Objective To analyze the PLCβ4 gene mRNA expression and its clinical significance in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) based on TCGA database. Methods Based on the data on 424 clinical samples (including 374 cases of HCC tissues and 50 cases of nontumor liver tissues) in the TCGA database, Kaplan–Meier method, Cox regression analysis, and immune infiltration analysis were performed to evaluate the relationship between PLCβ4 gene and the clinical characteristics and survival prognosis of HCC patients. Correlation analysis between PLCβ4 gene and 24 types of immune cells was applied to investigate the relationship between PLCβ4 gene and immune cell infiltration and mRNA expression level of TP53 gene, a high-frequency mutation gene in HCC. In addition, paraffin sections of highly, moderately, and poorly differentiated tumor tissues and normal liver tissues from HCC patients were collected. The histopathological observation was carried out via HE staining method, and the expression levels of PLCβ4 and Ki-67 proteins in each clinical sample were verified through the immunohistochemical method. Results The expression level of PLCβ4 gene in HCC was significantly higher than that in normal tissues (P<0.01), and all patients in the PLCβ4 high-expression group had a significantly longer overall survival than those in the low-expression group (P<0.05), which suggested that PLCβ4 substantially affected the prognosis of HCC patients. Correlation analysis showed that the expression level of PLCβ4 gene was highly correlated with immune cell infiltration and the expression level of TP53 gene. As verified by clinical sample experiments, HE staining experiments and immunohistochemical results revealed that PLCβ4 gene expression in HCC tissue samples was significantly higher than that in normal tissues (P<0.001), and it was negatively correlated with the degree of differentiation. Conclusion PLCβ4 may serve as an independent prognostic factor in HCC and is expected to be a novel molecular target for HCC treatment.

Objective: To analyze the association between alcohol consumption and lumbar disc herniation (LDH), so as to provide a reference for the development of prevention and treatment strategies for LDH. Methods: From May to July 2022, permanent residents aged ≥18 years from eight counties (cities/districts) in Gansu Province were selected using a multistage stratified random sampling method. Data on basic characteristics, alcohol consumption in the past 30 days, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus were collected through questionnaire surveys. LDH was determined based on imaging findings, combined with disease history or clinical symptoms. Multivariable logistic regression model was used to analyze the association between alcohol consumption and LDH, with subgroup analyses conducted by gender, age, ethnicity, and altitude of residence. Propensity score matching (PSM) was utilized for sensitivity analysis. Results: A total of 4 545 individuals were surveyed. There were 2 026 (44.58%) males and 2 519 (55.42%) females. The mean age was (44.82±15.33) years. The study participants were predominantly of Han ethnicity, with 2 598 persons accounting for 57.17%. The altitude of residence was mainly above 3 500 m, with 1 941 persons accounting for 42.71%. There were 574 alcohol drinkers, accounting for 12.63%. LDH was detected in 1 035 cases, with a detection rate of 22.77%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for gender, age, physical activity, and hypertension, compared to non-drinking residents, alcohol-consuming residents exhibited a 27.6% reduction in the risk of LDH (OR=0.724, 95%CI: 0.544-0.963). No significant interaction effects on LDH risk were observed between alcohol consumption and gender, age, ethnicity, or altitude of residence (all Pfor interaction >0.05). The results of the sensitivity analysis indicated that compared to non-drinking residents, alcohol-consuming residents exhibited a 38.8% reduction in the risk of LDH (OR=0.612, 95%CI: 0.382-0.976). Conclusion Alcohol consumption was statistically associated with a lower risk of LDH.

