Objective To explore the relationship between plasma insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 2(IGFBP2),secreted modular calcium-binding protein 2(SMOC2)levels and cardiac function and prognosis in patients with chronic heart failure(CHF).Methods A total of 120 CHF patients(the CHF group)and 60 healthy volunteers undergoing physical examination during the same period(the control group)were enrolled.CHF patients were classified according to the New York Heart Association(NYHA)functional classification into the class Ⅱ(46 cases)group,the class Ⅲ group(42 cases)and the class Ⅳ group(32 cases).Based on the 6-month prognosis,patients were further divided into the poor prognosis group(42 cases)and the good prognosis group(78 cases).Plasma IGFBP2 and SMOC2 levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The correlation between plasma IGFBP2 and SMOC2 levels with NYHA functional classification was analyzed using Spearman rank correlation.Multivariate unconditional Logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between plasma IGFBP2 and SMOC2 levels and poor prognosis in CHF patients.The predictive efficacy of plasma IGFBP2 and SMOC2 levels for CHF prognosis was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis.Results Compared with the control group,plasma IGFBP2 and SMOC2 levels were significantly higher in the CHF group(P＜0.05).Plasma IGFBP2 and SMOC2 levels increased progressively in the class Ⅱ group,the class Ⅲgroup and the class Ⅳ group(P＜0.05).Plasma IGFBP2 and SMOC2 levels were positively correlated with NYHA classification of CHF patients(P＜0.05).The 6-month poor prognosis rate for the 120 CHF patients was 35.00%(42/120).Compared with the good prognosis group,the plasma IGFBP2 and SMOC2 levels were significantly higher in the poor prognosis group(P＜0.05).After adjusting for confounding factors,high levels of IGFBP2 and SMOC2 were independent risk factors for poor prognosis in CHF patients(P＜0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)for the combined prediction of poor prognosis in CHF patients by plasma IGFBP2 and SMOC2 levels was 0.899,which was higher than that of plasma IGFBP2(0.800)and SMOC2(0.782)alone(P＜0.05).Conclusion The plasma levels of IGFBP2 and SMOC2 in CHF patients are increased,which is related to the decrease of cardiac function and poor prognosis.The combination of plasma IGFBP2 and SMOC2 levels has a high predictive efficiency for the prognosis of CHF patients.

Objective The aim of this study was to explore the effects of changes in the estrogen receptor alpha 36(ER-α36)expression on the proliferation and membrane-initiated estrogen signaling in glioblastoma U251 cells.Methods The expression and localization of ER-α36 and EGFR glioblastoma U87 cells and U251 cells were determined by immunofluorescence,qRT-PCR and Western blot.The effect of upregulating ER-α 36 on U251 cell proliferation and estrogen signaling pathway activity by low con-centrations of 100 pmol/L icariin isomer(SNG162)was detected by MTT assay and Western blot.Results ER-α36 and EGFR were co-expressed in the cell membrane of glioblastoma.Compared with DMSO(control group),the expression ER-α36(P<0.01)and EG-FR increased in U251 cells treated with SNG162(P<0.05);Further experments also found that low concentrations of SNG162 in-creased the expression of cycle related proteins-cyclin D1,cyclin B,cyclin E and CDK4(P<0.01),and enhanced the proliferative a-bility of U251 cells(P<0.05).Conclusion The low concentration of SNG162 upregulates the expression of ER-α36,activates the estrogen-mediated ERK1/2 MAPK,p38 MAPK,and EGFR/Src signaling pathways,promotes glioblastoma proliferation,and activates the membrane initialized estrogen signaling pathway.

Objective The aim of this study was to explore the effects of changes in the estrogen receptor alpha 36(ER-α36)expression on the proliferation and membrane-initiated estrogen signaling in glioblastoma U251 cells.Methods The expression and localization of ER-α36 and EGFR glioblastoma U87 cells and U251 cells were determined by immunofluorescence,qRT-PCR and Western blot.The effect of upregulating ER-α 36 on U251 cell proliferation and estrogen signaling pathway activity by low con-centrations of 100 pmol/L icariin isomer(SNG162)was detected by MTT assay and Western blot.Results ER-α36 and EGFR were co-expressed in the cell membrane of glioblastoma.Compared with DMSO(control group),the expression ER-α36(P<0.01)and EG-FR increased in U251 cells treated with SNG162(P<0.05);Further experments also found that low concentrations of SNG162 in-creased the expression of cycle related proteins-cyclin D1,cyclin B,cyclin E and CDK4(P<0.01),and enhanced the proliferative a-bility of U251 cells(P<0.05).Conclusion The low concentration of SNG162 upregulates the expression of ER-α36,activates the estrogen-mediated ERK1/2 MAPK,p38 MAPK,and EGFR/Src signaling pathways,promotes glioblastoma proliferation,and activates the membrane initialized estrogen signaling pathway.

