To investigate the mechanism of Jianpi Qutan Formula in regulating the balance between classically activated macrophages(M1) and alternatively activated macrophages(M2) in atherosclerotic plaques through phosphorylation and activation of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 6(STAT6), thereby reducing inflammation, increasing plaque stability, and exerting anti-atherosclerosis(AS) effects. An AS model was established by feeding apolipoprotein E(ApoE)~(-/-) mice with atherosclerotic chow for 8 weeks. The ApoE~(-/-) mice were randomly divided into a model group(Mod group), a Jianpi Qutan Formula group(JPQT group, 8.97 g·kg~(-1)), and a Atorvastatin Calcium Tablets group(ATO group, 1.3 mg·kg~(-1)) according to a random table method, with 10 mice in each group. Additionally, 10 male C57BL/6J mice of the same age, fed with a normal diet, were set as the control group(Con group). The JPQT and ATO groups received their respective treatments via oral gavage for 8 consecutive weeks, while the Con and Mod groups were administered an equivalent volume of saline. Body weight was continuously monitored, and after blood collection, total cholesterol(TC) and triglyceride(TG) levels in the serum of each group were compared. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining and oil red O staining were used to observe plaque formation in aortic tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was employed to detect the expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin(IL)-6 and IL-12, as well as the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the positive expression of aortic cluster of differentiation(CD)86 and CD206. Western blot analysis was conducted to detect the protein expression levels of aortic inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS), arginase 1(Arg1), STAT6, and p-STAT6. Compared to the Con group, the Mod group exhibited increased body weight and blood lipid levels, disordered aortic structure, significant AS plaque formation accompanied by extensive lipid deposition, and elevated serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-12, as well as elevated CD86 and iNOS protein levels. In contrast, the serum levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, along with the protein expression levels of CD206, Arg1, and p-STAT6/STAT6, were reduced. Compared to the Mod group, the drug intervention groups showed improvements in body weight and lipid metabolism, with a more significant improvement in aortic structure, reduced lipid accumulation, decreased serum levels of IL-6 and IL-12, and lower CD86 and iNOS protein levels. Meanwhile, levels of IL-10, CD206, Arg1, and p-STAT6/STAT6 increased. Jianpi Qutan Formula improves AS by regulating the imbalance in M1/M2 macrophage polarization, and its mechanism is likely closely related to the activation of the STAT6 signaling pathway.
Animals ; Atherosclerosis/metabolism* ; Male ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Mice ; Macrophages/cytology* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; STAT6 Transcription Factor/immunology* ; Humans ; Apolipoproteins E/genetics* ; Interleukin-6/immunology*

Researchers commonly use cyclization recombination enzyme/locus of X-over P1 (Cre/loxP) technology-based conditional gene knockouts of model mice to investigate the functional roles of genes of interest in Sertoli and Leydig cells within the testis. However, the shortcomings of these genetic tools include high costs, lengthy experimental periods, and limited accessibility for researchers. Therefore, exploring alternative gene silencing techniques is of great practical value. In this study, we employed adeno-associated virus (AAV) as a vector for gene silencing in Sertoli and Leydig cells. Our findings demonstrated that AAV serotypes 1, 8, and 9 exhibited high infection efficiency in both types of testis cells. Importantly, we discovered that all three AAV serotypes exhibited exquisite specificity in targeting Sertoli cells via tubular injection while demonstrating remarkable selectivity in targeting Leydig cells via interstitial injection. We achieved cell-specific knockouts of the steroidogenic acute regulatory ( Star ) and luteinizing hormone/human chorionic gonadotropin receptor (Lhcgr) genes in Leydig cells, but not in Sertoli cells, using AAV9-single guide RNA (sgRNA)-mediated gene editing in Rosa26-LSL-Cas9 mice. Knockdown of androgen receptor ( Ar ) gene expression in Sertoli cells of wild-type mice was achieved via tubular injection of AAV9-short hairpin RNA (shRNA)-mediated targeting. Our findings offer technical approaches for investigating gene function in Sertoli and Leydig cells through AAV9-mediated gene silencing.
