OBJECTIVE: To establish an in vitro cell model simulating acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) bone marrow microenvironment injury with the advantage of mouse serum of aGVHD model and explore the effect of serum of aGVHD mouse on the adipogenic differentiation ability of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). METHODS: The 6-8-week-old C57BL/6N female mice and BALB/c female mice were used as the donor and recipient mice of the aGVHD model, respectively. Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) mouse model (n=20) was established by being injected with bone marrow cells (1×10⁷ per mouse) from donor mice within 4-6 hours after receiving a lethal dose (8.0 Gy, 72.76 cGy/min) of γ ray general irradiation. A mouse model of aGVHD (n=20) was established by infusing a total of 0.4 ml of a mixture of donor mouse-derived bone marrow cells (1×10⁷ per mouse) and spleen lymphocytes (2×10⁶ per mouse). The blood was removed from the eyeballs and the mouse serum was aspirated on the 7^th day after modeling. Bone marrow-derived MSCs were isolated from 1-week-old C57BL/6N male mice and incubated with 2%, 5% and 10% BMT mouse serum and aGVHD mouse serum in the medium, respectively. The effect of serum in the two groups on the in vitro adipogenic differentiation ability of mouse MSCs was detected by Oil Red O staining. The expression levels of related proteins PPARγ and CEBPα were detected by Western blot. The expression differences of key adipogenic transcription factors including PPARγ, CEBPα, FABP4 and LPL were determined by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). RESULTS: An in vitro cell model simulating the damage of bone marrow microenvironment in mice with aGVHD was successfully established. Oil Red O staining showed that the number of orange-red fatty droplets was significantly reduced and the adipogenic differentiation ability of MSC was impaired at aGVHD serum concentration of 10% compared with BMT serum. Western blot experiments showed that adipogenesis-related proteins PPARγ and CEBPα expressed in MSCs were down-regulated. Further RT-qPCR assay showed that the production of PPARγ, CEBPα, FABP4 and LPL, the key transcription factors for adipogenic differentiation of MSC, were significantly reduced. CONCLUSION The adipogenic differentiation capacity of MSCs is inhibited by aGVHD mouse serum.
Animals ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells/cytology* ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Adipogenesis ; Female ; Cell Differentiation ; Graft vs Host Disease/blood* ; Bone Marrow Cells/cytology* ; PPAR gamma/metabolism* ; Disease Models, Animal ; CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Protein-alpha/metabolism*

BACKGROUND: T cell dysfunction, which includes exhaustion, anergy, and senescence, is a distinct T cell differentiation state that occurs after antigen exposure. Although T cell dysfunction has been a cornerstone of cancer immunotherapy, its potential in transplant research, while not yet as extensively explored, is attracting growing interest. Interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) has been shown to play a pivotal role in inducing T cell dysfunction. METHODS: A novel ultra-low-dose combination of Trametinib and Rapamycin, targeting IRF4 inhibition, was employed to investigate T cell proliferation, apoptosis, cytokine secretion, expression of T-cell dysfunction-associated molecules, effects of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathways, and allograft survival in both in vitro and BALB/c to C57BL/6 mouse cardiac transplantation models. RESULTS: In vitro , blockade of IRF4 in T cells effectively inhibited T cell proliferation, increased apoptosis, and significantly upregulated the expression of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), Helios, CD160, and cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen (CTLA-4), markers of T cell dysfunction. Furthermore, it suppressed the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines interferon (IFN)-γ and interleukin (IL)-17. Combining ultra-low-dose Trametinib (0.1 mg·kg -1 ·day -1 ) and Rapamycin (0.1 mg·kg -1 ·day -1 ) demonstrably extended graft survival, with 4 out of 5 mice exceeding 100 days post-transplantation. Moreover, analysis of grafts at day 7 confirmed sustained IFN regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) inhibition, enhanced PD-1 expression, and suppressed IFN-γ secretion, reinforcing the in vivo efficacy of this IRF4-targeting approach. The combination of Trametinib and Rapamycin synergistically inhibited the MAPK and mTOR signaling network, leading to a more pronounced suppression of IRF4 expression. CONCLUSIONS Targeting IRF4, a key regulator of T cell dysfunction, presents a promising avenue for inducing transplant immune tolerance. In this study, we demonstrate that a novel ultra-low-dose combination of Trametinib and Rapamycin synergistically suppresses the MAPK and mTOR signaling network, leading to profound IRF4 inhibition, promoting allograft acceptance, and offering a potential new therapeutic strategy for improved transplant outcomes. However, further research is necessary to elucidate the underlying pharmacological mechanisms and facilitate translation to clinical practice.
Animals ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Interferon Regulatory Factors/metabolism* ; Heart Transplantation/methods* ; T-Lymphocytes/immunology* ; Sirolimus/therapeutic use* ; Pyridones/therapeutic use* ; Graft Survival/drug effects* ; Pyrimidinones/therapeutic use* ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Male ; Signal Transduction/drug effects*

