Glioma is difficult to treat due to the unique tumor microenvironment and blood-brain barrier. (13aS)-3-Hydroxyl-6,7-dimethoxyphenanthro[9,10-b] indolizidine (PF403), a phenanthroindolizidine alkaloid, has been identified as a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of glioma. However, the anti-glioma mechanism of PF403 in vivo has not been conclusively verified and must be further elucidated. Hence, a strategy without chemical modification was applied to identify the target of PF403. In this study, we identified nicotinamide phosphoribosyl transferase (NAMPT) as the target of PF403 by using thermal proteome profiling (TPP). Moreover, microscale thermophoresis (MST), surface plasmon resonance (SPR), and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) experiments confirmed that NAMPT exhibits good affinity for PF403. Direct and indirect enzyme activity assays revealed that PF403 inhibited the catalytic activity of NAMPT, leading to a decrease in the concentration of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺) in U87 cells. X-ray diffraction and amino acid spot mutation experiments revealed that PF403 primarily relies on the formation of pi-pi interactions with residue Tyr188 to maintain binding with NAMPT (PDB code 8Y55). After NAMPT was knocked down with lentivirus, PF403 lost or partially lost its antitumor activity at the cellular and animal levels. These findings suggest that PF403 exerts antitumor activity by directly targeting NAMPT.

Objective:To evaluate the feasibility and outcomes of transnasal endoscopic clipping of the paraclival internal carotid artery (ICA) in skull base surgery.Methods:The paraclival ICA was anatomically dissected in cadaveric head specimens. The clinical data of 15 patients with skull base lesions involving the ICA who admitted to the Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery at Tianjin Huanhu Hospital from January 2021 to December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 4 patients underwent transnasal endoscopic clipping of the paraclival ICA and concurrent lesion resection. The surgical methods were summarized, and the key points and indications of this technique were analyzed.Results:Intraoperative clipping of the ICA was successful and hemostatic in all 4 patients. Postoperatively, 3 patients had no complications, while 1 patient developed delayed ischemic cerebral infarction. Two patients were cured, 1 patient was maintained on immunotherapy, and 1 patient died. During follow-up, the clip was in situ in 1 patient, had detached in another, and was obscured by temporal muscle coverage in the remaining 2 patients.Conclusions:Transnasal endoscopic clipping of the paraclival ICA represents a potential option for managing the ICA in skull base surgery. However, it carries significant risks and limitations, mandating careful patient selection based on specific circumstances.

Body weight abnormalities, including overweight, obesity, and underweight, have become a dual public health challenge in Chinese adults: overweight and obesity lead to a variety of chronic complications, while underweight increases the risks of malnutrition, sarcopenia, and organ dysfunction. To systematically address these issues, multidisciplinary experts in endocrinology, sports science, nutrition, and psychiatry from various regions have held multiple weight management seminars. Based on the latest epidemiological data and clinical evidence, they expanded the guideline to include assessment and intervention strategies for underweight, in addition to the core content of obesity management. This guideline outlines the etiological mechanisms, evaluation methods, and multidimensional management strategies for overweight and obesity, covering key areas such as diagnosis and assessment, medical nutrition therapy, exercise prescription, pharmacological intervention, and psychological support. It is intended to provide a scientific and standardized approach to weight management across the adult population, aiming to curb the rising prevalence of obesity, mitigate complications associated with abnormal body weight, and improve nutritional status and overall quality of life.

Objective:To analyze the genetic characteristics of the prevalent strains of Varicella-Zoster virus (VZV) in the population of Dali, Yunnan, and to understand its evolutionary status in the population of Dali.Methods:Herpes fluid and 163 sera were collected from 249 patients clinically suspected to have varicella or herpes zoster in the Department of Dermatology of the Second People′s Hospital of Dali city, Yunnan province, China, from 2023 to 2024. The levels of VZV-specific IgG and IgM antibodies in serum were detected using enzyme-linked immunoassay. Viral DNA was extracted from the herpes fluid, and the cycle threshold ( Ct) of the samples was detected using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and some samples with Ct ≦ 22 were selected for sequencing by next-generation sequencing technology (next-generation sequencing). Next-generation sequencing (NGS) was used to obtain 90 whole genome sequences of VZV, and the sequencing result were compared with the sequences of reference strains for multiple sequence comparison and evolutionary analysis. Snapgene was used to translate the nucleotides into amino acids, and the result were compared with the amino acid sequences of the reference strain. Results:Of the 90 VZV whole-genome sequences, one whole-genome sequence was from an adult varicella patient, and the remaining 89 whole-genome sequences were from herpes zoster patients. The serum-specific IgG antibody positivity rate was 99.4%, and the IgM antibody positivity rate was 52.8%. The result of both single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) site typing and genome-wide phylogenetic tree analysis showed that 83 of the 90 VZV whole-genome sequences in this study were on the same branch as Clade 2, and 7 VZV whole-genome sequences were on the branch of Clade 9.Conclusions:The main endemic branch in Dali region in 2023-2024 was Clade 2, with the emergence of Clade 9 branch; there were amino acid mutations in the proteins encoded by ORF22 and ORF68 in 83 VZV whole genome sequences of Clade 2 branch, and the mutations did not cause significant changes to the protein structure.

