BackgroundMetabolic syndrome （MetS） is highly prevalent in patients with mental disorders， including elevated diastolic or systolic blood pressure， elevated fasting glucose， hypercholesterolemia， abdominal obesity and so on. As an important component of MetS， the relationship between hypercholesterolemia and mental disorder has been extensively reported， whereas few genome-wide association studies （GWAS） have been conducted to identify the causal role of mental disorders in hypercholesterolemia. ObjectiveTo explore the potential causal relationship between mental disorders and hypercholesterolemia by two-sample Mendelian randomization （MR） method. MethodsSummary data from GWAS were analyzed. Single nucleotide polymorphisms （SNPs） strongly associated with mental disorders were chosen as instrumental variables， and hypercholesterolemia was used as outcome variable. MR analysis utilized inverse-variance weighted （IVW）， MR-Egger regression and weighted median estimation （WME） as the primary analytical tool， and supplemented by simple mode （SM） and weighted mode （WM）. The causal relationship between mental disorders and the risk of hypercholesterolemia was illustrated in terms of odds ratio （OR）. ResultsA total of 36 SNPs associated with mental disorders were identified as instrumental variables. The primary findings from IVW revealed existence of a causal relationship between mental disorders and hypercholesterolemia （IVW： OR=1.067， 95% CI： 1.026~1.109， P=0.001）. Findings from the additional methods （MR-Egger regression， WME， SM， WM） were basically consistent with those reported in IVW method. Further verification indicated that the causal relationship between mental disorders and the risk of hypercholesterolemia was not affected by genetic polymorphism （P>0.05）. The absence of heterogeneity was confirmed through Cochran's Q test and MR-Egger regression （P>0.05）. Furthermore， no causal association in the reverse direction was found （P>0.05）. ConclusionThere is a causal relationship between mental disorders and hypercholesterolemia， and patients with mental disorders may have an increased probability of suffering from hypercholesterolemia.

ObjectiveTo investigate the demyelination induced by Angiostrongylus cantonensis （AC） infection in the brain of Balb/c mice and analyze the untargeted metabolomic changes in the corpus callosum， aiming to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. MethodsBalb/c mice were randomly assigned to a control group （n=6） and an infection group （n=6）. The infection group was orally administered 30 third-stage larvae of AC， while the control group received an equal volume of saline. Body weight， visual function， and behavioral scores were measured on post-infection 3， 6， 9， 12， 15， 18， and 21 days to assess neurological alterations. After 21 days， brain tissues were harvested for immunofluorescence staining， hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining， and transmission electron microscopy to examine morphological changes in brain myelin and retina. Metabolomics analysis was performed， and differential metabolites were identified using volcano plots and heatmaps. The distribution of fold changes and bar charts were used to profile the key metabolites. These differential metabolites were then subjected to Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） pathway enrichment analysis and regulatory network analysis. ResultsOn the 9th day after AC infection， Balb/c mice showed a decline in neurological behavioral scores （P<0.05）. By day 15， visual scores decreased （P<0.05）， and by day 21， significant weight loss （P＜0.001） and mortality were observed. Concurrently， transmission electron microscopy and immunofluorescence staining revealed significant myelin damage in the corpus callosum and a marked reduction in oligodendrocytes （P<0.001）. HE staining showed severe retinal ganglion cell damage. Metabolomic analysis revealed that glycerophospholipids were the most abundant differential metabolites， with steroids and sphingolipids being relatively less abundant. Cholesteryl ester CE （20：2） was significantly upregulated （P<0.001）， while phosphatidylmethanol （18：0_18：1） was significantly downregulated （P<0.01）. KEGG enrichment and regulatory network analyses demonstrated that the differential metabolites were mainly enriched in metabolic pathways like steroid biosynthesis， bile secretion， and cholesterol metabolism， and were involved in key metabolic pathways such as sphingolipid metabolism， neural signal regulation， and glycerophospholipid metabolism. ConclusionsAC infection affects the metabolic state of mice via multiple pathways， modifying the levels of metabolites crucial for myelination and myelin stability. Demyelination may be closely linked to the disruption of these key metabolic pathways， particularly the dysregulation of cholesterol and sphingolipid metabolism， potentially playing a central role in demyelination onset. Furthermore， alterations in phospholipid metabolism and abnormal nerve signaling regulation may exacerbate myelin damage.

