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Gang Liu,1 Qin Liu,2 Sheng-Rong Sun11Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, China; 2Department of Breast Surgery, Thyroid Surgery, Huangshi Central Hospital of Edong Healthcare Group, Hubei Polytechnic University, Huangshi, Hubei, 435000, ChinaBackground: The aim of this study was to develop and validate nomograms to predict the survival in patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC).Patients and methods: Adult patients who were surgically treated for PTC were selected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) program (2004–2013). A multivariate analysis using the Cox proportional hazards regression was performed, and nomograms for predicting 10-year overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) were constructed. The discrimination and calibration plots were used to measure the accuracy of the nomograms.Results: The records of 63,219 patients with PTC were retrospectively analyzed. Nine independent factors including age, race, sex, marital status, tumor size, extrathyroidal extension, radioactive iodine, T stage, and M stage were assembled into the OS nomogram. A nomogram predicting CSS was constructed based on eight factors (age, sex, marital status, tumor size, extrathyroidal extension, T stage, N stage, and M stage). With respect to the training set, the nomograms displayed improved discrimination power compared to the TNM staging system (6th edition) in both sets. The calibration curve for the probability of survival showed agreement between the predictive nomograms and the actual observation.Conclusion: We have successfully developed prognostic nomograms to predict OS and CSS for PTC with excellent discrimination and calibration.Keywords: papillary thyroid cancer, nomogram, SEER, prognosis

Yong-yun Zhu,1 Chuang Chen,2 Juan-Juan Li,2 Sheng-Rong Sun2 1Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Wuhu Second People’s Hospital, Wuhu, Anhui 24100, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, People’s Republic of China Objective: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy and one of the main causes of death in women. Luminal B (HER2-) breast cancer subtype has been proposed since the 2011 St Gallon consensus. The hormone receptor status in this type of breast cancer is positive; thus, endocrine therapy was performed in all cases, but the treatment was not satisfactory, and a significant number of cases received very little benefit from chemotherapy. Furthermore, there is no effective treatment target for this subtype. Luminal B (HER2-) breast cancer subtype has been proposed since the 2011 St Gallon consensus. Therefore, the study of the key molecules in the microenvironment of breast cancer can help to reveal the biological characteristics. Patients and methods: Luminal B (HER2-) breast cancer is a subtype with higher heterogeneity and poorer prognosis than luminal A. It is known that the development of cancer cells is an active process, and this process needs microenvironment cytokines, including chemokine (C–C motif) ligand 5 (CCL5) and collagen IV. Therefore, CCL5 and collagen IV were imaged and detected by quantum dot, and the CCL5/collagen IV ratio was calculated to investigate the prognostic value of the CCL5/collagen IV ratio in luminal B (HER2-). Results: Quantitative determination showed a statistically significant negative correlation between CCL5 and collagen IV. The 5-year disease-free survival (5-DFS) of the high and low CCL5/collagen IV ratio subgroups was significantly different. The CCL5/collagen IV ratio had a greater prognostic value for 5-DFS. The CCL5/collagen IV ratio was an independent prognostic indicator. Conclusion: Our findings revealed the effective integration of tumor CCL5 and collagen IV, and a new method for predicting the prognosis of luminal B (HER2-) has been developed. Keywords: quantum dot, luminal B, HER2-, chemokine, C–C motif, ligand 5, collagen IV

Jin-Zhong Sun,1,* Chuang Chen,1,* Guan Jiang,2 Wei-Qun Tian,3 Yan Li,4 Sheng-Rong Sun1 1Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China; 2Department of Dermatology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China; 3Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China; 4Department of Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University and Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Biological Behaviors and Hubei Cancer Clinical Study Center, Wuchang District, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China *These authors contributed equally to this work Background: The immunohistochemical assessment of Ki67 antigen (Ki67) is the most widely practiced measurement of breast cancer cell proliferation; however, it has some disadvantages and thus the prognostic value of Ki67 in breast cancer remains controversial. Our previous studies confirmed the advantages of quantum dots-based nanotechnology for quantitative analysis of biomarkers compared with conventional immunohistochemistry (IHC). This study was designed to assess Ki67 by quantum dot-immunohistochemistry (QD-IHC) and investigate the prognostic value of the Ki67 score in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive (non-luminal) breast cancer. Methods: Ki67 expression in 108 HER2-positive (non-luminal) breast cancer specimens was detected by IHC and QD-IHC. Two observers assessed the Ki67 score independently and comparisons between the two methods were made. The prognostic value of the Ki67 score for five-year disease-free survival was estimated. Results: The same antigen localization, high correlation of staining rates (r=0.993), and high agreement of measurements (Κ=0.874) of Ki67 expression (cutoff: 30%) in breast cancer were found by QD-IHC and conventional IHC. The QD-IHC had a better interobserver agreement for the Ki67 score than conventional IHC (t=-7.280, P

Chuang Chen,1 Jing-Ping Yuan,2,3 Wen Wei,1 Yi Tu,1 Feng Yao,1 Xue-Qin Yang,4 Jin-Zhong Sun,1 Sheng-Rong Sun,1 Yan Li2 1Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Wuhan University, Renmin Hospital, Wuhan, 2Department of Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University and Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Biological Behaviors and Hubei Cancer Clinical Study Center, Wuhan, 3Department of Pathology, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Wuhan, 4Medical School of Jingchu University of Technology, Jingmen, People’s Republic of China Background: Hormone receptors, including the estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), and other biomarkers like Ki67, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR, also known as HER1), the androgen receptor, and p53, are key molecules in breast cancer. This study evaluated the relationship between HER2 and hormone receptors and explored the additional prognostic value of Ki67, EGFR, the androgen receptor, and p53. Methods: Quantitative determination of HER2 and EGFR was performed in 240 invasive breast cancer tissue microarray specimens using quantum dot (QD)-based nanotechnology. We identified two subtypes of HER2, ie, high total HER2 load (HTH2) and low total HER2 load (LTH2), and three subtypes of hormone receptor, ie, high hormone receptor (HHR), low hormone receptor (LHR), and no hormone receptor (NHR). Therefore, breast cancer patients could be divided into five subtypes according to HER2 and hormone receptor status. Ki67, p53, and the androgen receptor were determined by traditional immunohistochemistry techniques. The relationship between hormone receptors and HER2 was investigated and the additional value of Ki67, EGFR, the androgen receptor, and p53 for prediction of 5-year disease-free survival was assessed. Results: In all patients, quantitative determination showed a statistically significant (P0.05) between the five subtypes. EGFR and Ki67 had prognostic significance for 5-year disease-free survival in univariate analysis, but the androgen receptor and p53 did not. Multivariate analysis identified that EGFR expression had predictive significance for 5-year disease-free survival in hormone-receptor positive patients and in those with the lymph node-positive breast cancer subtype. Conclusion: Hormone receptor expression was indeed one of the molecular profiles in the subtypes identified by quantitative HER2 and vice versa. EGFR status may provide discriminative prognostic information in addition to HER2 and hormone receptor status, and should be integrated into routine practice to help formulate more specific prediction of the prognosis and appropriate individualized treatment. Keywords: quantum dots, breast cancer, molecular classification, prognosis, prediction

OBJECTIVE: To cultivate human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in the serum of overfatigue rats with the intervention of Tongxinluo superfine powder (TXLSP). By examining the variation of the activity of JNK/c-Jun/HO-1 pathway, the possible mechanisms of vascular endothelial dysfunction under overfatigue conditions and the intervening effect of TXLSP were explored. METHODS: The HUVECs were randomly divided into the normal control group, the model group, the SP600125 (a specific antagonist of JNK) group, the TXLSP group and the TXLSP + SP600125 group. The content of carboyhemoglobin (COHb) and the leak rate of lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) in different groups were measured. The mRNA and protein expression of JNK, c-Jun, HO-1 and the phosphorylation level of c-Jun (P-c-Jun) were detected using Western blot and PCR methods. RESULTS: Compared with the normal control group, the COHb level in supernatant was increased significantly in the model group, and the expression of HO-1, JNK, c-Jun mRNA and corresponding proteins and P-c-Jun were also increased remarkably. The increases in these parameters were significantly decreased by SP600125. TXLSP showed remarkable up-regulation on the expression of JNK, c-Jun, P-c-Jun and HO-1 mRNA and their protein expression. Compared with the SP600125 group, the expressions of JNK, c-Jun, P-c-Jun and HO-1 mRNA and its protein in the TXLSP+SP600125 group were significantly increased at different time points (P<0.05, P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The vascular endothelial dysfunction under overfatigue conditions is related to the activity of the JNK/c-Jun/HO-1 pathway. One of the mechanisms of TXLSP in improving the vascular endothelial function is to adjust the activity of the JNK/c-Jun/HO-1 pathway at gene and protein levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neonicotinoid insecticides (NNIs) are extensively utilized globally because of their efficient and broad-spectrum properties. However, their residues are also extensively distributed in the environment. Herein, MIL-101-SO 3 Na with abundant -NH- and sulfonate groups was synthesized via chloromethylation and nucleophilic substitution postmodification strategies and used to extract NNIs via solid-phase extraction. MIL-101-SO 3 Na was enhanced by introducing C-H···N hydrogen bonds to strengthen interaction forces and -SO 3 Na groups to adjust surface charge and enhance electrostatic attraction. This modification and the substantial specific surface area (998 m 2 ·g -1 ) of the metal-organic framework markedly enhanced the enrichment efficiency of MIL-101. The proposed method based on MIL-101-SO 3 Na exhibited a minimal detection threshold (0.04-0.87 ng·L -1 ), an extensive linear spectrum (1-2000 ng·L -1 ), and notable accuracy (a variation of 3.02-11.8%) in water and drink samples. NNI concentrations between 0.25 and 24.2 ng·L -1 in fruit juice and tea samples were accurately identified using the proposed method, demonstrating its feasibility in practical applications. The postmodification of MIL-101-SO 3 Na is an exceptional and promising approach for the sensitive detection of ultratrace NNI levels in complex matrices.

Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is highly aggressive and has poor prognosis, with most patients only diagnosed at an advanced stage. Furthermore, treatment options are limited, and their effect is unsatisfactory. Bromodomain-containing protein (BRD) is an epigenetic regulator that plays a carcinogenic role in several tumors, including squamous cell lung cancer, acute myeloid leukemia, synovial sarcoma, and malignant rhabdomyosarcoma. However, the expression, biological function, and molecular mechanisms of action of BRD9 in GBC are still unknown. Kaplan-Meier analysis, qRT-PCR, and analysis of clinical features were used to assess the clinical significance of BRD9 in GBC. Cell Counting Kit-8 and colony formation assays were performed to determine the effects of BRD9 on cell growth. The functional role of BRD9 in GBC was explored using qRT-PCR, western blotting, siRNA, and CHIP-qPCR. mRNA sequencing was performed to explore the underlying mechanisms of BRD9, and a nude mouse model of GBC was established to explore the anti-tumor effects of the BRD9 inhibitor I-BRD9 in vivo. BRD9 expression was elevated in GBC tissues compared with adjacent non-tumor tissues, and high BRD9 expression was associated with poor prognosis in patients with GBC. BRD9 knockdown by siRNA significantly decreased cell growth. Targeting BRD9 with I-BRD9 inhibited the proliferation of GBC cells without significant toxic effects. Additionally, I-BRD9 treatment suppressed CST1 expression in GBC cell lines, thereby inhibiting the PI3K-AKT pathway. The transcription factor FOXP1 was found to interact with BRD9 to regulate CST1 expression. Collectively, these results suggest that BRD9 may be a promising biomarker and therapeutic target for GBC., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Introduction: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common and disabling mental health condition; the currently available treatments for MDD are insufficient to meet clinical needs due to their limited efficacy and slow onset of action. Hypidone hydrochloride (YL-0919) is a sigma-1 receptor agonist and a novel fast-acting antidepressant that is currently under clinical development., Methods: To further understand the fast-acting antidepressant activity of YL-0919, this study focused on the role of 5-HTergic neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) in mice. Using fiber photometry to assess neural activity in vivo and two behavioral assays (tail suspension test and forced swimming test) to evaluate antidepressant-like activity., Results: It was found that 3 or 7 days of YL-0919 treatment significantly activated serotonin (5-HT) neurons in the DRN and had significant antidepressant-like effects on mouse behaviors. Chemogenetic inhibition of 5-HTergic neurons in the DRN significantly blocked the antidepressant-like effect of YL-0919. In addition, YL-0919 treatment significantly increased the 5-HT levels in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). These changes were drastically different from those of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) fluoxetine, which suggested that the antidepressant-like effects of the two compounds were mechanistically different., Conclusion: Together, these results reveal a novel role of 5-HTergic neurons in the DRN in mediating the fast-acting antidepressant-like effects of YL-0919, revealing that these neurons are potential novel targets for the development of fast-acting antidepressants for the clinical management of MDD., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Li, Yan, Sun, Hou, Yin and Li.)

Background and Purpose: The emerging antidepressant effects of ketamine have inspired tremendous interest in its underlying neurobiological mechanisms, although the involvement of 5-HT in the antidepressant effects of ketamine remains unclear., Experimental Approach: The chronic restraint stress procedure was performed to induce depression-like behaviours in mice. OFT, FST, TST, and NSFT tests were used to evaluate the antidepressant-like effects of ketamine. Tph2 knockout or depletion of 5-HT by PCPA and 5,7-DHT were used to manipulate the brain 5-HT system. ELISA and fibre photometry recordings were used to measure extracellular 5-HT levels in the brain., Key Results: 60 min after injection, ketamine (10 mg·kg -1 , i.p.) produced rapid antidepressant-like effects and increased brain 5-HT levels. After 24 h, ketamine significantly reduced immobility time in TST and FST tests and increased brain 5-HT levels, as measured by ELISA and fibre photometry recordings. The sustained (24 h) but not rapid (60 min) antidepressant-like effects of ketamine were abrogated by PCPA and 5,7-DHT, or by Tph2 knockout. Importantly, NBQX (10 mg·kg -1 , i.p.), an AMPA receptor antagonist, significantly inhibited the effect of ketamine on brain 5-HT levels and abolished the sustained antidepressant-like effects of ketamine in naïve or CRS-treated mice., Conclusion and Implications: This study confirms the requirement of serotonergic neurotransmission for the sustained antidepressant-like effects of ketamine, which appears to involve AMPA receptors, and provides avenues to search for antidepressant pharmacological targets., (© 2024 British Pharmacological Society.)

Increasing evidence supported that oxidative stress induced by herniated lumbar disc played important role in the formation of lumbar disc herniation sciatica (LDHS), however, the neural mechanisms underlying LDHS need further clarification. Endomorphin-2 (EM2) is the endogenous ligand for mu-opioid receptor (MOR), and there is increasing evidence implicating the involvement of spinal EM2 in neuropathic pain. In this study, using an nucleus pulposus implantation induced LDHS rat model that displayed obvious mechanical allodynia, it was found that the expression of EM2 in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and spinal cord was significantly decreased. It was further found that oxidative stress in DRG and spinal cord was significantly increased in LDHS rats, and the reduction of EM2 in DRG and spinal cord was determined by oxidative stress dominated increment of dipeptidylpeptidase IV activity. A systemic treatment with antioxidant could prevent the forming of mechanical allodynia in LDHS rats. In addition, MOR expression in DRG and spinal cord remained unchanged in LDHS rats. Intrathecal injection of MOR antagonist promoted pain behavior in LDHS rats, and the analgesic effect of intrathecal injection of EM2 was stronger than that of endomorphin-1 and morphine. Taken together, our findings suggest that oxidative stress mediated decrement of EM2 in DRG and spinal cord causes the loss of endogenous analgesic effects and enhances the pain sensation of LDHS., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest Each author listed in the manuscript had no conflicts of interest to declare in relation to this article., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: The stem or progenitor antecedents confer developmental plasticity and unique cell identities to cancer cells via genetic and epigenetic programs. A comprehensive characterization and mapping of the cell-of-origin of breast cancer using novel technologies to unveil novel subtype-specific therapeutic targets is still absent. Methods: We integrated 195,144 high-quality cells from normal breast tissues and 406,501 high-quality cells from primary breast cancer samples to create a large-scale single-cell atlas of human normal and cancerous breasts. Potential heterogeneous origin of malignant cells was explored by contrasting cancer cells against reference normal epithelial cells. Multi-omics analyses and both in vitro and in vivo experiments were performed to screen and validate potential subtype-specific treatment targets. Novel biomarkers of identified immune and stromal cell subpopulations were validated by immunohistochemistry in our cohort. Results: Tumor stratification based on cancer cell-of-origin patterns correlated with clinical outcomes, genomic aberrations and diverse microenvironment constitutions. We found that the luminal progenitor (LP) subtype was robustly associated with poor prognosis, genomic instability and dysfunctional immune microenvironment. However, the LP subtype patients were sensitive to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), PARP inhibitors (PARPi) and immunotherapy. The LP subtype-specific target PLK1 was investigated by both in vitro and in vivo experiments. Besides, large-scale single-cell profiling of breast cancer inspired us to identify a range of clinically relevant immune and stromal cell subpopulations, including subsets of innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), macrophages and endothelial cells. Conclusion: The present single-cell study revealed the cellular repertoire and cell-of-origin patterns of breast cancer. Combining single-cell and bulk transcriptome data, we elucidated the evolution mimicry from normal to malignant subtypes and expounded the LP subtype with vital clinical implications. Novel immune and stromal cell subpopulations of breast cancer identified in our study could be potential therapeutic targets. Taken together, Our findings lay the foundation for the precise prognostic and therapeutic stratification of breast cancer., Competing Interests: Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interest exists., (© The author(s).)

