Jiading District Central Hospital

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), an Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-driven malignancy with distinct geographic prevalence, presents as locally advanced or metastatic disease in over 70% of patients. Its unique tumor microenvironment (TME) exhibits dense immune infiltration paradoxically coupled with profound immunosuppression orchestrated by EBV through PD-L1 induction, antigen presentation disruption, immunosuppressive cell recruitment, and extracellular vesicle exploitation. These mechanisms underpin the rationale for immunotherapy, where PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors have transformed management: phase III trials established PD-1 blockade combined with chemotherapy as first-line standard for recurrent/metastatic NPC, significantly improving survival, while integration into locoregionally advanced disease regimens enhances response rates and outcomes. Novel bispecific antibodies and rational combinations (with radiotherapy, anti-angiogenics, and EBV-targeted therapies) show promise in overcoming resistance. Biomarker advances extend beyond PD-L1 to include radiomics, AI-driven models, liquid biopsy markers (EBV-DNA dynamics, exosomal CA1), and tissue-based features (tertiary lymphoid structures, CD70/CD27 axis). Persistent challenges encompass EBV-mediated resistance, biomarker validation, and therapeutic optimization. This review comprehensively synthesizes the mechanistic basis of NPC immune evasion, clinical progress across diverse immunotherapies, biomarker-driven precision strategies, and emerging approaches to harness the immune microenvironment for improved patient outcomes.

Implant of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is a promising therapy for the reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), but the chronic inflammation environment impairs the capacity of MSCs. This study aimed to alleviate the function of synovial membrane-derived MSCs (SM-MSCs) by regulating circRNA and its downstream molecules. In the present study, chronic inflammatory stimulation (TNF-α treatment) weakened the migration and ligament differentiation abilities of SM-MSCs, and reduced the expression level of circRNA_02540, screened from candidates dysregulated in relevant pathological tissues (Jiang et al. in Ann Transl Med 9:1685, 2021; Xiang et al. in J Cell Biochem 120:18031-18040, 2019). Upregulating circRNA_02540 alleviated the functions of SM-MSCs under inflammatory milieu. RNA-sequencing identified 348 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in circRNA_02540 overexpression group. Bioinformatics analyses screened 23 upregulated DEGs involved in migration and differentiation relevant processes, and used to construct the ceRNA network of circRNA_02540. Next, ZIC1 and miR-203a-3p were screened out. Overexpression of miR-203a-3p or knockdown of ZIC1 inhibited the positive effects of circRNA_02540 on the function of SM-MSCs. Knockdown of ZIC1 inhibited the positive effects exerted by silencing miR-203a-3p on SM-MSC, and overexpression of ZIC1 alleviated the inhibitory effects of miR-203a-3p on the function of SM-MSCs. In conclusion, circRNA_02540 promoted the migration and ligament differentiation abilities of SM-MSCs by sponging miR-203a-3p and enhancing ZIC1 expression, providing a potential solution to enhance the function decline of MSCs used for ACL reconstruction.

Based on the examination of newly acquired material, the subgenus Chenzhilinus Yin & Zhou, 2024 is elevated to generic rank (stat. nov.), resulting in Chenzhilinus huapingensis (Yin & Zhou, 2024), comb. nov. The diagnosis of the type species is emended and supplemented to include a characterization of the female spermatheca, alongside new distributional records. Additionally, the diversity of the genus is expanded with the description of a second species, C. yintiaolingensis Yin & Zhou, sp. nov., from Yintiaoling National Nature Reserve, Chongqing, China.

Current imaging techniques (ultrasonography, CT) have limited sensitivity for detecting occult lymph node metastases in thyroid cancers. This first-in-human study assesses Trop2-targeted immunoPET/CT for preoperative differentiation of benign and malignant thyroid nodules and for identifying lymph node metastases to aid surgical planning. Sixteen patients with thyroid cancer underwent preoperative Trop2-targeted immunoPET/CT imaging. Tracer uptake (SUVmax) in tumors and lymph nodes was measured, pathology was confirmed through histopathology, and Trop2 expression was validated by immunohistochemistry. Malignant thyroid cancers had higher Trop2 tracer uptake than benign (38.46 ± 8.04 vs 8.97 ± 4.80, P = 0.046), and PTC had a 6.2-fold increase over adjacent normal tissue (46.65 ± 7.54 vs 7.53 ± 1.71, P = 0.007). The uptake value of the Trop2 tracer was strongly correlated to PTC tumor size (Spearman correlation coefficient ρ = 0.81, R2 = 0.66). Trop2 immunoPET/CT effectively differentiates metastatic lymph nodes (LN (+): 25.15 ± 5.16 vs LN (-): 3.34 ± 1.27, P = 0.00017), with an AUC of 0.89 (95% CI: 0.78-1.00). Diagnosis of lymph node metastasis achieved an accuracy of 91.3%. Both metastatic lymph nodes and PTC show high Trop2 tracer uptake, but there was no statistically significant difference between them (46.65 ± 7.54 vs 25.15 ± 5.16, P = 0.252). Trop2 tumor proportion score and SUVmax were strongly correlated (Spearman correlation coefficient ρ = 0.88; R2 = 0.64). Consequently, the following conclusions can be drawn: Trop2 immunoPET/CT offers superior diagnostic accuracy for PTC and metastatic lymph nodes, enhances surgical planning, and may revolutionize the clinical management of PTCs.