Objective: To investigate the distribution characteristics of Kidd blood group antigens, phenotypes and genotypes in Xinjiang and their influence on the risk of coronary heart disease. Methods: Samples from 7 981 patients treated at People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from August 1, 2023 to May 31, 2024 were collected for Jk(a-b-) phenotype screening via urea hemolysis test, followed by the third-generation sequencing (TGS). Kidd blood group Jk and Jk antigens in 1 081 patients with coronary heart disease and 1 021 healthy people were detected, and their phenotype frequency distribution was analyzed and corresponding gene frequencies were calculated. Correlation analysis and logistic regression were used to evaluate the influence of Kidd blood group antigen expression on coronary heart disease risk. Results: Two Jk(a-b-) phenotype samples were detected, both resulting from novel gene mutation combinations. Comparative analysis of two groups revealed a higher proportion of the Jk(a-b+) phenotype in the case group (22.5%, 243/1 081) than in the control group (18.5%, 189/1 021). Moreover, Kidd blood group phenotype distribution varied significantly across all ethnic groups in the case group (P<0.05). In the control group, the Hui ethnic group exhibited the highest JK JK genotype frequency 64.15% (34/53). In the case group, the highest JK allele frequency was observed in Mongol ethnic group 56.31% (125/222), and the lowest in Han patients 45.71% (341/746). The expression of Jk antigen was negatively correlated with coronary heart disease (P<0.05). Conclusion: The distribution of Kidd blood group system varied across ethnic groups in Xinjiang. The expression of Jk antigen may have protective effect on coronary heart disease, which provides a basis for future clinical blood transfusion treatment and the mechanism study of the correlation between Kidd blood group and coronary heart disease.

Xenotransplantation is one of the effective ways to overcome the shortage of donor organs. However, the molecular incompatibility between xenotransplantation donors and recipients can cause rejection, which greatly limits the clinical application of xenotransplantation. In recent years, researchers have deeply explored the mechanism of xenotransplantation rejection through xenotransplantation models of pig-to-monkey and pig-to-brain death recipients, and found that the innate immune system plays an important role in rejection. Macrophages, as phagocytes in the innate immune system, not only damage xenografts through phagocytosis but also interact with other immune cells to influence the immune microenvironment of xenotransplantation. However, due to the heterogeneity of macrophages, their phenotypes and functions in xenotransplantation rejection remain unclear. Therefore, it is necessary to further explore the role of macrophages in xenotransplantation rejection. This article reviews the latest research progress of macrophages in xenotransplantation rejection, aiming to explore the mechanisms of macrophages in xenotransplantation rejection and provide references for future research.

Organ transplantation faces the challenge of a shortage of donors. Although xenotransplantation holds great potential, it is limited by rejection. Extracellular histones, as key members of damage-associated molecular patterns, have been proven in recent years to play a crucial role in transplant rejection by activating innate immunity, regulating the coagulation-inflammation network, and modulating adaptive immune responses. However, the specific functions and key mechanisms remain to be clarified. Therefore, this article reviews the structural characteristics of histones, their release pathways, the biological functions of extracellular histones, and their potential roles in xenotransplantation. It summarizes the latest research progress of extracellular histones in xenotransplantation, analyzes the shortcomings of existing research and the direction for future research, with the expectation of providing references for the application of extracellular histones in xenogeneic kidney transplantation.

Xenotransplantation is an efficient pathway to solve the problem of transplant organ source deficiency in clinical settings. With the increasing progress of gene editing technique and immune suppression regimen, important development has been achieved on researches regarding pig to non-human primate kidney xenotransplantation, which provides a good condition for the introduction of the technique in the clinical application. In view of the substantial difference between human and non-human primate, and to meet the needs of current ethic requirements, it is necessary to perform subclinical studies for pig to human kidney xenotransplantation. In recent years, such subclinical studies with regard to the genetically modified pig to brain death recipient kidney xenotransplantation had been performed, indicating that kidney xenotransplantation gradually began to transit to the clinical development stage. However, donor/recipient selection and immune suppression regimen has not reached a consensus yet, and has to be clarified in subclinical studies. In this article, the current status and confronted problems of donor/recipient selection, immune suppression regimen and post transplantation management in the subclinical studies of kidney xenotransplantation were reviewed, aiming to promote the clinical transformation of kidney xenotransplantation to the clinical application.

ABATRACT OBJECTIVE To utilize the pharmacophore model-molecular docking combined with the virtual screening strategy of free energy calculation and the chemical bioinformatics method of traditional Chinese medicine in cell biology experiments to investigate the components of Guiqi Baizhu prescription that target phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K) and inhibit the proliferation of uveal melanoma(UM) cells. METHODS The pharmacophore model of PI3K inhibitor was constructed, and the compounds of Guiqi Baizhu prescription were virtual screened. The components that fit the pharmacophore model were calculated by molecular docking and binding free energy, and the potential inhibitory components were selected for biological experimental evaluation. The effects of potential inhibitory components on UM cell proliferation were detected by CCK-8 and clonal formation assay. Flow cytometry was used to detect the cell cycle and apoptosis of UM cells. The mitochondrial membrane potential of UM cells was detected using JC-10 staining. The expressions of PI3K and downstream pathway proteins were detected by Western blotting.RESULTS The pharmacophore model included 2 hydrogen bond receptors, 2 aromatic ring centers, and exclusion volumes. The results of the CCK-8 experiment showed that quercetin, tangerine, and nobiletin at concentrations of 10, 20, 40, 80 μmol·L−1, and cyrtin at concentrations of 20, 40, 80 μmol·L−1, were able to inhibit the proliferation of UM cells. The clonal formation experiment showed that quercetin, tangerine, nobiletin, and morusin, at different concentrations, could significantly inhibit the clonal proliferation of UM cells. Flow cytometry showed that UM cells were arrested in the G0/G1 phase by tangeretin and quercetin, while UM cells were arrested in the G2/M phase by nobiletin and morusin. The results of JC-10 staining showed that quercetin, nobiletin, tangeretin, and morusin could reduce the mitochondrial membrane potential of UM cells. Western blotting results showed that 4 compounds could target PI3K, but their downstream pathways were different.CONCLUSION Based on the method of chemical bioinformatics in traditional Chinese medicine, this study explores the material basis for the inhibition of UM cell proliferation by the Guiqi Baizhu prescription. It also provides insights for the modern development of traditional Chinese medicine prescription.

【Objective】 To investigate the differential diagnosis of 1 anti-C, e alloantibodies combined with anti-e, Jk^b mimicking alloantibodies by absorption-elution test and titer integral method. 【Methods】 ABO, Rh and Kidd blood group antigens were identified by tube method. Two sets of panel cells were used for antibody screening and antibody specificity identification by saline method, polyamine method and microcolumn gel method.The antibody was further confirmed by multiple absorption-elution tests and titer integral method. RHCE and JK gene were sequenced by multiple PCR. 【Results】 Serological gene sequencing analysis showed that the ABO blood group of the patient was A type with Rh subtype ccDEE and was positive for direct antiglobulin test (DAT). Multiple absorption-elution tests and titer integral method demonstrated that the serum of the patient contained anti-C, e alloantibodies along with anti-e, Jk^b mimicking autoantibodies and there were anti-e, Jk^b mimicking autoantibodies on red blood cells(RBCs). According to gene sequencing analysis, there was G>C at exon 676 of the RHCE gene, and the remaining exons were not mutated, suggesting that the RHCE phenotype was ccEE. The 838 G/A heterozygote of exon 9 in JK gene, Jk blood group phenotype was Jk (a+ b+ ). Cross matched type A ccDEE and Jk(a+ b-) RBCs were transfused, and no adverse reactions occurred. 【Conclusion】 Serology combined with molecular biology to identify the phenotype of the patient′s RBCs, absorption-elution test and titer integral method to identify the antibody of the patient′s serum can detect the alloantibody type, thus providing strategies for targeted blood transfusion.

