Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of gemcitabine and cisplatin (GP) regimen in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitor sintilimab as neoadjuvant therapy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) patients and the feasibility of the following selective bladder sparing surgery. Materials and Methods: Patients with histopathologically confirmed urothelial carcinoma without distant metastases (T2-4a, N ≤ 1, M0, American Joint Committee of Cancer 8th) and with adequate organ function will be enrolled. The therapeutic regimen was sintilimab 200 mg once on day 8, gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m2 and cisplatin 35 mg/m2 once on days 1 and 8, every 21 days for four cycles. The primary endpoint was pathologic complete response (pCR, pT0N0) rate. The secondary end points were ypT < 2 rate, R0 resection rate, event-free survival, and safety. Results: From May 4, 2020, to May 20, 2023, 55 patients were enrolled. Forty-six patients were evaluated for efficacy. Among the 42 patients who underwent surgery, 16 patients (38.0%) achieved pCR. Thirty-three patients (78.6%) achieved pT < 2. With a median follow-up of 15.7 months, the 1-year event-free survival was 91.3%. Notwithstanding the poor pathological baseline characteristic of a high T3-T4a proportion (39.1%), a promising bladder preservation (including 22 patients transurethral resection of bladder tumor, 5 patients partial cystectomy, and 4 surveillances) rate was achieved (67.4%). The most common grade ≥ 3 treatment-related adverse events was neutropenia (n=15, 27.3%), which was related to chemotherapy. There were no grade 3 immune-related adverse events. Conclusion Neoadjuvant GP plus sintilimab is a promising regimen for MIBC patients, with relatively high pT < 2 rate and triggering the emerging roles for the multi-disciplinary team decision-making for bladder sparing surgery.

By reviewing the physical biological research on the activation of acupoint effects by acupuncture， this paper explains the activation mechanism from the perspective of the generation and transmission of mechanical signals caused by acupuncture， and reveals the physical-chemical coupling processes in the acupoint microenvironment. Future research should focus on locally mechanosensitive cells， further exploring how acupuncture mechanical signals trigger dynamic changes in cells and molecules in the acupoints， and the physical-chemical information transduction mechanism， which will provide scientific evidence for the acupoint activation during acupuncture. Related studies will contribute to a deeper understanding of the scientific principles behind acupuncture and promote its clinical application and development.

ObjectiveTo explore the potential mechanism of acupuncture with the method of soothing the liver and regulating the mind in improving depressive disorder. MethodsEighteen C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into blank group， model group， and acupuncture group， with 6 mice in each group. The model group and the acupuncture group were subjected to depression induction by intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide （LPS）， while the blank group received an equal volume of normal saline once daily for seven consecutive days. Concurrently， the acupuncture group received "soothing the liver and regulating the mind" acupuncture intervention starting from the first day of modeling， once daily for 14 days； whereas the blank group and the model group were only restrained without acupuncture. The sucrose preference test was used to assess sucrose preference rate， the open-field test to measure center stay time and total travel distance， and the forced swim test to evaluate immobility time. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was performed to observe hippocampal morphological changes. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect levels of interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in hippocampal tissue. Western blot analysis was conducted to examine the protein expression levels of Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4） and nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） in the hippocampus. ResultsCompared to the blank group， the model group showed a significant reduction in sucrose preference rate， center stay time， and total travel distance， along with a significant increase in immobility time in the forced swim test， hippocampal IL-1β， IL-6， and TNF-α levels， as well as TLR4 and NF-κB protein expression （P＜0.01）， and the histological examination revealed blurred hippocampal neuronal boundaries， loose arrangement， and some neurons exhibiting nuclear pyknosis and deep staining. Compared to the model group， the acupuncture group demonstrated a significant increase in sucrose preference rate， center stay time， and total travel distance， along with a significant reduction in immobility time in the forced swim test， hippocampal IL-1β， IL-6， and TNF-α levels， and TLR4 and NF-κB protein expression （P＜0.01）， and the histological analysis showed that hippocampal neurons in the acupuncture group were more tightly arranged， with reduced nuclear pyknosis and deep staining. ConclusionAcupuncture with the "soothing the liver and regulating the mind" method can significantly improve depression-like behavior， potentially by inhibiting the hippocampal TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway and alleviating inflammatory responses.

