Developing and identifying effective medications and targets for treating hepatic fibrosis is an urgent priority. Our previous research demonstrated the efficacy of artesunate (ART) in alleviating liver fibrosis by eliminating activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear despite these findings. Notably, endocytic adaptor protein (NUMB) has significant implications for treating hepatic diseases, but current research primarily focuses on liver regeneration and hepatocellular carcinoma. The precise function of NUMB in liver fibrosis, particularly its ability to regulate HSCs, requires further investigation. This study aims to elucidate the role of NUMB in the anti-hepatic fibrosis action of ART in HSCs. We observed that the expression level of NUMB significantly decreased in activated HSCs compared to quiescent HSCs, exhibiting a negative correlation with the progression of liver fibrosis. Additionally, ART induced senescence in activated HSCs through the NUMB/P53 tumor suppressor (P53) axis. We identified NUMB as a crucial regulator of senescence in activated HSCs and as a mediator of ART in determining cell fate. This research examines the specific target of ART in eliminating activated HSCs, providing both theoretical and experimental evidence for the treatment of liver fibrosis.
Hepatic Stellate Cells/cytology* ; Liver Cirrhosis/genetics* ; Artesunate/pharmacology* ; Cellular Senescence/drug effects* ; Membrane Proteins/genetics* ; Animals ; Humans ; Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics* ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/genetics* ; Male ; Mice

Objective:To evaluate the role of histogram analysis based on amide proton transfer weighted (APTw) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) imaging in predicting alpha-thalassemia/mental retardation syndrome X-linked ( ATRX) mutation in isocitrate dehydrogenase ( IDH)-mutant WHO grading 2/3 gliomas. Methods:Seventy-eight patients with IDH-mutant WHO grading 2/3 gliomas, admitted to and confirmed by surgical pathology in Department of Functional Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery Center, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University from June 2017 to October 2023, including 52 with ATRX wild and 26 with ATRX mutant-type, were selected. Preoperative 3D-APTw and ADC imaging data were collected; after post-processing, the lesions were segmented using lesion outlining method based on inclusion of peri-tumor edema and lesion outlining method based on tumor entity, respectively; after that, the histogram features (the 10 th percentile, 90 th percentile, maximum, mean, median, minimum, skewness, kurtosis, entropy, range, uniformity, and variance) were extracted from 3D-APTw and ADC imaging, respectively. Univariate Logistic regression was used to compare the differences in histogram features between patients in the ATRX mutant group and ATRX wild-type group, and multivariate Logistic regression was used to screen the independent predictors for ATRX mutation (a Logistic regression prediction model was constructed). Predictive values of independent predictors and Logistic regression prediction models in ATRX mutation were evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results:(1) With lesion outlining method based on inclusion of peri-tumor edema, univariate analysis indicated significant difference between ATRX mutant group and ATRX wild-type group in 9 histogram features: relative 3D-APTw minimum, 3D-APTw skewness, relative ADC 90 th percentile, relative ADC mean, relative ADC median, ADC kurtosis, ADC skewness, ADC uniformity, and ADC entropy ( P<0.05). With lesion outlining method based on tumor entity, univariate analysis indicated significant difference between ATRX mutant group and ATRX wild-type group in 9 histogram features: relative 3D-APTw 90 th percentile, 3D-APTw skewness, relative ADC 90 th percentile, relative ADC mean, relative ADC median, ADC kurtosis, ADC skewness, ADC uniformity and ADC entropy ( P<0.05). (2) With lesion outlining method based on inclusion of peri-tumor edema, multivariate Logistic regression showed that 3D-APTw skewness and ADC kurtosis were the independent predictor for ATRX mutation in IDH mutant WHO grading 2/3 glioma patients ( OR=0.168, 95% CI: 0.034-0.800, P=0.025; OR=0.508, 95% CI: 0.319-0.807, P=0.004). The constructed Logistic regression prediction model was P(Y=1|X)=1/1+e -(1.827-1.785×3D-APTw skewness-0.678×ADC kurtosis). With lesion outlining method based on tumor entity, multivariate Logistic regression showed that 3D-APTw skewness and ADC kurtosis were independent predictors for ATRX mutation in IDH mutant WHO grading 2/3 glioma patients ( OR=0.164, 95% CI: 0.034-0.791, P=0.024; OR=0.496, 95% CI: 0.312-0.788, P=0.003); the constructed Logistic regression prediction model was P(Y=1|X)=1/1+e -(1.585-1.810×3D-APTw skewness-0.702×ADC kurtosis). (3) ROC curve analysis showed that, with lesion outlining method based on inclusion of peri-tumor edema, area under ROC curve (AUC) of 3D-APTw skewness and ADC kurtosis was 0.725 (95% CI: 0.608-0.842, P=0.001) and 0.794 (95% CI: 0.685-0.904), respectively ( P<0.001); AUC of Logistic regression prediction model was 0.836 (95% CI: 0.729-0.942, P<0.001), and its sensitivity and specificity were 73.10% and 90.40% when the best threshold was 0.505. ROC curve showed that, with lesion outlining method based on tumor entity, AUC of 3D-APTw skewness and ADC kurtosis was 0.705 (95% CI: 0.587-0.823, P=0.003) and 0.808 (95% CI: 0.704-0.913), respectively ( P<0.001); AUC of Logistic regression prediction model was 0.844 (95% CI: 0.739-0.949, P<0.001), and its sensitivity and specificity were 84.60% and 80.80% when the best threshold was 0.399. Conclusion:Histogram analysis based on 3D-APTw and ADC imaging can predict ATRX mutation in IDH mutant WHO grading 2/3 gliomas to a certain extent.

