Renal fibrosis, especially tubulointerstitial fibrosis, is the most common pathway of all chronic kidney diseases progressing to end-stage renal diseases. Several adaptive reactions occur in renal tubular epithelial cells after chronic injury, such as changes in glycolipid metabolism, unfolded protein response, autophagy and senescence, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and G2/M cell cycle arrest. Maladaptive repair mechanisms can induce tubulointerstitial fibrosis. This article will discuss the molecular mechanism of these adaptive responses of renal tubular epithelial cells driving renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis, and provide a basis for exploring new drug targets for renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis.

Objective:To develop and evaluate a rapid and sensitive point-of-care chemiluminescent assay(POC-CLIA)for β-human chorionic gonadotropin(β-HCG).Methods:POC-CLIA was constructed based on alkaline phosphatase(Alp)-AMPPD lumi-nescence system and magnetic particles(Mps)carrier.Performance of POC-CLIA,including sensitivity,precision,accuracy,linear dilution,specificity,stability,hook effect and clinical application were evaluated.Results:Detection limit of β-HCG was 0.71 mU/ml,linear detection range was 0.710～1.092×104 mU/ml,and was no hook effect up to 1.7×105 mU/ml.Intra and inter batch coefficients of variation were less than 10％,and could be stored stably at 37℃ for 10 days.Accuracy deviation was within±10％,so results were reliable.There was no cross-reactivity between interfering substances and anti-β-HCG antibdies.For detecting β-HCG in 100 clinical serum samples,results were highly correlated with those that were tested by clinical standard methods(R2=0.997 0).Turnaround time for single sample was less than 15 min and throughput could reach 200 T/h.Conclusion:This method is adequate that can be widely used in grassroots communities to help large-scale screening of pregnancy and related diseases.

In recent years， the incidence of pulmonary nodules has kept rising. To give full play to the advantages of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） in the treatment of pulmonary nodules and identify the breakthrough points of integrating TCM with Western medicine， the China Association of Chinese Medicine organized medical experts in TCM and western medicine to carry out in-depth discussion regarding this disease. The discussion encompassed the modern medical advances， TCM theories of etiology and pathogenesis， the role and advantages of TCM in the whole course management of pulmonary nodules， contents and methods of research on pulmonary nodules， and science popularization work， aiming to provide a reference for clinical practice and scientific research. After discussion， the experts concluded that the occurrence of pulmonary nodules was rooted in the deficiency of the lung and spleen and triggered by phlegm dampness， blood stasis， and Qi stagnation. TCM can treat pulmonary nodules by controlling and reducing nodules， improving physical constitution， ameliorating multi-system nodular diseases， reducing anxiety and avoiding excessive diagnosis and treatment， and serving as an alternative for patients who are unwilling or unfit for surgical treatment. At present， the optimal diagnosis and treatment strategy for pulmonary nodules has not been formed， which needs to be further studied from multiple perspectives such as clinical epidemiology， biology， and evidence-based medicine. The primary task of current research is to find out the advantages， effective prescriptions， and target populations and determine the effective outcomes of TCM in the treatment of pulmonary nodules. At the same time， basic research should be carried out to explore the etiology and biological behaviors of pulmonary nodules. The expert consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary nodules with integrated TCM and Western medicine needs to be continuously revised to guide clinicians to conduct standardized， scientific， and accurate effective diagnosis and treatment.

Objective:To investigate the value of virtual touch tissue imaging quantitative (VTIQ) combined with serum thymidine kinase 1 (TK1) detection in predicting the recurrence of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) after breast preservation surgery.Methods:A total of 102 TNBC patients admitted to our hospital from May. 2020 to Apr. 2022 who underwent elective breast-preserving surgery were selected as the study objects. VTIQ was examined after surgery, shear wave velocity (SWV) was measured, and serum TK1 was detected. All patients were followed up after surgery, and tumor recurrence two years after surgery was statistically analyzed. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the influencing factors of tumor recurrence after TNBC breast-preserving preservation, and ROC curve was drawn to analyze the predictive value of SWV and serum TK1 levels on tumor recurrence.Results:The tumor recurrence rate of 102 TNBC patients was 29.41% (30/102) at 2 years after breast-preserving surgery. The TNM stage, lymph node metastasis, the levels of SWV and TK1 in the relapsed group were higher ( χ2=4.42, χ2=6.41, t=6.97, t=6.15, all P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that lymph node metastasis, SWV and serum TK1 level were influential factors for tumor recurrence at 2 years after breast-preserving surgery in TNBC patients ( OR=3.093, OR=3.501, OR=2.939, all P<0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that the AUC values of SWV and serum TK1 levels and their combined detection in predicting tumor recurrence after breast-preserving in TNBC patients were 0.821, 0.778 and 0.869, respectively, the sensitivity was 66.67%, 73.33% and 83.33%, respectively, and the specificity was 81.94%, 76.39% and 79.17%, respectively. The combined detection of SWV and serum TK1 level was more effective than the single detection in predicting tumor recurrence in patients with TNBC after breast-preserving surgery. Conclusion:SWV and serum TK1 levels are related to tumor recurrence after TNBC, and can predict tumor recurrence, and the combined detection of the two indicators can improve the prediction efficiency of tumor recurrence after TNBC.

Background::The conversion of adenosine (A) to inosine (I) through deamination is the prevailing form of RNA editing, impacting numerous nuclear and cytoplasmic transcripts across various eukaryotic species. Millions of high-confidence RNA editing sites have been identified and integrated into various RNA databases, providing a convenient platform for the rapid identification of key drivers of cancer and potential therapeutic targets. However, the available database for integration of RNA editing in hematopoietic cells and hematopoietic malignancies is still lacking.Methods::We downloaded RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data of 29 leukemia patients and 19 healthy donors from National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, and RNA-seq data of 12 mouse hematopoietic cell populations obtained from our previous research were also used. We performed sequence alignment, identified RNA editing sites, and obtained characteristic editing sites related to normal hematopoietic development and abnormal editing sites associated with hematologic diseases.Results::We established a new database, "REDH", represents RNA editome in hematopoietic differentiation and malignancy. REDH is a curated database of associations between RNA editome and hematopoiesis. REDH integrates 30,796 editing sites from 12 murine adult hematopoietic cell populations and systematically characterizes more than 400,000 edited events in malignant hematopoietic samples from 48 cohorts (human). Through the Differentiation, Disease, Enrichment, and knowledge modules, each A-to-I editing site is systematically integrated, including its distribution throughout the genome, its clinical information (human sample), and functional editing sites under physiological and pathological conditions. Furthermore, REDH compares the similarities and differences of editing sites between different hematologic malignancies and healthy control.Conclusions::REDH is accessible at http://www.redhdatabase.com/. This user-friendly database would aid in understanding the mechanisms of RNA editing in hematopoietic differentiation and malignancies. It provides a set of data related to the maintenance of hematopoietic homeostasis and identifying potential therapeutic targets in malignancies.

Epitranscriptomics focuses on the RNA-modification-mediated post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. The past decade has witnessed tremendous progress in our understanding of the landscapes and biological functions of RNA modifications, as prompted by the emergence of potent analytical approaches. The hematopoietic system provides a lifelong supply of blood cells, and gene expression is tightly controlled during the differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). The dysregulation of gene expression during hematopoiesis may lead to severe disorders, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Emerging evidence supports the involvement of the mRNA modification system in normal hematopoiesis and AML pathogenesis, which has led to the development of small-molecule inhibitors that target N6-methyladenosine (m 6A) modification machinery as treatments. Here, we summarize the latest findings and our most up-to-date information on the roles of m 6A and N7-methylguanine in both physiological and pathological conditions in the hematopoietic system. Furthermore, we will discuss the therapeutic potential and limitations of cancer treatments targeting m 6A.

To investigate the formation of polystyrene nanoplastic-plant protein corona and its potential impact on plants, three differently modified polystyrene nanoplastics with an average particle size of 200 nm were taken to interact with the leaf proteins of Impatiens hawkeri for 2 h, 4 h, 8 h, 16 h, 24 h, and 36 h, respectively. The morphological changes were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the surface roughness was determined by atomic force microscopy (AFM), the hydrated particle size and zeta potential were determined by nanoparticle size and zeta potential analyzer, and the protein composition of the protein corona was identified by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The proteins were classified in terms of biological processes, cellular components, and molecular functions to study the adsorption selection of nanoplastics to proteins, investigate the formation and characteristics of polystyrene nanoplastic-plant protein corona and predict the potential impact of protein corona on plants. The results showed that the morphological changes of the nanoplastics became clearer as the reaction time extends, as evidenced by the increase in size and roughness and the enhancement of stability, thus demonstrating the formation of protein corona. In addition, the transformation rate from soft to hard protein corona was basically the same for the three polystyrene nanoplastics in the formation of protein corona with leaf proteins under the same protein concentration conditions. Moreover, in the reaction with leaf proteins, the selective adsorption of the three nanoplastics to proteins with different isoelectric points and molecular weights differed, and the particle size and stability of the final formed protein corona also differed. Since a large portion of the protein fraction in protein corona is involved in photosynthesis, it is hypothesized that the formation of the protein corona may affect photosynthesis in I. hawkeri.
Polystyrenes/chemistry* ; Protein Corona/chemistry* ; Microplastics ; Plant Proteins ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Nanoparticles/chemistry*

BACKGROUND: Vaccination has been shown effective in controlling the global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and reducing severe cases. This study was to assess the flare and change in disease activity after COVID-19 vaccination in patients with stable rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: A prospective cohort of RA patients in remission or with low disease activity was divided into a vaccination group and a non-vaccination group based on their COVID-19 vaccination status. Each of them was examined every 3 to 6 months. In the vaccination group, disease activity was compared before and after vaccination. The rates of flare defined as disease activity scores based on 28-joint count (DAS28) >3.2 with ΔDAS28 ≥0.6 were compared between vaccination and non-vaccination groups. RESULTS: A total of 202 eligible RA patients were enrolled. Of these, 98 patients received no vaccine shot (non-vaccination group), and 104 patients received two doses of vaccine (vaccination group). The median time interval from pre-vaccination visit to the first immunization and from the second dose of vaccine to post-vaccination visit was 67 days and 83 days, respectively. The disease activity scores at pre-vaccination and post-vaccination visits in the vaccination group patients were similar. At enrollment, gender, RA disease course, seropositivity, and disease activity were comparable across the two groups. Flare was observed in five (4.8%) of the vaccination group patients and nine (9.2%) of the non-vaccination group patients at post-vaccination assessment ( P  = 0.221). In terms of safety, 29 (27.9%) patients experienced adverse events (AEs) after vaccination. No serious AEs occurred. CONCLUSIONS COVID-19 vaccinations had no significant effect on disease activity or risk of flare in RA patients in remission or with low disease activity. Patients with stable RA should be encouraged to receive the COVID-19 vaccination.
Humans ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Cohort Studies ; COVID-19/prevention & control* ; COVID-19 Vaccines/adverse effects* ; East Asian People ; Prospective Studies ; Vaccination/adverse effects*

Retinopathy of prematurity screening is very important for early identification of retinopathy of prematurity in premature infants, but procedural pain caused by screening process seriously affects the growth and development of premature infants. This paper reviews the non-pharmacological intervention methods for relieving procedural pain of retinopathy of prematurity screening at home and abroad, so as to provide theoretical basis for medical staff to carry out procedural pain management of retinopathy of prematurity screening.

Background Because of high working intensity, high responsibility, and unexpected situations, health care workers may suffer great work pressure, which may lead to health damage. Objective To explore the self-rated health status and its influencing factors such as demographic and occupational-related factors of medical staff in Lanzhou. Methods In-service medical staff were selected by using cluster random sampling method from 18 public hospitals in Lanzhou City and were investigated with a self-made questionnaire and the Self-rated Health Measurement Scale (SRHMS). SRHMS includes 48 items in 10 dimensions, which are divided into three sub-scales of physical health, mental health, and social health, and another independent dimension is overall health. The scores were converted into a percentage scale and expressed as the percentage of measured score to full score; a higher score indicated better health, and >70% was considered good health status. t test, Kruskal-Wallis H test, and Spearman correlation were used to analyze the scores of SRHMS and the demographic and occupational-related factors affecting the scores of physical, mental, and social health sub-scales. Results A total of 2989 valid questionnaires were recovered. There were statistically significant differences in total score and the scores of physical, mental, and social health among medical staff of different age, educational background, length of service, and weekly working hours groups (P < 0.05). The percentage of total score to full score in the medical staff was 71.41%, but the scores of physical, mental, and social health sub-scales and total scale of selected participants were all lower than the corresponding domestic norms (t=−3.323, −12.283, −7.157, −9.659, P < 0.05); the percentage of psychological symptoms and negative emotions in mental health scale to full score was the lowest, only 58.39%. Educational background, length of service, and weekly working hours were negatively correlated with physical health score (r=−0.061, −0.060, −0.165, P < 0.05); professional title was positively correlated with mental health score (r=0.045, P < 0.05), while educational background and weekly working hours were negatively correlated with it (r=−0.051, −0.172, P < 0.05). Monthly income, professional title, and length of service were positively correlated with social health score (r=0.040, 0.049, 0.071, P < 0.05), while educational background and weekly working hours were negatively correlated with it (r=−0.038, −0.110, P < 0.05). Conclusion The self-rated health status of selected medical staff in Lanzhou is generally good, but lower than that of the norm, especially the mental health score is the lowest. The self-rated health score of total scale is correlated with education, length of service, professional title, and working time per week.