Objective: : The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between spermine synthase (SMS) expression, tumor occurrence, and prognosis in lower-grade gliomas (LGGs). Methods: : A total of 523 LGG patients and 1152 normal brain tissues were included as controls. Mann-Whitney U test was performed to evaluate SMS expression in the LGG group. Functional annotation analysis was conducted to explore the biological processes associated with high SMS expression. Immune cell infiltration analysis was performed to examine the correlation between SMS expression and immune cell types. The association between SMS expression and clinical and pathological features was assessed using Spearman correlation analysis. In vitro experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of overexpressing or downregulating SMS on cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, and key proteins in the protein kinase B (AKT)/epithelialmesenchymal transition signaling pathway. Results: : The study revealed a significant upregulation of SMS expression in LGGs compared to normal brain tissues. High SMS expression was associated with certain clinical and pathological features, including older age, astrocytoma, higher World Health Organization grade, poor disease-specific survival, disease progression, non-1p/19q codeletion, and wild-type isocitrate dehydrogenase. Cox regression analysis identified SMS as a risk factor for overall survival. Bioinformatics analysis showed enrichment of eosinophils, T cells, and macrophages in LGG samples, while proportions of dendritic (DC) cells, plasmacytoid DC (pDC) cells, and CD8+ T cells were decreased. Conclusion : High SMS expression in LGGs may promote tumor occurrence through cellular proliferation and modulation of immune cell infiltration. These findings suggest the prognostic value of SMS in predicting clinical outcomes for LGG patients.

Objective: : The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between spermine synthase (SMS) expression, tumor occurrence, and prognosis in lower-grade gliomas (LGGs). Methods: : A total of 523 LGG patients and 1152 normal brain tissues were included as controls. Mann-Whitney U test was performed to evaluate SMS expression in the LGG group. Functional annotation analysis was conducted to explore the biological processes associated with high SMS expression. Immune cell infiltration analysis was performed to examine the correlation between SMS expression and immune cell types. The association between SMS expression and clinical and pathological features was assessed using Spearman correlation analysis. In vitro experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of overexpressing or downregulating SMS on cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, and key proteins in the protein kinase B (AKT)/epithelialmesenchymal transition signaling pathway. Results: : The study revealed a significant upregulation of SMS expression in LGGs compared to normal brain tissues. High SMS expression was associated with certain clinical and pathological features, including older age, astrocytoma, higher World Health Organization grade, poor disease-specific survival, disease progression, non-1p/19q codeletion, and wild-type isocitrate dehydrogenase. Cox regression analysis identified SMS as a risk factor for overall survival. Bioinformatics analysis showed enrichment of eosinophils, T cells, and macrophages in LGG samples, while proportions of dendritic (DC) cells, plasmacytoid DC (pDC) cells, and CD8+ T cells were decreased. Conclusion : High SMS expression in LGGs may promote tumor occurrence through cellular proliferation and modulation of immune cell infiltration. These findings suggest the prognostic value of SMS in predicting clinical outcomes for LGG patients.