Background: Identifying predictive biomarkers for allergen immunotherapy response is crucial for enhancing clinical efficacy. This study aims to identify such biomarkers in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) undergoing subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) for house dust mite allergy., Methods: The Tongji (discovery) cohort comprised 72 AR patients who completed 1-year SCIT follow-up. Circulating T and B cell subsets were characterized using multiplexed flow cytometry before SCIT. Serum immunoglobulin levels and combined symptom and medication score (CSMS) were assessed before and after 12-month SCIT. Responders, exhibiting ≥30% CSMS improvement, were identified. The random forest algorithm and logistic regression analysis were used to select biomarkers and establish predictive models for SCIT efficacy in the Tongji cohort, which was validated in another Wisco cohort with 43 AR patients., Results: Positive SCIT response correlated with higher baseline CSMS, allergen-specific IgE (sIgE)/total IgE (tIgE) ratio, and frequencies of Type 2 helper T cells, Type 2 follicular helper T (T FH 2) cells, and CD23 + nonswitched memory B (B NSM ) and switched memory B (B SM ) cells, as well as lower follicular regulatory T (T FR ) cell frequency and T FR /T FH 2 cell ratio. The random forest algorithm identified sIgE/tIgE ratio, T FR /T FH 2 cell ratio, and B NSM frequency as the key biomarkers discriminating responders from nonresponders in the Tongji cohort. Logistic regression analysis confirmed the predictive value of a combination model, including sIgE/tIgE ratio, T FR /T FH 2 cell ratio, and CD23 + B SM frequency (AUC = 0.899 in Tongji; validated AUC = 0.893 in Wisco)., Conclusions: A T- and B-cell signature combination efficiently identified SCIT responders before treatment, enabling personalized approaches for AR patients., (© 2024 European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) are at high risk of frailty, leading to reduced quality of life and survival. Diet is associated with frailty in the elderly through regulating inflammation. Thus, we hypothesized that dietary inflammatory potential (as assessed by dietary inflammatory index [DII]) might be associated with frailty in patients with CRC through regulating inflammatory biomarkers. A total of 231 patients with CRC were included in this cross-sectional study. Dietary intake was evaluated by 3-day, 24-hour dietary recalls, and frailty status was assessed in accordance with the Fried frailty criteria. Plasma inflammatory cytokines were determined in 126 blood samples. A total of 67 patients (29.0%) were frail, with significantly higher DII scores than nonfrail patients, accompanied with significantly increased interleukin-6 (IL-6) and decreased interleukin-10 (IL-10) concentrations. Each 1-point increase of DII was related to a 25.0% increased risk of frailty. IL-6 was positively correlated with frailty and DII, whereas IL-10 was negatively correlated. After adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, education level, smoking status, and energy, mediation analysis revealed that the association between DII and frailty was significantly mediated by IL-6 (average causal mediation effect [ACME], 0.052; 95% confidence interval, 0.020-0.087; P = .002) and IL-10 (ACME, 0.025; 95% confidence interval, 0.004-0.063; P = .016). The ρ values for the sensitivity measure at which estimated ACMEs were zero were 0.3 and -0.2 for IL-6 and IL-10, respectively. Therefore, a pro-inflammatory diet was associated with frailty in patients with CRC possibly in part by affecting circulating IL-6 and IL-10 concentrations., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) is an important sugar and biofuel crop in the world. It is frequently subjected to drought stress, thus causing considerable economic losses. Transgenic technology is an effective breeding approach to improve sugarcane tolerance to drought using drought-inducible promoter(s) to activate drought-resistance gene(s). In this study, six different promoters were cloned from sugarcane bacilliform virus (SCBV) genotypes exhibiting high genetic diversity. In β-glucuronidase (GUS) assays, expression of one of these promoters (P SCBV-YZ2060 ) is similar to the one driven by the CaMV 35S promoter and >90% higher compared to the other cloned promoters and Ubi1. Three SCBV promoters (P SCBV-YZ2060 , P SCBV-TX , and P SCBV-CHN2 ) function as drought-induced promoters in transgenic Arabidopsis plants. In Arabidopsis, GUS activity driven by promoter P SCBV-YZ2060 is also upregulated by abscisic acid (ABA) and is 2.2-5.5-fold higher when compared to the same activity of two plant native promoters (P ScRD29A from sugarcane and P AtRD29A from Arabidopsis). Mutation analysis revealed that a putative promoter region 1 (PPR1) and two ABA response elements (ABREs) are required in promoter P SCBV-YZ2060 to confer drought stress response and ABA induction. Yeast one-hybrid and electrophoretic mobility shift assays uncovered that transcription factors ScbZIP72 from sugarcane and AREB1 from Arabidopsis bind with two ABREs of promoter P SCBV-YZ2060 . After ABA treatment or drought stress, the expression levels of endogenous ScbZIP72 and heterologous GUS are significantly increased in P SCBV-YZ2060 :GUS transgenic sugarcane plants. Consequently, promoter P SCBV-YZ2060 is a possible alternative promoter for genetic engineering of drought-resistant transgenic crops such as sugarcane., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Although clinical antidepressants have varied mechanisms of action, it remains unclear whether they may have a common mechanism underlying their antidepressant effects. We investigated the behavioral effects of five different antidepressants (differing in target, chemical structure, and rate of onset) and their effects on the firing activities of glutamatergic pyramidal neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) using the forced swimming test (FST) and electrophysiological techniques (in vivo). We employed fiber photometry recordings to validate the effects of antidepressants on the firing activity of pyramidal neurons. Additionally, multichannel electrophysiological recordings were conducted in mice exhibiting depressive-like behaviors induced by chronic restraint stress (CRS) to investigate whether antidepressants exert similar effects on pyramidal neurons in depressed mice. Behavioral tests were utilized for evaluating the depression model. We found that fluoxetine, duloxetine, vilazodone, YL-0919, and ketamine all increase the firing activities of glutamatergic pyramidal neurons (at least 57%) while exerting their initial onset of antidepressant effects. Fiber photometry revealed an increase in the calcium activity of pyramidal neurons in the mPFC at the onset of antidepressant effects. Furthermore, a significant reduction was observed in the firing activity of pyramidal neurons in the mPFC of CRS-exposed mice, which was reversed by antidepressants. Taken together, our findings suggested that five pharmacologically distinct classes of antidepressants share the common ability to increase the firing activity of pyramidal neurons, just different time, which might be a rate-limiting step in antidepressants onset. The study contributes to the body of knowledge of the mechanisms underlying antidepressant effects and paves the way for developing rapid-acting antidepressants., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare no competing interests., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Background: Thyroid autoimmunity is one of the most prevalent autoimmune diseases. However, its association with extra-thyroid diseases and mortality risk in the general population remains uncertain. Our study aims to evaluate the association of thyroid autoimmunity with extra-thyroid disease and the risk of mortality., Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) with participants from 2007-2008, 2009-2010, and 2011-2012, tracking their mortality until 2019. Associations between thyroid autoimmunity, which was defined as having positive thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) and/or thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb), and extra-thyroid disease including diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, chronic lung disease, arthritis, cancer and chronic renal disease and the risk of mortality were investigated., Results: A total of 7431 participants were included in this study. Positive The prevalence of positive TgAb was 7.54%, and positive TPOAb prevalence was 11.48%. TgAb was significantly associated with diabetes (Model 1: OR=1.64, 95% CI:1.08-2.50; Model 2: OR=1.93, 95% CI: 1.21-3.08) and hypertension (Model 1: OR=0.67, 95% CI: 0.49-0.91; Model 2: OR=0.62, 95% CI: 0.44-0.88). TPOAb was associated with a lower prevalence of chronic lung disease (model 1: OR=0.71, 95% CI: 0.54-0.95; model 2: OR=0.71, 95% CI: 0.53-0.95). No associations were observed between TgAb, TPOAb and other extra-thyroid diseases. Neither TgAb nor TPOAb were associated with all-cause mortality or heart disease mortality., Conclusion: TgAb was linked to a higher prevalence of diabetes and a lower prevalence of hypertension, while TPOAb was associated with a decreased prevalence of chronic lung disease. However, neither TgAb nor TPOAb posed a risk for all-cause mortality or heart disease mortality., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Song, Hu, Li, Xu, Li, Sun and Chen.)

