OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of ecliptasaponin A (ESA) for alleviating dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in mice and the underlying mechanism. METHODS: Twenty-four male C57BL/6 mice (8-10 weeks old) were equally randomized into control group, DSS-induced IBD model group, and DSS+ESA (50 mg/kg) treatment group. Disease activity index (DAI), colon length and spleen index of the mice were measured, and intestinal pathology was examined with HE staining. The expressions of inflammatory mediators (TNF-α, IL-6, and iNOS) in the colon mucosa were detected using ELISA and RT-qPCR, and intestinal barrier integrity was assessed using AB-PAS staining and by detecting ZO-1 and claudin-1 expressions using immunofluorescence staining and Western blotting. In cultured RAW264.7 macrophages, the effects of treatment with 50 μmol/L ESA, alone or in combination with 20 μmol/L RO8191 (a JAK2/STAT3 pathway activator), on M1 polarization of the cells induced by LPS and IFN-γ stimulation and expressions of JAK2/STAT3 pathway proteins were analyzed using flow cytometry and Western blotting. RESULTS: In the mouse models of DSS-induced IBD, ESA treatment significantly alleviated body weight loss and colon shortening, reduced DAI, spleen index and histological scores, and ameliorated inflammatory cell infiltration in the colon tissue. ESA treatment also suppressed TNF‑α, IL-6 and iNOS expressions, protected the goblet cells and the integrity of the mucus and mechanical barriers, and upregulated the expressions of ZO-1 and claudin-1. ESA treatment obviously decreased CD86⁺ M1 polarization in the mesenteric lymph nodes of IBD mice and in LPS and IFN-γ-induced RAW264.7 cells, and significantly reduced p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 expressions in both the mouse models and RAW264.7 cells. Treatment with RO8191 caused reactivation of JAK2/STAT3 and strongly attenuated the inhibitory effect of ESA on CD86⁺ polarization in RAW264.7 cells. CONCLUSIONS ESA alleviates DSS-induced colitis in mice by suppressing JAK2/STAT3-mediated M1 macrophage polarization and mitigating inflammation-driven intestinal barrier damage.
Animals ; Mice ; Janus Kinase 2/metabolism* ; STAT3 Transcription Factor/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Male ; Dextran Sulfate ; Macrophages/cytology* ; Colitis/metabolism* ; Saponins/pharmacology* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; RAW 264.7 Cells ; Triterpenes/pharmacology* ; Interleukin-6/metabolism*

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the mechanism through which pinostrobin (PSB) alleviates dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice. METHODS: C57BL/6 mice were randomized into control group, DSS model group, and PSB intervention (30, 60, and 120 mg/kg) groups. Colitis severity of the mice was assessed by examining body weight changes, disease activity index (DAI), colon length, and histopathology. The expressions of tight junction proteins ZO-1 and claudin-1 in the colon tissues were examined using immunofluorescence staining, and macrophage infiltration and polarization were analyzed with flow cytometry. ELISA and RT-qPCR were used for detecting the expressions of inflammatory factors (TNF‑α and IL-6) and chemokines (CCL₂, CXCL₁₀, and CX₃CL₁) in the colon tissues, and PI3K/AKT phosphorylation levels were analyzed with Western blotting. In cultured Caco-2 and RAW264.7 cells, the effect of PSB on CCL₂-mediated macrophage migration was assessed using Transwell assay. Network pharmacology analysis was performed to predict the key pathways that mediate the therapeutic effect of PSB. RESULTS: In DSS-induced mouse models, PSB at 60 mg/kg optimally alleviated colitis, shown by reduced weight loss and DAI scores and increased colon length. PSB treatment significantly upregulated ZO-1 and claudin-1 expressions in the colon tissues, inhibited colonic macrophage infiltration, and promoted the shift of macrophage polarization from M1 to M2 type. In cultured intestinal epithelial cells, PSB significantly inhibited PI3K/AKT phosphorylation and suppressed chemokine CCL₂ expression. PSB treatment obviously blocked CCL₂-mediated macrophage migration of RAW264.7 cells, which could be reversed by exogenous CCL₂. Network pharmacology analysis and rescue experiments confirmed PI3K/AKT and CCL₂ signaling as the core targets of PSB. CONCLUSIONS PSB alleviates DSS-induced colitis in mice by targeting intestinal epithelial PI3K/AKT signaling, reducing CCL₂ secretion, and blocking macrophage chemotaxis and migration, highlighting the potential of PSB as a novel natural compound for treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.
Animals ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism* ; Colitis/drug therapy* ; Dextran Sulfate ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; Macrophages ; Chemokine CCL2/metabolism* ; Humans ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Caco-2 Cells ; RAW 264.7 Cells ; Epithelial Cells/drug effects* ; Intestinal Mucosa/metabolism*

