Volume 124

Influenza is a highly contagious respiratory disease with a high incidence and mutation rate, which continues to threaten public health. Although traditional vaccines have played an important role in influenza prevention and control, their protective effects are prone to fluctuations due to the drift of viral antigens. In recent years, the rise of new vaccine platforms such as mRNA vaccines and viral vector vaccines has provided new ideas for the rapid update and broad-spectrum protection of influenza vaccines. However, there is currently a lack of systematic comparison and comprehensive analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of different vaccine platforms in influenza prevention and control. This article reviews the mechanism of action, application potential, experimental basis and practical challenges of inactivated vaccines, protein subunit vaccines, mRNA vaccines and viral vector vaccines, systematically sorts out the differences between various vaccines in inducing humoral immunity and cellular immunity, and analyzes their performance in antigen drift response, vaccine broad spectrum and adaptability. By comparison, it can be seen that the new vaccine platform has obvious advantages in broad spectrum and flexibility. This study provides a theoretical basis for the optimal design and platform selection of future influenza vaccines, and also points out that there are still research gaps in the verification of immune persistence and fair accessibility of vaccines. In the future, we can further explore the multi-platform joint strategy and the development direction of broad-spectrum vaccines targeting conservative antigens.

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Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the leading primary liver cancer and remains one of the deadliest malignancies globally. Its incidence continues to rise, driven by chronic viral hepatitis in the Eastern countries and metabolic liver disease in the Western countries. Landmark phase III trials have transformed the landscape of systemic therapy: atezolizumab–bevacizumab, durvalumab–tremelimumab, and nivolumab–ipilimumab each deliver superior survival over sorafenib and are now first-line standards. Parallel studies are testing these agents in adjuvant, neoadjuvant, and locoregional combinations, signalling a shift toward earlier immunologic intervention. Yet the field still lacks validated biomarkers and globally harmonised treatment algorithms. This review compiles current evidence on worldwide epidemiology of HCC, key risk factors such as HBV, aflatoxin exposure and NAFLD, and the molecular pathways that drive hepatocarcinogenesis. It critically compares the design, efficacy and safety of major immunotherapy trials and summarises ongoing studies that combine systemic agents with surgery, ablation or transarterial chemo-embolisation. By mapping existing data to current unmet needs, this analysis highlights key opportunities for advancing biomarker-guided precision therapy and expanding access to novel treatments in resource-limited settings.

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Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes cervical and other cancers, but first-generation L1 vaccines are underused and cannot treat existing infections. Research shows that the activities of p53 and pRb can be inhibited by proteins E6 and E7, promoting cancer development. These insights have led to new vaccine platforms that aim to both prevent and treat HPV infection. Clinical trials are testing L2-based, DNA, peptide, and mRNA vaccines. However, no single vaccine yet offers broad protection, treatment effectiveness, low cost, and stability in field settings. This review describes HPV biology, explains how E6 and E7 drive cancer, and assesses the strengths and weaknesses of current L1 vaccines. It also reviews next-generation approaches such as L2 vaccines with broader coverage, DNA and peptide vaccines that reduce lesions, and mRNA vaccines showing tumour clearance in early studies. Examples include VGX-3100, imiquimod-based regimens, and first-in-human mRNA vaccines. The review outlines a combined prevention-and-treatment strategy for HPV-related diseases. Future work should focus on large global trials, combinations with checkpoint inhibitors, and affordable, heat-stable vaccines for use in resource-limited areas. Success in these areas could greatly reduce world impact of HPV-related diseases.

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Chromosomal diagnostics have evolved significantly over the past several decades, from classical karyotyping to high-resolution genomic technologies. This review traces the development and integration of cytogenetic tools—karyotyping, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA), and whole genome sequencing (WGS)—in modern clinical diagnostics. We examine each technology’s diagnostic utility, limitations, and role in clinical workflows. Importantly, insights from a practicing clinical cytogeneticist highlight the increasing automation of laboratory processes and the continued relevance of karyotyping in routine diagnostics due to its cost-effectiveness and structural resolution. As genome-wide testing becomes more accessible, we explore future directions including the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), non-invasive screening technologies, and emerging ethical challenges surrounding incidental findings, data privacy, and equitable access. Together, these perspectives underscore the importance of combining technological innovation with clinical expertise and ethical foresight to guide the future of precision diagnostics.

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AI-based multi-omics research has brought lots of outcomes and improvements in biological science, especially in cancer research and clinics. However, these cutting-edge techniques are inevitably facing lots of challenges. To clearly illustrate the advances and challenges in this interdisciplinary field, an updated overview of AI and multi-omics applications in cancer studies and an exploration of current paradigms of AI & omics in cancer research are lacking. Here we explore this question in three different aspects: application field, algorithms, and application paradigms of AI and multi-omics for cancer. This research brings out a high-resolution, well-structured landscape of AI and omics for cancer by summarizing reviews and recent related papers, and finally indicates the future direction of AI-powered multi-omics cancer study and research gaps that need to be explored.