Gamma oscillations have attracted much attention in the field of mood disorders, but their role in depression remains poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate whether gamma oscillations in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) could serve as a predictive biomarker of depression. Chronic restraint stress (CRS) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were used to induce depression-like behaviors in mice; local field potentials (LFPs) in the mPFC were recorded by electrophysiological techniques; We found that both CRS and LPS induced significant depression-like behaviors in mice, including increasing immobility durations in the forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST) and increasing the latency to feed in the novelty-suppressed feeding test (NSFT). Electrophysiological results suggested that CRS and LPS significantly reduced low and high gamma oscillations in the mPFC. Furthermore, a single injection of ketamine or scopolamine for 24 h significantly increased gamma oscillations and elicited rapid-acting antidepressant-like effects. In addition, fluoxetine treatment for 21 days significantly increased gamma oscillations and elicited antidepressant-like effects. Taken together, our findings suggest that gamma oscillations are strongly associated with depression, yielding new insights into investigating the predictive biomarkers of depression and the time course of antidepressant effects., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

In this study, the spatiotemporal evolution of full cycle of high-intensity dc argon arc discharge at atmospheric pressure is investigated by using a transferred arc device, which is easy to be directly observed in the experiment. Combining the voltage and current waveforms with high-speed images, the full cycle evolution process of high-intensity atmospheric dc arc can be divided into five different stages: breakdown pulse stage, cathode heating stage, current climbing stage, stable arc discharge stage, and finally arc extinguishing stage. The characteristics of each different stage are analyzed in detail through the electrical properties, high-speed pictures, and spectroscopic measurements. The results show that the strong luminescence region develops from the vicinity of cathode and anode to the middle in the breakdown pulse stage, which is explained from the spatiotemporal evolution of distributions of excited argon atom and ions. The development velocity of emission intensity of argon ions is mainly determined by the dominant stepwise ionization process. Then the cathode heating stage appears with many bright and nonuniformly distributed light spots on the cathode surface, and the electron emission mechanism of cathode gradually changes to the thermionic emission as the surface temperature rises. With the increase of arc current, the discharge channel significantly expands, then becomes stable due to the increment of the Lorentz force. The characteristics of arc extinguishing stage are clarified in terms of the decay of charged particles density.

Purpose of Review: Emerging evidence indicating that the dysfunction of T follicular regulatory (T FR ) cells contributes to excessive immunoglobulin E (IgE) production and the development of allergic diseases. Conversely, allergen immunotherapy (AIT) modulates T FR cells abundance and function to promote immune tolerance. This review focus on the role of T FR cells in allergic diseases and AIT, with the objective of providing novel insights into the mechanisms underlying immune tolerance of AIT and proposing the potential targeting of T FR cells in the context of allergic diseases., Recent Findings: Numerous studies have consistently demonstrated that T FR cells play a pivotal role in the inhibition of class switch recombination to IgE in both humans and specific murine models. This suppression is attributed to the actions of neuritin and IL-10 secreted by T FR cells, which exert direct and indirect effects on B cells. In patients with allergic rhinitis, reduced frequencies of circulating or tonsillar T FR cells have been reported, along with impaired functionality in suppressing IgE production. AIT, whether administered subcutaneously or sublingually, reinstates the frequency and functionality of T FR cells in allergic rhinitis patients, accompanied by changes of the chromatin accessibility of T FR cells. The increase in T FR cell frequency following AIT is associated with the amelioration of clinical symptoms., Summary: T FR cells exert an inhibitory effect on IgE production and demonstrate a correlation with the clinical efficacy of AIT in patients with allergic rhinitis, suggesting T FR cells hold promise as a therapeutic target for allergic diseases and potential biomarker for AIT., (Copyright © 2023 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Sorghum mosaic virus (SrMV, the genus Potyvirus of the family Potyviridae ) is a causal agent of common mosaic in sugarcane and poses a threat to the global sugar industry. In this study, a total of 901 sugarcane leaf samples with mosaic symptom were collected from eight provinces in China and were detected via RT-PCR using a primer pair specific to the SrMV coat protein ( CP ). These leaf samples included 839 samples from modern cultivars ( Saccharum spp. hybrids) and 62 samples from chewing cane ( S. officinarum ). Among these, 632 out of 901 (70.1%) samples were tested positive for SrMV. The incidences of SrMV infection were 72.3% and 40.3% in modern cultivars and chewing cane, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis showed that all tested SrMV isolates were clustered into three clades consisting of six phylogenetic groups based on 306 CP sequences (this study = 265 and GenBank database = 41). A total of 10 SrMV isolates from South America (the United States and Argentina) along with 106 isolates from China were clustered in group D, while the remaining 190 SrMV isolates from Asia (China and Vietnam) were dispersed in five groups. The SrMV isolates in group F were limited to Yunnan province in China, and those in group A were spread over eight provinces. A significant genetic heterogeneity was elucidated in the nucleotide sequence identities of all SrMV CPs, ranging from 69.0% to 100%. A potential recombination event was postulated among SrMV isolates based on CP sequences. All tested SrMV CP s underwent dominant negative selection. Geographical isolation (South America vs. Asia) and host types (modern cultivars vs. chewing cane) are important factors promoting the genetic differentiation of SrMV populations. Overall, this study contributes to the global understanding of the genetic evolution of SrMV and provides a valuable resource for the epidemiology and management of the mosaic in sugarcane.

Background: CXCL12 is a vital factor in physiological and pathological processes, by inducing migration of multiple cells. We aimed to comprehensively detect the role of CXCL12 in breast cancer, and explore novel CXCL12-related biomarkers through integrative multi-omics analyses to build a powerful prognostic model for breast cancer patients., Methods: Immunohistochemistry analysis of the tissue microarray was performed to evaluate the correlation between CXCL12 expression levels and breast cancer patient outcomes. Combined single-nucleus and spatial transcriptomics data was used to uncover the expression distribution of CXCL12 in breast cancer microenvironment. CXCL12-related genes were identified by WGCNA analysis. Univariate Cox and LASSO regression analyses were then conducted to screen prognostic genes from above CXCL12-related genes, followed by the construction of the CXCL12-related prognostic signature, identification of risk groups, and external validation of the prognostic signature. Analyses of biological function, mutation landscape, immune checkpoint genes and immune cells, were performed to further reveal the differences between high/low-risk groups. Paired single-cell RNA-seq and bulk RNA-seq were analyzed to further disclose the association between the risk score and the complex tumor immune microenvironment. To screen potential therapeutic agents for breast cancer patients, analyses of gene-drug correlation and sensitivity to immunotherapy were conducted., Results: High expression of CXCL12 was linked with a prolonged survival in breast cancer. A total of 402 genes were identified by WGCNA analysis and 11 genes, covering VAT1L, TMEM92, SDC1, RORB, PCSK9, NRN1, NACAD, JPH3, GJA1, BMP8B and ADAMTS2 , were screened as the candidate prognostic genes. Next, the prognostic signature was built and validated using these genes to predict the outcomes of breast cancers. The high-risk group patients exhibited significantly inferior prognoses. The combination of the risk score and tumor mutational burden (TMB) had remarkably improved performance in predicting patient outcomes. Besides, high-risk group patients showed higher infiltration of M2-like macrophages. Finally, several potential anticancer drugs were identified. The high-risk group patients were more sensitive to immunotherapy but resistant to docetaxel., Conclusions: CXCL12 has important immunological implication and prognostic significance in breast cancer. The CXCL12-related prognostic model could well predict the prognosis and treatment response of breast cancers., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Gao, Fang, Yuan, Sun and Li.)

