ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of ferroptosis mediated by long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase 4 （ACSL4） signalling pathway in rats with coronary heart disease with blood stasis syndrome and the intervention effect of Xuefu Zhuyutang. MethodsSPF male SD rats were randomly divided into normal group， sham-operation group， model group， trimetazidine group （5.4 mg·kg^-1）， low-， medium-， and high-dose group （3.51， 7.02，14.04 g·kg^-1） of Xuefu Zhuyutang. The coronary artery left anterior descending ligation method was used to prepare a model of coronary heart disease with blood stasis syndrome， and continuous treatment for 7 d was conducted， while the sham-operation group was only threaded and not ligated. The general macroscopic symptoms of the rats were observed， and indicators such as electrocardiogram， echocardiography， and blood rheology were detected. The pathological morphology of myocardial tissue was observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining， and the changes in mitochondria in myocardial tissue were observed by transmission electron microscopy. The level of iron deposition in myocardial tissue was observed by Prussian blue staining. The levels of 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid （12-HETE） and 15-HETE were detected in serum by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A biochemical colourimetric assay was used to detect the levels of Fe²⁺， lipid peroxidation （LPO）， glutathione （GSH）， and T-GSH/glutathione disulfide （GSSG） in myocardial tissue. DCFH-DA fluorescence quantitative assay was employed to detect the levels of reactive oxygen species （ROS）. Western blot and Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was adopted to detect the protein and mRNA expressions of glutathione peroxidase 4 （GPX4）， ferritin heavy chain 1 （FTH1）， ACSL4， and ly-sophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase3 （LPCAT3） in myocardial tissue. ResultsCompared with those in the normal group， the rats in the model group were poor in general macroscopic symptoms. The electrocardiogram showed widened QRS wave amplitude and increased voltage， bow-back elevation of the ST segments， elevated T waves， J-point elevation， and accelerated heart rate. Echocardiography showed a significant reduction in left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF） and left ventricular fraction shortening （LVFS） （P<0.01）. Blood rheology showed that the viscosity of the whole blood （low， medium， and high rate of shear） was significantly increased （P<0.01）. HE staining showed an abnormal structure of myocardial tissue. There was a large area of myocardial necrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration and a large number of connective tissue between myocardial fibers. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the mitochondria were severely atrophy or swelling. The cristae were reduced or even broken， and the matrix was flocculent or even vacuolated. Prussian blue staining showed that there were a large number of iron-containing particles， and the iron deposition was obvious. The content of 12-HETE and 15-HETE in the serum was significantly increased （P<0.01）. The content of Fe²⁺， LPO， and ROS in myocardial tissue was significantly increased （P<0.01）. The content of GSH was significantly decreased （P<0.01）， and T-GSH/GSSG was decreased （P<0.01）. The protein and mRNA expressions of GPX4 and FTH1 in myocardial tissue were both significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while those of ACSL4 and LPCAT3 increased significantly （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the general macroscopic symptoms and electrocardiogram results of rats in low-， medium- and high-dose groups of Xuefu Zhuyutang were alleviated， and the differences in LVEF/LVFS ratios were all significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The differences in whole-blood viscosity （low， medium， and high rate of shear） were all significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The results of HE staining and transmission electron microscopy showed that the morphology， structure， and mitochondria of cardiomyocytes were improved. The content of 12-HETE and 15-HETE in serum was reduced to different degrees in low-， medium-， and high-dose groups of Xuefu Zhuyutang （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The content of Fe²⁺， LPO， and ROS was significantly reduced in the medium- and high-dose groups of Xuefu Zhuyutang （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the content of GSH and T-GSH/GSSG was significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The protein and mRNA expressions of GPX4 and FTH1 were significantly increased to varying degrees in the medium- and high-dose