OBJECTIVE To explore the effects of dihydroartemisinin(DHA)on the functions of cancer-associated fibroblasts(CAFs)in the tumor microenvironment in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma(HPSCC).METHODS The influence of conditioned media from CAFs and normal fibroblasts(NFs)on tube formation was assessed using a tube formation assay.Secreted protein levels of IL-6,VEGFA,and VEGFC were measured by immunofluorescence and ELISA.Western blotting was used to evaluate the expression of α-SMA,p-STAT3,STAT3,VEGF-A,and VEGF-C within the STAT3 signaling pathway.After treatment with DHA,the optimal concentration for DHA's effect was determined using CCK8 assays and morphological observations of cells.The impact of DHA on angiogenesis was analyzed through tube formation assays,changes in IL-6 expression were detected using ELISA and immunofluorescence,and alterations in α-SMA,p-STAT3,and STAT3 expression were examined by Western blot.RESULTS Both CAFs and NFs exhibited pro-angiogenic and pro-lymphangiogenic effects,with CAFs showing a more pronounced impact.Activated CAFs overexpressed and secreted high levels of IL-6,VEGF-A,and VEGF-C.The concentration of IL-6 in the conditioned medium supernatants of CAF1 and CAF2 was significantly higher than that of NF1 and NF2(P1<0.001,P2<0.05).Similarly,the concentration of VEGF-A was significantly increased(P1<0.05,P2<0.01),and the concentration of VEGF-C was also significantly increased(P1<0.05,P2<0.01).Treatment with DHA inhibited the activated state of CAFs,reducing the expression and secretion of IL-6 and p-STAT3,thereby suppressing tube formation.CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that CAFs promote angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis in HPSCC via activation of the STAT3 pathway.DHA effectively inhibits this process,suggesting a potential new therapeutic strategy for the treatment of HPSCC.

Objective:This study aims to investigate the influence of microvessel density（MVD） and microlymphatic vessel density（MLVD） on the prognosis of patients with hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma（HPSCC） and to develop a nomogram prediction model for prognosis based on pathological characteristics. Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinicopathological and follow-up data from HPSCC patients who underwent surgical treatment at our institution between June 2010 and June 2020. Immunohistochemical staining was performed on tumor tissues and adjacent normal margin tissues to evaluate MVD and MLVD. The associations among MVD, MLVD, and clinicopathological features were analyzed. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were conducted to identify independent risk factors affecting overall survival（OS）. Based on these findings, a nomogram model was constructed and its predictive accuracy was assessed using C-index, receiver operating characteristic（ROC） curve, and calibration curve. Results:Both MVD and MLVD were significantly higher in HPSCC tumor tissues compared to normal tissues. Patients in the high MVD and high MLVD groups exhibited significantly lower OS rates than those in the low MVD and low MLVD groups. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that N stage, recurrence, nerve invasion, lymph node capsule invasion, MVD, and MLVD were independent prognostic factors of OS. Based on these factors, a nomogram prognosis model was successfully constructed. The nomograms demonstrated superior performance in terms of C-index, area under the ROC curve, and calibration, outperforming the AJCC TNM staging system. Conclusion:Elevated MVD and MLVD levels are associated with poorer prognosis in HPSCC patients. The nomogram model based on pathological features provides valuable insights for clinical assessment and decision-making.
Humans ; Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms/blood supply* ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Microvascular Density ; Nomograms ; Lymphatic Vessels/pathology* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/blood supply* ; Microvessels/pathology* ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Survival Rate

