The Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog ( KRAS ) mutation is one of the most prevalent activating alterations in cancer. It indicates a poor overall prognosis due to its highly invasive nature. Although several KRAS inhibitors have been developed in recent years, a significant clinical challenge has emerged as a substantial proportion of patients eventually develop resistance to these therapies. Therefore, identifying determinants of drug resistance is critical for guiding treatment strategies. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the mutation landscape and molecular mechanisms of KRAS activity in various cancers. Meanwhile, it summaries the progress and prospects of small molecule KRAS inhibitors undergoing clinical trials. Furthemore, this review explores potential strategies to overcome drug resistance, with the ultimate goal of steering toward patient-centric precision oncology in the foreseeable future.
Humans ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/drug effects* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)/metabolism* ; Mutation/genetics* ; Neoplasms/genetics* ; Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use*

Eucommiae Cortex, the dried bark of Eucommia ulmoides( Eucommiaceae), has both medicinal and edible values.Modern research has shown that Eucommiae Cortex contains various components such as flavonoids, lignans, iridoids, phenolic acids,terpenoids, and steroids, which have anti-osteoporosis, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, blood glucose-lowering, and gastrointestinal tract-protecting effects. Eucommiae Cortex has applications in multiple fields such as healthcare, industry, and animal husbandry,demonstrating broad development prospects. This article reviews the chemical constituents, pharmacological effects, and quality control status of Eucommiae Cortex. Furthermore, according to the concept of quality marker(Q-marker), this article predicts the Q-markers of Eucommiae Cortex from traditional medicinal properties, traditional medicinal effects, new medicinal effects, measurability of chemical components, compatibility, harvesting periods, and geographical origins. The components such as pinoresinol diglucoside,chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, quercetin, baicalein, baicalin, olivil, coniferyl ferulate, and kaempferol can be used as Q-markers for Eucommiae Cortex, which provide reference for establishing a systematic quality control system for Eucommiae Cortex.
Eucommiaceae/chemistry* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Quality Control ; Humans ; Animals

Reactive astrocytes, which exhibit a correlation with the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons, are present in a considerable number during the progression of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the underlying factors shaping astrocyte reactivity and neuroinflammation in PD remain inadequately elucidated. Here, we demonstrate that fibroblast growth factor 7 (FGF7)/FGF receptor 2 (FGFR2) autocrine signaling intensifies astrocyte reactivity and inflammation. Genetic deletion of Arrb2, β-Arrestin2 encoding gene, led to escalated astrocyte reactivity in MPTP-treated mice, which was further substantiated in astrocyte-specific Arrb2 knockdown mice. RNA sequencing profiling of Arrb2 knockout astrocytes identified Fgf7 as a critical effector of astrocyte reactivity. Subsequently, conditional knockdown of Fgf7 and its receptor Fgfr2 in astrocytes elicited advantageous effects for MPTP-treated mice by restraining the inflammatory phenotypic transition of reactive astrocytes. Furthermore, deletion of astrocytic Fgf7 mitigated MPTP-induced pathology in Arrb2 knockout mice. Mechanistically, STAT1 was distinguished as the transcription factor suppressing Fgf7 expression, while β-Arrestin2 counteracted the proteasomal degradation of STAT1 by binding to RNF220, an E3 ubiquitin ligase for STAT1. More importantly, selectively engaging dopamine D2 receptor (Drd2)/β-Arrestin2-biased signaling using the agonist UNC9995 exhibited therapeutic potential in MPTP-treated mice via moderation of astrocytic FGF7 production, thereby restoring balance in astrocyte reactivity. Collectively, our study bridges a crucial knowledge gap by elucidating the novel functions of FGF family members within the central nervous system, particularly within the context of PD. The autocrine signaling of FGF7/FGFR2 represents a novel mechanism and a potential druggable target for modulating astrocyte-derived inflammation.

Oligodendrocyte lineage cells, including oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) and oligodendrocytes (OLs), are essential in establishing and maintaining brain circuits. Autophagy is a conserved process that keeps the quality of organelles and proteostasis. The role of autophagy in oligodendrocyte lineage cells remains unclear. The present study shows that autophagy is required to maintain the number of OPCs/OLs and myelin integrity during brain aging. Inactivation of autophagy in oligodendrocyte lineage cells increases the number of OPCs/OLs in the developing brain while exaggerating the loss of OPCs/OLs with brain aging. Inactivation of autophagy in oligodendrocyte lineage cells impairs the turnover of myelin basic protein (MBP). It causes MBP to accumulate in the cytoplasm as multimeric aggregates and fails to be incorporated into integral myelin, which is associated with attenuated endocytic recycling. Inactivation of autophagy in oligodendrocyte lineage cells impairs myelin integrity and causes demyelination. Thus, this study shows autophagy is required to maintain myelin quality during aging by controlling the turnover of myelin components.
Animals ; Autophagy/physiology* ; Oligodendroglia/metabolism* ; Myelin Sheath/physiology* ; Aging/pathology* ; Myelin Basic Protein/metabolism* ; Cell Lineage/physiology* ; Mice ; Oligodendrocyte Precursor Cells ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Brain/cytology* ; Cells, Cultured ; Cell Count

Cemental tear is a rare and indetectable condition unless obvious clinical signs present with the involvement of surrounding periodontal and periapical tissues. Due to its clinical manifestations similar to common dental issues, such as vertical root fracture, primary endodontic diseases, and periodontal diseases, as well as the low awareness of cemental tear for clinicians, misdiagnosis often occurs. The critical principle for cemental tear treatment is to remove torn fragments, and overlooking fragments leads to futile therapy, which could deteriorate the conditions of the affected teeth. Therefore, accurate diagnosis and subsequent appropriate interventions are vital for managing cemental tear. Novel diagnostic tools, including cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), microscopes, and enamel matrix derivatives, have improved early detection and management, enhancing tooth retention. The implementation of standardized diagnostic criteria and treatment protocols, combined with improved clinical awareness among dental professionals, serves to mitigate risks of diagnostic errors and suboptimal therapeutic interventions. This expert consensus reviewed the epidemiology, pathogenesis, potential predisposing factors, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of cemental tear, aiming to provide a clinical guideline and facilitate clinicians to have a better understanding of cemental tear.
Humans ; Dental Cementum/injuries* ; Consensus ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Tooth Fractures/therapy*

Objective:To analyze the F10 gene mutations in a Chinese pedigree affected with the deficiency of the hereditary coagulation factor X (FX), resulting from a new deletion mutation, and to study the associated molecular pathogenesis.Methods:Next generation sequencing (NGS) was performed to screen the genetic mutations in the proband which were then verified by Sanger sequencing. The FX activity (FX∶C) of probands and their family members was detected using the blood clotting method, and the mutation sites of the family members were analyzed using Sanger sequencing. The pathogenicity of the mutation site was predicted by using the online bioinformatics software, Mutation Taster. The SWISS-MODEL software was used for stimulating the three-dimensional models of the wild-type and mutant proteins for analyzing the influence of the mutation site on the structure and function of the proteins, and for analyzing the difference between the catalytic residues of the wild-type and the mutant proteins. The level of the F10 gene mRNA was quantitatively analyzed by qRT-PCR (quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) method by constructing plasmids, transfecting human embryonic kidney 293T cells (HEK 293T), and analyzing the splicing of the mutated site by RT-PCR method. The levels of FⅩ∶Ag in cell lysates and cell culture media (both inside and outside the cells) were detected by the ELISA (enzyme linked immunosorbent assay) method.Results:A medium-grade factor X deficiency with a 36.42% FⅩ∶C ratio was detected in the proband by the coagulation method. NGS analysis demonstrated a heterozygous deletion mutation in exon 8:c.902_919del (p.Ala301_Glu306del) in the proband. Sanger sequencing analysis indicated that some members of the family (mother and grandfather) were also carriers of the corresponding deletion mutation. Online bioinformatics software predicted the pathogenic nature of the c.902_919del mutation, with a pathogenic score of 0.999. The 3D protein structure model analysis indicated that the c.902_919del mutation resulted in the disappearance of a segment of β-fold in the protein structure, thereby shortening the preceding segment of the β-fold and a subsequent loss of hydrogen bonds between adjacent amino acids with no significant difference in the side chain conformation of the key catalytic residues compared to the wild-type. mRNA splicing analysis indicated the absence of alternative splicing changes in the mutation, and qRT-PCR results indicated the absence of a statistically significant difference between the mRNA levels of F10 gene and wild-type mRNA in cells expressing c.902_919del mutant. The ELISA results indicated that there was no statistically significant difference in the FX∶Ag levels of the mutant cell culture medium and the lysate.Conclusions:In this pedigree, the heterozygous mutation in exon 8 of F10 gene (c.902_919del, p.Ala301_Glu306del) caused the hereditary factor Ⅹ deficiency.

Objective:To investigate the predictive value of preoperative aspartate aminotransferase to alanine aminotransferase ratio (AAR) for early recurrence after radical resection of single small hepatocellular carcinoma.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 137 patients who underwent radical resection of liver cancer at the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University from January 2017 to July 2021. These patients were categorized into a recurrence group ( n = 72) and a non-recurrence group ( n = 65) based on early postoperative recurrence. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted in the training cohort to identify independent risk factors for early recurrence of small hepatocellular carcinomas. Subsequently, the AARs were grouped, and patients with similar propensity scores estimated by the logistic model were matched 1:1 using the Propensity Score Match method with a caliper value of 0.02 to eliminate confounders. Logistic regression analysis was then repeated to assess the predictive value of the matched AAR for postoperative recurrence in patients with single small hepatocellular carcinoma. Results:Univariate analysis revealed that age ( χ2 = 4.22, P = 0.040), the ratio of fibrinogen to albumin ( χ2 = 8.26, P = 0.004), and the AAR ( χ2 = 5.83, P = 0.016) were significantly associated with early recurrence of small liver cancer after radical resection. Multivariate logistic regression analysis further identified age ( P = 0.042), the ratio of fibrinogen to albumin ( P = 0.024), and the AAR ( P = 0.018) as independent risk factors for early recurrence of single small hepatocellular carcinoma following radical surgery. After excluding confounding factors using the Propensity Score Match method, 25 patient pairs were successfully matched. Post-matching logistic regression analysis revealed that an AAR > 0.74 ( P = 0.005) and age > 60 years ( P = 0.024) were independent risk factors for early recurrence in patients with single small hepatocellular carcinoma following radical resection. Conclusion:Preoperative AAR is an independent risk factor for early recurrence in patients with single small hepatocellular carcinoma following surgery, demonstrating excellent predictive value.

