The circadian clock is a highly conserved timekeeping system in organisms, which maintains physiological homeostasis by precisely regulating periodic fluctuations in gene expression. Substantial clinical and experimental evidence has established a close association between circadian rhythm disruption and the development of various malignancies. Research has revealed characteristic alterations in the circadian gene expression profiles in tumor tissues, primarily manifested as a dysfunction of core clock components (particularly circadian locomotor output cycles kaput (CLOCK) and brain and muscle ARNT-like 1 (BMAL1)) and the widespread dysregulation of their downstream target genes. Notably, CLOCK demonstrates non-canonical oncogenic functions, including epigenetic regulation via histone acetyltransferase activity and the circadian-independent modulation of cancer pathways. This review systematically elaborates on the oncogenic mechanisms mediated by CLOCK/BMAL1, encompassing multidimensional effects such as cell cycle control, DNA damage response, metabolic reprogramming, and tumor microenvironment (TME) remodeling. Regarding the therapeutic strategies, we focus on cutting-edge approaches such as chrononutritional interventions, chronopharmacological modulation, and treatment regimen optimization, along with a discussion of future perspectives. The research breakthroughs highlighted in this work not only deepen our understanding of the crucial role of circadian regulation in cancer biology but also provide novel insights for the development of chronotherapeutic oncology, particularly through targeting the non-canonical functions of circadian proteins to develop innovative anti-cancer strategies.
Humans ; ARNTL Transcription Factors/physiology* ; Neoplasms/therapy* ; CLOCK Proteins/physiology* ; Circadian Clocks/genetics* ; Animals ; Circadian Rhythm/genetics* ; Tumor Microenvironment ; Epigenesis, Genetic ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic

Objective:To compare the effects of drug-loaded microsphere TACE (D-TACE) and iodinated oil emulsion TACE (cTACE) on liver fibrosis in the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods:Clinical data of 113 patients with HCC treated with D-TACE or cTACE at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from October 2019 to September 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, including 96 males and 17 females, aged (56.8±9.8) years old. According to treatment protocol, patients were divided into two groups: the D-TACE group ( n=57) and the cTACE group ( n=56). Liver fibrosis panel, fibrosis index (FIB-4), aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI), and liver stiffness measurement (LSM) were compared between the groups at four timepoints: pre-treatment, one month after the first TACE, one month after the second TACE, and 12 months after the first TACE. Follow-ups were conducted through outpatient visits or telephone reviews to assess patient survivals. Data including the progression-free survival (PFS) and number of TACE sessions were compared between the two groups. Results:The D-TACE group received 2.84±1.12 sessions of treatment during the observation period, compared to 4.05±1.44 sessions of cTACE group ( t=4.94, P<0.001). The median PFS in D-TACE and cTACE groups were 10.0 and 5.0 months, respectively ( P<0.001). At one month after the second TACE and at 12 months after the first TACE, patients in cTACE group had a higher serum levels of fibrosis markers including hyaluronic acid, type IV collagen, type III procollagen N peptide and laminin than those in D-TACE group (all P<0.05). At the same timepoints, patients in cTACE group also had higher APRI, FIB-4 and LSM than those in D-TACE group (all P<0.05). Conclusion:Compared to cTACE, patients in D-TACE group received fewer sessions of treatment during the first year after initial TACE, and the degree of liver fibrosis was also lower in D-TACE group.

Color is an important indicator for evaluating the ornamental traits of horticultural plants, and plant pigments is a key factor affecting the color phenotype of plants. Plant pigments and their metabolites play important roles in color formation of ornamental organs, regulation of plant growth and development, and response to adversity stress. It has therefore became a hot topic in the field of plant research. Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) is a vital genomics tool that specifically reduces host endogenous gene expression utilizing plant homology-dependent defense mechanisms. In addition, VIGS enables characterization of gene function by rapidly inducing the gene-silencing phenotypes in plants. It provides an efficient and feasible alternative for verifying gene function in plant species lacking genetic transformation systems. This paper reviews the current status of the application of VIGS technology in the biosynthesis, degradation and regulatory mechanisms of plant pigments. Moreover, this review discusses the potential and future prospects of VIGS technology in exploring the regulatory mechanisms of plant pigments, with the aim to further our understandings of the metabolic processes and regulatory mechanisms of different plant pigments as well as improving plant color traits.
Plant Viruses/genetics* ; Plants/genetics* ; Gene Silencing ; Plant Development ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Genetic Vectors

