A 71-year-old male presented with esophageal cancer and severe aortic valve regurgitation. Treatment strategies for such patients are controversial. Considering the risks of cardiopulmonary bypass and potential esophageal cancer metastasis, we successfully performed transcatheter aortic valve implantation and minimally invasive three-incision thoracolaparoscopy combined with radical resection of esophageal cancer (McKeown) simultaneously in the elderly patient who did not require neoadjuvant treatment. This dual minimally invasive procedure took 6 hours and the patient recovered smoothly without any surgical complications.

The genome tagging project (GTP) plays a pivotal role in addressing a critical gap in the understanding of protein functions. Within this framework, we successfully generated a human influenza hemagglutinin-tagged sperm-specific protein 411 (HA-tagged Ssp411) mouse model. This model is instrumental in probing the expression and function of Ssp411. Our research revealed that Ssp411 is expressed in the round spermatids, elongating spermatids, elongated spermatids, and epididymal spermatozoa. The comprehensive examination of the distribution of Ssp411 in these germ cells offers new perspectives on its involvement in spermiogenesis. Nevertheless, rigorous further inquiry is imperative to elucidate the precise mechanistic underpinnings of these functions. Ssp411 is not detectable in metaphase II (MII) oocytes, zygotes, or 2-cell stage embryos, highlighting its intricate role in early embryonic development. These findings not only advance our understanding of the role of Ssp411 in reproductive physiology but also significantly contribute to the overarching goals of the GTP, fostering groundbreaking advancements in the fields of spermiogenesis and reproductive biology.
Animals ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Spermatids/metabolism* ; Spermatogenesis/physiology* ; Spermatozoa/metabolism* ; Thioredoxins/genetics*

OBJECTIVE: To explore the functional roles and underlying mechanisms of neferine in the context of angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced hypertension and vascular dysfunction. METHODS: Male mice were infused with Ang II to induce hypertension and randomly divided into treatment groups receiving neferine or a control vehicle based on baseline blood pressure using a random number table method. The hypertensive mouse model was constructed by infusing Ang II via a micro-osmotic pump (500 ng/kg per minute), and neferine (0.1, 1, or 10 mg/kg), valsartan (10 mg/kg), or double distilled water was administered intragastrically once daily for 6 weeks. A non-invasive blood pressure system, ultrasound, and hematoxylin and eosin staining were performed to assess blood pressure and vascular changes. RNA sequencing and network pharmacology were employed to identify differentially expressed transcripts (DETs) and pathways. Vascular ring tension assay was used to test vascular function. A7R5 cells were incubated with neferine for 24 h and then treated with Ang II to record the real-time Ca²⁺ concentration by confocal microscope. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Western blot were used to evaluate vasorelaxation, calcium, and the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 pathway. RESULTS: Neferine treatment effectively mitigated the elevation in blood pressure, pulse wave velocity, aortic thickening in the abdominal aorta of Ang II-infused mice (P<0.05). RNA sequencing and network pharmacology analysis identified 355 DETs that were significantly reversed by neferine treatment, along with 25 potential target genes, which were further enriched in multiple pathways and biological processes, such as ERK1 and ERK2 cascade regulation, calcium pathway, and vascular smooth muscle contraction. Further investigation revealed that neferine treatment enhanced vasorelaxation and reduced Ca²⁺-dependent contraction of abdominal aortic rings, independent of endothelium function (P<0.05). The underlying mechanisms were mediated, at least in part, via suppression of receptor-operated channels, store-operated channels, or voltage-operated calcium channels. Neferine pre-treatment demonstrated a reduction in intracellular Ca²⁺ release in Ang II stimulated A7R5 cells. IHC staining and Western blot confirmed that neferine treatment effectively attenuated the upregulation of p-ERK1/2 both in vivo and in vitro, which was similar with treatment of ERK1/2 inhibitor PD98059 (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Neferine remarkably alleviates Ang II-induced elevation of blood pressure, vascular dysfunction, and pathological changes in the abdominal aorta. This beneficial effect is mediated by the modulation of multiple pathways, including calcium and ERK1/2 pathways.
Animals ; Angiotensin II ; Male ; Benzylisoquinolines/therapeutic use* ; Network Pharmacology ; Blood Pressure/drug effects* ; Sequence Analysis, RNA ; Mice ; Hypertension/chemically induced* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Calcium/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the association between body mass index (BMI) and mortality based on the 10-year population-based multicenter prospective study. METHODS: A general population-based multicenter prospective study was conducted at four sites in rural China between 2013 and 2023. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models and restricted cubic spline analyses were used to assess the association between BMI and mortality. Stratified analyses were performed based on the individual characteristics of the participants. RESULTS: Overall, 19,107 participants with a sum of 163,095 person-years were included and 1,910 participants died. The underweight (< 18.5 kg/m ²) presented an increase in all-cause mortality (adjusted hazards ratio [ aHR] = 2.00, 95% confidence interval [ CI]: 1.66-2.41), while overweight (≥ 24.0 to < 28.0 kg/m ²) and obesity (≥ 28.0 kg/m ²) presented a decrease with an aHR of 0.61 (95% CI: 0.52-0.73) and 0.51 (95% CI: 0.37-0.70), respectively. Overweight ( aHR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.67-0.86) and mild obesity ( aHR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.59-0.87) had a positive impact on mortality in people older than 60 years. All-cause mortality decreased rapidly until reaching a BMI of 25.7 kg/m ² ( aHR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.92-0.98) and increased slightly above that value, indicating a U-shaped association. The beneficial impact of being overweight on mortality was robust in most subgroups and sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSION This study provides additional evidence that overweight and mild obesity may be inversely related to the risk of death in individuals older than 60 years. Therefore, it is essential to consider age differences when formulating health and weight management strategies.
Humans ; Body Mass Index ; China/epidemiology* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Rural Population/statistics & numerical data* ; Aged ; Follow-Up Studies ; Adult ; Mortality ; Cause of Death ; Obesity/mortality* ; Overweight/mortality*

Three 2,3-diketoquinoxaline alkaloids were isolated from Heterosmilax yunnanensis Gagnep. Their structures were determined through 1D and 2D NMR, HR-ESI-MS, UV, and IR as 1-[5′-(3″-hydroxy-3″-methyl) glutaryl] ribityl-2,3-diketo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-6,7-dimethylquinoxaline (1), 1-[2′-(3″-hydroxy-3″-methyl) glutaryl]ribityl-2,3-diketo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-6,7-dimethylquinoxaline (2), and 1-ribityl-2,3-diketo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-6,7-dimethylquinoxaline (3). Compounds 1 and 2 are novel compounds, and 3 was isolated from H. yunnanensis for the first time. The hepatoprotective activity of these three compounds was evaluated, with compound 3 showing promising hepatoprotective activity.

Objective To investigate the incidence rate,clinical characteristics,and prognosis of neonatal stroke in Shenzhen,China.Methods Led by Shenzhen Children's Hospital,the Shenzhen Neonatal Data Collaboration Network organized 21 institutions to collect 36 cases of neonatal stroke from January 2020 to December 2022.The incidence,clinical characteristics,treatment,and prognosis of neonatal stroke in Shenzhen were analyzed.Results The incidence rate of neonatal stroke in 21 hospitals from 2020 to 2022 was 1/15 137,1/6 060,and 1/7 704,respectively.Ischemic stroke accounted for 75％(27/36);boys accounted for 64％(23/36).Among the 36 neonates,31(86％)had disease onset within 3 days after birth,and 19(53％)had convulsion as the initial presentation.Cerebral MRI showed that 22 neonates(61％)had left cerebral infarction and 13(36％)had basal ganglia infarction.Magnetic resonance angiography was performed for 12 neonates,among whom 9(75％)had involvement of the middle cerebral artery.Electroencephalography was performed for 29 neonates,with sharp waves in 21 neonates(72％)and seizures in 10 neonates(34％).Symptomatic/supportive treatment varied across different hospitals.Neonatal Behavioral Neurological Assessment was performed for 12 neonates(33％,12/36),with a mean score of(32±4)points.The prognosis of 27 neonates was followed up to around 12 months of age,with 44％(12/27)of the neonates having a good prognosis.Conclusions Ischemic stroke is the main type of neonatal stroke,often with convulsions as the initial presentation,involvement of the middle cerebral artery,sharp waves on electroencephalography,and a relatively low neurodevelopment score.Symptomatic/supportive treatment is the main treatment method,and some neonates tend to have a poor prognosis.

Objective To investigate the amplitude-integrated electroencephalography(aEEG)monitoring results of hospitalized neonates in plateau areas.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 5 945 neonates who were admitted to the Department of Neonatology,Kunming Children's Hospital,and received aEEG monitoring from January 2020 to December 2022.According to the aEEG monitoring results,they were divided into a normal aEEG group and an abnormal aEEG group.The incidence rate of aEEG abnormalities was analyzed in neonates with various systemic diseases,as well as the manifestations of aEEG abnormalities and the consistency between aEEG abnormalities and clinical abnormalities.Results Among the 5 945 neonates,the aEEG abnormality rate was 19.28%(1 146/5 945),with an abnormality rate of 29.58%(906/3 063)in critically ill neonates and 8.33%(240/2 882)in non-critically ill neonates(P<0.05).The children with inherited metabolic diseases showed the highest aEEG abnormality rate of 60.77%(79/130),followed by those with central nervous system disorders[42.22%(76/180)]and preterm infants[35.53%(108/304)].Compared with the normal aEEG group,the abnormal aEEG group had significantly lower age and gestational age,as well as a significantly lower birth weight of preterm infants(P<0.05).Among the 1 146 neonates with aEEG abnormalities,the main types of aEEG abnormalities were sleep cycle disorders in 597 neonates(52.09%),background activity abnormalities in 294 neonates(25.65%),and epileptiform activity in 255 neonates(22.25%),and there were 902 neonates(78.71%)with abnormal clinical manifestations.The sensitivity and specificity of aEEG monitoring for brain function abnormalities were 33.51%and 92.50%,respectively.Conclusions In plateau areas,there is a relatively high rate of aEEG abnormalities among hospitalized neonates,particularly in critically ill neonates and those with smaller gestational ages and younger ages,suggesting a high risk of brain injury.Therefore,routine aEEG monitoring for the hospitalized neonates can help with the early detection of brain function abnormalities,the decision-making in treatment,and the formulation of brain protection strategies.

