Objective To measure the abdominal muscle composition of maintenance dialysis patients using quantitative computed tomography(QCT)and to analyze its relationship with abdominal aortic calcification(AAC).Methods The abdominal CT data of 193 maintenance dialysis patients were analyzed retrospectively and their clinical data were collected.The abdominal muscle composi-tion,including muscle area and muscle fat area,was measured at the middle level of L3 vertebral by QCT.The abdominal aortic calcifica-tion scores(AACs)were calculated using the Agatston method.The groups were grouped according to the quartiles of AACs,and differences in muscle area,muscle fat area and their associated variables were compared between the four groups.The relationship between abdominal muscle composition and AAC was assessed using Spearman rank correlation analysis and partial correlation analysis.Results AACs were positively correlated with age,male,dialysis age,diabetes,hypertension,and abdominal muscle fat area(r=0.555,0.172,0.192,0.348,0.335,0.358,all P<0.05),while no significant correlation was found with abdominal muscle area.A partial correlation analysis controlling for age,sex,dialysis age,hypertension and diabetes showed that AACs were still positively correlated with abdominal muscle fat area(r=0.183,P=0.012).Conclusion Abdominal muscle fat area in maintenance dialysis patients is positively associ-ated with the degree of AAC,and high abdominal muscle fat area is a risk factor for AAC.Enhanced muscle exercise may prevent the risk of vascular calcification in dialysis patients.

Objective To investigate the association between the index finger and ring finger length ratio (2D ∶ 4D) and of four loci (rs6461992‚ rs6968828‚ rs7801581‚ rs17427875) polymorphism of homeobox (HOX) A11 gene among Ningxia college students. Methods Digit camera was used to collect frontal hand photos of 667 Han college students (348 males and 319 females) from Ningxia province; Image analysis software was used to mark the anatomical points and measure finger lengths of the index and ring fingers of both hands; multiplex PCR was used to detect each locus polymorphisms of HOXA11 gene; statistical software was used to compare and analyze the differences and associations of 2D ∶4D and gene polymorphisms between different genders. Results Among Ningxia Han college students‚ both left hand and right hand 2D ∶ 4D were significantly higher in females than those of in males (all P< 0. 05)‚ and there were no significant sex differences in right-left hand 2D ∶4D; the genotypes and allele frequencies of rs7801581 locus of HOXA11 gene differed significantly between genders (all P < 0. 05)‚ and none of the other locus polymorphisms showed any significant sex differences; only female left hand 2D ∶4D was significantly associated with rs6461992 locus genotype in the relationship between 2D ∶4D and HOXA11 polymorphisms (P<0. 05). Conclusion There were significant sex differences in 2D ∶ 4D among Han college students in Ningxia‚ and the rs6461992 locus polymorphism of HOXA11 gene may be associated with the formation of 2D ∶4D in females.

Objective To investigate the association of 13 single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP)sites in 6 phalange-bone development related genes[fibroblast growth factor receptor 2(FGFR2),indian hedgehog signaling molecule(IHH),Msh homeobox 1(MSX1),Runx family transcription factor 2(RUNX2),SRY-box transcription factor 9(SOX9),Wnt family member 5A(WNT5A)]with human index-ring finger length ratio(2D∶4D).Methods Digital cameras were used to take frontal photographs of the hands of 731 college students(358 males and 373 females)in Ningxia,and image analysis software was used to mark anatomical points and measure finger lengths of index(2th)and ring(4th);genotyping of 13 SNP sites(rs1047057,rs755793,rs41258305,rs3731881,rs3100776,rs12532,rs3821949,rs45585135,rs3749863,rs1042667,rs12601701,rs1829556,rs3732750)for 6 genes by multiplex PCR;One-Way ANOVA or independent sample t-test indirectly assessed the association between 2D∶4D and 13 SNP sites.Results Both left and right hand 2D∶4D were significantly higher in females than males in Ningxia college students(all P<0.01);no statistically significant differences in genotype and allele frequencies of the 13 SNP sites among different sexes(all P>0.05);among different sexes,male left hand 2D∶4D was significantly associated with the genotype of SOX9 gene rs12601701 site(P<0.05)and right hand 2D∶4D was significantly associated with the genotype of WNT5A gene rs1829556 site(P<0.05);the female right hand 2D∶4D was significantly associated with the MSX1 gene rs12532(P<0.01)and rs3821949(P<0.05)sites genotypes.Conclusion SOX9(rs12601701),WNT5A(rs1829556)and MSX1(rs12532 and rs3821949)gene polymorphisms may be associated with the formation of 2D∶4D in Ningxia population.

