OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of heat-sensitive moxibustion at "Feishu" (BL13) on immunoinflammatory response in rats with allergic rhinitis (AR) based on phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathway, so as to explore its underlying mechanism. METHODS: Thirty-two male SD rats were randomly divided into a blank group (6 rats) and a modeling group (26 rats). In the modeling group, AR model was prepared using systemic and local attack sensitization method with ovalbumin. The successfully-modeled rats were randomized into a model group (6 rats), a medication group (6 rats) and a moxibustion group (14 rats). In the moxibustion group, the suspending moxibustion was operated at bilateral "Feishu" (BL13), 40 min each time, once daily, for 21 consecutive days; during which, the temperature of the body and tail was recorded. During intervention, if the temperature of the body and tail increased by >1 ℃, the heat-sensitive reaction at the point was determined in the rats of the moxibustion group, and these rats were collected in a heat-sensitive moxibustion group (8 rats involved and 6 rats of them were randomly collected to ensure the sample-size consistency); and those without heat-sensitive moxibustion reaction were assigned to a traditional moxibustion group (6 rats). In the medication group, fluticasone propionate nasal spray was applied, 8 μL on each side, once daily and for 21 days. The behavioral score for AR symptoms after modeling and intervention, and the content of serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) after modeling were observed. After intervention, the histological morphology of the nasal mucosa was observed using HE staining, the positive expression of thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) in the nasal mucosa was detected using immunohistochemistry, the levels of IgE, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-13 and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) were detected by ELISA, and the protein expression of the member 4 of tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily (OX40), phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-AKT), phosphorylated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (p-PI3K) in nasal mucosa was detected by Western blotting. RESULTS: After modeling, the behavioral score of AR symptoms and serum IgE level in the modeling group were higher than those of the blank group (P<0.01), suggesting the success of AR modeling. After intervention, compared with the blank group, the behavioral score of AR symptoms was increased (P<0.01)；the nasal mucosa structure was disordered, the inflammatory infiltration was severe; the positive expression of TSLP in the nasal mucosa increased (P<0.01), the levels of serum IgE, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 elevated (P<0.01), and the level of IFN-γ decreased (P<0.01); and the protein expression of OX40, p-AKT, and p-PI3K in the nasal mucosa increased (P<0.05) in the model group. Compared with the model group, the behavioral score of AR symptoms was reduced (P<0.01); the nasal mucosa structure, inflammatory infiltration, and vascular dilation were ameliorated to varying degrees; the positive expression of TSLP in the nasal mucosa decreased (P<0.01); the content of serum IgE, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 decreased (P<0.05), and that of IFN-γ increased (P<0.05) in the medication, traditional moxibustion, and heat-sensitive moxibustion groups. Compared with the model group, the protein expression of p-AKT was reduced in the medication and traditional moxibustion groups (P<0.05), the protein expression of OX40, p-AKT, and p-PI3K in the nasal mucosa decreased in the heat-sensitive moxibustion group (P<0.05). When compared with the medication group, the positive expression of TSLP in the nasal mucosa was reduced (P<0.05) in the heat-sensitive moxibustion group. In comparison with the traditional moxibustion group, the content of serum IL-13 was reduced and the content of IFN-γ elevated in the heat-sensitive moxibustion and the medication groups (P<0.05), the protein expression of p-PI3K reduced in the medication group (P<0.05), and the positive expression of TSLP and the protein expression of OX40 and p-PI3K in the nasal mucosa were reduced in the heat-sensitive moxibustion group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Heat-sensitive moxibustion at "Feishu" (BL13) can alleviate the symptoms of AR rats, ameliorate the inflammatory infiltration and telangiectasia of nasal mucosa, and inhibit immunoinflammatory response, which may be obtained by regulating PI3K/AKT signal pathway.
Animals ; Moxibustion ; Male ; Rats ; Signal Transduction ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rhinitis, Allergic/genetics* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/immunology* ; Acupuncture Points ; Humans ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/immunology* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase/immunology*