Objective To explore the biological mechanism of radiation resistance in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC)and search for effective sensitization targets.Methods We retrieved 186 signaling pathways and related gene information from the MSigDB database.We also obtained RNA transcriptome data of ESCC patients using the Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)and Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)databases.We collected clinical pathological characteristics and tissue samples of 97 ESCC patients in our hospital from 2013 to 2020.Gene set variation analysis(GSVA)was made to calculate KEGG signaling pathway score,radiotherapy resistance related signaling pathways were screened through random forest algorithm,key genes in the pathway were screened using DESeq2,and a radiotherapy efficacy prediction model was constructed based on support vector machine-recursive feature elimination(SVM-RFE).The results were validated through experiments such as Western blotting and clonogenic assay.Results Based on the KEGG signaling pathway and GSVA enrichment score,random forest analysis showed that in the TCGA and GSE45670 cohorts,the contribution of tryptophan metabolism pathway enrichment values to radiation resistance in ESCC was significantly better than that of the other pathways.DESeq2 analysis revealed that key molecules in the tryptophan metabolism pathway,namely,IDO1,ALDH1B1,AOC1,INMT,AFMID and ALDH7A1,were significantly differentially expressed in the resistant and sensitive groups of ESCC.Based on the SVM-RFE algorithm,the AUC was 0.77,which could accurately predict the radiotherapy efficacy of ESCC.Western blotting experiments showed that IDO1 was highly expressed in ESCC cells,and IDO1 inhibitor treatment significantly inhibited the survival ability and radiosensitivity of KYSE-410 cells.In the enrolled patients of our hospital,immunohistochemical studies showed that IDO1 was highly expressed in the radiotherapy resistant group of ESCC and was associated with poor radiotherapy prognosis in ESCC patients.In addition,further testing showed that the expression of IDO1 in patient samples from our hospital was positively correlated with its PD-L1 expression,but negatively correlated with the infiltration ratio of CD3/CD8 immune cells.Conclusion Tryptophan catabolism is associated with radiation resistance in ESCC,and the key enzyme IDO1 in tryptophan metabolism can be used as a therapeutic target for radiosensitization in ESCC.

Objective To explore the effect of PSMA gene on the biological behavior of prostate cancer cells and its molecular mechanism.Methods The expression of PSMA in prostate cancer and its relationship with prognosis were analyzed based on the GEPIA database.The mRNA and protein expression levels of PSMA in normal prostate epithelial cell RWPE-2 and prostate cancer cells DU145 and PC-3 were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot,respectively.DU145 cells were used to construct knockdown cell lines,which were transfected with PSMA lentiviral knockdown plasmid and its negative control,serving as the sh PSMA group and the sh NC group,respectively;PC-3 cells were used to construct overexpression cell lines,which were transfected with PSMA lentiviral overexpression plasmid and its negative control,serving as the OE PSMA group and the OE NC group.CCK-8 assay and clone formation assay were used to detect the cell proliferation ability,wound healing assay and Transwell assay were used to detect the cell migration and invasion abilities,flow cytometry was used to detect the cell apoptosis,and Western blot was used to detect the expression of PI3K,Akt,BAX and Bcl-2 proteins.Prostate cancer cells of DU145 cell line were inoculated into the left armpit of BALB/c nude mice to form tumors,the tumor size was observed,and the tumor weight was measured;HE staining was used to evaluate the degree of damage;and the expression of PSMA was detected by immunohistochemistry.Results GEPIA database analysis showed that PSMA gene was highly expressed in prostate cancer and was related to the prognosis of prostate cancer.The results of RT-qPCR and Western blot showed that the mRNA and