Objective:To explore differences in the clinical and pathological features and postoperative survival after radical resection of biliary tract cancer in different locations such as intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma,perihilar cholangiocarcinoma,distal cholangiocarcinoma,and gallbladder cancer.Methods:This is a retrospective case series study. The clinical and pathological data of 4 852 patients with biliary tract cancer admitted to the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery,the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi ′an Jiaotong University from January 2013 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 2 110(43.49%%) patients were male and 2 742(56.51%) patients were female,aged from 26 to 88 years with age of (61.3±10.8) years. Observation indicators: (1) The distribution,diagnosis and treatment of patients with biliary tract cancer; (2) Comparison of clinical and pathological features of patients with biliary tract cancer after curative-intent resection; (3) Survival analysis of patients with biliary tract cancer after curative-intent resection; (4) Analysis of effect on adjuvant therapy for patients with biliary tract cancer after curative-intent resection. One-way analysis of variance,Kruskal-Wallis H test and χ 2 test were used for among-group comparisons,respectively. Survival univariate analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method and Log-rank test. Results:Among the 4 852 patients with biliary tract cancer,there were 2 303 cases (47.46%) of gallbladder cancer,952 cases (19.62%) of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma,892 cases (18.38%) of perihilar cholangiocarcinoma,and 705 cases(14.53%) of distal cholangiocarcinoma. From the perspective of the year of diagnosis and treatment,the overall number of patients diagnosed and treated for biliary tract cancer has shown an upward trend. From the perspective of diagnosis and treatment,the curative-intent resection rate was 33.37%(1 619/4 852),and the curative-intent resection rate of distal cholangiocarcinoma was higher than that of other biliary tract cancer ( χ2=23.897, P<0.01). Univariate analysis showed that there were statistical differences in gender,age,bile duct stones,total bilirubin at admission,carcinoembryonic antigen,CA19-9,CA125,the degree of pathological differentiation,vascular invasion,microvascular invasion,perineural invasion,surgical margins,pT staging,and pN staging among patients for biliary tract cancer in different locations (all P<0.05). Survival comparison analysis showed that recurrence-free survival and overall survival of patients with gallbladder cancer after curative-intent resection were significantly better than those of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma,perihilar cholangiocarcinoma,and distal cholangiocarcinoma ( χ 2=87.780,83.717,both P<0.01). Comparing the postoperative prognosis of patients with biliary tract cancer between the two periods of 2013 to 2017 and 2018 to 2022, the results showed that recurrence-free survival and overall survival of patients with biliary tract cancer from 2018 to 2022 were significantly better than those from 2013 to 2017 ( χ 2=31.202,25.615, both P<0.01),and the proportion of early recurrence and short-term death after curative-intent resection was significantly reduced ( χ 2=21.588,9.623, both P<0.01),with gallbladder cancer being the most significant ( P<0.01). Postoperative adjuvant therapy for patients with biliary tract cancer can effectively prolong recurrence-free survival and overall survival ( χ 2=5.033,11.273,both P<0.05). Conclusions:Gallbladder cancer remains the most common biliary tract cancer with a relatively favorable prognosis after radical resection. There are significant differences in the clinical and pathological features of biliary tract cancer in different locations,and patients with adjuvant therapy effectively improving prognosis.

OBJECTIVES: The application of photodynamic therapy in solid tumors has attracted increasing attention in recent years, and the efficiency of photosensitizers is a crucial determinant of therapeutic efficacy. This study aims to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of a novel photosensitizer, PEG-MTPABZ-PyC, in photodynamic therapy against gastric cancer cells. METHODS: Gastric cancer MKN45 cells were treated with PEG-MTPABZ-PyC. A high-content live-cell imaging system was used to assess the cellular uptake kinetics and subcellular localization of the photosensitizer. The cytotoxic effects of PEG-MTPABZ-PyC-mediated photodynamic therapy were examined using the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and flow cytometry, while the intrinsic cytotoxicity of the photosensitizer alone was verified by the CCK-8 assay. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation after photodynamic therapy was detected using 2'-7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA). RESULTS: PEG-MTPABZ-PyC alone exhibited no cytotoxicity toward MKN45 cells, indicating excellent cytocompatibility. The compound efficiently entered cells within 6 hours and localized predominantly in lysosomes. Upon light irradiation, PEG-MTPABZ-PyC-mediated photodynamic therapy induced significant cytotoxicity compared with the control group (P<0.05) and generated abundant intracellular ROS. CONCLUSIONS The novel photosensitizer PEG-MTPABZ-PyC demonstrates potent photodynamic cytotoxicity against gastric cancer cells, showing promising potential for further development in gastric cancer photodynamic therapy.
Humans ; Stomach Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Photochemotherapy/methods* ; Photosensitizing Agents/pharmacology* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Polyethylene Glycols/chemistry* ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Mesoporphyrins/pharmacology*

