Optical imaging is highly valued for its superior temporal and spatial resolution. This is particularly important in near-infrared II (NIR-II, 1 000-3 000 nm) imaging, which offers advantages such as reduced tissue absorption, minimal scattering, and low autofluorescence. These characteristics make NIR-II imaging especially suitable for deep tissue visualization, where high contrast and minimal background interference are critical for accurate diagnosis and monitoring. Currently, inorganic fluorescent probes—such as carbon nanotubes, rare earth nanoparticles, and quantum dots—offer high brightness and stability. However, they are hindered by ambiguous structures, larger sizes, and potential accumulation toxicity in vivo. In contrast, organic fluorescent probes, including small molecules and polymers, demonstrate higher biocompatibility but are limited by shorter emission wavelengths, lower quantum yields, and reduced stability. Recently, gold clusters have emerged as a promising class of nanomaterials with potential applications in biocatalysis, fluorescence sensing, biological imaging, and more. Water-soluble gold clusters are particularly attractive as fluorescent probes due to their remarkable optical properties, including strong photoluminescence, large Stokes shifts, and excellent photostability. Furthermore, their outstanding biocompatibility—attributed to good aqueous stability, ultra-small hydrodynamic size, and high renal clearance efficiency—makes them especially suitable for biomedical applications. Gold clusters hold significant potential for NIR-II fluorescence imaging. Atomic-precision gold clusters, typically composed of tens to hundreds of gold atoms and measuring only a few nanometers in diameter, possess well-defined three-dimensional structures and clear spatial coordination. This atomic-level precision enables fine-tuned structural regulation, further enhancing their fluorescence properties. Variations in cluster size, surface ligands, and alloying elements can result in distinct physicochemical characteristics. The incorporation of different atoms can modulate the atomic and electronic structures of gold clusters, while diverse ligands can influence surface polarity and steric hindrance. As such, strategies like alloying and ligand engineering are effective in enhancing both fluorescence and catalytic performance, thereby meeting a broader range of clinical needs. In recent years, gold clusters have attracted growing attention in the biomedical field. Their application in NIR-II imaging has led to significant progress in vascular, organ, and tumor imaging. The resulting high-resolution, high signal-to-noise imaging provides powerful tools for clinical diagnostics. Moreover, biologically active gold clusters can aid in drug delivery and disease diagnosis and treatment, offering new opportunities for clinical therapeutics. Despite the notable achievements in fundamental research and clinical translation, further studies are required to address challenges related to the standardized synthesis and complex metabolic behavior of gold clusters. Resolving these issues will help accelerate their clinical adoption and broaden their biomedical applications.

Objective:To explore the expression pattern of pyroptosis-related genes(PRGs)in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),and analyze the relationship between its expression and tumor prog-nosis and immune microenvironment.Methods:TCGA database was used to analyze the genetic changes and expression patterns of PRGs in primary HCC cells,and cluster analysis was used to i-dentify the pyrogenic subtypes of HCC.To compare the difference of prognosis and immune mi-croenvironment among HCC pyrodeath subtypes.Scorch death score quantified the comprehensive expression of PRGs in each sample,and analyzed the correlation between scorch death score and each immune score.Results:Two pyroptosis-associated subtypes of primary HCC were identi-fied,and the expression pattern of PRGs is closely related to the prognosis of cancer patients and the tumor microenvironment.The subtype with high expression of PRGs had a poor prognosis,and functional enrichment analysis found that some tumor-promoting pathways and PD-1 checkpoint pathways were significantly enriched in this subtype.And various cells and immune checkpoints re-lated to immunosuppression were also enriched in this subtype.By constructing PYROPTO-SIS_score to quantify the comprehensive expression of pyroptosis-related genes in each sample,it was found that PYROPTOSIS_score was significantly positively correlated with tumor-infiltrating macrophages,myeloid-derived suppressor cells,and Treg cells.Conclusion:These results sug-gest that pyroptosis may play a tumor-promoting as well as immunosuppressive role in HCC,pro-viding new insights into the assessment of tumor patient prognosis and the immune microenviron-ment.