protein expression levels of PSMA in PC-3 and DU145 cells were higher than those in RWPE-2 cell(P<0.01).Compared with the sh NC group,the sh PSMA group showed decreased cell proliferation,migration and invasion abilities(P<0.05),and increased cell apoptosis rate(P<0.05).Compared with the OE NC group,the OE PSMA group demonstrated increased cell proliferation,migration and invasion abilities(P<0.05),and decreased apoptosis rate(P<0.05).Compared with the sh NC group,the protein expression of PI3K,Akt and Bcl-2 in the sh PSMA group decreased(P<0.05),and the protein expression of BAX increased(P<0.05).Compared with the OE NC group,the protein expression of PI3K,Akt and Bcl-2 in the OE PSMA group increased(P<0.05),and the protein expression of BAX decreased(P<0.05).Results of subcutaneous transplantation of prostate cancer in nude mice showed that the tumor weight of nude mice decreased(P<0.05),tumor cells exhibited irregular shapes,nuclei were deeply stained,and PSMA expression was weakly positive,after knocking down the PSMA.Conclusion PSMA gene may participate in regulating the proliferation,invasion,migration,and apoptosis of prostate cancer cells through the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Objective To compare the differences of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided non-invasive measurement of portal venous pressure and EUS-guided portal pressure gradient(EUS-PPG) in measurement of portal venous pressure on animals and their correlation. Methods Twenty-four miniature pigs were selected and fed with carbon tetrachloride and phenobarbital sodium combined with high-fat,low-protein and low-choline diet for 16 weeks to establish a liver cirrhotic portal hypertension model. The changes of biochemical indexes of liver function and liver pathology in the experimental pigs were observed to evaluate whether the model was successful. After the model was successfully established,the hemodynamic parameters of the portal venous trunk were measured non-invasively under EUS guidance,including portal venous blood flow and splenic artery pulsatility index,thereby calculating portal venous pressure. Then,taking EUS-PPG,the portal vein,hepatic vein,and inferior vena cava were punctured with an 18G puncture needle under general anesthesia guided by the translinear endoscopic ultrasound,and the PPG was calculated through the central venous pressure monitoring system.The Pearson correlation analysis,Kappa test,ICC intraclass correlation coefficient and Bland-Altman plot were used for consistency analysis. Results All the 24 pigs survived 16 weeks after modeling.The serum levels of alanine transaminase (ALT),aspartate transaminase (AST),albumin (ALB),globulin (GLB),total bilirubin (TBIL) and indirect bilirubin (IBIL)after modeling were higher than those before modeling(P<0.05). HE staining and Sirius red staining showed abnormal liver morphology and increased collagen fibers after modeling,suggesting that the experimental pig model of liver cirrhotic portal hypertension was successfully established. The results of EUS-guided non-invasive measurement of portal venous pressure showed that the mean splenic artery pulsatility index was (2.03±0.68),the mean portal vein flow was (17.27±4.31)cm/s,and the mean portal venous pressure was (15.97±3.65)mmHg. The measurement results of the mean portal venous pressure,hepatic venous pres-sure and PPG of EUS-PPG were (20.68±4.71)mmHg,(4.07±2.14)mmHg and (16.38±4.28)mmHg respectively. Pearson correlation analysis showed that there was a significant positive correlation between the portal venous pressures measured by the two methods (r=0.902,P<0.001);the consistency tests of Kappa test and ICC intraclass correlation coefficient showed that the measurement results of the two methods were highly consistent (Kappa=0.699,P<0.001;ICC=0.945);Bland-Altman plot analysis showed that most of the points fell within 95％ limits of agreement. Conclusion EUS-guided non-invasive measurement of portal venous pressure has a high correlation and consistency with the measurement results by EUS-PPG,which has high success rate,and accurate reflection of portal venous pressure,with low cost and good safety.

