Background: High-mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1) is a chromatin-binding protein involved in arthritis, ischemia, sepsis, atherosclerosis, neurodegenerative disorders, meningitis, and cancer. HMGB1 exhibits dual roles in cancer, acting as either a tumor suppressor or oncoprotein depending on context. Objective: This research aimed to elucidate HMGB1’s functional significance in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). Methods: We overexpressed HMGB1 in cSCC cell lines using recombinant adenovirus and examined its effects on cell proliferation, colony formation, and cell migration. Results: Immunohistochemical analysis revealed elevated HMGB1 expression levels in cSCC tissue relative to normal epidermis. To assess the influence of HMGB1, we employed recombinant adenoviruses expressing HMGB1 to transduce SCC cell lines (SCC12 and SCC13). Enhanced HMGB1 expression significantly promoted cellular proliferation and colony formation capacity.Notably, HMGB1 overexpression elevated the levels of proliferation regulators, including P63, SOX2, CDK4 and CDK6. Furthermore, HMGB1 overexpression substantially enhanced tumor invasiveness, accompanied by upregulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) biomarkers. Mechanistically, overexpression of HMGB1 enhanced transforming growth factor-β signaling by increasing phosphorylation of SMAD2/3, the key mediators of EMT. Conclusion These data imply that HMGB1 acts as a tumor-promoting factor in cSCC.

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.

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism by which aerobic exercise improves hippocampal neuroinflammation and learning and memory ability in brain-aged mice via interferon regulatory factor 7 (IRF7). MethodsA total of 60 male specific pathogen-free (SPF) C57BL/6J mice were enrolled in the experiment, including 30 young mice (2 months old) and 30 naturally aging mice (12 months old). Young mice and old mice were respectively randomly assigned to four groups: young control group (group C, n=15), young exercise group (group CE, n=15), and aging control group (group A, n=15), aging exercise group (group AE, n=15). Mice in the exercise groups received an 8-week continuous treadmill aerobic exercise intervention, while control mice were kept under routine feeding without exercise intervention. After the intervention, Barnes maze and Y-maze behavioral tests were performed to comprehensively assess the learning and memory abilities of each group of mice. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the ultrastructural morphological changes of hippocampal synapses. Western blot assay was utilized to detect the protein expression and phosphorylation levels of Janus kinase 1 (JAK1), signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1), as well as the expression of postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95). Immunofluorescence staining was applied to quantify the fluorescence intensity of ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (IBA1) in hippocampal tissues. The expression levels of inflammatory cytokines including interferon-α (IFN-α), interferon-β (IFN-β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to detect the mRNA expression level of IRF7, and DNA methylation assay was further conducted to analyze the methylation level of the IRF7 gene in mouse hippocampus. ResultsAt the molecular level, compared with group C, the protein expression levels of JAK1, STAT1, p‑JAK1, and p‑STAT1 in group A were significantly increased (P<0.05), whereas PSD95 expression was decreased (P<0.05). ELISA assays showed that the levels of IFN‑α, IFN‑β, TNF‑α, and IL‑1β were significantly elevated in group A (P<0.001). RT‑PCR analysis revealed that, compared with group C, the mRNA expression of IRF7 in group A was markedly upregulated (P<0.000 1), while the CpG methylation rate of the IRF7 promoter was significantly reduced (P<0.05). In contrast, all the above parameters in the AE group showed improvements relative to those in group A. Immunofluorescence staining indicated positive IBA1 expression in the brain tissues of group A mice. Exercise intervention reversed these abnormal changes. ConclusionIn aged mice, aerobic exercise induces hypermethylation of the IRF7 promoter region, suppresses IRF7 expression and activation of the downstream IFN‑I/JAK1/STAT1 signaling pathway, accompanied by alleviated neuroinflammation, improved learning and memory, and ameliorated brain aging-related phenotypes.

Objective To observe the clinical effect of Lingshu acupuncture combined with acupoint injection in the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis and its effect on lumbar function.Methods A total of 186 patients with lumbar spinal stenosis who were admitted to the People's Hospital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region from January 2021 to January 2024 were selected as the study subjects.According to different treatment methods,the patients were divided into control group A(given chiropractic massage combined with acupoint injection),control group B(given ordinary acupuncture combined with acupoint injection)and observation group(given Lingshu acupuncture combined with acupoint injection),with 62 cases in each group.Before treatment,1 week and 2 weeks after treatment,the lumbar pain,lumbar function,lumbar dysfunction and traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)symptom scores of the three groups were observed,as well as the changes of clinical efficacy and recurrence rate before and after treatment.Results The total clinical effective rate of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group B and the control group A[91.94%(57/62)vs.79.03%(48/62),56.45%(35/62)],and the 12-month recurrence rate was significantly lower than that of the control group B and the control group A[14.52%(9/62)vs.29.03%(18/62),37.10%(23/62)],the differences were statistically significant(all P<0.05).With the extension of random treatment time,the visual analogue scale(VAS),lumbar Oswestry dysfunction index(ODI)score and TCM symptom score of the three groups gradually decreased,and the low back pain score gradually increased,reaching the lowest and highest levels after two weeks of treatment.The changes in the observation group were more significant than those in the control group B and the control group A[VAS score:2(1,2)vs.3(2,4),4(3,5),ODI score:37.05±3.18 vs.39.26±2.75,41.30±2.98,TCM symptom score:5.97±1.74 vs.7.03±2.22,8.45±2.27,low back pain score:16.39±2.98 vs.14.23±2.84,13.02±2.51],and the differences were statistically significant(all P<0.05).Conclusion Lingshu acupuncture combined with acupoint injection can relieve pain,restore lumbar function and accelerate the rehabilitation process in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between serum apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1), cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4), proinflammatory protein S100A9 (S100A9) and prognosis in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).Methods:122 MDS patients visited Qinhuangdao First Hospital from January 2020 to January 2021 were selected as the research objects. After three years of follow up, patients were divided into survival group and death group based on survival status. The differences in ApoA1, CTLA-4, and S100A9 between the death group and the survival group were compared. Measurement data with normal distribution was expressed as " xˉ±s", independent sample t-test was used on comparison between groups. Counting data was expressed as rate or composition ratio, χ2 test was used on comparison between groups. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analysis were used to analyze factors related to death. Results:There was no lost to follow up patients after three years of follow up. Among those 122 patients, 92 survived and 30 died. The ratio of bone marrow primitive cells>5%, IPSS-R score, serum CTLA-4, and S100A9 levels in the survival group were (2.89±2.15), (3.13±1.95) points, (5.12±1.59) μg/L, (1643.98±429.65)ng/L, respectively, lower than (5.67±3.76), (5.12±2.36) points, (28.67±6.98) μg/L, (2895.64±553.62) ng/L in the death group ( t=5.03, 4.60, 30.27, 12.87, respectively, all P<0.01). The relative high-risk ratio of IPSS-R stratification in the survival group was 63.04%,(58/92) which was lower than the 86.67%(26/30) in the death group ( χ2=5.89, P=0.015). The absolute values of hemoglobin, lymphocytes and neutrophils, and values of platelets and ApoA1 in the survival group were(86.74±12.69)g/L, (1.41±0.23)×10 9/L, (1.42±0.55)×10 9/L, (59.98±21.37)×10 9/L, (1.09±0.40) g/L respectively, which were higher than (65.58±10.89)g/L, (0.68±0.17)×10 9/L, (0.96±0.31)×10 9/L, (42.85±20.95)×10 9/L, (0.91±0.36)g/L in the death group ( t=8.20, 16.00, 4.35, 7.90, 2.19; respectively, P<0.001, <0.001, <0.001, <0.001, =0.030). Multivariate Logistic regression model analysis showed that, bone marrow blasts cells>5% ( OR=1.732, 95% CI: 1.188~2.523, P=0.004), relatively high IPSS-R stratification ( OR=1.815, 95% CI: 1.332~2.474, P<0.001), high IPSS-R score ( OR=1.785, 95% CI: 1.259~2.529, P=0.001), high CTLA-4 level ( OR=2.156, 95% CI: 1.482~3.134, P<0.001) and high S100A9 level ( OR=1.787, 95% CI: 1.218~2.625, P=0.003) were risk factors for poor prognosis in MDS patients, while high ApoA1 level ( OR=0.785, 95% CI: 0.658~0.937, P=0.007) was a protective factor ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The decrease in ApoA1 levels and the increase in CTLA-4 and S100A9 levels in MDS patients are associated with poor prognosis.

