Objective To investigate the safety and effectiveness of normal saline as a hydrodissection band versus sodium hyaluronate and biopolysaccharide mixture as a modified hydrodissection band in microwave ablation (MWA) for benign thyroid nodules. Methods A total of 196 patients with 245 benign thyroid nodules(maximum diameter ≥20 mm) treated at Shanghai Ruijin Rehabilitation Hospital from August 2018 to February 2022 were enrolled. Patients were divided into control group (n=114): MWA using normal saline as the hydrodissection fluid; modified group (n=131): MWA using sodium hyaluronate and biopolysaccharide mixture as the hydrodissection fluid. A hydrodissection band (about 10 mm wide) was established before MWA. Intraoperative hydrodissection fluid absorption time was recorded. At the 12-month follow-up endpoint, complications were assessed, and changes in nodule volume (volume reduction rate, VRR) were evaluated. Results The complication rate was significantly lower in the modified group (1.9% vs.14.0%, P<0.05). 92.3% of complications in the control group were thermal injury-related, while no thermal injuries occurred in the modified group. Hydrodissection fluid absorption time was significantly prolonged in the modified group [(15.2±1.6) min vs. (11.0±2.3) min, P<0.05].No significant difference was observed in overall treatment efficacy (nodule VVR) between two groups (95.4% vs. 96.5%, P>0.05). Conclusions The sodium hyaluronate and biopolysaccharide mixture demonstrates prolonged retention time and superior thermal insulation as an hydrodissection fluid in MWA. It reduces adhesion risks and complications such as hoarseness, dysphagia, and thermal injury, thereby enhancing procedural safety and postoperative recovery. MWA is an effective treatment for benign thyroid nodules.

Objective:To improve the understanding of pediatric acute promyelocytic leukemia with TTMV::RARA fusion gene positive caused by torque teno mini virus (TTMV).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of a patient with relapsed TTMV::RARA fusion gene-positive acute promyelocytic leukemia who was admitted to Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University in July 2024, and literature review was conducted.Results:The patient was a girl with the age of 5 years and 7 months. She presented with joint pain and fever. Combined with bone marrow cell morphology and whole transcriptome sequencing, she was diagnosed with TTMV::RARA fusion gene-positive acute promyelocytic leukemia. After induction therapy with regimens such as retinoic acid +daunorubicin+cytarabine and retinoic acid+venetoclax+homoharringtonine, the joint pain was relieved, but the primary disease did not improve. Subsequently, there was no regular treatment. One year later, the disease recurred and was complicated with severe infection. Her condition improved following anti-infection and induction therapy.Conclusions:TTMV::RARA fusion gene-positive pediatric acute promyelocytic leukemia is a special type of acute promyelocytic leukemia caused by the insertion of viral sequences from TTMV infection. It is rare in clinical practice and difficult to treat, and the overall prognosis may be poor.

Objective To imvestigate the application value of combined newborn deafness genetic and hearing screening in the prevention of deafness in poor families in Ningxia.Methods Heel blood was collected from 3 023 neonates in Guyuan City,and 15 loci of 4 deafness genes were detected by gene chip technology of hereditary deaf-ness.At the meantime,heaning was screened and followed-up in all newborns.Results Among the 3 023 neo-nates,123 were positive for deafness gene screening(4.07％,123/3 023),including 56 cases with GJB2 mutation(1.85％,56/3 023),46 cases with SLC26A4 mutation(1.52％,46/3 023),6 cases with GJB3 mutation(0.20％,6/3 023),14 cases with mtDNA12SrRNA(0.46％,14/3 023).The mutation detection rates of c.235delC and c.IVS7-2A＞G loci were 1.36％(41/3 023)and 0.93％(28/3 023)respectively,which were the main mutation types.A total of 98 cases were found in Hui nationality to carry deafness gene mutation,with a carrying rate of 4.26％(98/2 302).A total of 25 mutations were detected in the Han nationality(3.49％,25/715).The total mu-tation rate of four common deafness mutation genes between Hui and Han was not significantly different(P＞0.05).All 123 newborns with deafness gene mutation passed the hearing screening(100％).The hearing screening passing rate of 690 Han newborns with negative deafness gene screening results was 99.71％(688/690),and the hearing screening passing tate of 2 204 Hui newborns with negative deafness gene screening results was 99.86％(2 201/2 204).There was no significant difference in the failure rate of hearing screening between Hui and Han newborns with positive deafness gene screening(P＞0.05).All 3 023 neonates completed follow-up(100％).Five neonates failed to pass the hearing re-examination,and 3 neonates were diagnosed with hearing loss.The hearing follow-up of 123 neonates with positive deafness gene mutation showed normal hearing and language development.Conclusion GJB2:c.235delC and SLC26A4:c.IVS7-2A＞G are the main pathogenic gene mutations in the neonates of poor and registered households in Guyuan area.The mitochondrial 12SrRNA carrying rate in Han neonates is higher than that in Hui neonates.