Background: The tumor-adipose microenvironment (TAME) is characterized by the enrichment of adipocytes, and is considered a special ecosystem that supports cancer progression. However, the heterogeneity and diversity of adipocytes in TAME remains poorly understood., Methods: We conducted a single-cell RNA sequencing analysis of adipocytes in mouse and human white adipose tissue (WAT). We analyzed several adipocyte subtypes to evaluate their relationship and potential as prognostic factors for overall survival (OS). The potential drugs are screened by using bioinformatics methods. The tumor-promoting effects of a typical adipocyte subtype in breast cancer are validated by performing in vitro functional assays and immunohistochemistry (IHC) in clinical samples., Results: We profiled a comprehensive single-cell atlas of adipocyte in mouse and human WAT and described their characteristics, origins, development, functions and interactions with immune cells. Several cancer-associated adipocyte subtypes, namely DPP4 + adipocytes in visceral adipose and ADIPOQ + adipocytes in subcutaneous adipose, are identified. We found that high levels of these subtypes are associated with unfavorable outcomes in four typical adipose-associated cancers. Some potential drugs including Trametinib, Selumetinib and Ulixertinib are discovered. Emphatically, knockdown of adiponectin receptor 1 (AdipoR1) and AdipoR2 impaired the proliferation and invasion of breast cancer cells. Patients with AdipoR2-high breast cancer display significantly shorter relapse-free survival (RFS) than those with AdipoR2-low breast cancer., Conclusion: Our results provide a novel understanding of TAME at the single-cell level. Based on our findings, several adipocyte subtypes have negative impact on prognosis. These cancer-associated adipocytes may serve as key prognostic predictor and potential targets for treatment in the future., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Capsicum chlorosis virus (CaCV; family Tospoviridae, genus Orthotospovirus) was first reported to infect capsicum (Capsicum annuum) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) in Australia in 2002 (McMichael et al., 2002). Subsequently, its infection was detected in different plants including waxflower (Hoya calycina Schlecter) in the United States (Melzer et al. 2014), peanut (Arachis hypogaea) in India (Vijayalakshmi et al. 2016), and spider lily (Hymenocallis americana) (Huang et al. 2017), Chilli pepper (Capsicum annuum) (Zheng et al. 2020), and Feiji cao (Chromolaena odorata) (Chen et al. 2022) in China. Ageratum conyzoides L. (commonly known as goat weed, family Asteraceae) is a natural weed in crop fields distributed in subtropical and tropical areas and a reservoir host of numerous plant pathogens (She et al. 2013). In April 2022, we observed that 90% of plants of A. conyzoides in maize fields in Sanya, Hainan province, China, exhibited typical virus-like symptoms of vein yellowing, leaf chlorosis, and distortion (Fig. S1 A-C). Total RNA was extracted from one symptomatic leaf of A. conyzoides. Small RNA libraries were constructed using the small RNA Sample Pre Kit (Illumina, San Diego, USA) for sequencing with an Illumina Novaseq 6000 platform (Biomarker Technologies Corporation, Beijing, China). A total 15,848,189 clean reads were obtained after removing low-quality reads. Quality-controlled qualified reads were assembled into contigs using Velvet 1.0.5 software with a k-mer value of 17. One hundred contigs shared nucleotide identity ranging from 85.7% to 100% with the CaCV using BLASTn searches online (https://blast.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Blast.cgi?). Numerous contigs (45, 34, and 21) obtained in this study were mapped to the L, M, and S RNA segments of the CaCV-Hainan isolate (GenBank accession no. KX078565- KX078567) from spider lily (Hymenocallis americana) in Hainan province, China, respectively. The full-length of L, M, and S RNA segments of CaCV-AC were determined to be 8,913, 4,841, and 3,629 bp, respectively (GenBank accession no. OQ597167- OQ597169). Furthermore, five symptomatic leaf samples were tested to be positive for CaCV using a CaCV enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit (MEIMIAN, Jiangsu, China) (Fig. S1-D). Total RNA from these leaves was amplified by RT-PCR with two sets of primer pairs. Primers CaCV-F (5'-ACTTTCCATCAACCTCTGT-3') and CaCV-R (5'-GTTATGGCCATATTTCCCT-3') were used for the amplification of 828 bp fragment from nucleocapsid protein (NP) on CaCV S RNA. While another, primers gL3637 (5'-CCTTTAACAGTDGAAACAT-3') and gL4435c (5'-CATDGCRCAAGARTGRTARACAGA-3') were used for the amplification of 816 bp fragment from RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) on CaCV L RNA (Fig. S1-E and -F) (Basavaraj et al. 2020). These amplicons were cloned into the pCE2 TA/Blunt-Zero vector (Vazyme, Nanjing, China) and three independent positive colonies of Escherichia coli DH5α carrying each viral amplicon were sequenced. These sequences were deposited in the GenBank database under accession nos. OP616700-OP616709. Pairwise sequence comparison revealed that nucleotide sequences of NP and RdRP genes of the five CaCV isolates shared 99.5% (812 bp out of 828 bp) and 99.4% (799 bp out of 816 bp) nucleotide identities, respectively. They showed 86.2-99.2% and 86.5-99.1% nucleotide identities with corresponding nucleotide sequences of other CaCV isolates derived from GenBank database, respectively. The highest nucleotide sequence identity (99%) of the CaCV isolates obtained in the study was observed with the CaCV-Hainan isolate. Phylogenetic analysis based on NP amino acid demonstrated that six CaCV isolates (this study = 5 and NCBI database = 1) clustered into one distinct clade (Fig. S2). Our data confirmed for the first time the presence of CaCV naturally infecting A. conyzoides plant in China, which enriches information on the host range and will be helpful for disease management.

Background: As the major microtubule organizing center in animal cells, the centrosome is implicated with human breast tumor in multiple ways, such as promotion of tumor cell immune evasion. Here, we aimed to detect the expression of centrosome-related genes (CRGs) in normal and malignant breast tissues, and construct a novel centrosome-related prognostic model to discover new biomarkers and screen drugs for breast cancer., Methods: We collected CRGs from the public databases and literature. The differentially expressed CRGs between normal and malignant breast tissues were identified by the DESeq2. Univariate Cox and LASSO regression analyses were conducted to screen candidate prognostic CRGs and develop a centrosome-related signature (CRS) to score breast cancer patients. We further manipulated and visualized data from TCGA, GEO, IMvigor210, TCIA and TIMER to explore the correlation between CRS and patient outcomes, clinical manifestations, mutational landscapes, tumor immune microenvironments, and responses to diverse therapies. Single cell analyses were performed to investigate the difference of immune cell landscape between high- and low-risk group patients. In addition, we constructed a nomogram to guide clinicians in precise treatment., Results: A total of 726 CRGs were collected from the public databases and literature. PSME2 , MAPK10 , EIF4EBP1 were screened as the prognostic genes in breast cancer. Next, we constructed a centrosome-related prognostic signature and validated its efficacy based on the genes for predicting the survival of breast cancer patients. The high-risk group patients had poor prognoses, the area under the ROC curve for 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival (OS) was 0.77, 0.67, and 0.65, respectively. The predictive capacity of CRS was validated by other datasets from GEO dataset. In addition, high-risk group patients exhibited elevated level of mutational landscapes and decreased level of immune infiltration, especially T and B lymphocytes. In terms of treatment responses, patients in the high-risk group were found to be resistant to immunotherapy but sensitive to chemotherapy. Moreover, we screened a series of candidate anticancer drugs with high sensitivity in the high-risk group., Conclusion: Our work exploited a centrosome-related prognostic signature and developed a predictive nomogram capable of accurately predicting breast cancer OS. The above discoveries provide deeper insights into the vital roles of the centrosome and contribute to the development of personalized treatment for breast cancer., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Fang, Gao, Yu, Sun and Yao.)

Members of the GAPDH family play important roles in plant growth and development, as well as in stress responses. Our aim was to identify stress resistance genes through systematic analysis of the GAPDH family in watermelon. This could not only provide genetic resources for stress resistance breeding, but also form a basis for the study of plant stress resistance mechanisms. Eight GAPDHs representing four types of plant GAPDH in watermelon were identified (ClGAPA/B, ClGAPC1-3, ClGAPCp1-2 and ClGAPN). A comprehensive analysis of physicochemical properties, chromosome distribution, evolutionary relationships, exon-intron structure and conserved motifs of watermelon GAPDHs was performed using bioinformatics. Expression characteristics were assessed by RT-qPCR. Based on RT-qPCR results, ClGAPC2 was screened as a candidate for subcellular localization analysis and functional verification in Arabidopsis thaliana. Eight GAPDHs were classified into four subfamilies. GAPDHs in each subgroup were generally conserved and shared similarities in structure and conserved motifs. ClGAPDHs had notable tissue specificity and different expression patterns in response to H 2 O 2 , chilling, salt, osmotic stress, heat, salicylic acid, gibberellin, brassinosterol, ethylene and abscisic acid treatments. Three ClGAPC genes, especially ClGAPC2, were markedly induced by several treatments. ClGAPC2 was located in the nucleus and cytoplasm of tabacum epidermal cells. The ClGAPC2 transgenic Arabidopsis showed enhanced tolerance to salinity at the germination stage. We suggest that ClGAPC2 plays important roles in the adaptation of watermelon to salinity. Our findings provided candidate genes for further improving the salt tolerance of watermelon., (© 2022 German Society for Plant Sciences, Royal Botanical Society of the Netherlands.)