Psoriasis is an incurable chronic inflammatory disease that requires new interventions. Here, we found that fibroblasts exacerbate psoriasis progression by promoting macrophage recruitment via CCL2 secretion by single-cell multi-omics analysis. The natural small molecule celastrol was screened to interfere with the secretion of CCL2 by fibroblasts and improve the psoriasis-like symptoms in both murine and cynomolgus monkey models. Mechanistically, celastrol directly bound to the low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1) β-chain and abolished its binding to the transcription factor c-Jun in the nucleus, which in turn inhibited CCL2 production by skin fibroblasts, blocked fibroblast-macrophage crosstalk, and ameliorated psoriasis progression. Notably, fibroblast-specific LRP1 knockout mice exhibited a significant reduction in psoriasis like inflammation. Taken together, from clinical samples and combined with various mouse models, we revealed the pathogenesis of psoriasis from the perspective of fibroblast-macrophage crosstalk, and provided a foundation for LRP1 as a novel potential target for psoriasis treatment.

Biological toxins are toxic molecules produced by specific microorganisms,plants or animals.Due to their wide range of sources and high toxicity,the availability of protein and non-protein toxins is becoming increasingly important,some of which are used for military purposes and developed as biotoxin warfare agents.In this paper,the classification and mechanism of action of biological toxins are discussed.In addition,the strategies for prevention and control of biological toxins as well as their therapeutic applications are reviewed.

Objective:To explore the differential efficacies of conventional chemotherapy, autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HSCT) and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) for T lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LBL) .Method:From January 2012 to December 2022, the relevant clinical data were retrospectively reviewed for 82 T-LBL patients hospitalized at Affiliated Tongji Hospital. According to different treatments, they were assigned into two groups of non-transplantation (49 cases) and transplantation (33 cases). The transplantation group was divided further into two groups of allo-HSCT (22 cases) and auto-HSCT (11 cases) according to different transplantation modes. In non-transplantation group, remission was induced mostly by cyclophosphamide+messosodium+doxorubicin+dexamethasone+vincrine/methotrexate+Hyper CAVD A/B. Six patients achieved remission based upon cyclophosphamide+cytarabine+6-mercaptopurine (CAT), etoposide+vincristine+doxorubicin+cyclophosphamide+cyclophosphamide+ prednisone (EPOCH), high-dose methotrexate+dexamethasone and vincristine+pirubicin+ cyclophosphamide+ pemasase+prednisone (VDCLP). The transplantation group underwent HSCT after multi-drug combination intensive induction therapy. Efficacy and survival were analyzed by observing the rates of overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) .Result:There were 64 males and 18 females with a median age of 23 (11~74) year. Among them, 62 cases (75.61%) had clinical stage Ⅲ~Ⅳ. And 43 cases (53.44%) had systemic symptoms (B symptom) of fever, night sweats and weight loss at an onset of disease. Fifty cases (61.00%) had an involvement of bone marrow and 33 cases (80.5%) belonged to Ann Arbor stage Ⅲ and above. There were 65 cases (79.27%) with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score ≤2 and 17 cases (20.73%) with ECOG score >2. International Prognostic Index (IPI) was ≤3 (63 cases, 76.83%) and >3 (19 cases, 23.17%). Follow-up period was 27.5 (5~118) month. And 3-year OS and PFS were 53.64% (95% CI: 42.35%~64.62%) and 47.56% (95% CI: 36.53%~58.82%). Significant inter-group difference existed in 3-year OS[42.86% (95% CI: 29.12%~57.71%) vs 69.70% (95% CI: 51.13%~83.79%), P=0.014]and 3-year PFS was 38.76% (95% CI: 25.54%~53.76%) and 60.61% (95% CI: 42.24%~76.57%). And the difference was statistically significant ( P=0.032) . Conclusion:As a consolidation therapy, HSCT may improve the long-term outcomes of T-LBL patients as compared with chemotherapy alone.