groups of Xuefu Zhuyutang （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and ACSL4 and LPCAT3 were decreased to different degrees in the low-， medium-， and high-dose groups of Xuefu Zhuyutang （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionXuefu Zhuyutang can regulate iron metabolism and anti-lipid oxidation reaction to mediate ferroptosis through the ACSL4 signalling pathway， thus exerting a protective effect on rats with coronary heart disease with blood stasis syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Peripheral helper T (T PH ) cells are uniquely positioned within pathologically inflamed non-lymphoid tissues to stimulate B-cell responses and antibody production. However, the phenotype, function, and clinical relevance of T PH cells in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are currently unknown. METHODS: Blood, tumor, and peritumoral liver tissue samples from 39 HCC patients (Sep 2016-Aug 2017) and 101 HCC patients (Sep 2011-Dec 2012) at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University were used. Flow cytometry was used to quantify the expression, phenotype, and function of T PH cells. Log-rank tests were performed to evaluate disease-free survival and overall survival in samples from 39 patients and 101 patients with HCC. T PH cells, CD19 + B cells, and T follicular helper (T FH ) cells were cultured separately in vitro or isolated from C57/B6L mice in vivo for functional assays. RESULTS: T PH cells highly infiltrated tumor tissues, which was correlated with tumor size, early recurrence, and shorter survival time. The tumor-infiltrated T PH cells showed a unique ICOS hi CXCL13 + IL-21 - MAF + BCL-6 - phenotype and triggered naïve B-cell differentiation into regulatory B cells. Triggering programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) induced the production of C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 13 (CXCL13) by T PH cells, which then suppressed tumor-specific immunity and promoted disease progression. CONCLUSION Our study reveals a novel regulatory mechanism of T PH cell-regulatory B-cell-mediated immunosuppression and provides an important perspective for determining the balance between the differentiation of protumorigenic T PH cells and that of antitumorigenic T FH cells in the HCC microenvironment.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/metabolism* ; Liver Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Humans ; T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer/metabolism* ; Animals ; Mice ; Male ; Female ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Middle Aged ; B-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/metabolism* ; Flow Cytometry ; Interleukin-21 ; Aged ; Chemokine CXCL13/metabolism*

Gastric cancer (GC) is characterized by high morbidity and mortality rates. Chinese agarwood comprises the resin-containing wood of Aquilaria sinensis (Lour.) Gilg., traditionally utilized for treating asthma, cardiac ischemia, and tumors. However, comprehensive research regarding its anti-GC effects and underlying mechanisms remains limited. In this study, Chinese agarwood petroleum ether extract (CAPEE) demonstrated potent cytotoxicity against human GC cells, with half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) values for AGS, HGC27, and MGC803 cells of 2.89, 2.46, and 2.37 μg·mL^-1, respectively, at 48 h. CAPEE significantly induced apoptosis in these GC cells, with B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) associated X protein (BAX)/BCL-2 antagonist killer 1 (BAK) likely mediating CAPEE-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, CAPEE induced G₀/G₁ phase cell cycle arrest in human GC cells via activation of the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage-p21-cyclin D1/cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) signaling axis, and increased Fe²⁺, lipid peroxides and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, thereby inducing ferroptosis. Ribonucleic acid (RNA) sequencing, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and Western blotting analyses revealed CAPEE-mediated upregulation of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in human GC cells. RNA interference studies demonstrated that HO-1 knockdown reduced CAPEE sensitivity and inhibited CAPEE-induced ferroptosis in human GC cells. Additionally, CAPEE administration exhibited robust in vivo anti-GC activity without significant toxicity in nude mice while inhibiting tumor cell growth and promoting apoptosis in tumor tissues. These findings indicate that CAPEE suppresses human GC cell growth through upregulation of the DNA damage-p21-cyclin D1/CDK4 signaling axis and HO-1-mediated ferroptosis, suggesting its potential as a candidate drug for GC treatment.
Animals ; Humans ; Mice ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cyclin D1/genetics* ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4/genetics* ; DNA Damage/drug effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Ferroptosis/drug effects* ; G1 Phase Cell Cycle Checkpoints/drug effects* ; Heme Oxygenase-1/genetics* ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Plant Extracts/pharmacology* ; Stomach Neoplasms/physiopathology* ; Thymelaeaceae/chemistry* ; Up-Regulation/drug effects*

Objective To investigate the effect of LAG-3 deficiency (LAG3^-/-) on natural killer (NK) cell function and hepatic fibrosis in mice infected with Echinococcus multilocularis. Methods C57BL/6 mice, each weighing (20 ± 2) g, were divided into the LAG3^-/- and wild type (WT) groups, and each mouse in both groups was inoculated with 3 000 E. multilocularis protoscoleces via the hepatic portal vein. Mouse liver and spleen specimens were collected 12 weeks post-infection, sectioned and stained with sirius red, and the hepatic lesions and fibrosis were observed. Mouse hepatic and splenic lymphocytes were isolated, and flow cytometry was performed to detect the proportions of hepatic and splenic NK cells, the expression of CD44, CD25 and CD69 molecules on NK cell surface, and the secretion of interferon γ (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10 and IL-17A. Results Sirius red staining showed widening of inflammatory cell bands and hyperplasia of fibrotic connective tissues around mouse hepatic lesions, as well as increased deposition of collagen fibers in the LAG3-/-group relative to the WT group. Flow cytometry revealed lower proportions of mouse hepatic (6.29% ± 1.06% vs. 11.91% ± 1.85%, P < 0.000 1) and splenic NK cells (4.44% ± 1.22% vs. 5.85% ± 1.10%, P > 0.05) in the LAG3^-/- group than in the WT group, and the mean fluorescence intensity of CD44 was higher on the surface of mouse hepatic NK cells in the LAG3^-/- group than in the WT group (t = −3.234, P < 0.01), while no significant differences were found in the mean fluorescence intensity of CD25 or CD69 on the surface of mouse hepaticNK cells between the LAG3^-/- and WT groups (both P values > 0.05). There were significant differences between the LAG3^-/- and WT groups in terms of the percentages of IFN-γ (t = −0.723, P > 0.05), TNF-α (t = −0.659, P > 0.05), IL-4 (t = −0.263, P > 0.05), IL-10 (t = −0.455, P > 0.05) or IL-17A secreted by mouse hepatic NK cells (t = 0.091, P > 0.05), and the percentage of IFN-γ secreted by mouse splenic NK cells was higher in the LAG3^-/- group than in the WT group (58.40% ± 1.64% vs. 50.40% ± 4.13%; t = −4.042, P < 0.01); however, there were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of the proportions of TNF-α (t = −1.902, P > 0.05), IL-4 (t = −1.333, P > 0.05), IL-10 (t = −1.356, P > 0.05) or IL-17A secreted by mouse splenic NK cells (t = 0.529, P > 0.05). Conclusions During the course of E. multilocularis infections, LAG3^-/- promotes high-level secretion of IFN-γ by splenic NK cells, which may participate in the reversal the immune function of NK cells, resulting in aggravation of hepatic fibrosis.

BACKGROUND:It has been found that vascular endothelial growth factor 165 and bone morphogenetic proteins interact with each other during hypoxia-reoxygenation and are involved in the repair process of osteoblast injury by regulating the activation of intracellular signaling pathways. OBJECTIVE:To further investigate the relationship between vascular endothelial growth factor 165/bone morphogenetic protein and hypoxic-reoxygenated osteoblast injury. METHODS:Osteoblasts were selected and the hypoxic-reoxygenated injury model was established.Vascular endothelial growth factor 165 and bone morphogenetic protein expressions at mRNA and protein levels were detected by real-time PCR and western blot before and after modeling.After modeling,osteoblasts were given different concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor 165 and bone morphogenetic protein 2(10,20,40 ng/mL).Cell proliferation was detected by cell counting kit-8 method and apoptosis was detected by DAPI at 12,24,36,48,and 72 hours after treatment. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with before modeling,the mRNA and protein expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor 165 and bone morphogenetic protein 2 in osteoblasts after modeling were significantly decreased(P＜0.05).The proliferation rate of osteoblasts was significantly increased with the increase of vascular endothelial growth factor 165 concentration(P＜0.05),while the apoptosis rate of osteoblasts decreased significantly with the increase of vascular endothelial growth factor 165 concentration(P＜0.05).The proliferation rate of osteoblast was significantly increased with the increase of bone morphogenetic protein 2 concentration(P＜0.05),while the apoptosis rate of osteoblast decreased significantly with the increase of bone morphogenetic protein 2 concentration(P＜0.05).To conclude,vascular endothelial growth factor 165 and bone morphogenetic protein are lowly expressed in hypoxic-reoxygenated osteoblast injury,and treatment with vascular endothelial growth factor 165 and bone morphogenetic protein can reduce the injury of hypoxic-reoxygenated osteoblast in a concentration-dependent manner,suggesting that vascular endothelial growth factor 165 and bone morphogenetic protein have a significant protective effect against the injury of hypoxic-reoxygenated osteoblasts.

OBJECTIVE To explore the effects of 5，10-methylenetetetrahydrofolate reductase （MTHFR） gene polymorphism on the adverse reactions in patients with osteosarcoma after the first high-dose methotrexate （HD-MTX） treatment. METHODS A prospective study was conducted to include 53 patients with osteosarcoma treated with HD-MTX at the first admission in General Hospital of Eastern Theater Command. The dose of MTX was evaluated according to the polymorphism of rs1801133 in the METHFR gene and demographic factors， then whole pharmaceutical monitoring was conducted. The data on liver toxicity， renal toxicity， hematological toxicity， and gastrointestinal reaction were collected after the first chemotherapy cycle. Single factor analysis and binary Logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the correlation between MTX dose， 24 h blood drug concentration， and rs1801133 locus genotype with four adverse reactions. RESULTS The MTX dosage in patients with CC wild type was significantly higher than that in TT mutant type （7.97 g/m2 vs. 6.98 g/m2， P＝0.030）， but this difference did not affect the 0 h and 24 h blood drug concentrations of MTX. The above four adverse reactions were not related to the dose of MTX. The results of binary Logistic regression analysis showed that carrying one T allele increased the risk of developing hematological toxicity by 4.13 times（95% confidence interval：1.35-12.62，P＝0.013）. When 24 h plasma concentration threshold of MTX was set to 2.65 µmol/L， the sensitivity and specificity of predicting liver function damage were 53.33% and 86.96%， respectively； when the threshold was set to 7.28 μmol/L， the sensitivity and specificity of predicting renal damage were 100% and 81.63%. CONCLUSIONS The polymorphism of the rs1801133 in the MTHFR gene is associated with hematological toxicity of MTX. Patients who take HD-MTX for the first time and carry the T allele have a high risk of hematological toxicity. The 24 h plasma concentration of MTX is related to liver toxicity and renal toxicity. In addition， monitoring the 24 h blood drug concentration can predict liver and renal toxicity， and take early intervention.

In recent years, the number of lung surgeries has increased year by year, and the number of patients with postoperative cough has also increased gradually. Chronic cough after lung surgery seriously affects patients' quality of life and surgical outcome, and has become one of the clinical problems that clinicians need to solve. However, there is currently no guideline or consensus for the treatment of chronic cough after lung surgery in China, and there is no standardized treatment method. Therefore, we searched databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, and Wanfang databases ect. from 2000 to 2023 to collected relevant literatures and research data, and produced the first expert consensus on chronic cough after lung surgery in China by Delphi method. We gave 11 recommendations from five perspectives including timing of chronic cough treatment, risk factors (surgical method, lymph node dissection method, anesthesia method), prevention methods (preoperative, intraoperative, postoperative), and treatment methods (etiological treatment, cough suppressive drug treatment, traditional Chinese medicine treatment, and postoperative physical therapy). We hope that this consensus can improve the standardization and effectiveness of chronic cough treatment after lung surgery, provide reference for clinical doctors, and ultimately improve the quality of life of patients with chronic cough after lung surgery.

Objective To analyze the medication law and academic thoughts of national TCM master Qian Ying in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B through data mining.Methods Totally 168 cases of chronic hepatitis B treated by Professor Qian Ying from Mar.2000 to Dec.2020 were retrospectively collected,and the properties,tastes and tropism meridians,core prescriptions and drug groups of the prescription drugs were analyzed by using the famous doctor inheritance platform.Results Totolly 168 medical cases involved 168 patients and 227 kinds of Chinese materia medica,with a total frequency of 2 158 times.The characteristics of properties,tastes and tropism meridians showed that the main property was cold,and the main taste was bitter,and the main meridian was liver meridian.34 kinds of high-frequency Chinese materia medica(mainly were tonics,heat-clearing medicines,and medicines for activating blood circulation and reducing stasis),28 kinds of core Chinese materia medica,10 pairs of highly co-occurring drugs,and 10 potential drug groups were mined.Conclusion Professor Qian Ying believes that the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis B is deficiency in nature and excess in superficiality,and the treatment focuses on tonifying deficiency.It is often treated from the liver and emphasizes the harmonization of liver,spleen and kidney.Tonifying deficiency,clearing heat,promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis are the main treatment methods,followed by dispelling dampness,promoting qi,eliminating phlegm,opening stagnation and relieving the exterior,etc.He pays attention to the harmonization of body and use,is good at using multiple methods.

Objective: To analyze the impact of parental sports concept and behavior on physical activity in preschool children, so as to provide a foundation for future guidance on fostering childrens physical activity within the family context. Methods: From November to December 2020, a clustered convenience sampling method was employed to conduct surveys, and a total of 283 children were selectal from one kindergarten each in Beijing, Shenyang, and Xian. Participating children wore ActiGraph GT9X accelerometers continuously for one week to collect data on different intensity levels of physical activity. Physical Activity afterschool Questionnaire for Preschooler (P-PAQ) was utilized to assess parental sports concept and behavior. The gender differences in physical activity level and physical activity compliance rate were analyzed by using ttest, Mann-Whitney U test, and Chisquare test; and the relationship between parental exercise concepts and behaviors and physical activity of preschool children was analyzed using Spearman rank correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis. Results: Parental sports concept was significantly positively correlated with average daily moderatetovigorous physical activity (MVPA) and total physical activity (TPA) in children (r=0.12-0.16, P<0.05). Parental sports behavior was significantly positively correlated with childrens average daily TPA (r=0.25, P<0.05). Multiple linear regression revealed that parental sports concept was positively correlated with average daily MVPA and TPA in both boys and girls (B=0.65-0.83), while parental sports behavior only was positively correlated with boys average daily MVPA and TPA (B=0.24-0.25)(P<0.05). Conclusions Parental sports concept and behavior can impact physical activity levels in preschool children, exhibiting gender differences. Future guidance on physical activity in family upbringing should consider both parental sports concept and behavior, and pay attention to the influence of childrens gender.

Objective To investigate the role of lipopolysaccharide(LPS)in regulating the inflammatory response of neutrophil through the leucine-rich α-2 glycoprotein 1(LRG1)/Rho-associated protein kinase(ROCK1)signaling.Methods HL-60 cells were treated with 1 μmol/L all-trans retinoic acid(ATRA)and 12.5 μL/mL dimethyl sulfoxide(DMSO)for 72 h and 96 h,and the morphological changes were observed by Wright-Giemsa staining.The expression of CD11b was detected by flow cytometry.LPS induced the activation of dHL-60 and human peripheral blood neutrophils.The transcription and secretion levels of LRG1,ROCK1 and inflammatory cytokines were detected by qPCR and ELISA,respectively.The expression levels of LRG1 and ROCK1 after the activation of dHL-60 were detected by Western blotting.Furthermore,dHL-60 was treated with the recombinant protein LRG1 and ROCK1 inhibitor Y-27632;the transcription levels of inflammatory cytokines were detected by qPCR.Results Neutrophils were activated by LPS.The expression levels of LRG1 and ROCK1 were significantly increased,and the transcription levels of inflammatory cytokines were significantly increased.The recombinant protein LRG1 activated dHL-60 in vitro,and the transcription levels of ROCK1 and inflammatory cytokines were significantly increased.Using the ROCK1 inhibitor Y-27632,the production levels of inflammatory cytokines were significantly reduced.Conclusion LPS can regulate the production levels of neutrophil inflammatory cytokines through activating the LRG1/ROCK1 signaling,thus exacerbating the inflammatory response.