This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of compound Agrimonia pilosula enteritis capsules (CAPEC) on ulcerative colitis (UC) in mice with dampness-heat syndrome. The mice were randomly divided into five groups: the control group, the model group, the positive drug (5-aminosalicylic acid, 5-ASA) group, the low-dose CAPEC (CAPEC-L) group and the high-dose CAPEC (CAPEC-H) group. The mice models were established by using high-fat high-sucrose diet, feeding with distilled spirit and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). The effects of CAPEC on bile acids (BAs) metabolic profiles in bile and the FXR-SREBP-1 signaling pathway were investigated in the model of UC in mice with dampness-heat syndrome by ELISA, qRT-PCR, UHPLC-QQQ/MS, and histopathological analysis. The results showed that, compared with the model group, the CAPEC-L group and the CAPEC-H group significantly reduced the disease activity index (DAI), and proinflammatory cytokine levels (including IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α) in both serum and colon tissues. Additionally, CAPEC markedly ameliorated intestinal inflammation, hepatic lipid accumulation, and pathological alterations in tongue tissue. The CAPEC-H group significantly attenuated the abnormal elevation of BAs profiles in bile, and up-regulated hepatic mRNA levels of Cyp7a1, Cyp7b1, Cyp27a1, Bsep, Fxr, and Shp, while down-regulating Srebp-1 and Cyp8b1 expression. The experimental results suggest that CAPEC alleviates UC with dampness-heat syndrome by ameliorating BAs metabolic disorders, hepatic lipid accumulation, and intestinal inflammation. These findings provide mechanistic insights into CAPEC’s traditional effects of clearing heat and drying dampness, and strengthening the spleen to relieve diarrhea.

Background Silicosis, caused by inhalation of silica (SiO₂) dust, remains the most prevalent occupational pneumoconiosis in China. While galectin-3 (Gal-3) is known to play pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic roles in various diseases, its specific mechanism in the pathogenesis of silicosis has not been fully clarified. Objective To investigate the role and underlying mechanisms of Gal-3 in silicosis using clinical samples of silicosis and a silicosis mouse model. Methods Lung nodule biopsy samples were collected from patients with stage III pneumoconiosis. Concurrently a silicosis mouse model was constructed via non-exposed tracheal intubation with instillation of a SiO₂ suspension. The expression levels of Gal-3 mRNA and protein in the lung tissues of the silicosis model mice were then detected using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining. Single-cell transcriptomic sequencing (scRNA-seq) was performed on both human and murine lung samples to analyze the expression of the Gal-3-encoding gene Lgals3 across different cell types. In vitro, RAW264.7 macrophages were treated with varying concentrations of SiO₂ suspension for 24 h and 48 h; the expression levels of Gal-3 mRNA and protein were measured by RT-qPCR and Western blot. The Gal-3 inhibitor TD139 was used to intervene in the SiO₂-induced in vitro macrophage model, and Western blot was used to detect the intracellular expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). Finally, mouse embryonic lung fibroblasts NIH/3T3 and Mlg2908 were treated with varying concentrations of recombinant mouse Gal-3 protein (rmGal-3) for 48 h, and Western blot was used to detect the expression of fibrosis markers [(Collagen I, Collagen III, Fibronectin, and α smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)] and proteins associated with the TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway. Results RT-qPCR and IHC staining showed that both the gene and protein expression levels of Gal-3 were significantly elevated at all consecutive time points in the silicosis mouse model (P < 0.05). scRNA-seq revealed that Lgals3 was aberrantly highly expressed in lung tissues from pneumoconiosis patients and silicosis mouse models, with the highest expression observed in macrophages. After treatment of macrophages with different concentrations of SiO₂ for 24 h and 48 h, the mRNA and protein expression levels of Gal-3 were significantly upregulated compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Following TD139 intervention, the protein expression levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, and TGF-β1 in dust-exposed macrophages were markedly downregulated (P < 0.0001). After 48 h of stimulation with rmGal-3, the protein expression levels of Collagen I, Fibronectin, and α-SMA in mouse embryonic lung fibroblasts (NIH/3T3 and Mlg2908) were significantly increased in all treatment groups compared with the control group (P < 0.01). Moreover, Gal-3 treatment markedly upregulated TGF-β1 protein expression in Mlg2908 cells and enhanced the phosphorylation levels of Smad2 and Smad3 (P < 0.0001). Conclusion Gal-3 is abnormally expressed in silicotic lung tissues, which primarily originates from macrophages, and inhibition of Gal-3 suppresses SiO₂-induced inflammatory and pro-fibrotic responses. In addition, Gal-3 promotes fibroblast differentiation and extracellular matrix production by activating the TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway.

