Objective To investigate the expression of carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 6 (CEACAM6) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and analyze its correlation with immune cell infiltration and patient prognosis. Methods Three ESCC datasets (GSE161533, GSE26886, and GSE23400) from the GEO database were analyzed to identify differentially expressed genes. CEACAM6 was identified as a key gene through survival analysis. Its expression, prognostic value, and relationship with immune cell infiltration were further explored using databases, such as TIMER. Tissue samples were collected from 162 patients with ESCC. Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect the expression of CEACAM6, immune cell markers (CD4, CD8, CD20, and CD56), and immune checkpoint molecules (HHLA2 and CD40LG). Correlations between CEACAM6 expression and clinicopathological features, immune cell infiltration, and immune checkpoints were analyzed. Results Bioinformatic analysis and clinical sample validation confirmed that CEACAM6 expression was significantly upregulated in ESCC tissues compared with adjacent nontumor tissues (P<0.05). High CEACAM6 expression was closely associated with advanced clinical stage (AJCC Ⅲ-Ⅳ), high T stage (T3-T4), lymph node metastasis, nonulcerative type, and poor prognosis. Furthermore, CEACAM6 expression levels were positively correlated with the infiltration density of CD8⁺ T cells, CD4⁺ T cells, and CD20⁺ B cells within the tumor microenvironment and with the expression of the immune checkpoint molecules HHLA2 and CD40LG (all P<0.05). Conclusion CEACAM6 serves as an independent poor prognostic factor for ESCC. Its high expression is implicated in the modulation of the tumor immune microenvironment by correlating with specific immune cell infiltration and immune checkpoint molecules, suggesting its potential as a novel prognostic biomarker and immunotherapeutic target for ESCC.

Chronic liver diseases with common causes including viral infections， alcohol abuse， and autoimmune diseases. Alkaloids， as a class of plant-derived compounds， have shown significant potential in regulating chronic liver diseases. Recent studies have shown that alkaloids are able to exert a therapeutic effect on chronic liver diseases through multiple pathways. These compounds have a regulatory effect on key pathological processes such as liver fibrosis， inflammatory response， oxidative stress， and cell apoptosis， and they also regulate the metabolic homeostasis of hepatocytes by modulating multiple signaling pathways， thereby playing a role in regulating chronic liver diseases. This article reviews the role and mechanism of alkaloids in the treatment of chronic liver diseases， in order to provide new ideas and directions for the treatment of chronic liver diseases.

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) is a multifunctional protein involved in diverse cellular functions, notably DNA damage repair. Pharmacological inhibition of PARP1 has therapeutic benefits for various pathologies. Despite the increased use of PARP inhibitors, challenges persist in achieving PARP1 selectivity and effective blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetration. The development of a PARP1-specific positron emission tomography (PET) radioligand is crucial for understanding disease biology and performing target occupancy studies, which may aid in the development of PARP1-specific inhibitors. In this study, we leverage the recently identified PARP1 inhibitor, AZD9574, to introduce the design and development of its ¹⁸F-isotopologue ([¹⁸F]AZD9574). Our comprehensive approach, encompassing pharmacological, cellular, autoradiographic, and in vivo PET imaging evaluations in non-human primates, demonstrates the capacity of [¹⁸F]AZD9574 to specifically bind to PARP1 and to successfully penetrate the BBB. These findings position [¹⁸F]AZD9574 as a viable molecular imaging tool, poised to facilitate the exploration of pathophysiological changes in PARP1 tissue abundance across various diseases.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), characterized by fatty acid overload, secondary chronic inflammation, and fibrosis, has become the most prevalent chronic liver disease globally. While no effective pharmacotherapy exists for MAFLD, mitigating inflammatory responses represents a promising approach to preventing the progression from steatosis to severe steatohepatitis. The NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, which detects endogenous danger and stress signals, has emerged as a significant target for inflammatory disease treatment, as transcriptional inactivation of its components demonstrates the therapeutic potential for MAFLD. Natural products targeting NLRP3 inflammasome activation have shown promising efficacy in MAFLD therapy. This review synthesizes the current understanding of NLRP3 inflammasome activation and therapeutic targets for NLRP3 homeostasis. Additionally, natural products reported to inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome for MAFLD improvement are categorized according to their mechanisms of action. The review also addresses limitations and future directions regarding natural products targeting NLRP3 inflammasome in MAFLD treatment. Enhanced understanding of NLRP3 inflammasome activation mechanisms in MAFLD and the identification of novel natural products supported by mechanistic research will significantly advance MAFLD treatment.
Humans ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/immunology* ; Inflammasomes/metabolism* ; Biological Products/therapeutic use* ; Animals ; Fatty Liver/immunology*