OBJECTIVE To explore the effects of isorhamnetin on the development of gastric cancer through up-regulation of solute carrier family 25 member 25 antisense RNA 1（SLC25A25-AS1）. METHODS Using BALB/c nude mice as the subjects， the xenograft tumor model was established by subcutaneously inoculating human gastric cancer MKN28 cells into the axillary region. The effects of low and high doses of isorhamnetin （20 and 40 mg/kg） on the tumor volume and mass in nude mice were investigated. MKN28 cells were selected and divided into control group， isorhamnetin group （70 μmol/L， similarly hereinafter）， isorhamnetin+knocking down negative control group， isorhamnetin+knocking down SLC25A25-AS1 group， isorhamnetin+ overexpression negative control group and isorhamnetin+overexpressing SLC25A25-AS1 group. Effects of knocking down/ overexpressing SLC25A25-AS1 on viability， apoptosis， migration and invasion ability of isorhamnetin-treated cells were detected. After verifying the targeting relationships between microRNA-212-3p （miR-212-3p） and SLC25A25-AS1， as well as phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10 （PTEN）， the effects of knocking down/overexpressing SLC25A25-AS1 on the expression of miR-212-3p， PTEN mRNA， and PTEN protein in isorhamnetin-treated cells were investigated. RESULTS Compared with the model control group， tumor volume and mass of nude mice in the isorhamnetin low-dose and high-dose groups were reduced significantly， and the isorhamnetin high-dose group was significantly lower than the isorhamnetin low-dose group （P＜0.05）. miR-212-3p had targeting relationships with SLC25A25-AS1 and PTEN. Compared with the control group， the cell viability （intervened for 24， 48 h）， migration number， invasion number and miR-212-3p expression of cells in the isorhamnetin group， isorhamnetin+knocking down negative control group and isorhamnetin+overexpressing negative control group were significantly reduced or decreased or down-regulated， while the apoptosis rate， mRNA and protein expressions of PTEN were significantly increased or up-regulated （P＜0.05）. Compared with isorhamnetin group and isorhamnetin+knocking down negative control group， the cell viability， migration number， invasion number and miR-212-3p expression of cells in the isorhamnetin+knocking down SLC25A25-AS1 group were significantly increased or up- regulated， while the apoptosis rate， mRNA and protein expressions of PTEN were significantly reduced or down-regulated （P＜ 0.05）. Compared with isorhamnetin group and isorhamnetin+overexpressing negative control group， the cell viability， migration number， invasion number and miR-212-3p expression of cells in isorhamnetin+overexpressing SLC25A25-AS1 group were significantly reduced or decreased or down-regulated， while the apoptosis rate， PTEN mRNA and protein expressions were significantly increased or up-regulated （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Isorhamnetin may inhibit the development of gastric cancer by up-regulating the expression of SLC25A25-AS1， down-regulating miR-212-3p， and up-regulating the expression of PTEN， which is a downstream target of miR-212-3p.

OBJECTIVE To explore the effects of limonin on renal lesions， glucose metabolism， inflammation， and oxidative stress in gestational diabetic rats and its possible mechanisms. METHODS The model of gestational diabetic rats was established by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. The diabetic rats were divided into the model group （intragastrical administration and tail vein injection of equal volume of normal saline）， limonin low-， medium-， and high-dose groups （intragastrical administration of limonin， at doses of 12.5， 25.0 and 50.0 mg/kg， and equal volume of normal saline into the tail vein）， and combination group [intragastrical administration of limonin 50.0 mg/kg + tail vein injection of c-Jun N-terminal kinase （JNK） activator Anisomycin 2 mg/kg ]， with 12 rats in each group. In addition， 12 pregnant rats were selected as the control group （intragastrical administration and tail vein injection of equal volume of normal saline）. They were given relevant medicine， once a day， for 14 consecutive days. After the last administration， fasting blood glucose （FBG）， the levels of fasting insulin （FINS）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， IL-6， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in the serum were detected； the levels of superoxide dismutase （SOD）， malondialdehyde （MDA）， glutathione peroxidase （GSH-Px）， blood urea nitrogen （BUN）， and creatinine （Cr） in the renal tissue were detected； the pathological changes of renal tissue were observed； the expressions of proteins related to the JNK/nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） signaling pathway in the renal tissue were detected. RESULTS Compared with control group， in model group， the rats showed pathological injuries in the kidney tissue， such as glomerular atrophy， edema of renal tubular epithelial cells； the levels of FBG， FINS， IL-1β， IL-6， TNF-α， MDA， BUN and Cr， HOMA-IR， as well as the phosphorylation levels of JNK and NF-κB 0453-6602005。