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of manual acupuncture on endometrial blood flow parameters by three-dimensional (3D) power Doppler ultrasound in women undergoing in vitro fertilization embryo transfer (IVF-ET). METHODS: Seventy patients undergoing IVF-ET were equally randomized into traditional or sham acupuncture treatment group for totally 4 days (from the day of oocyte aspiration to the day of embryo transfer) of treatment by random envelope method at the Reproductive Medicine Center and Outpatient Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medicine College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology from January 2013 to December 2015. Patients in the traditional acupuncture group accepted traditional acupuncture methods with manual acupuncture, and Zhongji (CV3), Qihai (CV 6), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Taichong (LR 3), Tianshu (ST 25), Guilai (ST 29) and Zusanli (ST 36) were chosen. Patients at the sham acupuncture group accepted shallow acupuncture methods at 4 non-meridian points at each shoulder and upper arm. Outcome measures included endometrial ultrasonic indices such as vascularization index (VI), flow index (FI) and vascularization flow index (VFI), endometrial thickness and volume, subendometrial VI (sVI), subendometrial FI (sFI), subendometrial VFI (sVFI), implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, abortion rate, live birth rate and number of live births. RESULTS: Finally, 34 patients in the traditional acupuncture group and 35 in the sham acupuncture group completed this trial. VI, FI and VFI of the traditional acupuncture group were significantly higher than those in the sham acupuncture group (P<0.05). No significant differences were found in endometrial thickness, endometrial volume, sVI, sFI, sVFI, implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, abortion rate, live birth rate and number of live births (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS Manual acupuncture performed after oocyte aspiration and before transplantation improved the endometrial blood flow parameters VI, RI and VFI in women who underwent IVF-ET, instead of sVI, sFI and sVFI. Therefore, acupuncture might be beneficial in women undergoing IVF-ET by increasing endometrial blood flow and endometrial receptivity. (Registration No. ChiCTR2100053354).
Pregnancy ; Humans ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro/methods* ; Single-Blind Method ; Embryo Transfer ; Pregnancy Rate ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Endometrium/blood supply*

Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) refers to damage to the structure and function of spinal cord caused by external trauma. This damage results in the loss of sensation, movement, or autonomous functions, which can lead to partial or complete paralysis and impact the patients’ independence and quality of life. Studying drugs related to spinal cord injuries and their mechanisms of action will help enhance patients’ quality of life and alleviate social and economic burdens. Traumatic spinal cord injury can be categorized into primary and secondary injuries. It leads to ongoing neurodegeneration, inflammation, and scarring, necessitating continuous intervention to reduce the cascading effects of secondary injuries. Regenerative repair of SCI has been one of the most challenging problems in medicine. It is characterized by the involvement of microglia, phagocytes (including neutrophils and monocytes), and antigen-presenting cells of the central nervous system, such as dendritic cells. These inflammatory mediators contribute to axonal demyelination and degeneration, leading to severe nerve damage. Currently, there has been little progress in the clinical treatment of SCI. Current clinical modalities, such as surgical interventions and hormone shock therapies, have not yielded specific pharmacotherapeutic options, hindering significant functional recovery. The current treatment methods are ineffective in alleviating oxidative stress and neuroinflammatory responses caused by spinal cord injury. They also do not offer neural protection, resulting in ongoing neurofunctional degradation. Intravenous injection of methylprednisolone through the arm has been used as a treatment option for spinal cord injury. Recent studies have shown that the potential side effects of the drug, such as blood clots and pneumonia, outweigh its benefits. Methylprednisolone is no longer recommended for the routine treatment of spinal cord injury. In recent years, significant progress has been made in spinal cord injury intervention through the use of nanotechnology and biomaterials. Nanozymes can enhance the therapeutic efficacy of spinal cord injury by catalyzing the clearance of free radicals similar to enzymes and suppressing inflammatory responses. Nanozymes can reduce the degree of fibrosis, promote neuron survival and angiogenesis, and provide favorable conditions for tissue regeneration. Through in vitro and in vivo toxicology experiments, it was found that the nanozyme demonstrates good biocompatibility and safety. It did not cause any significant changes in body weight, hematological indicators, or histopathology. These findings indicate the potential for its clinical applications. Based on current research results and discoveries, nanozymes have broad application prospects in the biomedical field. There are numerous potential research directions and application areas that are worthy of further exploration and development. Although there have been preliminary studies on the catalytic performance of nanozymes, further research is needed to thoroughly investigate their catalytic mechanisms. Further exploration of the interaction between nanozymes and substrates, reaction kinetics, and factors affecting catalytic activity will help to better understand their mechanism of action in the field of biocatalysis.