Cancer stem cell(CSC)are the"seed"cells in the occurrence,development,metastasis and recurrence of colorectal cancer.Targeted killing of CSC provides a new target for anti-colorectal cancer therapy.Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent cell death mode due to the abnormal accumulation of intracellular i-ron ions,which results in the massive reactive oxygen species(ROS)and lipid peroxides,leading to cell death.Studies have shown that cancer stem cells are more enriched in iron ions than non-CSC,which provides a new perspective for targeting ferropto-sis in cancer stem cells against colorectal cancer.This article re-views the research progress of inducing CSC ferroptosis in the treatment of colorectal cancer,such as targeted regulation of SLC7A11 expression in CSC,chelating iron in CSC lysosomes,targeting CSC phenotypic plasticity,reversing CSC iron homeo-stasis,and targeting CSC lipid droplet metabolism induce CSC ferroptosis,which provides new ideas for anti-tumor therapy.

Aim To investigate the regulatory and an-ti-tumour effects of baicalein on mouse hepatocellular carcinoma cells and mouse macrophage co-cultures.Methods In vitro experiments,mouse hepatocellular carcinoma cell H22 and mouse macrophage RAW264.7 were randomly divided into a blank group and different concentrations of gradient administration group(5,10,20,40,80 mg·L-1),and the cell activity was detec-ted by CCK-8 assay;the two kinds of cells were co-cultured in Transwell chambers of 6-well plates for 48 h,and were randomly divided into the blank,model,and low,medium,and high baicalin groups(10,20,40 mg·L-1).Cell scratch and invasion assays,ELISA kits were used to detect TNF-α and IL-10 factor levels,and Western blot was used to determine the lev-els of CCNA2 and related proteins.The levels of TNF-α and IL-10 were detected by ELISA kits,and the ex-pression levels of CCNA2 and related proteins were de-tected by Western blot.In vivo experiments,H22 sub-cutaneous tumour model was established and randomly divided into the blank,positive,model and drug-ad-ministered groups.Mouse spleen,thymus and tumour indices were counted,and immunohistochemistry and Western blot were employed to detect the expression levels of CCNA2 and macrophage-related indexes in tumour tissues.Results Different doses of baicalein had a significant inhibitory effect on H22 and no signif-icant cytotoxicity on M0-type RAW264.7;the mor-phology of M0-type RAW264.7 cells was changed after co-culture,TNF-α was elevated and IL-10 was re-duced in the baicalein group;the results of the cell scratch assay and invasion assay found that baicalein inhibited M2-type macrophage invasion and metastasis;Arg1,p-p38/p38,p-stat3/stat3,N-cadherin,CCNA2 decreased significantly and Inos and E-cadherin in-creased significantly in the baicalein group;CCNA2,CD206 expression decreased significantly and CD86 expression increased significantly in the administered group.Conclusions Baicalein reverses M2-type mac-rophage polarisation and pro-carcinogenic functions and inhibits M2-type macrophage migration and invasion by modulating M2-type macrophage-related signalling pathways.

This study aims to establish a rapid and non-destructive method for recognizing the origins and cultivation patterns of Astragali Radix. A hyperspectral imaging system(spectral ranges: 400-1 000 nm, 900-1 700 nm; detection time: 15 s) was used to examine the samples of Astragali Radix with different origins and cultivation patterns. The collected hyperspectral datasets were highly correlated and numerous, which required the establishment of stable and reliable dimension reduction and classification models. Firstly, the original spectra were preprocessed by normalization, Gaussian smoothing, and masking. Then, principal component analysis(PCA), partial least squares-discriminant analysis(PLS-DA), and competitive adaptive reweighted sampling(CARS) were performed to reduce the dimension of the hyperspectral data. Finally, support vector machine(SVM), feedforward neural network(FFNN), and convolutional neural network(CNN) were used for data training of the spectral images and spectral curves with dimension reduction. The results showed that applying CARS as a variable selection method before PLS-DA on the hyperspectral data of Astragali Radix achieved the accuracy, precision, and recall of 100% on the CNN test dataset. The F_1-score and area under the curve of ROC(AUC) reached 1. This method is convenient, quick, sample-saving, and non-destructive, providing technical support for rapid identification of the origins and cultivation patterns of Astragali Radix.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Neural Networks, Computer ; Algorithms ; Support Vector Machine ; Principal Component Analysis ; Discriminant Analysis ; Hyperspectral Imaging/methods* ; Least-Squares Analysis ; Astragalus Plant/growth & development* ; Astragalus propinquus/growth & development*