Obesity is one of the most serious global health problems, with an incidence that increases yearly and coincides with the development of cancer. Adipose tissue macrophages (ATMs) are particularly important in this context and contribute to linking obesity-related inflammation and tumor progression. However, the functions of ATMs on the progression of obesity-associated cancer remain unclear. In this review, we describe the origins, phenotypes, and functions of ATMs. Subsequently, we summarize the potential mechanisms on the reprogramming of ATMs in the obesity-associated microenvironment, including the direct exchange of dysfunctional metabolites, inordinate cytokines and other signaling mediators, transfer of extracellular vesicle cargo, and variations in the gut microbiota and its metabolites. A better understanding of the properties and functions of ATMs under conditions of obesity will lead to the development of new therapeutic interventions for obesity-related cancer., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Immune responses in nonlymphoid tissues play a vital role in the maintenance of homeostasis. Lots of evidence supports that tissue-specific immune cells provide defense against tumor through the localization in different tissue throughout the body, and can be regulated by diverse factors. Accordingly, the distribution of nervous tissue is also tissue-specific which is essential in the growth of corresponding organs, and the occurrence and development of tumor. Although there have been many mature perspectives on the neuroendocrine regulation in tumor microenvironment, the neuroendocrine regulation of tissue-specific immune cells has not yet been summarized. In this review, we focus on how tissue immune responses are influenced by autonomic nervous system, sensory nerves, and various neuroendocrine factors and reversely how tissue-specific immune cells communicate with neuroendocrine system through releasing different factors. Furthermore, we pay attention to the potential mechanisms of neuroendocrine-tissue specific immunity axis involved in tumors. This may provide new insights for the immunotherapy of tumors in the future., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Liu, Li, Li, Sun, Sun and Wu.)

Objective: It has been reported that papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) patients with lymph node metastasis (LNM) are largely associated with adverse outcomes. The present study aimed to assess the correlation between the number of metastatic lymph nodes (NMLNs) and clinical prognosis in patients with PTC., Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with PTC who underwent initial thyroid cancer surgery in Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University between 2017 and 2019. A total of 694 patients with PTC and cervical lymph node dissection as well as a total checked number of lymph nodes ≥ 5 were involved in this study. The clinicopathological characteristics of patients were compared according to NMLNs, the number of central cervical lymph nodes (CLNs) and the number of lateral lymph nodes (LLNs)., Results: NMLNs > 5, CLNs > 5 and LLNs > 5 were 222 (32.0%), 159 (24.3%) and 70 (10.1%) seen in the analyzed samples, respectively. Young patients, patients with larger tumor diameter, bilaterality, multifocality and gross extrathyroidal extension (ETE) were more inclined to NMLNs > 5, CLNs > 5 and LLNs > 5 (P < 0.05). It was found that the recurrence-free survival among pN1 patients was significantly discrepant between different groups (NMLNs ≤ 5/5: P = 0.001; LLNs ≤ 5/5: P < 0.001). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, patients aged < 55 years (OR = 1.917), primary tumor size > 10 mm (OR = 2.131), bilaterality (OR = 1.889) and tumor gross ETE (OR = 2.759) were independent predictors for high prevalence of total NMLNs > 5 (P < 0.05). Specially, patients aged < 55 years (OR = 2.864), primary tumor size > 10 mm (OR = 2.006), and tumor gross ETE (OR = 2.520) were independent predictors for high prevalence of CLNs > 5 (P < 0.01); Bilaterality (OR = 2.119), CLNs > 5 (OR = 6.733) and tumor gross ETE (OR = 4.737) were independent predictors for high prevalence of LLNs > 5 (P < 0.05)., Conclusions: In conclusion, it is evident that NMLNs is related to the invasive clinicopathological features and adverse outcome of patients with PTC which should be correctly evaluated to provide an appropriate guidance for reasonable treatment and careful follow-up., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Objective: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, which has been recognized as an international public health challenge, has caused significant morbidity for the entire world. This research focused on patients with HBV in China to examine health utilization and expenses., Methods: Patients hospitalized with HBV from 2017 to 2019 in tertiary hospitals in Hubei, a province located in central China, were selected as the study population. Healthcare information was collected from the provincial inpatient electronic system database. Univariate and regression analyses were performed to describe the basic situation of healthcare services and determine the influencing indicators of inpatient service expenditure., Results: A total of 367 381 cases of HBV infection were identified in the study area. Most of these cases were patients who were married (90.2%) and males (63%). With the great efforts by the universal coverage of the basic medical insurance (BMI) in China, the increasing rate of inpatient hospitalization for HBV was 3.5 times higher than that of the total inpatient health service cases in the study area. The average age of this group was 52.84±14.10 years and 11.1% of patients paid for their own medical expenditures without insurance. The average length of stay (LOS) was 11.10 days, and the average cost per patient was 15 712.05 RMB. Both values were higher than the average level in study area. Gender, marital status, career, payment type, and kind of hospitals significantly influenced healthcare utilization. Males and the elderly might incur higher healthcare costs than their counterparts., Conclusion: The BMI operated by government has played a role in the utilization release of health services for HBV carriers. However, researchers must pay more attention to the continuing increase in the medical expenses of this group., (© 2022. Huazhong University of Science and Technology.)

Background: The role of prophylactic central lymph node dissection (pCLND) for papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) remains contentious, and the impact of pCLND on long-term patient outcomes is unclear., Methods: A retrospective analysis of data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database was performed. Patients diagnosed with PTC who did not undergo pCLND between 2004 and 2015 were included in this study, and patients with pN0 PTC who underwent CLND were included as the control group. The researchers calculated the subdistribution hazard ratio (SHR) using the Fine-Gray model and the hazard ratio (HR) using the Cox proportional hazards regression to compare Thyroid cancer-specific survival (TCSS) and overall survival (OS) of the different groups., Results: A total of 38,205 T1-2cN0 PTC patients without pCLND were eligible for the study entry, and 24,157 patients with T1-2pN0 PTC patients who had received CLND were included as the control group. The actuarial 10-year TCSS and OS rates of patients without pCLND were 99.53% and 92.77%, respectively. Patients without pCLND had similar TCSS compared with the control group after adjusting for age, sex, race, tumor stage, multifocality, thyroid surgery, and radiation (SHR = 1.35, 95% CI: 0.95 - 1.93). However, patients without pCLND had a significantly poorer OS than the control group (HR = 1.38, 95% CI: 1.26 - 1.51)., Conclusions: Patients without pCLND had similar TCSS compared with the control group after adjusting for confounders but had significantly poorer OS. Whether the OS disparities were attributed to pCLND or other factors still needs further study., Competing Interests: None to declare., (Copyright 2022, Song et al.)

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) was a risk factor for papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). Whether MetS impacts the aggressiveness of PTC is still unclear. We carried out this study to clarify this issue., Methods: We evaluated 745 consecutive PTC patients treated with surgery. Patients were divided into three groups based on their number of MetS components: patients without any MetS components, patients with 1-2 MetS components, and patients with 3-5 MetS components. The clinical features and histological aggressiveness of PTC at the time of diagnosis were evaluated., Results: A total of 745 patients were included in this study. And, 145 patients had three or more metabolic components and were diagnosed as MetS. MetS was a risk factor for larger tumors (OR = 2.29, 95% CI: 1.31-4.03), more lymph node metastasis (OR = 1.97, 95% CI: 1.11-3.51), and later clinical stage (OR = 7.92, 95% CI: 1.59-39.34) after correction for age, sex, and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level and body mass index (BMI)., Conclusion: In our hospital-based cohort study MetS was associated with the aggressiveness of PTC. This association was still significant after adjusting for age, sex, TSH, and BMI., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Background: The etiology of granulomatous lobular mastitis (GLM) remains unknown. This study aimed to detect bacteria in GLM using Nanopore sequencing and identify the relationship between GLM and Corynebacterium kroppenstedtii ., Methods and Materials: The bacterial detection on fresh samples (including breast pus and tissue) of 50 GLM patients using nanopore sequencing and culture methods. The bacterial detection rate of participants with different stages were compared and analyzed. Formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues from 39 patients were performed on Gram staining to identify Gram-positive bacilli (GPB) within lipid vacuoles. Moreover, the clinicopathological characteristics of GLM patients in different bacterial subgroups were also conducted., Results: In 50 GLM patients, the detection rate of bacteria was 78% using nanopore sequencing method, especially in the early stage of GLM (over 80%), which was significantly higher than that using culture methods (24%, p  < 0.001). The dominant bacteria were Corynebacterium species (64%), especially for the Corynebacterium kroppenstedtii . The detection rate of C. kroppenstedtii in nanopore sequencing method (56%) was higher than that in culture methods (16%, p  < 0.001). Gram staining positive of bacteria in 7 patients, and 5 of them were C. kroppenstedtii . Thirty-one patients (31/39, 79.5%) exhibited typical histological structure of cystic neutrophilic granulomatous mastitis (CNGM), and eighteen patients detected with C. kroppenstedtii ., Conclusion: Nanopore sequencing showed rapid and accurate bacteria detection over culture method in GLM patients. GLM is not sterile inflammation and closely related to C. kroppenstedtii . CNGM was associated with Corynebacterium infection, especially for C. kroppenstedtii .

Granulomatous lobular mastitis (GLM), also known as idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM), is a chronic inflammatory lesion of the breast. The incidence of GLM has been increasing in recent years, especially among young women. The etiologies of GLM have not been fully elucidated but are associated with autoimmunity and bacterial infection. Bacteria, especially Corynebacterium species, play important roles in GLM. In this article, we review research progress regarding the bacteriology of GLM attained with the application of several new high-throughput detection techniques. Accurate detection might be important for deepening our understanding of the pathogenesis of GLM and hold promise for personalized GLM therapy.