Objective To explore the mechanism of Tongluo Baoshen Decoction in improving podocyte injury in rats with IgA nephropathy based on Gprc5b/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway.Methods Totally 130 SPF-grade male SD rats were randomly divided into a normal group(n=20)and a modeling group(n=110).The IgA nephropathy model was established using a compound modeling method,and 100 modeling rats were randomly divided into model group,losartan potassium group(5 mg/kg),and Tongluo Baoshen Decoction low-,medium-,and high-dosage groups(5.3,10.6,21.2 g/kg),with 20 rats in each group.The administration group was given the corresponding dosage of medication by gavage,while the normal group and model group were given an equal amount of distilled water by gavage once a day.After 4 and 8 weeks of administration,urine samples were collected for 24 hours,and blood and kidney tissue specimens were collected.24-hour urinary protein quantification(24 h-UTP),urinary Nephrin,serum creatinine(SCr),blood urea nitrogen(BUN)and blood uric acid(BUA)contents were detected;RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to detect the expressions of G protein coupled receptor C-family 5b(Gprc5b),nuclear factor(NF)-κB p50,NOD like receptor protein 3(NLRP3),Caspase-1,interleukin(IL)-1β,Nephrin mRNA and protein in renal tissue,respectively;HE,PAS,PASM,Masson staining were used to observe the morphology of renal tissue,immunofluorescence was used to observe IgA deposition in the mesangial area of renal tissue,and transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the ultrastructure of podocytes.Results Compared with the normal group,the model group rats showed significantly increased contents of 24 h-UTP,urinary Nephrin and BUA(P<0.01),the mRNA and protein expressions of Gprc5b,NF-κB p50,NLRP3,Caspase-1 and IL-1β in renal tissue were significantly increased(P<0.01),while the mRNA and protein expressions of Nephrin were significantly decreased(P<0.01),with mild to moderate proliferation of mesangial cells in the glomerulus,increased mesangial matrix,and immunofluorescence showed clustered and linear deposition of IgA in the mesangial area,electron microscopy showed partial fusion of the foot processes.Compared with the model group,the 24 h-UTP and urinary Nephrin contents in different dosage groups of Tongluo Baoshen Decoction and the losartan potassium group after 4 and 8 weeks administration significantly decreased(P<0.01),with a decrease in BUA content in Tongluo Baoshen Decoction high-dosage group(P<0.05),the mRNA and protein expressions of Gprc5b,NF-κB p50,NLRP3,Caspase-1 and IL-1β in renal tissue of Tongluo Baoshen Decoction groups and losartan potassium group decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01),while the mRNA and protein expressions of Nephrin increased(P<0.05,P<0.01),with the proliferation of mesangial cells,the increase of mesangial matrix,the deposition of IgA in the mesangial area,and the fusion of foot processes in renal tissue were alleviated to varying degrees in different dosage groups of Tongluo Baoshen Decoction,with the most significant improvement observed in the high-dosage group.Compared with the 4-week administration,Tongluo Baoshen Decoction high-dose group showed further reductions in 24 h-UTP and urinary Nephrin contents after 8 weeks of administration(P<0.01),further decreases in the mRNA and protein expressions of Gprc5b,NF-κB p50,NLRP3,Caspase-1 and IL-1β in renal tissue(P<0.05,P<0.01),and further increases in the mRNA and protein expressions of Nephrin(P<0.01).Conclusion Tongluo Baoshen Decoction can reduce proteinuria,alleviate renal tissue lesions and improve podocyte injury in IgA nephropathy rats,and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of Gprc5b/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway in renal tissue.

The phase changes and quantity-quality transfer of 17 batches of Ostreae Concha(Ostrea rivularis) during the raw material-calcined decoction pieces-standard decoction process were analyzed. The content of calcium carbonate(CaCO_3), the main component, was determined by chemical titration, and the extract yield and transfer rate were calculated. The CaCO_3 content in the raw material, calcined decoction pieces, and standard decoction was 94.39%-98.80%, 95.03%-99.22%, and 84.58%-90.47%, respectively. The process of raw material to calcined decoction pieces showed the yield range of 96.85% to 98.55% and the CaCO_3 transfer rate range of 96.92% to 99.27%. The process of calcined decoction pieces to standard decoction showed the extract yield range of 2.86% to 5.48% and the CaCO_3 transfer rate range of 2.59% to 5.13%. The results of X-ray fluorescence(XRF) assay showed that the raw material, calcined decoction pieces, and standard decoction mainly contained Ca, Na, Mg, Si, Br, Cl, Al, Fe, Cr, Mn, and K. The chemometric results showed an increase in the relative content of Cr, Fe, and Si from raw material to calcined decoction pieces and an increase in the relative content of Mg, Al, Br, K, Cl, and Na from calcined decoction pieces to standard decoction. X-ray diffraction(XRD) was employed to establish XRD characteristic patterns of the raw material, calcined decoction pieces, and standard decoction. The XRD results showed that the main phase of all three was calcite, and no transformation of crystalline form or generation of new phase was observed. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR) was employed to establish the FTIR characteristic spectra of the raw material, calcined decoction pieces, and standard decoction. The FTIR results showed that the raw material had internal vibrations of O-H, C-H, C=O, C-O, and CO■ groups. Due to the loss of organic matter components after calcination, no information about the vibrations of C-H, C=O, and C-O groups was observed in the spectra of calcined decoction pieces and standard decoction. In summary, this study elucidated the quantity-quality transfer and phase changes in the raw material-calcined decoction pieces-standard decoction process by determining the CaCO_3 content, calculating the extract yield and transfer rate, and comparing the element changes, FTIR characteristic spectra, and XRD characteristic pattern. The results were reasonable and reliable, laying a foundation for the subsequent process research and quality control of the formula granules of calcined Ostreae Concha(O. rivularis Gould), and providing ideas and methods for the quality control of the whole process of raw material-decoction pieces-standard decoction-formula granules of Ostreae Concha and other testacean traditional Chinese medicine.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/isolation & purification* ; Calcium Carbonate/analysis* ; Quality Control