In proton therapy,prompt gamma-ray imaging is considered as one of the most promising methods for assessing proton beam range.Prompt gamma-ray imaging detector evaluates the proton beam range based on the prompt gamma-ray distribution obtained by the prompt gamma-ray imaging system,which enables high-precision measurement of the proton beam range.Herein a proton beam range verification algorithm is designed for the newly developed prototype of the range verification detector(pixelated prompt gamma-ray imaging detector),which verifies the range estimation accuracy of the prototype for different phantoms and different energies of homogeneous media through Monte Carlo simulation.The results show that the accuracy of the proton beam range verification algorithm is within 0.5 mm of the safety margin error of the Bragg peak,and the measurement accuracy is significantly improved with the increase of the number of protons,indicating that the prototype algorithm is feasible for proton beam range verification.

This study was aimed at exploring the prevalence and drug sensitivity of Gordonia strains isolated from sputum samples in Henan Province,to provide data to aid in the prevention and treatment of Gordonia infection.A combination of 16S rDNA and sec A1 gene sequencing was used to identify the isolated strains,and susceptibility to16 drugs was determined with the broth microdilution method.A total of 21 strains were identified through 16S rDNA gene and sec A1 gene sequencing,including five strains of Gordonia broncians,eight strains of Gordonia paraphernivans,seven strains of Gordonia sputi,and one strain of Gordonia aichiensis.Drug sensi-tivity testing showed high Gordonia sensitivity to drugs such as ceftriaxone,linezolid,doxycycline,amoxicillin/clavulanic acid,mino-cycline,cefotaxime,trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole,imipenem,tobramycin,and clarithromycin.The sensitivity rates of the isolated strains were 90.48%(19/21),100%(21/21),90.48%(19/21),90.48%(19/21),95.24%(20/21),90.48%(19/21),90.48%(19/21),90.48%(19/21),and 95.24%(20/21),respectively.Gordonia showed high resistance to rifampicin and cefepime,with rates of 28.57%(6/21)and 19.05%(4/21),respectively.Meanwhile,the resistance varied among bacterial strains.The resistance rate of G.sputi to rifampicin reached 71.43%(5/7),whereas that of G.parapffinivoras to cefepime was 37.5%(3/8).The main species of Gordo-nia isolated from sputum samples of patients in Henan Province were G.bronchialis,G.paraffinivoras,G.sputi,and G.aichiensis.Drug sensitivity tests indicated that drugs including amoxicillin/clavulanic acid,ceftriaxone,cefotaxime,tobramycin,clarithromycin,mi-nocycline,trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole,linezolid,and doxycycline had good antibacterial effects against Gordonia.

This study was aimed at exploring the prevalence and drug sensitivity of Gordonia strains isolated from sputum samples in Henan Province,to provide data to aid in the prevention and treatment of Gordonia infection.A combination of 16S rDNA and sec A1 gene sequencing was used to identify the isolated strains,and susceptibility to16 drugs was determined with the broth microdilution method.A total of 21 strains were identified through 16S rDNA gene and sec A1 gene sequencing,including five strains of Gordonia broncians,eight strains of Gordonia paraphernivans,seven strains of Gordonia sputi,and one strain of Gordonia aichiensis.Drug sensi-tivity testing showed high Gordonia sensitivity to drugs such as ceftriaxone,linezolid,doxycycline,amoxicillin/clavulanic acid,mino-cycline,cefotaxime,trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole,imipenem,tobramycin,and clarithromycin.The sensitivity rates of the isolated strains were 90.48%(19/21),100%(21/21),90.48%(19/21),90.48%(19/21),95.24%(20/21),90.48%(19/21),90.48%(19/21),90.48%(19/21),and 95.24%(20/21),respectively.Gordonia showed high resistance to rifampicin and cefepime,with rates of 28.57%(6/21)and 19.05%(4/21),respectively.Meanwhile,the resistance varied among bacterial strains.The resistance rate of G.sputi to rifampicin reached 71.43%(5/7),whereas that of G.parapffinivoras to cefepime was 37.5%(3/8).The main species of Gordo-nia isolated from sputum samples of patients in Henan Province were G.bronchialis,G.paraffinivoras,G.sputi,and G.aichiensis.Drug sensitivity tests indicated that drugs including amoxicillin/clavulanic acid,ceftriaxone,cefotaxime,tobramycin,clarithromycin,mi-nocycline,trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole,linezolid,and doxycycline had good antibacterial effects against Gordonia.

