ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of mucin 1 (MUC1) on the proliferation and apoptosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and its regulatory mechanism. MethodsThe 60 NPC and paired para-cancer normal tissues were collected from October 2020 to July 2021 in Quanzhou First Hospital. The expression of MUC1 was measured by real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) in the patients with PNC. The 5-8F and HNE1 cells were transfected with siRNA control (si-control) or siRNA targeting MUC1 (si-MUC1). Cell proliferation was analyzed by cell counting kit-8 and colony formation assay, and apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry analysis in the 5-8F and HNE1 cells. The qPCR and ELISA were executed to analyze the levels of TNF-α and IL-6. Western blot was performed to measure the expression of MUC1, NF-кB and apoptosis-related proteins (Bax and Bcl-2). ResultsThe expression of MUC1 was up-regulated in the NPC tissues, and NPC patients with the high MUC1 expression were inclined to EBV infection, growth and metastasis of NPC. Loss of MUC1 restrained malignant features, including the proliferation and apoptosis, downregulated the expression of p-IкB、p-P65 and Bcl-2 and upregulated the expression of Bax in the NPC cells. ConclusionDownregulation of MUC1 restrained biological characteristics of malignancy, including cell proliferation and apoptosis, by inactivating NF-κB signaling pathway in NPC.

Animals ; Rats ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a risk-adapted colorectal cancer screening strategy constructed utilizing genetic and environmental risk score (ERS). Methods: A polygenic risk score (PRS) was constructed based on 20 previously published single nucleotide polymorphisms for colorectal cancer in East Asian populations, using 2 160 samples with MassARRAY test results from a multicenter randomized controlled trial of colorectal cancer screening in China. The ERS was calculated using the Asia-Pacific Colorectal Screening Score system. Logistic regression was used to analyze the association between PRS alone and PRS combined with ERS and colorectal neoplasms risk, respectively. We also designed a risk-adapted screening strategy based on PRS and ERS (high-risk participants undergo a single colonoscopy, low-risk participants undergo an annual fecal immunochemical test, and those with positive results undergo further diagnostic colonoscopy) and compared its effectiveness with the all-acceptance colonoscopy strategy. Results: The high PRS group had a 26% increased risk of colorectal neoplasms compared with the low PRS group (OR=1.26, 95%CI: 1.03-1.54, P=0.026). Participants with the highest PRS and ERS were 3.03 times more likely to develop advanced colorectal neoplasms than those with the lowest score (95%CI: 1.87-4.90, P<0.001). As the risk-adapted screening simulation reached the third round, the detection rate of the PRS combined with ERS strategy was not statistically different from the all-acceptance colonoscopy strategy (8.79% vs. 10.46%, P=0.075) and had a higher positive predictive value (14.11% vs. 10.46%, P<0.001) and lower number of colonoscopies per advanced neoplasms detected (7.1 vs. 9.6, P<0.001). Conclusion: The risk-adapted screening strategy combining PRS and ERS helps achieve population risk stratification and better effectiveness than the traditional colonoscopy-based screening strategy.
Humans ; Early Detection of Cancer ; Risk Factors ; Colorectal Neoplasms/genetics* ; Asia ; China/epidemiology*

Objective: This cross-sectional investigation aimed to determine the incidence, clinical characteristics, prognosis, and related risk factors of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain in mainland China. Methods: Data of patients with SARS-CoV-2 from December 28, 2022, to February 21, 2023, were collected through online and offline questionnaires from 45 tertiary hospitals and one center for disease control and prevention in mainland China. The questionnaire included demographic information, previous health history, smoking and alcohol drinking, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, olfactory and gustatory function before and after infection, other symptoms after infection, as well as the duration and improvement of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction. The self-reported olfactory and gustatory functions of patients were evaluated using the Olfactory VAS scale and Gustatory VAS scale. Results: A total of 35 566 valid questionnaires were obtained, revealing a high incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain (67.75%). Females(χ2=367.013, P<0.001) and young people(χ2=120.210, P<0.001) were more likely to develop these dysfunctions. Gender(OR=1.564, 95%CI: 1.487-1.645), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.164-1.530), oral health status (OR=0.881, 95%CI: 0.839-0.926), smoking history (OR=1.152, 95%CI=1.080-1.229), and drinking history (OR=0.854, 95%CI: 0.785-0.928) were correlated with the occurrence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2(above P<0.001). 44.62% (4 391/9 840) of the patients who had not recovered their sense of smell and taste also suffered from nasal congestion, runny nose, and 32.62% (3 210/9 840) suffered from dry mouth and sore throat. The improvement of olfactory and taste functions was correlated with the persistence of accompanying symptoms(χ2=10.873, P=0.001). The average score of olfactory and taste VAS scale was 8.41 and 8.51 respectively before SARS-CoV-2 infection, but decreased to3.69 and 4.29 respectively after SARS-CoV-2 infection, and recovered to 5.83and 6.55 respectively at the time of the survey. The median duration of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions was 15 days and 12 days, respectively, with 0.5% (121/24 096) of patients experiencing these dysfunctions for more than 28 days. The overall self-reported improvement rate of smell and taste dysfunctions was 59.16% (14 256/24 096). Gender(OR=0.893, 95%CI: 0.839-0.951), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.164-1.530), history of head and facial trauma(OR=1.180, 95%CI: 1.036-1.344, P=0.013), nose (OR=1.104, 95%CI: 1.042-1.171, P=0.001) and oral (OR=1.162, 95%CI: 1.096-1.233) health status, smoking history(OR=0.765, 95%CI: 0.709-0.825), and the persistence of accompanying symptoms (OR=0.359, 95%CI: 0.332-0.388) were correlated with the recovery of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2 (above P<0.001 except for the indicated values). Conclusion: The incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain is high in mainland China, with females and young people more likely to develop these dysfunctions. Active and effective intervention measures may be required for cases that persist for a long time. The recovery of olfactory and taste functions is influenced by several factors, including gender, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status, history of head and facial trauma, nasal and oral health status, smoking history, and persistence of accompanying symptoms.
Female ; Humans ; Adolescent ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Smell ; COVID-19/complications* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; COVID-19 Vaccines ; Incidence ; Olfaction Disorders/etiology* ; Taste Disorders/etiology* ; Prognosis

Excessive exercise makes the body consume more oxygen and produce excessive free radicals. The increased free radicals lead to oxidative stress injury and dysfunctions in liver tissue. Our previous study showed that Anwulignan, an active monomer in Schisandra sphenanthera Rehd. et Wils. (Schisandra), had anti-fatigue effects in mice. However, whether Anwulignan has a protective effect on liver damage in exhausted mice and the mechanism underlying remain elusive. An exhaustive swimming mice model was used to study the protective effects of Anwulignan on liver damage. The involvement of the nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (NRF2)/antioxidant responsive element (ARE) antioxidative pathway in Anwulignan-mediated anti-fatigue was analyzed using NRF2 inhibitor ML385 in HepG2 cells treated with H₂O₂. Animal welfare and experimental process follow the regulations of the Animal Ethics Committee of Beihua University. Anwulignan significantly lowered serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels, reduced liver tissue damages, increased superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (CAT), and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) and 8-hydroxy-2 deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) contents in the livers of exhausted mice, demonstrating a strong antioxidant effect. Furthermore, Anwulignan up-regulated the NRF2/ARE antioxidant pathway in liver tissue, increased B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) expression, and decreased Bcl-2-like protein 4 (Bax) and caspase3 expression. In HepG2 cells, Anwulignan improved the cell viability and SOD activity, reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) and MDA contents, up-regulated the expression of the NRF2/ARE signaling pathway and Bcl-2, and decreased Bax and caspase3 expression in the cells. Furthermore, pretreated ML385 partly abolished all these effects of Anwulignan. Anwulignan protects the liver from damage in the exhausted mice by its antioxidant effects and related to its activation of the NRF2 pathway.