Myocardial dysfunction is the most serious complication of sepsis. Sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction (SMD) is often associated with gastrointestinal dysfunction, but its pathophysiological significance remains unclear. The present study found that patients with SMD had higher plasma gastrin concentrations than those without SMD. In mice, knockdown of the gastrin receptor, cholecystokinin B receptor (Cckbr), aggravated lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cardiac dysfunction and increased inflammation in the heart, whereas the intravenous administration of gastrin ameliorated SMD and cardiac injury. Macrophage infiltration plays a significant role in SMD because depletion of macrophages by the intravenous injection of clodronate liposomes, 48 h prior to LPS administration, alleviated LPS-induced cardiac injury in Cckbr-deficient mice. The intravenous injection of bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) overexpressing Cckbr reduced LPS-induced myocardial dysfunction. Furthermore, gastrin treatment inhibited toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) expression through the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPAR-α) signaling pathway in BMMs. Thus, our findings provide insights into the mechanism of the protective role of gastrin/CCKBR in SMD, which could be used to develop new treatment modalities for SMD.

Periarticular fracture of the shoulder is a common type of fractures in the elderly. Postoperative adverse events such as internal fixation failure, humeral head ischemic necrosis and upper limb dysfunction occur frequently, which seriously endangers the exercise and health of the elderly. Compared with the fracture with normal bone mass, the osteoporotic periarticular fracture of the shoulder is complicated with slow healing and poor rehabilitation, so the clinical management becomes more difficult. At present, there is no targeted guideline or consensus for this type of fracture in China. In such context, experts from Youth Osteoporosis Group of Chinese Orthopedic Association, Orthopedic Expert Committee of Geriatrics Branch of Chinese Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Osteoporosis Group of Youth Committee of Chinese Association of Orthopedic Surgeons and Osteoporosis Committee of Shanghai Association of Chinese Integrative Medicine developed the Chinese expert consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporotic periarticular fracture of the shoulder in the elderly ( version 2023). Nine recommendations were put forward from the aspects of diagnosis, treatment strategies and rehabilitation of osteoporotic periarticular fracture of the shoulder, hoping to promote the standardized, systematic and personalized diagnosis and treatment concept and improve functional outcomes and quality of life in elderly patients with osteoporotic periarticular fracture of the shoulder.

BACKGROUND: In the present study, a novel tissue engineering bone graft including platelet rich plasma gel (PRP gel), human umbilical mesenchymal stem cells (HUMSCs) and nanohydroxyapatite/polyamide 66 (nHA-PA66) was constructed. We explored whether the composite scaffolds could enhance the angiogenesis and bone repair capacity in rat femoral large bone defect (LBD). This study aimed to provide evidence for the clinical application of the composite scaffold in LBD treatment. METHODS: PRP was prepared, the platelets and growth factors were measured. HUMSCs were isolated and identified.the osteogenic capacity of PRP in vitro was measured. Then HUMSCs-PRP-gelHA-PA66 composite scaffolds were synthesized and observed. The proliferation and osteogenesis differentiation of HUMSCs on the composite scaffold was measured. The angiogenic capacity of PRP in vitro was measured by capillary-like tube formation assay. Finally, the angiogenesis and bone repair capacity of the composite scaffolds was measured in rat LBD. RESULTS: PRP contained high level of platelets and growth factors after activation, and promoted osteogenic and angiogenic differentiation in vitro. The HUMSCs-PRP-gelHA-PA66 composite scaffold was porosity and promoted the proliferation and osteogenesis differentiation of HUMSCs. At 12th weeks, more micro-vessels and new bone were formed around the composite scaffolds compared with other groups, the defect was almost repaired. CONCLUSION Our study for the first time identified that the combination of PRP gel, HUMSCs and nHA-PA66 scaffold could significantly promote angiogenesis and bone regeneration in rat LBD, which may have implications for its further application in clinical LBD treatment.

