OBJECTIVES: Increasing detection of low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is associated with overdiagnosis and overtreatment. N6-methyladenosine (m⁶A)-mediated microRNA (miRNA) dysregulation plays a critical role in tumor metastasis and progression. However, the functional role of m⁶A-miRNAs in PTC remains unclear. This study aims to elucidate the regulatory mechanism of m⁶A-miR-139-5p expression in PTC, determine its association with PTC metastasis, and evaluate its potential as a diagnostic biomarker for PTC metastasis, thereby providing experimental evidence for precision diagnosis and therapy. METHODS: Expression profiles of m⁶A-miRNAs were compared between the The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and GSE130512 cohorts to identify metastasis-associated candidates. Clinical specimens from 13 metastasis and 18 non-metastasis PTC patients were analyzed to assess m⁶A-miR-139-5p expression and its correlation with metastasis. Functional experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO) on pri-miR-139 methylation and processing, clarifying its regulatory role in miR-139-5p expression. In TPC-1 cells, MTT assays were performed to evaluate whether miR-139-5p overexpression could counteract FTO-mediated cell proliferation. Transwell invasion assays were used to determine the impact of miR-139-5p on PTC cell invasion, exploring whether it functions through the ZEB1/E-cadherin axis. RESULTS: By comparing TCGA and GSE130512 cohorts, it was found that circulating m⁶A-miR-139-5p could serve as a biological indicator for detecting PTC metastasis. Detection of 13 metastatic and 18 non-metastatic clinical specimens showed that FTO inhibited the processing of pri-miR-139 by reducing its methylation level, leading to the dysregulation of miR-139-5p in PTC (P<0.05). In TPC-1 cells, MTT assay showed that overexpression of miR-139-5p could partially reverse FTO overexpression-mediated cell proliferation (P<0.05). In addition, miR-139-5p inhibited the invasive ability of PTC cells by targeting the ZEB1/E-cadherin axis, while FTO overexpression could partially weaken this inhibitory effect. CONCLUSIONS Circulating miR-139-5p can be a potential marker for evaluating PTC metastasis. FTO affects the expression and function of miR-139-5p by regulating m⁶A modification of pri-miR-139, but its clinical value needs further verification.
Humans ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Thyroid Cancer, Papillary/metabolism* ; Alpha-Ketoglutarate-Dependent Dioxygenase FTO/metabolism* ; Thyroid Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Adenosine/genetics* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Female ; Male ; Cadherins/metabolism* ; Cell Proliferation ; Zinc Finger E-box-Binding Homeobox 1/genetics*

Protozoan infections (e.g., malaria, trypanosomiasis, and toxoplasmosis) pose a considerable global burden on public health and socioeconomic problems, leading to high rates of morbidity and mortality. Due to the limited arsenal of effective drugs for these diseases, which are associated with devastating side effects and escalating drug resistance, there is an urgent need for innovative antiprotozoal drugs. The emergence of drug repurposing offers a low-cost approach to discovering new therapies for protozoan diseases. In this review, we summarize recent advances in drug repurposing for various human protozoan diseases and explore cost-effective strategies to identify viable new treatments. We highlight the cross-applicability of repurposed drugs across diverse diseases and harness common chemical motifs to provide new insights into drug design, facilitating the discovery of new antiprotozoal drugs. Challenges and opportunities in the field are discussed, delineating novel directions for ongoing and future research.

Acute high-altitude (HA) illnesses (AHAIs), including acute mountain sickness (AMS), HA cerebral edema (HACE), and HA pulmonary edema (HAPE), represent significant health challenges for individuals rapidly ascending to high altitudes. Cytokines (interleukins (ILs)) and chemokines, which are involved in inflammatory and immunological responses, regulate the response of the body to hypoxic stress. Their dysregulation can contribute to the clinical symptoms of AMS, HACE, and HAPE by increasing vascular permeability, causing edema and damaging tissue. AHAIs elevate the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, such as IL-17, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), IL-1, IL-6, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand (CXCL) 10, CXCL8, C-C motif ligand 2 (CCL2 (CCL2), and CCL3, exacerbating symptoms. Thus, this review focuses on the cytokines and chemokines involved in AHAIs and the molecular mechanisms that extend beyond these cytokines and chemokines in clinical and preclinical contexts. Identifying these mediators and pathways helps researchers design drugs that reduce symptoms, slow disease progression, and enhance outcomes. Cytokines and chemokines have complex functions in these disorders and may serve as prospective therapeutic targets. Finally, we discuss treatment possibilities for AHAIs (drugs, exercise, and other inhibitors). This knowledge will help us to protect and improve the health of individuals at high altitudes.

Protozoan infections(e.g.,malaria,trypanosomiasis,and toxoplasmosis)pose a considerable global burden on public health and socioeconomic problems,leading to high rates of morbidity and mortality.Due to the limited arsenal of effective drugs for these diseases,which are associated with devastating side effects and escalating drug resistance,there is an urgent need for innovative antiprotozoal drugs.The emergence of drug repurposing offers a low-cost approach to discovering new therapies for pro-tozoan diseases.In this review,we summarize recent advances in drug repurposing for various human protozoan diseases and explore cost-effective strategies to identify viable new treatments.We highlight the cross-applicability of repurposed drugs across diverse diseases and harness common chemical motifs to provide new insights into drug design,facilitating the discovery of new antiprotozoal drugs.Chal-lenges and opportunities in the field are discussed,delineating novel directions for ongoing and future research.

BACKGROUND: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is still challenging to prevent or treat. Enhanced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and increased pyroptosis in chondrocytes may be responsible for cartilage degeneration. This study aims to investigate the effect of ER stress on chondrocyte pyroptosis and the upstream regulatory mechanisms, which have rarely been reported. METHODS: The expression of the histone methyltransferase enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), microRNA-142-3p (miR-142-3p), and high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) and the levels of ER stress, pyroptosis, and metabolic markers in normal and OA chondrocytes were investigated by western blotting, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry, fluorescence in situ hybridization, fluorescein amidite-tyrosine-valine-alanine-aspartic acid-fluoromethyl ketone (FAM-YVAD-FMK)/Hoechst 33342/propidium iodide (PI) staining, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assays, and cell viability assessments. The effects of EZH2, miR-142-3p, and HMGB1 on ER stress and pyroptosis and the hierarchical regulatory relationship between them were analyzed by chromatin immunoprecipitation, luciferase reporters, gain/loss-of-function assays, and rescue assays in interleukin (IL)-1β-induced OA chondrocytes. The mechanistic contribution of EZH2, miR-142-3p, and HMGB1 to chondrocyte ER stress and pyroptosis and therapeutic prospects were validated radiologically, histologically, and immunohistochemically in surgically induced OA rats. RESULTS: Increased EZH2 and HMGB1, decreased miR-142-3p, enhanced ER stress, and activated pyroptosis in chondrocytes were associated with OA occurrence and progression. EZH2 and HMGB1 exacerbated and miR-142-3p alleviated ER stress and pyroptosis in OA chondrocytes. EZH2 transcriptionally silenced miR-142-3p via H3K27 trimethylation, and miR-142-3p posttranscriptionally silenced HMGB1 by targeting the 3'-UTR of the HMGB1 gene. Moreover, ER stress mediated the effects of EZH2, miR-142-3p, and HMGB1 on chondrocyte pyroptosis. In vivo experiments mechanistically validated the hierarchical regulatory relationship between EZH2, miR-142-3p, and HMGB1 and their effects on chondrocyte ER stress and pyroptosis. CONCLUSIONS A novel EZH2/miR-142-3p/HMGB1 axis mediates chondrocyte pyroptosis and cartilage degeneration by regulating ER stress in OA, contributing novel mechanistic insights into OA pathogenesis and providing potential targets for future therapeutic research.
Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Protein/genetics* ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/pathology* ; Chondrocytes/metabolism* ; Pyroptosis/physiology* ; HMGB1 Protein/genetics* ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress/genetics* ; Humans ; Animals ; Rats ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Middle Aged

Objective:To elucidate the inhibitory effect of interferon-γ(IFN-γ)on the proliferation of neuroblastoma cells and the protentral gene signature of IFN-γ and the relationship between the expression of gene signature of IFN-γ in the neuroblastoma cells and its adverse prognosis,and to clarify the effect of IFN-γ and its gene signture in the neuroblastoma.Methods:The SK-N-BE(2)(proto-oncogene N-MYC amplification type)and SH-SY5Y(proto-oncogene N-MYC non-amplification type)neuroblastoma cells were selected and treated with different concentrations(0,500,750,1 000 and 1 500 μg·L-1)of IFN-γ for 24 h,followed by cell proliferation assays using cell counting kit-8(CCK-8).Transcriptome sequencing was then performed to identify the gene signature of IFN-γ.Additionally,the tissue microarrays from 23 cases of neuroblastoma and 6 cases of normal adrenal gland samples were collected,immunohistochemistry(IHC)analysis was used to to detect the expression of gene signature of IFN-γ.Based on the expression levels of gene signature of IFN-γ,the samples were divided into SULT2B1 low and high expression groups.The correlation between the expression of gene signature of IFN-γ and poor prognosis of the patients was analyzed.Results:The CCK-8 assay results showed that as IFN-γconcentration increased,the proliferation of SK-N-BE(2)cells was significantly inhibited(P＜0.01),with inhibitory rates of SK-N-BE(2)cells in four groups were 6.73％,6.77％,7.67％,and 9.19％,respectively.In contrast,the proliferation rate of SH-SY5Y cells were significantly increased with the increase of IFN-γ concentrations(P＜0.01),and the proliferation rates of SH-SY5Y cells in four groups were 46.80％,79.19％,70.30％,and 72.33％,respectively.Transcrip tome sequencing identified hydroxysteroid sulfotransferase 2B1(SULT2B1)as a potential gene signature of IFN-γ.The IHC analysis results showed the expression amount of SULT2B1 protein in neuroblastoma tissues was increased.The clinical data analysis results revealed significant differences in age(Z=-2.618,P=0.018),lymphnode metastasis(x2=4.439,P=0.035),and distant metastasis(x2=5.856,P=0.016)between low and high SULT2B1 expression groups.Conclusion:IFN-γ can inhibit the proliferation of SK-N-BE(2)cells while promoting the proliferation of SH-SY5Y cells.SULT2B1 is a potential gene signature of IFN-γ,and its expression is upregulated in neuroblastoma tissue.SULT2B1 high expression is significantly associated with poor prognosis in the neuroblastoma patients.

Objective To evaluate the clinical value and safety of double nylon rope purse string suture closing the postoperative wounds of the treatment of endoscopic full thickness resection(EFR)for gastric submucosal tumors(SMT).Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 104 patients with gastric SMT originating from the muscularis propria,from June 2020 to March 2023.According to different suture methods,they were divided into single nylon rope purse string suture group(48 cases)and double nylon rope purse string suture group(56 cases).The patients'operative,postoperative,and long-term follow-up conditions were evaluated.Results All tumors were completely resected under endoscopic guidance.The terms of lesion diameter in double nylon rope purse string suture group was bigger than that in single nylon rope purse string suture group,there was statistically significant difference between the two groups(P=0.040).In the single nylon rope purse string suture group,postoperative perforation occurred in 1 case,low fever occurred in 4 cases,and mild pain in the upper abdomen occurred in 6 cases,in the double nylon rope purse string suture group,there was no postoperative perforation,5 patients had low fever,and 6 patients had mild pain in the upper abdomen,there was no significant difference in postoperative complications between the two groups(P＞0.05).No postoperative cases were transferred to gastrointestinal surgery,and all patients were discharged smoothly.After 3 months,7 cases in the single nylon rope purse string suture group had titanium clips and/or nylon rope residue,while 18 cases in the double nylon rope purse string suture group still had titanium clips and/or nylon rope residue,and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant(P=0.037).Conclusion Compared with single nylon rope purse string suture,double nylon rope purse string suture can effectively close the postoperative wounds following gastric SMT with EFR(≥3 cm).

Objective:To analyze the impact of different intrauterine intervention methods and types of complications on fetal prognosis in cases of giant placental chorioangioma (CA), and determine the indications for various treatment methods by analyzing cases of adverse outcomes.Methods:Relevant articles were retrieved from China National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP Database, Wanfang Database, and Yiigle using the keywords "placental chorioangioma" and "fetal edema" or "anemia" or "cardiomegaly" or "polyhydramnios," and from PubMed, Embase, and UpToDate databases using the keywords "placental chorionic angioma or chorioangioma" and "fetal edema" or "anemia" or "polyhydramnios" or "hyperdynamic circulation" up to June 30th 2023. The size of the angiomas, fetal complications, intrauterine intervention methods, gestational weeks at intervention, and pregnancy outcomes were analyzed. Fetal and neonatal deaths were defined as adverse outcomes. Statistical analysis was performed using an independent sample t-test, rank-sum test, or Chi-square test (continuity correction Chi-square test or Pearson Chi-square test). Results:(1) A total of 582 articles were retrieved, and 51 articles were finally included, comprising 65 cases. Based on the intrauterine intervention methods, these cases were divided into the symptomatic treatment group (17 cases) and the etiological treatment group (48 cases). There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in the maximum diameter of the angiomas, the gestational weeks at intervention, or the gestational weeks at delivery. (2) The incidence of adverse outcomes was 3/17 in the symptomatic treatment group and 27.1% (13/48) in the etiological treatment group, with no statistically significant difference. In the etiological treatment group, the incidence of adverse outcomes in cases with fetal edema was 45.4% (10/22), which was significantly higher than the 11.5% (3/26) in cases without fetal edema, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ 2=6.94, P=0.008). (3) An analysis of 13 cases with adverse outcomes revealed that nine cases had highly vascularized chorioangiomas and/or blood supply vessels located close to the umbilical cord insertion point on the placenta, and nine were complicated by fetal edema. The incidence of adverse outcomes for fetoscopic laser coagulation/bipolar coagulation, radiofrequency or microwave ablation, bioglue embolization, anhydrous alcohol ablation, and microcoil embolization were 4/19, 3/4, 1/8, 2/9, and 3/6, respectively. Conclusions:Intrauterine treatment of CA should be individualized. Bioglue embolization may be the first-line treatment; Fetoscopic laser coagulation can be applied to cases where the blood supply vessels are small and superficial;Interstitial laser ablation and radiofrequency ablation can be used for branch-type CA when the main blood supply vessels are located within the hemangioma; Anhydrous alcohol ablation is contraindicated due to its risk of fetal circulation entry; Microcoil embolization has the risk of incomplete occlusion, which should be used with caution.