ABSTRACT Hypertension, often referred to as a silent killer, is responsible for 7.5 million deaths, representing approximately 12.8% of all global mortality. This study aimed to (1) catalogue traditional uses of edible seeds for hypertension as recorded in ethnopharmacological surveys, (2) elucidate the antihypertensive attributes of these seeds based on in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies, and (3) assess the mechanisms of action of primary bioactive compounds derived from these seeds. Data were sourced from online databases, including Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science, resulting in 155 reviewed studies, 47 of which were ethnopharmacological surveys. Data extracted from the studies included the species names of edible seeds, family names, year, countries where the study was conducted, study design, model used, extract, method of preparation, solvent used, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial blood pressure (MABP), pulse pressure (PP), and heart rate (HR). Predominant seeds included Nigella sativa L. (black seed), Peganum harmala L. (harmala), Persea americana Mill. (avocado seed), Linum usitassimum L. (flaxseed), and Moringa oleifera Lam. (drumstick seed). The protein extract of Arachis hypogaea L. (peanut) demonstrated the most potent inhibition of angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) with IC 50 values ranging from 0.07 to 0.08 mg/mL, whereas Hordeum vulgare L. (barley) exhibited the highest ACE inhibitory activity at 91.8%. Notably, N. sativa was observed to be especially effective in lowering both diastolic and SBP. This review highlights the potential antihypertensive benefits of traditionally employed edible seeds, presenting new perspectives and avenues for future research.

BackgroundThe global rise in Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) is a particularly evident in China, where dietary patterns have shifted towards a Western diet, potentially exacerbating the issue. This necessitates effective prevention strategies, and objective dietary pattern analysis can inform such strategies.ObjectiveTo preliminarily reveal the health benefits of the EAT-Lancet Diet in preventing T2D among adults in Shanghai, China.MethodsInformation gathered from the Shanghai Suburban Adult Cohort and Biobank (SSACB) were utilized, encompassing 29 507 participants with complete dietary and health assessments. Adherence to the EAT-Lancet diet was quantified by employing a semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) that included 29 food categories based on participants’ responses recalling food frequency and average consumption amount over a 12-month period. The EAT-Lancet Index (ELDI) was obtained based on the intake level and reference range of 14 food components defined in the EAT-Lancet Diet (0–3 points per component; 0–42 points in total). Incident T2D cases were identified through medical records until February 28, 2023. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed by Cox proportional hazards models. Restricted cubic splines (RCS) were implemented to analyze the dose–response correlation.ResultsOver a median follow-up duration of 5.6 years (maximum 6.9 years), 977 new cases of T2D were recorded. A downward trend in the incidence rate was observed across different categories of the ELDI, ranging from 6.7 to 4.6 per 1000 person-years. Participants with top adherence to the EAT-Lancet diet (≥ 33) had a significantly lower risk of T2D compared to those with the lowest adherence (≤ 26), with a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.70 (95% CI: 0.52, 0.95). The incidence risk of T2D was reduced by 2% for each one-unit increment in the ELDI across adjusted models (HR: 0.98, 95% CI: 0.96, 0.99; p-value < 0.05). A nonlinear correlation between the ELDI and T2D was observed, indicating that higher adherence to the EAT-Lancet diet, particularly with an index above 32, was associated with a decreased likelihood of T2D.ConclusionThis study provides compelling evidence that greater adherence to the EAT-Lancet diet is associated with a reduced likelihood of T2D events among Shanghai residents. This highlights the critical importance of sustainable dietary patterns in preventing diabetes within the demographic context of China.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-025-24961-w.

Abstract To accurately simulate the thermo-mechanical coupling process during tread braking, this study develops a numerical program that accounts for the dynamic variations in heat partition and friction coefficients. High-friction composite and cast iron brake shoes are examined to systematically compare how their time-dependent thermal and frictional properties influence the evolution of temperature and thermal stress fields on the wheel and brake shoe surfaces. Results show that, as sliding speed decreases and friction increases, the wheel tread's maximum temperature and thermal stress rise by 3.8% and 2.6% with composite brake shoes, and by 13.1% and 12.8% with cast iron shoes. Peak values also occur later compared to constant-coefficient conditions, attributed to higher frictional power density from the rising friction coefficient. Dynamic adjustment of the heat partition coefficient with temperature results in minor changes in wheel temperature and stress for both materials, with maximum deviations of 5.31% for the wheel and 4.61% for the brake shoe, suggesting it can be approximated as constant for engineering applications. Incorporating the temperature-dependent properties of CL60 wheel steel shifts the axial position of stress concentration, due to enhanced heat accumulation and the temperature dependence of elastic modulus and thermal expansion. Therefore, material temperature dependence should be considered in practical modeling. The proposed program offers a refined tool for optimizing and assessing braking system performance.