Abstract: Cell death is a fundamental biological phenomenon that is essential for the survival and development of organisms. Cell death can be either a spontaneous programmed process by the host or an accidentally triggered process. According to the different signaling pathway activated by various stimulates, programmed cell death exhibits the lytic or non-lytic morphology. For example, apoptosis, a typical non-lytic form of cell death, exhibits cell shrinkage and induces the formation of apoptotic bodies. Pyroptosis mediated by cysteine-containing aspartate-specific protease-1/11 (caspase-1/11) and necroptosis can induce inflammatory reactions and promote cell lysis to release inflammatory cytokines via triggering the pore-forming mechanism of the cell membrane, representing a typical modes of lytic cell death. In addition, the release of reactive oxygen species caused by the damaged mitochondria may further trigger ferroptosis during the pathogen infection. Programmed cell death can play an immune defensive role by eliminating infected cells and intracellular pathogens and stimulating the innate immune response through the resulting cell corpses. Here, we discuss the molecular mechanisms of five programmed cell death pathways: apoptosis, pyroptosis, ferroptosis, necroptosis and PANoptosis. We describe their roles in the innate immune defense against bacterial infections and give a brief statement of the interactions between the different programmed cell death, hoping to provide new insights for in-depth study of the pathogenic mechanisms of infectious diseases.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effects of total saponins from Panax japonicus (TSPJ) against high-fat dietinduced testicular Sertoli cell junction damage in mice. METHODS: Forty male C57BL/6J mice were randomized into normal diet group, high-fat diet group, and low-dose (25 mg/kg) and high-dose (75 mg/kg) TSPJ treatment groups (n=10). The mice in the normal diet group were fed a normal diet, while the mice in the other groups were fed a high-fat diet. After TSPJ treatment via intragastric administration for 5 months, the testes and epididymis of the mice were collected for measurement of weight, testicular and epididymal indices and sperm parameters. HE staining was used for histological evaluation of the testicular tissues and measurement of seminiferous tubule diameter and seminiferous epithelium height. The expression levels of ZO-1, occludin, claudin11, N-cadherin, E-cadherin and β-catenin in Sertoli cells were detected with Western blot, and the localization and expression levels of ZO-1 and β-catenin in the testicular tissues were detected with immunofluorescence assay. The protein expressions of LC3B, p-AKT and p-mTOR in testicular Sertoli cells were detected using double immunofluorescence assay. RESULTS: Treatment with TSPJ significantly improved high-fat diet-induced testicular dysfunction by reducing body weight (P < 0.001), increasing testicular and epididymal indices (P < 0.05), and improving sperm concentration and sperm viability (P < 0.05). TSPJ ameliorated testicular pathologies and increased seminiferous epithelium height of the mice with high-fat diet feeding (P < 0.05) without affecting the seminiferous tubule diameter. TSPJ significantly increased the expression levels of ZO-1, occludin, N-cadherin, E-cadherin and β-catenin (P < 0.05) but did not affect claudin11 expression in the testicular tissues. Immunofluorescence assay showed that TSPJ significantly increased ZO-1 and β-catenin expression in the testicular tissues (P < 0.001), downregulated LC3B expression and upregulated p-AKT and p-mTOR expressions in testicular Sertoli cells. CONCLUSION TSPJ alleviates high-fat diet-induced damages of testicular Sertoli cell junctions and spermatogenesis possibly by activating the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway and inhibiting autophagy of testicular Sertoli cells.
