Objective To summarize the epidemiological and clinical features of infectious diseases of the central nervous system(CNS)by a single-center analysis.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the data of 1247 cases of CNS infectious diseases diagnosed and treated in the First Medical Center of PLA General Hospital from 2001 to 2020.Results The data for this group of CNS infectious diseases by disease type in descending order of number of cases were viruses 743(59.6％),Mycobacterium tuberculosis 249(20.0％),other bacteria 150(12.0％),fungi 68(5.5％),parasites 18(1.4％),Treponema pallidum 18(1.4％)and rickettsia 1(0.1％).The number of cases increased by 177 cases(33.1％)in the latter 10 years compared to the previous 10 years(P<0.05).No significant difference in seasonal distribution pattern of data between disease types(P>0.05).Male to female ratio is 1.87︰1,mostly under 60 years of age.Viruses are more likely to infect students,most often at university/college level and above,farmers are overrepresented among bacteria and Mycobacterium tuberculosis,and more infections of Treponema pallidum in workers.CNS infectious diseases are characterized by fever,headache and signs of meningeal irritation,with the adductor nerve being the more commonly involved cranial nerve.Matagenomic next-generation sequencing improves clinical diagnostic capabilities.The median hospital days for CNS infectious diseases are 18.00(11.00,27.00)and median hospital costs are ￥29,500(￥16,000,￥59,200).The mortality rate from CNS infectious diseases is 1.6％.Conclusions The incidence of CNS infectious diseases is increasing last ten years,with complex clinical presentation,severe symptoms and poor prognosis.Early and accurate diagnosis and standardized clinical treatment can significantly reduce the morbidity and mortality rate and ease the burden of disease.

Objective:To compare the prognostic values of different classification by using transpulmonary pressure gradient (TPG), diastolic pressure gradient (DPG) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) in patients with pulmonary hypertension due to left heart disease (PH-LHD), and investigated hemodynamic and clinical factors associated with mortality in patients with PH-LHD.Methods:This was a single-center prospective cohort study. In-hospital patients diagnosed with PH-LHD via right heart catheterization at the Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, from September 2013 to December 2019 were enrolled. Patients were divided according to TPG (cutoff value 12 mmHg; 1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), DPG (cutoff value 7 mmHg), PVR (cutoff value 3 Wood Units), and the combination of TPG and PVR. Baseline characteristic was recorded. All patients were followed up until the occurrence of endpoint event, defined as all-cause death that occurred during the follow-up period, or until April 18, 2022. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to compare the predictive value of 3 classification methods for all-cause death in PH-LHD patients. The optimal cutoff values were calculated using Jorden index. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier analysis, and log-rank test was used to compare the predictive efficacy of classification methods based on optimal cutoff values or guidance-recommended thresholds for the survival of PH-LHD patients. Variables showing statistical significance in the univariate analysis were incorporated into multivariate Cox regression model to analyze the independent risk factors for all-cause mortality.Results:A total of 243 patients were enrolled, aged (54.9±12.7) years old, including 169 (69.5%) males. During a median follow-up of 57 months, there were 101 (41.6%) deaths occurred. Grouping results were as follows: (1) TPG: TPG≤12 mmHg group 115 patients, TPG>12 mmHg group 128 patients; (2) DPG: DPG<7 mmHg group 193 patients, DPG≥7 mmHg group 50 patients; (3) PVR: PVR≤3 Wood Units group 108 patients, PVR>3 Wood Units group 135 patients; (4) TPG and PVR: TPG≤12 mmHg and PVR≤3 Wood Units group 89 patients, TPG>12 mmHg and PVR>3 Wood Units group 109 patients. PVR ( AUC=0. 698,95% CI:0.631-0.766) had better predictive value for all-cause mortality than TPG ( AUC=0.596, 95% CI: 0.523-0.669) and DPG ( AUC=0.526, 95% CI: 0.452-0.601) (all P<0.05). The optimal cutoff values for TPG, DPG, and PVR were13.9 mmHg, 2.8 mmHg, and 3.8 Wood Units, respectively. Kaplan-Meier analysis based on the optimal cutoff values or guidance-recommended thresholds showed that PVR and TPG were the predictors of survival ( P<0.05), while DPG did not showed significance ( P>0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that age, PVR and log 2N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide were independent risk factors for all-cause mortality in PH-LHD patients (all P<0.05). Conclusion:Classification according to PVR was most valuable in predicting all-cause death in PH-LHD patients, while TPG showed moderate predictive ability and DPG had no predictive value.