Animals ; Male ; Leydig Cells/metabolism* ; Mice ; Dependovirus/genetics* ; Sertoli Cells/metabolism* ; Gene Silencing ; Genetic Vectors ; Testis/cytology*

OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of the Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System version 2.1 (PI-RADS v2.1) score combined with PSA density (PSAD) in the diagnosis of clinically significant prostate cancer (CSPCa) in the PSA grey zone by MRI-TRUS cognitive fusion-guided transperineal targeted prostate biopsy. METHODS: This retrospective study included 327 male patients with total PSA (tPSA) levels of 4-10 μg/L undergoing MRI-TRUS cognitive fusion-guided transperineal targeted prostate biopsy in our hospital between January 2021 and December 2023. According to the pathological results, we divided the patients into a CSPCa (n = 44) and a non-CSPCa group (n = 283), collected their clinical and imaging data, and subjected them to statistical analysis. RESULTS: The age, tPSA level, PSAD and PI-RADS score were significantly higher, while the free PSA (fPSA) level, f/tPSA ratio and prostate volume remarkably lower in the CSPCa than in the non-CSPCa group (P<0.05). The areas under the curve (AUCs) of PSAD, PI-RADS score and their combination were 0.772, 0.730 and 0.801, with sensitivities of 63.63%, 70.45% and 72.73%, and specificities of 84.10%, 75.62% and 83.75%, respectively (P<0.01). With PSAD 0.2 μg/(ml·cm3) as the best cut-off value and based on the PI-RADS scores, the patients were divided into two groups for analysis. In the patients with PI-RADS scores 2 and 5, the AUCs were 0.534 and 0.643, with sensitivities of 16.67% and 63.64%, and specificities of 85.14% and 64.29%, with no statistically significant differences (P= 0.784, P= 0.228), and in those with PI-RADS scores 3 and 4, the AUCs were 0.794 and 0.843, with sensitivities of 57.14% and 80.00%, and specificities of 87.14% and 81.82%, with statistically significant differences (P= 0.009, P<0.001). CONCLUSION PI-RADS v2.1 score combined with PSAD can effectively improve the diagnostic efficiency of CSPCa in the PSA grey zone by MRI-TRUS cognitive fusion-guided transperineal targeted prostate biopsy and serve as a guide for selection of prostate biopsy.
Humans ; Male ; Prostatic Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging* ; Retrospective Studies ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Image-Guided Biopsy ; Prostate/pathology* ; Aged ; Middle Aged

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Qixian Tongluo Formula in the treatment of post-cerebral infarction paralysis with kidney deficiency and blood stasis syndrome,and to preliminarily explore the molecular mechanism of Qixian Tongluo Formula in improving impaired motor function from the perspective of cross-kingdom regulation of Chinese medicine microRNA(miRNA).Methods A pragmatic randomized controlled trial was conducted with 102 patients in the recovery period of post-cerebral infarction paralysis with kidney deficiency and blood stasis syndrome in our hospital.Patients were randomly divided into trial group and control group,with 51 cases in each group.The control group received standard Western medicine standard treatment,while the trial group received Qixian Tongluo Formula in addition to the standard treatment,with one dose per day,boiled in water,and taken warm after breakfast and dinner for a course of 2 months.The disability rate was used as the main efficacy indicator,and the incidence of adverse reactions was used as a safety indicator.miRNA from patient serum and Qixian Tongluo decoction were extracted respectively,and high-throughput sequencing was performed.The two sequences were compared to screen out the cross-kingdom gene transfer of Chinese medicine miRNA.Finally,its target genes of miRNA were predicted,and GO function and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis were carried out.Results A total of 67 patients completed the clinical trial,including 36 cases in the trial group and 31 cases in the control group;The disability rate in the trial group(13.9%)was lower than that in the control group(35.5%)(P<0.05);The incidence of adverse reactions was similar between the trial group(7.69%)and the control group(6.06%)(P>0.05);A total of 9530 Qixian Tongluo decoction miRNA sequences were screened,with 150 potentially involved in cross-kingdom gene transfer,including families such as miR-15 and miR-17;According to the target gene prediction of the top 10 miRNAs in cross-kingdom gene transfer of Chinese medicine,345 overlapping target genes were obtained;GO functional enrichment analysis revealed 16 biological processes,7 cellular components,and 2 molecular functions among the top 25 enriched functions,while KEGG pathway analysis mainly focused on the transforming growth factor-βsignaling pathway,neurotrophin signaling pathway,which are closely related to neural repair and functional recovery processes such as glial scar formation and synaptic plasticity after cerebral ischemia.Conclusion Qixian Tongluo Formula can significantly improve the functional independence level of patients with kidney deficiency and blood stasis syndrome in the recovery period of paralysis after cerebral infarction,offering a safe and effective treatment option for these patients;There were a large number of miRNAs in Qixian Tongluo decoction,some of which could cross-kingdom transferred into the human blood circulation,and promote the recovery of motor function in patients with cerebral infarction through multi-target,multi link and multi pathway gene network regulation.This study provides a new idea for subsequent clinical and basic research.

