Cuproptosis, a recently identified form of regulated cell death triggered by excess intracellular copper, has emerged as a promising cytotoxic strategy for cancer therapy. However, the therapeutic efficacy of copper ionophores such as elesclomol (ES) is often hindered by cellular copper homeostasis mechanisms that limit copper influx and cuproptosis induction. To address this challenge, we developed a nanoagent utilizing outer membrane vesicle (OMV) derived from Akkermansia muciniphila (Akk) for co-delivery of antioxidant 1 copper chaperone (Atox1)-targeting siRNA and ES (siAtox1/ES@OMV) to tumors. In vitro, we demonstrated that Atox1 knockdown via siRNA significantly disrupted copper export mechanisms, resulting in elevated intracellular copper levels. Simultaneously, ES facilitated efficient copper influx and mitochondrial transport, leading to Fe-S cluster depletion, increased proteotoxic stress, and robust cuproptosis. In vivo, siAtox1/ES@OMV achieved targeted tumor delivery and induced pronounced cuproptosis. Furthermore, leveraging the immunomodulatory properties of OMVs, siAtox1/ES@OMV promoted T-cell infiltration and the activation of tumor-reactive cytotoxic T cells, enhancing tumor immune responses. The combination of siAtox1/ES-induced cuproptosis and immunogenic cell death synergistically suppressed tumor growth in both subcutaneous breast cancer and orthotopic rectal cancer mouse models. This study highlights the potential of integrating copper homeostasis disruption with a copper ionophore using an immunomodulatory OMV-based vector, offering a promising combinatorial strategy for cancer therapy.

Objective:To construct analytical dimensions for policy texts related to the pilot work of Health Impact Assessment (HIA) system in Zhejiang Province and conduct quantitative analysis, thereby providing references for improving the pilot work.Methods:Policy texts issued by Zhejiang Province between February 11, 2018, and February 29, 2024, which involved HIA content, were selected. The policy instruments theory was employed to construct an analytical framework around the dimensions of policy instruments, policy objectives, policy actors, and the interactions between policy instruments and policy objectives, and between policy instruments and policy actors. Based on this framework, a combination of literature analysis and content analysis was used to conduct a multi-dimensional quantitative analysis of the policy texts related to the pilot work of HIA system in Zhejiang Province.Results:Fifty core policy texts were included and 1 588 codes were obtained. In terms of policy instruments, environmental-type instruments were the most widely used (852 items), with internal responsibilities and methodological measures being the most frequently used; supply-type instruments were the second most used (459 items), with mechanism improvement being the most frequently used; demand-type instruments were the least used (277 items), with multi-stakeholder participation being the most frequently used. In terms of policy objectives, the objective of system construction dominated (701 articles, accounting for 56.45%), while the proportion of policy coverage, evaluation technology, and effectiveness evaluation was relatively low. In terms of policy subjects, the Party committee and government were the main policy subjects (434 articles, accounting for 39.20%), followed by health departments and public policy-making departments, while the proportion of public health institutions and social forces was extremely low. In the interaction between policy instruments and policy objectives, policy coverage, system construction, and effectiveness evaluation objectives all responded most frequently to environmental-type instruments, while the evaluation technology objectives responded more frequently to supply-type instruments. In the interaction between policy instruments and policy subjects, the Party committee and government played a dominant role in the use of policy instruments, with the health department and public policy-making department in the middle.Conclusions:The pilot work of the HIA system in Zhejiang Province presented a " environment-driven, system-construction-priority, Party-committee-and-government-led" policy characteristic. The main challenges were the imbalanced structure of policy instruments, insufficient synergy among policy objectives, and the need for greater participation of multiple stakeholders.

Health think tanks serve as a crucial intellectual support for the Healthy China strategy. The authors systematically analyzed the definitions, classifications, and operational status of health think tanks, categorizing them into five types: government-affiliated think tanks, university and research institute think tanks, social think tanks, hospital think tanks, and corporate think tanks. It was indicated that current health think tanks had significant room for improvement in both quantity and influence, particularly concerning deeper integration with policy decision-making and interdisciplinary collaboration. Although these think tanks played a unique role in supporting government decision-making, issues such as lagging institutional development, insufficient collaborative effectiveness, and difficulties in translating research findings into practice remained prominent. To enhance the ability of think tanks to serve the Healthy China strategy, this study proposed strategies including strengthening top-level design, improving participation mechanisms, optimizing management and evaluation systems, establishing data-sharing platforms, and deepening collaborative governance, with the aim of fostering the healthy development of China′s health think tanks.