The culture of suspended Vero cells is facing difficulties such as low cell viability and long doubling time. To investigate the main reasons for the slow growth and low viability of suspended Vero cells, this study conducted transcriptomic analysis of suspended Vero cells (Vero-XF) and adherent Vero cells (Vero-AD) to screen the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) affecting the growth of suspended cells. In addition, epidermal growth factor (EGF) was supplemented to the culture system to improve the growth of Vero-XF. The results showed that compared with the Vero-AD group, the Vero-XF group had 7 376 significant DEGs. Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes enrichment analysis revealed that the DEGs were mainly enriched in the autophagy and mitophagy pathways. Eleven DEGs were selected and verified by quantitative real-time PCR, which showed up-regulated expression of ATG9B, WIPI2, LAMP2, OPTN, Rab7a, and DEPTOR and down-regulated expression of ATG4D, being consistent with the results of transcriptomic analysis. In addition, the Vero-XF group showed significantly up-regulated expression of ATG101, ATG2A, and STX17 and insignificant change in the expression of NBR1, compared with the Vero-AD group. The protein levels of LC3 and P62 in Vero-XF and Vero-AD were determined by Western blotting, which showed up-regulated expression of LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ and down-regulated expression of P62 in Vero-XF, indicating a higher level of autophagy. Finally, the exogenous supplementation of EGF at 10, 20, and 30 μg/L in the culture system reduced the autophagy level of Vero-XF by 22.35%, 48.15%, and 71.29%, increased the specific growth rate by 15.48%, 33.33%, and 57.14%, and decreased the apoptosis rate by 2.84%, 15.46%, and 16.23%, respectively. The results of this study preliminarily reveal that the activation of autophagy is one of the reasons for the slow growth of Vero-XF, which provides reference for the subsequent culture of suspended Vero cells.
Animals ; Vero Cells ; Autophagy/genetics* ; Chlorocebus aethiops ; Epidermal Growth Factor/pharmacology* ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Transcriptome ; Cell Survival