Background: The genus Atractylodes, native to East Asia, encompasses several species that serve as sources for the widely used traditional Chinese medicines Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma and Atractylodis Rhizoma. However, the international trade arouses concern regarding potential confusion and misidentification of Atractylodes species. Objective: A comprehensive understanding of the chemical diversity is crucial for ensuring the quality and exploring the potential variations in medicinal efficacy of Atractylodes. Methods: The GC-MS/MS-based metabolomics and multivariate statistical analysis identified 589 differentially accumulated metabolites across 5 Atractylodes species. Results: A total of 150 metabolites were predicted as potential chemical markers for species differentiation and quality assessment of Atractylodes. According to the metabolic profiles, the species of Atractylodes can be roughly classified into three categories: A. lancea and A. coreana with the volatile oil components being mainly atractylodin and β-eudesmol; A. macrocephala with the biomarker being atractylon; and A. japonica and A. carlinoides lying between the two categories above. Conclusions: Metabolomic results indicated that the metabolic profiles of A. carlinoides and A. macrocephala were similar and distinct from those of the other three species. Sesquiterpenoids were the main chemical components in the rhizome of A. carlinoides, which indicated the potential medicinal value of this plant.

Background: The genus Atractylodes, native to East Asia, encompasses several species that serve as sources for the widely used traditional Chinese medicines Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma and Atractylodis Rhizoma. However, the international trade arouses concern regarding potential confusion and misidentification of Atractylodes species. Objective: A comprehensive understanding of the chemical diversity is crucial for ensuring the quality and exploring the potential variations in medicinal efficacy of Atractylodes. Methods: The GC-MS/MS-based metabolomics and multivariate statistical analysis identified 589 differentially accumulated metabolites across 5 Atractylodes species. Results: A total of 150 metabolites were predicted as potential chemical markers for species differentiation and quality assessment of Atractylodes. According to the metabolic profiles, the species of Atractylodes can be roughly classified into three categories: A. lancea and A. coreana with the volatile oil components being mainly atractylodin and β-eudesmol; A. macrocephala with the biomarker being atractylon; and A. japonica and A. carlinoides lying between the two categories above. Conclusions: Metabolomic results indicated that the metabolic profiles of A. carlinoides and A. macrocephala were similar and distinct from those of the other three species. Sesquiterpenoids were the main chemical components in the rhizome of A. carlinoides, which indicated the potential medicinal value of this plant.

Background: The genus Atractylodes, native to East Asia, encompasses several species that serve as sources for the widely used traditional Chinese medicines Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma and Atractylodis Rhizoma. However, the international trade arouses concern regarding potential confusion and misidentification of Atractylodes species. Objective: A comprehensive understanding of the chemical diversity is crucial for ensuring the quality and exploring the potential variations in medicinal efficacy of Atractylodes. Methods: The GC-MS/MS-based metabolomics and multivariate statistical analysis identified 589 differentially accumulated metabolites across 5 Atractylodes species. Results: A total of 150 metabolites were predicted as potential chemical markers for species differentiation and quality assessment of Atractylodes. According to the metabolic profiles, the species of Atractylodes can be roughly classified into three categories: A. lancea and A. coreana with the volatile oil components being mainly atractylodin and β-eudesmol; A. macrocephala with the biomarker being atractylon; and A. japonica and A. carlinoides lying between the two categories above. Conclusions: Metabolomic results indicated that the metabolic profiles of A. carlinoides and A. macrocephala were similar and distinct from those of the other three species. Sesquiterpenoids were the main chemical components in the rhizome of A. carlinoides, which indicated the potential medicinal value of this plant.