Objective:To explore the risk factors and outcomes of central nervous system(CNS)complications associated with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(HSCT).Methods:A total of 550 recipient after HSCT in the department of hematology of Tongji Hospital affiliated to Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology from January 1 2019 to August 31 2021were enrolled.According to the occurrence of CNS complications, they were divided into the CNS group(24 cases)and the non CNS group(526 cases). The clinical information and prognosis were compared.We further analyzed the risk factors associated with CNS complications, and conducted multivariate logistic regression on statistically significant indicators.Cox regression analysis is conducted on prognostic factors such as age, gender and risk degree.Results:A total of 550 recipients were enrolled, of which 330 underwent allo-HSCT, and others received auto-HSCT.A total of 24 cases (4.36%)had CNS complications, of which 4 cases had 2 types of CNS complications.The type of CNS complications included intracranial infection(8 cases, 28.57%), transplantation-associated thrombotic microangiopathy(TA-TMA)(6 cases, 21.43%), central tumor invasion(4 cases, 14.29%), intracranial hemorrhage(4 cases, 14.29%), leucodystrophy(2 cases, 7.14%)and unexplained encephalopathy(4 cases, 14.29%). Logistic regression analysis of risk factors related to CNS complications showed that, Platelet implantation time( β=0.084, OR=1.088, P=0.048), CMV infection( β=1.295, OR=3.65, P=0.008)is positively correlated with the occurrence of CNS complications in HSCT recipients but age( β=-0.052, OR=0.949, P=0.004)is negatively correlated with it.Nine of the 24 cases(37.50%)who experienced CNS complications died, including 3 cases of intracranial infection, 3 cases of cerebral hemorrhage, 2 cases of TMA, and 1 case of unexplained encephalopathy.Platelet implantation time is an independent risk factor for poor prognosis of CNS complications in HSCT recipients. Conclusions:Our results indicated that, age, CMV infection and platelet implantation time were associated with the occurrence of CNS complications after HSCT.Platelet implantation time is an independent risk factor for poor prognosis of CNS complications in HSCT recipients.

Objective:To compare the clinical outcomes and safety of haploidentical donor (HID)and HLA-matched sibling donor(MSD)hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(HSCT)for severe aplastic anemia(SAA).Methods:From January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2019, retrospective review of clinical data was performed for 75 SAA patients undergoing HSCT at Department of Hematology, Affiliated Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology.Based upon donor sources, they were divided into two groups of MSD(49 cases)and HID (26 cases). And two groups were compared with regards to hematopoietic recovery, graft-versus-host disease(GVHD)infection and overall survival(OS).Results:Time of platelet and neutrophil engraftment of two groups was comparable(11 d vs.11 d, P=0.84; 11 d vs.12 d, P=0.08). Compared with HID group, MSD group had a lower incidence of acute GVHD(46.2% vs.18.4%, P=0.01)with a comparable incidence of grade Ⅱ-Ⅳ acute GVHD(26.9% vs.14.3%, P=0.24), grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ acute GVHD(15.4% vs.4.1%, P=0.09)and chronic GVHD(23.9% vs.23.1 %, P=0.71). A reactivation of CMV occurred in 27(55.1%)MSD and 22(84.6%)HID recipients( P=0.01). And the incidence of EB viremia was 69.4% and 61.5% respectively.After a median follow-up period of 54.0 and 18.5 months, the estimated 3-year OS rate of MSD and HID groups were 94.0% and 88.0% respectively ( P=0.35). Conclusions:HID HSCT is an effective and relatively safe option for SAA patients, especially for those in urgent need of treatment without MSD or refractory/relapse to immunosuppressive therapy.