Radiomics is a rapidly developing field,which can transform the black and white gray-scale information of traditional CT,MR1,positron emission tomography(PET),and other images into quantitative radiomics features,obtain rich deep features of lesions,and provide more valuable information for clinical diag-nosis and treatment.Radiomics capture these time-varying lesion characteristics in continuous imaging,and then discover markers and patterns of disease evolution,progression and treatment response,which are used to solve clinical problems.Image data are mineable,and in large enough data sets,they can be used to complete advancements from the individual level to the molecular/digital level.Although the development of radiomics is still in its infancy,there have been many studies on its application in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.This article reviews the application of radiomics in the precise diagnosis,treatment efficacy and prognosis prediction,and differential diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma,in order to provide a basis for clinical precise diagnosis and individualized treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Background::Given that seizures may be triggered by vaccination, this study aimed to evaluate the risk and correlative factors of seizures in patients with epilepsy (PWE) after being vaccinated against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).Methods::This study retrospectively enrolled PWE who were vaccinated against COVID-19 in the epilepsy centers of 11 hospitals in China. We divided the PWE into two groups as follows: (1) patients who developed seizures within 14 days of vaccination were assigned to the SAV (with seizures after vaccination) group; (2) patients who were seizure-free within 14 days of vaccination were assigned to the SFAV (seizure-free after vaccination) group. To identify potential risk factors for seizure reccurence, the binary logistic regression analysis was performed. Besides, 67 PWE who had not been vaccinated were also included for elucidating the effects of vaccination on seizures recurrence, and binary logistic regression analysis was performed to determine whether vaccination would affect the recurrence rate of PWE who had drug reduction or withdrawal.Results::The study included a total of 407 patients; of which, 48 (11.8%) developed seizures within 14 days after vaccination (SAV group), whereas 359 (88.2%) remained seizure-free (SFAV group). The binary logistic regression analysis revealed that duration of seizure freedom ( P < 0.001) and withdrawal from anti-seizure medications (ASMs) or reduction in their dosage during the peri-vaccination period were significantly associated with the recurrence of seizures (odds ratio= 7.384, 95% confidence interval = 1.732–31.488, P = 0.007). In addition, 32 of 33 patients (97.0%) who were seizure-free for more than three months before vaccination and had a normal electroencephalogram before vaccination did not have any seizures within 14 days of vaccination. A total of 92 (22.6%) patients experienced non-epileptic adverse reactions after vaccination. Binary logistic regression analysis results showed that vaccine did not significantly affect the recurrence rate of PWE who had the behavior of ASMs dose reduction or withdrawal ( P = 0.143). Conclusions::PWE need protection from the COVID-19 vaccine. PWE who are seizure-free for >3 months before vaccination should be vaccinated. Whether the remaining PWE should be vaccinated depends on the local prevalence of COVID-19. Finally, PWE should avoid discontinuing ASMs or reducing their dosage during the peri-vaccination period.

Onodera prognostic nutrition index (OPNI) is a simple and effective parameter. It is calculated by serum albumin level and peripheral blood lymphocyte count. Initially, OPNI is used to assess preoperative nutritional status and surgical risk. In recent years, researchers have found that OPNI is related to the prognosis of many tumors. Simple and accurate prognosis evaluation can help to select treatment methods for digestive system malignant tumors, determine the best pre-operative treatment time and operation time, and improve the survival rate of patients with diges-tive system malignant tumors. The authors review the related literatures at home and abroad, and summarize the research advances in the prognostic value of OPNI for malignant tumors of digestive systems.

Chest trauma is one of the most common injuries. Venous thromboembolism (VTE) as a common complication of chest trauma seriously affects the quality of patients′ life and even leads to death. Although there are some consensus and guidelines on the prevention and treatment of VTE at home and abroad, the current literatures lack specificity considering the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of VTE in patients with chest trauma have their own characteristics, especially for those with blunt trauma. Accordingly, China Chest Injury Research Society and editorial board of Chinese Journal of Traumatology organized relevant domestic experts to jointly formulate the Chinese expert consensus on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of chest trauma venous thromboembolism associated with chest trauma (2022 version). This consensus provides expert recommendations of different levels as academic guidance in terms of the characteristics, clinical manifestations, risk assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of chest trauma-related VTE, so as to offer a reference for clinical application.