Objective To investigate the clinical effect of Qizhi Mixture combined with telmisartan tab-lets in the treatment of qi deficiency and blood stasis type IgA nephropathy.Methods A total of 98 patients with qi deficiency and blood stasis type IgA nephropathy admitted and treated in this hospital from January 2020 to December 2023 were selected and divided into the experimental group and control group according to the envelope method.The control group adopted telmisartan tablets,and the experimental group adopted Qizhi Mixture combined with telmisartan tablets.The clinical efficacies were compared between the two groups,as well as the renal function,liver function,vessel endothelial cell function and oxidative stress response indica-tors in the two groups.The occurrence of adverse reactions in the two groups were observed.Results The to-tal treatment effective rate in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group(95.92％vs.79.59％).After treatment,the levels of SCr,BUN and NGAL in the experimental group were lower than those in the control group,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).The ALB level after treatment in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group,the ALT and TBIL levels were lower than that in the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).The levels of VEGF and ET-1 after treatment in the experimental group were lower than those in the control group,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).The levels of GSH-Px and SOD after treat-ment in the experimental group were higher than those in the control group,the level of MDA was lower than that in the control group,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).The incidence rate of ad-verse reactions in the experimental group was lower than that in the control group,and the difference was sta-tistically significant(6.12％vs.22.45％,P＜0.05).Conclusion Qizhi Mixture combined with telmisartan tablets in the treatment of qi deficiency and blood stasis type IgA nephropathy could improve the liver and re-nal function and endothelial cell function of the patients,reduce the oxidative stress responses and decrease the adverse reactions.

The continuous emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants as well as other potential future coronavirus has challenged the effectiveness of current COVID-19 vaccines. Therefore, there remains a need for alternative antivirals that target processes less susceptible to mutations, such as the formation of six-helix bundle (6-HB) during the viral fusion step of host cell entry. In this study, a novel high-throughput screening (HTS) assay employing a yeast-two-hybrid (Y2H) system was established to identify inhibitors of HR1/HR2 interaction. The compound IMB-9C, which achieved single-digit micromolar inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 and its Omicron variants with low cytotoxicity, was selected. IMB-9C effectively blocks the HR1/HR2 interaction in vitro and inhibits SARS-CoV-2-S-mediated cell-cell fusion. It binds to both HR1 and HR2 through non-covalent interaction and influences the secondary structure of HR1/HR2 complex. In addition, virtual docking and site-mutagenesis results suggest that amino acid residues A930, I931, K933, T941, and L945 are critical for IMB-9C binding to HR1. Collectively, in this study, we have developed a novel screening method for HR1/HR2 interaction inhibitors and identified IMB-9C as a potential antiviral small molecule against COVID-19 and its variants.

Objective:To analyze relevant factors influencing severe acute radiation enteritis (SARE) during total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT) for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). To identify specific prediction indicators of the occurrence and progression of radiation enteritis by investigating the effect relationships between radiation enteritis and multidimensional factors.Methods:A total of 92 patients with rectal adenocarcinoma who received total neoadjuvant therapy at the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from January 2020 to September 2023 were enrolled in this study. Their relevant information was collected, encompassing clinical nutritional indicators, dynamic changes in hematological parameters, systemic inflammatory indicators, and the occurrence of adverse reactions. Then, risk factors associated with radiation enteritis were determined using logistic regression analysis. Based on independent risk factors, a nomogram model for risk prediction was constructed.Results:Univariate analysis revealed significant correlations of the SARE occurrence with certain nutritional indicators, local tumor measurement data, and laboratory parameters. Multivariate regression analysis further identified the independent risk factors for SARE occurrence, including albumin reduction >26.5% before vs. after treatment ( OR = 5.010, 95% CI: 1.766-14.154, P = 0.010), rectual tenesmus rating of Grade 1-3 ( OR = 3.639, 95% CI: 1.425-9.300, P = 0.024), and elevated disease activity index (DAI) score ( OR ≈ 7.683 per 1-point increase, 95% CI: 1.105-53.410, P = 0.039). The prediction model constructed based on these factors demonstrated high prediction efficiency (AUC = 0.841; 95% CI: 0.749-0.934). Conclusions:The nomogram model constructed using albumin reduction, rectal tenesmus rating, and DAI score can provide accurate, simple, and low-cost risk prediction of radiation enteritis during TNT for LARC patients. This model facilitates the early clinical identification of high-risk patients, providing a basis for implementing personalized adjustments to radiotherapy regimens and enhancing nutritional interventions.