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With the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the SARS-CoV-2 virus began to spread rapidly, posing an unprecedented challenge to global public health. In the battle against the virus, the rapid development of vaccines and cell biology techniques has played a key role. They have enabled researchers to identify potential vaccine targets based on the cellular characteristics of the virus, thereby accelerating the vaccine development process. Currently, mRNA vaccines and viral vector vaccines have been put into use around the world, but they still face some technical challenges, especially long-term efficacy and immune escape. This paper analyzes the application of cell biology techniques in the development of COVID-19 vaccines and discusses the latest research progress from traditional cell culture techniques to mRNA and viral vector technologies. The research not only provides valuable references for future vaccine development but also reveals the shortcomings of current technologies in long-term immunity and production efficiency. Future research can further optimize these technologies, especially in the areas of vaccine scalability and immune responses.

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Exosomes are nanoscale extracellular vesicles naturally secreted through the endosomal pathway. It plays a vital role in intercellular communication, appearing as promising nano-carriers for cancer therapy. Advantages include low immunogenicity, biocompatibility, natural targeting ability, and capacity to cross biological barriers, making them attractive platforms for precision oncology. Recent advances in nanotechnology and synthetic biology have enabled the engineering of exosomes to enhance drug loading, targeting specificity, and therapeutic efficacy. Strategies include endogenous loading by modifying donor cells and exogenous loading through biological or chemical manipulation. Despite their promise, challenges remain in large-scale production, standardisation, quality control, and in vivo pharmacokinetics. Innovative purification techniques such as microfluidic immunochips have enhanced isolation efficiency and diagnostic capabilities. Clinical applications of engineered exosomes are expanding, with early trials demonstrating their potential in drug delivery, reversing drug resistance, and cancer vaccination. These findings underscore the potential of engineered exosomes as a next-generation multifunctional therapeutic platform. This paper reviews the latest developments in the design, engineering, purification, and clinical application of exosomes in oncology, highlights current challenges, and discusses prospects for their translation into clinical practice.

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Learning and memory arise from biochemical events taking place in nanometre‑sized synaptic compartments and scale up to coordinated activity patterns that span the whole brain. Classical models of memory focused on N‑methyl‑d‑aspartate‑receptor (NMDAR)–dependent long‑term potentiation (LTP) and long‑term depression (LTD), treating these synaptic mechanisms as the molecular currency of information storage. However, new discoveries over the past two decades have compelled adoption of a broader, multiscale view of memory. This perspective integrates glial modulation, dynamic neuronal ensembles (engrams), oscillatory brain states, and advanced neurotechnologies. This review synthesises advances across five nested scales—molecules, synapses, circuits, networks, and technologies—highlighting how mechanisms at each level both constrain and enable those above and below. Throughout, we contrast past dogma with new evidence, identify unresolved gaps, and discuss translational opportunities for disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and post‑traumatic stress disorder. By unifying molecular insight with systems‑level interrogation and AI‑assisted neural decoding, we outline a roadmap toward a predictive, multiscale science of memory.

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Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in China and globally, and coronary heart disease, as a typical type, is closely related to dietary structure. Currently, the Mediterranean diet (MD) has attracted much attention for its potential in cardiovascular protection. Observational studies have shown that it is beneficial for CVD risk factors, but there is still a lack of rigorous experimental verification, and the long-term intervention effect and mechanism of action are not yet clear. This article analyzes the core components and characteristics of the MD, explores its biological mechanisms for intervening in coronary heart disease, reviews clinical research evidence and meta-analysis conclusions, and clarifies its significant potential in preventing and intervening in coronary heart disease. Research provides a basis for dietary management of coronary heart disease and helps develop personalized dietary intervention strategies. However, its promotion is limited by factors such as ingredients and genetics. In the future, further research is needed to optimize the plan, promote the translation of theory into practice, and provide more solid support for the prevention and control of CVDs.

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Obesity has become a major public health issue globally, including in China. Its prevalence has increased rapidly in recent years, resulting in severe health and socioeconomic consequences. Current research indicates that urbanization, lifestyle changes, and socioeconomic factors are key drivers of the obesity epidemic in China. However, significant urban-rural disparities and insufficient interdepartmental collaboration hinder the implementation of existing intervention measures, limiting the effectiveness of obesity prevention and control efforts. This paper systematically analyzes the current status of obesity in China, the public health response measures implemented, and the outcomes of their implementation. Specifically, it examines national action plans, community and school interventions, healthcare system reforms, and the application of digital health management tools. The study emphasizes the importance of interdepartmental coordination, multi-channel public health education, and balanced resource allocation between urban and rural areas to enhance the effectiveness of obesity prevention and control efforts. Future research should focus on these areas to improve the effectiveness of intervention measures.

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