Objective:To screen the key genes related to the prognosis,diagnosis,and immune infiltration of the hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)patients by bioinformatics analysis methods,and to analyze their potential therapeutic drugs.Methods:The HCC gene expression profile data and corresponding clinical informations of the HCC patients were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)database and The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)database.The R software package limma was used to screen the differentially expressed genes(DEGs)in HCC.Gene Ontology(GO)functional enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathway enrichment analysis were performed on the DEGs.The STRING database was used to construct the protein-protein interaction(PPI)network;the Cytoscape software was used to visualize the PPI network and screen the key genes;Kaplan-Meier survival curve and LASSO regression algorithm were used to identify the key genes related to the HCC prognosis;external data sets were used to validate their expressions and analyze the diagnostic efficacy;CIBERSORT algorithm was used to detect the relationship between the expression of prognosis-related key genes and HCC immune cell infiltration.The MiRNet and Network Analyst databases were used to construct the microRNA(miRNA)-key gene mRNA and transcription factors(TFs)-key gene mRNA molecular regulatory networks;CMap database was used to screen the potential small molecule drugs for HCC treatment.Results:A total of 146 DEGs were screened,including 30 upregulated genes and 116 downregulated genes.The GO functional enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis results showed that the DEGs were significantly enriched in biological processes(BP)such as steroid,alkene compound,and hormone metabolism,as well as signaling pathways such as retinol metabolism,drug metabolism-cytochrome P450(CYP450),complement and coagulation cascades.The PPI network analysis identified 14 key genes,among which formimidoyltransferase cyclodeaminase(FTCD),secreted phosphoprotein 2(SPP2),thrombin-antithrombin complex(TAT),complement C6(C6),and cytochrome CYP450 family member 2C9(CYP2C9)were significantly associated with the prognosis,clinical pathological stage,and histological grade of the HCC patients and also had high diagnostic efficacy for HCC and were closely related to immune cell infiltration in HCC.Hsa-mir-182-5p,CUT-like homeobox 1(CUX1),early growth response 1(EGR1),SMAD family member 4(SMAD4),and tumor protein P53(TP53)were identified as the important regulators targeting the above-mentioned prognosis-related key genes.DL-thiorphan,promethazine,and apigenin may have the therapeutic effects on HCC.Conclusion:FTCD,SPP2,TAT,C6,and CYP2C9 may be the potential targets for the diagnosis,prognosis,and treatment of HCC.Three predicted small molecule drugs,DL-thiorphan,promethazine,and apigenin,may provide the references for the development of therapeutic drugs for HCC.

Objective::To explore the risk factors and pregnancy outcomes in women with a history of cesarean section complicated by placenta accreta (PA).Methods::This case-control study included clinical data from singleton mothers with a history of cesarean section in 11 public tertiary hospitals in seven provinces of China between January 2017 and December 2017. According to the intraoperative findings after delivery, the study population was divided into PA and non-PA groups. We compared the pregnancy outcomes between the two groups, used multivariate logistic regression to analyze the risk factors for placental accreta.Results::For this study we included 11,074 pregnant women with a history of cesarean section; and of these, 869 cases were in the PA group and 10,205 cases were in the non-PA group. Compared with the non-PA group, the probability of postpartum hemorrhage (236/10,205, 2.31% vs. 283/869, 32.57%), severe postpartum hemorrhage (89/10,205, 0.87% vs. 186/869, 21.75%), diffuse intravascular coagulation (3/10,205, 0.03% vs. 4/869, 0.46%), puerperal infection (33/10,205, 0.32% vs. 12/869, 1.38%), intraoperative bladder injury (1/10,205, 0.01% vs. 16/869, 1.84%), hysterectomy (130/10,205, 1.27% vs. 59/869, 6.79%), and blood transfusion (328/10,205,3.21 % vs. 231/869,26.58%) was significantly increased in the PA group ( P < 0.05). At the same time, the neonatal birth weight (3250.00 (2950.00-3520.00) g vs. 2920.00 (2530.00-3250.00) g), the probability of neonatal comorbidities (245/10,205, 2.40% vs. 61/869, 7.02%), and the rate of neonatal intensive care unit admission (817/10,205, 8.01% vs. 210/869, 24.17%) also increased significantly ( P < 0.05). Weight (odds ratio ( OR)= 1.03, 95% confidence interval ( CI): 1.01-1.05)), parity ( OR= 1.18, 95% CI: 1.03-1.34), number of miscarriages ( OR= 1.31, 95% CI: 1.17-1.47), number of previous cesarean sections ( OR= 2.57, 95% CI: 2.02-3.26), history of premature rupture of membrane ( OR= 1.61, 95% CI: 1.32-1.96), previous cesarean-section transverse incisions ( OR= 1.38, 95% CI: 1.12-1.69), history of placenta previa ( OR= 2.44,95% CI: 1.50-3.96), and the combination of prenatal hemorrhage ( OR= 9.95,95% CI: 8.42-11.75) and placenta previa ( OR= 91.74, 95% CI: 74.11-113.56) were all independent risk factors for PA. Conclusion::There was an increased risk of adverse outcomes in pregnancies complicated by PA in women with a history of cesarean section, and this required close clinical attention. Weight before pregnancy, parity, number of miscarriages, number of previous cesarean sections, history of premature rupture of membranes, past transverse incisions in cesarean sections, a history of placenta previa, prenatal hemorrhage, and placenta previa were independent risk factors for pregnancies complicated with PA in women with a history of cesarean section. These independent risk factors showed a high value in predicting the risk for placentab accreta in pregnancies of women with a history of cesarean section.