Aim To identify the underlying target of bullatine A(BA)against rheumatoid arthritis(RA)u-sing limited proteolysis-small molecule mapping(LiP-SMap)drug target proteomics and to provide a scientif-ic basis for clinical application of Aconiti brachypodi Radix in the treatment of RA.Methods LiP-SMap drug target proteomics was employed to perform bioin-formatics analysis for comparing and validating the dif-ferential protein expression after BA intervention.A collagen-induced arthritis(CIA)model was estab-lished in DBA/1 mice using bovine type Ⅱ collagen.The mice were then divided into the CIA model group,methotrexate-positive control group(MTX group),and BA groups(10 mg·kg-1 and 20 mg·kg-1)based on their clinical scores.After drug intervention,the thera-peutic efficacy against RA was assessed by joint index scores and foot thickness measurements.Histopatholog-ical changes in the arthritic joints of CIA mice were e-valuated using hematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was employed to detect inflammatory cytokines interleukin-17(IL-17)and total IgG and IgG3 anti-collagen-spe-cific antibodies levels from the serum of CIA mice.Flow cytometry was used to detect the expression levels of intracellular Th17 cells(IL-17+CD4+T cells)and Th1 cells(IFN-γ+CD4+T cells).Fluorescent quanti-tative PCR was performed to detect the expression of genes related to differential proteins.Results The proteomic analysis identified Serpinb1a as a protein with strong binding affinity to BA,and KEGG enrich-ment analysis indicated IL-17 signaling pathway was a crucial pathway of BA in against RA.BA treatment significantly reduced clinical scores and foot thickness,improved local arthritis symptoms in CIA mice,and al-leviated inflammatory cell infiltration into arthritic joints(P＜0.05).Differential protein validation re-sults showed that BA had strong affinity with Serpinb1a(-5.92 kJ·mol-1)and downregulated the expres-sion of Serpinb1a mRNA.Furthermore,the administra-tion of BA markedly reduced serum IL-17 A levels from CIA mice,inhibited the expression of intracellular IL-17 A and IFN-γ cytokines in splenic CD4+T cells(P＜0.05),and significantly downregulated the transcrip-tional expression of IL-17F(P＜0.05).Conclusion BA exhibits therapeutic effects on collagen-induced arthritis,and its mechanism of action may involve the regulation of Serpinb1a and the IL-17 signaling path-way.

Objective:To explore the clinical effect of the whole-process management scheme of daytime minimally invasive liver resection surgery based on the enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) concept.Methods:This is a retrospective case series study. The data of 55 patients who underwent minimally invasive daytime liver resection surgery under the ERAS concept at the Department of General Surgery,Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine from January 2023 to August 2024. There were 22 males and 33 females;aged (48.2±15.1) years (range: 16 to 77 years). All patients were classified as Grade 2 according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification. Among them, 7 cases were complicated with liver cirrhosis and 10 cases had fatty liver. A multidisciplinary team was formed, consisting of surgeons, anesthesiologists, rehabilitation physicians, psychologists, pharmacists, acute pain management team, operating room nurses, day surgery ward nurses, and ERAS specialized nurses. After strict evaluation by surgeons and anesthesiologists, patients suitable for daytime liver resection surgery were implemented with the ERAS whole-process management plan for liver resection on the basis of routine nursing care.Results:Among the 55 patients, 50 were discharged smoothly within 48 hours, while 5 were transferred to specialized departments for further treatment due to not meeting the discharge criteria, with a smooth daytime discharge rate of 90.9%. Among the 50 patients, 30 underwent laparoscopic surgery and 20 underwent robotic-assisted surgery. The surgery time was (91.6±28.2)minutes(range:45 to 165 minutes), with the intraoperative blood loss of only (30.5±25.5)ml(range:5 to 100 ml). Pathological examination results showed that among the 50 patients, 13 cases had hepatocellular carcinoma, 21 cases had hepatic hemangioma, 4 cases had hepatic cyst, 8 cases had focal nodular hyperplasia, 1 case had low-grade dysplastic nodule, 1 case had hepatolithiasis, 1 case had lymphoma, and 1 case had vascular, fibrous and lymphoid tissue proliferation. There were 44.0% patients who were able to get out of bed on the day of surgery. The hospital stay was (1.8±0.4)days(range:1 to 2 days), and the hospitalization cost was (34 499±20 330)yuan(range:11 724 to 73 488 yuan). No complications requiring special treatment outside the conventional pathway were observed during the hospital stay and follow-up period. At the 2-week outpatient follow-up, no significant abnormalities were found in all patients, and the wound healing was good.Conclusions:The daytime liver resection surgery based on the ERAS whole-process management plan has shown good feasibility in clinical practice. It helps to simplify medical process, shorten hospital stay, and reduce medical costs.

Hematologic malignancies,such as lymphoma,myeloma,and myeloid neoplasms,can occur in extramedullary tissues.Traditional histopathological morphology and immunohistochemical staining have lim-itations,including time-consuming specimen processing,prolonged reporting cycles,and relatively low sensi-tivity in cases of limited cell numbers.Flow cytometry offers significant advantages in detecting tissue sam-ples,such as rapid processing,shorter reporting cycles,and high accuracy and sensitivity,making it an effective complement to histopathological and immunohistochemical methods.However,the application of flow cytome-try in tissue sample detection currently lacks standardized protocols for sample collection and preservation,single-cell suspension preparation,antibody panel design for limited samples,data analysis,and result repor-ting.To promote the standardized application of flow cytometry in detecting hematologic tumor cells in tissue samples,the Cell Analysis Professional Committee of the Chinese Society of Biotechnology organized experts to develop the Chinese Expert Consensus on Flow Cytometry for Detecting Hematologic Tumor Cells in Tis-sue Samples(hereinafter referred to as the Consensus).This Consensus elaborates on the technical aspects of flow cytometry for tissue sample detection,covering sample processing,antibody panel design,data analysis,reporting content,and quality management.It particularly emphasizes recommended antibody panels and data analysis methods for flow cytometry when tissue sample cell counts are low.This article aims to interpret the key points of the Consensus to facilitate its better application in clinical practice.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to reexplore minimum iodine excretion and to build a dietary iodine recommendation for Chinese adults using the obligatory iodine loss hypothesis. METHODS: Data from 171 Chinese adults (19-21 years old) were collected and analyzed based on three balance studies in Shenzhen, Yinchuan, and Changzhi. The single exponential equation was accordingly used to simulate the trajectory of 24 h urinary iodine excretion as the low iodine experimental diets offered (iodine intake: 11-26 μg/day) and to further deduce the dietary reference intakes (DRIs) for iodine, including estimated average requirement (EAR) and recommended nutrient intake (RNI). RESULTS: The minimum iodine excretion was estimated as 57, 58, and 51 μg/day in three balance studies, respectively. Moreover, it was further suggested as 57, 58, and 51 μg/day for iodine EAR, and 80, 81, and 71 μg/day for iodine RNI or expressed as 1.42, 1.41, and 1.20 μg/(day·kg) of body weight. CONCLUSION The iodine DRIs for Chinese adults were established based on the obligatory iodine loss hypothesis, which provides scientific support for the amendment of nutrient requirements.
Humans ; Iodine/administration & dosage* ; Male ; Female ; China ; Young Adult ; Diet ; Adult ; Nutritional Requirements ; East Asian People