Objective:To explore the clinical and salivary metabolic component characteristics of patients with OSA combined with LPRD, and to investigate the potential co-morbid mechanisms of LPRD and OSA.Methods:A total of 98 adult patients with OSA (81 males and 17 females) who visited the Department of Otolaryngology of Peking University Third Hospital from March 2024 to May 2024 were consecutively included. The age ranged from 19 to 68 years (mean±standard deviation: 39.44±11.39 years). The severity of OSA was grouped according to the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) [mild group (29 cases), moderate group (26 cases), and severe group (43 cases)]. Patients with a reflux symptom index score (RSI)>13 points and/or a reflux sign score (RFS)>7 points were considered LPRD positive. Among the 98 OSA patients, 48 had LPRD and 50 did not. All patients were diagnosed with OSA through out of center sleep testing(OCST) or polysomnography (PSG), and general information, laryngoscopic examination images, and RSI scales were collected. The RFS was evaluated based on the laryngoscopic examination results. Saliva samples were collected from both groups for metabolomics analysis. Chi-square test was used for categorical variable comparison, and independent sample t-test or one-way ANOVA analysis of variance was used for continuous variable comparison.Results:Stratified analysis showed that the proportion of male patients in the mild OSA group was significantly lower than that in the moderate or severe OSA groups (58.6%, 92.3%, 93.0%, χ2=16.43, P<0.001), and the BMI was significantly lower in the mild OSA group [(25.80±4.41)kg/m 2, (27.53±3.88)kg/m 2, (28.99±3.65)kg/m 2, F=6.91, P=0.002]. There was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of LPRD among patients with different severity of OSA. The BMI of OSA patients with LPRD was higher than that of patients with OSA alone [(28.65±4.75)kg/m 2, (26.94±3.16)kg/m 2, t=-2.07, P=0.041], but there were no statistically significant differences in gender composition, age, AHI, and minimum blood oxygen saturation between the two groups. The metabolomics results of saliva samples from both groups showed significant differences in the levels of tryptophan pathway metabolites. The salivary serotonin metabolite level in patients with LPRD combined with OSA was significantly lower than that in patients with OSA alone (relative abundance 0.12±0.019 vs 0.22±0.046, t=2.04, P=0.045). Conclusion:Patients with OSA combined with LPRD have a greater BMI and significantly lower serotonin, a tryptophan metabolite component of saliva, which may be a potential co-morbidity mechanism between OSA and LPRD.

In the pathological process of acute lung injury,uncontrolled inflammatory response will lead to severe consequences,and pyroptosis plays a vital factor in a cell programmed inflammatory necrosis.When the body is imbalanced due to excessive pyroptosis,it can lead to lung injury in the lungs.TCM emphasizes the balance of the body and the balance of yin and yang.Based on the"yin-yang"theory and"pathogenic factors and healthy qi"theory of TCM,this article discussed the yin-yang changes,growth and decline,and opposing constraints of cell pyroptosis in the occurrence and development of acute lung injury at the cellular level,and explained the possible basis of TCM in preventing and treating cell pyroptosis,providing theoretical reference for the intervention of TCM in the prevention and treatment of acute lung injury with cell pyroptosis.

In the pathological process of acute lung injury,uncontrolled inflammatory response will lead to severe consequences,and pyroptosis plays a vital factor in a cell programmed inflammatory necrosis.When the body is imbalanced due to excessive pyroptosis,it can lead to lung injury in the lungs.TCM emphasizes the balance of the body and the balance of yin and yang.Based on the"yin-yang"theory and"pathogenic factors and healthy qi"theory of TCM,this article discussed the yin-yang changes,growth and decline,and opposing constraints of cell pyroptosis in the occurrence and development of acute lung injury at the cellular level,and explained the possible basis of TCM in preventing and treating cell pyroptosis,providing theoretical reference for the intervention of TCM in the prevention and treatment of acute lung injury with cell pyroptosis.

