AIM To observe the anti-inflammatory effects of total flavones from Xueli Formula (Violae Herba,Serissa japonica,Plantaginis Herba and Salvia plebeia,TFXL) on LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages.METHODS The effects of different concentrations of TFXL on RAW264.7 cell viability were examined by MTT assay.The NO kit assay was adopted to detect the NO release amount of TFXL on LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells.The secretions of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α),interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) were tested by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR) was used to determine the expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS),TNF-α,IL6 and IL10 mRNA.The protein expressions of IκB-α and p65 were tested by Western blot.RESULTS Compared with the LPS model group,TFXL could significantly reduce the secretions of NO,TNF-α and IL-6;increase the secretion of IL-10;inhibit the expressions of iNOS,TNF-α and IL6 mRNA;promote the expression of IL10 mRNA;inhibit the phosphorylations of IκB-α and p65.The TFXL high-dose group could inhibit the degradation of IκB-α.CONCLUSION This study preliminarily proves the protective effects of TFXL on LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cell inflammation,whose action mechanism may be related to NF-κB signal pathway.

Objective To observe the efficacy and safety of Shenqiwuweizikeli for treating chronic insomnia.Methods One hundred and ninety-six cases of subjects were randomly divided into Shenqiwuweizikeli group (n =98) and Estazolam tablets group (n =98).The pittsburg sleep quality index (PSQI) was adopted to evaluate the clinical effects and records of adverse reactions during the study period.Also the lab routine inspection(blood routine,urine routine,liver and kidney function, electrocardiogram were conducted to evaluate safety.Results The Shenqiwuweizikeli and Estazolam tablets all had significant effects for chronic insomnia.The total effective rate of Shenqiwuweizikeli group was 92.86％ (91/98), of Estazolam tablets group was 93.88％(92/98) ,and there was no significant difference (P＞0.05).There were no abnormalities in terms of each routine inspection index.After stopping take the medicine, The adverse reactions including bounce sex insomnia(60 cases), daytime sleepiness/drowsiness (55 cases), dizziness with lacking of power and light headedness(23 cases) in Estazolam tablets group were all more than Shenqiwuweizikeli group with significant difference(P＜0.01).Conclusion The Shenqiwuweizikeli has definite efficacy and safety for treated with chronic insomnia without withdrawal of recoil and dependence.

Toxoplasma gondii cathepsin C proteases (TgCPC1, 2, and 3) are important for the growth and survival of T. gondii. In the present study, B-cell and T-cell epitopes of TgCPC1 were predicted using DNAstar and the Immune Epitope Database. A TgCPC1 DNA vaccine was constructed, and its ability to induce protective immune responses against toxoplasmosis in BALB/c mice was evaluated in the presence or absence of the adjuvant α-GalCer. As results, TgCPC1 DNA vaccine with or without adjuvant α-GalCer showed higher levels of IgG and IgG2a in the serum, as well as IL-2 and IFN-γ in the spleen compared to controls (PBS, pEGFP-C1, and α-Galcer). Upon challenge infection with tachyzoites of T. gondii (RH), pCPC1/α-Galcer immunized mice showed the longest survival among all the groups. Mice vaccinated with DNA vaccine without adjuvant (pCPC1) showed better protective immunity compared to other controls (PBS, pEGFP-C1, and α-Galcer). These results indicate that a DNA vaccine encoding TgCPC1 is a potential vaccine candidate against toxoplasmosis.
Animals ; B-Lymphocytes ; Cathepsin C* ; Cathepsins* ; DNA* ; Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte ; Immunoglobulin G ; Interleukin-2 ; Mice* ; Peptide Hydrolases ; Spleen ; Toxoplasma* ; Toxoplasmosis* ; Vaccines, DNA*