Objective: To explore the balance of peripheral blood T helper 17 cells/regulatory T cell (Th17/Treg) ratio and the polarization ratio of M1 and M2 macrophages in lower extremity arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO). Methods: A rat model of lower extremity ASO was established, and blood samples from patients with lower extremity ASO before and after surgery were obtained. ELISA was used to detect interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-10, and IL-17. Real-time RCR and Western blot analyses were used to detect Foxp3, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-17 expression. Moreover, flow cytometry was applied to detect the Th17/Treg ratio and M1/M2 ratio. Results: Compared with the control group, the iliac artery wall of ASO rats showed significant hyperplasia, and the concentrations of cholesterol and triglyceride were significantly increased (P<0.01), indicating the successful establishment of ASO. Moreover, the levels of IL-6 and IL-17 in ASO rats were pronouncedly increased (P<0.05), while the IL-10 level was significantly decreased (P<0.05). In addition to increased IL-6 and IL-17 levels, the mRNA and protein levels of Foxp3 and IL-10 in ASO rats were significantly decreased compared with the control group. The Th17/Treg and M1/M2 ratios in the ASO group were markedly increased (P<0.05). These alternations were also observed in ASO patients. After endovascular surgery (such as percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and arterial stenting), all these changes were significantly improved (P<0.05). Conclusions: The Th17/Treg and M1/M2 ratios were significantly increased in ASO, and surgery can effectively improve the balance of Th17/Treg, and reduce the ratio of M1/M2, and the expression of inflammatory factors.

BACKGROUND:Early identification of patients requiring ventilator support will be beneficial for the outcomes of botulism.The present study aimed to establish a new scoring system to predict mechanical ventilation(MV)for botulism patients. METHODS:A single-center retrospective study was conducted to identify risk factors associated with MV in botulism patients from 2007 to 2022.Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to screen out risk factors for constructing a prognostic scoring system.The area under the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was calculated. RESULTS:A total of 153 patients with botulism(66 males and 87 females,with an average age of 43 years)were included.Of these,49 patients(32.0%)required MV,including 21(13.7%)with invasive ventilation and 28(18.3%)with non-invasive ventilation.Multivariate analysis revealed that botulinum toxin type,pneumonia,incubation period,degree of hypoxia,and severity of muscle involvement were independent risk factors for MV.These risk factors were incorporated into a multivariate logistic regression analysis to establish a prognostic scoring system.Each risk factor was scored by allocating a weight based on its regression coefficient and rounded to whole numbers for practical utilization([botulinum toxin type A:1],[pneumonia:2],[incubation period≤1 day:2],[hypoxia<90%:2],[severity of muscle involvement:grade II,3;grade III,7;grade IV,11]).The scoring system achieved an area under the ROC curve of 0.82(95%CI 0.75-0.89,P<0.001).At the optimal threshold of 9,the scoring system achieved a sensitivity of 83.7%and a specificity of 70.2%. CONCLUSION:Our study identified botulinum toxin type,pneumonia,incubation period,degree of hypoxia,and severity of muscle involvement as independent risk factors for MV in botulism patients.A score≥9 in our scoring system is associated with a higher likelihood of requiring MV in botulism patients.This scoring system needs to be validated externally before it can be applied in clinical settings.

