 8 weeks） in addition to conventional Western medicine treatment. The clinical efficacy [including the total effective rate of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome improvement and the total effective rates of Western clinical efficacy] was compared between the two groups. The following indicators were detected before and after treatment： TCM syndrome scores， angina pectoris episodes [daily attack frequency， duration per attack， Visual Analogue Scale （VAS） score]， cardiac function indicators [lactate dehydrogenase （LDH）， N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide （NT-proBNP）， left ventricular end-diastolic dimension （LVEDD）， left ventricular end-systolic dimension （LVESD）， left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF）， cardiac output （CO）， fractional shortening （FS）]， coagulation function indicators [thrombin time （TT）， prothrombin time （PT）， fibrinogen （FIB）]， fibrinolytic marker （D-dimer）， vascular endothelial function indicators [vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF）， nitric oxide （NO）， endothelin-1 （ET-1）] and myocardial microcirculation hemodynamic indicators [end-diastolic velocity （EDV）， peak systolic velocity （PSV）， resistance index （RI）， pulsatility index （PI）]. The quality of life [Seattle Angina Questionnaire （SAQ） score] and the incidence of adverse reactions were also compared between the two groups. RESULTS There was no patient dropout during the entire course of the study. The total effective rates of improvement in TCM syndromes and the total effective rates of Western clinical efficacy in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group （93.42% vs. 82.89%， 94.74% vs. 84.21%， P＜0.05）. Before the treatment， the comparison of each examination indicator between the two groups showed no statistically significant differences （P＞0.05）. Compared with before treatment， the TCM syndrome scores， the number of daily angina pectoris attacks and the duration of each attack， the VAS scores， LDH， NT-proBNP， FIB， D-dimer， ET-1 levels， LVEDD， LVESD， RI and PI after treatment in both groups were significantly reduced， shortened or decreased （P＜0.05）； VEGF and NO levels， LVEF， CO， FS， TT， PT， EDV， PSV， and the standard scores of five dimensions including angina pectoris stability， as well as the total scores of SAQ， all significantly increased or prolonged （P＜0.05）. Furthermore， the improvements in the aforementioned indicators （except for LVEF） in the observation group were significantly greater than those in the control group （P＜0.05）. There was no statistically significant difference in the total incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups （P＞0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Zhengxintai granules， when used as an adjunct to conventional Western medicine， can significantly alleviate the related symptoms of MVA in STEMI patients with qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome after PCI， repair damaged cardiac function， restore the balance of the coagulation-fibrinolysis system， improve vascular endothelial function and myocardial microcirculation perfusion， and significantly enhance the quality of life of patients

Oligodendrocyte lineage cells, including oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) and oligodendrocytes (OLs), are essential in establishing and maintaining brain circuits. Autophagy is a conserved process that keeps the quality of organelles and proteostasis. The role of autophagy in oligodendrocyte lineage cells remains unclear. The present study shows that autophagy is required to maintain the number of OPCs/OLs and myelin integrity during brain aging. Inactivation of autophagy in oligodendrocyte lineage cells increases the number of OPCs/OLs in the developing brain while exaggerating the loss of OPCs/OLs with brain aging. Inactivation of autophagy in oligodendrocyte lineage cells impairs the turnover of myelin basic protein (MBP). It causes MBP to accumulate in the cytoplasm as multimeric aggregates and fails to be incorporated into integral myelin, which is associated with attenuated endocytic recycling. Inactivation of autophagy in oligodendrocyte lineage cells impairs myelin integrity and causes demyelination. Thus, this study shows autophagy is required to maintain myelin quality during aging by controlling the turnover of myelin components.
Animals ; Autophagy/physiology* ; Oligodendroglia/metabolism* ; Myelin Sheath/physiology* ; Aging/pathology* ; Myelin Basic Protein/metabolism* ; Cell Lineage/physiology* ; Mice ; Oligodendrocyte Precursor Cells ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Brain/cytology* ; Cells, Cultured ; Cell Count

Hemoglobin, the principal protein in red blood cells, is crucial for oxygen transport in the bloodstream. The quantification of hemoglobin concentration is indispensable in medical diagnostics and health management, which encompass the diagnosis of anemia and the screening of various blood disorders. Immunological methods, based on antigen-antibody interactions, are distinguished by their high sensitivity and accuracy. Consequently, it is necessary to develop hemoglobin-specific antibodies characterized by high specificity and affinity to enhance detection accuracy. In this study, we immunized a Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus) with human hemoglobin and subsequently constructed a nanobody library. Utilizing a solid-phase screening method, we selected nanobodies and evaluated the binding activity of the screened nanobodies to hemoglobin. Initially, human hemoglobin was used to immunize a Bactrian camel. Following four immunization sessions, blood was withdrawn from the jugular vein, and a nanobody library with a capacity of 2.85×10⁸ colony forming units (CFU) was generated. Subsequently, ten hemoglobin-specific nanobody sequences were identified through three rounds of adsorption-elution-enrichment assays, and these nanobodies were subjected to eukaryotic expression. Finally, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and biolayer interferometry were employed to evaluate the stability, binding activity, and specificity of these nanobodies. The results demonstrated that the nanobodies maintained robust binding activity within the temperature range of 20-40 ℃ and exhibited the highest binding activity at pH 7.0. Furthermore, the nanobodies were capable of tolerating a 10% methanol solution. Notably, among the nanobodies tested, VHH-12 displayed the highest binding activity to hemoglobin, with a half maximal effective concentration (EC₅₀) of 10.63 nmol/L and a equilibrium dissociation constant (K_D) of 2.94×10^-7 mol/L. VHH-12 exhibited no cross-reactivity with a panel of eight proteins, such as ovalbumin and bovine serum albumin, while demonstrating partial cross-reactivity with hemoglobin derived from porcine, goat, rabbit, and bovine sources. In this study, a hemoglobin-specific high-affinity nanobody was successfully isolated, demonstrating potential applications in disease diagnosis and health monitoring.
Animals ; Camelus/immunology* ; Single-Domain Antibodies/immunology* ; Hemoglobins/immunology* ; Humans ; Peptide Library

Objective To examine the changing prevalence and antimicrobial resistance profiles of Burkholderia cepacia in 52 hospitals across China from 2015 to 2021.Methods A total of 9 261 strains of B.cepacia were collected from 52 hospitals between January 1,2015 and December 31,2021.Antimicrobial susceptibility of the strains was tested using Kirby-Bauer method or automated antimicrobial susceptibility testing systems according to a unified protocol.The results were interpreted according to the breakpoints released in the Clinical & Laboratory Standards Institute(CLSI)guidelines(2023 edition).Results A total of 9 261 strains of B.cepacia were isolated from all age groups,especially elderly patients.The proportion was 11.1％(1 032 strains)in children,significantly lower than the proportion in adults.About half(46.5％,4 310/9 261)of the strains were isolated from patients at least 60 years old and 42.3％(3 919/9 261)of the strains were isolated from young adults.Most isolates(71.1％)were isolated from sputum and respiratory secretions,followed by urine(10.7％)and blood samples(8.1％).B.cepacia isolates were highly susceptible to the five antimicrobial agents recommended in the CLSI M100 document(33rd edition,2023).B.cepacia isolates showed relatively higher resistance rates to meropenem and levofloxacin.However,the resistance rates to ceftazidime,trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole,and minocycline remained below 8.1％.The percentage of B.cepacia strains resistant to levofloxacin was the highest compared to other antibiotics in any of the three age groups(from 12.4％in the patients＜18 years old to 20.6％in the patients aged 60 years or older).Conclusions B.cepacia is one of the clinically important non-fermenting gram-negative bacteria.Accurate and timely reporting of antimicrobial susceptibility test results and ongoing antimicrobial resistance surveillance are helpful for rational prescription of antimicrobial agents and proper prevention and control of nosocomial infections.