Objective::To explore the risk factors and pregnancy outcomes in women with a history of cesarean section complicated by placenta accreta (PA).Methods::This case-control study included clinical data from singleton mothers with a history of cesarean section in 11 public tertiary hospitals in seven provinces of China between January 2017 and December 2017. According to the intraoperative findings after delivery, the study population was divided into PA and non-PA groups. We compared the pregnancy outcomes between the two groups, used multivariate logistic regression to analyze the risk factors for placental accreta.Results::For this study we included 11,074 pregnant women with a history of cesarean section; and of these, 869 cases were in the PA group and 10,205 cases were in the non-PA group. Compared with the non-PA group, the probability of postpartum hemorrhage (236/10,205, 2.31% vs. 283/869, 32.57%), severe postpartum hemorrhage (89/10,205, 0.87% vs. 186/869, 21.75%), diffuse intravascular coagulation (3/10,205, 0.03% vs. 4/869, 0.46%), puerperal infection (33/10,205, 0.32% vs. 12/869, 1.38%), intraoperative bladder injury (1/10,205, 0.01% vs. 16/869, 1.84%), hysterectomy (130/10,205, 1.27% vs. 59/869, 6.79%), and blood transfusion (328/10,205,3.21 % vs. 231/869,26.58%) was significantly increased in the PA group ( P < 0.05). At the same time, the neonatal birth weight (3250.00 (2950.00-3520.00) g vs. 2920.00 (2530.00-3250.00) g), the probability of neonatal comorbidities (245/10,205, 2.40% vs. 61/869, 7.02%), and the rate of neonatal intensive care unit admission (817/10,205, 8.01% vs. 210/869, 24.17%) also increased significantly ( P < 0.05). Weight (odds ratio ( OR)= 1.03, 95% confidence interval ( CI): 1.01-1.05)), parity ( OR= 1.18, 95% CI: 1.03-1.34), number of miscarriages ( OR= 1.31, 95% CI: 1.17-1.47), number of previous cesarean sections ( OR= 2.57, 95% CI: 2.02-3.26), history of premature rupture of membrane ( OR= 1.61, 95% CI: 1.32-1.96), previous cesarean-section transverse incisions ( OR= 1.38, 95% CI: 1.12-1.69), history of placenta previa ( OR= 2.44,95% CI: 1.50-3.96), and the combination of prenatal hemorrhage ( OR= 9.95,95% CI: 8.42-11.75) and placenta previa ( OR= 91.74, 95% CI: 74.11-113.56) were all independent risk factors for PA. Conclusion::There was an increased risk of adverse outcomes in pregnancies complicated by PA in women with a history of cesarean section, and this required close clinical attention. Weight before pregnancy, parity, number of miscarriages, number of previous cesarean sections, history of premature rupture of membranes, past transverse incisions in cesarean sections, a history of placenta previa, prenatal hemorrhage, and placenta previa were independent risk factors for pregnancies complicated with PA in women with a history of cesarean section. These independent risk factors showed a high value in predicting the risk for placentab accreta in pregnancies of women with a history of cesarean section.

To determine there characteristic components content of Tibetan Medicine Triphala through establishing a HPLC method and its total tannin content through spectrophotometry. The chromatographic column of Agilent ZORBAX SB-Aq (250 × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) with methanol-0.1％ formic acid/water as the mobile phase, the flow rate 1 mL/min, and the detection wavelength 270 nm was applied to determine the Gallic acid, colijing and ellagic acid content in medicinal materials and the tannin parts of Tibetan Medicine Triphala. With the gallic acid as control group, total tannin content of Triphala and its tannin parts was determined through spectrophotometry. It revealed in the HPLC test that the linear range of gallic acid, coracine and ellagic acid was 0.91-4.55 μg, 0.274-1.368 μg and 0.329-2.634 μg respectively. It also showed that the average recovery rates of the three components in the medicinal materials were 101.06％, 101.72％and 100.27％ respectively. And the average recovery rates of the three components in the tannins were 100.4％, 100.85％and 101.70％ respectively. The result of spectrophotometry showed that gallic acid was linear in1.008-10.08 μg·mL-1, and that the recovery rate of medicinal materials and tannin parts were 100.25％ and 100.52％ respectively. The method is rapid, accurate and repeatable, and it can provide basis for the quality control of Tribescens and its tannins.