Objective:To explore the clinical and salivary metabolic component characteristics of patients with OSA combined with LPRD, and to investigate the potential co-morbid mechanisms of LPRD and OSA.Methods:A total of 98 adult patients with OSA (81 males and 17 females) who visited the Department of Otolaryngology of Peking University Third Hospital from March 2024 to May 2024 were consecutively included. The age ranged from 19 to 68 years (mean±standard deviation: 39.44±11.39 years). The severity of OSA was grouped according to the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) [mild group (29 cases), moderate group (26 cases), and severe group (43 cases)]. Patients with a reflux symptom index score (RSI)>13 points and/or a reflux sign score (RFS)>7 points were considered LPRD positive. Among the 98 OSA patients, 48 had LPRD and 50 did not. All patients were diagnosed with OSA through out of center sleep testing(OCST) or polysomnography (PSG), and general information, laryngoscopic examination images, and RSI scales were collected. The RFS was evaluated based on the laryngoscopic examination results. Saliva samples were collected from both groups for metabolomics analysis. Chi-square test was used for categorical variable comparison, and independent sample t-test or one-way ANOVA analysis of variance was used for continuous variable comparison.Results:Stratified analysis showed that the proportion of male patients in the mild OSA group was significantly lower than that in the moderate or severe OSA groups (58.6%, 92.3%, 93.0%, χ2=16.43, P<0.001), and the BMI was significantly lower in the mild OSA group [(25.80±4.41)kg/m 2, (27.53±3.88)kg/m 2, (28.99±3.65)kg/m 2, F=6.91, P=0.002]. There was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of LPRD among patients with different severity of OSA. The BMI of OSA patients with LPRD was higher than that of patients with OSA alone [(28.65±4.75)kg/m 2, (26.94±3.16)kg/m 2, t=-2.07, P=0.041], but there were no statistically significant differences in gender composition, age, AHI, and minimum blood oxygen saturation between the two groups. The metabolomics results of saliva samples from both groups showed significant differences in the levels of tryptophan pathway metabolites. The salivary serotonin metabolite level in patients with LPRD combined with OSA was significantly lower than that in patients with OSA alone (relative abundance 0.12±0.019 vs 0.22±0.046, t=2.04, P=0.045). Conclusion:Patients with OSA combined with LPRD have a greater BMI and significantly lower serotonin, a tryptophan metabolite component of saliva, which may be a potential co-morbidity mechanism between OSA and LPRD.

Objective:To explore differences in the clinical and pathological features and postoperative survival after radical resection of biliary tract cancer in different locations such as intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma,perihilar cholangiocarcinoma,distal cholangiocarcinoma,and gallbladder cancer.Methods:This is a retrospective case series study. The clinical and pathological data of 4 852 patients with biliary tract cancer admitted to the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery,the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi ′an Jiaotong University from January 2013 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 2 110(43.49%%) patients were male and 2 742(56.51%) patients were female,aged from 26 to 88 years with age of (61.3±10.8) years. Observation indicators: (1) The distribution,diagnosis and treatment of patients with biliary tract cancer; (2) Comparison of clinical and pathological features of patients with biliary tract cancer after curative-intent resection; (3) Survival analysis of patients with biliary tract cancer after curative-intent resection; (4) Analysis of effect on adjuvant therapy for patients with biliary tract cancer after curative-intent resection. One-way analysis of variance,Kruskal-Wallis H test and χ 2 test were used for among-group comparisons,respectively. Survival univariate analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method and Log-rank test. Results:Among the 4 852 patients with biliary tract cancer,there were 2 303 cases (47.46%) of gallbladder cancer,952 cases (19.62%) of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma,892 cases (18.38%) of perihilar cholangiocarcinoma,and 705 cases(14.53%) of distal cholangiocarcinoma. From the perspective of the year of diagnosis and treatment,the overall number of patients diagnosed and treated for biliary tract cancer has shown an upward trend. From the perspective of diagnosis and treatment,the curative-intent resection rate was 33.37%(1 619/4 852),and the curative-intent resection rate of distal cholangiocarcinoma was higher than that of other biliary tract cancer ( χ2=23.897, P<0.01). Univariate analysis showed that there were statistical differences in gender,age,bile duct stones,total bilirubin at admission,carcinoembryonic antigen,CA19-9,CA125,the degree of pathological differentiation,vascular invasion,microvascular invasion,perineural invasion,surgical margins,pT staging,and pN staging among patients for biliary tract cancer in different locations (all P<0.05). Survival comparison analysis showed that recurrence-free survival and overall survival of patients with gallbladder cancer after curative-intent resection were significantly better than those of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma,perihilar cholangiocarcinoma,and distal cholangiocarcinoma ( χ 2=87.780,83.717,both P<0.01). Comparing the postoperative prognosis of patients with biliary tract cancer between the two periods of 2013 to 2017 and 2018 to 2022, the results showed that recurrence-free survival and overall survival of patients with biliary tract cancer from 2018 to 2022 were significantly better than those from 2013 to 2017 ( χ 2=31.202,25.615, both P<0.01),and the proportion of early recurrence and short-term death after curative-intent resection was significantly reduced ( χ 2=21.588,9.623, both P<0.01),with gallbladder cancer being the most significant ( P<0.01). Postoperative adjuvant therapy for patients with biliary tract cancer can effectively prolong recurrence-free survival and overall survival ( χ 2=5.033,11.273,both P<0.05). Conclusions:Gallbladder cancer remains the most common biliary tract cancer with a relatively favorable prognosis after radical resection. There are significant differences in the clinical and pathological features of biliary tract cancer in different locations,and patients with adjuvant therapy effectively improving prognosis.