Cell death plays important roles in living organisms and is a hallmark of numerous disorders such as cardiovascular diseases, sepsis and acute pancreatitis. Moreover, cell death also plays a pivotal role in the treatment of certain diseases, for example, cancer. Noninvasive visualization of cell death contributes to gained insight into diseases, development of individualized treatment plans, evaluation of treatment responses, and prediction of patient prognosis. On the other hand, cell death can also be targeted for the treatment of diseases. Although there are many ways for a cell to die, only apoptosis and necrosis have been extensively studied in terms of cell death related theranostics. This review mainly focuses on molecular imaging and therapeutic strategies directed against necrosis. Necrosis shares common morphological characteristics including the rupture of cell membrane integrity and release of cellular contents, which provide potential biomarkers for visualization of necrosis and necrosis targeted therapy. In the present review, we summarize the updated joint efforts to develop molecular imaging probes and therapeutic strategies targeting the biomarkers exposed by necrotic cells. Moreover, we also discuss the challenges in developing necrosis imaging probes and propose several biomarkers of necrosis that deserve to be explored in future imaging and therapy research.

Objective The risk of current pancreaticojejunostomy is carefully considered from the perspective of the morphology of remnant pancreas,and we aimed to discuss the clinical outcomes of selecting different pancreaticojejunostomy techniques based on pancreatic morphology.Methods This was a prospective cohort study.The histopathology of remnant pancreatic tissues was categorized into four types based on preoperative radiological images and intraoperative palpation:Type Ⅰ:pancreas with hard texture in palpation,pancreatic atrophy,dilated pancreatic duct larger than 5 mm and remnant pancreatic surface ＜3 cm;Type Ⅱ:pancreas with hard texture in palpation,pancreatic atrophy and mild dilatation of pancreatic duct with the diameter of 3-5 mm and remnant pancreatic surface ＜3 cm;Type Ⅲ:pancreas with slightly hard texture,no atrophy,and normal or slightly dilated pancreatic duct with the diameter of 3-5 mm and remnant pancreatic surface ≥3 cm;Type Ⅳ:pancreas with soft texture,normal morphology and pancreatic duct.Results From January 2008 to August 2017,116 consecutive patients underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy in our center.Among them,10 patients with type Ⅰ underwent classic pancreatic ductal mucosa to mucosa anastomosis.19 patients with type Ⅱ underwent classic end to end invaginated pancreaticojejunostomy.45 patients with type Ⅲ underwent classic end to end invaginated pancreaticojejunostomy with overlapping U sutures;42 patients with type Ⅵ underwent total invaginated pancreaticojejunostomy.The post-operative pancreatic fistula occurred in 6 patients (5.2％) with one patient died.Postoperative bleeding occurred in 10 patients (8.6％),and gastroparesis occurred in 22 patients (19.0％).Overall complication rate was 33.6％.Conclusions Classification of pancreatic morphology based on preoperative radiological images and intraoperative palpation and the selection of corresponding pancreaticojejunostomy technique is theoretically rational and has the advantage of potentially reducing the risk of remnant pancreatic tissue.

Objective This report aims to assess the exposure risk of aflatoxin B1 in edible vegetable oil in Guangxi.Methods By using margin of exposure (MOE),the report analyzes the dietary exposure of aflatoxin B1 in edible vegetable oil with the data from contamination survey and dietary intake survey.Results For the vegetable oil sample,the content of aflatoxin B1 was between 0.50-320.00 μg/kg.The detection rate of peanut oil was 78.08％ (114/146) which was higher than other vegetable oil,and the exceeding rate was 31.51％ (46/146).For peanut oil,the average content was 30.80 μg/kg,the dietary exposure of the population was 17.30 ng/kg BW,and the MOE was 18.For the prepackaged peanut oil samples,the average content of aflatoxin B1 was 6.33 μg/kg,which was below the limit.While for the bulk peanut oil,the average content of AFB1 was 41.50 μg/kg,which was more than 1.08 times of the limit,and the dietary exposure was 25.59 ng/kg BW.The MOE of bulk peanut oil was 12,1/8 of the prepackaged peanut oil.Conclusion Food safety regulators should pay more attention to bulk peanut oil products,the priority in the risk management measures.At the same time,related department should also promote healthy education for the residents.