ObjectiveTo investigate the potential mechanism of Shenqi Yiliu Formula （参芪抑瘤方） in treating precancerous lesions of gastric cancer （PLGC） by the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. MethodsThe CCK-8 assay was used to determine the optimal intervention time for Shenqi Yiliu Formula drug-containing serum and the concentration of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway inhibitor XAV939 depends on the survival rate of AGS gastric cancer cell line. AGS cells were divided into the gastric cancer cell group （15% blank serum）， inhibitor group （selected concentration of XAV939）， high-dose Shenqi Yiliu Formula group （12% Shenqi Yiliu Formula drug-containing serum + 3% blank serum）， medium-dose Shenqi Yiliu Formula group （6% Shenqi Yiliu Formula drug-containing serum + 9% blank serum）， and low-dose Shenqi Yiliu Formula group （3% Shenqi Yiliu Formula drug-containing serum + 12% blank serum）. Each group was tested in triplicate. After culturing for 24 and 48 hours， cell migration and invasion were assessed by scratch assays； after a selected intervention period （48 hours）， cell cycle distribution was analyzed using flow cytometry， Ki67 protein levels were detected by immunofluorescence， the protein levels of Wnt， β-catenin， GSK-3β， and intranuclear T-cell specific factor（TCF） were measured by the protein immunoblotting assay， and the mRNA expressions of these above factors were determined by quantitative real-time PCR. ResultsThe optimal intervention time for Shenqi Yiliu Formula drug-containing serum was determined to be 48 hours， and the effective concentration of XAV939 was 20 μmol/L. Compared with the gastric cancer cell group， Shenqi Yiliu Formula at all doses reduced the cell migration rate at 24 and 48 hours （P＜0.05）， except for the low-dose group at 24 hours. Compared to the low-dose group at corresponding time points， high- and medium-dose Shenqi Yiliu Formula groups showed significantly reduced migration rates， particularly the high-dose group at 48 hours （P＜0.05）. Compared with the gastric cancer cell group， the high-dose Shenqi Yiliu Formula and inhibitor groups exhibited reduced protein and mRNA levels of Wnt， β-catenin， and TCF， along with reduced Ki67 protein levels and a decreased proportion of cells in the S and G2 phases of the cell cycle， but GSK-3β protein levels， GSK-3β mRNA expression， and the proportion of cells in the G1 phase increased （P＜0.05）. Compared to the inhibitor group， the high-dose Shenqi Yiliu Formula group showed a decreased proportion of G1-phase cells and an increased proportion of G2-phase cells （P＜0.05）， although differences in Wnt and β-catenin protein levels and mRNA expressions were not statistically significant （P＞0.05）. ConclusionShenqi Yiliu Formula drug-containing serum inhibits the migration and invasion of gastric cancer AGS cells and block the cell cycle at G1 phase， and its underlying mechanism may be related to the regulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

This study investigated the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of Modified Yiyi Fuzi Baijiang Powder on ulcerative colitis(UC) in rats from the perspective of dampness. SD rats were randomly allocated into six groups(n=10): control, model, mesalazine, and Modified Yiyi Fuzi Baijiang Powder at low(3.96 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), medium(7.92 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), and high(15.84 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)) doses. UC was induced in all groups except the control by administration with 3% dextran sulfate sodium(DSS) solution for 7 days. The disease activity index(DAI) was recorded, and the colon tissue was collected for analysis. Histopathological changes were assessed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Serum levels of D-lactic acid(D-LA) and diamine oxidase(DAO) were measured by ELISA. Immunohistochemistry and PCR were employed to evaluate the expression of aquaporins(AQP3, AQP4) and tight junction proteins [zonula occludens-1(ZO-1) and occludin] at both protein and mRNA levels. Compared with the control group, the model group showed an increased DAI scores(P<0.05), intestinal mucosal damage, elevated serum levels of DAO and D-LA(P<0.05), and decreased expression of AQP3, AQP4, ZO-1, and occludin(P<0.05). Treatment with Modified Yiyi Fuzi Baijiang Powder reduced the DAI scores(P<0.05), lowered the serum levels of D-LA and DAO(P<0.05), and upregulated the expression of AQP3, AQP4, ZO-1, and occludin at both protein and mRNA levels compared with the model group. These findings suggest that Modified Yiyi Fuzi Baijiang Powder exerts therapeutic effects on UC by reducing the intestinal mucosal permeability, promoting colonic mucosal repair, and regulating abnormal intestinal water metabolism, which may involve the upregulation of AQP3 and AQP4 expression.
Animals ; Colitis, Ulcerative/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Intestinal Mucosa/metabolism* ; Male ; Aquaporin 3/metabolism* ; Aquaporin 4/metabolism* ; Permeability/drug effects* ; Humans ; Powders ; Intestinal Barrier Function

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of automatic pressure-controlled pressure cupping in patients with lumbar disc herniation, and compare it with traditional cupping. METHODS: A total of 100 patients diagnosed with lumbar disc herniation from January 2022 to August 2024 were selected and divided into two groups:the automatic pressure-controlled pressure cupping group (controlled pressure cupping group) and the traditional cupping group (control group), 50 cases in each group. In the controlled pressure cupping group, there were 18 males and 32 females, with an age of (51.98±12.69) years;in the control group, there were 16 males and 34 females, with an age of (51.32±12.05) years. The visual analogue scale(VAS), comfort score, and lumbar range of motion were observed before treatment and after the 1st, 3rd, and 7th treatments to evaluate the efficacy and safety. RESULTS: All patients completed the treatment intervention, with complete follow-up data collected. No adverse reactions or complications occurred during treatment and follow-up. After the 3rd treatment, the VAS score of the controlled pressure cupping group was (2.38±0.49), which was lower than that of the control group (2.94±0.68), with a statistically significant difference (P<0.001). In the controlled pressure cupping group, the VAS scores after the 1st, 3rd, and 7th treatments were significantly better than those before treatment (P=0.026);in the control group, the VAS scores after the 3rd and 7th treatments were better than those before treatment, but the difference was not statistically significant(P=0.182). Repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) on VAS scores at different time points in both groups showed that there were statistically significant differences in inter-group, time, and interaction effects (P<0.05). After the 1st treatment, in the controlled pressure cupping group, 0 patients felt comfortable, 42 patients (84%) felt mild discomfort, and 8 patients (16%) felt moderate discomfort;in the control group, 0 patients felt comfortable, 28 patients (56%) felt mild discomfort, and 22 patients(44%) felt moderate discomfort;the difference between the two groups was statistically significant(P=0.005). After the 3rd treatment, in the controlled pressure cupping group, 30 patients(60%) felt comfortable, 20 patients (40%) felt mild discomfort, and 0 patients felt moderate discomfort; in the control group, 9 patients (18%) felt comfortable, 41 patients (82%) felt mild discomfort, and 0 patients felt moderate discomfort;the difference between the two groups was statistically significant(P<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in comfort between the two groups after the 7th treatment(P>0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in lumbar range of motion between the two groups before and after treatment(P>0.05);compared with before treatment, the lumbar range of motion of both groups after treatment was significantly improved, with statistically significant differences (P<0.001). CONCLUSION Automatic pressure-controlled pressure cupping can effectively relieve symptoms in patients with lumbar disc herniation, with excellent safety.
Humans ; Female ; Male ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement/physiopathology* ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Lumbar Vertebrae/physiopathology* ; Cupping Therapy/methods* ; Pressure ; Aged ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying sepsis-induced injury in mouse intestinal organoids and investigate the possible mechanisms or potential drug targets of myeloid differentiation factor 88 inhibitor [TJ-M2010-5 (TJ5)] on this condition. METHODS: Small intestinal organoids from C57BL/6 mice aged 6-8 weeks were established and characterized using immunofluorescence for cell growth and proliferation marker nuclear antigen Ki-67, goblet cell marker mucin-2 (MUC-2), epithelial cell marker E-cadherin, and Paneth cell marker lysozyme (Lyz). Small intestinal organoids after 3 days of passaging were divided into different groups: a normal control group treated with culture medium containing 0.2% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) for 10 hours, a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) group treated with culture medium containing 200 mg/L LPS and 0.2% DMSO for 10 hours, and a TJ5 group pre-treated with 10 mmol/L TJ5 for 2 hours followed by treatment with culture medium containing 200 mg/L LPS for 10 hours. Real-time fluorescence quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to measure the expression levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) in the small intestinal organoids. RNA transcriptome sequencing was performed on the small intestinal organoids from each group to analyze differentially expressed genes between groups, and significant enrichment was analyzed using gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG). RESULTS: By the 7th day of primary culture, mature organoids had formed, and their growth rate increased after passaging. Immunofluorescence identification showed expressions of Ki-67, MUC-2, E-cadherin, and Lyz, indicating that the mouse small intestinal organoids maintained their cellular composition and functional characteristics under in vitro culture conditions. RT-qPCR results showed that compared with the normal control group, the mRNA expression of IL-6 in the small intestinal organoids of the LPS group was significantly increased (2^-ΔΔCT: 1.83±0.16 vs. 1.02±0.28, P < 0.05), while the mRNA expression of ZO-1 was significantly decreased (2^-ΔΔCT: 0.53±0.11 vs. 1.01±0.18, P < 0.05). In contrast, the mRNA expression trends of both IL-6 and ZO-1 were reversed in the TJ5 group, showing statistically significant differences as compared with the LPS group (2^-ΔΔCT: IL-6 mRNA was 1.24±0.01 vs. 1.83±0.16, ZO-1 mRNA was 1.97±0.29 vs. 0.53±0.11, both P < 0.05). RNA transcriptome sequencing showed 49 differentially expressed genes in the LPS group compared to the normal control group, with 42 upregulated and 7 downregulated. Compared to the LPS group, the TJ5 group showed 84 differentially expressed genes, with 47 upregulated and 37 downregulated. GO enrichment analysis of these differentially expressed genes showed that the significantly enriched biological processes of the differentially expressed genes between the normal control group and the LPS group included responses to LPS, responses to molecule of bacterial origin and responses to bacterium. The significantly enriched biological processes of the differentially expressed genes between the LPS group and the TJ5 group included glutathione metabolic processes, responses to stress cellular and responses to chemical stimulus. In molecular function groups, glutathione binding and oligopeptide binding were significantly enriched by the differentially expressed genes. In cellular component classifications, the enrichment of the differentially expressed genes was mainly observed in the cytoplasm, endoplasmic reticulum, and microsomes. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis indicated that the differentially expressed genes between the normal control group and LPS group were enriched in IL-17 signaling pathways, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signaling pathways, viral protein interactions with cytokines and cytokine receptors signaling pathways, and cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction signaling pathways. In contrast, the differentially expressed genes between the LPS and TJ5 groups were mainly enriched in atherosclerosis signaling pathways, ferroptosis signaling pathways, glutathione metabolism signaling pathways, and cytochrome P450-mediated drug metabolism signaling pathways. CONCLUSIONS Mouse small intestinal organoids were successfully extracted and cultured. TJ5 may exert its protective effects by regulating gene expression and related signaling pathways (fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis, ferroptosis, glutathione metabolism, cytochrome P450 drug metabolism, etc.) in sepsis-injured mouse small intestinal organoids. These genes and signaling pathways may be key targets for treating sepsis-induced intestinal injury.
Animals ; Mice ; Sepsis/genetics* ; Organoids/drug effects* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Intestine, Small/metabolism* ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Transcriptome ; Lipopolysaccharides

Objective:To investigate the arsenic metabolism pattern and possible influencing factors in the population in drinking-water-borne endemic arsenic poisoning (drinking-water-borne arsenic poisoning for short) areas.Methods:In December 2004, a cluster sampling method was used to select arsenic poisoning population (arsenic poisoning group) and healthy population (control group) in drinking-water-borne arsenic poisoning area of Bayannur City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region as the survey subjects. A questionnaire survey was conducted. Arsenic content in drinking water at home of survey subjects, the levels of urinary arsenic and its metabolites, including [trivalent arsenic (As Ⅲ), inorganic arsenic (iAs), monomethylarsenic acid (pentavalent, MMA V), dimethylarsenic acid (pentavalent, DMA V), total arsenic (tAs), percentage of inorganic arsenic (iAs%), percentage of monomethylarsenic acid (MMA%), percentage of dimethylarsenic acid (DMA%), primary methylation index (PMI), secondary methylation index (SMI)] were tested using high performance liquid chromatography-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry; nail arsenic and nail selenium levels were tested using atomic fluorescence spectrometer. The influencing factors of arsenic metabolism pattern were analyzed by multiple linear regression. Results:A total of 536 survey subjects were included, including 155 individuals in the arsenic poisoning group and 381 in the control group. The water arsenic level ranged from 0.0 to 825.7 μg/L. Compared with the control group, there was no significant difference in the distribution of gender, education level and dental fluorosis in the arsenic poisoning group ( P > 0.05), but there were significant differences in the distribution of age, marital status, smoking, drinking and water arsenic ( P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the levels of urinary As Ⅲ, iAs, MMA V, DMA V, tAs, MMA%, MMA/DMA and nail arsenic in the arsenic poisoning group were higher ( P < 0.05), while the levels of urinary DMA%, SMI and nail selenium were lower ( P < 0.05); but there was no statistically significant difference in the levels of urinary iAs% and PMI ( P > 0.05). Gender, education level, depth of wells, water arsenic, total number of wells and nail arsenic were the influencing factors of urinary As Ⅲ (β = - 19.82, - 23.83, 0.61, 0.21, 7.26, 2.98, P < 0.05). Age, depth of wells, water arsenic and nail arsenic were the influencing factors of urinary tAs (β = 3.18, 3.25, 1.31, 15.59, P < 0.05). Gender, education level, depth of wells, water arsenic, total number of wells and nail arsenic were the influencing factors of urinary iAs (β = - 20.47, - 25.90, 0.64, 0.25, 7.87, 3.11, P < 0.05). Age, gender, education level, water arsenic and nail arsenic were the influencing factors of urinary MMA V (β = 0.52, - 17.07, - 21.84, 0.22, 2.77, P < 0.05). Age, depth of wells, water arsenic and nail arsenic were the influencing factors of urinary DMA V (β = 2.35, 2.47, 0.85, 9.22, P < 0.05). Conclusions:Compared with healthy individuals, there are differences in arsenic metabolism pattern among individuals with drinking-water-borne arsenic poisoning. Age, gender, education level, depth of wells, water arsenic, total number of wells and nail arsenic may be influencing factors of different arsenic metabolism patterns.

Objective To investigate the rate of germline variants in patients with pancreatic cancer and clinical characteristics related with germline variants.Methods A total of 271 patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer were enrolled in this study.Germline variants of 21 tumor susceptibility genes were detected by next-generation sequencing,and the relationship between germline variants and clinical factors such as age of onset,family history and personal history was analyzed.Results The rate of germline P/LP variants was 6.3%in unselected pancreatic cancer patients,but was high as 17.1%in genetic high-risk group patients(those with a family or personal history of cancer,or early-onset).Genes with higher frequency of germline variants in pancreatic cancer patients were PALB2,BRCA2,and ATM.Conclusion The rate of germline variants in overall pancreatic cancer patients is not high,but it increases significantly in genetic high-risk group,proving the importance of clinical factors in the screening of hereditary pancreatic cancer.