The tumor prescriptions contained in Dictionary of Tumor Formulas, Compendium of Good Tumor Formulas, Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Ministry of Health Drug Standards for Chinese Medicine Formulas and National Compilation of Standards for Proprietary Chinese Medicines were selected and organized to construct a database for tumor prescriptions, and the data mining techniques were applied to investigate the prescription regularity of colorectal cancer prescriptions. The formula data were extracted after screening in strict accordance with the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and were then analyzed with Microsoft Excel 2010 for frequency statistics, Apriori block provided by SPSS Clementine 12.0 software for correlation rule analysis, and arules and arulesViz packages in R 4.0.2 software for correlation rule visualization. In addition, SPSS 18.0 software was used for cluster analysis and factor analysis, in which cluster analysis was performed by Ochiai algorithm with bicategorical variables in systematic clustering method and factor analysis was performed mainly with principal component analysis. A total of 285 prescriptions were included in the statistical analysis, and the frequency statistics showed that 43 herbs had been used more than 16 times. The association rules analysis showed that 26 high-frequency me-dicine pair rules were obtained, and the association rules for those dispelling evil spirits, strengthening the body, resolving stasis, dispelling dampness, etc. were visualized. In the cluster analysis, we generated a dendrogram from which 7 groups of traditional Chinese medicines with homogeneity were extracted. 10 common factors were obtained in the factor analysis. The types of herbal medicines involved in the colorectal cancer prescription included anti-cancer antidotes, strengthening and tonifying medicines, blood-regulating medicines, and expectorant medicines, corresponding to the treatment for eliminating evil spirits, strengthening, resolving stasis, and expectorating dampness. The prescriptions for anti-cancer detoxification were normally based on the pairs composed of Scutellaria barbata-Hedyotis diffusa and Sophora flavescens, Sargentodoxa cuneata, S. barbata, often combined with stasis relieving drug and dampness eliminating drug, reflecting the characteristics of treatment for both toxicity and stasis, dampness and toxicity simultaneously. The prescriptions for strengthening the righteousness and tonifying the deficiency were composed of Astragalus membranaceus and Atractylodes macrocephala mainly, exerting the effect of benefiting Qi, strengthening the spleen and drying dampness, tonifying kidney and essence, tonifying blood and invigorating blood. Meanwhile, anti-cancer detoxification medicines shall be reduced as much as possible. The compatibility of the medicines for the intestinal tract reflected the principle of using the right medicine for the right condition and eliminating evil spirits or strengthening the body, as appropriate.
Colorectal Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Data Mining ; Drug Prescriptions ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） is the treasure of the Chinese nation. As an important raw material for clinical treatment of diseases， Chinese materia medica plays an extremely important role. However， in the process of transformation from traditional wild collection of animals and plants to modern artificial cultivation and industrial production of preparations， whether the quality of Chinese materia medica is fully transferred will directly affect the quality and clinical efficacy of Chinese materia medica preparation. From the field to the sickbed， process control of quality transfer of Chinese materia medica is the key to guarantee quality and curative effect. In this paper， the whole process that affects the quality of Chinese materia medica preparations such as seed and seedling， planting and breeding， harvesting and processing， processing of decoction pieces and preparation production was analyzed. Paying attention to the whole process of quality control of Chinese materia medica is of great significance to improve the quality of Chinese materia medica preparations and promote the rapid development of TCM. Based on this， the author intended to analyze the key control links in the quality transfer process of Chinese materia medica （breeding， planting areas and field management， timely harvesting and intensive primary processing， appropriate processing， optimization of preparation technology， standardization of packaging and informationization of storage and transportation）， in order to provide reference for the design and development of Chinese materia medica preparations guided by clinical value.

Objective:To observe the expression of adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase （AMPK）/transcription factor EB （TFEB） autophagy signaling pathway protein in type 2 diabetes （T2DM） complicated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease （NAFLD） rats after intervention with Shihu mixture （SHM）. Method:Among 40 male SD rats， 10 rats were randomly selected as normal group according to body weight. The remaining 30 rats were fed with high-fat and high-sugar diet for 6 weeks， and then intraperitoneally injected with streptozotocin （STZ） to establish a T2DM NAFLD model. They were divided into normal control group （10 mL·kg^-1·d^-1）， model control group （10 mL·kg^-1·d^-1）， metformin group （100 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）， SHM group （11.3 g·kg^-1·d^-1）. The rats in each group were gavaged for 4 weeks. After gavage， the rats were euthanized. Abdominal aortic blood and liver tissue were collected to detect fasting blood glucose （FBS）， glycated serum protein （GSP）， insulin （INS）， triglyceride （TG）， total cholesterol （TC）， high density lipoprotein cholesterol（HDL-C）， low-density lipoprotein cholesterol（LDL-C） content. Htoxylin eosin （HE） staining was performed to observe changes in liver tissue morphology. Western blot was used to detect AMPK/TFEB signaling pathway-related protein expression. Result:Compared with the model control group， FBS and GSP of the SHM group and the DMBG group decreased （P<0.05）， while INS increased （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， HDL increased in the SHM group and the DMBG group （P<0.05）， whereas TC， TG and LDL contents decreased （P<0.05）. Liver HE staining results showed that both SHM and Metformin could improve the liver morphology of T2DM and NAFLD rats to some extent. Western blot results showed that p-AMPK/AMPK of SHM and metformin increased （P<0.05）， while the expressions of TFEB and LC3Ⅱ increased （P<0.05）. Conclusion:SHM can improve glucose and lipid metabolism by activating AMPK/TFEB autophagy signaling pathway， so as to improve liver pathological morphology.