Objective To investigate the relationship between preoperative albumin-to-alkaline phosphatase ratio and overall survival (OS) after radical cystectomy of bladder cancer.Methods The clinical date of patients with bladder cancer who underwent radical cystectomy and urinary diversion and confirmed by pathology from Jan 2007 to Dec 2015 were analyzed retrospectively,with 140 cases undergoing laparoscopic surgery and 26 cases undergoing open surgery.There were 148 males and 18 females,aged was 33-85 years,with an ayerage ageof (65.1 ± 9.4) years.There were 55 cases of cutaneous ureterostomy,96 cases of Brick diversior with ileum,and 15 cases of ileal neobladder.The AAPR range 0.03-1.67,with an average 0.62 ± 0.23,and body mass index (BMI) was 16.79-32.65 kg/m2,with an average of (24.00 ± 3.32) kg/m2.There were 33 cases with hydronephrosis and 133 no hydronephrosis,31 cases with hypertension and 135 cases no hypertension,and 14 cases with diabetes and 152 cases no diabetes.Four cases were classified as grade0,65 cases as grade 1,86 cases as grade 2,and 11 cases as grade 3.Based on the preoperative AAPR(0.62 ±0.23),they were divided into three groups,with 55 cases in the low AAPR (0.42 ± 0.09) group,55 cases in the middle AAPR (0.58 ± 0.05) group,and 56 cases in the high AAPR (0.86 ± 0.21)group.Cox proportional hazards regression methodology were used to evaluate the relationship between preoperative AAPR and overall survival.Survival analysis was conducted using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared with the log-rank test.Results 166 patients were followed up for 1-144 months,with a median of 63 months,and 71 cases died and 95 survived.The median serum AAPR level in all cases was 0.59 (range 0.03-1.67).Results of univariate Cox regression model revealed that AAPR(HR =0.09,95％ CI 0.022-0.391,P =0.001),high AAPR (HR=0.40,95％CI0.216-0.742,P=0.003),age (HR =2.42,95％ CI 1.294-4.531,P =0.006),tumor size (HR =2.11,95％ CI 1.112-4.014,P =0.023),pT3 stage (HR=8.93,95％CI3.173-25.114,P＜0.001),pT4 stnge(HR =10.39,95％ CI 3.110-34.707,P ＜0.001),pN1 stage(HR =2.80,95％ CI 1.422-5.531,P =0.003),pN3 stage (HR =17.06,95％ CI2.192-132.863,P =0.007),pathological grade (HR =0.30,95％ CI 0.113-0.817,P =0.019),hydronephrosis (HR =2.36,95 ％ CI 1.406-3.939,P =0.001),adjuvant chemotherapy (HR =2.66,95％ CI 1.674-4.247,P ＜ 0.001)were associated with OS.Compared with patients in the lowest of AAPR,the risk for death in the highest AAPR group decreased about 59％ (HR =0.406,95％ CI 0.200-0.822,P =0.012)after adjustment for age,BMI,tumor size,number of tumor,T category,N category,pathological grade,hydronephrosis,ASA level,adjuvant chemotherapy in multiple Cox regression models.Each unit increase in the AAPR was associated with about 80％ decreased risk of death (HR =0.199,95％ CI 0.051-0.779,P =0.020) after adjusting for the confounding variables.After adjusting for age,BMI,tumor size,number of tumor,T category,N category,pathological grade,hydronephrosis,ASA level,adjuvant chemotherapy,the curve fitting results showed that with the increase of AAPR,the risk of death decreased and the overall survival prolonged.Consistent with the linear trend test results,the relationship between AAPR and OS is linear.Conclusions AAPR was associated with overall survival of patients who underwent radical cystectomy of bladder cancer.

Objective To establish a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for the determination of baicalin and naringin inQinbei mixture.Methods The HPLC system consisted of the Fortis-C18(4.6 mm × 250 mm, 5μm) column, and the mobile phase consisted of MeOH:0.4% H3PO4 (42:58), and the flow rate was 1.0 ml/min, and the UV detector was set at 280 nm, and the column temperature was 30℃.Results The linear response range of baicalin was 0.062-0.930μg. The linear response range of naringin was 0.033-0.492μg. The average recovery of baicalin was 98.11% (RSD=1.62%). The average recovery of naringin was 96.78% (RSD=1.74%).Conclusions The method is simple, rapid, accurate and repeatable. It can be applied in determination of baicalin and naringin inQinbei mixture.