Background Silicosis, caused by inhalation of silica (SiO₂) dust, remains the most prevalent occupational pneumoconiosis in China. While galectin-3 (Gal-3) is known to play pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic roles in various diseases, its specific mechanism in the pathogenesis of silicosis has not been fully clarified. Objective To investigate the role and underlying mechanisms of Gal-3 in silicosis using clinical samples of silicosis and a silicosis mouse model. Methods Lung nodule biopsy samples were collected from patients with stage III pneumoconiosis. Concurrently a silicosis mouse model was constructed via non-exposed tracheal intubation with instillation of a SiO₂ suspension. The expression levels of Gal-3 mRNA and protein in the lung tissues of the silicosis model mice were then detected using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining. Single-cell transcriptomic sequencing (scRNA-seq) was performed on both human and murine lung samples to analyze the expression of the Gal-3-encoding gene Lgals3 across different cell types. In vitro, RAW264.7 macrophages were treated with varying concentrations of SiO₂ suspension for 24 h and 48 h; the expression levels of Gal-3 mRNA and protein were measured by RT-qPCR and Western blot. The Gal-3 inhibitor TD139 was used to intervene in the SiO₂-induced in vitro macrophage model, and Western blot was used to detect the intracellular expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). Finally, mouse embryonic lung fibroblasts NIH/3T3 and Mlg2908 were treated with varying concentrations of recombinant mouse Gal-3 protein (rmGal-3) for 48 h, and Western blot was used to detect the expression of fibrosis markers [(Collagen I, Collagen III, Fibronectin, and α smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)] and proteins associated with the TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway. Results RT-qPCR and IHC staining showed that both the gene and protein expression levels of Gal-3 were significantly elevated at all consecutive time points in the silicosis mouse model (P < 0.05). scRNA-seq revealed that Lgals3 was aberrantly highly expressed in lung tissues from pneumoconiosis patients and silicosis mouse models, with the highest expression observed in macrophages. After treatment of macrophages with different concentrations of SiO₂ for 24 h and 48 h, the mRNA and protein expression levels of Gal-3 were significantly upregulated compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Following TD139 intervention, the protein expression levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, and TGF-β1 in dust-exposed macrophages were markedly downregulated (P < 0.0001). After 48 h of stimulation with rmGal-3, the protein expression levels of Collagen I, Fibronectin, and α-SMA in mouse embryonic lung fibroblasts (NIH/3T3 and Mlg2908) were significantly increased in all treatment groups compared with the control group (P < 0.01). Moreover, Gal-3 treatment markedly upregulated TGF-β1 protein expression in Mlg2908 cells and enhanced the phosphorylation levels of Smad2 and Smad3 (P < 0.0001). Conclusion Gal-3 is abnormally expressed in silicotic lung tissues, which primarily originates from macrophages, and inhibition of Gal-3 suppresses SiO₂-induced inflammatory and pro-fibrotic responses. In addition, Gal-3 promotes fibroblast differentiation and extracellular matrix production by activating the TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of protein arginine methyltransferase 5 （PRMT5） on the angiogenesis of colorectal cancer （CRC） through the Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （JAK2/STAT3） signaling pathway. MethodsThe expression and prognostic value of PRMT5 in CRC tissues were analyzed based on the cancer genome atlas （TCGA） and gene expression omnibus （GEO） databases. A total of 105 pairs of cancer tissues and matched adjacent non-tumor tissues were collected from CRC patients， and PRMT5 expression was detected by immunohistochemistry （IHC）； Western blot was used to detect the PRMT5 protein level in normal colonic epithelial cells （FHC） and CRC cell lines （including RKO， SW480）. SW48 and LoVo cells were divided into negative control （NC） group and PRMT5 knockdown interference group. After the stable knockdown cell models were successfully constructed， the effects of conditioned medium on the proliferation， cell cycle， migration and tube formation abilities of human umbilical vein endothelial cells （HUVECs） were detected； the correlation between PRMT5 and vascular endothelial growth factor A （VEGFA） was analyzed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （RT-qPCR） and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Gene set enrichment analysis （GSEA） and cytoplasm-nucleus separation assay were performed to verify the regulatory pathway. ResultsPRMT5 was highly expressed in CRC tissues and cell lines， which was significantly correlated with poor prognosis and pathological characteristics of patients （all P<0.05）； PRMT5 knockdown could significantly inhibit the angiogenesis-related abilities of HUVECs （all P<0.05） and down-regulate the expression of VEGFA （all P<0.01）. GSEA results indicated that PRMT5 expression was significantly associated with the activation of JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway （all P<0.001）. PRMT5 knockdown could inhibit the activation of JAK2/STAT3， the nuclear translocation of STAT3 and the protein level of phosphorylated STAT3 （p-STAT3） in the nucleus， thus inhibiting the expression of VEGFA. ConclusionPRMT5 is highly expressed in CRC tissues and indicates poor prognosis of patients. It promotes the nuclear translocation and transcriptional activity of STAT3 by activating the JAK2/STAT3 pathway and drives the expression of VEGFA to promote tumor angiogenesis.