Male ; Animals ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Testis ; Sertoli Cells ; beta Catenin ; Diet, High-Fat ; Occludin ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; Seeds ; Cadherins ; Intercellular Junctions

Objective:To investigate the effect of Edaravone and dexborneol(Eda.B)on oxidative stress pathway in peripheral blood of elderly patients with acute ischemic stroke.Methods:A total of 87 elderly patients with acute ischemic stroke in the Department of Neurology, Qinghai University Affiliated Hospital from July 2021 to January 2022 were selected as the study subjects.According to the random number table, they were divided into control group(44 cases)and edaravone dexborneol group(43 cases). Each group was divided into <12 h group, 12-24 h group and 24-48 h group according to the time of onset.Peripheral blood was collected in each group at admission and discharge, respectively.The serum levels of reactive oxygen species(ROS), Kelch-like epichlorohydrin-associated protein 1(Keap1), nuclear factor-E2-associated factor 2(Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1(HO-1), NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1(NQO1), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and interleukin-6(IL-6), as well as superoxide dismutase(SOD)activity and malondialdehyde(MDA)content were detected.Results:Elderly patients with acute ischemic stroke receving Eda.B treatment after admission could reduce the serum concentration of ROS, TNF-α and IL-6, as well as MDA content, and increase the concentration of Keap1, Nrf2, HO-1 and NQO1 and SOD activity.Except for ROS concentration in <12 h group and SOD activity in <12 h and 12 h-24 h groups, the differences between the other groups were statistically significant( P<0.05 for all). Compared with the control group, the serum concentration of TNF-α and IL-6 of patients in the Eda.B group at discharge decreased, while the concentration of Nrf2(24-48 h group)and HO-1(24-48 h group), and SOD activity increased, the differences were statistically significant( P<0.05 for all). In the control group at discharge, the concentrations of ROS(24-48 h group), TNF-α(<12 h group, 24-48 h group)and IL-6, as well as MDA content decreased, while the concentrations of Keap1, Nrf2(<12 h group, 12-24 h group)and HO-1(<12 h group, 12-24 h group)increased, the differences were also statistically significant( P<0.05 for all). Compared with admission, the concentration of Keap1(24-48 h group)and HO-1(24-48 h group), the activity of SOD(<12 h group, 12-24 h group)increased and the content of MDA(12-24 h group)in the Eda.B group decreased at discharge( P<0.05 for all). Conclusions:Eda.B can reduce oxidative stress and inflammatory response in peripheral blood of elderly patients with acute ischemic stroke by acting on the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway.

Helicobacter pylori (Hp) is one of most common pathogens causing gastrointestinal disorder including gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer and gastric cancer, etc. It has been verified as class I carcinogen by WHO. Nowadays, combination antibiotics and proton pump inhibitor are mainly used to erase Hp in clinical application. However, with the increased resistance of Hp, the vaccine against Hp might become the best strategy to eradicate Hp. Elements including urease, virulence factor, outer membrane protein, flagella, play an important role in Hp infection, colonization and reproduction. They have become potential candidate antigens in the development of Hp vaccine, as reported in previous studies. Presently, these antigens-centric vaccines have been tested in animal models. Therefore, this article reviews the studies on Hp vaccine with urease, virulence genes, outer membrane protein and flagella as their candidate antigens, in an attempt to provide insights for research in this regard.
Animals ; Helicobacter pylori ; Urease/genetics* ; Helicobacter Infections/prevention & control* ; Vaccines ; Membrane Proteins

Background Flurochloridone (FLC) is toxic to male reproduction and can induce apoptosis of testicular tissue and supporting cells under oxidative stress. Of particular concern is whether nuclear factor-erythrocyte 2-related factor 2/heme oxygenase-1 (Nrf2/HO-1) signaling pathway and nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) signaling pathway participate this process. Objective To observe apoptosis of testicular tissue and sertoli TM4 cells and alterations of Nrf2/HO-1 and NFκB signaling pathways in mice treated with FLC in vivo/in vitro. Methods (1) Animal experiment. Testis samples were harvested from male C57BL/6 mice after 28-day FLC (0, 3, 15, 75, and 375 mg·kg⁻¹ per day) exposure via oral route. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in homogenate of testicular tissue were measured by colorimetry. Apoptosis of testicular tissue was evaluated by TUNEL staining. Expression and distribution of Nrf2 and NFκB were detected by immunohistochemistry. Protein expression levels of Nrf2, HO-1, NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), NFκB, inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa-B kinase subunit beta (IKKβ), and phosphorylated recombinant inhibitory subunit of nuclear factor kappa-B alpha (P-IκBα) in testicular tissue homogenate were determined by Western blotting. (2) Cell experiment. TM4 cell lines were treated with 40, 80, 120, 160, and 200 μmol·L⁻¹ FLC for 6 h, and cell viability was detected by CCK-8. After 6 h exposure to 40, 80, and 160 μmol·L⁻¹ FLC, the apoptosis rate was detected by flow cytometry, and the protein expression levels of Nrf2, HO-1, NQO1, NFκB, IKKβ, and IκBα were detected by Western blotting. Results (1) Animal experiment. Apoptosis occurred in the interstitial and basal parts of spermatogenic tubules in male C57BL/6 mice after 28 days of oral FLC exposure. Compared with the control group, the MDA level in testicular tissue of the 375 mg·kg⁻¹ FLC-treated group was significantly increased (P<0.05), and the SOD activity was significantly decreased (P<0.05). After 375 mg·kg⁻¹ FLC exposure, apoptosis occurred in the interstitial and basal parts of spermatogenic tubules. The results of immunohistochemistry showed the expression of Nrf2 and NFκB in the interstitium and basal part of spermatogenic tubules of the treated groups. Compared with the control group, the protein levels of Nrf2, NQO1, P-IκBα, NFκB, and IKKβ in the 15, 75, and 375 mg·kg^-1 groups were significantly increased (P<0.001), and the HO-1 protein level was significantly increased in the 375 mg·kg⁻¹ group (P<0.001). (2) Cell experiment. Compared with the control group, the TM4 cell viabilities in the 40, 80, 120, 160, and 200 μmol·L⁻¹ FLC-treated groups significantly decreased (P<0.01). The apoptosis rates were significantly increased (P<0.05), and the apoptosis rates increased from 5.7% in the control group to 7.4%, 9.4%, and 11.7% in the 40, 80, and 160 μmol·L⁻¹, respectively. The Nrf2 protein level in the 40 μmol·L⁻¹ group was significantly increased (P<0.01), while the levels significantly decreased in the 80 and 160 μmol·L⁻¹ groups (P<0.01). The HO-1 protein levels in the 40, 80, and 160 μmol·L⁻¹ groups were significantly increased (P<0.01). The level of NQO1 protein in the 40 μmol·L⁻¹ group was significantly increased (P<0.01). The NFκB protein levels were significantly increased in the 80 and 160 μmol·L⁻¹ groups (P<0.001). The IκBα protein levels were significantly decreased in all treated groups (P<0.001). The IKKβ protein had no significant change. Conclusion FLC induces testicular tissue apoptosis, and the process affects Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway and NFκB signaling pathway. The in vitro study confirms that FLC could induce apoptosis of TM4 cells and activate Nrf2/HO-1 and NFκB signaling pathways.

