Lipocalin-2 (LCN2), a member of the human lipocalin family, has been demonstrated to be closely associated with diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and renal disorders. Recent studies have indicated that LCN2 plays a significant regulatory role in the pathogenesis and progression of various neurological diseases by mediating pathways such as inflammation, oxidative stress, and ferroptosis. This article reviews the research advancements on the mechanism of LCN2 in neurological disorders, including cerebrovascular diseases, cognitive impairment disorders, Parkinson's disease, depression, and anxiety disorders, aiming to enhance clinical understanding.

OBJECTIVES: In the early stage of central cervical disc herniation, clinical symptoms may be mild. However, as the spinal cord becomes compressed by herniated nucleus pulposus tissue, progressive edema and degeneration may occur, resulting in more severe clinical manifestations, including limb weakness, bladder and bowel dysfunction, spastic paraplegia of the lower extremities, and even respiratory difficulty. The spinal endoscopic Key-hole technique is widely applied in treating radiculopathic cervical spondylosis and has demonstrated good clinical outcomes. This study aims to analyze and summarize the technical points and therapeutic efficacy of the far lateral Key-hole technique in the treatment of central cervical disc herniation, providing reference for clinical application. METHODS: Eight patients with central cervical disc herniation treated with the far lateral Key-hole technique were included as the experimental group. Another 8 patients who underwent single-level anterior cervical diskectomy and fusion (ACDF) during the same period were selected as the control group. Data collected included gender, age, intraoperative blood loss, incision length, and length of hospitalization. Pain severity was evaluated using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS); cervical function was assessed using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score; and cervical disability was measured by the neck disability index (NDI). Radiological outcomes were assessed using disc height index (DHI), cervical Cobb angle, and operative segment Cobb angle. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the experimental group had significantly less intraoperative blood loss, shorter incision length, and shorter hospital stay (all P<0.05), while there was no significant difference in operation time (P>0.05). Postoperative VAS and NDI scores in both groups were significantly lower than preoperative values, and JOA scores significantly improved (P<0.05). No significant differences were noted between the two groups preoperatively (P>0.05). Postoperatively, the experimental group showed significantly lower VAS and NDI scores and higher JOA scores than the control group (P<0.05). There was no statistical significance in DHI before and after surgery in the experimental group (P>0.05), while the DHI increased significantly postoperatively in the control group (P<0.05). Postoperative DHI in the experimental group was significantly lower than in the control group (P<0.05). No significant differences were observed in the cervical Cobb angle either within or between groups (all P>0.05). The operative segment Cobb angle increased significantly after surgery in the control group (P<0.05), while no other operative segment angle changes were statistically significant (all P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS The far lateral Key-hole technique offers advantages in treating central cervical disc herniation, including reduced intraoperative bleeding, smaller incision length, shorter hospitalization, and improved postoperative pain relief. Additionally, the technique does not affect cervical physiological curvature or stability in the short term, making it suitable for clinical application.
Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement/surgery* ; Cervical Vertebrae/surgery* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Diskectomy/methods* ; Treatment Outcome ; Spinal Fusion/methods* ; Endoscopy/methods*

N⁶-methyladenosine (m⁶A) modification plays a critical role in cell cycle regulation, while the mechanism of m⁶A in regulating mitosis remains underexplored. Here, we found that the total m⁶A modification level in cells increased during mitosis by the liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry and m⁶A dot blot assays. Silencing methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) or METTL14 results in delayed mitosis, abnormal spindle assembly, and chromosome segregation defects by the immunofluorescence. By analyzing transcriptome-wide m⁶A targets in HeLa cells, we identified polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) as a key gene modified by m⁶A in regulating mitosis. Specifically, through immunoblotting and RNA pulldown, m⁶A modification inhibits PLK1 translation via YTH N⁶-methyladenosine RNA binding protein 1, thus mediating cell cycle homeostasis. Demethylation of PLK1 mRNA leads to significant mitotic abnormalities. These findings highlight the critical role of m⁶A in regulating mitosis and the potential of m⁶A as a therapeutic target in proliferative diseases such as cancer.
Humans ; Polo-Like Kinase 1 ; Cell Cycle Proteins/metabolism* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins/metabolism* ; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism* ; Mitosis/physiology* ; HeLa Cells ; Adenosine/genetics* ; Methyltransferases/metabolism* ; RNA, Messenger/metabolism* ; RNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism*