BACKGROUND: While emotional distress, encompassing anxiety and depression, has been associated with negative clinical outcomes, its impact across various clinical departments and general hospitals has been less explored. Previous studies with limited sample sizes have examined the effectiveness of specific treatments (e.g., antidepressants) rather than a systemic management strategy for outcome improvement in non-psychiatric inpatients. To enhance the understanding of the importance of addressing mental health care needs among non-psychiatric patients in general hospitals, this study retrospectively investigated the impacts of emotional distress and the effects of early detection and management of depression and anxiety on hospital length of stay (LOS) and rate of long LOS (LLOS, i.e., LOS >30 days) in a large sample of non-psychiatric inpatients. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 487,871 inpatients from 20 non-psychiatric departments of a general hospital. They were divided, according to whether they underwent a novel strategy to manage emotional distress which deployed the Huaxi Emotional Distress Index (HEI) for brief screening with grading psychological services (BS-GPS), into BS-GPS ( n = 178,883) and non-BS-GPS ( n = 308,988) cohorts. The LOS and rate of LLOS between the BS-GPS and non-BS-GPS cohorts and between subcohorts with and without clinically significant anxiety and/or depression (CSAD, i.e., HEI score ≥11 on admission to the hospital) in the BS-GPS cohort were compared using univariable analyses, multilevel analyses, and/or propensity score-matched analyses, respectively. RESULTS: The detection rate of CSAD in the BS-GPS cohort varied from 2.64% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.49%-2.81%) to 20.50% (95% CI: 19.43%-21.62%) across the 20 departments, with a average rate of 5.36%. Significant differences were observed in both the LOS and LLOS rates between the subcohorts with CSAD (12.7 days, 535/9590) and without CSAD (9.5 days, 3800/169,293) and between the BS-GPS (9.6 days, 4335/178,883) and non-BS-GPS (10.8 days, 11,483/308,988) cohorts. These differences remained significant after controlling for confounders using propensity score-matched comparisons. A multilevel analysis indicated that BS-GPS was negatively associated with both LOS and LLOS after controlling for sociodemographics and the departments of patient discharge and remained negatively associated with LLOS after controlling additionally for the year of patient discharge. CONCLUSION Emotional distress significantly prolonged the LOS and increased the LLOS of non-psychiatric inpatients across most departments and general hospitals. These impacts were moderated by the implementation of BS-GPS. Thus, BS-GPS has the potential as an effective, resource-saving strategy for enhancing mental health care and optimizing medical resources in general hospitals.
Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Male ; Length of Stay/statistics & numerical data* ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Psychological Distress ; Inpatients/psychology* ; Aged ; Anxiety/diagnosis* ; Depression/diagnosis*

The transcriptome sequencing based on Illumina Novaseq 6000 Platform was performed with the untreated seed embryo(DS), stratified seed embryo(SS), and germinated seed embryo(GS) of Zanthoxylum nitidum, aiming to explore the molecular mechanism regulating the seed dormancy and germination of Z. nitidum and uncover key differentially expressed genes(DEGs). A total of 61.41 Gb clean data was obtained, and 86 386 unigenes with an average length of 773.49 bp were assembled. A total of 29 290 DEGs were screened from three comparison groups(SS vs DS, GS vs SS, and GS vs DS), and these genes were annotated on 134 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathways. KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that the plant hormone signal transduction pathway is the richest pathway, containing 226 DEGs. Among all DEGs, 894 transcription factors were identified, which were distributed across 34 transcription factor families. These transcription factors were also mainly concentrated in plant hormone signal transduction and mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK) signaling pathways. Further real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR) validation of 12 DEGs showed that the transcriptome data is reliable. During the process of seed dormancy release and germination, a large number of DEGs involved in polysaccharide degradation, protein synthesis, lipid metabolism, and hormone signal transduction were expressed. These genes were involved in multiple metabolic pathways, forming a complex regulatory network for dormancy and germination. This study lays a solid foundation for analyzing the molecular mechanisms of seed dormancy and germination of Z. nitidum.
Zanthoxylum/metabolism* ; Plant Dormancy/genetics* ; Seeds/metabolism* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Plant Proteins/metabolism* ; Transcriptome ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Germination ; Transcription Factors/metabolism* ; Plant Growth Regulators/genetics* ; Signal Transduction