Objective:To construct analytical dimensions for policy texts related to the pilot work of Health Impact Assessment (HIA) system in Zhejiang Province and conduct quantitative analysis, thereby providing references for improving the pilot work.Methods:Policy texts issued by Zhejiang Province between February 11, 2018, and February 29, 2024, which involved HIA content, were selected. The policy instruments theory was employed to construct an analytical framework around the dimensions of policy instruments, policy objectives, policy actors, and the interactions between policy instruments and policy objectives, and between policy instruments and policy actors. Based on this framework, a combination of literature analysis and content analysis was used to conduct a multi-dimensional quantitative analysis of the policy texts related to the pilot work of HIA system in Zhejiang Province.Results:Fifty core policy texts were included and 1 588 codes were obtained. In terms of policy instruments, environmental-type instruments were the most widely used (852 items), with internal responsibilities and methodological measures being the most frequently used; supply-type instruments were the second most used (459 items), with mechanism improvement being the most frequently used; demand-type instruments were the least used (277 items), with multi-stakeholder participation being the most frequently used. In terms of policy objectives, the objective of system construction dominated (701 articles, accounting for 56.45%), while the proportion of policy coverage, evaluation technology, and effectiveness evaluation was relatively low. In terms of policy subjects, the Party committee and government were the main policy subjects (434 articles, accounting for 39.20%), followed by health departments and public policy-making departments, while the proportion of public health institutions and social forces was extremely low. In the interaction between policy instruments and policy objectives, policy coverage, system construction, and effectiveness evaluation objectives all responded most frequently to environmental-type instruments, while the evaluation technology objectives responded more frequently to supply-type instruments. In the interaction between policy instruments and policy subjects, the Party committee and government played a dominant role in the use of policy instruments, with the health department and public policy-making department in the middle.Conclusions:The pilot work of the HIA system in Zhejiang Province presented a " environment-driven, system-construction-priority, Party-committee-and-government-led" policy characteristic. The main challenges were the imbalanced structure of policy instruments, insufficient synergy among policy objectives, and the need for greater participation of multiple stakeholders.

Health think tanks serve as a crucial intellectual support for the Healthy China strategy. The authors systematically analyzed the definitions, classifications, and operational status of health think tanks, categorizing them into five types: government-affiliated think tanks, university and research institute think tanks, social think tanks, hospital think tanks, and corporate think tanks. It was indicated that current health think tanks had significant room for improvement in both quantity and influence, particularly concerning deeper integration with policy decision-making and interdisciplinary collaboration. Although these think tanks played a unique role in supporting government decision-making, issues such as lagging institutional development, insufficient collaborative effectiveness, and difficulties in translating research findings into practice remained prominent. To enhance the ability of think tanks to serve the Healthy China strategy, this study proposed strategies including strengthening top-level design, improving participation mechanisms, optimizing management and evaluation systems, establishing data-sharing platforms, and deepening collaborative governance, with the aim of fostering the healthy development of China′s health think tanks.