E-mail：mcvi45@163.com p65 proteins were increased significantly （P＜0.05）， while the levels of SOD and GSH-Px were decreased significantly （P＜0.05）. Compared with model group， in each dose group of limonin， the degree of renal tissue lesions in rats was alleviated， and the above-mentioned indicators were significantly improved （P＜0.05）， showing an obvious dose-effect relationship （P＜0.05）. Compared with high-dose limonin group， in the combination group， the degree of renal tissue lesions in rats was relatively aggravated， and the changes in the above-mentioned indicators were significantly reversed （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Limonin has a certain improvement effect on renal lesions， glucose metabolism， inflammation， and oxidative stress in pregnant rats with gestational diabetes. Its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of the JNK/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Objective: : The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between spermine synthase (SMS) expression, tumor occurrence, and prognosis in lower-grade gliomas (LGGs). Methods: : A total of 523 LGG patients and 1152 normal brain tissues were included as controls. Mann-Whitney U test was performed to evaluate SMS expression in the LGG group. Functional annotation analysis was conducted to explore the biological processes associated with high SMS expression. Immune cell infiltration analysis was performed to examine the correlation between SMS expression and immune cell types. The association between SMS expression and clinical and pathological features was assessed using Spearman correlation analysis. In vitro experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of overexpressing or downregulating SMS on cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, and key proteins in the protein kinase B (AKT)/epithelialmesenchymal transition signaling pathway. Results: : The study revealed a significant upregulation of SMS expression in LGGs compared to normal brain tissues. High SMS expression was associated with certain clinical and pathological features, including older age, astrocytoma, higher World Health Organization grade, poor disease-specific survival, disease progression, non-1p/19q codeletion, and wild-type isocitrate dehydrogenase. Cox regression analysis identified SMS as a risk factor for overall survival. Bioinformatics analysis showed enrichment of eosinophils, T cells, and macrophages in LGG samples, while proportions of dendritic (DC) cells, plasmacytoid DC (pDC) cells, and CD8+ T cells were decreased. Conclusion : High SMS expression in LGGs may promote tumor occurrence through cellular proliferation and modulation of immune cell infiltration. These findings suggest the prognostic value of SMS in predicting clinical outcomes for LGG patients.

Objective: : The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between spermine synthase (SMS) expression, tumor occurrence, and prognosis in lower-grade gliomas (LGGs). Methods: : A total of 523 LGG patients and 1152 normal brain tissues were included as controls. Mann-Whitney U test was performed to evaluate SMS expression in the LGG group. Functional annotation analysis was conducted to explore the biological processes associated with high SMS expression. Immune cell infiltration analysis was performed to examine the correlation between SMS expression and immune cell types. The association between SMS expression and clinical and pathological features was assessed using Spearman correlation analysis. In vitro experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of overexpressing or downregulating SMS on cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, and key proteins in the protein kinase B (AKT)/epithelialmesenchymal transition signaling pathway. Results: : The study revealed a significant upregulation of SMS expression in LGGs compared to normal brain tissues. High SMS expression was associated with certain clinical and pathological features, including older age, astrocytoma, higher World Health Organization grade, poor disease-specific survival, disease progression, non-1p/19q codeletion, and wild-type isocitrate dehydrogenase. Cox regression analysis identified SMS as a risk factor for overall survival. Bioinformatics analysis showed enrichment of eosinophils, T cells, and macrophages in LGG samples, while proportions of dendritic (DC) cells, plasmacytoid DC (pDC) cells, and CD8+ T cells were decreased. Conclusion : High SMS expression in LGGs may promote tumor occurrence through cellular proliferation and modulation of immune cell infiltration. These findings suggest the prognostic value of SMS in predicting clinical outcomes for LGG patients.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the quality of Euscaphis japonica from different habitats. METHODS The relative correction factors of gallic acid， protocatechuic acid， ellagic acid， isoquercitrin， astragalin and apigenin were calculated with quercetin as the internal reference； the relative correction factors of euscaphic acid， oleanolic acid， stigmasterol and β-sitosterol were also calculated with ursolic acid as the internal reference. The contents of 12 components in 18 batches of samples were calculated by QAMS method and were compared with external standard method. At the same time， the contents of water-soluble extract， alcohol-soluble extract， total ash and acid-insoluble ash were detected. The quality of E. japonica was evaluated by principal component analysis （PCA）， orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis （OPLS-DA）， and weighted technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution （TOPSIS） method. RESULTS There was no significant difference between the results of QAMS method and external standard method for the 12 components in the 18 batches of samples. However， notable content variations were observed among different batches of samples. The results of PCA and OPLS-DA showed that S1-S7， S8- S12， and S13-S18 were clustered into one category respectively. Seven key characteristic components variable importance in projection values ＞1， euscaphic acid， ursolic acid， protocatechuic acid， apigenin， β-sitosterol， isoquercitrin， and oleanolic acid， respectively. The analysis results of the weighted TOPSIS method revealed that the relative closeness for evaluating the quality of 18 batches of samples ranged from 0.283 5 to 0.644 1， with the samples of E. japonica from Fengjie， Chongqing， demonstrating the highest quality. CONCLUSIONS The established method is accurate and feasible， which can be used for the quality evaluation of E. japonica combined with chemometrics and weighted TOPSIS model.