Objective To investigate the effects of icariin on high glucose-induced autophagy and apoptosis of podocytes,and the regulating effects on mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR)/serine-threonine kinase(Akt)/cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein(CREB)pathway.Methods The mouse podocytes MPC5 were taken and divided into five groups:normal control group(5.5 mmol·L-1 glucose),high glucose group(30 mmol·L-1 glucose),icariin group(30 mmol·L-1glucose+5 μmol·L-1icariin),GDC-0349 group(30 mmol·L-1glucose+50 μmol·L-1 GDC-0349),icariin+GDC-0349 group(30 mmol·L-1 glucose+5 μmol·L-1 icariin+50 μmol·L-1 GDC-0349).Cultured for 48 hours,the tetramethylazozolium salt method was used to detect the viability of MPC5 cells;acridine orange staining was used to observe the autophagy of MPC5 cells;apoptosis of MPC5 cells was detected by flow cytometry;Western blotting was used to detect the expression of autophagy[microtubule associated protein one light chain 3(LC3)II,LC3Ⅰ,autophagy-related protein(Beclin-1)],apoptosis[Bcl-2 related X protein(Bax),B cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2)]and mTOR/Akt/CREB pathway-related proteins of MPC5 cells.Results Compared with the normal control group,the cell viability,expression levels of Bcl-2,phosphorylated mTOR(p-mTOR)/mTOR,phosphorylated Akt(p-Akt)/Akt,phosphorylated CREB(p-CREB)/CREB protein of MPC5 cells in the high glucose group were significantly decreased(P＜0.05),the autophagy ability was enhanced,the autophagosome showed orange fluorescence,and the apoptosis rate,LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ,Beclin-1,Bax protein expression levels were significantly increased(P＜0.05).Compared with the high glucose group,the cell viability,LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ,Beclin-1,Bcl-2,p-mTOR/mTOR,p-Akt/Akt,p-CREB/CREB protein expression levels of MPC5 cells in icariin group were significantly increased,the autophagy ability was further enhanced,the number of autophagosomes was increased,the autophagosomes showed brick red fluorescence(P＜0.05),the apoptosis rate and Bax protein expression level were significantly decreased(P＜0.05),and the cell viability,LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ,Beclin-1,Bcl-2,p-mTOR/mTOR,p-Akt/Akt and p-CREB/CREB proteins expression levels of MPC5 cells in GDC-0349 group were significantly decreased,the autophagy ability was weakened,the number of autophagosomes was reduced,the autophagosomes showed orange fluorescence(P＜0.05),and the apoptosis rate and Bax protein expression level were significantly increased(P＜0.05);icariin+GDC-0349 could reverse the effect of icariin on high glucose induced MPC5 cells(P＜0.05).Conclusion Icariin promotes elevated glucose-induced podocyte autophagy and inhibits apoptosis by activating the mTOR/Akt/CREB pathway.

Epigenetic pathways play a critical role in the initiation, progression, and metastasis of cancer. Over the past few decades, significant progress has been made in the development of targeted epigenetic modulators (e.g., inhibitors). However, epigenetic inhibitors have faced multiple challenges, including limited clinical efficacy, toxicities, lack of subtype selectivity, and drug resistance. As a result, the design of new epigenetic modulators (e.g., degraders) such as PROTACs, molecular glue, and hydrophobic tagging (HyT) degraders has garnered significant attention from both academia and pharmaceutical industry, and numerous epigenetic degraders have been discovered in the past decade. In this review, we aim to provide an in-depth illustration of new degrading strategies (2017-2023) targeting epigenetic proteins for cancer therapy, focusing on the rational design, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, clinical status, and crystal structure information of these degraders. Importantly, we also provide deep insights into the potential challenges and corresponding remedies of this approach to drug design and development. Overall, we hope this review will offer a better mechanistic understanding and serve as a useful guide for the development of emerging epigenetic-targeting degraders.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the attenuation and synergism of Hugan buzure recipe （HBR） combined with oxaliplatin on hepatocellular carcinoma tumor bearing nude mice and its mechanism. METHODS Eight nude mice were selected from 40 nude mice as the blank group （normal saline）， and the remaining nude mice were inoculated with hepatoma cells Huh7 to establish the tumor-bearing model. The 32 modeled nude mice were randomly allocated to four groups： model group （normal saline， ig）， HBR group （0.69 g/kg， ig）， oxaliplatin group （10 mg/kg， ip）， and combination group （intraperitoneal injection of 0.69 g/kg HBR+intragastric administration of 10 mg/kg oxaliplatin）， with 8 mice in each group. Administer drug/normal saline once a day for 32 consecutive days； administer subcutaneous injection once every 7 days for a total of 5 times. During the experiment， the general condition of nude mice in each group was observed， and the tumor volume was measured every 4 days. On the 30th day of administration， the thermal stimulation paw withdrawal latency of nude mice in each group were detected. The tumor inhibition rate， spleen coefficient， the number of red blood cells， white blood cells and platelets in the whole blood of nude mice in each group， and the content of aspartate aminotransferase （AST） and creatinine in serum were detected after the end of administration. HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes in tumor tissues in nude mice in each group. The expression of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 （LC3），selective autophagy adaptor protein p62， B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）， Bcl-2 associated X protein （Bax）， and Caspase-3 protein in tumor tissues. RESULT Compared with the model group， the tumor volume， tumor weight， white blood cells，red blood cells in the whole blood and spleen coefficients of nude mice in the oxaliplatin group were significantly decreased （P＜0.01）； the thermal stimulation paw withdrawal latency， AST and creatinine in serum were significantly increased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared with the oxaliplatin group， the tumor volume and tumor weight of nude mice in the combination group were significantly decreased （P＜0.01）； the white blood cells， red blood cells and platelets in the whole blood and spleen coefficients of nude mice were significantly increased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）； the thermal stimulation paw withdrawal latency， AST and creatinine in serum were significantly decreased （P＜0.01）； the expression levels of LC3， Bax and Caspase-3 proteins in tumor tissues of nude mice were significantly increased （P＜0.01）， and the expression levels of p62 and Bcl-2 proteins were significantly decreased （P＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS HBR enhances the tumor inhibition rate of oxaliplatin by inducing apoptosis and autophagy， and can alleviate the peripheral neurotoxicity， hematological toxicity， hepatorenal toxicity， and immune organ toxicity caused by oxaliplatin in nude mice.

Objective With the assistance of 3D visualization and real-time navigation technologies,the tumors in the parapharyngeal and lateral skull base should be removed through oral the approach with endoscopy.Methods The preoperative CT data of eight patients with parapharyngeal or lateral skull base soft tissue tumors were modeled,and the anatomical position relationship between the tumor and surrounding blood vessels and other important structures was re-constructed using 3D visualization technology,and preop-erative design was performed.The intraoperative oral ap-proach and real-time navigation guidance were adopted in the endoscopic resection of soft tissue tumors in the parapharyngeal and lateral skull base,and the clinical ap-plication value of this method was evaluated.Results The blood loss during the operation was controlled within 150 mL,and the average blood loss was approximately 125 mL.The incidence of postoperative complications was low,and patients could recover well through functional training.The oral approach did not leave any wounds nor scars on the patient's facial skin after the operation and had no effect on the patient's appearance.Conclusion The combination of 3D visualization technology,intraoperative real-time navigation,and endoscopy provides a beautiful,safe,and minimally invasive surgical method for patients with parapharyngeal or lateral skull base tumors.

Objective:To investigate the effectiveness of preeclampsia risk prediction models based on maternal risk factors during the first trimester in a local population.Methods:This was a diagnostic study. Pregnant women who underwent prenatal examination in People′s Hospital of Rizhao from May 2019 to May 2022 and had risk factors for preeclampsia were enrolled at 11-13 +6 weeks gestation, and were divided into preterm preeclampsia group, term preeclampsia group and non-preeclampsia group according to the occurrence and the gestational week. Baseline clinical data were collected. The effectiveness of different models in predicting preeclampsia risk was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results:Among the 559 pregnant women enrolled, 78(14.0%) had preeclampsia, including 35(6.3%) with preterm preeclampsia (preterm preeclampsia group), 43 (7.7%) with term preeclampsia (term preeclampsia group), and 481 (86.0%) without preeclampsia (non-preeclampsia group).The most effective model for predicting preterm preeclampsia in the first trimester was maternal risk factor+mean arterial pressure (MAP)+serum placental growth factor (PLGF)+uterine artery pulse index (UTPI). The area under ROC curve was 0.805, and the sensitivity was 56.6% with a false-positive rate of 10%; the most effective model for predicting term preeclampsia and preeclampsia was maternal risk factor+MAP+UTPI. The area under ROC curve was 0.777, and the sensitivity was 52.6% and 53.5% with a false-positive rate of 10%.Conclusion:The combined predicting strategy for preterm preeclampsia based on maternal risk factors in the first trimester maybe effective among our population.

{L-End}Objective To estimate the number of workers with occupational noise-induced hearing loss (ONHL) in the manufacturing industry of China in 2020. {L-End}Methods Multiple data sources were integrated to collect information on workers in the manufacturing industry from the Occupational Diseases and Hazards Monitoring Information System under China Disease Prevention and Control Information System. The total number of workers was split based on age from the 2018 Fourth National Economic Census and the 2020 National Survey of Occupational Disease Hazards. Additionally, data on the prevalence of hearing loss in the general population was adjusted based on the age composition of Jilin Province, and noise prevalence was standardized based on the age composition of the employed population in the Seventh National Population Censu. Attribution fractions (AF) was estimated. The prevalence ratio (PR) was calculated by the prevalence of hearing loss in the occupational noise-exposed workers and general population. The proportion and attributable cases (AC) of ONHL cases in all hearing loss cases were estimated for occupational noise-exposed workers. The number of ONHL was estimated based on AF and the total number of workers with hearing loss. {L-End}Results In 2020, a total of 30 059 525 workers were exposed to occupational noise in the manufacturing industry in China, with noise-exposed prevalence and standardized noise-exposed prevalence of 28.94% and 28.52%, respectively. The prevalence of hearing loss among occupational noise-exposed workers increased with age, and a total of 8 054 789 workers suffered from hearing loss. Most of the cases were at the age between 45-<55 years old. The total PR and 95% uncertainty interval (UI) was 2.83 (2.58-3.06) and the total AF and 95%UI was 64.63% (61.22%-67.30%), and both peaks were in the age of 30-<45 years. The AC and 95%UI was 5 205 980 (4 930 620-5 420 345) persons, and most of the cases were at the age between 40-<55 years. {L-End}Conclusion Occupational noise poses a serious threat to the hearing health of workers in the manufacturing industry of China, especially among middle-aged and young adults.

Objectives:To investigate the clinical and genetic features of young Chinese patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) .Methods:In this cross-sectional study, anonymous questionnaires were distributed to patients with MPN patients nationwide. The respondents were divided into 3 groups based on their age at diagnosis: young (≤40 years) , middle-aged (41-60 years) , and elderly (>60 years) . We compared the clinical and genetic characteristics of three groups of MPN patients.Results:1727 assessable questionnaires were collected. There were 453 (26.2%) young respondents with MPNs, including 274 with essential thrombocythemia (ET) , 80 with polycythemia vera (PV) , and 99 with myelofibrosis. Among the young group, 178 (39.3%) were male, and the median age was 31 (18-40) years. In comparison to middle-aged and elderly respondents, young respondents with MPN were more likely to present with a higher proportion of unmarried status (all P<0.001) , a higher education level (all P<0.001) , less comorbidity (ies) , fewer medications (all P<0.001) , and low-risk stratification (all P<0.001) . Younger respondents experienced headache (ET, P<0.001; PV, P=0.007; MF, P=0.001) at diagnosis, had splenomegaly at diagnosis (PV, P<0.001) , and survey (ET, P=0.052; PV, P=0.063) . Younger respondents had fewer thrombotic events at diagnosis (ET, P<0.001; PV, P=0.011) and during the survey (ET, P<0.001; PV, P=0.003) . JAK2 mutations were found in fewer young people (ET, P<0.001; PV, P<0.001; MF, P=0.013) ; however, CALR mutations were found in more young people (ET, P<0.001; MF, P=0.015) . Furthermore, mutations in non-driver genes (ET, P=0.042; PV, P=0.043; MF, P=0.004) and high-molecular risk mutations (ET, P=0.024; PV, P=0.023; MF, P=0.001) were found in fewer young respondents. Conclusion:Compared with middle-aged and elderly patients, young patients with MPN had unique clinical and genetic characteristics.

CRISPR/Cas9 has been widely used in engineering Saccharomyces cerevisiae for gene insertion, replacement and deletion due to its simplicity and high efficiency. The selectable markers of CRISPR/Cas9 systems are particularly useful for genome editing and Cas9-plasmids removing in yeast. In our previous research, GAL80 gene has been deleted by the plasmid pML104-mediated CRISPR/Cas9 system in an engineered yeast, in order to eliminate the requirement of galactose supplementation for induction. The maximum artemisinic acid production by engineered S. cerevisiae 1211-2 (740 mg/L) was comparable to that of the parental strain 1211 without galactose induction. Unfortunately, S. cerevisiae 1211-2 was inefficient in the utilization of the carbon source ethanol in the subsequent 50 L pilot fermentation experiment. The artemisinic acid yield in the engineered S. cerevisiae 1211-2 was only 20%-25% compared with that of S. cerevisiae 1211. The mutation of the selection marker URA3 was supposed to affect the growth and artemisinic acid production. A ura3 mutant was successfully restored by a recombinant plasmid pML104-KanMx4-u along with a 90 bp donor DNA, resulting in S. cerevisiae 1211-3. This mutant could grow normally in a fed-batch fermentor with mixed glucose and ethanol feeding, and the final artemisinic acid yield (> 20 g/L) was comparable to that of the parental strain S. cerevisiae 1211. In this study, an engineered yeast strain producing artemisinic acid without galactose induction was obtained. More importantly, it was the first report showing that the auxotrophic marker URA3 significantly affected artemisinic acid production in a pilot-scale fermentation with ethanol feeding, which provides a reference for the production of other natural products in yeast chassis.
Artemisinins ; Fermentation ; Saccharomyces cerevisiae/metabolism* ; Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins/metabolism*