Objective:The phenotype and genotype of a pedigree with Glanzmann thrombasthenia caused by compound heterozygous mutation in the ITGA2B gene and its molecular pathogenesis were explored.Methods:The platelet aggregation rate of the proband and his family was detected by using a platelet aggregation test with adenosine diphosphate, collagen, epinephrine, arachidonic acid, and ristocetin. The expression levels of CD41 (αⅡb), CD61 (β3), and CD42b (GPⅠb) on the platelet surface was detected by flow cytometry. Gene sequencing technology was used for the genetic identification of the family. RT-PCR was used in the detection of mRNA splicing, and qRT-PCR was used in detecting the relative mRNA level of the ITGA2B gene. Bioinformatics analysis was used to evaluate the pathogenicity of mutation sites and their effects on protein structure and function. The expressions of total αⅡb and β3 in platelets were analyzed by Western blot.Results:Except ristocetin, the other four inducers could not induce platelet aggregation in the proband. Flow cytometry showed that the expression levels of αⅡb and β3 were only 0.25% and 9.76%, respectively, on the platelet surface of the proband, whereas GPⅠb expression was relatively normal. The expression levels of glycoproteins in the other family members were almost normal. c.480C>G and c.2929C>T mutations were detected in the proband through gene sequencing. The c.480C>G mutation was inherited from his mother, and the c.2929C>T mutation was inherited from his father. The RT-PCR and sequencing results showed that the c.480C>G mutation caused mRNA splicing in the proband and his mother, resulting in the deletion of 99 bases in c.476G-574A (p.S160-S192). qRT-PCR showed that the c.2929C>T variant reduced the mRNA level of the ITGA2B gene in the proband and his father. Bioinformatics analysis suggested that the c.480C>G mutation might form a binding sequence with hnRNP A1 protein and generate the 5′SS splice site. The three-dimensional structural model of the αⅡb subunit showed that the β-propeller domain of the p.S160-S192 deletion lost two β-strands and one α-helix in blade 2. The c.2929C>T nonsense mutation caused premature translation termination and produced a truncated protein with the deletion of p.R977-E1039, including the cytoplasmic domain, transmembrane domain, and a β chain of the extracellular Calf-2 domain. The total αⅡb expression of the proband was absent, and the relative expression of β3 was 11.36% of the normal level.Conclusion:The compound heterozygous mutation c.480C>G in exon 4 and c.2929C>T in exon 28 of the ITGA2B gene probably underlies Glanzmann thrombasthenia in this pedigree.

Objective:To investigate the predictive values of clinical test indexes and imaging indexes for early postoperative recurrence of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related small hepatocellular carcinoma.Methods:Clinical case data of 163 patients with HBV-related small hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing radical hepatectomy at the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery in the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University from January 2017 to August 2021 were retrospectively collected. The patients were categorized into 87 cases in an early recurrence group and 76 cases in a non-early recurrence group according to whether or not they had recurrence within 2 years after surgery. After excluding the covariance of various indicators, independent risk factors for postoperative tumor recurrence were established using univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis. A clinical prediction model was constructed and presented visually in a nomogram diagram, and the predictive ability of the nomogram diagram model was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curves as well as calibration curves. Cox regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between independent risk factors and time to recurrence.Results:Univariate analysis showed that in the early recurrence group, the number and proportion of patients with preoperative gamma-glutamyl transferase to lymphocyte count ratio (GLR) > 35.79 [41.38% (36/87)], tumor multiplicity [25.29% (22/87)], the presence of peritumoral edema [45.98% (40/87)], intratumoral small arterial clusters [50.58% (44/87)], and age ≥ 60 years [74.71% (65/87)] were significantly higher than those in the non-early recurrence group ( χ2 = 5.73, 3.78, 3.97, 3.73, 3.75, all P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that GLR > 35.79 and the presence of peritumoral edema were independent risk factors for early recurrence after radical hepatectomy of HBV-related small hepatocellular carcinomas [odds ratio ( OR) = 2.22, 1.99, 95% confidence interval ( CI): 1.10-4.59, 1.00-3.99, P < 0.05]. The nomogram diagram prediction model was established, with a C index of 0.70 (95% CI: 0.60-0.79) in the receiver operating characteristic curve and a Brier Score of 0.22 in the calibration curve, which demonstrated good model differentiation and accuracy. Cox regression analysis showed that a GLR > 35.79 and the presence of peritumoral edema were risk factors affecting the time to recurrence after resection of HBV-associated small hepatocellular carcinomas. Conclusion:GLR > 35.79 and the presence of peritumoral edema are independent risk factors for early recurrence after radical hepatectomy of HBV-related small hepatocellular carcinoma. The constructed clinical prediction model has good predictive efficacy.