A fixation device for experimental rat in moxibustion was developed. Using this device, the points for moxibustion can be fully exposed, and the temperature of moxibustion be relatively constant. This fixation device consists of three parts: fixation seat, fixation clip and moxa-stick holder; characterized as the flexible fixation and easy operation. The device is advantaged at simultaneous operation of moxibustion at many points and supports the point combinations. It makes up for the shortcomings of the existing fixation devices, reduces the workload of moxibustion in experimental rat and improves the work efficiency and experimental safety of experimenters.
Animals ; Rats ; Moxibustion/methods* ; Equipment Design ; Acupuncture Points ; Humans ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objectives:To assess the prognostic impact of the neoadjuvant rectal (NAR) score following neoadjuvant short-course radiotherapy and consolidation chemotherapy in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC), as well as its value in guiding decisions for adjuvant chemotherapy.Methods:Between August 2015 and August 2018, patients were eligible from the STELLAR phase III trial (NCT02533271) who received short-course radiotherapy plus consolidation chemotherapy and for whom the NAR score could be calculated. Based on the NAR score, patients were categorized into low (＜8), intermediate (8-16), and high (＞16) groups. The Kaplan-Meier method, log rank tests, and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to evaluate the impact of the NAR score on disease-free survival (DFS).Results:Out of the 232 patients, 24.1%, 48.7%, and 27.2% had low (56 cases), intermediate (113 cases), and high NAR scores (63 cases), respectively. The median follow-up period was 37 months, with 3-year DFS rates of 87.3%, 68.3%, and 53.4% ( P＜0.001) for the low, intermediate, and high NAR score groups. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the NAR score (intermediate NAR score: HR, 3.10, 95% CI, 1.30-7.37, P=0.011; high NAR scores: HR=5.44, 95% CI, 2.26-13.09, P＜0.001), resection status ( HR, 3.00, 95% CI, 1.64-5.52, P＜0.001), and adjuvant chemotherapy ( HR, 3.25, 95% CI, 2.01-5.27, P＜0.001) were independent prognostic factors for DFS. In patients with R0 resection, the 3-year DFS rates were 97.8% and 78.0% for those with low and intermediate NAR scores who received adjuvant chemotherapy, significantly higher than the 43.2% and 50.6% for those who did not ( P＜0.001, P=0.002). There was no significant difference in the 3-year DFS rate (54.2% vs 53.3%, P=0.214) among high NAR score patients, regardless of adjuvant chemotherapy. Conclusions:The NAR score is a robust prognostic indicator in LARC following neoadjuvant short-course radiotherapy and consolidation chemotherapy, with potential implications for subsequent decisions regarding adjuvant chemotherapy. These findings warrant further validation in studies with larger sample sizes.

Objective:To investigate effects of resistance exercise on exercise tolerance,cardiac function and somati-zation symptoms in patients with stable coronary artery disease(SCAD).Methods:SCAD patients without heart failure,who were diagnosed with coronary angiography or coronary CTA in Second Affiliated Hospital of Baotou Medical College,Inner Mongolia University of Science & Technology between June 2020 and June 2022 were select-ed.They were enrolled into groups according to voluntary principle,and 47 cases and 58 cases were finally included in control group and resistance exercise group respectively.Both groups exercised for 12 weeks according to the ex-ercise prescription.Exercise tolerance was assessed using peak oxygen uptake(VO2peak)and anaerobic threshold;left ventricular diastolic function was assessed using cardiac echocardiography mitral early-diastolic peak flow ve-locity/late-diastolic peak flow velocity(E/A);and mental health was assessed using Somatization Symptom Self-rating Scale(SSS).The occurrence of serious cardiovascular adverse events was compared between two groups after 24-week follow-up.Results:Compared with before exercise,after 12-week exercise,there were significant rise in VO2 peak[(17.53±3.92)ml·min-1·kg-1 vs.(20.35±3.70)ml·min-1·kg-1],anaerobic threshold[(11.60±3.40)ml·min-1·kg-1 vs.(12.62±3.16)ml·min-1·kg-1],E peak[(0.63±0.14)mm/s vs.(0.70±0.16)mm/s]and E/A ratio[(0.80±0.14)vs.(0.91±0.24)];and significant reductions in resting heart rate[(76.21±12.70)beats/min vs.(74.36±9.87)beats/min]and SSS score[10.00(5.00,22.25)points vs.9.50(3.00,21.00)points]in resistance exercise group(P＜0.01 all).Compared with the control group,VO2 peak[(18.59±3.93)ml·min-1·kg-1 vs.(20.35±3.70)ml·min-1·kg-1]and E/A ratio[(0.82±0.22)vs.(0.91±0.24)]were significantly higher in resistance exercise group after 12 weeks(P＜0.05 both).After 24-week follow-up,there was no significant difference in incidence rate of serious cardiovascular adverse events between two groups(P=1.000).Conclusion:Resistance exercise can significantly increase exercise tolerance,improve cardiac diastolic function and psychological health in patients with coronary artery disease.