AIM:To explore the effect and mechanism of the interfering Gal-1 on epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT),migration and proliferation in MDA-MB-231 cells via transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β)pathway.METHODS:The stable cell lines(shGal-1)which Gal-1 expression were inhibited completely and their control cell lines were used as experimental cells.Western blot assay was used to detect the effects of shGal-1 on EMT process of MDA-MB-231 cells after TGF-β treatment;The effect of shGal-1 on cell migration and invasion after TGF-β treatment was verified by cell scratch and transwell test;The effect of shGal-1 on the TGF-β pathway related proteins were detected by western blot;Finally,the effect of shGal-1 on cell proliferation was detected by MTT and western blot.RESULTS:shGal-1 inhib-ited TGF-β-mediated EMT in MDA-MB-231 cells and regulated phosphorylation of pathway signaling molecules(ERK,AKT and GSK3β);shGal-1 could inhibit the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells.CONCLUSION:shGal-1 can inhibit the TGF-β-mediated EMT,migration and proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells.

With the accelerated aging society in China, the incidence of biliary surgical diseases in the elderly has increased significantly. The clinical characteristics of these patients indicate that improving treatment outcomes and realizing healthy aging are worthy of attention. How to effectively improve the treatment effect of geriatric biliary surgical diseases has attracted widespread attention. This paper reviews and comments on the hotspots and difficulties of biliary surgery in older patients from six aspects: (1) higher morbidity associated with an aging society, (2) prevention and control of pre-operative risks, (3) extending the indications of laparoscopic surgery, (4) urgent standardization of minimally invasive surgery, (5) precise technological progress in hepatobiliary surgery, and (6) guarantee of peri-operative safety. It is of great significance to fully understand the focus of controversy, actively make use of its favorable factors, and effectively avoid its unfavorable factors, for further improving the therapeutic effects of geriatric biliary surgical diseases, and thus benefits the vast older patients with biliary surgical diseases. Accordingly, a historical record with the highest age of 93 years for laparoscopic transcystic common bile duct exploration has been created by us recently.
Humans ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Biliary Tract Surgical Procedures ; Gallstones ; Laparoscopy ; Treatment Outcome ; Aging ; Retrospective Studies

Senescence of activated hepatic stellate cells (aHSCs) is a stable growth arrest that is implicated in liver fibrosis regression. Senescent cells often accompanied by a multi-faceted senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). But little is known about how alanine-serine-cysteine transporter type-2 (ASCT2), a high affinity glutamine transporter, affects HSC senescence and SASP during liver fibrosis. Here, we identified ASCT2 is mainly elevated in aHSCs and positively correlated with liver fibrosis in human and mouse fibrotic livers. We first discovered ASCT2 inhibition induced HSCs to senescence in vitro and in vivo. The proinflammatory SASP were restricted by ASCT2 inhibition at senescence initiation to prevent paracrine migration. Mechanically, ASCT2 was a direct target of glutaminolysis-dependent proinflammatory SASP, interfering IL-1α/NF-κB feedback loop via interacting with precursor IL-1α at Lys82. From a translational perspective, atractylenolide III is identified as ASCT2 inhibitor through directly bound to Asn230 of ASCT2. The presence of -OH group in atractylenolide III is suggested to be favorable for the inhibition of ASCT2. Importantly, atractylenolide III could be utilized to treat liver fibrosis mice. Taken together, ASCT2 controlled HSC senescence while modifying the proinflammatory SASP. Targeting ASCT2 by atractylenolide III could be a therapeutic candidate for liver fibrosis.

