Purpose: The aim of this study is to determine the impact of solute carrier family 3 member 2 (SLC3A2) on the malignant phenotype of gliomas and its role in regulating ferroptosis sensitivity. Materials and Methods: The malignant phenotype of glioma was assessed by cell proliferation assay, colony formation assay, EdU assay, wound healing, and Transwell experiments. We further validated the impact of reduced SLC3A2 expression on the sensitivity to ferroptosis in glioma cells through Cell Counting Kit-8 assays, flow cytometry, western blotting, and transmission electron microscopy. Western blot was used to explore how SLC3A2 affects glioma sensitivity to ferroptosis through the AKT/NF-E2-related factor 2 (NRF2)/glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) axis. By establishing a subcutaneous xenograft tumor model in BALB/c-nude mice, we investigated the growth of tumors following the knockout of SLC3A2 in glioma cells. Results: Downregulation of SLC3A2 suppressed the malignant phenotype of glioma by blocking the cell cycle and epithelial-mesenchymal transition processes. On the other hand, loss of SLC3A2 not only downregulated SLC7A11 but also prevented the activation of the AKT/NRF2/GPX4 axis. These lead to increased accumulation of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxides, ultimately enhancing the susceptibility of glioma to ferroptosis. Conclusion Our findings suggest that SLC3A2 is an oncogene in gliomas, promoting their occurrence and development. It plays a critical role in ferroptosis resistance through the AKT/NRF2/GPX4 axis.

AIM:To investigate the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)in the silent information regulator 1(SIRT1)gene and breast cancer risk in the Han Chinese population.METHODS:A total of 105 Han Chinese patients with breast cancer and 90 healthy controls were enrolled.Sequenom MassARRAY was used to detect the genotypes of SIRT1 gene loci,rs3740051,rs3758391,rs12778366 and rs2394443.The Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium(HWE)was analysed using the chi-square test.Multivariate logistic regression was employed to analyze the correlation be-tween each SNP and breast cancer susceptibility,as well as the relationship between the rs3758391 genotype and the clini-copathological characteristics of breast cancer in Han Chinese women.SHEsis software was used to assess linkage disequi-librium and haplotypes of the selected SNPs.The impact of genotypes at rs3758391 locus on SIRT1 protein expression was examined using Western blot.An additional 150 Han Chinese women with breast cancer and 150 healthy controls were en-rolled,and SIRT1 protein expression was assessed using immunohistochemistry.Logistic regression was performed to as-sess the relationship between high and low SIRT1 expression and the clinical characteristics of breast cancer.Kaplan-Mei-er website was used to determine the association between SIRT1 expression and patient prognosis.RESULTS:All four SNP loci conformed to the HWE test(P>0.05).The TC/TC+CC genotype of the SIRT1 rs3758391 locus significantly re-duced the risk of breast cancer compared with the TT genotype(TT vs TC:ORadj=0.348,95%CI:0.157～0.773,Padj=0.010;TT vs TC+CC:ORadj=0.381,95%CI:0.179～0.811,Padj=0.012),and correlated with earlier disease course(stage I/II),smaller tumor volume,and higher SIRT1 protein expression levels(P<0.05).SIRT1 expression was signifi-cantly lower in breast cancer tissues,and low SIRT1 expression was associated with larger tumor size,lymph node metasta-sis,and reduced recurrence-free survival(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:The TC/TC+CC genotype of the SIRT1 rs3758391 locus may be a protective factor for breast cancer in Han Chinese women,potentially reducing the risk of breast cancer and delaying disease progression by regulating SIRT1 expression.In addition,SIRT1 expression level is closely related to the clinical characteristics and prognosis of breast cancer.

AIM:To investigate the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)in the silent information regulator 1(SIRT1)gene and breast cancer risk in the Han Chinese population.METHODS:A total of 105 Han Chinese patients with breast cancer and 90 healthy controls were enrolled.Sequenom MassARRAY was used to detect the genotypes of SIRT1 gene loci,rs3740051,rs3758391,rs12778366 and rs2394443.The Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium(HWE)was analysed using the chi-square test.Multivariate logistic regression was employed to analyze the correlation be-tween each SNP and breast cancer susceptibility,as well as the relationship between the rs3758391 genotype and the clini-copathological characteristics of breast cancer in Han Chinese women.SHEsis software was used to assess linkage disequi-librium and haplotypes of the selected SNPs.The impact of genotypes at rs3758391 locus on SIRT1 protein expression was examined using Western blot.An additional 150 Han Chinese women with breast cancer and 150 healthy controls were en-rolled,and SIRT1 protein expression was assessed using immunohistochemistry.Logistic regression was performed to as-sess the relationship between high and low SIRT1 expression and the clinical characteristics of breast cancer.Kaplan-Mei-er website was used to determine the association between SIRT1 expression and patient prognosis.RESULTS:All four SNP loci conformed to the HWE test(P>0.05).The TC/TC+CC genotype of the SIRT1 rs3758391 locus significantly re-duced the risk of breast cancer compared with the TT genotype(TT vs TC:ORadj=0.348,95%CI:0.157～0.773,Padj=0.010;TT vs TC+CC:ORadj=0.381,95%CI:0.179～0.811,Padj=0.012),and correlated with earlier disease course(stage I/II),smaller tumor volume,and higher SIRT1 protein expression levels(P<0.05).SIRT1 expression was signifi-cantly lower in breast cancer tissues,and low SIRT1 expression was associated with larger tumor size,lymph node metasta-sis,and reduced recurrence-free survival(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:The TC/TC+CC genotype of the SIRT1 rs3758391 locus may be a protective factor for breast cancer in Han Chinese women,potentially reducing the risk of breast cancer and delaying disease progression by regulating SIRT1 expression.In addition,SIRT1 expression level is closely related to the clinical characteristics and prognosis of breast cancer.

Objective:To identify the risk factors for acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) undergoing haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HID-HSCT) .Methods:A total of 141 AML patients who underwent HID-HSCT at the Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, from January 2020 to July 2021 were included. The cumulative incidence of aGVHD was analyzed using the Fine-Gray competing risk model, with relapse and death as competing events, to compare differences between groups. Potential risk factors were evaluated by univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analyses to determine their independent effects on aGVHD.Results:Among the 141 patients, 86 (61.0%) were male and 55 (39.0%) were female, with a median age at transplantation of 34 years. Within 100 days post-transplant, 59 patients developed grade Ⅱ-Ⅳ aGVHD, whereas 86 patients experienced no or grade Ⅰ aGVHD (the grade 0-Ⅰ aGVHD group) . Survival analysis showed that the 3-year overall survival was 68.7% (95% CI: 57.7%-81.9%) in the grade Ⅱ-Ⅳ aGVHD group, compared with 78.8% (95% CI: 70.4%-88.3%) in the grade 0 - Ⅰ aGVHD group, with the difference not being statistically significant ( P=0.190) . Univariable analysis identified donor age ( P=0.020, HR=1.020, 95% CI: 1.000-1.040) and the female donor-male recipient sex combination ( P=0.033, HR=1.980, 95% CI: 1.160-3.380) as risk factors for grade Ⅱ-Ⅳ aGVHD. Multivariable analysis confirmed that donor age ( P=0.005, HR=1.026, 95% CI: 1.008-1.047) and the female donor-male recipient sex combination ( P=0.002, HR=2.339, 95% CI: 1.354-4.037) were independent risk factors for aGVHD. Patients receiving grafts from donors aged >45 years had a significantly higher 100-day cumulative incidence of grade Ⅱ-Ⅳ aGVHD compared with those receiving grafts from donors ≤45 years [54.7% (95% CI: 42.3%-67.0%) vs 31.6% (95% CI: 21.0%-42.1%) , P=0.006]. Similarly, patients with the female donor-male recipient sex combination had a higher 100-day cumulative incidence of grade Ⅱ-Ⅳ aGVHD than those with other sex combinations [56.8% (95% CI: 40.4%-73.1%) vs 36.9% (95% CI: 27.5%-46.3%) , P=0.015]. Conclusion:Older donor age and the female donor-male recipient sex combination remain independent risk factors for aGVHD in patients with AML undergoing HID-HSCT.