Objective To investigate the dynamic expression with the time change of N6-methyladenosine(m6A)methylation-related factors in the repair process of skeletal muscle injury and its mechanism in the inflammatory response of macrophage in the injure process.Methods In vivo mice models of BaCl2 injury in the gastrocnemius were established.Four mice per group in the control group and injury group.Gastrocnemius tissues were harvested at day 1,3,5,7,and 9 after injury for experiments.Primary gastrocnemius muscle tissue cells,muscle satellite cells,muscle cells,and cell line C2C12 cells were treated with dexamethasone(DEX,50 μmol/L)to mimic injury.Lipopolysaccharide(LPS,100 μg/L)induced RAW264.7 cell lines to mimic the inflammatory response after skeletal muscle injury,and STM2457(30 μmol/L)was added to inhibit the effect of methyltransferase 3(Mettl3)before LPS treatment.The expression of m6A methylation-related factors(Writers,Erasers,Readers)and inflammation factors were detected by Real-time PCR and Western blotting.Results The muscle fibers were dissolved and then gradually repaired with the extension of injury time,the number of monocytes/macrophages increased first and then decreased,and the Pax7 mRNA level increased first and then decreased with the change of injury time.Compared with the control group,the mRNA and protein levels of m6A methylation-related factors in gastrocnemius did not change significantly on the injury-1 day.However,they were significantly increased on the injury-3 days compared with the control group(P＜0.05),and then obviously decreased on the injury-5 days group compared with the injury-3 days group(P＜0.05).Compared with the control group,they were no significant differences on the injury-7 days group and-9 days group.In vitro DEX decreased the mRNA levels of m6A methyltransferase factors in primary muscle satellite cells and C2C12 cells and increased the mRNA expression level of methylation-recognition enzyme factors(P＜0.05).The mRNA levels of m6A methylation-related factors increased significantly in skeletal muscle tissue cells and myocytes after DEX treatment(P＜0.05).After LPS treatment,the mRNA and protein expression levels of m6A methylation-related factors and the mRNA expression levels of inflammatory factors interleukin(IL)-6 and IL-1β in macrophages increased significantly(P＜0.05),while the levels of IL-6 and IL-1β mRNA in macrophages decreased significantly when the Mettl3 was inhibited(P＜0.05).Conclusion m6A methylation-related factors primarily is activated in the damaged muscle cells and inflammation response of macrophages.Inhibition of m6A methyltransferase can reduce the inflammatory response of macrophages.

Objective To investigate disease characteristics and hospitalization costs of children with Mycoplasma Pneumoniae pneumonia(MPP)admitted to Shanghai municipal medical hospitals from 2019 to 2023.Methods Depending on the Shanghai Municipal Hospital Pediatric Alliance,we retrospectively investigated community acquired MPP pediatric patients hospitalized in 22 municipal hospitals with pediatric qualifications(including 4 children's hospitals)in Shanghai from Jan 2019 to Dec 2023.We collected the patients'diagnosis codes,gender,age,length of hospital stay,hospitalization costs,and whether they progressed to severe Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia(SMPP).Results From 2019 to 2023,a total of 29 045 hospitalized children with MPP were treated,with 6 035 cases(20.8%)identified as SMPP in the 22 hospitals.Trend analysis revealed a rising trend with years in the proportion of SMPP patients(χ2trend=365.498,P<0.001).Among the 4 children's hospitals,there were 18 710 cases with MPP,including 4 078 cases(21.8%)of SMPP.The proportion of SMPP patients also showed an increasing trend with years(χ2trend=14.548,P<0.001),and the proportion in 2023(23.0%)was higher than that in previous years with statistical significance.There were statistical differences in the seasonal distribution of MPP cases between different years,with higher proportions in summer and autumn overall.The age distribution of hospitalized MPP children varied among different years,with school-age children accounting for the majority(56.8%)in 2023.There was no difference in the distribution of severe cases between different genders,but there were differences in the proportion of severe cases among different age groups in different years,with a gradual increase in severe cases among children aged 1 to 3 years(χ2trend=191.567,P<0.001).The average length of hospital stay for MPP during the epidemic was higher than that during non-epidemic periods,and there were statistically significant differences in the average length of hospital stay between different years(P<0.001).The individual hospitalization costs during the epidemic were higher than in other years,and there were statistically significant differences in individual hospitalization costs between different years(P<0.001).The total hospitalization costs were still higher in 2019 and 2023.The individual hospitalization costs for SMPP were higher than for non-SMPP cases.Conclusion MPP outbreaks occurred in Shanghai in 2019 and 2023,with the higher proportions in summer and autumn overall.Compared to previous years,the number of hospitalized MPP children in Shanghai was higher in 2023,with a higher proportion of SMPP cases,especially among children under 3 years old.The individual per capita hospitalization expenses for SMPP cases were higher than for non-SMPP cases.