AIM To investigate the effect of Fuzheng Hefu Zhiyang Formula(FZHFZY)on psoriasis-like skin lesions and immune regulation in mice.METHODS In the in vivo experiment,30 BALB/c mice were randomly divided into the blank group,the model group,the dexamethasone group(1.5 g/kg of compound dexamethasone acetate cream),and the low-dose(2.5 g/kg)and high-dose(5 g/kg)FZHFZY groups,with six mice in each group.The experiment groups were treated with respective FZHFZY and dexamethasone,and the other groups were given normal saline for 10 consecutive days,during which psoriatic skin lesions were induced with imiquimod cream for 7 consecutive days.The mice had their area and severity of psoriasis assessed by PASI score;their histological changes of skin lesions.observed with Hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining;their F4/80 ratio of skin lesions observed with immunohistochemical(IHC)staining;their protein expressions of P38,p-P38,Erk,p-Erk,P65 and p-P65 detected by Western blot;and their mRNA expressions of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),IL-17,IL-23 and IL-1β detected by RT-qPCR.In the in vitro research,the cultured RAW264.7 cells were divided into the blank group,the LPS group,and the FZHFZY groups(1 200,600,300,150 μg/mL).The cells had their protein expressions of P38,p-P38,Erk,p-Erk,P65 and p-P65 detected with Western blot;and their mRNA expressions of IL-6,TNF-α,IL-23 and IL-8 detected by RT-qPCR.RESULTS The in vivo experiment showed that compared to the model group,the FZHFZY groups demonstrated decreased PASI score(P＜0.01);improved epidermal thickening and parakeratosis of skin lesions as revealed by HE staining result and increased expression of F4/80 in IHC staining sections;decreased protein expression ratios of p-P38/P38,p-ERK/Erk and p-P65/P65 in skin(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);and reduced mRNA expressions of TNF-α,IL-17,IL-23 and IL-1β in the skin(P＜0.01).FZHFZY(0～2 400 μg/mL)showed no significant cytotoxicity towards RAW264.7 cells in vitro(P＞0.05).Compared to those of the LPS group,the cells exposed to FZHFZ at concentrations of 1 200 and 600 μg/mL demonstrated decreased protein expression ratios of p-P38/P38,p-ERK/Erk,and p-P65/P65(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);and significantly decreased mRNA expressions of TNF-α,IL-17,IL-23 and IL-1β(P＜0.01).CONCLUSION FZHFZY alleviates imiquimod-induced psoriatic lesions in mice and suppresses inflammatory response in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells by inhibiting P38/Erk/NF-κB signaling pathway.

The single photon counting imaging detector based on microchannel plate(MCP)has the characteristics of high sensitivity and low dark count rate,and has been applied to the optical remote sensing detection of weak ultraviolet spectral signals in space.In this work,by using planar array single photon counting imaging detector as the detector,flat-field concave grating as the splitter,and electrodeless discharge lamp(EDL)as the excitation light source,a dispersion detection system suitable for hydride generation-atomic fluorescence spectrometry(HG-AFS)was developed.The wavelength calibration of the system was carried out,and the negative high pressure and EDL stability time of the planar array single photon counting imaging detector were analyzed and optimized.The characteristic emission spectral lines of As and Bi elements excited in the wavelength range of 180-320 nm were analyzed,and the scattering interference in the wavelength range of 257.3-306.7 nm was discussed.The results showed that the AFS dispersion detection system based on the planar array single photon counting imaging detector could detect and analyze the HG-AFS fluorescence signal initially,and the influence of scattering interference on the detection results was effectively avoided.The system had the advantages including simple structure,no refrigeration and temperature control,no moving parts and simultaneous measurement of multi-band.