Objective To explore the effect of PSMA gene on the biological behavior of prostate cancer cells and its molecular mechanism.Methods The expression of PSMA in prostate cancer and its relationship with prognosis were analyzed based on the GEPIA database.The mRNA and protein expression levels of PSMA in normal prostate epithelial cell RWPE-2 and prostate cancer cells DU145 and PC-3 were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot,respectively.DU145 cells were used to construct knockdown cell lines,which were transfected with PSMA lentiviral knockdown plasmid and its negative control,serving as the sh PSMA group and the sh NC group,respectively;PC-3 cells were used to construct overexpression cell lines,which were transfected with PSMA lentiviral overexpression plasmid and its negative control,serving as the OE PSMA group and the OE NC group.CCK-8 assay and clone formation assay were used to detect the cell proliferation ability,wound healing assay and Transwell assay were used to detect the cell migration and invasion abilities,flow cytometry was used to detect the cell apoptosis,and Western blot was used to detect the expression of PI3K,Akt,BAX and Bcl-2 proteins.Prostate cancer cells of DU145 cell line were inoculated into the left armpit of BALB/c nude mice to form tumors,the tumor size was observed,and the tumor weight was measured;HE staining was used to evaluate the degree of damage;and the expression of PSMA was detected by immunohistochemistry.Results GEPIA database analysis showed that PSMA gene was highly expressed in prostate cancer and was related to the prognosis of prostate cancer.The results of RT-qPCR and Western blot showed that the mRNA and protein expression levels of PSMA in PC-3 and DU145 cells were higher than those in RWPE-2 cell(P<0.01).Compared with the sh NC group,the sh PSMA group showed decreased cell proliferation,migration and invasion abilities(P<0.05),and increased cell apoptosis rate(P<0.05).Compared with the OE NC group,the OE PSMA group demonstrated increased cell proliferation,migration and invasion abilities(P<0.05),and decreased apoptosis rate(P<0.05).Compared with the sh NC group,the protein expression of PI3K,Akt and Bcl-2 in the sh PSMA group decreased(P<0.05),and the protein expression of BAX increased(P<0.05).Compared with the OE NC group,the protein expression of PI3K,Akt and Bcl-2 in the OE PSMA group increased(P<0.05),and the protein expression of BAX decreased(P<0.05).Results of subcutaneous transplantation of prostate cancer in nude mice showed that the tumor weight of nude mice decreased(P<0.05),tumor cells exhibited irregular shapes,nuclei were deeply stained,and PSMA expression was weakly positive,after knocking down the PSMA.Conclusion PSMA gene may participate in regulating the proliferation,invasion,migration,and apoptosis of prostate cancer cells through the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Background Metals and metalloids in fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) may cause damage to the respiratory and circulatory systems of the human body, and long-term exposure is prone to causing chronic poisoning, cancer, and other adverse effects. Objective To assess the distribution characteristics of metals and metalloids in outdoor PM_2.5 in a southern city of China, conduct source apportionment, and evaluate the associated health risks, thereby providing theoretical support for further pollution control measures. Methods PM_2.5 samples were collected in districts A, B, and C of a southern China city, and the concentrations of 17 metals and metalloids were detected by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Pollution sources were assessed through enrichment factor and principal components analysis, and the main pollution sources were quantified using absolute principal component scores-multivariate linear regression (APCS-MLR). Health risks were evaluated based on the Technical guide for environmental health risk assessment of chemical exposure (WS/T777—2021). Results The ambient air PM_2.5 concentrations in the city were higher in winter and spring, and lower in summer and autumn. The annual average concentrations of ambient PM_2.5 in districts A, B, and C were 36.7, 31.9, and 24.4 μg·m⁻³, respectively. The ambient PM_2.5 levels in districts B and C were below the second-grade limit set by the Ambient air quality standards (GB 3095—2012). The enrichment factors of cadmium (Cd), aluminum (Al), and antimony (Sb) were greater than 10, those of copper (Cu), lead (Pb), arsenic (As), nickel (Ni), mercury (Hg), and molybdenum (Mo) fell between 1 and 10, and those of manganese (Mn), vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), barium (Ba), beryllium (Be), and uranium (U) were below or equal to 1. The comprehensive evaluation of source analysis showed that the main pollution sources in districts A and C and the whole city were coal-burning. In district B, the main pollution source was also coal combustion, followed by industrial process sources and dust sources. The carcinogenic risks of As and Cr were between 1×10⁻⁶ and 1×10⁻⁴. However, the hazard quotients for 15 metals and metalloids in terms of non-carcinogenic risk were below 1. Conclusion Cr and As in the atmospheric PM_2.5 of the city present a certain risk of cancer and should be paid attention to. In addition, preventive control measures should be taken against relevant pollution sources such as industrial emission, dust, and coal burning.