Objective To evaluate both the causal relationship between plasma metabolites and the risk of knee osteoarthritis(KOA)and the potential mediating or masking effect of immune cells using Mendelian randomization(MR)systems.Methods The GWAS data on 1400 plasma metabolites,731 immune cell traits and KOA was retrieved from the genome-wide association study(GWAS)database.Two-way MR analysis was used to evaluate the causal relationship between plasma metabolism and KOA.Two-step mediation MR analysis was conducted to evaluate immune cell traits that might have mediating or masking effects.Results After sensitivity analysis and screening,65 plasma metabolites and 35 immune cell traits were found to have causal relationships with KOA(P＜0.05).Mediation analysis found that CD45RA+CD28-CD8br％CD8br had a mediating effect in the causal relationship between three metabolites(2-hydroxyhi-ppurate,X-07765,X-23739)and the risk of KOA.2-hydroxyhippurate(salicylic acid)exerted a masking effect,and the effect ratio was 0.0412.Conclusion A variety of plasma metabolites and immune cell traits are causally related to KOA,which should not be regarded as a simple degenerative joint disease.The protective effect of salicylic acid against KOA may be weakened by its role in inducing the differentiation of Treg cells,which is worthy of more studies.

Background::Although overnight fasting is recommended prior to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), the benefits and safety of high-carbohydrate fluid diet (CFD) intake 2 h before ERCP remain unclear. This study aimed to analyze whether high-CFD intake 2 h before ERCP can be safe and accelerate patients’ recovery.Methods::This prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial involved 15 tertiary ERCP centers. A total of 1330 patients were randomized into CFD group ( n = 665) and fasting group ( n = 665). The CFD group received 400 mL of maltodextrin orally 2 h before ERCP, while the control group abstained from food/water overnight (>6 h) before ERCP. All ERCP procedures were performed using deep sedation with intravenous propofol. The investigators were blinded but not the patients. The primary outcomes included postoperative fatigue and abdominal pain score, and the secondary outcomes included complications and changes in metabolic indicators. The outcomes were analyzed according to a modified intention-to-treat principle. Results::The post-ERCP fatigue scores were significantly lower at 4 h (4.1 ± 2.6 vs. 4.8 ± 2.8, t = 4.23, P <0.001) and 20 h (2.4 ± 2.1 vs. 3.4 ± 2.4, t= 7.94, P <0.001) in the CFD group, with least-squares mean differences of 0.48 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.26–0.71, P <0.001) and 0.76 (95% CI: 0.57–0.95, P <0.001), respectively. The 4-h pain scores (2.1 ± 1.7 vs. 2.2 ± 1.7, t = 2.60, P = 0.009, with a least-squares mean difference of 0.21 [95% CI: 0.05–0.37]) and positive urine ketone levels (7.7% [39/509] vs. 15.4% [82/533], χ2 = 15.13, P <0.001) were lower in the CFD group. The CFD group had significantly less cholangitis (2.1% [13/634] vs. 4.0% [26/658], χ2 = 3.99, P = 0.046) but not pancreatitis (5.5% [35/634] vs. 6.5% [43/658], χ2 = 0.59, P = 0.444). Subgroup analysis revealed that CFD reduced the incidence of complications in patients with native papilla (odds ratio [OR]: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.39–0.95, P = 0.028) in the multivariable models. Conclusion::Ingesting 400 mL of CFD 2 h before ERCP is safe, with a reduction in post-ERCP fatigue, abdominal pain, and cholangitis during recovery.Trail Registration::ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT03075280.

Cholelithiasis, a prevalent disease of the digestive system, is characterized by its intricate and diverse mechanisms, which are influenced by a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, lifestyle, and other factors. Recently, with the widespread application of molecular biology techniques, the role of the biliary tract microecological environment in the pathogenesis of gallstones has garnered increasing attention. This review includes the most recent and pertinent literature on the association between biliary tract microecology and gallstones, summarizing the latest research advancements in this field. Furthermore, it delves into the role of the biliary tract microecology in the formation of both cholesterol and pigment gallstones.

ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between serum 25(OH)D and gestational diabetes mellitus in the second trimester (GDM), to analyze the interaction effect of key risk factors, so as to provide a basis for clinical personalized vitamin D supplementation. MethodsA total of 266 pregnant women who registered and took regular obstetric check-ups in Shanghai Pudong New Area Health Care Hospital for Women and Children from June to December 2022, were selected as the research subjects. According to the results of oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), the subjects were divided into the GDM group (131) and control group (135). The level of serum 25(OH)D at the time of OGTT were detected and other clinical indicators were followed up. ResultsThe age, systolic blood pressure in early pregnancy, pre-pregnancy BMI, FPG, OGTT 1-hour and 2-hour glucose, GHb, HOMA-IR, TG, AST, Cr, D-D, FDP and SF at 35 weeks’ gestation of the pregnant women were higher in the GDM group than that of the pregnant women in the normal group, while gestational weight gain and serum 25(OH)D level were significantly lower than that of the pregnant women in the normal group. Serum 25(OH)D was negatively correlated with HOMA-IR and WBS’s, but positively correlated with TG and ALT. Serum 25(OH)D was non-linearly correlated with the risk of GDM in an inverted J-shape, and there was an interaction effect of advanced age, pre-pregnancy obesity and vitamin D deficiency on the risk of GDM. ConclusionVitamin D is non-linearly associated with the risk of GDM. The risk of GDM is significantly reduced when serum 25(OH)D level ≥30 ng∙mL^-1.

Objective:To develop a prediction model for postoperative prognosis in patients with cholangiocarcinoma(CCA)based on the expression of silence information regulator 2(SIRT2).Methods:The differential expression of SIRT2 between CCA and normal tissues was analyzed using TCGA and GEO databases.Gene set enrichment analysis(GSEA)was used to explore potential mechanisms of SIRT2 in CCA.The expression of SIRT2 protein in CCA tissues and normal tissues(including 44 pairs of specimens)was also detected by immunohistochemistry(IHC)in 89 resectable CCA patients who underwent surgical treatment in the First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College between January 2016 and December 2021.The relationship between SIRT2 expression and clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of CCA patients was analyzed.A survival prediction model for patients with resectable CCA was constructed with COX regression results,the calibration curve and the time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC)were used to evaluate the performance of the constructed model,and the predictive power between this model and the American Joint Committee on Cancer(AJCC)/TNM staging system(8th edition)was compared.Results:SIRT2 mRNA was overexpressed in CCA tissues as shown in TCGA and GEO databases.IHC staining showed that SIRT2 protein expression in CCA tissues was significantly higher than that in adjacent non-tumor tissues.GSEA results showed that elevated SIRT2 expression may be involved in multiple metabolism-related signaling pathway,such as fatty acid metabolism,oxidative phosphorylation and amino acid metabolism.SIRT2 expression was related to serum triglycerides level,tumor size and lymph node metastasis(all P<0.05).The survival analysis results showed that patients with higher SIRT2 expression had a significantly lower overall survival(OS)than patients with lower SIRT2 expression(P<0.05).Univariate COX regression analysis suggested that pathological differentiation,clinical stage,postoperative treatment and SIRT2 expression level were associated with the prognosis of CCA patients(all P<0.05).Multivariate regression analysis confirmed that clinical stage and SIRT2 expression level were independent predictors of OS in postoperative CCA patients(both P<0.05).A nomogram based on SIRT2 for prediction of survival in postoperative CCA patients was constructed.The C-index of the model was 0.675,and the area under the time-dependent ROC curve(AUC)for predicting survival in the first,second,and third years was 0.879,0.778,and 0.953,respectively,which were superior to those of AJCC/TNM staging system(8th Edition).Conclusions:SIRT2 is highly expressed in CCA tissues,which is associated with poor prognosis in patients with resectable CCA.The nomogram developed based on SIRT2 may have better predictive power than the AJCC/TNM staging system(8th edition)in prediction of survival of postoperative CCA patients.