Objective To explore the differential expression of the key microfilament cytoskeleton-binding proteins in immature dendritic cells(imDCs)during antigen phagocytosis.Methods Monocytes(MOs)were isolated from peripheral blood of healthy individuals and cultured with recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor(rhGM-CSF)and recombinant human interleukin-4(rhIL-4)for 6 days to obtain imDCs.ImDCs were co-cultured with low molecular weight(40 kDa)and high molecular weight(150 kDa)dextrans for 1,3 and 6 hours,respectively.Flow cytometry was used to detect the percentage of imDCs phagocytosing dextran and the expression of immunophenotype molecules.The localization of filamentous actin(F-actin),PFN1,WASP,and α-actinin in cells were observed by immunofluorescence imaging.The differential expression of MCBPs at the mRNA and protein levels were respectively detected by q-PCR and Western blotting.Finally,the MCBPs with the highest component coefficients were identified based on the stepwise regression and principal component analysis method in systems biology algorithms.Results During the process of antigen phagocytosis,imDCs phagocytized low molecular weight antigens at a faster rate,with a phagocytic duration of approximately three hours.Their cell phenotypes and morphology gradually differentiated into mDCs,and F-actin remodeling was occurred significantly.The expression of MCBPs such as PFN1,CDM,WASP,CAPZB,Filamin A,α-actinin were downregulated,while the expression of WAVE1,Arp2/3 complex,and Fascin were upregulated.The mRNA expression of signaling protein Rac1 was upregulated,while the mRNA expressions of CDC42 and RhoA were downregulated.The immunofluorescence results showed that PFN1,WASP,and α-actinin were transposed during the antigen phagocytosis process of imDCs.The results of stepwise regression and principal component analysis showed that PFN1 had the highest component coefficient.Conclusions PFN1 may be a key MCBPs involved in the process of antigen phagocytosis of imDCs,which is of great significance for further understanding the relationship between changes in the cytoskeleton structure of imDCs and their immunological functions.

Objectives:To assess the prognostic impact of the neoadjuvant rectal (NAR) score following neoadjuvant short-course radiotherapy and consolidation chemotherapy in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC), as well as its value in guiding decisions for adjuvant chemotherapy.Methods:Between August 2015 and August 2018, patients were eligible from the STELLAR phase III trial (NCT02533271) who received short-course radiotherapy plus consolidation chemotherapy and for whom the NAR score could be calculated. Based on the NAR score, patients were categorized into low (＜8), intermediate (8-16), and high (＞16) groups. The Kaplan-Meier method, log rank tests, and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to evaluate the impact of the NAR score on disease-free survival (DFS).Results:Out of the 232 patients, 24.1%, 48.7%, and 27.2% had low (56 cases), intermediate (113 cases), and high NAR scores (63 cases), respectively. The median follow-up period was 37 months, with 3-year DFS rates of 87.3%, 68.3%, and 53.4% ( P＜0.001) for the low, intermediate, and high NAR score groups. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the NAR score (intermediate NAR score: HR, 3.10, 95% CI, 1.30-7.37, P=0.011; high NAR scores: HR=5.44, 95% CI, 2.26-13.09, P＜0.001), resection status ( HR, 3.00, 95% CI, 1.64-5.52, P＜0.001), and adjuvant chemotherapy ( HR, 3.25, 95% CI, 2.01-5.27, P＜0.001) were independent prognostic factors for DFS. In patients with R0 resection, the 3-year DFS rates were 97.8% and 78.0% for those with low and intermediate NAR scores who received adjuvant chemotherapy, significantly higher than the 43.2% and 50.6% for those who did not ( P＜0.001, P=0.002). There was no significant difference in the 3-year DFS rate (54.2% vs 53.3%, P=0.214) among high NAR score patients, regardless of adjuvant chemotherapy. Conclusions:The NAR score is a robust prognostic indicator in LARC following neoadjuvant short-course radiotherapy and consolidation chemotherapy, with potential implications for subsequent decisions regarding adjuvant chemotherapy. These findings warrant further validation in studies with larger sample sizes.