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the potential mechanism of epigallocatechin gallate （EGCG） enhancing the sensitivity of hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） cells to lenvatinib based on the phosphoinositide 3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt） signaling pathway. METHODS Five human HCC cell lines （HepG2， Huh-7， SMMC-7721， SNU-368 and SNU-739） were used to evaluate the effects of lenvatinib alone and in combination with EGCG on survival rates， clone number， proliferation rate， invasion number and the expressions of mRNAs and proteins related to the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. The PI3K activator insulin-like growth factor-1 （IGF-1） was introduced to investigate the effect of activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway on the sensitization effect of EGCG. RESULTS Compared with the control group， lenvatinib （10 μmol/L） and different concentrations of EGCG+ lenvatinib （1， 5 and 10 μg/mL EGCG+10 μmol/L lenvatinib） significantly reduced the survival rates and clone numbers of all five HCC cell lines in a dose-dependent manner （P＜0.05）. Lenvatinib （10 μmol/L） and EGCG+lenvatinib （10 μg/mL EGCG+10 μmol/L lenvatinib） also markedly inhibited the proliferation rate and invasion numbers of these cells， and decreased the mRNA expressions of PI3K， Akt， mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR）， P70S6K and 4EBP， and the phosphorylation levels of PI3K and Akt， as well as the protein expressions of mTOR and B cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2） in HepG2 cells or all five HCC cells； conversely， the mRNA and protein expressions of phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10（PTEN）， and the protein expressions of caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-3 were significantly upregulated， with more pronounced effects observed in the EGCG+lenvatinib group than in the lenvatinib group （P＜0.05）. Compared with the lenvatinib group and the EGCG+lenvatinib group， the clone number， proliferation rate and invasion number of HepG2 cells in the EGCG+lenvatinib+IGF-1 group （10 μg/mL EGCG+10 μmol/L lenvatinib+50 ng/mL IGF-1） were significantly increased （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS EGCG can enhance the sensitivity of HCC cells to lenvatinib， and its underlying mechanism may be related to the inhibition of the activation of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway activation.

Objective To investigate the mechanism by which miR-148a affects M2 macrophage polarization and inhibits liver cancer cell proliferation through Wnt3a/β-catenin. Methods The mRNA expression levels of miR-148a, CD206 and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in tumor tissues and adjacent non-tumor liver tissues of 84 patients with liver cancer were detected by real-time quantitative PCR. THP-1 cells were separated into blank group (conventional culture), M2 group (200 nmol/L phorbol ester, 20 ng/mL IL-4, 20 ng/mL IL-13), M2 combined with negative control (miR-NC) group (transfected with miR-NC on the basis of M2 group), M2 combined with miR-148a mimics (transfected with miR-148a mimics on the basis of M2 group) group, M2 combined with miR-148a mimics combined with Wnt3a (treated with 100 μg/L Wnt3a on top of M2 combined with miR-148a mimics group) group. The proliferation of HuH7 cells was detected by CCK-8 and EdU methods. Apoptosis and M2 macrophage marker CD206 was detected by flow cytometry. The level of IL-10 in cell supernatant was detected by chemiluminescence method; The mRNA levels of miR-148a, CD206 and IL-10 were detected by real-time quantitative PCR. The protein levels of Wnt3a and β-catenin were detected by Western blot. Results The expressions of CD206, IL-10 mRNA, Wnt3a and β-catenin in tumor tissue were higher than those in non-tumor liver tissues, and the miR-148a level was decreased. The mRNA expression of M2 macrophage markers CD206 and IL-10 were significantly increased. Compared with the blank group, the OD450 value, EdU positive rate, the mRNA expressions of CD206 and IL-10, the level of IL-10 in the supernatant, and the expressions of Wnt3a and β-catenin were increased in M2 group, while the apoptotic rate and miR-148a level were decreased. Compared with M2 group and M2 combined with miR-NC group, the OD₄₅₀ value, EdU positive rate, the mRNA expressions of CD206 and IL-10, the level of IL-10 in the supernatant, and the expressions of Wnt3a and β-catenin were decreased in M2 combined with miR-148a mimics group, while the apoptotic rate and miR-148a level were increased. Wnt3a reversed the inhibitory effect of miR-148a overexpression on the proliferation of liver cancer cells. Conclusion Overexpression of miR-148a inhibits M2 polarization of macrophages and prevents the proliferation of liver cancer cells, which may be related to the inhibition of the Wnt3a/β-catenin pathway.