Extensive epigenetic reprogramming involves in memory CD8+ T-cell differentiation. The elaborate epigenetic rewiring underlying the heterogeneous functional states of CD8+ T cells remains hidden. Here, we profile single-cell chromatin accessibility and map enhancer-promoter interactomes to characterize the differentiation trajectory of memory CD8+ T cells. We reveal that under distinct epigenetic regulations, the early activated CD8+ T cells divergently originated for short-lived effector and memory precursor effector cells. We also uncover a defined epigenetic rewiring leading to the conversion from effector memory to central memory cells during memory formation. Additionally, we illustrate chromatin regulatory mechanisms underlying long-lasting versus transient transcription regulation during memory differentiation. Finally, we confirm the essential roles of Sox4 and Nrf2 in developing memory precursor effector and effector memory cells, respectively, and validate cell state-specific enhancers in regulating Il7r using CRISPR-Cas9. Our data pave the way for understanding the mechanism underlying epigenetic memory formation in CD8+ T-cell differentiation.
CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/metabolism* ; Cell Differentiation ; Chromatin/immunology* ; Animals ; Mice ; Immunologic Memory ; Epigenesis, Genetic ; SOXC Transcription Factors/immunology* ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/immunology* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Gene Regulatory Networks ; Enhancer Elements, Genetic

The Guidelines for Occupational Hazard Assessment and Control of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient in the Pharmaceutical Industry (T/WSJD 60—2024) is the first guiding standard in the field of health in China that focuses on occupational health protection for active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). It covers the general principles, work procedures, assessment methods, and control strategies for API occupational hazard assessment, providing practical guidance and recommendations for pharmaceutical enterprises to eliminate or reduce occupational health risks associated with API, improve working environment, and enhance refined management practices. This article interpreted and analyzed the background of standard establishment, formulation process, fundamental basis, and main content, to provide scientific and comprehensive technical support for occupational health managers in the pharmaceutical industry to better apply this standard.

Objective: To explore the moderating role of estradiol in the relationship between parenting styles and preschool children's behavioral problems, so as to provide a theoretical basis for improving the development of human s emotional health development in early life stage. Methods: During September to November in 2022, 354 children aged 3-6 years and their parents from two kindergartens in Bengbu City were chosen by using stratified cluster sampling method for the questionnaire survey. The Parenting Style Scale and the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) were used to collect information on parenting style and child behavioral problems. Salivary estradiol of children was collected and tested. Independent samples t test was applied to compare the scores of the scale for parental up bringing and children s behavioral problems, and Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to explore the relationship among parental upbringing, estradiol and children s behavioral problems. Results: Parents doting, laissez faire, autocratic, and inconsistent parenting styles were positive associated with child behavior problems( r =0.14-0.70); fathers democratic parenting style was negatively associated with child behavior problems( r =-0.14，-0.22，-0.21，-0.17，-0.27，-0.20); mothers democratic parenting styles was negatively correlated with scores on all five dimensions of child behavior problems except the withdrawal dimension ( r =-0.14，-0.12，-0.13，-0.21，-0.12)( P <0.05). Estradiol levels had significant moderating effects on maternal doting parenting style and children s withdrawal ( β =0.68) as well as social problems ( β =-1.00), also moderating laissez faire parenting styles and children s withdrawal problems ( β =0.75)( P <0.05). For children with low levels of estradiol, withdrawal problem scores were negatively associated with mother s doting parenting style and positively associated with laissez faire parenting style, and socialization problem scores were associated with mother s doting parenting style; for children with high levels of estradiol, withdrawal problem scores were positively associated with mother s doting parenting style, and socialization problem scores were associated with mother s doting parenting style ( t=2.84, 6.24, 3.16 , 2.37, 4.49, P <0.05). Conclusions Parenting styles are strongly associated with child behavioral problems; estradiol levels play a moderating role in mothers doting, laissez faire parenting styles and children s withdrawal problems and social problems.Parents should adopt more positive parenting styles and focus on the role of estradiol levels in maternal education to reduce the occurrence of behavioral problems in children.