BACKGROUND:When exercising in a cold environment,the body's inflammatory response is affected by both low temperature and exercise intervention,and its impact and mechanism remain to be explored.OBJECTIVE:To explore the effects and mechanisms of cold water swimming on inflammatory response of rats based on transcriptome sequencing technology.METHODS:40 male SD rats were randomly divided into room temperature control group,room temperature swimming group,cold water control group,and cold water swimming group,with 10 rats in each group.The room temperature control group had no intervention and was free to eat.The room temperature swimming group received swimming at 30 min/time,6 times/week,for 5 weeks;the water temperature was(28±2)℃,and the water depth was 35 cm.In the cold water control group,the rats were placed in a water tank with a depth of 3 cm;the water temperature was(18±2)℃,and they were free to move.The cold water swimming group received swimming at 30 min/time,6 times/week,for 5 weeks;the water temperature was(18±2)℃,and the water depth was 35 cm.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the levels of serum interleukin-6,tumor necrosis factor-α,and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein.Based on the transcriptome sequencing results,differentially expressed genes were screened to draw Venn diagrams and heat maps,and Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis were performed.The protein-protein interaction network was used to screen core genes.RT-qPCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of IRF7,OAS2,and OASL in rat spleen tissue.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The ELISA results showed that compared with the room temperature control group,the levels of various inflammatory indicators in the room temperature swimming group and the cold water swimming group were significantly increased(P＜0.05),and there was no significant difference in the cold water control group.Compared with the room temperature swimming group,there was no significant difference in the expression of inflammatory indicators in the cold water swimming group.Compared with the cold water control group,the expressions of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α in the cold water swimming group showed an upward trend,and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein increased significantly(P＜0.05).(2)Transcriptome analysis:Venn diagram showed that there were 39 differentially expressed genes affected by the dual factors of temperature and exercise intervention.Cluster heat map analysis results showed that the overall gene expression trends of the room temperature swimming group and the cold water swimming group were similar,and the cold water control group showed an opposite trend.Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis results showed that differentially expressed genes were enriched in the immune system,locomotion,nucleic acid-binding transcription factor activity,NOD-like receptor signaling pathways and other pathways.The number of genes enriched in the NOD-like receptor signaling pathway was relatively large,and the q value was small,which may be a key pathway.The protein-protein interaction network screened out IRF7,OAS2,OASL,IFIT2,IFIT3 and other core genes.(3)RT-qPCR verification results showed that compared with the room temperature control group,the expressions of IRF7,OAS2 and OASL were significantly increased in the room temperature swimming group and the cold water swimming group(P＜0.01),and there was no significant difference in the cold water control group.Compared with the cold water control group,the expression of each gene was significantly increased in the cold water swimming group(P＜0.01).(4)It is concluded that cold water swimming can promote inflammatory response,and its mechanism may be regulated through the NOD-like receptor signaling pathway.

Objective To examine the changing prevalence and antimicrobial resistance profiles of Burkholderia cepacia in 52 hospitals across China from 2015 to 2021.Methods A total of 9 261 strains of B.cepacia were collected from 52 hospitals between January 1,2015 and December 31,2021.Antimicrobial susceptibility of the strains was tested using Kirby-Bauer method or automated antimicrobial susceptibility testing systems according to a unified protocol.The results were interpreted according to the breakpoints released in the Clinical & Laboratory Standards Institute(CLSI)guidelines(2023 edition).Results A total of 9 261 strains of B.cepacia were isolated from all age groups,especially elderly patients.The proportion was 11.1％(1 032 strains)in children,significantly lower than the proportion in adults.About half(46.5％,4 310/9 261)of the strains were isolated from patients at least 60 years old and 42.3％(3 919/9 261)of the strains were isolated from young adults.Most isolates(71.1％)were isolated from sputum and respiratory secretions,followed by urine(10.7％)and blood samples(8.1％).B.cepacia isolates were highly susceptible to the five antimicrobial agents recommended in the CLSI M100 document(33rd edition,2023).B.cepacia isolates showed relatively higher resistance rates to meropenem and levofloxacin.However,the resistance rates to ceftazidime,trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole,and minocycline remained below 8.1％.The percentage of B.cepacia strains resistant to levofloxacin was the highest compared to other antibiotics in any of the three age groups(from 12.4％in the patients＜18 years old to 20.6％in the patients aged 60 years or older).Conclusions B.cepacia is one of the clinically important non-fermenting gram-negative bacteria.Accurate and timely reporting of antimicrobial susceptibility test results and ongoing antimicrobial resistance surveillance are helpful for rational prescription of antimicrobial agents and proper prevention and control of nosocomial infections.

Objective To observe the characteristics of affected shoulder joint range of motion in patients with breast cancer after ax-illary lymph node dissection before radiotherapy.Methods From January,2022 to December,2023,185 female patients from the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical Uni-versity after unilateral breast cancer who underwent axillary lymph node dissection were reviewed.Their general data were collected;affected shoulder joint range of motion was evaluated by progoniometer;lymphedema of af-fected upper extremities was evaluated by water volume replacement;Verbal Rating Scale(VRS)was used to evaluate the pain in the upper extremity of the operative side.Results The angles of anterior flexion and abduction of the affected shoulder joint were(158.90±17.17)° and(147.70±24.59)°.There were significant differences in the angles of affected shoulder anterior flexion and abduction among patients at different ages(more than 55 years and less than 55 years)and those with or without lymphede-ma.Multiple linear regression showed that the angle of affected shoulder flexion was smaller in patients aged more than 55 years(β=-7.766,95%CI-13.161 to-2.360,P=0.005),and with lymphedema(β=-10.991,95%CI-19.063 to-2.925,P=0.008);was larger in patients with longer duration after operation(β=0.463,95%CI 0.012 to 0.924,P=0.049),and BMI 24 to 27.9 kg/m2(β=6.211,95%CI 0.660 to 11.761,P=0.030)(compared with BMI<24 kg/m2).The angle of affected shoulder abduction was smaller in patients aged more than 55 years(β=-10.047,95%CI-17.358 to-2.747,P=0.008),and with lymphedema(β=-14.171,95%CI-25.191 to-3.150,P=0.013).Conclusion Shoulder joint range of motion has reduced in flexion and abduction in patients at early stage after axillary lymph node dissection for breast cancer,which is related to age and lymphedema.

Objective To investigate the distribution and antimicrobial resistance profiles of clinically isolated Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis in hospitals across China from 2015 to 2021,and provide evidence for rational use of antimicrobial agents.Methods Data of H.influenzae and M.catarrhalis strains isolated from 2015 to 2021 in CHINET program were collected for analysis,and antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by disc diffusion method or automated systems according to the uniform protocol of CHINET.The results were interpreted according to the CLSI breakpoints in 2022.Beta-lactamases was detected by using nitrocefin disk.Results From 2015 to 2021,a total of 43 642 strains of Haemophilus species were isolated,accounting for 2.91％of the total clinical isolates and 4.07％of Gram-negative bacteria in CHINET program.Among the 40 437 strains of H.influenzae,66.89％were isolated from children and 33.11％were isolated from adults.More than 90％of the H.influenzae strains were isolated from respiratory tract specimens.The prevalence of β-lactamase was 53.79％in H.influenzae strains.The H.influenzae strains isolated from children showed higher resistance rate than the strains isolated from adults.Overall,779 strains of H.influenzae did not produce β-lactamase but were resistant to ampicillin(BLNAR).Beta-lactamase-producing strains showed significantly higher resistance rates to these antimicrobial agents than the β-lactamase-nonproducing strains.Of the 16 191 M.catarrhalis strains,80.06％were isolated from children and 19.94％isolated from adults.M.catarrhalis strains were mostly susceptible to both amoxicillin-clavulanic acid and cefuroxime,evidenced by resistance rate lower than 2.0％.Conclusions The emergence of antibiotic-resistant H.influenzae due to β-lactamase production poses a challenge for clinical anti-infective treatment.Therefore,it is very important to implement antibiotic resistance surveillance for H.influenzae and guide rational antibiotic use.All local clinical microbiology laboratories should actively improve antibiotic susceptibility testing and strengthen antibiotic resistance surveillance for H.influenzae.