Objective: We sought to explore if there is an association between neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and treatment failure in patients with peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis (PDAP). Methods: Our cohort involved 337 episodes of PDAP experienced by 202 patients who were undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis at a single center from 1 July 2013 to 30 June 2018. The exposures were log-transformed NLR and a categorical variable grouped by the tertiles of NLR levels (T1, <3.75; T2, 3.75-6.53; and T3, >6.53) at baseline. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) and restricted cubic spline (RCS) analyses were done to determine the association between NLR and treatment failure, defined as catheter removal or all-cause mortality during therapy. Results: After adjusting for other potential predictors, the log-transformed NLR exhibited an incremental relationship with the risk of treatment failure (odds ratio, 1.82; 95% confidence interval, 1.05-3.15). RCS analyses showed that the relationship was positively and linearly correlated ( P for nonlinearity = 0.104). As a three-level categorical variable, in reference to T1, the T3 of NLR showed a 3.41-fold increased venture of treatment failure in fully adjusted model. Subgroup analyses suggested that the prognostic relevance of NLR in PDAP was particularly significant in gram-negative peritonitis. Conclusions: A greater level of NLR at baseline was remarkably associated with a higher incidence of treatment failure among PDAP episodes regardless of other potential risk factors., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 He, He, Huang, Hu and Sun.)

Abstract: Whether breast-conserving therapy (BCT) should be chosen as a local treatment for young women with early-stage breast cancer is controversial. This study compared the survival benefits of BCT or mastectomy in young women under 40 with early-stage breast cancer and further explored age-stratified outcomes. This study investigated whether there is a survival benefit when young women undergo BCT compared with mastectomy.The characteristics and prognosis of white women under 40 with stage I-II breast cancer from 1988 to 2016 were analyzed using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. These women were either treated with BCT or mastectomy. The log-rank test of the Kaplan-Meier survival curve and Cox proportional risk regression model were used to analyze the data and survival. The analysis was stratified by age (18-35 and 36-40 years).A total of 23,810 breast cancer patients were included, of whom 44.9% received BCT and 55.1% underwent mastectomy, with a median follow-up of 116 months. Patients undergoing mastectomy had a higher tumor burden and younger age. By the end of the 20th century, the proportion of BCT had grown from nearly 35% to approximately 60%, and then gradually fell to 35% into the 21st century. Compared with the mastectomy group, the BCT group had improved breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) (hazard ratio [HR] 0.917; 95% CI, 0.846-0.995, P = .037) and overall survival (OS) (HR 0.925; 95% CI, 0.859-0.997, P = .041). In stratified analysis according to the different ages, the survival benefit of BCT was more pronounced in the slightly older (36-40 years) group while there was no significant survival difference in the younger group (18-35 years).In young women with early-stage breast cancer, BCT showed survival benefits that were at least no worse than mastectomy, and these benefits were even better in the 36 to 40 years age group. Young age may not be a contraindication for BCT., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2021 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Objective: To investigate the clinical features and effect of prognostic factors in patients with different pathological types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Methods: We collected and analyzed the clinical data of 89 patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis who were treated at Huadong Hospital from March 2013 to May 2020. The data were analyzed via log-rank and Cox multivariate analyses. Results: The median overall survival time of the 89 cases was 10.2 months. Patients with B-cell lymphoma-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis did not reach the median overall survival time. The median overall survival times of T-cell lymphoma-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and NK-cell lymphoma-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis were 10.2 and 3.0 months, respectively. The pathological type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (OS: P =0041, PFS: P =0.015) , ECOG score ≥ 3 (OS: P =0.031, PFS: P =0.030) , hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (OS: P =0.005, PFS: P =0.040) , lymphadenopathy (OS: P =0.007, PFS: P =0.012) , and splenomegaly (OS: P =0.276, PFS: P =0.324) were related to the overall survival and progression-free survival of patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Splenectomy could improve the prognosis of patients with lymphoma-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, especially T-cell lymphoma-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Conclusion: The clinical characteristics of patients with different pathological types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis were similar but were different in the overall survival rate and the effect of prognostic factors. We suggested that patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis should receive more than combined chemotherapy. To improve the prognosis and survival rate of patients, those with B-cell lymphoma-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and NK-cell lymphoma-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis promptly require hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Moreover, patients with T-cell lymphoma-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis should consider splenectomy.

Maize yellow mosaic virus (MaYMV) hosted in various gramineous plants was assigned to the genus Polerovirus (family Luteoviridae ) in 2018. However, little is known about its genetic diversity and population structure. In this study, 509 sugarcane leaf samples with mosaic symptoms were collected in 2017 to 2019 from eight sugarcane-growing provinces in China. Reverse-transcription PCR results revealed that four positive-sense RNA viruses were found to infect sugarcane, and the incidence of MaYMV among samples from Fujian, Sichuan, and Guangxi Provinces was 52.1, 9.8, and 2.5%, respectively. Based on 82 partial MaYMV sequences and 46 whole-genome sequences from different host plants, phylogenetic analysis revealed that MaYMV populations are very closely associated with their source geographical regions (China, Africa, and South America). Pairwise identity analysis showed significant variability in genome sequences among MaYMV isolates with genomic nucleotide identities of 91.1 to 99.9%. In addition to codon mutations, insertions or deletions also contributed to genetic variability in individual coding regions, especially in the readthrough protein (P3-P5 fusion protein). Low gene flow and significant genetic differentiation of MaYMV were observed among the three geographical populations, suggesting that environmental adaptation is an important evolutionary force that shapes the genetic structure of MaYMV. Genes in the MaYMV genome were subject to strong negative or purification selection during evolution, except for the movement protein (MP), which was under positive selection pressure. This finding suggests that the MP may play an important role in MaYMV evolution. Taken together, our findings provide basic information for the development of an integrated disease management strategy against MaYMV.

Yellow leaf disease caused by sugarcane yellow leaf virus (SCYLV) is one of the most prevalent diseases worldwide. In this study, six near-complete genome sequences of SCYLV were determined to be 5775-5881 bp in length. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the two SCYLV isolates from Réunion Island, France, and four from China were clustered into REU and CUB genotypes, respectively, based on 50 genomic sequences (this study = 6, GenBank = 44). Meanwhile, all 50 isolates were clustered into three phylogroups (G1-G3). Twelve significant recombinant events occurred in intra- and inter-phylogroups between geographical origins and host crops. Most recombinant hotspots were distributed in coat protein read-through protein (RTD), followed by ORF0 (P0) and ORF1 (P1). High genetic divergences of 12.4% for genomic sequences and 6.0-24.9% for individual genes were determined at nucleotide levels. The highest nucleotide diversity (π) was found in P0, followed by P1 and RdRP. In addition, purifying selection was a main factor restricting variability in SCYLV populations. Infrequent gene flow between Africa and the two subpopulations (Asia and America) were found, whereas frequent gene flow between Asia and America subpopulations was observed. Taken together, our findings facilitate understanding of genetic diversity and evolutionary dynamics of SCYLV.