Objective This study reports on the obligatory parasitism of water mites Arrenurus sp. on Anopheles messeae at the Manzhouli Port, Inner Mongolia, China. Methods Duing July 2024, a survey on the mosquito diversity was conducted at the Manzhouli Port. Captured mosquitoes and their ectoparasites were identified to species level. Results A total of 1840 adult mosquitoes were collected, representing species from three genera: Culex(Cx. modestus, Cx. pipiens pallens), Aedes(Ae. dorsalis, Ae. flavidorsalis, Ae. flavescens), and Anopheles (An. messeae). Among all the mosqutioes specimens,3 out of 150 captured An. messeae were found to carry ectoparasitic mites, with number of 2,4,27 mites separately. Morphological and molecular identification reached the same result as water mites(Hydrachnidiae, Hydracrina). COI gene sequence showed 94% similarity with the closest species Arrenurus truncatellus. Conlusions Literature review suggests water mites are host-specific parasitism of mosquito species and herein with the first record of Arrenurus sp. parasiting on An. Messeae in the most high-latitude region globally.

The recombinant human thyroid-stimulating hormone (rhTSH) can be used for differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) preparation before ¹³¹I therapy, and follow-up. Since its approval by the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1998, rhTSH has been clinically used in European countries, the United States, and other countries for nearly 30 years. In April 2024, China’s first independently developed rhTSH agent was approved. Based on clinical experience and evidence from domestic and international studies, an expert consensus on the application of rhTSH has been developed following thorough consultations among experts. The consensus offers evidence-based recommendations to guide the appropriate use of rhTSH in clinical practice.

Objective To establish a rapid,sensitive,and specific multiplex PCR detection method for the simultaneous detection of Cryptosporidium,Eimeria,and bovine parvovirus.Methods Specific primers targeting the SSU rRNA genes of Cryptosporidium and Eimeria,as well as the VP2 gene of bovine parvovirus were designed and the corresponding recombinant plasmid standards were constructed.To establish the multiplex PCR method,the reaction conditions were optimized using temperature gradient PCR and single-variable control methods.The sensitivity,specificity,reproducibility,and clinical application of the protocol were evaluated.Results The optimal annealing temperature was found to be 60.5℃,and the forward and reverse primer concentrations were determined to be 0.2 μmol/L for Eimeria,and 0.4 μmol/L for Cryptosporidium and bovine parvovirus.The assay demonstrated high sensitivity,with detection limits of 243,260,and 3 110 copies for the recombinant plasmid standards of Cryptosporidium,Eimeria,and bovine parvovirus,respectively.Specificity testing showed no cross-reactivity with ten common bovine pathogens,including Salmonella,bovine viral diarrhea virus,and bovine rotavirus.Consistent intra-and inter-batch results confirmed the strong reproducibility of the method.Clinical application to 81 diarrhea samples from various regions in the Ganzi Prefecture,Sichuan,revealed positivity rates of 18.52%(15/81)for Cryptosporidium,34.57%(28/81)for Eimeria,and 18.52%(15/81)forbovineparvovirus,withamixedinfectionrateof3.7%(3/81).Conclusions Themultiplex PCR method established in this study offers a reliable tool for differential diagnosis and epidemiological investigation of the three common diarrheal pathogens in yaks.