This paper aimed at investigating the water-soluble constituents of Terminalia billirica (Gaert.) Roxb.Compounds were isolated and purified by Diaion HP-20, Sephadex LH-20, Toyopearl HW-40, MCI gel CHP 20 P and ODS column chromatographies. The chemical structures were elucidated according to spectral data and physicochemical properties. The results showed that ten compounds were isolated and identified as corilagin, salicoside, methyl-α-Darabinofuranoside, 1, 4-dimethyl-β-d-fructopyranose, β-fructopyranose, β-fructofuranose gallic acid, ellagic acid, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6-penta-O-galloyl-β-D-glucopyranonside, Chebulagic acid. Except compound 7 and 8, others compounds are separated from Terminalia billirica (Gaert.) Roxb for the first time, and except corilgin, the other compounds are separated from Terminalia for the first time.

This paper was aimed to establish the HPLC fingerprint of T.Billerica (Gaertn.) Roxb.tannin fraction.The analysis was performed on Atlantic T3 (250 mm × 4.6 mm,5 μm) C18 column.The mobile phase was acetonitrile-0.2％ glacial acetic acid aqueous solution with gradient elution.The flow rate was 1.0 mL·min-1.The injection size was 20 μL.The temperature was maintained at 30℃.Eleven batches of T.Billerica (Gaertn.) Roxb.tannin fraction of chromatographic data was analyzed by similarity of chromatographic data,SPSS software and SIMCA software.There were 20 common peaks in the diagram.The similarity analysis of 11 samples revealed that the similarities were between 0.832 and 0.973.Only the similarity of tannin parts from Xinjiang was below 0.9.The cluster analysis classified the tannin parts into 3 types,which shared the similar results as the principal components analysis (PCA).PLS-DA found that peak 1,13 and 14 may be the main chromatographic peaks to identify tannins fraction.The HPLC-MSn information of 14 compounds in T.billerica (Gaertn.) Roxb.was summarized.It was concluded that chemometrics analysis method can be used to analyze the HPLC fingerprint of T.billerica (Gaertn.) Roxb.tannin fraction.This method was rapid,simple,and reproducible.It can be used as one of the effective methods for the quality control of T.billerica (Gaertn.) Roxb.tannin fraction.

This article was aimed to study the stability of tannin parts in Phyllanthus emblica L.in artificial gastric and intestinal juice,in order to provide a foundation for in vivo studies of Phyllanthus emblica L.HPLC-UV was used to determine the contents of main ingredients.The results showed that stability of main ingredients of tannin parts in Phyllanthus emblica L.,including gallic acid (GA),corilagin and ellagic acid (EA),in the artificial gastric juice.The content change was not obvious.The residual content was within 100％.The half-life was above 90 h.They were unstable in the artificial intestinal juice.The content was first increased and then decreased.The residual content was 100-300％.The half-life was above 10 h.It was concluded that the tannin parts in Phyllanthus emblica L.was stable in artificial gastric juice.And content changes of main components were not obvious.The tannin parts in Phyllanthus emblica L.were unstable in artificial intestinal juice.The main ingredients were first increased and then decreased.It was speculated that macromolecule can hydrolyze tannin part into small molecules.Hnwever,as time increases,all components may be decomposed.

This study was aimed to optimize the extraction method for total polyphenol from Phyllanthus emblica through multi-target orthogonal experiment,in order to provide data reference for its industrial production.The comprehensive evaluation indexes included the extraction yield,extraction percentage of total polyphenol,chebulagic acid,gallic acid,mucic acid-2-O-gallate,were verified.The ethanol concentration,solid-liquid ratio and extraction time were crucial indexes for orthogonal design.The results showed that the best extraction process was using 10 times dosage 70％ ethanol,to extract the medical material three time,90 minutes for every time.It was concluded that the extraction technology was reliable.This method was stable,quick and simple.It laid a fundamental foundation for the extraction method exploration.