ObjectiveTo explore the effects of modified Danggui Beimu Kushen pills on tumor growth and T-cell subsets in H22 hepatocellular carcinoma-bearing mice and to provide an experimental basis for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma with modified Danggui Beimu Kushen pills combined with immune checkpoint antibodies. MethodA H22 hepatocellular carcinoma-bearing mouse model was established. The modeled mice were randomized into model， cisplatin， low- （4 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， medium- （8 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， and high-dose （16 g·kg^-1·d^-1） modified Danggui Beimu Kushen pills groups. After continuous administration for 14 days， the mice were sacrificed on day 15. The tumor volume was measured on days 0， 4， 8， 12， 15 of drug administration. Tumors were weighed and thymus index and spleen index were calculated. Spleen lymphocytes were co-cultured with H22 hepatoma cells， and the tumor cell-killing rate was detected by the cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8）. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was carried to determine the mRNA levels of programmed cell death protein-1 （PD-1） and lymphocyte activation gene-3 （LAG-3） in spleen and tumor tissues. The number of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells and the expression of PD-1 and LAG-3 were detected by immunohistochemistry （IHC）. ResultOn day 8 of drug administration， tumor volumes in all treatment groups decreased compared with that in the model group. On day 15， both tumor volume and tumor weight were significantly lower in the treatment groups than in the model group （P<0.01）， with the cisplatin group showing the most pronounced reduction. Compared with the model and cisplatin groups， medium- and high-dose modified Danggui Beimu Kushen pills increased the thymus index （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， all treatment groups showed increased spleen index （P<0.05， P<0.01）， with the cisplatin group showing the most significant increase. Compared with the model and cisplatin groups， all the groups of modified Danggui Beimu Kushen pills demonstrated increased number of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells and tumor cell-killing rate in the spleen and tumor tissues （P<0.01） and down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of LAG-3 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The high-dose group of modified Danggui Beimu Kushen pills had lower mRNA level of PD-1 in the tumor tissue than the model and cisplatin groups （P<0.01）. ConclusionModified Danggui Beimu Kushen pills may promote the proliferation and tumor microenvironment infiltration of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells in H22 tumor-bearing mice by down-regulating LAG-3 expression， thereby improving T-cell immune activity and inhibiting tumor growth. This study provides an experimental basis for the combination of modified Danggui Beimu Kushen pills and immune checkpoint antibodies in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND:Current studies have confirmed that Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides can promote nerve regeneration in neurodegeneration-related diseases.The occurrence of neurodegenerative diseases is closely related to mitochondrial dysfunction,but the role of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides on the regulation of apoptosis and mitochondrial function in neurodegenerative diseases is not yet clarified. OBJECTIVE:To explore the regulatory effects and mechanisms of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides on apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction in H2O2-induced SH-SY5Y cells. METHODS:SH-SY5Y cells were divided into three groups:control group,H2O2 group,and Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides group.Cells in the control group were normally cultured.Cells in the H2O2 group were treated with 300 μmol/L H2O2 for 24 hours.In the Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides group,the intervention with 300 μg/L Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides was conducted first for 1-2 hours,followed by the addition of 300 μmol/L H2O2 for 24 hours.The mitochondrial membrane potential was detected by JC-1 kit.Apoptosis was detected by TUNEL staining kit.The activities of malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase were detected by malondialdehyde test kit and superoxide dismutase test kit,respectively.The apoptosis and expression of mitochondrial dynamics-related proteins were detected by immunofluorescence staining and western blot assay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the control group,the mitochondrial membrane potential and superoxide dismutase activity were significantly reduced,as well as apoptotic rate and malondialdehyde levels were significantly increased in the H2O2 group(P<0.05).After treatment with Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides,the membrane potential and superoxide dismutase activities were significantly increased,and apoptotic rate and malondialdehyde levels were significantly reduced compared with the H2O2 group(P<0.05).(2)The expression levels of pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and Caspase-3 were significantly increased,but the expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 was significantly decreased in the H2O2 group compared with the control group(P<0.05).Compared with the H2O2 group,the levels of Bax and Caspase-3 were significantly decreased,but the expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 was significantly increased in the Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides group(P<0.05).(3)Compared with the control group,the expression of mitochondrial splitting proteins Fis1 and p-Drp1 was significantly increased,but the expression of mitochondrial fusion proteins OPA1,Mfn1,and Mfn2 was decreased in the H2O2 group(P<0.05).Compared with the H2O2 group,Fis1 and p-Drp1 expression was significantly reduced,but the expression levels of OPA1,Mfn1,and Mfn2 were significantly increased in the Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides group(P<0.05).(4)The above results confirm that Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides can attenuate H2O2-induced oxidative stress damage and apoptosis in SH-SY5Y cells by ameliorating mitochondrial dysfunction.