Objective:To develop a prediction model for postoperative prognosis in patients with cholangiocarcinoma(CCA)based on the expression of silence information regulator 2(SIRT2).Methods:The differential expression of SIRT2 between CCA and normal tissues was analyzed using TCGA and GEO databases.Gene set enrichment analysis(GSEA)was used to explore potential mechanisms of SIRT2 in CCA.The expression of SIRT2 protein in CCA tissues and normal tissues(including 44 pairs of specimens)was also detected by immunohistochemistry(IHC)in 89 resectable CCA patients who underwent surgical treatment in the First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College between January 2016 and December 2021.The relationship between SIRT2 expression and clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of CCA patients was analyzed.A survival prediction model for patients with resectable CCA was constructed with COX regression results,the calibration curve and the time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC)were used to evaluate the performance of the constructed model,and the predictive power between this model and the American Joint Committee on Cancer(AJCC)/TNM staging system(8th edition)was compared.Results:SIRT2 mRNA was overexpressed in CCA tissues as shown in TCGA and GEO databases.IHC staining showed that SIRT2 protein expression in CCA tissues was significantly higher than that in adjacent non-tumor tissues.GSEA results showed that elevated SIRT2 expression may be involved in multiple metabolism-related signaling pathway,such as fatty acid metabolism,oxidative phosphorylation and amino acid metabolism.SIRT2 expression was related to serum triglycerides level,tumor size and lymph node metastasis(all P<0.05).The survival analysis results showed that patients with higher SIRT2 expression had a significantly lower overall survival(OS)than patients with lower SIRT2 expression(P<0.05).Univariate COX regression analysis suggested that pathological differentiation,clinical stage,postoperative treatment and SIRT2 expression level were associated with the prognosis of CCA patients(all P<0.05).Multivariate regression analysis confirmed that clinical stage and SIRT2 expression level were independent predictors of OS in postoperative CCA patients(both P<0.05).A nomogram based on SIRT2 for prediction of survival in postoperative CCA patients was constructed.The C-index of the model was 0.675,and the area under the time-dependent ROC curve(AUC)for predicting survival in the first,second,and third years was 0.879,0.778,and 0.953,respectively,which were superior to those of AJCC/TNM staging system(8th Edition).Conclusions:SIRT2 is highly expressed in CCA tissues,which is associated with poor prognosis in patients with resectable CCA.The nomogram developed based on SIRT2 may have better predictive power than the AJCC/TNM staging system(8th edition)in prediction of survival of postoperative CCA patients.

Objective:To develop a prediction model for postoperative prognosis in patients with cholangiocarcinoma(CCA)based on the expression of silence information regulator 2(SIRT2).Methods:The differential expression of SIRT2 between CCA and normal tissues was analyzed using TCGA and GEO databases.Gene set enrichment analysis(GSEA)was used to explore potential mechanisms of SIRT2 in CCA.The expression of SIRT2 protein in CCA tissues and normal tissues(including 44 pairs of specimens)was also detected by immunohistochemistry(IHC)in 89 resectable CCA patients who underwent surgical treatment in the First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College between January 2016 and December 2021.The relationship between SIRT2 expression and clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of CCA patients was analyzed.A survival prediction model for patients with resectable CCA was constructed with COX regression results,the calibration curve and the time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC)were used to evaluate the performance of the constructed model,and the predictive power between this model and the American Joint Committee on Cancer(AJCC)/TNM staging system(8th edition)was compared.Results:SIRT2 mRNA was overexpressed in CCA tissues as shown in TCGA and GEO databases.IHC staining showed that SIRT2 protein expression in CCA tissues was significantly higher than that in adjacent non-tumor tissues.GSEA results showed that elevated SIRT2 expression may be involved in multiple metabolism-related signaling pathway,such as fatty acid metabolism,oxidative phosphorylation and amino acid metabolism.SIRT2 expression was related to serum triglycerides level,tumor size and lymph node metastasis(all P<0.05).The survival analysis results showed that patients with higher SIRT2 expression had a significantly lower overall survival(OS)than patients with lower SIRT2 expression(P<0.05).Univariate COX regression analysis suggested that pathological differentiation,clinical stage,postoperative treatment and SIRT2 expression level were associated with the prognosis of CCA patients(all P<0.05).Multivariate regression analysis confirmed that clinical stage and SIRT2 expression level were independent predictors of OS in postoperative CCA patients(both P<0.05).A nomogram based on SIRT2 for prediction of survival in postoperative CCA patients was constructed.The C-index of the model was 0.675,and the area under the time-dependent ROC curve(AUC)for predicting survival in the first,second,and third years was 0.879,0.778,and 0.953,respectively,which were superior to those of AJCC/TNM staging system(8th Edition).Conclusions:SIRT2 is highly expressed in CCA tissues,which is associated with poor prognosis in patients with resectable CCA.The nomogram developed based on SIRT2 may have better predictive power than the AJCC/TNM staging system(8th edition)in prediction of survival of postoperative CCA patients.