Objective:To estimate risks of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) Ⅱ or worse (CINⅡ +) on loop electrosurgical excisional procedure (LEEP) specimens with the diagnosis of endocervical curettage (ECC) CINⅠ compared with biopsy CINⅠ, and also to investigate the hierarchical management scheme of ECC CINⅠ based on the relevant factors of CINⅡ + risk. Methods:(1) A retrospective computer-based research for subjects enrolled in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University from Jan. 2013 to Jun. 2021 was performed. The case group comprised women with an ECC CINⅠ (ECC results of CINⅠ with colposcopy-directed biopsy results ≤CINⅠ), and the control group comprised women with a biopsy CINⅠ (colposcopy-directed biopsy results of CINⅠ with negative ECC findings) were divided after LEEP surgery and diagnosis in the next three months. The clinical data of all patients before LEEP were analyzed, and the pathological diagnosis between two groups after LEEP was compared. (2) Variables, including age, cytology, high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV), ECC results, cervical transformation zone (TZ) and colposcopy impression, were included to describe the characteristics and compare the incidence of LEEP CINⅡ +. (3) Univariate analysis and Multivariate logistic regression method were used to analyze the related factors that affect the LEEP CINⅡ + in CINⅠ patients. Further, the specific risks caused by related factors and conduct a stratified study in LEEP CINⅡ + were analyzed. Results:(1) Overall, 2 581 women with ECC CINⅠ or biopsy CINⅠ diagnosis who underwent LEEP participated in the study with the mean age (43.6±9.5) years old. Chi square test found that the age and cytology of patients in ECC CINⅠ group were statistically different from those of biopsy CINⅠ group (all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in HR-HPV detection, TZ type and colposcopy impression between the two groups (all P>0.05). ECC CINⅠ comprised 957 women, with LEEP histopathology results revealing 288 (30.1%, 288/957) CINⅡ +, which was significantly higher than that of biopsy CINⅠ which was comprised 1 624 women, with LEEP histopathology results showing 333 (20.5%, 333/1 624) CINⅡ + ( χ2=30.31, P<0.001). (2) Compared by LEEP CINⅡ + with LEEP ≤CINⅠ group, there were no significant difference in the age, HR-HPV, colposcopy impression (all P>0.05); but there were significantly differences in cytology, ECC CINⅠ, type Ⅲ TZ (all P<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that atypical squamous epithelial cells (ASC-H; OR=2.77, 95% CI: 2.04-3.77), high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions and worse (HSIL +; OR=2.93, 95% CI: 2.24-3.81), ECC CINⅠ ( OR=1.89, 95% CI: 1.56-2.29) and type Ⅲ of TZ ( OR=1.76, 95% CI: 1.45-2.11) were independent risk factors for LEEP CINⅡ + (all P<0.05). (3) When cytology was ≤low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) and ≥ASC-H, the detection rate of CINⅡ + in ECC CINⅠ was significantly higher than that of biopsy CINⅠ (all P<0.001). In ECC CINⅠ, the rate of CINⅡ + with cytology ≤LSIL was significantly lower than that in cytology ≥ASC-H (56.0% vs 25.9%; χ2=49.38, P<0.001). In type Ⅰ/Ⅱ of TZ, the detection rate of CINⅡ + between ECC CINⅠand biopsy CINⅠ had no significantly different; while in type Ⅲ of TZ, there was significantly different (72.7% vs 46.2%; χ2=4.02, P=0.045). In ECC CINⅠ, type Ⅲof TZ was significantly higher in the rate of CINⅡ + than that of type Ⅰ/Ⅱ of TZ (72.7% vs 21.7%; χ2=16.38, P<0.001). When cytology ≥ASC-H, type Ⅲ of TZ and colposcopy impression of HSIL were combined, the rate of CINⅡ + in ECC CINⅠ was 6/6 while 1/3 in biopsy CINⅠ. Conclusions:Cytology ≥ASC-H, ECC CINⅠ and type Ⅲ TZ are the risk factors of LEEP CINⅡ +. However, cytology ≥ASC-H is more valuable in predicting LEEP CINⅡ + than ECC CINⅠ. For patients with ECC CINⅠ to perform LEEP, it is recommended that cytology ≥ASC-H is taken as the first level stratification, and type Ⅲ TZ is taken as the second level stratification. The colposcopy impression of patients is recommended for a reference parameter.

Objective:To explore the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS) in distinguishing of renal oncocytoma(RO) and chromophobe renal cell carcinoma(chRCC).Methods:The ultrasonic image features of 49 ROs and 72 chRCCs between October 2007 and January 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, all lesions underwent ultrasonic examination (including 19 ROs and 70 chRCCs with CEUS imaging) and were pathologically approved in our institution. The statistically significant parameters from univariate analyses were then entered for further multivariable Logistic regression. The value of each ultrasonic imaging feature in differentiating RO and chRCC was evaluated.Results:According to the univariate analyses, all imaging features on conventional ultrasound were not statistically different between RO and chRCC (all P>0.05), while the characteristics of tumor wash-in/out pattern, enhancement degree and homogeneity at peak time and pseudocapsule around tumor were significantly different (all P<0.05). After multivariable analyses, tumor wash-in and wash-out pattern were excluded for tumor differentiation ( P>0.05), and the parameters of enhancement degree or homogeneity at peak time and pseudocapsule around tumor were still significantly different between tumor types (all P<0.05, odd ratio was 8.683, 6.667 and 18.774 respectively). The overall sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of these three parameters in diagnosing RO was 68.4%, 91.4% and 86.5%, respectively. Conclusions:CEUS can provide some useful information for the differentiation of RO and chRCC.