Objective Plasma circulating DNA can be em-ployed in place of bone marrow examination for the auxiliary diagnosis of leukemia.This study aimed to explore the clinical application of the plasma DNA level in evaluating the effect of chemotherapy on chronic leukemia. Methods We collected blood samples from 52 patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) (33 in the chronic phase, 7 in the acceleration phase, and 12 in the blast phase) , 85 with chron-ic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) (28 with complete remission, 27 with partial remission, and 30 with no remission), 4 patients with hairy cell leukemia (HCL), and 80 healthy subjects.We simultaneously obtained plasma DNA and recombinant plasmid DNA using the BI-LATEST DNA Kit and examined the human β-actin gene and the level of plasmid DNA by real-time quantitative PCR. Results Before chemotherapy, the median value of plasma DNA was 149.46(30.63-496.91)ng/ml in the CML and 101.54(69.10-258.14) ng/ml in the CLL patients, both significantly higher than in the healthy controls (19.05[12.67-25.92]ng/ml) (P<0.01).After chemotherapy, the plasma DNA level of the CML patients was remarkably decreased, but still higher than that of the controls ( P<0.01).The CML patients in the chronic phase showed a markedly higher level of plasma DNA (302.89[93.33-541.52]ng/ml) than those in the blast phase (43.19[23.54-70.03]ng/ml) and acceleration phase (28.11[16.21-92.07]ng/ml) (P<0.05).The CLL patients with CR exhibited a significantly lower level of plasma DNA (24.29[14.64-30.74]ng/ml) than those with PR (106.88 [96.23-143.25]ng/ml) and NR (460.73[284.57-653.38〗ng/ml) (P<0.01), but all dramatically higher than that of the healthy controls (P<0.01) Conclusion The quantification of plasma DNA has a clinical application value in evaluating the effect of chemo-therapy on chronic leukemia.

ObjectiveTo compare liver pathology changes of patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) and intrahepatic portal hypertension (IPH) after portosystemic shunt surgery. MethodsFrom January 2010 to December 2011,liverbiopsy was taken during shunt surgery (9 BCS patients,4 IPH patients),and 6-9 months after surgery on follow-up.Collagen type Ⅳ ( Col Ⅳ ),procollagen m (PC Ⅲ ),matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-1),tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase(TIMP-1) were tested using SABC (immuonohistochemistry) method,and HE staining to observe the morphology of liver tissue.Free portal vein pressure before and after shunt was measured. ResultsIn BCS group,Col Ⅳ,PC 1Ⅲ and TIMP-1expression downregulated after surgery (127 ±15) vs.(137 ±16),t =4.896,P-0.013; (115.2 ± 10.6) vs.(127.3±9.5),t=4.877,P=0.003; (119.2±11.3) vs.(131.2±l9.6),t=2.841,P=0.023.MMP-1expression did not change ( P ＞ 0.05 ),while MMP-1/TIMP-1was not significantly correlated with liver fibrosis (0.95 ±0.16) vs.(0.98 ±0.15),t =-0.710,P =0.504.In IPH group,the expression of Col Ⅳ,PCⅢ,MMP-1,and MMP-1/TIMP-1did not change significantly after surgery (P ＞0.05).Compared with that in IPH group the expression of PC Ⅲ,Col Ⅳ and TIMP-1downregulated significantly in BCSgroup (127±15) vs.(150 ±12),U=3.000,P=0.038; (115.2 ±10.6) vs.(128.1±2.8),U=2.000,P=0.023; (119.2 ± 11.3) vs.(131.4 ±2.5),U=3.000,P =0.038.By HE staining in BCS group there was significant intrahepatic congestion which alleviated after surgery.While in PHT group liver pathology did not change significantly after surgery.FPP in BCS and IPH patients significantly decreased after shunt surgery (25 ±8) vs.(41±8) cmH20,t=17.816,P=0.000;(31±8) vs.(45 ±9) cmH20,t =5.745,P =0.010 ). Drop of FPP of BCS group plays a key role in reversal of liver fibrosis.ConclusionsIn BCS group liver pathology improved after shunt surgery probably by removing the intrahepatic obstruction,but in IPH group liver pathology remained unchanged after shunt.