ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and mechanism of transplantation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell （hUC-MSC） with overexpression of the Numb gene in the treatment of cholestatic liver fibrosis （CLF）. MethodsThe technique of lentiviral transfection was used to induce the overexpression of the Numb gene in hUC-MSC （hUC-MSC^Numb-OE）， and hUC-MSC transfected with empty vector （hUC-MSC^OE-EV） was used as negative control. Bile duct ligation （BDL） was performed to establish a rat model of CLF， and then the rats were randomly divided into BDL group， hUC-MSC group， hUC-MSC^OE-EV group， and hUC-MSC^Numb-OE group， while a sham-operation group was also established. The rats in the intervention groups were given a single splenic injection of the corresponding cells after BDL， and samples were collected at the end of week 4. Related indicators were measured， including serum biochemistry， liver histopathology， the content of hydroxyproline （Hyp） in the liver， hepatic stellate cell activation， ductular reaction， liver regeneration， and the expression levels of key molecules in the Numb-p53 signaling axis. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups， and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsCompared with the BDL group， the hUC-MSC group and the hUC-MSC^OE-EV group had significant reductions in the levels of serum biochemical parameters （aspartate aminotransferase， gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase， total bile acid， total bilirubin， and direct bilirubin）， liver fibrosis markers （the content of Hyp and the expression levels of alpha-smooth muscle actin， tumor necrosis factor-α， and transforming growth factor-beta 1）， and ductular reaction markers （the expression levels of CK7 and CK19） （all P <0.05）， and compared with the hUC-MSC^OE-EV group， the hUC-MSC^Numb-OE group had significantly greater improvements in the above indicators （all P <0.05）. In addition， compared with the hUC-MSC^OE-EV group， the hUC-MSC^Numb-OE group had significant improvements in the expression levels of liver regeneration-related markers （albumin and hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α） and the molecules associated with the Numb-p53 signaling axis （Numb， pNumb， Mdm2， and p53） （all P <0.05）. ConclusionOverexpression of the Numb gene can enhance the therapeutic effect of hUC-MSC on CLF， possibly by activating the Numb-PTB^L-p53-HNF4α axis， promoting the hepatic differentiation of hUC-MSCs and subsequently enhancing liver regeneration.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of M1 bone marrow-derived macrophages （M1-BMDM） with Wnt5a knockdown on liver fibrosis and regeneration in a rat model of liver cirrhosis， and to investigate its gain-of-function effect compared with unmodified M1-BMDM. MethodsPrimary bone marrow-derived macrophages were isolated from rats and were polarized to M1 phenotype to construct M1-BMDM^Wnt5a-KD cells. A rat model of liver cirrhosis induced by CCl₄/2-AAF was established， and at the end of week 8， rats were randomly divided into model group， M1-BMDM group， M1-BMDM Wnt5a-knockdown empty vector group （M1-BMDM^KD-EV group）， and M1-BMDM Wnt5a-knockdown group （M1-BMDM^Wnt5a-KD group）， with 6 rats in each group. On the first day of week 9， the rats in each group were given a single injection of the corresponding cells via the caudal vein， along with an intraperitoneal injection of a CCR2 inhibitor. Six rats without any treatment were used as normal control group. Samples were collected at the end of week 12 to assess liver histopathology， serum liver function parameters， hepatic stellate cell activation， and the expression levels of mature hepatocyte markers. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups， and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsCompared with the model group， all cell treatment groups had significant alleviation of liver inflammatory response and significant reductions in the activities of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase （AST） in serum （all P<0.01）， and the M1-BMDM^Wnt5a-KD group had a significantly lower serum level of AST than the M1-BMDM group （P<0.05）. The semi-quantitative analysis based on immunohistochemical staining showed that compared with the model group， all cell treatment groups had a significant reduction in the percentage of CD68-positive area （all P<0.05）， and compared with the M1-BMDM^KD-EV group， the M1-BMDM^Wnt5a-KD group had a significant reduction in the percentage of CD68-positive area and a significant increase in the percentage of CD163-positive area （both P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， all cell treatment groups had significant reductions in the mRNA expression levels of CD68 and tumor necrosis factor-α （all P<0.05） and the protein expression level of CD68 （all P<0.01）； compared with the M1-BMDM^KD-EV group， the M1-BMDM^Wnt5a-KD group had significant increases in the protein and mRNA expression levels of CD163 （both P<0.05）， significant reductions in the protein and mRNA expression levels of CD68 （both P<0.05）， and a significant reduction in the protein expression level of tumor necrosis factor-α （P<0.01）. Sirius Red collagen staining and alpha-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA） immunohistochemical staining showed that compared with the model group， all cell treatment groups had significant alleviation of liver collagen deposition and α-SMA-positive area， with the most significant changes in the M1-BMDM^Wnt5a-KD group， and compared with the M1-BMDM^KD-EV group， the M1-BMDM^Wnt5a-KD group had significantly smaller Sirius Red-positive area and α-SMA-positive area and a significantly lower content of hydroxyproline in liver tissue （all P<0.05）. Compared with the M1-BMDM^KD-EV group， the M1-BMDM^Wnt5a-KD group had significant reductions in the protein and mRNA expression levels of α-SMA and the mRNA expression level of COL-I and TGF-β （all P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， all cell treatment groups had a significant increase in the protein expression level of HNF-4α in liver tissue （all P<0.05）， and the M1-BMDM^Wnt5a-KD group had significantly higher protein and mRNA expression levels of HNF-4α and hepatocyte specific antigen than the M1-BMDM^KD-EV group （both P<0.05）. The M1-BMDM^Wnt5a-KD group had a significantly higher serum level of albumin than the M1-BMDM^KD-EV group （P<0.01）. Immunofluorescence co-staining showed that compared with the model group， all cell treatment groups had a significant increase in the number of cells stained positive for HNF and HNF-4α and Ki67 （all P<0.01）， and the M1-BMDM^Wnt5a-KD group had a significantly higher number of such cells than the M1-BMDM^KD-EV group （P<0.05）. ConclusionInhibition of Wnt5a expression enhances the therapeutic effect of M1-BMDM on rats with liver cirrhosis induced by CCl₄/2-AAF， which provides new ideas for enhancing the anti-cirrhotic effect of M1-BMDM through genetic modification.

Objective To analyze the risk factors of plastic bronchitis (PB) in children with severe mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (SMPP) and construct a Nomogram model. Methods A total of 195 children with SMPP from April 2022 to April 2025 were selected and divided into the PB group and the non-PB group according to the occurrence of PB. Their clinical data were compared. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors of PB in SMPP, and ROC was used to analyze the predictive ability of the model. The Nomogram prediction model was established using R-4.4.3 software, and the calibration curve and clinical decision curve were plotted for analysis. Results PB occurred in 66 cases (33.85%) (P < 0.05). The duration of fever, PIV, SII, D-D, LDH, and pleural effusion were independent risk factors for PB in SMPP (OR=6.997, 1.016, 1.008, 70.202, 1.025, 32.323, P < 0.05). Based on this, the PB prediction model for SMPP occurrence established had a good goodness of fit (P > 0.05), and the area under the ROC curve was 0.888 (95%CI : 0.878-0.898). The average absolute error of Bootstrap repeated sampling 1000 times was 0.021, and the model C-index was 0.889 (95%CI: 0.888-0.991). The predicted probability of the model has a good consistency with the actual probability, with good accuracy, and the Brier score is 0.035 (95%CI: 0.015-0.054). Good clinical benefits can be achieved when the threshold probability is between 0.01 and 0.99. Conclusion The Nomogram model of PB in children with SMPP constructed based on factors such as fever duration, PIV, SII, D-D, LDH, and pleural effusion has good discrimination and accuracy, and can provide a reference for the prevention of PB.

Background A diverse cohort of patients and susceptible individuals congregate in healthcare facilities, where exposure to pathogenic microorganisms associated with respiratory infectious diseases constitutes a significant risk factor for cross-infection. Central air-conditioning ventilation systems improve some indoor environment indicators while exacerbating the risk of transmission of respiratory infectious diseases. Objective To investigate the distribution characteristics of microbial communities in the central air-conditioning ventilation systems of hospitals, providing a scientific basis for the selection of microbial indicators in hygiene standards for hospital central air-conditioning ventilation systems and for hospital risk early warning systems. Methods In October 2023, two central air-conditioning ventilation systems were selected from a Grade 3A hospital in Shanghai: one was an all-air air-conditioning system serving the waiting area on the ground floor, and the other was a fan coil plus fresh air system serving the outpatient area on the third floor. Samples from four different components of the ventilation systems—air outlets, filters, surface coolers, and condensate trays—were collected for high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene to analyze bacterial communities. Alpha-diversity and beta-diversity analyses were performed to investigate the microbial community composition and diversity characteristics of the hospital central air-conditioning ventilation systems. Functional analysis was conducted to determine the relative abundance of bacterial functions in these systems.Results A total of 528 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were identified, encompassing 20 bacterial phyla, 37 classes, 79 orders, 123 families, and 240 genera. The analysis revealed that the bacterial community was predominantly composed of Proteobacteria, Gemmatimonadates, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria. The diversity analysis indicated that bacterial community richness and diversity were highest in the condensate trays, while no statistically significant differences (P > 0.05) were observed in the bacterial community composition among the air outlets, filters, and surface coolers. The functional analysis showed that the bacterial communities in the central air-conditioning ventilation systems primarily exhibited chemoheterotrophic, oxidative energy-dependent heterotrophic, and ureolytic functional characteristics. Conclusion The dominance of Proteobacteria suggests that this phylum exhibits strong adaptability in the central air-conditioning ventilation systems, possibly related to its ability to survive and reproduce under varying environmental conditions. The diversity analysis indicates that the condensate tray is a critical area for bacterial proliferation in the central air-conditioning ventilation systems. The similarity in environmental conditions among the air outlets, filters, and surface coolers result in similar bacterial community structures. The functional analysis reveals that the bacterial communities possess robust energy conversion and metabolic capabilities, potentially contributing to processes such as organic matter decomposition and nitrogen cycling within the central air-conditioning ventilation systems.

Objective To identify risk factors of progressive pulmonary fibrosis(PPF)development in patients with primary Sj?gren's syndrome-associated interstitial lung disease(pSS-ILD),and to develop and validate a clinically applicable nomogram prediction model.Methods Enrolled 168 pSS-ILD patients from Three Gorges Hospital affiliated to Chongqing University from January 2019 to January 2023,randomly allo-cated into training(n=117)and internal validation(n=51)cohorts at 7∶3 ratio.The training cohort was stratified into the PPF group(n=38)and the non-PPF group(n=79)based on one-year radiographic pro-gression.An external validation cohort(n=24)was prospectively enrolled from February 2023 to April 2024.Multivariable analyses incorporated demographic characteristics,clinical manifestations,laboratory parame-ters,pulmonary function tests,and high-resolution CT(HRCT)imaging features.A nomogram was developed using independent predictors identified through logistic regression.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve,area under curve(AUC),calibration curve,Hosmer-Lemeshow test and decision curve were used to e-valuate the prediction efficiency of the model.Results PPF developed in 31.0%(52/168)of patients within one year.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age,25 hydroxyvitamin D level and high resolution CT fibrosis score were independent risk factors for PPF phenotype in pSS-ILD patients(P＜0.05).Based on the above predictors,a column-line diagram was constructed.Internal verification showed that the column-line differentiation ability was good(AUC=0.88,95%CI:0.79-0.98),and exter-nal verification showed that the predicted probability of the calibration curve was close to the actual probabili-ty(HL test χ2=9.516,P=0.301),indicating that the model had good consistency.Conclusion Age,serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D level and high resolution CT fibrosis score are independent risk factors for PPF phenotype in pSS-ILD patients.The nomogram model constructed according to the above three predictors has good differentiation and consistency,and could provide a reference for the clinical prediction of PPF in pSS-ILD patients.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have demonstrated the occurrence of secondary tumors as a rare but significant complication of chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy, underscoring the need for a detailed investigation. Given the limited variety of secondary tumor types reported to date, a comprehensive characterization of the various secondary tumors arising after CAR-T therapy is essential to understand the associated risks and to define the role of the immune microenvironment in malignant transformation. This study aims to characterize the immune microenvironment of a newly identified secondary tumor post-CAR-T therapy, to clarify its pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets. METHODS: In this study, the bone marrow (BM) samples were collected by aspiration from the primary and secondary tumors before and after CD19 CAR-T treatment. The CD45 + BM cells were enriched with human CD45 microbeads. The CD45 + cells were then sent for 10× genomics single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to identify cell populations. The Cell Ranger pipeline and CellChat were used for detailed analysis. RESULTS: In this study, a rare type of secondary chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) were reported in a patient with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) who had previously received CD19 CAR-T therapy. The scRNA-seq analysis revealed increased inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and an immunosuppressive state of monocytes/macrophages, which may impair cytotoxic activity in both T and natural killer (NK) cells in secondary CMML before treatment. In contrast, their cytotoxicity was restored in secondary CMML after treatment. CONCLUSIONS This finding delineates a previously unrecognized type of secondary tumor, CMML, after CAR-T therapy and provide a framework for defining the immune microenvironment of secondary tumor occurrence after CAR-T therapy. In addition, the results provide a rationale for targeting macrophages to improve treatment strategies for CMML treatment.
Humans ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/therapy* ; Tumor Microenvironment/genetics* ; Antigens, CD19/metabolism* ; Leukemia, Myelomonocytic, Chronic/genetics* ; Immunotherapy, Adoptive/adverse effects* ; Male ; Single-Cell Analysis/methods* ; Female ; Sequence Analysis, RNA/methods* ; Receptors, Chimeric Antigen ; Middle Aged

Objective:To analyze the treatment-free remission (TFR) outcomes after discontinuation of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) in children with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).Methods:In this retrospective cohort study, clinical data of 14 chronic phase CML children aged <18 years who had achieved stable deep molecular response (DMR) for ≥ 2 years after standardized treatment with TKI and had a strong desire to discontinue TKI at Henan Cancer Hospital from September 30, 2016 to January 30, 2022 were collected retrospectively. According to the different TFR outcomes after discontinuation of TKI, patients were divided into loss of major molecular response (MMR) group and without loss of MMR group, differences in clinical characteristics between the two groups of children were analyzed using Mann-Whitney U test and Fisher exact test. Results:Out of 14 children with TKI discontinuation, 7 were male and 7 were female. The age at diagnosis was 14.0 (4.8, 17.0) years, and the age at TKI discontinuation was 22.0 (12.5, 27.0) years. Among them, 8 children were treated with imatinib prior to TKI discontinuation and 6 children were treated with second-line substitution of the second-generation TKI nilotinib or dasatinib prior to TKI discontinuation. The follow-up time was 37.0 (27.8, 47.5) months, and 7 cases lost MMR at the time of discontinuation of 3.0 (2.0, 11.0) months. Eight children gained TFR at 6 months, 7 children gained TFR at 12 and 24 months. Amongst the 6 children who received second-generation TKI prior to TKI discontinuation, 2 children lost MMR at 3 and 11 months and 4 children gained TFR, among the 8 children who discontinued imatinib, 5 children lost MMR at the time 3.0 (2.0, 9.0) months and 3 children gained TFR. The age at diagnosis and TKI discontinuation, the time from TKI treatment to the acquisition of DMR, the duration of TKI treatment before TKI discontinuation, the duration of DMR before TKI discontinuation, and the number of children treated with second-generation TKI were not statistically different between the 7 children in the group that did not lose the MMR and the 7 children in the group that lost the MMR (all P>0.05) . All the 7 children with confirmed loss of MMR immediately restarted TKI therapy, and all regained DMR after 2.0 (2.0, 11.0) months of therapy. None of the children had disease progression. After TKI discontinued, only 1 child had mild bone pain, which could be relieved by oral antipyretic analgesic drugs. Conclusions:Children with CML who have achieved a durable stable DMR for≥2 years on TKI therapy can discontinue the TKI and obtain TFR. Both the longer duration of TKI therapy, the longer duration of DMR and the use of second-generation TKI therapy before TKI discontinuation, may allow more children with CML who are expecting TKI discontinuation to have access to TFR.

This study aims to retrospectively analyze the distribution of human papillomavirus (HPV) subtypes and cervical lesion characteristics in female patients at Shenzhen Cancer Hospital. Adopting a retrospective observation research method. Using convenience sampling, the study subjects were selected from women who visited the Shenzhen Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Cancer Hospital from September 2020 to December 2023.HPV genotyping was performed on cervical exfoliated cells from 6 402 women using rapid nucleic acid hybridization. Additionally, thinprep cytologic test (TCT) was conducted on 845 HPV-positive samples. High-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) were further classified as cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grades 2 or 3 (CIN2/3) through histopathological examination via cervical biopsy or conization. Data were statistically analyzed using χ2 test and two-sided test. The results showed that HPV testing identified 1 205 HPV-positive cases, with an overall positivity rate of 18.8% (1 205/6 402). Among these, the positivity rate for high-risk(HR) HPV was 14.34%(918/6 402), low-risk(LR) HPV was 3.58%(229/6 402), and other HPV types accounted for 0.91% (58/6 402). The most prevalent high-risk HPV subtypes were HPV16, HPV52, HPV39, HPV58, and HPV53, with positivity rates of 3.16% (202/6 402), 2.92% (187/6 402), 1.34% (86/6 402), 1.30%(83/6 402), and 1.05%(67/6 402), respectively. HPV16 had the highest infection rate in cervical malignancies, CIN3, and CIN2/3 groups, with rates of 53.18%(92/173), 47.37%(27/57), and 34.78%(8/23), respectively. Conversely, HPV52 showed the highest infection rate in the atypical squamous cells(ASC), Low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion(LSIL), and CIN2 groups, at 29.68%(19/64), 23.50%(43/183), and 37.93%(11/29), respectively. Among 845 HPV positive female patients, the pathological diagnosis was squamous cell carcinoma, accounting for 22.13% (187/845), and adenocarcinoma accounting for 1.42%(12/845). HPV infection rates increased with age: 16.39%(97/592) in the ≤30 age group, 14.46%(301/2 082) in the 31-40 group, 17.26%(318/1 842) in the 41-50 group, 23.98%(300/1 251) in the 51-60 group, and 29.76%(189/635) in those over 60. In conclusion,in the female patient population of the Shenzhen Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Cancer Hospital, HPV16 is associated with cervical cancer and high-grade cervical lesions, while HPV52 is related to low-to moderate-grade cervical lesions. Enhancing HPV screening among adult women is essential for preventing cervical cancer and associated lesions.

The transition of cancer cells from epithelial state to mesenchymal state awarded hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) stem cell properties and induced tumorigenicity, drug resistance, and high recurrence rate. Reversing the mesenchymal state to epithelial state by inducing mesenchymal-epithelial remodeling could inhibit the progression of HCC. Using high-throughput screening, chrysin was selected from natural products to reverse epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by selectively increasing CDH1 expression. The target identification suggested chrysin exerted its anti-HCC effect through covalently and specifically binding threonine 205 (Thr205) of alpha-enolase (ENO1). For the first time, we revealed that ENO1 bound β-catenin mRNA, and recruited YTHDF2 to identify the m6A modified β-catenin in the 3'-UTR region to degrade β-catenin mRNA. Eventually, the CDH1 gene expression was improved through the regulation of β-catenin mRNA. ENO1/β-catenin mRNA interaction might be a promising target for cellular plasticity reprogramming. Moreover, chrysin could mediate mesenchymal‒epithelial remodeling through increasing degradation of β-catenin mRNA by promoting the binding of ENO1 and β-catenin mRNA. To the best of our knowledge, chrysin is the first reported small molecule inducing β-catenin mRNA degradation through binding to ENO1. The water-soluble derivative of chrysin may be a natural product-derived lead compound for circumventing metastasis, recurrence, and drug resistance of HCC by mediating mesenchymal‒epithelial remodeling.

T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is a highly aggressive hematologic malignancy with a poor prognosis, despite advancements in treatment. Many patients struggle with relapse or refractory disease. Investigating the role of the super-enhancer (SE) regulated gene ubiquitin-specific protease 20 (USP20) in T-ALL could enhance targeted therapies and improve clinical outcomes. Analysis of histone H3 lysine 27 acetylation (H3K27ac) chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) data from six T-ALL cell lines and seven pediatric samples identified USP20 as an SE-regulated driver gene. Utilizing the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE) and BloodSpot databases, it was found that USP20 is specifically highly expressed in T-ALL. Knocking down USP20 with short hairpin RNA (shRNA) increased apoptosis and inhibited proliferation in T-ALL cells. In vivo studies showed that USP20 knockdown reduced tumor growth and improved survival. The USP20 inhibitor GSK2643943A demonstrated similar anti-tumor effects. Mass spectrometry, RNA-Seq, and immunoprecipitation revealed that USP20 interacted with hypoxia-inducible factor 1 subunit alpha (HIF1A) and stabilized it by deubiquitination. Cleavage under targets and tagmentation (CUT&Tag) results indicated that USP20 co-localized with HIF1A, jointly modulating target genes in T-ALL. This study identifies USP20 as a therapeutic target in T-ALL and suggests GSK2643943A as a potential treatment strategy.