ObjectiveAlveolar macrophages (AMs) are critical for maintaining the homeostasis of pulmonary microenvironment. They process surfactants to ensure alveoli patency, and also serve as the first line of immune defense against pathogen invasion. Available studies have shown that monocyte-derived AMs continuously release pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, recruiting other immune cells to the damaged area during pulmonary fibrosis. These monocyte-derived AMs maintains and amplifies inflammation, playing a negative role in pulmonary fibrosis progression. Current researches have predominantly focused on the gene expression levels of AMs in pulmonary fibrosis microenvironment, with less emphasis on the function and regulation of proteins. This study aims to investigate the differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) of AMs under normal physiological conditions and after pulmonary fibrosis, in order to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the role of AMs in the progression of pulmonary fibrosis. MethodsFirstly, the construction of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis mouse models was evaluated through using measurements such as body mass, lung coefficient, lungwet-to-dry mass ratio, H&E staining and Masson staining. Subsequently, AMs from both the saline controls and the pulmonary fibrosis models (2.5×10⁵ cells per sample) were collected using FACS sorting, and protein expression profiles of these cells were obtained through label-free proteomics approach. The quality of the proteomic data was assessed by comparing our saline control proteomic data with public proteomic data of physiological AMs. Thirdly, DEPs analysis between the saline controls and the bleomycin groups was carried out using R package Prostar. Functional enrichment analyses of significantly upregulated DEPs were performed using R package Clusterprofiler for GO and KEGG pathways. Finally, the STRING database was used to explore the protein-protein interaction networks related to phagocytosis regulation, inflammatory response regulation, andI-κB/NF-κB signaling pathway. The expression levels of Tlr2 and Pycard were detected respectively by FACS and western blotting. ResultsCompared to the saline controls, mice in the bleomycin groups exhibited a lower average body mass, extensive infiltration of inflammatory cells, and deposition of collagen in the lungs. This indicates that bleomycin successfully induced pulmonary fibrosis in mouse models. The proteomic data of AMs obtained from these models was of high quality and fulfilled the research requirements. A comprehensive analysis showed that 778 proteins were upregulated in pulmonary fibrosis groups compared with control groups. Moreover, the signal pathways enriched in up-regulated DEPs were related to the I‑κB/NF‑κB pathway, inflammatory response regulation, phagocytosis regulation, TGF-β signaling, and HIF-1 pathway, indicating that AMs in pulmonary fibrosis microenvironment exerted pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic functions. Protein-protein interaction network analysis of the DEPs suggested that the interactions between Tlr2 and Pycard were control nodes for the pro-inflammatory phenotype of AMs, thereby contributing to pulmonary fibrosis progression. Further validation by FACS and Western blotting respectively confirmed that the expression levels of Tlr2 and Pycard in AMs were significantly increased after pulmonary fibrosis. ConclusionThis study investigates the changes in the protein expression profile of AMs in the pulmonary fibrosis microenvironment. The results show that AMs notably enhanced the activity of various pathways associated with inflammation and fibrosis, suggesting that the interaction between Tlr2 and Pycard serves as a key control node for the highly pro-inflammatory behavior of AMs.

Objective This study aimed to investigate the potential relationship between urinary metals copper (Cu), arsenic (As), strontium (Sr), barium (Ba), iron (Fe), lead (Pb) and manganese (Mn) and grip strength. Methods We used linear regression models, quantile g-computation and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) to assess the relationship between metals and grip strength.Results In the multimetal linear regression, Cu (β=-2.119), As (β=-1.318), Sr (β=-2.480), Ba (β=0.781), Fe (β= 1.130) and Mn (β=-0.404) were significantly correlated with grip strength (P < 0.05). The results of the quantile g-computation showed that the risk of occurrence of grip strength reduction was -1.007 (95％ confidence interval:-1.362, -0.652; P < 0.001) when each quartile of the mixture of the seven metals was increased. Bayesian kernel function regression model analysis showed that mixtures of the seven metals had a negative overall effect on grip strength, with Cu, As and Sr being negatively associated with grip strength levels. In the total population, potential interactions were observed between As and Mn and between Cu and Mn (Pinteractions of 0.003 and 0.018, respectively).Conclusion In summary, this study suggests that combined exposure to metal mixtures is negatively associated with grip strength. Cu, Sr and As were negatively correlated with grip strength levels, and there were potential interactions between As and Mn and between Cu and Mn.