Objective: To observe the effects of Danggui Shaoyao powder (DSP) on hepatic lipid metabolism and further explore its mechanism of action by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPARγ)-liver X receptor (LXRα)-adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) pathway regulation. Methods: Eight C57BL/6J male mice were selected as the control group, and 24 ApoE−/− male mice were randomly divided into the atherosclerosis model (AS) group, atorvastatin calcium (AC) group, and DSP group (n = 8 each group). To establish an AS model, ApoE−/− mice were fed a high-fat diet for 16 weeks. Pathologic changes in the aortic vasculature and liver were identified using Oil Red O staining. Triglyceride (TG), cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were determined in the livers using a single-reagent GPO-PAP method. Fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot were used to observe and evaluate the mRNA and protein expression of the PPARγ-LXRα-ABCA1 intermediates in the liver. Results: After 16 weeks of a high-fat diet, ApoE−/− mice showed more Oil Red O staining in the aorta and liver compared to the CONT group. Compared to the AS group, the DSP and AC treatment reduced aortic plaque and hepatic lipid deposition to varying degrees. Furthermore, DSP significantly reduced the hepatic lipid area in ApoE−/− mice (P < .001) and decreased the levels of TG, TC, and LDL-C in liver (P < .001, P = .027, P < .001, respectively). DSP also significantly increased the levels of PPARγ, LXRα, ABCA1, and ABCG1 mRNA expression, as well as the PPARγ, LXRα, ABCA1, and ABCG1 protein expression in liver. Conclusion DSP improved hepatic lipid metabolism via PPARγ-LXRα-ABCA1 pathway modulation for AS treatment.

Microplastics(MPs)are emerging contaminants in aquatic environments characterized by their polar structure,small particle size(Typically less than 5 mm),large surface area,good stability,and resistance to biodegradation.They pose adverse effects on the normal physiological activities of aquatic organisms and can accumulate in biota,including humans.Therefore,there is an urgent need for rapid and accurate quantitative analysis of MPs in water environments.In this study,Raman spectroscopy combined with partial least squares(PLS)was employed for rapid and accurate quantitative analysis of polyethylene(PE)and polystyrene(PS)MPs in real water samples.Initially,33 simulated water samples containing different concentrations of MPs were prepared,and their Raman spectra were collected.Six spectral preprocessing methods(Normalization,multiplicative scatter correction,standard normal variate transformation,first derivative,second derivative,and wavelet transform)were investigated for their impact on the predictive performance of PLS calibration models.Subsequently,three variable selection methods including synergy interval partial least squares(SiPLS),variable importance in projection(VIP)and mutual information(MI)were employed to optimize the input variables of the PLS calibration model.The predictive capability of the PLS calibration model was evaluated and validated using leave-one-out cross-validation.Under the optimal conditions of spectral preprocessing,variable selection,input variables and latent variables,the wavelet transform-partial least squares(WT-PLS)calibration model based on distilled water was established,and the contents of PE and PS in real water samples were predicted with prediction correlation coefficients(R2p)of 0.9540 and 0.8472 for PE and PS,respectively,and prediction errors(Errorp)of 0.0690 and 0.1126,respectively.Furthermore,a mixed sample MI-PLS calibration model was developed,demonstrating the best predictive performance in real water samples(With R2p values of 0.9776 and 0.9755 for PE and PS,respectively,and Errorp values of 0.0360 and 0.0392,respectively).This method provided a novel approach and new methodology for quantitative analysis of MPs and other organic pollutants in real water samples.