Objective To analyze the medication rules of traditional Chinese medicine in treating breast cancer based on real-world data mining.Methods Inpatients with breast cancer who received traditional Chinese medicine treatment at the Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2017 to December 2021 were selected.Python 3.10 software was used to mine traditional Chinese medicine prescription data;SPSS 23.0 software was applied for descriptive analysis,and systematic cluster analysis was performed on high-frequency drugs.Results A total of 3026 consultation records of inpatients with breast cancer were collected.The main traditional Chinese medicine syndrome diagnosis of"predominantly liver depression and Qi stagnation"accounted for 60.94％of the total consultations.A total of 240 kinds of traditional Chinese medicine were used,with a cumulative frequency of 35 462 times.Among them,29 kinds of traditional Chinese medicine such as Danggui,Fuling,Baizhu,Chaihu had a cumulative usage frequency exceeding 300 times.Regarding the four natures of drugs,cold-natured(43.55％),warm-natured(30.05％),and neutral-natured(23.34％)drugs were predominant;In terms of five flavors,sweet(46.12％),bitter(30.91％),and pungent(20.02％)were the main ones.The most frequently used drugs were tonifying herbs(32.77％),followed by heat-clearing herbs(15.96％)and phlegm-resolving herbs(14.71％).Systematic cluster analysis yielded 7 groups of drug combinations.Conclusion In real-world clinical practice,traditional Chinese medicine for breast cancer mainly uses tonifying herbs,reflecting the traditional Chinese medicine principle of"strengthening healthy Qi and cultivating the root"in treating tumors.The four natures and five flavors of drugs follow syndrome differentiation and the combination of cold and heat.The clustered drug combinations have extensive therapeutic effects,covering various syndromes of breast cancer at different stages,which can provide a reference for clinical medication.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of free palmaris longus tendon graft reconstruction in the treatment of gouty tophus erosion lesions in flexor tendon of wrist and hand. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 8 patients with gouty tophus erosion lesions in flexor tendon of wrist and hand who underwent free palmaris longus tendon graft reconstruction between June 2017 and December 2023. All patients were male, aged 22-65 years, with an average of 45.9 years. The duration of gout history ranged from 2 to 18 years, with an average of 8.8 years. The duration from the discovery of gouty tophus to operation ranged from 12 to 26 months, with an average of 17.6 months. The gouty tophus eroded the flexor pollicis longus tendon in 4 cases, with Verdan flexor tendon zones being Ⅰ-Ⅱ in 1 case and Ⅳ-Ⅴ in 3 cases. The flexor digitorum profundus tendons were affected in 2 cases for the index finger, 1 for the middle finger, and 1 for the ring finger, all located in zone Ⅳ-Ⅴ. The long axis of the gouty tophus ranged from 2.3 to 4.5 cm, with an average of 3.4 cm. All 8 patients presented with limited finger flexion and extension. Among them, 4 cases were accompanied by median nerve compression symptoms, and 1 case had associated bone and joint destruction in the hand. The total active motion (TAM) of the affected finger was (81.3±30.2)° before operation according to the hand function evaluation criteria for tendon repair by the Chinese Society of Hand Surgery of the Chinese Medical Association, and the functional evaluation was poor. The harvested palmaris longus tendon intraoperatively was 7-9 cm in length. RESULTS: Surgical incisions in all 8 patients healed by first intention, with no infections, graft non-union, or significant adhesion complications. All patients were followed up 8-25 months, with an average of 14.8 months. Numbness symptoms resolved in all 4 patients who presented with median nerve compression symptoms. Patients did not experience wrist pain or other discomfort, and function was not compromised. At last follow-up, according to the hand function evaluation criteria for tendon repair by the Chinese Society of Hand Surgery of the Chinese Medical Association, the TAM of 8 patients was (197.5±55.8)°, which significantly improved when compared with that before operation ( t=11.638, P<0.001); the hand function of 1 patient with gouty tophus in zone Ⅰ-Ⅱ flexor pollicis longus tendon was good, and the other 7 patients were excellent. CONCLUSION Free palmaris longus tendon graft reconstruction demonstrates good effectiveness in treating gouty tophus erosion lesions in flexor tendon of wrist and hand.
Humans ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Adult ; Tendons/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Aged ; Gout/complications* ; Wrist/surgery* ; Plastic Surgery Procedures/methods* ; Hand/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult