Objective To systematically evaluate the risk prediction models for anastomotic leakage (AL) in patients with esophageal cancer after surgery. Methods A computer-based search of PubMed, EMbase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Chinese Medical Journal Full-text Database, VIP, Wanfang, SinoMed and CNKI was conducted to collect studies on postoperative AL risk prediction model for esophageal cancer from their inception to October 1st, 2023. PROBAST tool was employed to evaluate the bias risk and applicability of the model, and Stata 15 software was utilized for meta-analysis. Results A total of 19 literatures were included covering 25 AL risk prediction models and 7373 patients. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was 0.670-0.960. Among them, 23 prediction models had a good prediction performance (AUC>0.7); 13 models were tested for calibration of the model; 1 model was externally validated, and 10 models were internally validated. Meta-analysis showed that hypoproteinemia (OR=9.362), postoperative pulmonary complications (OR=7.427), poor incision healing (OR=5.330), anastomosis type (OR=2.965), preoperative history of thoracoabdominal surgery (OR=3.181), preoperative diabetes mellitus (OR=2.445), preoperative cardiovascular disease (OR=3.260), preoperative neoadjuvant therapy (OR=2.977), preoperative respiratory disease (OR=4.744), surgery method (OR=4.312), American Society of Anesthesiologists score (OR=2.424) were predictors for AL after esophageal cancer surgery. Conclusion At present, the prediction model of AL risk in patients with esophageal cancer after surgery is in the development stage, and the overall research quality needs to be improved.

Objective:To conduct enrichment and biological behavior studies on CD44 + CD24 - triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) stem-like cells, and to construct 68Ga-labeled CD44 peptide ( 68Ga-1, 4, 7-triazacyclononane-1, 4, 7-triacetic acid (NOTA)-CD44p) and evaluate its targeting ability towards the surface marker CD44 of TNBC stem-like cells. Methods:Suspension sphere culture method was utilized to enrich and cultivate CD44 + CD24 - cell subpopulations from TNBC cell line MDA-MB-231 and non-TNBC cell line MCF-7. Flow cytometry was used to detect the expression of stem cell markers of different groups, cell scratch assay was performed to assess the migration ability of CD44 + CD24 - cell subpopulations, and Transwell invasion assay was performed to evaluate the invasion ability of CD44 + CD24 - cell subpopulations. 68Ga-NOTA-CD44p was prepared, followed by purification and identification with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The targeting ability of 68Ga-NOTA-CD44p towards CD44 + TNBC cells was evaluated through cellular uptake and blocking experiments. Data were analyzed by independent-sample t test, one-way analysis of variance and the least significant difference t test. Results:Suspension sphere culture successfully enriched CD44 + CD24 - TNBC stem-like cell spheres. Compared to the non-TNBC cell line MCF-7, TNBC cell line MDA-MB-231 exhibited better sphere-forming ability (18.50±3.73 vs 31.83±4.92; t=5.29, P<0.001) and a higher proportion of CD44 + CD24 - cell subset ((24.97±8.12)% vs (90.93±4.46)%; F=170.10, t=14.93, both P<0.001). The wound healing rate ((71.00±11.00)% vs (28.33±4.16)%; F=42.91, t=8.02, both P<0.001) and invasion rate ((60.60±16.87)% vs (24.16±8.15)%; F=11.83, t=4.40, both P<0.01) of CD44 + CD24 - MDA-MB-231 group cells were significantly increased compared to the CD44 + CD24 - MCF-7 group. MDA-MB-231 cells showed strong uptake ability of 68Ga-NOTA-CD44p, which decreased after CD44p blocking. Conclusions:Compared to CD44 + CD24 - MCF-7 cells, CD44 + CD24 - MDA-MB-231 cells exhibit higher malignant biological behavior. 68Ga-NOTA-CD44p targets the surface marker CD44 of TNBC stem-like cells, laying the research foundation for targeted therapy against TNBC with tumor stem cells as targets.

BACKGROUND:Gambogic acid is highly cytotoxic to breast cancer and can effectively kill triple negative breast cancer stem cells,but the underlying mechanism is still unclear.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the lethal effect of gambogic acid on triple negative breast cancer stem cells as well as the possible mechanisms.METHODS:PharmMapper database was used to predict the target protein of gambogic acid.String website was used to construct the protein interaction network of various drug targets.Active ingredient-target network was constructed by Cytoscape software.KEGG signal pathway enrichment analysis was performed on potential targets by R language software.The effect of different concentrations of gambogic acid on the activity of human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 was detected by CCK-8 assay.The appropriate concentration was screened.MDA-MB-231 stem cells were enriched by cell ball culture method and treated with gambogic acid at different concentrations(0,0.5,1.0,and 2.0 μmol/L)for 24 hours.TUNEL fluorescence staining and flow cytometry were used to detect apoptosis of stem cells.qPCR and western blot assay were used to detect protein C receptor expression.The expression levels of p-PI3K,p-AKT,Caspase-3,and cleaved Caspase-3 were detected by western blot assay.Stem cells were cultured in four groups:Blank control group(stem cells were not treated),siRNA-NC group,siRNA-protein C receptor group,and siRNA-protein C receptor+PI3K agonist group.After culture for 36 hours,the expression levels of p-PI3K,p-AKT,Caspase-3,and cleaved Caspase-3 were detected by western blot assay.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Network pharmacology exhibited that the protein C receptor,a marker of triple negative breast cancer stem cells,was one of the targets of gambogic acid.KEGG enrichment analysis involved apoptosis,epithelial growth factor receptor,RAS,and PI3K-AKT signaling pathways.(2)CCK-8 assay results showed that gambogic acid could inhibit the viability of MDA-MB-231 cells,and the median inhibitory concentration IC50 value was(1.18±0.34)μmol/L,so the concentrations of 0.5,1.0,and 2.0 μmol/L were selected for subsequent experiments.(3)TUNEL fluorescence staining and flow cytometry showed that gambogic acid induced apoptosis of triple negative breast cancer stem cells in a dose-dependent manner(P<0.05).qPCR and western blot assay confirmed that gambogic acid down-regulated mRNA and protein expression of protein C receptor,down-regulated Caspase-3,p-PI3K,and p-Akt protein expression,and up-regulated cleaved Caspase-3 protein expression(P<0.05).siRNA-protein C receptor transfection experiments further confirmed that knockdown of protein C receptor expression in triple negative breast cancer stem cells increased cleaved Caspase-3 protein expression(P<0.05),and down-regulated phosphorylation of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway(P<0.05).Application of PI3K agonist 740 Y-P decreased cleaved Caspase-3 protein expression(P<0.05),increased phosphorylation levels of p-PI3K and p-AKT(P<0.05),and improved apoptosis to a certain extent.(4)The results show that gambogic acid may play a role in killing and inducing apoptosis of triple negative breast cancer stem cells by down-regulating protein C receptor,and the further molecular mechanism may be related to the inhibition of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of kaempferol(KPF)in the treatment of macular edema sec-ondary to retinal vein occlusion(RVO-ME).Methods RVO model was established in SD rats using photocoagulation.Twenty SD rats were randomly divided into:Control group(normal rats,saline injection),Model group(RVO model rats,saline injection),Low KPF group[RVO model rats,KPF injection(8 mg·kg-1·d-1)],High KPF group[RVO model rats,KPF injection(16 mg·kg-1·d-1)],with 5 rats per group for 14 days.Fundus photography observed retinal vessels;HE staining evaluated retinal structural changes.HRMECs were randomly divided into:control group(no intervention),CoCl2 group(300 μmol·L-1 CoCl2),Low-dose KPF group(300 μmol·L-1 CoCl2+20 μmol·L-1 KPF),High-dose KPF group(300 μmol·L-1 CoCl2+30 μmol·L-1 KPF)and pathway inhibitor group(DAPT group)(300 μmol·L-1 CoCl2+20 μmol·L-1 DAPT),with 24-hour intervention.CCK-8 assay detected cell viability;Scratch test measured cell migration rate;ELISA quantified inflammatory factors[interleukin(IL)-6,tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α];FITC-dextran assay evalu-ated endothelial monolayer permeability;Immunofluorescence detected zonula occludens(ZO)-1 expression;Western blot and RT-PCR measured protein and mRNA levels of ZO-1,Occludin,Notch1,and Hes1.Results Fundus photography showed interrupted venous blood flow and retinal edema in Model group,alleviated by KPF.HE staining revealed disorder-ed retinal arrangement and severe edema in the Model group,improved by KPF.Compared with CoCl2 group,Low-and High-dose KPF groups showed reduced cell migration rate,increased cell vitality(both P＜0.05),IL-6 and TNF-α levels de-creased in Low-and High-dose KPF groups and DAPT group(all P＜0.05),permeability coefficient decreased in Low-and High-dose KPF groups and DAPT group(all P＜0.05),ZO-1 expression increased in Low-and High-dose KPF groups and DAPT group(all P＜0.05),ZO-1 and Occludin protein/mRNA levels increased;Notch1 and Hes1 protein/mRNA levels de-creased in Low-and High-dose KPF groups and DAPT group(all P＜0.05).Conclusion KPF treat RVO-ME by inhibiting the Notch1/Hes1 pathway,exerting anti-inflammatory effects and improving intercellular tight junctions.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of kaempferol(KPF)in the treatment of macular edema sec-ondary to retinal vein occlusion(RVO-ME).Methods RVO model was established in SD rats using photocoagulation.Twenty SD rats were randomly divided into:Control group(normal rats,saline injection),Model group(RVO model rats,saline injection),Low KPF group[RVO model rats,KPF injection(8 mg·kg-1·d-1)],High KPF group[RVO model rats,KPF injection(16 mg·kg-1·d-1)],with 5 rats per group for 14 days.Fundus photography observed retinal vessels;HE staining evaluated retinal structural changes.HRMECs were randomly divided into:control group(no intervention),CoCl2 group(300 μmol·L-1 CoCl2),Low-dose KPF group(300 μmol·L-1 CoCl2+20 μmol·L-1 KPF),High-dose KPF group(300 μmol·L-1 CoCl2+30 μmol·L-1 KPF)and pathway inhibitor group(DAPT group)(300 μmol·L-1 CoCl2+20 μmol·L-1 DAPT),with 24-hour intervention.CCK-8 assay detected cell viability;Scratch test measured cell migration rate;ELISA quantified inflammatory factors[interleukin(IL)-6,tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α];FITC-dextran assay evalu-ated endothelial monolayer permeability;Immunofluorescence detected zonula occludens(ZO)-1 expression;Western blot and RT-PCR measured protein and mRNA levels of ZO-1,Occludin,Notch1,and Hes1.Results Fundus photography showed interrupted venous blood flow and retinal edema in Model group,alleviated by KPF.HE staining revealed disorder-ed retinal arrangement and severe edema in the Model group,improved by KPF.Compared with CoCl2 group,Low-and High-dose KPF groups showed reduced cell migration rate,increased cell vitality(both P＜0.05),IL-6 and TNF-α levels de-creased in Low-and High-dose KPF groups and DAPT group(all P＜0.05),permeability coefficient decreased in Low-and High-dose KPF groups and DAPT group(all P＜0.05),ZO-1 expression increased in Low-and High-dose KPF groups and DAPT group(all P＜0.05),ZO-1 and Occludin protein/mRNA levels increased;Notch1 and Hes1 protein/mRNA levels de-creased in Low-and High-dose KPF groups and DAPT group(all P＜0.05).Conclusion KPF treat RVO-ME by inhibiting the Notch1/Hes1 pathway,exerting anti-inflammatory effects and improving intercellular tight junctions.

BACKGROUND:Gambogic acid is highly cytotoxic to breast cancer and can effectively kill triple negative breast cancer stem cells,but the underlying mechanism is still unclear.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the lethal effect of gambogic acid on triple negative breast cancer stem cells as well as the possible mechanisms.METHODS:PharmMapper database was used to predict the target protein of gambogic acid.String website was used to construct the protein interaction network of various drug targets.Active ingredient-target network was constructed by Cytoscape software.KEGG signal pathway enrichment analysis was performed on potential targets by R language software.The effect of different concentrations of gambogic acid on the activity of human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 was detected by CCK-8 assay.The appropriate concentration was screened.MDA-MB-231 stem cells were enriched by cell ball culture method and treated with gambogic acid at different concentrations(0,0.5,1.0,and 2.0 μmol/L)for 24 hours.TUNEL fluorescence staining and flow cytometry were used to detect apoptosis of stem cells.qPCR and western blot assay were used to detect protein C receptor expression.The expression levels of p-PI3K,p-AKT,Caspase-3,and cleaved Caspase-3 were detected by western blot assay.Stem cells were cultured in four groups:Blank control group(stem cells were not treated),siRNA-NC group,siRNA-protein C receptor group,and siRNA-protein C receptor+PI3K agonist group.After culture for 36 hours,the expression levels of p-PI3K,p-AKT,Caspase-3,and cleaved Caspase-3 were detected by western blot assay.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Network pharmacology exhibited that the protein C receptor,a marker of triple negative breast cancer stem cells,was one of the targets of gambogic acid.KEGG enrichment analysis involved apoptosis,epithelial growth factor receptor,RAS,and PI3K-AKT signaling pathways.(2)CCK-8 assay results showed that gambogic acid could inhibit the viability of MDA-MB-231 cells,and the median inhibitory concentration IC50 value was(1.18±0.34)μmol/L,so the concentrations of 0.5,1.0,and 2.0 μmol/L were selected for subsequent experiments.(3)TUNEL fluorescence staining and flow cytometry showed that gambogic acid induced apoptosis of triple negative breast cancer stem cells in a dose-dependent manner(P<0.05).qPCR and western blot assay confirmed that gambogic acid down-regulated mRNA and protein expression of protein C receptor,down-regulated Caspase-3,p-PI3K,and p-Akt protein expression,and up-regulated cleaved Caspase-3 protein expression(P<0.05).siRNA-protein C receptor transfection experiments further confirmed that knockdown of protein C receptor expression in triple negative breast cancer stem cells increased cleaved Caspase-3 protein expression(P<0.05),and down-regulated phosphorylation of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway(P<0.05).Application of PI3K agonist 740 Y-P decreased cleaved Caspase-3 protein expression(P<0.05),increased phosphorylation levels of p-PI3K and p-AKT(P<0.05),and improved apoptosis to a certain extent.(4)The results show that gambogic acid may play a role in killing and inducing apoptosis of triple negative breast cancer stem cells by down-regulating protein C receptor,and the further molecular mechanism may be related to the inhibition of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Objective:To conduct enrichment and biological behavior studies on CD44 + CD24 - triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) stem-like cells, and to construct 68Ga-labeled CD44 peptide ( 68Ga-1, 4, 7-triazacyclononane-1, 4, 7-triacetic acid (NOTA)-CD44p) and evaluate its targeting ability towards the surface marker CD44 of TNBC stem-like cells. Methods:Suspension sphere culture method was utilized to enrich and cultivate CD44 + CD24 - cell subpopulations from TNBC cell line MDA-MB-231 and non-TNBC cell line MCF-7. Flow cytometry was used to detect the expression of stem cell markers of different groups, cell scratch assay was performed to assess the migration ability of CD44 + CD24 - cell subpopulations, and Transwell invasion assay was performed to evaluate the invasion ability of CD44 + CD24 - cell subpopulations. 68Ga-NOTA-CD44p was prepared, followed by purification and identification with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The targeting ability of 68Ga-NOTA-CD44p towards CD44 + TNBC cells was evaluated through cellular uptake and blocking experiments. Data were analyzed by independent-sample t test, one-way analysis of variance and the least significant difference t test. Results:Suspension sphere culture successfully enriched CD44 + CD24 - TNBC stem-like cell spheres. Compared to the non-TNBC cell line MCF-7, TNBC cell line MDA-MB-231 exhibited better sphere-forming ability (18.50±3.73 vs 31.83±4.92; t=5.29, P<0.001) and a higher proportion of CD44 + CD24 - cell subset ((24.97±8.12)% vs (90.93±4.46)%; F=170.10, t=14.93, both P<0.001). The wound healing rate ((71.00±11.00)% vs (28.33±4.16)%; F=42.91, t=8.02, both P<0.001) and invasion rate ((60.60±16.87)% vs (24.16±8.15)%; F=11.83, t=4.40, both P<0.01) of CD44 + CD24 - MDA-MB-231 group cells were significantly increased compared to the CD44 + CD24 - MCF-7 group. MDA-MB-231 cells showed strong uptake ability of 68Ga-NOTA-CD44p, which decreased after CD44p blocking. Conclusions:Compared to CD44 + CD24 - MCF-7 cells, CD44 + CD24 - MDA-MB-231 cells exhibit higher malignant biological behavior. 68Ga-NOTA-CD44p targets the surface marker CD44 of TNBC stem-like cells, laying the research foundation for targeted therapy against TNBC with tumor stem cells as targets.

We report a case of a male patient who developed persistent fever and central nervous system symptoms after eating raw snails for 10 days. The patient was diagnosed with Angiostrongyliasis depended on the clinical presentation, epidemiological history, and etiological results. The patient recovered after receiving albendazole anthelmintic and dexamethasone anti-inflammatory therapy. This article incorporates literature review to sort out the diagnosis and treatment of this patient, in order to provide feasible reference for clinicians.

We report a case of a male patient who developed persistent fever and central nervous system symptoms after eating raw snails for 10 days. The patient was diagnosed with Angiostrongyliasis depended on the clinical presentation, epidemiological history, and etiological results. The patient recovered after receiving albendazole anthelmintic and dexamethasone anti-inflammatory therapy. This article incorporates literature review to sort out the diagnosis and treatment of this patient, in order to provide feasible reference for clinicians.

OBJECTIVE To optimize the deproteinization process of Isatidis Radix polysaccharides and further explore its immu-nomodulatory activity,and to provide a scientific basis for the development and utilization of it.METHODS The optimum conditions of enzymatic deproteinization were optimized by a single factor combined with the Box-Behnken response surface method.The chemical composition and structural characteristics of deproteinized Isatidis Radix polysaccharides were analyzed by UV-visible spectrum,Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy,high-performance gel permeation chromatography,high-performance liquid chromatography and scan-ning electron microscopy.The effects of deproteinized Isatidis Radix Polysaccharide on neutrophils,macrophages,IL-1β and IL-6 in zebrafish were investigated by using a zebrafish immunocompromised model.RESULTS The optimal enzymatic deproteinization process was as follows:trypsin 500 U·mL-1,pH 8.0,enzymatic hydrolysis time 5 h,enzymatic hydrolysis temperature 37℃.The deproteinization rate was(86.39±0.07)%,and the comprehensive score was(91.15±0.37)%.Ultraviolet,infrared spectroscopy scanning and scanning electron microscopy showed that the protein contained in the crude polysaccharide could be removed by enzymat-ic method.The relative molecular weight of the polysaccharides were between 5.82 and 60.26 kDa.The monosaccharide mole compo-sition was mannose ∶ rhamnose ∶ galacturonic acid ∶ glucose ∶ galactose ∶ arabinose=2.17 ∶ 0.96 ∶ 2.90 ∶ 83.25 ∶ 4.88 ∶ 5.84.The results of immune activity evaluation showed that when the concentration of deproteinized Radix Isatidis polysaccharides was 50～300 μg·mL-1,it could significantly increase the density of zebrafish immune cells,increase the number of macrophages,and reduce the content of IL-1β and IL-6 in immunocompromised zebrafish,thus exerting immunomodulatory effects.CONCLUAION The enzy-matic method can effectively remove the proteins contained in the crude polysaccharides of Isatidis Radix,and the deproteinized Isatidis Radix polysaccharides have certain immunomodulatory effects.