Objective:To establish the characteristic spectrum of Liushenqu standard decoction using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UPLC); To determine the contents of related index components; To evaluate the quality of Liushenqu standard decoction.Methods:UPLC method was used to establish characteristic spectrum of Liushenqu standard decoction. Chromatographic Fingerprint Similarity Evaluation System (2012 edition) was used for similarity analysis, the characteristic peak was assigned, and the content of its index components was determined.Results:The characteristic peaks of Liushenqu standard decoction were calibrated and 8 components were identified, namely uridine, adenosine, guanosine, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, tryptophan, vanillic acid, ferulic acid and shaftaside. The contents of uridine, adenosine, tryptophan ferulic acid and shaftaside in 10 batches of Liushenqu standard decoction were simultaneously determined, and ranged from 0.036 1～0.383 9 mg/g, 0.030 7～0.170 2 mg/g, 0.007 0～0.060 2 mg/g, 0.001 0～0.005 0 mg/g, 0.000 8～0.013 8 mg/g, respectively. The transfer rates ranged from 44.2% to 50.8%, 60.1% to 67.7%, 60.4% to 76.4%, 62.7% to 77.4%, 50.7% to 61.4%, respectively.Conclusion:The established UPLC characteristic spectrum and content determination method are accurate and repeatable, which can provide references for quality control of Liushenqu standard granules.

Objective To analyze the changes in serum levels of cancer-associated fibroblast-re-lated factors[vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1)]and inflammatory mediators[interleukin-1(IL-1),interleukin-6(IL-6)]in patients with endometrial cancer(EC)and their relationship with clinicopathological features.Methods A total of 180 pa-tients with EC were selected as EC group,and 100 patients with benign endometrial lesions who visi-ted the hospital during the same period were selected as control group.The serum levels of VEGF,TGF-β1,IL-1 and IL-6 were compared between the two groups,as well as among EC patients with different clinicopathological features.Spearman correlation analysis was used to examine the relation-ship between the above-mentioned serum indicators and clinicopathological features in EC patients.Results The serum levels of VEGF,TGF-β1,IL-1 and IL-6 in the EC group were higher than those in the control group,with statistically significant differences(P＜0.05).The serum levels of VEGF,TGF-β1,IL-1 and IL-6 in EC patients with a myometrial invasion depth ≥ 1/2 and lymph node metas-tasis were higher than those in EC patients with a myometrial invasion depth＜1/2 and no lymph node metastasis(P＜0.05).Spearman correlation coefficient analysis showed that the serum levels of VEGF,TGF-β1,IL-1 and IL-6 in EC patients were positively correlated with myometrial invasion depth and lymph node metastasis status,respectively(P＜0.05).Conclusion The serum levels of VEGF,TGF-β1,IL-1 and IL-6 are significantly elevated in EC patients.These indicators are sig-nificantly correlated with clinicopathological features and have potential value in the early diagnosis,prognosis assessment,and targeted therapy of EC.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) comprises a spectrum of liver injuries, including steatosis to steatohepatitis (MASH), liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and relevant complications. The liver mainly comprises hepatocytes, liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs), Kupffer cells (KCs), immune cells (T cells, B cells), and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Crosstalk among these different liver cells, endogenous aberrant glycolipid metabolism, and altered gut dysbiosis are involved in the pathophysiology of MASLD. This review systematically examines advances in understanding the molecular pathogenesis of MASLD, with a focus on emerging therapeutic targets and translational clinical trials. We first delineate the crucial regulatory mechanisms involving diverse liver cells and the gut-liver axis in MASLD development. These cell-specific pathogenic insights offer valuable perspectives for advancing precision medicine approaches in MASLD treatment. Furthermore, we evaluate potential therapeutic targets and summarize clinical trials currently underway. By comprehensively updating the MASLD pathophysiology and identifying promising strategies, this review aims to facilitate the development of novel pharmacotherapies for this increasingly prevalent condition.
Humans ; Fatty Liver/therapy* ; Animals ; Liver/pathology* ; Kupffer Cells/metabolism* ; Hepatocytes/metabolism* ; Hepatic Stellate Cells/metabolism*

