Background and aims As a ferroptosis inducer, sorafenib, a first-line treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), has a significant antitumor effect. Nonetheless, HCC patients frequently develop sorafenib resistance. Here, we investigated the impacts of progestagen-associated endometrial protein (PAEP), which controls sorafenib resistance and tumorigenesis in HCC. Furthermore, we investigated the function of PAEP and the underlying molecular mechanisms that cause HCC ferroptosis when sorafenib is applied. Methods Western blot analysis, cell proliferation, colony formation and animal experiments were performed to investigate the function of PAEP in sorafenib resistance and tumorigenesis in HCC. We detected the levels of reactive oxygen species, iron, and malondialdehyde and preformed transmission electron microscopy to investigate the relationship between PAEP and ferroptosis. Co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) assay was performed to investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms of PAEP that cause HCC ferroptosis. Results PAEP was significantly overexpressed in HCC tissues, and this was associated with a poor clinical prognosis. PAEP silencing dramatically reduced HCC cells’ malignant phenotype. We found that sorafenib-induced ferroptosis was more sensitive to HCC cells with PAEP knockdown. Furthermore, the orthotopic cell line-derived xenograft mouse model results showed that sorafenib sensitivity can be effectively increased in vivo by PAEP knockdown. We determined that transferrin (TF) was a PAEP target using the String database, and we further supported this finding with Co-IP analysis. Additionally, on sorafenib-induced ferroptosis in HCC cells, TF partially reversed the effects of PAEP knockdown. Conclusions Our research indicates that PAEP may be a potential biomarker for predicting sorafenib resistance in HCC and disruption of PAEP expression may be a potential cancer-directed therapeutic option for HCC.

Objective:To adapt the Mindful Breastfeeding Scale (MINDF-BFS) into Chinese and assess its reliability and validity among breastfeeding mothers in China.Methods:Following the Beaton cross-cultural adaptation guideline, the original scale was translated, back-translated, discussed by experts, pre-tested, culturally adapted, and revised to develop the Chinese version of the MINDF-BFS. A convenience sampling method was used to select 305 postpartum women from Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, who visited between March and June 2024, as the study participants. The reliability and validity of the Chinese version of MINDF-BFS were evaluated.Results:The Chinese version of MINDF-BFS consisted of nine items, with the item-level content validity index ranged from 0.900 to 1.000, and the average scale-level content validity index was 0.990. Exploratory factor analysis extracted one common factor, with a variance contribution of 73.290%. Confirmatory factor analysis showed a good model fit. The Cronbach's α coefficient for the scale was 0.923, the split-half reliability coefficient was 0.915, and the test-retest reliability coefficient was 0.926.Conclusions:The Chinese version of MINDF-BFS has good psychometric properties and is suitable for assessing the mindful breastfeeding levels of Chinese postpartum women.

Objective:To adapt the Mindful Breastfeeding Scale (MINDF-BFS) into Chinese and assess its reliability and validity among breastfeeding mothers in China.Methods:Following the Beaton cross-cultural adaptation guideline, the original scale was translated, back-translated, discussed by experts, pre-tested, culturally adapted, and revised to develop the Chinese version of the MINDF-BFS. A convenience sampling method was used to select 305 postpartum women from Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, who visited between March and June 2024, as the study participants. The reliability and validity of the Chinese version of MINDF-BFS were evaluated.Results:The Chinese version of MINDF-BFS consisted of nine items, with the item-level content validity index ranged from 0.900 to 1.000, and the average scale-level content validity index was 0.990. Exploratory factor analysis extracted one common factor, with a variance contribution of 73.290%. Confirmatory factor analysis showed a good model fit. The Cronbach's α coefficient for the scale was 0.923, the split-half reliability coefficient was 0.915, and the test-retest reliability coefficient was 0.926.Conclusions:The Chinese version of MINDF-BFS has good psychometric properties and is suitable for assessing the mindful breastfeeding levels of Chinese postpartum women.