Accurate analysis of metal nanoparticles(MNPs)in sediments is a prerequisite for assessing the ecological risks of MNPs in aquatic environmental sediments.In this study,an analytical method for quantitative detection of concentration and particle size distribution of silver-containing nanoparticles(Ag-NPs),zinc-containing nanoparticles(Zn-NPs),cerium-containing nanoparticles(Ce-NPs),and titanium-containing nanoparticles(Ti-NPs)in sediments was established based on ultrasonic extraction-single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(SP-ICP-MS).The effects of sample preparation conditions such as extraction solvent type,solid-liquid ratio,ultrasonic time,and settling time on the recovery of MNPs were investigated.The results showed that the extraction of MNPs from sediment by distilled water could effectively eliminate the high background signal interference introduced by the extractant under the conditions of solid-liquid ratio of 1∶400(g∶mL),ultrasonic extraction time of 1 h and settling time of 3 h.The detection limits for particle size of Ag-NPs,Zn-NPs,Ce-NPs and Ti-NPs in sediments were 31,35,26 and 85 nm,respectively,while the detection limits of particle concentrations were 1.21×104,1.90×104,5.26×107 and 1.48×107 particles/g,respectively.The spiking recoveries of Ag-NPs,Zn-NPs,Ce-NPs and Ti-NPs in sediments were 62.1％-108.7％,with relative standard deviations below 10％.This method could rapidly,accurately and simultaneously determine the concentration and particle size distribution of various MNPs in sediments,and was successfully applied to analysis of Ag-NPs,Zn-NPs,Ce-NPs,and Ti-NPs in authentic marine sediments.

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-associated proteins(CRISPR-Cas)system has emerged as a next-generation nucleic acid detection tool due to its precise gene editing capabilities and exhibits high specificity and significant potential for application in the diagnosis of pathogen.However,the inherent shortcomings of CRISPR-Cas,including insufficient sensitivity of the traditional CRISPR-Cas system,complex operation of the CRISPR-Cas system combined with amplification,and limited capability for multi-target detection,have significantly constrained its practical applications in clinical settings.With the advantages of miniaturization,integration and automation,microfluidics has emerged as a promising tool for advancing the development of point-of-care testing(POCT)platforms.The integration of microfluidic technology with CRISPR-Cas system not only enhances the detection throughput and efficiency significantly,but also drives innovation in the development of portable POCT devices.In this paper,a comprehensive review of the research advancements of CRISPR-Cas nucleic acid detection platform facilitated by microfluidic technology was presented,with a focus on their application in detection of pathogens associated with clinical disease.This study aimed to explore emerging molecular diagnostic methodologies and offered novel insights for future research in clinical pathogen detection.

Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction disease caused by a dysregulated host response to infection.It has com-plex pathophysiological changes,and in severe cases,it can rap-idly develop into septic shock and multiple organ dysfunction or multiple organ failure.At present,the pathological mechanism of sepsis and its induced organ dysfunction is complex and the in-fluencing factors are numerous.So far,there is still a lack of specific and effective treatment strategies.RNA modify-N6-methyladenosine(m6 A)is one of the most common post-tran-scriptional modifications on eukaryotic RNAs.It is involved in the regulation of the occurrence and development of a variety of inflammatory diseases,including sepsis,and even multiple organ dysfunction induced by sepsis by affecting the metabolism of RNAs.It includes cardiac dysfunction,acute lung injury(ALI)and acute kidney injury(AKI).Therefore,this article will dis-cuss the effect of m6A modification on the function of immune cells,and its important role in sepsis and its induced multiple or-gan dysfunction diseases by regulating inflammatory signals,py-roptosis,mitochondrial damage and ferroptosis.This will provide new therapeutic targets and strategies for the clinical prevention and treatment of sepsis and its induced multiple organ dysfunc-tion diseases.