Thermal ablations are rapidly developing techniques for minimally invasive treatment,including laser ab-lation,radiofrequency ablation,and microwave ablation.Such remarkable success has been achieved in treatment malig-nant neoplasms,for instance,hepatocellular carcinoma and renal cell adenocarcinoma.In recent years,the practice has been gradually adopted into the treatment of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma(PTMC).Many reports have stated that ther-mal ablations have distinctive advantages over traditional thyroidectomy owing to its efficacy and safety for treatment pri-mary PTMC,meanwhile there are many controversial issues which hotly debated regarding to first-line treatments.Re-cently,indications and contraindications of thermal ablation for PTMC have been successively proposed by guidelines and consensuses.Many follow-up reports related to thermal ablation in the treatment of PTMC have been reported in clinical practice as well.In this review,we summarized the principles,indications and contraindications,and the efficacy and safety of thermal ablation in the treatment of PTMC,and compared it with traditional surgery.

Background Flurochloridone (FLC) can induce apoptosis in Sertoli cells, but the specific mechanism remains unknown. Objective To investigate the testicular cell apoptosis in mice as well as apoptosis and activation of endoplasmic reticulum stress in TM4 cell line induced by FLC through in vivo and in vitro study designs respectively, and study the role of inosital-requiring enzyme 1α (IRE1α)-c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathway in the process of FLC-induced apoptosis in TM4 cells through intervention study design. Methods Testicular tissues were collected from male C57BL/6 mice which were treated with 3, 15, 75, and 375 mg·（kg·d）⁻¹ FLC by oral perfusion for 28 d. Apoptosis was observed by TUNEL staining, and the levels of apoptosis-related proteins were detected by Western blotting, including B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2 interacting mediator of cell death (Bim), and Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax). In the in vitro study, TM4 cells were treated with different concentrations of FLC (40, 80, and 160 μmol·L⁻¹) for 6 h, then apoptosis rate was detected by flow cytometry, and the levels of apoptosis-related proteins (Bcl-2, Bim, and Bax) and endoplasmic reticulum stress-related proteins [glucose regulated protein 78 (GRP78), phosphorylated-protein kinase R like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (p-PERK), activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6), phosphorylated-inosital-requiring enzyme 1α (p-IRE1α), and phosphorylated-JNK (p-JNK)] were measured by Western blotting. In the intervention study, TM4 cells were pretreated with IRE1α phosphorylation inhibitor 4μ8C and JNK phosphorylation inhibitor SP600125 for 6 h, then treated with 160 μmol·L⁻¹ FLC for 6 h. The levels of apoptosis-related proteins and endoplasmic reticulum stress-related proteins were measured by Western blotting, and cell viability was detected by cell counting kit-8. Results After the male C57BL/6 mice orally exposed to FLC for 28 d, apoptosis occurred in the seminiferous tubule. The protein expression level of Bcl-2, apoptosis inhibitor, was decreased in the 75 and 375 mg·(kg·d)⁻¹ groups (P<0.05), and the protein expression levels of Bim and Bax, apoptosis promoters, were increased in the 75 and 375 mg·(kg·d)⁻¹ groups respectively (P<0.05). The percentages of apoptotic cells in the 0, 40, 80, and 160 μmol·L⁻¹ FLC groups were 2.7%±0.2%, 4.8%±1.3%, 9.4%±0.3%, and 13.2%±0.2%, respectively, increased significantly compared with the control group (P<0.05). The protein expression level of Bcl-2 also was decreased in the 160 μmol·L⁻¹ FLC group (P<0.05), while the levels of Bim and Bax were increased in both of the 80 and 160 μmol·L⁻¹ groups (P<0.05). The expression levels of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related proteins (GRP78, p-PERK, ATF6, p-IRE1α, and p-JNK) were increased (P<0.05) or showed a rising trend in TM4 cells. Pre-treatment with 4μ8C (25 and 50 μmol·L⁻¹) and SP600125 (10 and 20 μmol·L⁻¹) significantly down-regulated the protein expression levels of GRP78, p-IRE1α, p-JNK, and Bax induced by FLC (P<0.05) or in a downward trend. Both of the inhibitors alleviated the decreased cell viability induced by FLC (P<0.05) or in alleviating fashion. Conclusion FLC could induce apoptosis in mice testis and TM4 cell apoptosis through activating endoplasmic reticulum stress and IRE1α-JNK signaling pathway.