Objective:To isolate and culture WU polyomavirus (WUPyV), and to analyze the genome-wide evolutionary patterns, homology and population dynamics.Methods:Real-time quantitative PCR was used to detect the nasopharyngeal aspirate samples of hospitalized children with respiratory tract infection in Beijing Friendship Hospital during 2020 to 2022. Primary human airway epithelial cells cultured at the air-liquid interface were used to isolate and culture WUPyV. Whole genome sequence of the isolated strain was obtained by Sanger sequencing. For phylogenetic and evolutionary dynamics analysis, the whole genome was compared with the published whole genome sequences in GenBank database.Results:The detection rate of WUPyV was 4.7% (31/659) during 2020 to 2022, and a clinical strain BJ0593 of WUPyV type Ⅲc was successfully isolated. The homology of the whole genome and gene fragments of WUPyV was high. The average evolutionary rate of VP2 gene was about 1.256×10 -4 substitution/site every year, and the population dynamics of WUPyV tended to be flat in the last decade. Conclusions:This study successfully isolated a clinical WUPyV type Ⅲ strain for the first time, which provided the basis for further investigation on the molecular evolution and pathogenicity of WUPyV.

Objective:To determine the optimal time to perform sentinel lymph node biopsy(SLNB)in patients with clinically node-negative disease and assess clinically node-positive patients who would acquire greater benefits from axillary downstaging surgery af-ter neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NAC).Methods:From October 2010 to November 2017,206 patients with breast cancer who under-went surgery after NAC were included in this retrospective study in Shandong Cancer Hospital Breast Cancer Center.Their clinicopatho-logic data were collected to discuss the correlation between axillary node pathologic complete response(apCR)and different molecu-lar subtypes.Results:Among 206 patients who received NAC,183 patients had clinically node-positive disease.The frequency of apCR after NAC was 33.3%(61/183),which was significantly higher in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER-2)-posi-tive subtype[with targeted therapy,62.1%(18/29);without targeted therapy,34.5%(10/29)]and triple-negative breast cancer(TNBC) (41.0%)(16/39)than in patients with HER-2-negative luminal subtype breast cancer[19.8%(17/86)](P<0.001). Among 23 patients with Cn0 tumors,the rate of positive sentinel lymph nodes after NAC was 26.1%(6/23);this rate was 36.4%(4/11),25.0%(1/4),and 12.5% (1/8)among patients with HER-2-negative luminal subtype breast cancer,TNBC,and HER-2-positive subtype breast cancer,respective-ly.Conclusions:Molecular subtypes could predict the chance of achieving apCR.For patients with clinically node-negative disease,it would be preferable to perform SLNB prior to NAC for patients with HER-2-negative luminal subtype breast cancer.SLNB after NAC for those with TNBC and HER-2-positive subtype breast cancer could decrease the chances of axillary lymph node dissection.For patients with initial clinically node-positive disease converting to clinically node-negative disease after NAC,especially in TNBC and HER-2-posi-tive subtype breast cancer,these patients might benefit more from axillary downstaging surgery after NAC.

BACKGROUND: Adipocytes in the tumor microenvironment may provide the metabolic fuel or signal transduction through media and other means to promote a variety of malignant proliferation and invasion, of tumor cells, but their role in lung cancer progression is still unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of adipocytes on lung cancer cell biology. METHODS: 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes were induced into mature adipocytes. The cell morphology was observed by microscopy and Oil Red O staining. MTT assay, colony formation assay, wound-healing and Transwell methods were used to detect lung cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion ability. The content of triglyceride in cells was determined by colorimetry. RESULTS: The morphology of lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells became more slender after co-culture with mature adipocytes, and the proliferation and cloning ability were significantly enhanced (P<0.05). In addition, mature adipocytes can also promote the migration ability (P<0.05), invasion ability (P<0.01) and accumulation of intracellular lipid (P<0.05) of A549 cells. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggested that adipocytes in tumor microenvironment can promote the proliferation, migration and invasion of lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells, which may be related to lipid metabolism.
A549 Cells ; Adenocarcinoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Adenocarcinoma of Lung ; Adipocytes ; cytology ; metabolism ; Animals ; Cell Movement ; Cell Proliferation ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Mice ; NIH 3T3 Cells ; Triglycerides ; metabolism ; Tumor Microenvironment

Objective:To analyze the risk factors of bronchopulmonary dysplasia(BPD)in very preterm infants(VPI), and to provide scientific basis for the prevention and treatment of BPD in VPI.Methods:A prospective multicenter study was designed to collect the clinical data of VPI in department of neonatology of 28 hospitals in 7 regions from September 2019 to December 2020.According to the continuous oxygen dependence at 28 days after birth, VPI were divided into non BPD group and BPD group, and the risk factors of BPD in VPI were analyzed.Results:A total of 2 514 cases of VPI including 1 364 cases without BPD and 1 150 cases with BPD were enrolled.The incidence of BPD was 45.7%.The smaller the gestational age and weight, the higher the incidence of BPD( P<0.001). Compared with non BPD group, the average birth age, weight and cesarean section rate in BPD group were lower, and the incidence of male infants, small for gestational age and 5-minute apgar score≤7 were higher( P<0.01). In BPD group, the incidences of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome(NRDS), hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus, retinopathy of prematurity, feeding intolerance, extrauterine growth restriction, grade Ⅲ~Ⅳ intracranial hemorrhage, anemia, early-onset and late-onset sepsis, nosocomial infection, parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis were higher( P<0.05), the use of pulmonary surfactant(PS), postnatal hormone exposure, anemia and blood transfusion were also higher, and the time of invasive and non-invasive mechanical ventilation, oxygen use and total hospital stay were longer( P<0.001). The time of starting enteral nutrition, cumulative fasting days, days of reaching total enteral nutrition, days of continuous parenteral nutrition, days of reaching 110 kcal/(kg·d) total calorie, days of reaching 110 kcal/(kg·d) oral calorie were longer and the breastfeeding rate was lower in BPD group than those in non BPD group( P<0.001). The cumulative doses of amino acid and fat emulsion during the first week of hospitalization were higher in BPD group( P<0.001). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that NRDS, invasive mechanical ventilation, age of reaching total enteral nutrition, anemia and blood transfusion were the independent risk factors for BPD in VPI, and older gestational age was the protective factor for BPD. Conclusion:Strengthening perinatal management, avoiding premature delivery and severe NRDS, shortening the time of invasive mechanical ventilation, paying attention to enteral nutrition management, reaching whole intestinal feeding as soon as possible, and strictly mastering the indications of blood transfusion are very important to reduce the incidence of BPD in VPI.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease worldwide. Fat accumulation "sensitizes" the liver to insult and leads to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). G protein-coupled receptor 35 (GPR35) is involved in metabolic stresses, but its role in NAFLD is unknown. We report that hepatocyte GPR35 mitigates NASH by regulating hepatic cholesterol homeostasis. Specifically, we found that GPR35 overexpression in hepatocytes protected against high-fat/cholesterol/fructose (HFCF) diet-induced steatohepatitis, whereas loss of GPR35 had the opposite effect. Administration of the GPR35 agonist kynurenic acid (Kyna) suppressed HFCF diet-induced steatohepatitis in mice. Kyna/GPR35 induced expression of StAR-related lipid transfer protein 4 (STARD4) through the ERK1/2 signaling pathway, ultimately resulting in hepatic cholesterol esterification and bile acid synthesis (BAS). The overexpression of STARD4 increased the expression of the BAS rate-limiting enzymes cytochrome P450 family 7 subfamily A member 1 (CYP7A1) and CYP8B1, promoting the conversion of cholesterol to bile acid. The protective effect induced by GPR35 overexpression in hepatocytes disappeared in hepatocyte STARD4-knockdown mice. STARD4 overexpression in hepatocytes reversed the aggravation of HFCF diet-induced steatohepatitis caused by the loss of GPR35 expression in hepatocytes in mice. Our findings indicate that the GPR35-STARD4 axis is a promising therapeutic target for NAFLD.