In proton therapy,prompt gamma-ray imaging is considered as one of the most promising methods for assessing proton beam range.Prompt gamma-ray imaging detector evaluates the proton beam range based on the prompt gamma-ray distribution obtained by the prompt gamma-ray imaging system,which enables high-precision measurement of the proton beam range.Herein a proton beam range verification algorithm is designed for the newly developed prototype of the range verification detector(pixelated prompt gamma-ray imaging detector),which verifies the range estimation accuracy of the prototype for different phantoms and different energies of homogeneous media through Monte Carlo simulation.The results show that the accuracy of the proton beam range verification algorithm is within 0.5 mm of the safety margin error of the Bragg peak,and the measurement accuracy is significantly improved with the increase of the number of protons,indicating that the prototype algorithm is feasible for proton beam range verification.

OBJECTIVE To observe the expressions of transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1)/Smads signaling pathways in the primary nephrotic syndrome(NS)patients complicated with pulmonary infection and analyze the values in diagnosis of pulmonary infection and assessment of illness condition.METHODS A total of 108 NS pa-tients complicated with pulmonary infection who were treated in Huaihe Hospital of Henan University from Jan.2020 to Mar.2024 were assigned as the infection group and were divided into the mild group with 32 cases and the severe group with 76 cases according to the severity of pulmonary infection.The distribution of the pathogens was analyzed.Meanwhile,97 NS patients who were not complicated with pulmonary infection were chosen as the no infection group.The relative expression levels of peripheral blood TGF-β1,Smad2,Smad3 mRNA and proteins were detected for the patients confirmed with infection within 24 hours(for the patients with infection within 24 hours after the admission)by means of real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction.The values of the three indexes in diagnosis of the pulmonary infection and assessment of illness condition of the NS patients were analyzed.RESULTS Totally 122 strains of pathogens were isolated from sputum specimens of the 108 NS pa-tients complicated with pulmonary infection,78.69％of which were gram-negative bacteria.The relative expres-sion levels of TGF-β1,Smad2,Smad3 mRNA and proteins of the infection group were respectively 8.69±1.33,6.07±0.75 and 5.94±0.88,higher than 3.76±0.3,2.38±0.24 and 3.15±0.35 of the no infection group(P＜0.05);the levels of the indexes of the severe group were higher than those of the mild group(P＜0.05).Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis showed that the area under the curve(AUC)of the joint detection of TGF-β1,Smad2 and Smad3 was 0.972 in diagnosis of the pulmonary infection in the NS patients,0.912 in as-sessment of the severe pulmonary infection.CONCLUSIONS The NS patients complicated with pulmonary infection show remarkable rise of expressions of TGF-β1,Smad2 and Smad3.The joint detection of the above indexes has high clinical value in diagnosis of the pulmonary infection and assessment of illness condition.

OBJECTIVE To observe the expressions of transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1)/Smads signaling pathways in the primary nephrotic syndrome(NS)patients complicated with pulmonary infection and analyze the values in diagnosis of pulmonary infection and assessment of illness condition.METHODS A total of 108 NS pa-tients complicated with pulmonary infection who were treated in Huaihe Hospital of Henan University from Jan.2020 to Mar.2024 were assigned as the infection group and were divided into the mild group with 32 cases and the severe group with 76 cases according to the severity of pulmonary infection.The distribution of the pathogens was analyzed.Meanwhile,97 NS patients who were not complicated with pulmonary infection were chosen as the no infection group.The relative expression levels of peripheral blood TGF-β1,Smad2,Smad3 mRNA and proteins were detected for the patients confirmed with infection within 24 hours(for the patients with infection within 24 hours after the admission)by means of real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction.The values of the three indexes in diagnosis of the pulmonary infection and assessment of illness condition of the NS patients were analyzed.RESULTS Totally 122 strains of pathogens were isolated from sputum specimens of the 108 NS pa-tients complicated with pulmonary infection,78.69％of which were gram-negative bacteria.The relative expres-sion levels of TGF-β1,Smad2,Smad3 mRNA and proteins of the infection group were respectively 8.69±1.33,6.07±0.75 and 5.94±0.88,higher than 3.76±0.3,2.38±0.24 and 3.15±0.35 of the no infection group(P＜0.05);the levels of the indexes of the severe group were higher than those of the mild group(P＜0.05).Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis showed that the area under the curve(AUC)of the joint detection of TGF-β1,Smad2 and Smad3 was 0.972 in diagnosis of the pulmonary infection in the NS patients,0.912 in as-sessment of the severe pulmonary infection.CONCLUSIONS The NS patients complicated with pulmonary infection show remarkable rise of expressions of TGF-β1,Smad2 and Smad3.The joint detection of the above indexes has high clinical value in diagnosis of the pulmonary infection and assessment of illness condition.