Analyzing polysorbate 20(PS20)composition and the impact of each component on stability and safety is crucial due to formulation variations and individual tolerance.The similar structures and polarities of PS20 components make accurate separation,identification,and quantification challenging.In this work,a high-resolution quantitative method was developed using single-dimensional high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC)with charged aerosol detection(CAD)to separate 18 key components with multiple esters.The separated components were characterized by ultra-high-performance liquid chro-matography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS)with an identical gradient as the HPLC-CAD analysis.The polysorbate compound database and library were expanded over 7-time compared to the commercial database.The method investigated differences in PS20 samples from various origins and grades for different dosage forms to evaluate the composition-process relationship.UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS identified 1329 to 1511 compounds in 4 batches of PS20 from different sources.The method observed the impact of 4 degradation conditions on peak components,identifying stable components and their tendencies to change.HPLC-CAD and UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS results provided insights into fingerprint differences,distinguishing quasi products.

Nuclear transporter importin-β1 is emerging as an attractive target by virtue of its prevalence in many cancers. However, the lack of druggable inhibitors restricts its therapeutic proof of concept. In the present work, we optimized a natural importin-β1 inhibitor DD1 to afford an improved analog DD1-Br with better tolerability (>25 folds) and oral bioavailability. DD1-Br inhibited the survival of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) cells with sub-nanomolar potency and completely prevented tumor growth in resistant CRPC models both in monotherapy (0.5 mg/kg) and in enzalutamide-combination therapy. Mechanistic study revealed that by targeting importin-β1, DD1-Br markedly inhibited the nuclear accumulation of multiple CRPC drivers, particularly AR-V7, a main contributor to enzalutamide resistance, leading to the integral suppression of downstream oncogenic signaling. This study provides a promising lead for CRPC and demonstrates the potential of overcoming drug resistance in advanced CRPC via targeting importin-β1.

In recent years，with the change in lifestyle and social environment and the increase in pressure in both life and work，male fertility has decreased significantly in China，and the incidence of male infertility has increased year by year，which has brought great challenges to andrologists. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） has a definite curative effect in the treatment of male infertility and is widely applied in clinical practice. In order to clarify the role of TCM in different types and each stage of male infertility，the China Association of Chinese Medicine （CACM） invited outstanding young andrologists in the clinic of TCM and western medicine to discuss topics such as idiopathic oligospermia and teratospermia，abnormal semen liquefaction，varicocele，immune infertility，improving success ratio of assisted reproductive technology，and ameliorating depression or anxiety. They conducted in-depth discussions on the advantages，characteristics，disadvantages，diseases responding specifically，and advantageous aspects of TCM treatment. The causes of male infertility and related links of treatment were summarized. Due to the unclear etiology and complex pathogenesis of male infertility，western medicine cannot achieve a good curative effect，while TCM，taking the holistic view as the core，specializes in improving functional diseases and can correspond to multiple targets and factors，with comprehensive treatments such as internal treatment and external treatment. This study summarized the advantageous diseases and advantageous stages of TCM treatment alone and integrated TCM and western medicine treatment and put forward suggestions for the treatment of the diseases by TCM and western medicine in order to promote the therapeutic effects and advantages of TCM among andrologists，increase mutual learning and communication between TCM and western physicians，provide patients with excellent and personalized treatment plans in clinical practice，and improve the curative effect of male infertility and fertility of males in China.

BACKGROUND: Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and prior stroke history have a high risk of cardiovascular events despite anticoagulation therapy. It is unclear whether catheter ablation (CA) has further benefits in these patients. METHODS: AF patients with a previous history of stroke or systemic embolism (SE) from the prospective Chinese Atrial Fibrillation Registry study between August 2011 and December 2020 were included in the analysis. Patients were matched in a 1:1 ratio to CA or medical treatment (MT) based on propensity score. The primary outcome was a composite of all-cause death or ischemic stroke (IS)/SE. RESULTS: During a total of 4.1 ± 2.3 years of follow-up, the primary outcome occurred in 111 patients in the CA group (3.3 per 100 person-years) and in 229 patients in the MT group (5.7 per 100 person-years). The CA group had a lower risk of the primary outcome compared to the MT group [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.47-0.74, P < 0.001]. There was a significant decreasing risk of all-cause mortality (HR = 0.43, 95% CI: 0.31-0.61, P < 0.001), IS/SE (HR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.54-0.97, P = 0.033), cardiovascular mortality (HR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.19-0.54, P < 0.001) and AF recurrence (HR = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.30-0.37, P < 0.001) in the CA group compared to that in the MT group. Sensitivity analysis generated consistent results when adjusting for time-dependent usage of anticoagulants. CONCLUSIONS In AF patients with a prior stroke history, CA was associated with a lower combined risk of all-cause death or IS/SE. Further clinical trials are warranted to confirm the benefits of CA in these patients.

Tuber rot has become a serious problem in the large-scale cultivation of Gastrodia elata. In this study, we compared the resistance of different ecotypes of G. elata to tuber rot by field experiments on the basis of the investigation of G. elata diseases. The histological observation and transcriptome analysis were conducted to reveal the resistance differences and the underlying mechanisms among different ecotypes. In the field, G. elata f. glauca had the highest incidence of tuber rot, followed by G. elata f. viridis, and G. elata f. elata and G. elata f. glauca×G. elata f. elata showed the lowest incidence. Tuber rot showcased obvious plant source specificity and mainly occurred in the buds and bottom of G. elata plants. After infection, the pathogen spread hyphae in host cortex cells, which can change the endophytic fungal community structure in the cortex and parenchyma of G. elata. G. elata f. glauca had thinner lytic layer and more sugar lumps in the parenchyma than G. elata f. elata. The transcription of genes involved in immune defense, enzyme synthesis, polysaccharide synthesis, carbohydrate transport and metabolism, hydroxylase activity, and aromatic compound synthesis had significant differences between G. elata f. glauca and G. elata f. elata. These findings suggested that the differences in resis-tance to tuber rot among different ecotypes of G. elata may be related to the varied gene expression patterns and secondary metabolites. This study provides basic data for the prevention and control of tuber rot and the improvement of planting technology for G. elata.
Ecotype ; Gastrodia/microbiology* ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Plant Tubers/genetics*

Objective: To explore the differences in the biological effects of different expansion systems on natural killer (NK) cells, as well as the safety and preliminary clinical efficacy in the treatment of patients with recurrence after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) . Methods: Peripheral blood cells from healthy donors were stimulated with either CD3 combined with CD52 or K562 feeder cells loaded with IL-21/4-1BB to induce NK cell expansion. Changes in the NK cell phenotype, cytokine secretion, and cytotoxicity before and after expansion were detected. We also evaluated the safety and clinical efficacy of two different expansion strategies for patients received NK infusion. Results: Compared with the CD3/CD52 monoclonal antibody amplification system, the feeder cell expansion group had a higher purity of NK cells and higher expression ratios of NK cell surface activation receptors such as DNAM-1 and NKp30, while inhibitory receptor CTLA-4 expression was low and NKG2D/CD25/CD69/ Trail/PD-1/TIM-3/TIGIT had no statistically significant differences between the groups. Further functional results showed that the expression level of KI67 in NK cells after expansion in the two groups increased significantly, especially in the feeder cell expansion group. Simultaneously, the perforin and granzyme B levels of NK cells in the feeder cell expansion group were significantly higher than in the CD3/CD52 expansion group. A retrospective analysis of eight patients who received monoclonal antibody-expanded NK cell reinfusion and nine patients with trophoblast cell-expanded NK cell reinfusion was done. The disease characteristics of the two groups were comparable, NK cell reinfusion was safe, and there were no obvious adverse reactions. Clinical prognostic results showed that in the CD3/CD52 monoclonal antibody amplification group, the MRD conversion rate was 50% (2/4) , and the feeder cell expansion group was 50% (3/6) . After 5 years of follow-up from allo-HSCT, three patients in the monoclonal antibody expansion group had long-term survival without leukemia, and the remaining five patients had died; two patients died in the feeder cell expansion group, and the other six patients had long-term survival. Six cases had GVHD before NK cell reinfusion, and GVHD did not aggravate or even relieved after NK cell reinfusion. Conclusions: Preliminary results show that the biological characteristics of NK cells with diverse expansion strategies are significantly different, which may affect the clinical prognosis of patients with recurrence or persistent minimal residual disease after HSCT. The two groups of patients treated with NK cells from different expansion strategies had no obvious adverse reactions after NK cell infusion, but efficacy still needs to be further confirmed.
Antibodies, Monoclonal/pharmacology* ; Graft vs Host Disease/metabolism* ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Humans ; Killer Cells, Natural ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome