ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of tonifying kidney and replenishing essence on asthenozoospermia patients with the syndrome of kidney essence deficiency and the effects of this method on the adenosine 5′-monophosphate-activated protein kinase （AMPK）/mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 （mTORC1） signaling pathway. MethodsSeventy-two eligible asthenozoospermia patients with the syndrome of kidney essence deficiency treated in the Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from February 2023 to January 2024 were selected and randomly assigned into an observation group and a control group， with 36 patients in each group. The observation group received oral administration of Guilu Tianjing capsules， while the control group received oral administration of L-carnitine oral solution. The treatment course lasted for 4 weeks in both groups. The observed indicators included sperm progressive motility rate （PR）， total sperm motility （PR+NP）， percentage of normal mitochondrial membrane potential （MMP）， and traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） symptom scores before and after treatment in both groups. A three-month follow-up was instituted to record the conception status of the patients’ spouses. Additionally， eight patients were randomly selected from the eligible patients in the observation group， and four healthy males with normal semen routine examination results were included as the control group for the determination of protein expression. Western blotting was conducted to assess the expression of AMPK， phosphorylated （p）-AMPK， regulatory-associated protein of mTOR （RAPTOR） and p-RAPTOR， and PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 （PINK1） in sperms from the observation group before and after treatment， as well as in the sperms of the control group. ResultsThe pregnancy rate of spouses in the observation group was 9.09% （3/33）， which was higher than that （3.33%， 1/30） in the control group. The total response rate was 84.8% （28/33） in the observation group and 66.7% （20/30） in the control group， with no statistically significant difference. After treatment， both groups were improved considering PR， PR+NP， MMP， and TCM symptom scores （P<0.01）. Moreover， the observation group exhibited more pronounced decreases in TCM symptom scores than the control group （P<0.05）， while the changes in PR， PR+NP， and MMP showed no statistical significance between groups. Compared with the control group， the asthenozoospermia group exhibited upregulations in phosphorylation levels of AMPK and RAPTOR and protein level of PINK （P<0.01）. The administration of Guilu Tianjing Capsules led to downregulations in the phosphorylation levels of AMPK and RAPTOR and protein level of PINK1 （P<0.01）. However， the protein levels of AMPK and RAPTOR demonstrated no significant difference between before and after treatment. During the study period， neither group of patients exhibited any notable adverse reactions. ConclusionGuilu Tianjing capsules can enhance the sperm motility and percentage of normal mitochondrial membrane potential in asthenozoospermia patients with the syndrome of kidney essence deficiency by downregulating the AMPK/mTORC1 signaling pathway， lowering the protein level of PINK1， and inhibiting excessive activation of mitophagy.

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of tonifying kidney and replenishing essence on asthenozoospermia patients with the syndrome of kidney essence deficiency and the effects of this method on the adenosine 5′-monophosphate-activated protein kinase （AMPK）/mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 （mTORC1） signaling pathway. MethodsSeventy-two eligible asthenozoospermia patients with the syndrome of kidney essence deficiency treated in the Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from February 2023 to January 2024 were selected and randomly assigned into an observation group and a control group， with 36 patients in each group. The observation group received oral administration of Guilu Tianjing capsules， while the control group received oral administration of L-carnitine oral solution. The treatment course lasted for 4 weeks in both groups. The observed indicators included sperm progressive motility rate （PR）， total sperm motility （PR+NP）， percentage of normal mitochondrial membrane potential （MMP）， and traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） symptom scores before and after treatment in both groups. A three-month follow-up was instituted to record the conception status of the patients’ spouses. Additionally， eight patients were randomly selected from the eligible patients in the observation group， and four healthy males with normal semen routine examination results were included as the control group for the determination of protein expression. Western blotting was conducted to assess the expression of AMPK， phosphorylated （p）-AMPK， regulatory-associated protein of mTOR （RAPTOR） and p-RAPTOR， and PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 （PINK1） in sperms from the observation group before and after treatment， as well as in the sperms of the control group. ResultsThe pregnancy rate of spouses in the observation group was 9.09% （3/33）， which was higher than that （3.33%， 1/30） in the control group. The total response rate was 84.8% （28/33） in the observation group and 66.7% （20/30） in the control group， with no statistically significant difference. After treatment， both groups were improved considering PR， PR+NP， MMP， and TCM symptom scores （P<0.01）. Moreover， the observation group exhibited more pronounced decreases in TCM symptom scores than the control group （P<0.05）， while the changes in PR， PR+NP， and MMP showed no statistical significance between groups. Compared with the control group， the asthenozoospermia group exhibited upregulations in phosphorylation levels of AMPK and RAPTOR and protein level of PINK （P<0.01）. The administration of Guilu Tianjing Capsules led to downregulations in the phosphorylation levels of AMPK and RAPTOR and protein level of PINK1 （P<0.01）. However， the protein levels of AMPK and RAPTOR demonstrated no significant difference between before and after treatment. During the study period， neither group of patients exhibited any notable adverse reactions. ConclusionGuilu Tianjing capsules can enhance the sperm motility and percentage of normal mitochondrial membrane potential in asthenozoospermia patients with the syndrome of kidney essence deficiency by downregulating the AMPK/mTORC1 signaling pathway， lowering the protein level of PINK1， and inhibiting excessive activation of mitophagy.

Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is a naturally occurring, low-toxicity, and hydrophilic bile acid (BA) in the human body that is converted by intestinal flora using primary BA. Solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) functions to uptake extracellular cystine in exchange for glutamate, and is highly expressed in a variety of human cancers. Retroperitoneal liposarcoma (RLPS) refers to liposarcoma originating from the retroperitoneal area. Lipidomics analysis revealed that UDCA was one of the most significantly downregulated metabolites in sera of RLPS patients compared with healthy subjects. The augmentation of UDCA concentration (≥25 μg/mL) demonstrated a suppressive effect on the proliferation of liposarcoma cells. [¹⁵N₂]-cystine and [¹³C₅]-glutamine isotope tracing revealed that UDCA impairs cystine uptake and glutathione (GSH) synthesis. Mechanistically, UDCA binds to the cystine transporter SLC7A11 to inhibit cystine uptake and impair GSH de novo synthesis, leading to reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and mitochondrial oxidative damage. Furthermore, UDCA can promote the anti-cancer effects of ferroptosis inducers (Erastin, RSL3), the murine double minute 2 (MDM2) inhibitors (Nutlin 3a, RG7112), cyclin dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) inhibitor (Abemaciclib), and glutaminase inhibitor (CB839). Together, UDCA functions as a cystine exchange factor that binds to SLC7A11 for antitumor activity, and SLC7A11 is not only a new transporter for BA but also a clinically applicable target for UDCA. More importantly, in combination with other antitumor chemotherapy or physiotherapy treatments, UDCA may provide effective and promising treatment strategies for RLPS or other types of tumors in a ROS-dependent manner.

Objective:To investigate the expressions of cystathionine-β-synthase(CBS)and cystathionine-γ-lyase(CSE)and their effects on the malignant biological behaviours of breast cancer cells,and to elucidate their mechanisms.Methods:The breast cancer tissue and paracancerous normal tissue from 15 cases of patients were selected,and RT-qPCR and Western blotting methods were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of CBS and CSE in breast cancer tissue,paracancerous normal tissue,MCF-7 cells,and MDA-MB-231 cells.The MCF-7 cells were divided into siNC group(transfected with siNC)and siCBS group(transfected with siCBS),and the MDA-MB-231 cells were divided into ovNC group(transfected with CSE over-expression empty plasmid)and ovCSE group(transfected with CSE over-expression plasmid).CCK8 assay was used to detect the proliferation activities of breast cancer cells in various groups,Transwell assay was used to detect the numbers of migration and invasion cells in various groups,and Western blotting method was used to detect the protein expression levels of E-cadherin,N-cadherin and Vimentin proteins in the breast cancer cells in various groups.Results:Compared with paracancerous normal tissue,the expression levels of CBS and CSE mRNA and proteins in breast cancer tissue were increased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Compared with MDA-MB-231 cells,the CBS mRNA expression level in the MCF-7 cells was increased(P＜0.05);compared with MCF-7 cells,the expression level of CSE protein in the MDA-MB-231 cells was decreased(P＜0.05).Compared with siNC group,the proliferation activity,the numbers of migration and invasion cells,the expression levels of N-cadherin and Vimentin proteins in the MCF-7 cells in siCBS group were significantly decreased(P＜0.05),and the expression level of E-cadherin protein was increased(P＜0.05).Compared with ovNC group,the proliferation activity,the numbers of migratoin and invasion cells,and the expression levels of N-cadherin and Vimentin proteins in the MDA-MB-231 cells in ovCSE group were increased(P＜0.05),while the expression level of E-cadherin protein was significantly decreased(P＜0.05).Conclusion:The expressions of CBS and CSE are upregulated in breast cancer tissue,and high levels of CBS and CSE promote proliferation,migration,invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)of breast cancer cells.

Objective:To investigate the anti-leukemic effects and resistance mechanisms of venetoclax in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Genomic, transcriptomic, and clinical data from AML patients who underwent venetoclax drug sensitivity testing were downloaded from the Beat AML database. Correlation analysis was performed between these data and venetoclax sensitivity outcomes. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with venetoclax sensitivity were identified from transcriptomic data and subsequently validated using GEO database transcriptomic results and in vitro experiments (including Western blot). Functional enrichment analyses (KEGG and GSEA), transcription factor enrichment analysis (KnockTF), and data from public databases were employed to further investigate key genes and pathways influencing drug sensitivity.Results:After filtering the Beat AML cohort, data from 52 patient samples with available in vitro venetoclax sensitivity results were included for analysis. Patients with FLT3 mutations exhibited greater sensitivity to venetoclax compared to those with FLT3 wild-type. Correlation analysis between clinical information and drug sensitivity data indicated that higher peripheral blood tumor burden was associated with increased sensitivity to venetoclax. Transcriptomic analysis and in vitro experiments confirmed that venetoclax inhibits the FLT3-related signaling pathway, including downregulation of FLT3 expression and reduced phosphorylation of its downstream targets AKT and STAT5. KEGG pathway and KnockTF transcription factor enrichment analyses indicated that venetoclax resistance was associated with increased transcriptional activity of FOXM1 and STAT3. Moreover, high expression of FOXM1 and STAT3 correlated with shorter overall survival in patients.Conclusion:Venetoclax can inhibit the activation of FLT3-related signaling pathways. The activation of STAT3 and FOXM1 transcription factors is a potential key mechanism contributing to venetoclax resistance in AML.

Ursodeoxycholic acid(UDCA)is a naturally occurring,low-toxicity,and hydrophilic bile acid(BA)in the human body that is converted by intestinal flora using primary BA.Solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11)functions to uptake extracellular cystine in exchange for glutamate,and is highly expressed in a variety of human cancers.Retroperitoneal liposarcoma(RLPS)refers to liposarcoma originating from the retroperitoneal area.Lipidomics analysis revealed that UDCA was one of the most significantly down-regulated metabolites in sera of RIPS patients compared with healthy subjects.The augmentation of UDCA concentration(≥25 μg/mL)demonstrated a suppressive effect on the proliferation of liposarcoma cells.[15N2]-cystine and[13Cs]-glutamine isotope tracing revealed that UDCA impairs cystine uptake and glutathione(GSH)synthesis.Mechanistically,UDCA binds to the cystine transporter SLC7A11 to inhibit cystine uptake and impair GSH de novo synthesis,leading to reactive oxygen species(ROS)accumulation and mitochondrial oxidative damage.Furthermore,UDCA can promote the anti-cancer effects of ferroptosis inducers(Erastin,RSL3),the murine double minute 2(MDM2)inhibitors(Nutlin 3a,RG7112),cyclin dependent kinase 4(CDK4)inhibitor(Abemaciclib),and glutaminase inhibitor(CB839).Together,UDCA functions as a cystine exchange factor that binds to SLC7A11 for antitumor activity,and SLC7A11 is not only a new transporter for BA but also a clinically applicable target for UDCA.More importantly,in combination with other antitumor chemotherapy or physiotherapy treatments,UDCA may provide effective and promising treatment strategies for RLPS or other types of tumors in a ROS-dependent manner.