Objective:To explore the relationship between respiratory mechanics and right heart function during ARDS mechanical ventilation through the establishment of Beagle dogs acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) animal model and the application of different levels of mechanical ventilation, which will provide theoretical basis for right heart protective ventilation strategy of ARDS.Methods:Beagle dogs were anesthetized successfully and then pulmonary artery floating catheter, esophageal manometric catheter and femoral artery catheter were inserted. Under the pressure control mode, the driving pressure was fixed. After adjustment, PEEP gradually increased from 2 cmH 2O to 14 cmH 2O. The changes of respiratory mechanics, hemodynamics and right heart function were observed. ARDS model was established by injecting oleic acid into central vein, and mechanical ventilation with the same parameters was given after the model was established successfully. In contrast to itself, the changes of respiratory mechanics, hemodynamics and right heart function indexes of experimental dogs before and after modeling were analyzed. In the group, the indexes of different PEEP were compared by ANOVA, and then compared by Student-Newman-Keuls. The difference was statistically significant at a P value <0.05. Results:Before modeling, the peak airway pressure (P peak) and plateau pressure (P plat) increased with the increase of PEEP ( F=232.733,196.33, P<0.05). However, P trans-I, P trans-E, C stat and Vt decreased significantly ( F=4.524, 6.499, 64.803, 2.31, P<0.05). The area of change of right ventricle (FAC) became smaller ( F=3.09, P<0.05); SV first increased and then decreased ( F=3.24, P<0.05), and CVP and MPAP increased ( F=19.07,14.81, P<0.05). There was no significant difference in TAPSE, MAP, HR and SpO 2 ( P>0.05). After modeling, as PEEP increased, P peak, P plat, P ES-I and P ES-E increased significantly ( F=24.829, 41.95, 9.78, 87.86, P<0.05). Vt, P trans-I, P trans-E, C stat and Vt first increased and then decreased ( F=2.91, 4.29, 5.84, 48.890, P<0.05). TAPSE and SV first increased and then decreased ( F=6.22,6.54, P<0.05). CVP and MPAP increased ( F=5.23, 19.24, P<0.05). MAP increased first and then decreased ( F=5.02, P<0.05). SpO 2 increased ( F=2.77, P<0.05). FAC and HR had no statistical significance ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Trans pulmonary pressure and lung compliance can reflect the effectiveness of ARDS lung recruitment, and have good synergy; with the increase of PEEP, the right ventricular systolic function TAPSE is first affected, and SV compensatory increase, but with the increase of PEEP, TAPSE and SV decrease; pulmonary blood flow distribution is more important in improving alveolar oxygenation. Therefore, real-time monitoring of trans pulmonary pressure, TAPSE and intrapulmonary blood flow should be performed in ARDS treatment.

Objective: To investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of aspirin on endoplasmic reticulum stress in podocytes induced by hyperlipemia. Methods: Cultured podocytes were divided into four groups: control group, aspirin (100 μg/ml) group, oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL, 100 μg/ml) group, aspirin+ox-LDL group. The expression of protein kinase R-1ike endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK), eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α (eIF2α), activating transcription factor-4 (ATF4) and CAAT/enhancer binding protein homologous protein (CHOP) at 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h were evaluated by real-time PCR. The related proteins of p-PERK and p-eIF2α at 24 h and ATF4 at 12 h were evaluated by Western blotting, respectively. Results: The expressions of PERK, eIF2α peaked at 24 h, while ATF4 and CHOP peaked at 12 h in ox-LDL group and aspirin+ox-LDL group. Compared with control group, the expressions of PERK, eIF2α, ATF4 and CHOP were significantly higher in ox-LDL group at each times (all P<0.05). Compared with ox-LDL group, the expressions of the above indicators were significantly lower in aspirin+ox-LDL group at each times (all P<0.05). At 24 h, compared with control group, the expressions of p-PERK and p-eIF2α were significantly higher in ox-LDL group (both P<0.05). Compared with ox-LDL group, the expressions of p-PERK and p-eIF2α were significantly lower in aspirin+ox-LDL group (both P<0.05). At 12 h, the expression of ATF4 protein in each group was similar to that of mRNA. There were no significant difference in the expressions of all indicators between aspirin group and control group. Conclusions Hyperlipidemia may cause endoplasmic reticulum stress in podocytes by inducing phosphorylation of PERK and eIF2α, activating ATF4 transcription and inducing high expression of CHOP. Aspirin may partially block the PERK pathway, which may have protective effects for podocytes.

To optimize key enzymes, such as to explore the gene resources and to modify the expression level, can maximize metabolic pathways of target products. β-carotene is a terpenoid compound with important application value. Lycopene cyclase (CrtY) is the key enzyme in β-carotene biosynthesis pathway, catalyzing flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD)-dependent cyclization reaction and β-carotene synthesis from lycopene precursor. We optimized lycopene cyclase (CrtY) to improve the synthesis of β-carotene and determined the effect of CrtY expression on metabolic pathways. Frist, we developed a β-carotene synthesis module by coexpressing the lycopene β-cyclase gene crtY with crtEBI module in Escherichia coli. Then we simultaneously optimized the ribosome-binding site (RBS) intensity and the species of crtY using oligo-linker mediated DNA assembly method (OLMA). Five strains with high β-carotene production capacity were screened out from the OLMA library. The β-carotene yields of these strains were up to 15.79-18.90 mg/g DCW (Dry cell weight), 65% higher than that of the original strain at shake flask level. The optimal strain CP12 was further identified and evaluated for β-carotene production at 5 L fermentation level. After process optimization, the final β-carotene yield could reach to 1.9 g/L. The results of RBS strength and metabolic intermediate analysis indicated that an appropriate expression level of CrtY could be beneficial for the function of the β-carotene synthesis module. The results of this study provide important insight into the optimization of β-carotene synthesis pathway in metabolic engineering.