Humans ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Wnt3A Protein/metabolism* ; Liver Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Cell Proliferation/genetics* ; beta Catenin/genetics* ; Macrophages/metabolism* ; Interleukin-10/metabolism* ; Apoptosis/genetics* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Female ; Male ; Mannose Receptor ; Lectins, C-Type/metabolism* ; Mannose-Binding Lectins/metabolism* ; Middle Aged ; Receptors, Cell Surface/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of aucubin （AU） on the proliferation and tumor growth of prostate cancer （PC） cells by regulating the protein kinase B （Akt）/murine double minute2 （MDM2）/p53 signaling pathway. METHODS Prostate cancer cell PC3 were separated into control group， 50 μmol/L AU group， 100 μmol/L AU group， SC79 （Akt activator） group （5 μmol/L）， and 100 μmol/L AU+SC79 group. The cell cloning and proliferation ability were investigated； the rate of cell apoptosis and the expressions of Akt/MDM2/p53 signaling pathway-related protein were detected. Meanwhile， xenograft tumor models of nude mice were constructed and separated into tumor group， AU group （80 mg/kg）， SC79 group （50 mg/kg）， and AU+SC79 group （80 mg/kg AU+50 mg/kg SC79）， with 10 mice in each group. They were given relevant medicine， once a day， for 21 d. After the last medication， tumor weight was determined， and the expressions of nucleus-associated antigen （Ki-67） and Akt/MDM2/p53 signaling pathway-related protein were detected in tumor tissue. RESULTS In the cell experiment， compared with control group， the cell clonal formation number， proliferation rate and phosphorylation levels of Akt and MDM2 protein in 50 μmol/L AU and 100 μmol/L AU groups were significantly decreased （P＜0.05）， while the cell apoptosis rate and p53 protein expression levels were significantly increased （P＜0.05）； however， the change trend of each index in SC79 group was opposite （P＜0.05）. Compared with 100 μmol/L AU group， the cell clonal formation number， proliferation rate and phosphorylation levels of Akt and MDM2 protein in 100 μmol/L AU+SC79 group were significantly increased （P＜0.05）， while cell apoptosis rate and p53 protein expression levels were significantly decreased （P＜0.05）； however， compared with SC79 group， the changing trend of indexes was the opposite （P＜0.05）. In the in vivo experiment， compared with the tumor group， the tumor mass and Ki-67 positive expression and the phosphorylation levels of Akt and MDM2 protein in nude mice of AU group were significantly decreased （P＜0.05）， and the expression level of p53 protein was significantly increased （P＜0.05）， but the changing trend of above indexes of nude mice in SC79 group were opposite （P＜0.05）. Compared with AU group， the tumor mass， Ki-67 positive expression and phosphorylation levels of Akt and MDM2 protein in tumor tissues of nude mice in AU+SC79 group were significantly increased （P＜0.05）， while the expression level of p53 protein was significantly decreased （P＜0.05）； however， compared with SC79 group， the changing trend of above indexes was opposite （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS AU can inhibit PC cell proliferation and tumor growth by inhibiting Akt/MDM2/p53 signaling pathway.