Objective:To investigate the anti-leukemic effects and resistance mechanisms of venetoclax in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Genomic, transcriptomic, and clinical data from AML patients who underwent venetoclax drug sensitivity testing were downloaded from the Beat AML database. Correlation analysis was performed between these data and venetoclax sensitivity outcomes. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with venetoclax sensitivity were identified from transcriptomic data and subsequently validated using GEO database transcriptomic results and in vitro experiments (including Western blot). Functional enrichment analyses (KEGG and GSEA), transcription factor enrichment analysis (KnockTF), and data from public databases were employed to further investigate key genes and pathways influencing drug sensitivity.Results:After filtering the Beat AML cohort, data from 52 patient samples with available in vitro venetoclax sensitivity results were included for analysis. Patients with FLT3 mutations exhibited greater sensitivity to venetoclax compared to those with FLT3 wild-type. Correlation analysis between clinical information and drug sensitivity data indicated that higher peripheral blood tumor burden was associated with increased sensitivity to venetoclax. Transcriptomic analysis and in vitro experiments confirmed that venetoclax inhibits the FLT3-related signaling pathway, including downregulation of FLT3 expression and reduced phosphorylation of its downstream targets AKT and STAT5. KEGG pathway and KnockTF transcription factor enrichment analyses indicated that venetoclax resistance was associated with increased transcriptional activity of FOXM1 and STAT3. Moreover, high expression of FOXM1 and STAT3 correlated with shorter overall survival in patients.Conclusion:Venetoclax can inhibit the activation of FLT3-related signaling pathways. The activation of STAT3 and FOXM1 transcription factors is a potential key mechanism contributing to venetoclax resistance in AML.

Objective: To investigate the sexual behaviors and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) knowledge acquisition of male students with human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)/AIDS before diagnosis, so as to provide reference for formulating policies and measures for AIDS prevention and control among young students. Methods: Qualitative interviews were conducted among 25 newly reported HIV/AIDS male students recruited from January 2021 to December 2023 in the district of Chengdu. The contents of the interviews included highrisk behaviors related to HIV infection, access to knowledge and psychological status after infection. Results: All interviewees had sex with men, and the mean age of first homosexual behavior was (17.48±1.64) years old. The time from first sexual behavior to confirmation ranged 0-8 years, with an average of (2.72±1.41) years. The proportion of condom use among interviewees was low, only 2 students reported using every time, and 12 students had never been tested for HIV infection before diagnosis. All interviewees were aware of knowledge about AIDS, but their awareness of risk was low. Among them, 16 thought that they would not be infected, 8 were aware of risks but held a luck mindset, and one did not know the role of such knowledge. Schools and Internet were the main ways to obtain knowledge. Among them, 3 got knowledge through Weibo, Douyin, Zhihu, etc., 9 got knowledge through school lectures, theme class meetings, etc., and 13 got knowledge through schools and the Internet. None of the interviewees had acquired AIDS related knowledge from family education. After knowing being infected, 21 students reported depression, frustration, pessimism, despair and other negative emotions(7 students expressed anxiety and depression, 9 students had fear and terror, 5 students felt regret) and only 4 students had a relatively calm attitude. Conclusions The primary reasons for the infection of young students are early age of first sexual behavior, multiple sexual partners, popularity of online dating and separation of AIDS knowledge and practice among HIV/AIDS male students. Targeted prevention and control measures should be developed to suppress AIDS transmission among young students.

Objective:To detect the expression and methylation of TIA1 in breast cancer and to study its correlation with multi-slice spiral CT signs.Methods:50 patients with breast cancer were collected from Feb.2019 to Mar. 2020. The expression levels of TIA1 in breast cancer tissues and in peritumoral tissues were estimated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Bioinformatics software MethPrimer was used for predicting TIA1 promotor and confirmed the existence of cPG island. Methylation-specific PCR (MSP) was performed to detect TIA1 DNA promoter methylation. All patients were examined by multi-slice CT. CT images were analyzed through observing the tumor size, shape, calcification area, lymph node metastasis and margin. The correlation between CT signs and TIA1 methylation status was further analyzed.Results:The expression levels of TIA1 in breast cancer tissues were lower than in peritumoral tissues (0.50±0.12, 0.95±0.10, P=0.00) , while TIA1 DNA promoter methylation rate was higher than in peritumoral tissues (64%, 42%, χ2=4.86, P<0.05) .There were no significant differences in TIA1 DNA promoter methylation rate among patients with different tumor shape and micro calcifications. TIA1 DNA promoter methylation rate in patients with mass diameter≥2 cm were significantly higher than those in patients with mass diameter<2 cm (78.57%, 45.45%, P<0.05) , and TIA1 DNA promoter methylation rate in patients with lymph node metastasis was higher than those without lymph node metastasis (79.17%, 50%, P<0.05) . TIA1 DNA promoter methylation rate in patients with burr at edge of mass was higher than those without burr at edge of mass (80.77%, 45.83%, P<0.05) . Conclusion:There is a correlation between CT imaging signs and TIA1 DNA promoter methylation rate in patients with breast cancer, which can provide more reference for the judgment of malignant degree and prognosis of patients with breast cancer.

Objective:To investigate the expression of circ0008234 and miR-1205 in breast cancer and the oncology characteristics of CT.Methods:40 patients with breast cancer were collected as observational objects from Jan.2018 to Dec.2018 and 40 patients without breast cancer were selected as the control group. The expression levels of circ0008234 and miR-1205 of all patients were estimated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Bioinformatics was used for the predictions of circ0008234 target miRNA. A dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to confirm the interaction between circ0008234 and miR-1205. All patients of the observation group were examined by multi-slice CT. CT images were analyzed through observing tumor size, shape, calcification area, lymph node metastasis and margin. The correlation between CT signs and the expression of circ0008234 and miR-1205 was further analyzed.Results:The levels of circ0008234 of observation group were significantly higher than those of the control group (2.23±0.86, 1.07±0.37, P=0.00) , but the expression levels of miR-1205 were lower than the control group (0.76±0.29, 1.04±0.29, P=0.00) . In the observation group, there were no significant differences in the expression of circ0008234 and miR-1205 among patients with different tumor marginal morphology and micro calcifications. However the expression of circ0008234 in patients with regular lump form were significantly higher than those in patients with inregular form (2.52±0.88, 1.91±0.74, P=0.025) , and the expression of miR-1205 were lower than those in patients with inregular form (0.66±0.30, 0.86±0.25, P=0.025) . In the observation group, the expression of circ0008234 in patients with mass diameter≥2 cm were significantly higher than those in patients with mass diameter<2 cm (2.59±0.95, 1.69±0.17, P=0.001) , but the expression of miR-1205 were lower than those in patients with mass diameter<2 cm (0.65±0.21, 0.92±0.33, P=0.003) . In the observation group, the expression of circ0008234 in patients with lymph node metastasis were higher than those without lymph node metastasis (2.55±1.09, 1.94±0.44, P=0.022) , but the expression of miR-1205 in patients with lymph node metastasis were lower than those without lymph node metastasis (0.65±0.26, 0.85±0.30, P=0.027) . miR-1205 was verified as a direct target of circ0008234 by luciferase assay. circ0008234 could negatively regulate the expression of miR-1205. Conclusion:There is a correlation between CT imaging signs and the expression of circ0008234 and miR-1205 in patients with breast cancer, which can provide more reference for the judgment of malignant degree and prognosis of patients with breast cancer.