Objective To investigate the occurrence of adverse events of lurasidone in the U.S.Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System(FAERS)database by using Open Vigil FDA2.1,to enrich the experience and provide the basis for the clinical use of the drug in China.Methods Using Open Vigil FDA2.1,adverse event data were extracted from the FAERS database for a total of 51 quarters from the 4th quarter of 2010 to the 3rd quarter of 2023,and the ratio of reporting ratio(ROR)method and the proportional reporting ratio(PRR)method were used for data mining and analysis.Results A total of 32 728 adverse event reports with lurasidone as the first suspected drug was obtained,with a larger proportion of females(54.26％)and occurring mostly in adults(18 to 59 years).After the screening,326 preferred term(PT)signals were obtained,involving 20 system-organ classifications(injury,poisoning and procedural complications,general disorders and administration site conditions,psychiatric disorders,etc.).Among them,PTs with the higher frequency of occurrence included off label use,feeling abnormal,crying,anxiety,depression,insomnia,etc.PTs with stronger signal strength included activation syndrome,mania,tongue movement disturbance,hypoprolactinaemia,akathisia,etc.Multiple new suspected adverse drug reactions were unearthed,including hypoprolactinaemia,emotional poverty,stiff tongue,etc.Conclusion Lurasidone has a favorable safety profile,and women need to closely monitor prolactin levels when taking this medication.The drug is relatively safe for use in pregnant,puerperal and perinatal women and patients with poor metabolic function.Hypoprolactinaemia and restless leg syndrome are new rare suspected adverse events with lurasidone.

Hyperkalemia is one of the common ion metabolism disorders in clinical practice. Hyperkalemia is defined as serum potassium higher than 5.0 mmol/L according to the guidelines at home and abroad. Acute severe hyperkalemia can cause serious consequences, such as flaccid paralysis, fatal arrhythmia, and even cardiac arrest. The use of renin-angiotensin- aldosterone system inhibitors, β-blockers and diuretics, low-sodium and high-potassium diets, and the presence of related comorbidities increase the occurrence of hyperkalemia. Hyperkalemia risk exist in all clinical departments, but there is a lack of a standardization in the management of multi- department cooperation in hospital. Therefore, a number of domestic nephrology and cardiology department experts have discussed a management model for multi-department cooperation in hyperkalemia, formulating the management standard on hospital evaluation, early warning, diagnosis and treatment, and process. This can promote each department to more effectively participate in nosocomial hyperkalemia diagnosis and treatment, as well as the long-term management of chronic hyperkalemia, improving the quality of hyperkalemia management in hospital.

Improving the prognosis of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) holds important clinical and social significance. Immunotherapy is an emerging therapy approach for cancers, which mainly include immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), immune vaccine and adoptive cell therapy. ICI have achieved good clinical translation in treatment of metastatic CRC with deficient DNA mismatch repair/high microsatellite instability (dMMR/MSI-H) status. The application of some ICI, such as PD-1 inhibitors pembrolizumab and nivolumab, in this type patients have been approved by the FDA. In addition,numerous positive results are acquired in clinical trials of neoadjuvant therapy for resectable dMMR/MSI-H CRC. These results greatly bolstered the exploration enthusiasm of CRC immunotherapy. However, the proficient DNA mismatch repair/microsatellite stability (pMMR/MSS) CRC, which accounting for the vast majority in related patients, hardly benefit from ICI therapy. Various combination strategies, mainly including ICI combined with traditional chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or targeted therapy, have been attempted to alter the “cold tumors” microenvironment characteristics of pMMR/MSS CRC in clinical trials, whereas no breakthrough results were reached. Theoretically, tumor vaccines are ideal choice to break down the barrier of insufficient immune infiltration in solid tumors. However, the outcomes of related clinical trials in CRC patents are not satisfactory, and partially due to the weak specificity of the applied tumor-associated antigens. Clinical studies of adoptive cell therapy in CRC are also actively underway. The favorable efficacy of tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte, cytokine-induced killer (CIK) and dendritic cell-CIK in CRC have been confirmed, while the CAR-T and TCR-T therapies need more exploration based on screening more suitable antigens and optimizing engineering design. In this review, we made a summary based on the mainline of clinical studies related to diverse immunotherapies, so as to clarify the progress of CRC immunotherapy and provide bases for exploration of better treatment options.

Objective:To explore the clinical changes in levels of the new clinical marker serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) pregenomic RNA (pgRNA) in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) with long-term antiviral therapy.Methods:100 CHB cases who were initially treated with nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) at Peking University First Hospital were included. The levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), HBV DNA, hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg), and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) during the follow-up period were measured. The TaqMan-based real-time quantitative PCR method was used to detect serum HBV pgRNA levels. The independent sample t-test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to compare continuous variables between groups, while Pearson's χ2 test and Fisher's exact test were used to compare categorical variables. Results:HBV pgRNA levels decreased significantly in patients who developed virological responses at 48 weeks ( n = 54) during subsequent treatment compared to those who did not ( n = 46). The HBV pgRNA level was lower in HBeAg-positive patients than in HBeAg-negative patients ( P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Patients with higher HBV DNA and HBeAg-positivity levels at baseline had a higher HBV pgRNA level following antiviral therapy. There was no statistically significant difference in HBV pgRNA levels in patients with different HBV pgRNA levels at baseline after antiviral therapy. There was no correlation between serum HBV pgRNA and HBsAg at baseline, but there was a correlation after long-term antiviral therapy, while there was a weak correlation between HBV pgRNA and HBsAg at the fifth and ninth years of antiviral therapy ( r = 0.262, P = 0.031; r = 0.288, P = 0.008). Conclusion:HBV pgRNA levels were higher with higher HBV activity in CHB patients with long-term antiviral therapy.

Extracellular vesicles(EVs)are nano-sized membranous vesicles secreted and released by cells into the extracellular matrix.They carry bioactive molecules derived from parent cells and are regarded as media for intercellular communication and material transfer.Compared to synthetic nanocarriers,EVs possess lower immunogenicity,better biocompatibility,and enhanced ability to traverse biological barriers,making them ideal carriers for nucleic acid drug delivery.This article reviewed the loading technologies of EVs as carriers for nucleic acid drugs,with an in-depth analysis and discussion of the performance and application progress of endogenous and exogenous loading methods,strategies for evaluating nucleic acid loading quality,and the application of EV-mediated nucleic acid delivery in cancer therapy.Finally,the advantages and existing challenges of EVs as nucleic acid delivery vehicles in cancer treatment were summarized and their future development prospects in clinical applications was anticipated.

Molecular Biology is a key basic professional course for all the students specializing in Biolo-gy,Biotechnology,and Bioengineering.With the promotion of double world-class project and first-class undergraduate construction,the development of English-taught course faces challenges.We started to teach the Molecular Biology course in English at the East China University of Science and Technology since 2019,the construction of Molecular Biology course has been reformed and practiced,including the combination of imagery,vividness and classroom teaching,the combination of advanced,cutting-edge and classical theories,and the comprehensive coverage of the teaching process,which has effectively pro-moted the construction and practice of Molecular Biology course.The Molecular Biology course taught in English greatly increased the students'professional and scientific research ability,international vision and English academic communication ability,comprehensive ability and satisfaction,and teachers'teaching and research ability.This course provides an effective reference for fostering innovative profes-sional first-class undergraduates and the construction of Molecular Biology course.

A fluorescence endoscopic laser confocal microscope(FELCM) was used to direct the injection of sinomenine solid lipid nanoparticles(Sin-SLN) into the joint, and the in vitro effectiveness of Sin-SLN in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis(RA) was evaluated. Sin-SLN was prepared with the emulsion evaporation-low temperature curing method. The Sin-SLN prepared under the optimal conditions showed the encapsulation efficiency of 64.79%±3.12%, the drug loading of 3.84%±0.28%, the average particle size of(215.27±4.21) nm, and the Zeta potential of(-32.67±0.84) mV. Moreover, the Sin-SLN demonstrated good stability after sto-rage for 30 days. The rabbit model of RA was established by the subcutaneous injection of ovalbumin and complete Freund's adjuvant. Five groups were designed, including a control group, a model group, a Sin(1.5 mg·kg~(-1)) group, a Sin-SLN(1.5 mg·kg~(-1)) group, and a dexamethasone(positive drug, 1.0 mg·kg~(-1), ig) group. The control group and the model group only received puncture treatment without drug injection. After drug administration, the local skin temperature and knee joint diameter were monitored every day. The knee joint diameter and the local skin temperature were lower in the drug administration groups than in the model group(P<0.05, P<0.01). FELCM recorded the morphological alterations of the cartilage of knee joint. The Sin-SLN group showed compact tissue structure and smooth surface of the cartilage. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was employed to determine the serum le-vels of interleukin-1(IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α). The findings revealed that the Sin-SLN group had lower IL-1 and TNF-α levels than the model group(P<0.05, P<0.01). Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was employed to reveal the pathological changes of the synovial tissue, which were significantly mitigated in the Sin-SLN group. The prepared Sin-SLN had uniform particle size and high stability. Through joint injection administration, a drug reservoir was formed. Sin-SLN effectively alleviate joint swelling and cartilage damage of rabbit, down-regulated the expression of inflammatory cytokines, and inhibited the epithelial proliferation and inflammatory cell infiltration of the synovial tissue, demonstrating the efficacy in treating RA.
Animals ; Rabbits ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Fluorescence ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Interleukin-1 ; Arthritis, Experimental/drug therapy*