[Objective] To compare the clinical efficacy of super pulse thulium laser enucleation of the prostate (SPThuLEP) with "open tunnel" and transurethral holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), in order to provide reference for the treatment options of BPH. [Methods] The clinical data of 112 BPH patients treated in our hospital during Jan.2023 and Jul.2023 were retrospectively analyzed, including 65 treated with SPThuLEP with "open tunnel" and 57 with HoLEP.The operation time, postoperative hemoglobin decrease, postoperative bladder irrigation, catheter indwelling time, hospitalization time and complications were compared between the two groups.The changes of maximum urine flow rate (Qmax), international prostate symptom score (IPSS), quality of life score (QoL), postvoid residual (PVR) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) were compared between the two groups before operation and one month after operation. [Results] All operations were successful without conversion to open or transurethral plasmakinetic resection.The postoperative decrease of hemoglobin in SPThuLEP group was lower than that in HoLEP group [(13.12±6.72) g/L vs. (21.02±6.51) g/L], with statistical difference (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the operation time [(63.35±15.73) min vs.(61.02±17.55) min], postoperative bladder irrigation time [(1.07±0.45) d vs. (1.06±0.36) d], catheter indwelling time [(2.98±0.56) d vs. (3.01±0.63) d] and hospitalization time [(3.63±0.61) d vs.(3.79±0.76) d] between the two groups (P>0.05). No blood transfusion, secondary bleeding or unplanned hospitalization occurred, and there were no serious complications such as transurethral electroresection syndrome (TURS), urethral stricture and urinary incontinence.One month after operation, the Qmax, IPSS, QoL, PVR and PSA of the two groups were significantly improved compared with those before operation (P<0.05), but with no statistical difference between the two groups (P>0.05). [Conclusion] SPThuLEP with "open tunnel" has comparable efficacy as HoLEP in the treatment of BPH.With advantages of small amount of bleeding and high safety, this minimally invasive technique can be widely popularized in clinical practice.

Objective To investigate the impact of Toxoplasma gondii type I, II and III rhoptry protein 16 (ROP16) on programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in lung adenocarcinoma cells, and to examine the effects of T. gondii type I ROP16 protein on the relative PD-L1 expression, the relative PD-L1 distribution on the cell membrane surface, and the binding of programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) to PD-L1 in lung adenocarcinoma cells. Methods Lentiviral vectors overexpressing T. gondii type I, II and III ROP16 proteins were generated, and transfected into the human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cell line. A549 cells were used as a blank control group, and A549 cells transfected with an empty lentiviral expression vector were used as a negative control group, while A549 cells transfected with lentiviral vectors overexpressing T. gondii type I, II and III ROP16 proteins served as experimental groups. Stably transfected cells were selected with puromycin and verified using Western blotting, quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR), and immunofluorescence assays. The PD-L1 expression was quantified at translational and transcriptional levels using Western blotting and RT-qPCR assays in A549 cells in the five groups, and the relative PD-L1 distribution was detected on the A549 cell membrane surface using flow cytometry. In addition, the effect of T. gondii type I ROP16 protein on the PD-1/PD-L1 binding was measured in A549 cells using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results The relative ROP16 protein expression was 0, 0, 1.546 ± 0.091, 1.822 ± 0.047 and 2.334 ± 0.089 in the blank control group, negative control group, and the T. gondii type I, II and III ROP16 protein overexpression groups (F = 1 339.00,P < 0.001), and the relative ROP16 mRNA expression was 2.153 ± 0.949, 2.436 ± 1.614, 14.343 ± 0.020, 12.577 ± 0.285 and 15.090 ± 0.420 in the blank control group, negative control group and the T. gondii type I, II and III ROP16 protein overexpression groups, respectively (F = 483.50,P < 0.001). The ROP16 expression was higher in the T. gondii type I, II and III ROP16 protein overexpression groups than in the blank control group at both translational and transcriptional levels (allP values < 0.001). Immunofluorescence assay revealed that T. gondii type I, II and III ROP16 proteins were predominantly localized in A549 cell nuclei. Western blotting showed that the relative PD-L1 protein expression was 0.685 ± 0.109, 0.589 ± 0.114, 1.007 ± 0.117, 0.572 ± 0.151, and 0.426 ± 0.116 in the blank control group, negative control group, and the T. gondii type I, II and III ROP16 protein overexpression groups (F = 9.46,P < 0.05), and RT-qPCR assay quantified that the relative PD-L1 mRNA expression was 1.012 ± 0.190, 1.281 ± 0.465, 1.950 ± 0.175, 0.889 ± 0.251, and 0.230 ± 0.192 in the blank control group, negative control group, and the T. gondii type I, II and III ROP16 protein overexpression groups (F = 14.18,P < 0.05). The PD-L1 expression was higher in the T. gondii type IROP16 protein overexpression group than in the blank control group at both translational and transcriptional levels (both P values < 0.05). Flow cytometry detected that the relative distributions of PD-L1 protein were (10.83 ± 0.60)%, (11.23 ± 0.20)%, and (14.61 ± 0.50)% on the A549 cell membrane surface (F = 28.31, P < 0.05), and the relative distribution of PD-L1 protein was higher in the T. gondii type IROP16 protein overexpression group than in the blank control group and negative control group (both P values < 0.001). ELISA measured significant differences in the absorbance (A) value among the T. gondii type IROP16 protein overexpression group, the blank control group and the negative control group if the concentrations of the recombinant PD-1 protein were 0.04 (F = 10.45, P < 0.05), 0.08 μg/mL (F = 11.68, P < 0.05) and 0.12 μg/mL (F = 52.68, P < 0.05), and the A value was higher in the T. gondii type IROP16 protein overexpression group than in the blank control group and the negative control group (both P values < 0.05), indicating that T. gondii type IROP16 protein promoted the PD-L1/PD-1 binding in A549 cells in a concentration-dose manner. Conclusions T. gondii type IROP16 protein overexpression may up-regulate PD-L1 expression in A549 cells at both transcriptional and translational levels and the relative PD-L1 distribution on the A549 cell membrane surface, and affect the PD-1/PD-L1 binding in a concentration-dependent manner.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of thyme herbal tea （BLX） on the proliferation of human coronavirus OC43 （HCoV-OC43） in vitro and in vivo. MethodThe chemical composition of BLX was analyzed by UPLC-MS. The cytotoxicity of BLX in HRT-18 cells and the effect of BLX treatment on the proliferation of HCoV-OC43 in cells were analyzed. Copies of viral gene were detected by real-time PCR. The effect of BLX treatment on the life cycle of HCoV-OC43 was detected by time-of-addition assay. The maximum tolerated dose of BLX and the influences of BLX on the body weight and survival time of suckling mice infected with HCoV-OC43 were determined. The expression of viral protein in the brain and lung tissue was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. ResultThere were 11 chemical components identified in BLX by UPLC-MS. BLX showed the 50% cytotoxic concentration （CC₅₀） of （13 859.56±319） mg·L^-1， the median inhibitory concentration （IC₅₀） of （1 439.09±200） mg·L^-1， and the selection index of 8.26-11.44 for HCoV-OC43 in HRT-18 cells. Compared with the cells infected with HCoV-OC43， BLX at the concentrations of 1 500， 1 000， 500 mg·L^-1 inhibited the proliferation of this virus （P<0.05， P<0.01）. BLX exhibited antiviral effect in the early stage of virus infection， and the inhibition role in the attachment stage was more significant than that in the entry stage （P<0.05）. In the suckling mice infected with HCoV-OC43， BLX at 1200 and 600 mg·kg^-1·d^-1 alleviated the symptoms， prolonged the survival period， reduced the death rate， and down-regulated the mRNA level of nucleocapsid protein in the mice. Moreover， BLX at 1 200 mg·kg^-1·d^-1 down-regulated the expression of nucleocapsid protein in the brain （P<0.01） and the lung （P<0.01）. ConclusionBLX contained multiple antiviral ingredients. It inhibited the proliferation of HCoV-OC43 both in vitro and in vivo by interference with viral attachment. This study provides theoretical reference for the treatment of acute respiratory tract infection with HCoV-OC43 and for further development and application of BLX.

Traditional antibody drug conjugates(ADC)combine monoclonal antibodies with cytotoxic drugs to accurately strike cancer cells,but there are still many shortcomings in stability,targeting,efficacy,and safety.Novel ADC,such as bi-specific,site-specific,dual-payload,and pro-drug type ADC,can be optimized by simultaneously binding 2 different antigens or epitopes,selecting more stable linkers,coupling with specific amino acid sites of antibodies,carrying different drug payloads,and adopting prodrug strategies,while retaining the characteristics of traditional ADC.Significantly improving the stability,targeting,efficacy and safety of drugs can better meet the needs of clinical treatment.Novel ADC will play a more important role in cancer treatment in the future.Discussing the progress of novel ADC in cancer treatment and analyzing their advantages and challenges can provide theoretical support for the development of anti-cancer strategies and provide directions for drug research and development.

Objective To observe the value of ultrasonic parameters for predicting whether patients with cesarean scar pregnancy(CSP)would benefit from ultrasound-guided suction curettage alone.Methods Totally 140 CSP patients diagnosed by transvaginal ultrasound and initially treated with ultrasound-guided suction curettage alone were prospectively recruited and categorized into benefited group(n=103)and non-benefited group(n=37)according to bleeding during suction curettage and prognoses.The ultrasonic manifestations of CSP were observed,and the thickness of chorionic villi at the scar,as well as of residual myometrium of the anterior wall in the lower segment of the uterus,also the maximum diameter of the gestational sac were measured and compared between groups,and the parameters with quantitative data being statistically different between groups were converted into categorical predictor through analyzing of the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves and the optimal cut-off values.The independent predictors were selected among ultrasonic features and categorical predictor variables being statistically different between groups using multivariate logistic regression,and a combined predicting model was then constructed,and the predicting efficacy of the combined model and each categorical predictor alone was assessed according to the area under curve(AUC)and then were compared.Results Compared with non-benefited group,the gestational weeks in benefited group were smaller(P＜0.05),and the percentages of rich blood supply and the presence of embryos and fetal heartbeats were lower,with thinner chorionic villi at the scar,thicker residual myometrium and smaller maximal diameter of the gestational sac in benefited group(all P＜0.05).ROC curves analyses yielded the best cut-off value for dichotomy of chorionic villi thickness at the scar was 4.7 mm,of residual myometrium thickness was 1.8 mm and of the maximum diameter of the gestational sac was 29 mm,respectively,and then categorical predictor variable were obtained.Multivariate logistic regression showed that the transformed categorical predictors,i.e.the thickness degree of the chorionic villi at the scar,the thickness degree of the residual muscle layer and the size degree of the gestational sac,were all independent predictors of whether CSP patients would benefit from ultrasound-guided suction curettage alone(all P＜0.05).The AUC of the combined predicting model was 0.918,higher than that of each transformed categorical predictor alone(all P＜0.05).Conclusion The thickness of the chorionic villi at the scar ≤4.7 mm,the thickness of the residual muscle layer＞1.8 mm and the maximum diameter of the gestational sac≤29 mm were all independent predictors of CSP patients would benefit from ultrasound-guided suction curettage alone,and the predicting efficacy of the combined model was higher than that of each alone.

Although immunotherapy has made a breakthrough in the treatment of cancer,the emergence of drug resistance has limited be-nefits in most patients,and reversing immunotherapy resistance remains a hotly debated and unresolved issue.The tumor microenviron-ment(TME)comprises a large number of T lymphocytes.During the biological processes of proliferation,activation,and the effect of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes(TILs),TILs face severe local metabolic stress,resulting in metabolic reprogramming to meet the markedly increased energy demand and biosynthesis requirements.This process of adaptive changes in the metabolic pattern is closely related to the pheno-type and function of TILs,affecting immunotherapy efficacy and mediating immunotherapy resistance.In recent years,with the study of TIL metabolism and the search for specific metabolic regulatory points,targeting the TIL metabolic pathway could restore the tumor-killing func-tion and reverse immunotherapy resistance.This review explores the relationship between the metabolic reprogramming of TILs and im-mune resistance,and provides a new strategy for reversing immune resistance.

Compared with teenage patients,adult patients generally show a slower rate of tooth movement and more pronounced alveolar bone loss during orthodontic treatment,indicating the maladaptation of alveolar bone homeostasis under orthodontic force.However,this phenomenon is not well-elucidated to date,leading to increased treatment difficulties and unsatisfactory treatment outcomes in adult orthodontics.Aiming to provide a comprehensive knowledge and further inspire insightful understanding towards this issue,this review summarizes the current evidence and underlying mechanisms.The age-related abatements in mechanosensing and mechanotransduction in adult cells and periodontal tissue may contribute to retarded and unbalanced bone metabolism,thus hindering alveolar bone reconstruction during orthodontic treatment.To this end,periodontal surgery,physical and chemical cues are being developed to reactivate or rejuvenate the aging periodontium and restore the dynamic equilibrium of orthodontic-mediated alveolar bone metabolism.We anticipate that this review will present a general overview of the role that aging plays in orthodontic alveolar bone metabolism and shed new light on the prospective ways out of the impasse.

Anti-tumor immunotherapy has made remarkable breakthroughs in the past few decades,demonstrating unprecedented efficacy in certain types of cancer,but the emergence of drug resistance not only limits the long-term effectiveness of immunotherapy,but can also lead to cancer recurrence and progression. Therefore,how to overcome immunotherapy resistance has become a key problem to be solved in current cancer research. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) have gradually become an important option and potential therapeutic target in cancer treatment in recent years. Their unique role in the tumor microenvironment (TME) makes them promising in anti-tumor therapy. For the study of TAM in cancer treatment,the current exploration includes multiple aspects and challenges. These studies not only involved the mechanism of action of TAM in different tumor types,but also covered the interaction of TAM with other immune cells and signaling pathways in TME. Therefore,this article reviews the application of TAM in anti-tumor immunotherapy,aiming to provide reference for future related studies.

Objective To investigate the expression levels of plasma circular RNA PTP4A2(circPTP4A2)and circTLK2 in elderly patients with acute ischemic stroke(AIS)and their predic-tive value for neurological functional outcomes.Methods A total of 122 elderly AIS patients admitted to our department from May 2021 to December 2022 were prospectively recruited,and according to their modified Rankin Scale(mRS)score at 3 months after stroke onset,they were divided into a good outcome group(mRS score≤2,81 cases)and a poor outcome group(mRS score:3-6,41 cases).Their baseline data,and plasma circPTP4A2 and circTLK2 levels were compared between the two groups.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to iden-tify prognostic factors for poor outcomes in the elderly AIS patients.ROC curve analysis was ap-plied to evaluate the prognostic value of circPTP4A2 and circTLK2 for adverse outcomes in the patients.Pearson correlation analysis was performed to assess the relationship of plasma levels of circPTP4A2 and circTLK2 with NIHSS score,as well as mRS score.Results The plasma expres-sion levels of circPTP4A2 and circTLK2 were significantly higher in the poor outcome group than the good outcome group[2.08(0.87,2.77)vs 0.93(0.63,1.20),1.71(0.92,2.80)vs 0.75(0.49,1.09),P＜0.01].Multifactor logistic regression analysis showed that plasma circPTP4A2 and circTLK2 were independent predictive factors for poor functional outcomes in elderly AIS patients(P＜0.01,P＜0.05).ROC curve analysis demonstrated that the AUC value of combined circPTP4A2 and circTLK2 in predicting poor outcome in elderly AIS patients was 0.787(95％CI:0.691-0.883).Pearson correlation analysis revealed that the expression levels of circPTP4A2 and cir-cTLK2 in elderly AIS patients were mildly positively correlated with baseline NIHSS scores(r=0.463,r=0.456;P＜0.01)and moderately positively correlated with mRS scores at 3 months after stroke onset(r=0.682,r=0.604;P＜0.01).Conclusion Plasma circPTP4A2 and circTLK2 may be potential biomarkers for predicting neurological functional outcomes in elderly AIS patients.

Palliative care not only embodies modern life perspectives, but also encompasses significant traditional Chinese cultural elements.The primary objective of palliative care is to alleviate patient suffering, preserve their dignity, and facilitate a peaceful passing.Traditional Chinese medicine, known for its simplicity, accessibility, affordability, and efficacy in disease prevention and treatment, adopts a holistic approach to address systemic pain through personalized treatment based on symptom differentiation.This approach aims to enhance the quality of life for terminally ill patients.To equip palliative care providers with essential clinical skills in traditional Chinese medicine, the National Center of Gerontology and Beijing Palliative Care Guidance Center collaborated with experts and scholars to develop guidelines focusing on common end-of-life symptoms.Through extensive deliberation, expert evaluation, and revisions, this guidance document was crafted as a valuable resource for palliative care practitioners, traditional Chinese medicine clinicians, and researchers in the field.