AIM:To investigate the mechanism by which wogonin(WOG)induces ferroptosis in collagen-in-duced arthritis rat fibroblast-like synoviocytes(rat CIA-FLS cells)through the nuclear factor E2-related factor 2(NRF2)/heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)signaling pathway.METHODS:Rat CIA-FLS cells were divided into:control group,low,medium,and high dose of(25,50 and 100 μmol/L)WOG group,ferroptosis inhibitor(LIP-1)group,LIP-1+high dose WOG group,HO-1 agonist cobalt protoporphyrin(COPP)group,and COPP+high dose WOG group.CCK-8 assay was used for cell viability.Crystal violet staining was used for for cell morphology.The levels of oxidative stress markers gluta-thione(GSH),malondialdehyde(MDA),and superoxide dismutase(SOD)were measured.DCFH-DA fluorescent probe was used to detect the intracellular reactive oxygen species(ROS)content as well as Western blot to detect the protein ex-pression levels of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1(KEAP-1),NRF2 and HO-1.RESULTS:Compared with the nor-mal control group,administration of WOG treatment resulted in a significant decrease in CIA-FLS cell viability(P<0.01),a significant increase in the level of oxidative stress(P<0.01),a significant increase in the content of ROS(P<0.01),a significant decrease in the level of expression of NRF2 and HO-1 proteins(P<0.01),and a significant increase in the level of KEAP-1(P<0.01)in the rat.Compared with the WOG group,the LIP-1-treated group showed a significant increase in cell viability(P<0.01),a significant decrease in the level of oxidative stress(P<0.01),and a significant de-crease in the content of ROS(P<0.01).Compared with the WOG group,the addition of COPP resulted in a significant in-crease in the protein expression levels of NRF2 and HO-1(P<0.01)and a significant decrease in KEAP-1 levels(P<0.01).CONCLUSION:WOG can induce ferroptosis in rat CIA-FLS cells by promoting oxidative stress through the NRF2/HO-1 signaling pathway.

Objective To observe the safety and effectiveness of single dose intravenous infusion of tranexamic acid(TX-A)in dual level posterior lumbar interbody fusion(PLIF),and to explore the changes and trends in perioperative white blood cell(WBC),erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR),and C-reactive protein(CRP).Methods Between October 2020 and September 2022,46 patients with lumbar degenerative disease were treated with dual level PLIF,including 18 males and 28 females,with an average age of(60.24±10.68)years old,from 34 to 80 years old.They were divided into observation group and control group according to different treatment methods.There were 28 patients in the observation group,including 12 males and 16 females,with an average age of(61.04±9.03)years old.There were 3 cases with lumbar disc herniation(LDH),lumbar spinal stenosis(LSS)18 cases,lumbar spondylolisthesis(LS)7 cases.TXA(1 g/100 ml)was administered intravenously 15 min before skin incision after general anesthesia.The control group consisted of 18 patients,including 6 males and 12 females,with an average age of(59.00±13.04)years old.There were 5 cases with LDH,LSS 9 cases,LS 4 cases,and TXA was not used.The operation time,intraoperative bleeding volume,postoperative drainage volume,postoperative deep vein thrombosis(DVT),postoperative hospital stay,postoperative activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT),prothrombin time(PT),thrombin time(TT),fibrinogen(FIB),platelet(PLT),red blood cell(RBC),hemoglobin(HB),hematocrit(HCT),the first day,the fourth day,the seventh day and the last tested after operation WBC,ESR and CRP were recorded.Results The postop-erative wounds of the patients healed well and there was no DVT.46 patients were followed up from 3 to 6 months.The intraop-erative blood loss was 400.0(300.0,500.0)ml and the postoperative drainage was 260.0(220.0,450.0)ml in the observation group,which were lower than the control group[600.0(400.0,1000.0)ml,395.0(300.0,450.0)ml],P＜0.05.There was no significant difference between the two groups in operation time,postoperative hospital stay,postoperative APTT,PT,TT,FIB,PLT,RBC,HB,HCT,and postoperative WBC,ESR and CRP at different times(P＞0.05).Conclusion Single dose intravenous infusion of TXA can reduce the blood loss of bi-segmental PLIF,and has no significant effect on WBC,ESR and CRP after op-eration.