Objective: To investigate the mechanism of action of curcumol on mitochondrial autophagy in hepatic stellate cells and its molecular mechanism against liver fibrosis. Methods : Hepatic stellate cells were divided into blank group, model group(lipopolysaccharide 5 mg/L), and low, medium and high curcumol group(12.5, 25 and 50 mg/L); Thiazolyland(MTT) was used to detect the effects of curcumol on the viability of hepatic stellate cells; flow cytometry was used to detect the effects of curcumol on apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells; 5,5′,6,6′-Tetrachloro-1,1′,3,3′-tetraethylimidacarbocyanine iodide(JC-1) was used to detect the mitochondrial membrane potential; effects of curcumol on mitochondrial morphology and autophagosome were detected by transmission electron microscopy; effect of curcumol on mitochondrial localisation were detected by fluorescent probe; Immunoblotting assay was performed to detect the effects of curcumin on PTEN-induced putative kinase 1(PINK1), Parkinson's disease protein(Parkin), microtubule-associated protein light chain 3(LC3), autophagy-associated protein(Beclin1), mitochondrial inner membrane translocase 23(Timm23), mitochondrial outer membrane translocase 20(Tomm20), Bcl-2 associated X protein(Bax), B lymphocytoma-2(Bcl2), cleaved-cysteine protease 3(Caspase3), α-smooth muscle actin(ɑ-SMA), collagen type Ⅰ(Collagen Ⅰ), and collagen type Ⅲ(Collagen Ⅲ) protein expression. Results : Compared with the blank control group, cell proliferation rate, Caspase3, Bcl2, LC3Ⅱ, Beclin1, PINK1, Parkin, ɑ-SMA, CollagenⅠ, CollagenⅢ proteins significantly increased in the model group(P<0.01), co-localisation of mitochondria and lysosomes increased, and the number of mitochondrial autophagosome significantly increased(P<0.01), while Timm23 and Tomm20 proteins, mitochondrial membrane potential decreased significantly(P<0.01), apoptosis rate decreased, and Bax protein expression decreased. Compared with the model group, after curcumol intervention, cell proliferation rate, Bcl2, Timm23, Tomm20, α-SMA, CollagenⅠ and CollagenⅢ protein expression significantly decreased in the curcumol low-, medium-and high-concentration groups(P<0.01), and the mitochondrial membrane potential significantly decreased(P<0.01), whereas apoptosis rate, Caspase3, Bax, LC3Ⅱ, Beclin1, PINK1 and Parkin proteins significantly increased(P<0.05), the co-localisation of mitochondria and lysosomes increased, and the number of mitochondrial autophagosome significantly increased(P<0.01). Conclusion Curcumol exerts ameliorative effects on hepatic fibrosis by modulating mitochondrial hyperautophagy mediated by the PINK1/Parkin signaling pathway, and promoting hepatic stellate cell apoptosis.

Lidocaine,as an amide local anesthetic,is widely used in cancer patients in the perioperative period.This article summa-rizes the effect of lidocaine on cell proliferation,invasion,and metastasis of common tumors in clinical practice based on both basic and clinical studies,including breast cancer,gastric cancer,colon cancer,and lung cancer,and it also reviews the clinical application of li-docaine in the perioperative treatment of patients with these four types of cancer.It is necessary to explore the mechanism of action of li-docaine in various types of cancer,develop individualized administration regimens based on the treatment characteristics of different tu-mors,and optimize perioperative treatment strategies for cancer patients through novel formulations,which may provide a theoretical ba-sis for lidocaine in assisting tumor therapy in the perioperative period.

Sessile serrated lesion(SSL)is a major precancerous lesion type of colorectal cancer and one of the main causes of colorectal cancer.SSL has unique tissue structures and morphological features,with low detection rate under endoscopy and high variability in histopathological diagnosis,making it one of the most easily missed lesions in colorectal cancer screening.In recent years,the application of artificial intelligence(AI)in the diagnosis of colorectal cancer has been rapidly increasing.Previous studies have found that AI-assisted endoscopic technology can improve the detection rate and diagnostic accuracy of colorectal SSL,and AI-assisted pathological diagnosis can improve diagnostic efficiency and consistency.This article aims to provide a review of current research on AI technology in colorectal SSL.