Objective To analyze the feasibility of local target in early parotid carcinoma brachytherapy.Methods The retrospective study collected 14 early parotid gland carcinoma patients during November 2004 and February 2013 at Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology.All of them proceeded conservative surgery and 125I interstitial brachytherapy postoperatively.According to the different target designs,the patients were divided into two groups as local target group and whole target group.The disease-free survival rate and overall survival rate were analyzed.The target volume,the number of 125I seeds and dose of crisis organs such as mandibular ramus,pharynx constrictor,cervical spinal cord,external auditory canal,middle ear,mastoid in the affected side were compared between two groups.Results After 51-116 months of follow-up,disease-free survival rate and overall survival rate in both groups were 100％.The mean D90 of CTV in local target group was(90.3 ±20.4)Gy,and (104.3 ± 10.1)Gy in whole target group.There was no statistical difference between two groups(P ＞ 0.05),while there were statistical differences in target volume (t =5.003,P ＜ 0.05),which were (9.2 ± 2.4) and (35.1 ± 13.5)cm3 respectively.Mean dose of organs at risk between two groups including mandibular ramus,pharynx constrictor,external auditory canal,middle ear,mastoid and maximal dose of cervical spinal cord in the affected side also had significant differences(t =3.534,4.279,3.034,3.471,7.221,6.103,P ＜0.05).Local target group had less target volume and less dose in organs at risk.Conclusions The conservative surgery combined with local target brachytherapy is feasible for the early low grade parotid gland carcinomas,with acceptable survival rate and less risk in organs at risk.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and complications of flexible ureteroscopy for the treatment of upper urinary tract calculi in children.Methods The clinical data of upper urinary tract calculi in 20 children including 16 male and 4 female,treated by using flexible ureteroscopy,were collected from January 2014 to May 2015 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University.The mean age was 6.4 years (ranging from 2.7-15.0 years old).Among them,6 cases had upper ureteral calculi and 14 cases had renal calculi.All the calculi was found unilaterally with on the left side in 12 cases and on the right side in 8 cases.Ipsilateral mild to moderate hydronephrosis were found in all of the cases.The mean stone size was 1.2 cm (ranging from 0.5-1.8 cm).All the cases were treated through retrograde flexible ureteroscopy holmium laser lithotripsy after the invalid conservative through conservative treatment.Double J tube was left routinely in the sick side 1 week before operation to expand the internal diameter of the ureter.A double J stent was left in place for 1 month after operation as a routine.Results The flexible ureteral access sheath failed to insert into the upper ureter in 2 cases because of the narrow ureter,then the flexible ureteroscopy was inserted into ureter through wire directly.The flexible ureteral access sheath was successfully inserted into the ureter for the others and flexible ureteroscopy were inserted through flexible sheath.The mean operative time was 38 min (ranging from 20-60 min).The patients were discharged from hospital after a mean of 4.5 days (ranging from 3-7 days).The rate of stone-free in one-stage was more than 90％.There were residual small stones in the lower calices of kidney in 2 cases.The perfusion liquid volume during the operation was 500 mL(ranging from 200-1 000 mL).There was no major perioperative complication,while transient macroscopic hematuria and fever were common complications after operation.The stone search was performed successfully in the whole 14 cases.NO residual stone could be found through ultrasound and kidney ureter bladder plain and Double-J stent was removed 1 month after operation.Conclusions Flexible ureteroscopy produces high stone-free rate and clinical safety for upper urinary calculi in children.However,the complications of flexible ureteroscopy lithotripsy cannot be ignored and sufficient preoperative preparation and careful perioperative safety control should be required.

Objective To evaluate effect of intervention on acquired immune deficiency syndrome(AIDS) high-risk sexual behavior of males who have sex with males(MSM)population in Jilin,and to provide a basis for establishing apropriate intervention strategy for this population.Methods A cross-sectional survey was carried out on the MSM population of young students with the method of classification.Comprehensive intervention strategy included health education via new media,behavioral intervention,voluntary conseling and testing,peer education,condom promotion and standardized services for clinic of sexually transmitted diseases(STDs)and other comprehensive interventions.Before and after intervention,300 MSM were enrolled,and their demographic characteristics,knowledge of AIDS prevention and control,high risk behaviors and intervention measures were investigated and analyzed.Results Before and after the intervention,the awareness rate of AIDS related knowledge was 67.67％ and 94.33％,respectively,the condom usage rate was 23.57％ and 11.79％ in the most recent and the last 6 months before the intervention,and it was 76.21％ and 62.10 ％ after the intervention,respectively.The proportion for those who used condom every time in heterosexual sex behavior was increased from 23.53％ (before intervention) to 69.60 ％ (after intervention),and the condom usage rate in the last 6 months was increased from 15.44％ to 66.40％.Proportion of the MSM who had STDs related symptoms was decreased from 21.33％ to 7.67％ after the intervention.Conclusion After the comprehensive intervention,the awareness rate of AIDS related knowledge among MSM in Jilin is significantly increased,the incidence of highrisk sexual behavior is decreased and the condom usage rate is improved.Intervention by use of new media is low-cost,easy to operate,and can be used as a good supplementary strategy for traditional behavioral intervention.