Background: Clinical relapses are common in patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV). The aim of this systematic review was to estimate time-point prevalence and risk factors of relapse., Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases from their inception to March 30, 2020. Cohorts and post-hoc studies were included for the estimation of summary cumulative relapse rates (CRRs) and adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Sensitivity and meta-regression analyses were also performed., Results: Of the 42 eligible studies, 24 studies with 6236 participants were used for the pooled analyses of CRRs. The summary 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year CRRs were 0.12 (95% CI, 0.10-0.14), 0.33 (0.29-0.38), and 0.47 (0.42-0.52), respectively. In meta-regressions, the baseline age was positively associated with 1-year CRR. The proportion of granulomatosis with polyangiitis was positively associated with 5-year CRR. Twenty-eight studies with 5390 participants were used for the meta-analysis of risk factors for relapse, including a lower level of baseline serum creatine, proteinase 3 (PR3)-ANCA positivity at diagnosis, an ANCA rise, extrarenal organ involvement (including lung, cardiovascular, upper respiratory, and gastrointestinal involvement), intravenous (vs oral) cyclophosphamide induction, a shorter course of immunosuppressant maintenance, and maintenance with mycophenolate mofetil (vs azathioprine)., Conclusions: Our systematic review demonstrated that the 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year cumulative probabilities of relapse were ∼12%, 33%, and 47% in AAV patients receiving cyclophosphamide induction, respectively. Early identification of risk factors for relapse is helpful to the risk stratification of patients so as to achieve personalized treatment., (© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Society for Rheumatology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Background: Shenyankangfu Tablet (SYKFT) is a Chinese patent medicine that has been used widely to decrease proteinuria and the progression of chronic kidney disease., Objective: This trial compared the efficacy and safety of SYKFT, for the control of proteinuria in primary glomerulonephritis patients, against the standard drug, losartan potassium., Design, Setting, Participants and Intervention: This was a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial. Primary glomerulonephritis patients, aged 18-70 years, with blood pressure ≤ 140/90 mmHg, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥ 45 mL/min per 1.73 m 2 , and 24-hour proteinuria level of 0.5-3.0 g, were recruited in 41 hospitals across 19 provinces in China and were randomly divided into five groups: SYKFT, losartan potassium 50 mg or 100 mg, SYKFT plus losartan potassium 50 mg or 100 mg., Main Outcome Measures: The primary outcome was change in the 24-hour proteinuria level, after 48 weeks of treatment., Results: A total of 735 participants were enrolled. The percent decline of urine protein quantification in the SYKFT group after 48 weeks was 8.78% ± 2.56% (P = 0.006) more than that in the losartan 50 mg group, which was 0.51% ± 2.54% (P = 1.000) less than that in the losartan 100 mg group. Compared with the losartan potassium 50 mg group, the SYKFT plus losartan potassium 50 mg group had a 13.39% ± 2.49% (P < 0.001) greater reduction in urine protein level. Compared with the losartan potassium 100 mg group, the SYKFT plus losartan potassium 100 mg group had a 9.77% ± 2.52% (P = 0.001) greater reduction in urine protein. With a superiority threshold of 15%, neither was statistically significant. eGFR, serum creatinine and serum albumin from the baseline did not change statistically significant. The average change in TCM syndrome score between the patients who took SYKFT (-3.00 [-6.00, -2.00]) and who did not take SYKFT (-2.00 [-5.00, 0]) was statistically significant (P = 0.003). No obvious adverse reactions were observed in any group., Conclusion: SYKFT decreased the proteinuria and improved the TCM syndrome scores of primary glomerulonephritis patients, with no change in the rate of decrease in the eGFR. SYKFT plus losartan potassium therapy decreased proteinuria more than losartan potassium therapy alone., Trial Registration Number: NCT02063100 on ClinicalTrials.gov., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no competing interests., (Copyright © 2021 Shanghai Changhai Hospital. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is a parameter of the heterogeneity of circulating erythrocyte size. Recent researches have pointed out a link among RDW, chronic kidney disease, and inflammation. We sought to investigate the prognostic value of baseline RDW in patients with peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis (PDAP). Methods: Our study included 337 peritonitis episodes experienced by 202 patients who were undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) at a single center from 2013 to 2018. Episodes were categorized according to the tertiles of baseline RDW levels (T1, <13.2%; T2, 13.2-14.3%; T3, >14.3%). Routine logistic regression and generalized estimating equation (GEE) were used to estimate the association between RDW and treatment failure, which was defined as relapse/recurrent episodes, catheter removal, or death during therapy. Results: After adjusting for other potential predictors, RDW exhibited an incremental relationship with the risk of treatment failure. The baseline RDW of T3 indicated a 43% and 52% increased venture of treatment failure in logistic and GEE analyses, respectively, compared with T1. As a continuous variable, the fitting curve based on restricted cubic spiline showed that the relationship was nonlinearly but positively correlated. The multivariate model A (combined RDW with baseline age, albumin, serum ferritin, and duration on CAPD) showed an area under the curve of 0.671 (95% confidence interval, 0.5920.749) for the prediction of treatment failure. Conclusions: A Higher baseline level of RDW was significantly associated with a greater rate of treatment failure among PDAP episodes independent of other potential predictors.

Pyrazolone complexes have strong anti-tumor and antibacterial properties, but the anti-tumor mechanism of pyrazolone-based copper complexes has not been fully understood. In this study, the possible mechanism and the inhibitory effect of a novel pyrazolone-based derivative compound [Cu(PMPP-SAL)(EtOH)] on human cervical cancer cells (HeLa cells) was investigated. [Cu(PMPP-SAL)(EtOH)] effectively inhibited proliferation of HeLa cells in vitro with an IC 50 value of 2.082 after treatment for 72 h. Cell cycle analysis showed apoptosis was induced by blocking the cell cycle in the S phase. [Cu(PMPP-SAL)(EtOH)] promoted the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, release of cytochrome c, PARP cleavage, and activation of caspase-3/9 in HeLa cells. Additionally, [Cu(PMPP-SAL)(EtOH)] inhibited the PI3K/AKT pathway and activated the P38/MAPK, and JNK/MAPK pathways. [Cu(PMPP-SAL)(EtOH)] also inhibited the phosphorylation of Iκ-Bα in the NF-κB pathway activated by TNF-α, thus restricting the proliferation of HeLa cells which were activated by TNF-α. In conclusion, [Cu(PMPP-SAL)(EtOH)] inhibited the growth of HeLa cells and induced apoptosis possibly via the caspase-dependent mitochondria-mediated pathway. These results suggest that [Cu(PMPP-SAL)(EtOH)] can be a potential candidate for the treatment of cervical cancer.

MyD88 has been implicated in the tumourigenesis, metastasis and recurrence of breast cancer (BC). Here we utilized TJ-M2010-2 (TJ), an inhibitor of MyD88 homodimerimerization, and siMyD88 to suppress the function of MyD88 in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. BC cells were treated in vitro and xenografted into nude mice to generate a model in vivo. TJ inhibited BC cell growth by impeding proliferation rather than by promoting apoptosis in vitro. Additionally, TJ and siMyD88 significantly attenuated cell migration and invasion, inhibited EMT-like progression and reduced cytokine (IL-6, IL-8, TGF-β1 and TNF-α) secretion induced by LPS. In vivo, TJ significantly hindered tumour growth in mice. Notably, TJ also decreased the secretion of IL-6, IL-8, TGF-β1, and TNF-α and M2 macrophage infiltration in the tumour microenvironment. The expression of MyD88, TRAF6, NF-κB p65, Snail, MMP-2, MMP-9, p-GSK-3β and p-Akt was significantly downregulated by TJ in BC cells and tumour tissues. Collectively, these results suggest that a MyD88 inhibitor (TJ) may be a promising therapeutic modality for treating BC patients., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

With our improved understanding of the biological behavior of breast cancer, minimally invasive intervention is urgently needed for personalized treatment of early disease. Intraductal therapy is one such minimally invasive approach. With the help of appropriate tools, technologies using the intraductal means of entering the ducts may be used both to diagnose and treat lesions in the mammary duct system with less trauma and at the same time avoid systemic toxicity. Traditional agents such as those targeting pathways, endocrine therapy, immunotherapy, or gene therapy can be used alone or combined with other new technologies, such as nanomaterials, through the intraductal route. Additionally, relevant mammary tumor models in rodents which reflect changes in the tumor microenvironment will help deepen our understanding of their biological behavior and heterogeneity. This article reviews the current status and future prospects of intraductal therapy in breast cancer, with emphasis on ductal carcinoma in situ.

The lower reaches of the Yangtze River are a typical gathering place of chemical industrial parks in China. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) emitted in the production process of chemical enterprises enter the tributary water body through atmospheric deposition and surface runoff, and finally merge into the Yangtze River. In this study, the distribution characteristics, source analysis, and ecological risk assessment of PAHs in a series of typical water samples collected in the tributary waters of the Yangtze River were studied. PAH monomers in the samples were mainly low-ring. The total concentration of PAHs was in the range of 37.27 to 285.88 ng·L -1 with a mean value of 78.31 ng·L -1 , while the monomer concentration of PAHs ranged from 0 to 61.35 ng·L -1 . The lowest detection rate was benzo[k] fluoranthene and benzo[a] pyrene at 75%. As a toxic PAH monomer, the concentration of benzo[a] pyrene ranged from 0 to 11.08 ng·L -1 . According to "Water Quality Standards for Drinking Water Sources (CJ 3020-1993)" of China, the concentration of benzo[a] pyrene in a water sample (S12) located near Wuxi City exceeded the limit of drinking water standards (10 ng·L -1 ). Compared with the total concentration of PAHs in rivers in some typical regions of the world, the concentration of PAHs in this study was generally at low to moderate levels. According to the source analysis results of the ratio method and principal component analysis, the concentration of PAHs in water was mainly affected by fossil combustion, automobile exhaust, and chemical emissions. To assess the potential ecosystem risk of PAHs in the investigated area, the risk quotient (RQ) was used. In addition to the DBA monomer, the relative quantities (RQs) (replication) of the remaining monomers were greater than 1, and the RQ (MPCs) values in all the monomers were less than 1, indicating that the ecological risk of water samples was at a medium level. From the perspective of long-term environmental exposure, appropriate control measures should be considered to prevent further pollution. The results can provide reference for PAH risk assessment and pollution control of chemical industrial parks in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River.