AIM To investigate the renal protective effects of Qizhi Tongluo Formula on a mouse model of diabetic nephropathy.METHODS The male db/db mice were randomly divided into the model group,the dapagliflozin group(0.76 mg/kg)and the low,medium and high dose Qizhi Tongluo Formula groups(7.83,15.65 and 31.3 g/kg),with 6 mice in each group,in contrast to the 6 db/m mice of the control group.When the mice of the control group and the model group were given distilled water by gavage,those of the other administration groups were dosed with the corresponding drug by gavage once daily for 8 weeks.After the drug administration,the mice had their levels of FBG,BUN,Scr and 24 h-UTP detected;their renal pathological changes observed by transmission electron microscopy(TEM)and HE staining;their levels of serum Nrf2,HO-1,Keap1 and renal oxidative stress assessed by ELISA;their renal Nrf2 protein expression observed by immunofluorescence(IF);their renal protein expressions of Nrf2,HO-1 and Keap1 detected by Western blot;and their renal Nrf2,HO-1,and Keap1 mRNA expressions detected by RT-qPCR.RESULTS Compared with the control group,the model group displayed increased levels of 24 h-UTP,Scr,FBG and renal MDA(P＜0.01);decreased renal activities of SOD,CAT and GSH-Px(P＜0.01);mild glomerular mesangial hyperplasia,vacuolated renal tubular epithelial cells,widely fused podocyte foot processes,disappearance of tear film,decreased secretion levels of serum Nrf2 and HO-1 and renal protein and mRNA expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);and decreased secretion levels of serum Keap1 and renal Keap1 protein and mRNA expressions(P＜0.01).Compared with the model group,the high-dose Qizhi Tongluo Formula group demonstrated decreased levels of 24 h-UTP,Scr,FBG and renal MDA(P＜0.01);increased renal activities of SOD,CAT and GSH-Px(P＜0.01);alleviated renal pathological damage,increased secretion levels of serum Nrf2 and HO-1 and renal protein and mRNA expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1(P＜0.01);and increased level of serum Keap1 secretion and renal Keap1 protein and mRNA expressions(P＜0.01).CONCLUSION Qizhi Tongluo Formula can inhibit oxidative stress and alleviate kidney damage in db/db mice by activating Nrf2/Keap1/ARE signaling pathway.

Objective:To investigate the clinical value of dynamic AI ultrasonic intelligent assisted diagnosis system for preoperative evaluation of thyroid nodules with diameter ≤1.0 cm.Methods:From Apr. 1, 2023, to Dec. 30, 2023, 742 thyroid nodules with diameter ≤1.0 cm were removed from 532 patients with thyroid nodule disease who received surgical treatment in the Department of Thyroid (hernia) of the First Medical Center of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army General Hospital. Among them, 423 were d≤0.5 cm. 319 cases (235 males and 507 females) with 0.5

Objective Investigate the clinical efficacy and application value of gasless trans-subclavian approach endoscopic surgery(GTAES)for the treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism(PHPT).Methods 55 PHPT patients who underwent unilateral parathyroid adenoma resection from January 2023 to October 2024 were absorbed.Based on surgical approaches,31 patients were divided into the traditional low-collar arc incision open surgery group(open group)and 24 patients were divided into gasless trans-subclavian approach endoscopic surgery group(endoscopic group).The perioperative data,anterior neck function recovery,and incision healing were compared between two groups.Results There were no significant differences in operation time,intraoperative blood loss,postoperative drainage volume and postoperative hospital stay between the two groups(P＞0.05).The preoperative blood calcium levels of the endoscopic group and the open group were(2.68±0.10)mmol/L and(2.63±0.16)mmol/L,respectively.The blood calcium levels on the first day after surgery were(2.39±0.12)mmol/L and(2.36±0.16)mmol/L,respectively.Preoperative parathyroid hormone(PTH)was 27.55(110.05,155.75)pg/ml in endoscopic group and 137.00(107.00,210.30)pg/ml in open group,respectively.PTH on the first day after surgery was 18.98(12.64,23.53)pg/ml and 13.85(7.36,23.23)pg/ml,respectively.Blood calcium and PTH in each group 1 day after surgery decreased compared with that before surgery,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).There were no postoperative complications such as hoarseness,bleeding and incision infection in both groups.Postoperative hand and foot numbness:5 cases(20.8％)in endoscopic group and 8 patients(25.8％)in the open group,there was no significant difference between the two groups(P=0.667).There was no significant difference in the score of neck pain 3 days after surgery between the two groups(P＞0.05).The score of swallowing tension[(1.92±1.06)points compared with(2.77±1.38)points,P=0.015]and the score of anterior neck discomfort[(1.63±0.88)points compared with(2.35±1.33)points,P=0.018]in the endoscopic group one month after surgery were better than those in the open group.There was no significant difference in the score of neck scar scale between the two groups 3 months after surgery(P＞0.05).VAS score of incision satisfaction was(9.08±0.88)in endoscopic group and(8.19±1.30)in open group,and the endoscopic group was better than the open group,the difference was statistically significant(P=0.004).Conclusion For PHPT patients caused by unilateral parathyroid adenoma confirmed through preoperative localization examination,GTAES is a safe and effective surgical approach,which offers unique advantages in intraoperative lesion identification,cosmetic outcomes of the incision,and preservation of anterior neck function,providing a new surgical option for PHPT patients.