Objective To evaluate the value of high-throughput sequencing(HTS)data reanalysis that does not include ERBB2 copy number variation(CNV)analysis,in identifying ERBB2 amplification in patients with colorectal cancer.Methods The HTS data of 252 cases of colorectal cancer diagnosed by pathological biopsy who received peripheral blood cfDNA HTS detection samples were retrospectively analyzed.According to the HTS data of ERBB2 non-amplified samples judged by immunohistochemistry(IHC)and/or fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH),the number of chromosome 17(Chr17)reads in the total number of reads was calculated the range of the ratio was initially determined as the threshold for prompting ERBB2 amplification.Suspected positive samples were screened according to thresholds and verified by digital PCR,IHC and FISH.Results The proportion of the number of Chr17 reads accounts for the number of total reads in the 89 cases of ERBB2 non-amplified samples determined by IHC and/or FISH ranged from 0.188 to 0.299(0.239±0.192).Using 0.298(1.25 times the mean)as the threshold indicating ERBB2 amplification,the data of 163 samples were analyzed,of which 7 cases were suspected to be positive,and the ratio ranged from 0.302 to 0.853.Among them,5 cases were determined to be positive by IHC and/or FISH,and 6 cases were confirmed to be positive by digital PCR.The ratio of the number of Chr17 reads to the number of total reads was positively correlated with the ratio of ERBB2/EIF2C1,and the correlation was good(r2=0.909).Conclusion The high-throughput sequencing data that does not cover the ERBB2 CNV analysis has a certain hint value for ERBB2 amplification in patients with colorectal cancer.

Objective:To establish a 14-day prognosis model for emergency patients with acute ischemic cerebral stroke and evaluate its predictive efficacy.Methods:A prospective cohort study was conducted. Patients with acute ischemic stroke admitted to the emergency department of Beijing Bo’ai Hospital within 72 hours of onset from October 2018 to December 2020 were enrolled. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to screen the risk factors of poor prognosis. The ROC curve was drawn to determine the cut-off value of continuous variables and discretise data with reference to clinical practice. The corresponding scores were set up according to the β regression coefficient of each variable, and the clinical scale prediction model of short-term prognosis of acute cerebral infarction was established. Patients with ischemic stroke in the hospital from January to December 2021 were selected as the internal validation, to verify the constructed predictive model.Results:A total of 321 patients were included in the study, including 223 in the training set and 98 in the internal validation set. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age, hypersensitive C-reactive protein, prealbumin (PA), infarct volume, Frailty Screening Questionnaire (FSQ) and National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) were independent risk factors for poor short-term prognosis of acute cerebral infarction. The total score of the clinical prediction scoring system for short-term prognosis of acute cerebral infarction in the emergency department was 15 points, including age ≥74 years (1 point), PA ≤373 mg/L (2 points), large artery atherosclerosis (1 point), cardiogenic embolism (2 points), infarct volume ≥ 2.18 cm 3 (2 points), FSQ ≥3 points (1 point), NIHSS ≥4 points (6 points); The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of the scoring system for predicting short-term poor prognosis of acute cerebral infarction was 0.927 (95% CI: 0.894-0.960). The optimal cut-off value was ≥5 points, and the sensitivity and specificity were 0.770 and 0.976, respectively. In the internal validation set, the scoring system had similar predictive value for poor outcomes (AUC=0.892, 95% CI:0.827-0.957). Conclusion:The scoring system for short-term prognosis prediction of acute ischemic cerebral infarction has good diagnostic efficacy, and could guide clinicians to judge the prognosis of emergency patients in the early stage.

Objective Tissue uptake and distribution of nano-/microplastics was studied at a single high dose by gavage in vivo.Methods Fluorescent microspheres (100 nm, 3 μm, and 10 μm) were given once at a dose of 200 mg/(kg·body weight). The fluorescence intensity (FI) in observed organs was measured using the IVIS Spectrum at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 h after administration. Histopathology was performed to corroborate these findings.Results In the 100 nm group, the FI of the stomach and small intestine were highest at 0.5 h, and the FI of the large intestine, excrement, lung, kidney, liver, and skeletal muscles were highest at 4 h compared with the control group (P < 0.05). In the 3 μm group, the FI only increased in the lung at 2 h (P < 0.05). In the 10 μm group, the FI increased in the large intestine and excrement at 2 h, and in the kidney at 4 h (P < 0.05). The presence of nano-/microplastics in tissues was further verified by histopathology. The peak time of nanoplastic absorption in blood was confirmed.Conclusion Nanoplastics translocated rapidly to observed organs/tissues through blood circulation;however, only small amounts of MPs could penetrate the organs.