Objective:To illustrate the characteristics of the distribution of prophages among the Group A Streptococcus(GAS) by mining the existing whole genome sequencing of the GAS, performing bioinformatic analyses, extracting data about prophages, and analyzing the state of prophages in the genome and genetic composition of some prophages. Methods:It was a retrospective study.Genome assembly sequences of GAS reported in GenBank till May 2020 were collected, and the important background information of these strains was sorted out to create a local genomic database.A phylogenetic tree of the whole genome of GAS was conducted using the bioinformatics software.The core genome was analyzed, and potential prophages and their integrity in the genome were predicted to obtain the characteristics of the distribution of prophages.Genotype types, number of core genes, and number, length and carrying rate of prophages in the database for GAS were analyzed.Results:A database containing the genome sequence of 2 529 GAS strains was established, involving 140 emm genotypes.These strains were isolated from 19 countries from East Asia, Europe, America and Oceania.Stratified by the disease background, these strains were mainly divided into invasive infection, non-invasive infection and immune sequelae.Prophage analysis of 1 798 genomes showed that at least one complete prophage was detected in 1 366 (76.0%) genomes.The number of complete prophages of each strain ranged from 0 to 6, and the length ranged from 32.8 to 62.6 kb, which was mainly 30-40 kb in length.The phiHKUssa, phiHKUvir and phiHKU488 were the most common prophages present in dominant clones circulated in China in recent years, which mainly carried virulence genes like the speC, spd1 and ssa. Conclusions:Prophages are widely distributed in the genome of GAS, which are of great significance in the evolution and expansion of dominating clones and thus reshape the population structure within the emm genotype.The establishment of a local genome database provides important baseline data for molecular epidemiological surveillance.

Objective To determine the serum IgM and IgG antibody levels post-COVID-19 vaccination， and provide scientific evidence for COVID-19 antibody response after vaccination. Methods A total of 980 healthy persons were included in Kunming Third People’s Hospital from July through August， 2021， which had been vaccinated with COVID-19 vaccines and then tested for anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG antibodies. Results After the COVID-19 vaccination， 469 persons （positive rate， 47.86%） were positive for anti-IgG antibody. Of them， 75 were males with （positive rate， 39.06%）， and the average IgG level was 0.618 （0.180， 2.526） AU·mL^-1［M（Q₁，Q₃）］； 394 were females （50.00%）， and the IgG level was 0.999 （0.305， 3.334） AU·mL^-1. In addition， 53 persons （5.41%） were anti-IgM antibody positive. Of them， 14 were males （positive rate， 7.29%）， and the average IgM level was 0.057 （0.026， 0.195） AU·mL^-1； 39 were females （4.95%）， and the IgM level was 0.047 （0.027， 0.110） AU·mL^-1. The positive rate of anti-IgG antibody was highest in those aged ≤30 years， which was 51.02% in male （n=25） and 55.88% in female （n=133）. The anti-IgG response differed significantly by gender （χ²=7.401， D=0.135 1， P<0.05）， whereas the anti-IgM response was not significantly different （χ²=1.656， P>0.05）. Among the age groups， anti-IgG antibody level was higher in those aged ≤30 and 51-70 years， with 158 （55.05%） and 122 （52.36%） persons， respectively； the average antibody level was 1.209 （0.426， 4.386） AU·mL^-1 and 1.074 （0.191， 7.670） AU·mL^-1， respectively. The differences in the positive rates of IgG and IgM antibodies and the levels of IgG antibodies among different age groups were statistically significant （P<0.05）. Using Kruskal-Wallis test and Spearman correlation analysis， it showed a high correlation between the IgG and IgM antibodies （r=0.836 4， H=64.82， 20.09， P<0.05）. Conclusion The Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody remains high six months post-COVID-19 vaccination， while anti-IgM antibody is low. The IgM and IgG response are higher in the young and elderly. The response differs by gender and age， demonstrating a correlation.

Objective:To investigate the changes of T1 and T2 values in residual liver after major liver resection in rats and the relationship with pathologic indices related to liver regeneration.Methods:Seventy healthy male Sprague Dawley rats, SPF grade, aged 7-8 weeks, weighting 250-280 g, were divided into MR scan group ( n=14) and pathologic analysis group ( n=56). The MR scan group was further divided into partial hepatectomy group ( n=7) and the sham operation group ( n=7). MRI T 1 mapping and T 2 mapping were performed before surgery and on day 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 14, 21 after surgery. T1 and T2 values of liver parenchyma were measured. In the pathologic analysis group, 7 rats were randomly included at each time point before and after surgery for pathologic examination, the diameter and proliferative activity (Ki-67 indices) of hepatocytes were assessed. The changes of imaging and pathologic indices were observed, and the correlations between MR parameters and liver volume and pathologic indices were analyzed. Results:Both T1 and T2 values in liver parenchyma were increased on day 1 after surgery and reached their maximum values on day 2 ( P=0.005 and P<0.001, compared with baseline), then were gradually decreased, and recovered to the preoperative level on day 14 and 21 ( P>0.05), respectively. T2 value was correlated with hepatocyte diameter, liver volume and Ki-67 indices better ( r=0.640, -0.764, 0.765, respectively, all P<0.001). T1 value was correlated with hepatocyte diameter, liver volume and Ki-67 indices ( r=0.472, -0.481 and 0.444, all P<0.001). Conclusion:The T1 and T2 values of rats liver remnant parenchyma showed regular changes, and were correlated with liver regeneration indices, which reflect the microscopic changes of rat liver remnant parenchyma, and are expected to be used for quantitative monitoring of liver remnant regeneration.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the relationship between the blood biochemical indexes and the local muscle fatigue of operators with local muscle fatigue caused by moderate-load repetitive manual lifting. METHODS: Five healthy male volunteers were selected as the research subjects. They repeatedly performed simulated manual lifting operation for four periods(T1-T4), 10 minutes per period. Each period was suspended for 3 minutes to be accessed for the rating of perceived exertion(RPE) score of local muscle. Meanwhile, their venous blood was collected to be detected for serum calcium ion, creatine kinase, cartilage oligomeric matrix protein(COMP), ammonia, lactic acid, lactate dehydrogenase(LDH), C-reactive protein(CRP), and collagen type Ⅱ C terminal telopeptide(CTX-Ⅱ). RESULTS: The RPE score and serum creatine kinase level of the subjects increased with the increasing of lifting time(P<0.05). Serum calcium ion levels in time periods T2, T3 and T4 were higher than that in T1(P<0.05). Serum COMP levels in T3 and T4 were higher than that in T1(P<0.05). The levels of ammonia,lactic acid, LDH, CRP and CTX-Ⅱ in each time period showed no statistical significance(P>0.05). Serum creatine kinase, calcium ion and LDH levels were positively correlated with RPE score(correlation coefficient were 0.840, 0.512, 0.741, respectively, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Serum creatine kinase is a sensitive, effective and objective index reflecting muscle fatigue, which is suitable for evaluating the fatigue process of moderate-load repetitive activities. Serum calcium ion has a good correlation with muscle fatigue, and serum COMP can reflect muscle fatigue to some extent.

Despite recent clinical guidelines, the optimal therapeutic strategy for the management of refractory chronic cough is still a challenge. The present systematic review was designed to assess the evidence for efficacy and safety of gabapentin in the treatment of chronic cough. A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library databases, and publications cited in bibliographies was performed. Articles were searched by two reviewers with a priori criteria for study selection. Seven relevant articles were identified, including two randomized controlled trials, one prospective case-series designed with consecutive patients, one retrospective case series of consecutive patients, one retrospective case series with unknown consecutive status, and two case reports comprising six and two patients, respectively. Improvements were detected in cough-specific quality of life (Leicester Cough Questionnaire score) and cough severity (visual analogue scale score) following gabapentin treatment in randomized controlled trials. The results of prospective case-series showed that the rate of overall improvement of cough and sensory neuropathy with gabapentin was 68%. Gabapentin treatment of patients with chronic cough showed superior efficacy and a good safety record compared with placebo or standard medications. Additional randomized and controlled trials are needed.
Cough* ; Humans ; Prospective Studies ; Quality of Life ; Retrospective Studies ; Review Literature as Topic

Objective To investigate the changing characteristics and rules of the different period of articular cartilage in rats after dorsal rhizotomy, and to verify the partial sensory disturbance can cause articular cartilage injury. Methods Thirty-three ten-month-old SPF male Wistar rats were randomly divided into experimental group ( n=18 ) and control group ( n=15) .The rats in the experimental group were sectioned the L3、L4 dorsal roots in the right.The rats in the control group were only incised the skin and paravertebral muscles.To observe the behavior changes in rats.At 2, 6 and 10 weeks, the specimens of the right hind lower end of femur were drawn out to make paraffin sections, then HE staining and Safranin O/Fast Green staining.The changes and characteristics of the morphology of the articular cartilage was observed.Results With the prolonging of period, the right hind limb of the experimental rats through the change process of transient paralysis, coordination of movement disorders and active movement.In the experimental group, the patellar surface of right hind femur gradually became shallow and wide.The articular cartilage underwent rough, cells disorganizated, cells decreased, and duplicated drifted and interrupted tide line. The ratios of ACC/TAC of the experimental group were gradually high(t=5.25~8.13,P <0.05).Conclusion Dorsal rhizotomy can cause injury and degenerative changes in articular cartilage.

ThestudiesonthemaincomponentsinEucommiaulmoidesfromdomesticandabroadweresummarizedinthepaper, which can provide the reference for the effective component study and quality control of the Chinese herb.