Background/Aims: Acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) is one of the most essential metabolites in cell metabolism but its function and concentration in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain elusive and controversial. Methods: A comprehensive analysis of acetyl-CoA levels and acetyl-CoA synthetase 2 (ACSS2) expression across a range of samples, including patient specimens from both hepatitis B virus (HBV) positive and HBV negative HCC individuals, HBV-transgenic mouse HCC models, and multiple cell lines. Furthermore, to evaluate the functional significance of ACSS2 in HBV-related HCC, we implemented both genetic and pharmacological inhibition strategies targeting ACSS2. Molecular mechanism and mitophagy assessment were revealed by cleavage under target and tagmentation sequencing, RNA sequencing, bioinformatic analyses, transmission electron microscopy and JC-1 staining. Results: Our study revealed a distinct metabolic signature of HBV-related HCC, marked by elevated acetyl-CoA, which was driven by ACSS2. ACSS2 was upregulated by the carbohydrate response element-binding protein in HBV-related HCC. Furthermore, ACSS2 improved tumor cell proliferation, an effect that was dependent on its enzymatic activity. Mechanistically, ACSS2-induced acetyl-CoA accumulation activated voltage-dependent anion channels 1 transcription through increased H3K27ac occupancy, which subsequently promoted mitophagy and HBV-related HCC tumorigenesis. Notably, targeting ACSS2 by depletion or inhibition with a catalytic inhibitor significantly suppressed tumor growth. Conclusions These findings not only illustrate the interplay between metabolic reprogramming, epigenetic modification, and tumorigenesis in the context of HBV infection, but also highlight ACSS2 as a novel metabolic vulnerability in HBV-related HCC. Therefore, targeting ACSS2 could be a novel strategy against HBV-related HCC.

Objective:To investigate disease characteristics of patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) based on the PsA cohort in West China Hospital, so as to provide a reference for clinicians in its diagnosis, treatment, and evaluation strategy formulation.Methods:A cross-sectional study was carried out, and a descriptive analysis was conducted on clinical data from PsA patients who were treated at the Department of Dermatology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University between April 2, 2020, and January 21, 2025. Demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations, laboratory and imaging findings, and treatment modalities were analyzed.Results:A total of 530 PsA patients were included, of whom 332 (62.6%) were males and 198 (37.4%) were females, with ages of 44.1 ± 12.4 years. Skin lesions preceded joint symptoms in 452 patients (85.3%), with time intervals ( M [ Q1, Q3]) of 8.0 (3.0, 15.0) years. Overweight or obesity was observed in 319 patients (60.2%), and 188 (35.5%) had comorbid fatty liver. Peripheral joint involvement was common (485 cases, 91.5%), with the proximal interphalangeal joints being most frequently affected by tenderness (172 cases, 35.5%) and swelling (119 cases, 24.5%) ; the number of enthesitis cases identified by ultrasonography (116 cases, 23.9%) was significantly higher than that by clinical examination (82 cases, 15.5%) ; axial joint involvement was observed in 258 patients (48.7%), with the sacroiliac joints most commonly affected (201 cases, 77.9%). Regarding treatment, conventional systemic drugs were predominant in the treatment of psoriasis prior to the diagnosis of PsA; after the diagnosis of PsA, the number of patients receiving targeted therapies increased to 334 (63.0%), with interleukin-17 inhibitors being the most common (140 cases, 26.4%), followed by tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors (106 cases, 20.0%) and Janus kinase inhibitors (39 cases, 7.4%) . Conclusions:PsA predominantly affects males over 40 years old and is characterized by preceding skin lesions, delayed diagnosis, and multiple comorbidities. High-frequency ultrasound has advantages in the early detection of peripheral enthesitis. Further attention is needed for managing comorbidities such as fatty liver and obesity-related metabolic conditions.

AIM To evaluate the quality of Tibetan medicine"Sangdi"based on HPLC fingerprints combined with chemometrics.METHODS The analysis was performed on a 30 ℃ thermostatic Welch Ultimate AQ-C18 column(250 mm × 4.6 mm,5 μm),with the mobile phase comprising of acetonitrile-0.2％phosphoric acid flowing at 1 mL/min in a gradient elution manner,and the detection wavelength was set at 245 nm,after which cluster analysis,principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis were performed,the contents of gentiopicroside,sweroside,mangiferin,isoorientin,8-hydroxy-1,3,5-trimethoxyxanthone(R2)and 1,8-dihydroxy-3,7-dimethoxyxanthone(R3)were determined.RESULTS There were 18 common peaks in the fingerprints for 15 batches of samples with the similarities of more than 0.90.Six constituents showed good linear relationships within their own ranges(R 2 ≥ 0.999 2),whose average recoveries were 96.93％-103.58％with the RSDs of 0.82％-2.9％.Various batches of samples were clustered into 2 categories,4 principal components demonstrated the accumulative variance contribution rate of 86.404％,mangiferin,gentiopicroside and isoorientin were taken as quality difference markers.CONCLUSION This stable,reliable and reproducibe method can provide a reference for the comprehensive quality evaluation of"Sangdi".

Objective:To analyze the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) screening status and the resulting residual risk (RR) among blood donors across 17 provincial blood centers in China.Methods:This study used a cross-sectional study. Data on HIV infection markers per 100 000 first-time donors (FD) and repeat donors (RD) from January 2015 to December 2024 were extracted from the National Blood Establishment Performance Comparison Information Management System. Questionnaires were used to collect each center′s HIV screening strategy, algorithm, serological test (ST) kit manufacturers, gray-zone setting for ST, and nucleic acid test (NAT) modality, method, and platform. The incidence-window-period model was used to calculate the residual risk for first-time donors (RR FD), repeat donors (RR RD), and total donors (RR TD) at each center. Horizontal and vertical analysis of RR FD, RR RD, and RR TD across centers and years were performed. Results:All 17 centers applied the same HIV screening strategy which was two rounds of ST followed by one round of NAT. Eight of them operated a single screening algorithm, six employed two algorithms and three used three. Eleven centers used both imported and domestic ST kits, five relied on domestic ST kits only, and one used imported ST kits only, while four centers never set a grey zone for ST throughout the decade. For NAT modalities, eight centers adopted both individual nucleic acid test (ID-NAT) and minipool nucleic acid test (MP-NAT), eight used MP-NAT only and one used ID-NAT only. Seven centers combined transcription mediated amplification (TMA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), nine used PCR only and one used TMA only, and fourteen centers ran both imported and domestic NAT systems, two used imported systems only and one used a domestic system only. Over the ten-year period, the mean RR FD across the centers ranged from 2.22 to 12.33 per 10 6 person-years, RR RD from 0.83 to 3.29 per 10 6 person-years and RR TD from 1.59 to 9.29 per 10 6 person-years, with center Z4 consistently showing the lowest values for all three metrics and center U4 recording the highest RR FD and RR TD, while center D2 had the highest RR RD. In 2024 compared with 2015, eleven centers achieved a lower RR FD and ten centers achieved lower RR RD and RR TD. The RR FD and RR TD of centers W2 and U4 displayed pronounced fluctuations and an upward trend in recent years. Conclusions:The 17 provincial blood centers maintain consistent HIV screening strategies, while demonstrating variations in screening algorithm, ST kit manufacturers, NAT modalities, methods, and platform. And the RR FD, RR RD, and RR TD differ across centers. Although most centers show declining trend in RR over the ten-year period, some centers exhibite data fluctuations with a rising trend, suggesting potential for further optimization of HIV screening protocols.

A pyrene-phenol-based fluorescent probe PyP which showed typical intramolecular charge transfer(ICT)and monomer-excimer activities was synthesized by using pyrene carboxaldehyde hydrazone and 4-tert-butyl-2,6-diformylphenol as the raw materials.The effects of solvents on PyP were studied,and the results showed that the color of protic polar solvents(Ethanol,N,N-dimethylformamide,methanol and H2O)were successfully identified.Based on the solvent polarity-regulated PyP monomer-excimer switching,the rapid and highly sensitive ratiometric probe,"Turn-off"and"Turn-on"multimodal probes were established for detection of trace water content in organic solvents(Dimethyl sulfoxide,N,N-dimethylformamide,ethanol and methanol),with detection limits(3σ/k)of 0.0021％,0.046％,0.062％and 0.024％.The method was successfully used to detect water content in dimethyl sulfoxide,N,N-dimethy lformamide,ethanol and methanol commercial organic solvents,with recoveries ranging from 97.2％to 108.0％.The developed method showed good accuracy and stability,and had good application prospect.

Spermatogenesis is a fundamental process that requires a tightly controlled epigenetic event in spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). The mechanisms underlying the transition from SSCs to sperm are largely unknown. Most studies utilize gene knockout mice to explain the mechanisms. However, the production of genetically engineered mice is costly and time-consuming. In this study, we presented a convenient research strategy using an RNA interference (RNAi) and testicular transplantation approach. Histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9) methylation was dynamically regulated during spermatogenesis. As Jumonji domain-containing protein 1A (JMJD1A) and Jumonji domain-containing protein 2C (JMJD2C) demethylases catalyze histone H3 lysine 9 dimethylation (H3K9me2), we firstly analyzed the expression profile of the two demethylases and then investigated their function. Using the convenient research strategy, we showed that normal spermatogenesis is disrupted due to the downregulated expression of both demethylases. These results suggest that this strategy might be a simple and alternative approach for analyzing spermatogenesis relative to the gene knockout mice strategy.
Spermatogenesis/physiology* ; Animals ; Male ; Mice ; Epigenesis, Genetic ; Jumonji Domain-Containing Histone Demethylases/metabolism* ; Histones/metabolism* ; RNA Interference ; Testis/metabolism* ; Methylation ; Mice, Knockout ; Histone Demethylases

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of infants and young children with basal ganglia infarction after minor head trauma (BGIMHT). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data and follow-up results of children aged 28 days to 3 years with BGIMHT who were hospitalized at Children's Hospital of Soochow University from January 2011 to January 2022. RESULTS: A total of 45 cases of BGIMHT were included, with the most common symptom being limb movement disorders (96%, 43/45), followed by facioplegia (56%, 25/45). Cerebral imaging showed that 72% (31/43) had infarction accompanied by basal ganglia calcification. After conservative treatment, 42 children (93%) showed significant symptom improvement, while 3 children (7%) experienced recurrent strokes. The median follow-up time was 82 months (range: 17-141 months). At the last follow-up, 97% (29/30) had residual basal ganglia softening lesions. Among 29 cases participating in questionnaire follow-up, 66% (19/29) recovered normally, 17% (5/29) showed significant improvement in symptoms, and 17% (5/29) had poor improvement. According to the grading of the Global Burden of Disease Control Projects, only 1 child (3%) had severe sequelae. There were no significant differences in age at onset, gender, or presence of concomitant basal ganglia calcification between children with and without neurological sequelae (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS The most common initial symptom of BGIMHT is limb movement disorder, and imaging results indicate that most children have concurrent intracranial calcifications. Most infarct lesions later transform into softening lesions, resulting in a generally good prognosis.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Infant ; Child, Preschool ; Craniocerebral Trauma/complications* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Retrospective Studies ; Basal Ganglia/pathology* ; Infant, Newborn

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the role and mechanism of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 19 in inflammation-induced injury of vascular endothelial cells caused by high glucose (HG). METHODS: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were randomly divided into four groups: control, HG, FGF19, and HG+FGF19 (n=3 each). The effect of different concentrations of glucose and/or FGF19 on HUVEC viability was assessed using the CCK8 assay. Flow cytometry was utilized to examine the impact of FGF19 on HUVEC apoptosis. Levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured by ELISA. Real-time quantitative PCR and Western blotting were used to determine the mRNA and protein expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2), and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Cells were further divided into control, siRNA-Nrf2 (siNrf2), HG, HG+FGF19, HG+FGF19+negative control, and HG+FGF19+siNrf2 groups (n=3 each) to observe the effect of FGF19 on oxidative stress injury in HUVECs induced by high glucose after silencing the Nrf2 gene. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, the HG group exhibited increased apoptosis rate, increased IL-6, iNOS and MDA levels, and increased VEGF mRNA and protein expression, along with decreased T-SOD activity and decreased mRNA and protein expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 (P<0.05). Compared to the HG group, the HG+FGF19 group showed reduced apoptosis rate, decreased IL-6, iNOS and MDA levels, and decreased VEGF mRNA and protein expression, with increased T-SOD activity and increased Nrf2 and HO-1 mRNA and protein expression (P<0.05). Compared to the HG+FGF19+negative control group, the HG+FGF19+siNrf2 group had decreased T-SOD activity and increased MDA levels (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS FGF19 can alleviate inflammation-induced injury in vascular endothelial cells caused by HG, potentially through the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.
Humans ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/genetics* ; Signal Transduction ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells/drug effects* ; Fibroblast Growth Factors/pharmacology* ; Heme Oxygenase-1/physiology* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Glucose ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-6/analysis* ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/genetics* ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II/analysis* ; Cells, Cultured

OBJECTIVE: To explore the association between acupuncture during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) and the live birth rate (LBR) using different propensity score methods. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, eligible women who underwent a COH were divided into acupuncture and non-acupuncture groups. The primary outcome was LBR, as determined by propensity score matching (PSM). LBR was defined as the delivery of one or more living infants that reached a gestational age over 28 weeks after embryo transfer. The propensity score model encompassed 16 confounding variables. To validate the results, sensitivity analyses were conducted using three additional propensity score methods: propensity score adjustment, inverse probability weighting (IPW), and IPW with a "doubly robust" estimator. RESULTS: The primary cohort encompassed 9751 patients (1830 [18.76%] in the acupuncture group and 7921 [81.23%] in the non-acupuncture group). Following 1:1 PSM, a higher LBR was found in the acupuncture cohort (41.4% [755/1824] vs 36.4% [664/1824], with an odds ratio of 1.23 [95% confidence interval, 1.08-1.41]). Three additional propensity score methods produced essentially similar results. The risk of serious adverse events did not significantly differ between the two groups. CONCLUSION This retrospective study revealed an association between acupuncture and an increased LBR among patients undergoing COH, and that acupuncture is a safe and valuable treatment option. Please cite this article as: Zheng XY, Jiang ZY, Li YT, Li CL, Zhu H, Yu Z, Yu SY, Yang LL, Tang SY, Lü XY, Liang FR, Yang J. Association between acupuncture and live birth rates after fresh embryo transfer: A cohort study based on different propensity score methods. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(5):528-536.
Humans ; Female ; Propensity Score ; Embryo Transfer ; Adult ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Pregnancy ; Live Birth ; Birth Rate ; Cohort Studies