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of Daoqi (directing qi flowing) acupuncture technique in Huangdi Neijing (Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic) for moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). METHODS: Sixty patients with moderate-to-severe OSAHS were randomly divided into a Daoqi acupuncture group (30 cases) and a conventional acupuncture group (30 cases, 1 case dropped out). In the Daoqi acupuncture group, Daoqi acupuncture technique in Huangdi Neijing was applied at Shanglianquan (Extra), Fengfu (GV16), and bilateral Lieque (LU7), Zhaohai (KI6); in the conventional acupuncture group, conventional acupuncture was applied at Shanglianquan (Extra), Fengfu (GV16), Yamen (GV15), and bilateral Lieque (LU7), Zhaohai (KI6), Zusanli (ST36), Fenglong (ST40). The treatment was adopted once every other day, 3 times a week, 4 weeks as one course and 3 courses were required totally in both groups. Before and after treatment, the polysomnography (PSG) indexes [apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), hypopnea index (HI), apnea index (AI), longest apnea duration, lowest nocturnal SaO₂ (LSaO₂)], and scores of Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS), Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), World Health Organization quality of life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) were observed, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated after treatment in the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, the AHI, HI, AI and longest apnea duration were reduced compared with those before treatment in the two groups (P<0.01), the LSaO₂ was increased in the Daoqi acupuncture group (P<0.01); in the Daoqi acupuncture group, the AHI, HI, AI and longest apnea duration were lower than those in the conventional acupuncture group (P<0.05), and the LSaO₂ was higher than that in the conventional acupuncture group (P<0.05). After treatment, the ESS and PSQI scores were decreased compared with those before treatment (P<0.01), while the WHOQOL-BREF scores were increased compared with those before treatment (P<0.01) in the two groups; in the Daoqi acupuncture group, the ESS and PSQI scores were lower than those in the conventional acupuncture group (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the WHOQOL-BREF score was higher than that in the conventional acupuncture group (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 93.3% (28/30) in the Daoqi acupuncture group, which was higher than 82.8% (24/29) in the conventional acupuncture group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION Daoqi acupuncture technique in Huangdi Neijing can effectively treat moderate-to-severe OSAHS patients, improve the clinical symptoms and quality of life, and has the advantages i.e. simpler acupoints selection and gentler stimulation.
Humans ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive/physiopathology* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Acupuncture Points ; Treatment Outcome ; Aged ; Quality of Life

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the demographic and clinical characteristics of inpatients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCF) and provide a basis for clinical prevention and treatment. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 744 inpatients diagnosed with OVCF between January 2017 and December 2021 who met the inclusion criteria. Among them, 146 were male and 598 were female, with age ranging from 50 to 95 years (mean, 69.37 years). The demographic characteristics (gender, age, ethnicity, occupation, regional distribution, urban-rural distribution, and seasonal incidence) and clinical features [causes of injury, history of vertebral fractures, smoking and drinking history in males, comorbidities (hypertension, diabetes, coronary atherosclerotic heart disease, cerebral infarction), body mass index (BMI), blood lipid levels, menopausal age in females, vertebral bone mineral density T-value, number of vertebral fractures, and fracture segment distribution] of OVCF patients were analyzed. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the independent risk factors of vertebral osteoporosis. RESULTS: The demographic analysis indicated that female patients with OVCF were significantly younger than male patients ( P<0.05). Significant differences were observed in the age distribution of OVCF between males and females ( P<0.05), with the highest proportion of male patients in the 70-79 years group (37.0%) and the highest proportion of female patients in the 60-69 years group (40.0%). From 2017 to 2021, the age of onset for OVCF gradually increased, with a similar trend observed for both genders. The distribution of occupations between genders also showed significant differences ( P<0.05); with the top three occupations for males being farmers (48.6%), retirees (24.7%), and workers (13.7%), while for females, the leading occupations were farmers (51.5%), retirees (19.4%), and service workers (10.0%). Female OVCF patients had higher BMI, vertebral bone mineral density T-value, history of vertebral fractures, hypertension prevalence, and blood lipid levels compared to male patients ( P<0.05). No significant difference between the males and the females was found in ethnicity, seasonal distribution, regional distribution, urban-rural distribution, causes of injury, number of vertebral fractures, or prevalence of comorbidities (except hypertension) ( P>0.05). Among the 744 OVCF patients, a total of 1 309 vertebrae were involved, with 628 thoracic vertebrae (48.0%) and 681 lumbar vertebrae (52.0%). The most common fracture segments were L ₁ (22.5%), T ₁₂ (21.2%), followed by L ₂ (12.2%) and T ₁₁ (10.2%). No significant gender difference was observed in the distribution of fracture segments ( P>0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that older age, female, and lower BMI were independent risk factors for vertebral osteoporosis ( P<0.05). CONCLUSION The age of onset of OVCF patients is increasing year by year. The number of fractured vertebral bodies, age distribution of morbidity, occupational distribution, BMI, history of vertebral fracture, hypertension, and blood lipid levels are related to gender. The occurrence of OVCF is mainly in the thoracolumbar segment. The female, older age, and lower BMI are independent risk factors of osteoporosis.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Aged ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fractures/etiology* ; Aged, 80 and over ; Osteoporotic Fractures/etiology* ; Fractures, Compression/etiology* ; Risk Factors ; Bone Density ; China/epidemiology* ; Osteoporosis/epidemiology* ; Comorbidity ; Inpatients ; Sex Factors ; Age Factors

Objective:To analyze the efficacy of laparoscopic partial splenectomy and devascularization (LPSPD), open partial splenectomy and devascularization (OPSPD), laparoscopic total splenectomy and devascularization (LTSPD), and open total splenectomy and devascularization (OTSPD) in the treatment of portal hypertension.Methods:Clinical data of 128 patients with portal hypertension admitted to the Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery of the Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University and the General Surgery Department of the Fifth Medical Center of the Chinese PLA General Hospital from May 2018 to May 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, including 69 males and 59 females, aged 51.0±10.9 years. According to different surgical methods, patients were divided into four groups, namely the LPSPD group ( n=30), the OPSPD group ( n=32), the LTSPD group ( n=31), and the OTSPD group ( n=35). Operation time, postoperative hospitalization time, postoperative complications such as newly occurred PVT, etc of the four groups of patients were compared. Results:The operation times of the LPSPD, OPSPD, LTSPD and OTSPD group were 240.0 (180.0, 399.0), 209.5 (169.0, 259.0), 207.0 (175.3, 297.5) and 200.0 (162.0, 264.0) minutes, respectively. The postoperative hospital stays were 8.0 (7.0, 12.0), 10.0 (8.3, 11.8), 11.0 (9.0, 13.0) and 13.0 (11.0, 15.0) days, respectively. The incidences of newly occurred PVT after surgery were 3.3% (1/30), 3.1% (1/32), 19.4% (6/31), and 20.0% (7/35), respectively. The above indicators were compared among the four groups respectively, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The postoperative hospital stay of the LPSPD group was shorter than that of the LTSPD group [8.0 (7.0, 12.0) vs 11.0 (9.0, 13.0), d, Z=-3.93], and the postoperative hospital stay of the OPSPD group was also shorter than that of the OTSPD group [10.0 (8.3, 11.8) vs 13.0 (11.0, 15.0), d, Z=-3.56; all P<0.001]. The incidence of newly occurred PVT after surgery in the partial splenectomy group (LPSPD and OPSPD) was 3.2% (2/62), which was lower than that in the total splenectomy group [LTSPD and OTSPD, 19.7% (13/66), χ2=8.38, P=0.004]. Conclusion:Compared to total splenectomy, partial splenectomy might be favorable for the shortened postoperative hospital stay and lower incidence of newly occurred portal vein thrombosis.

Objective:To identify the risk factors for acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) undergoing haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HID-HSCT) .Methods:A total of 141 AML patients who underwent HID-HSCT at the Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, from January 2020 to July 2021 were included. The cumulative incidence of aGVHD was analyzed using the Fine-Gray competing risk model, with relapse and death as competing events, to compare differences between groups. Potential risk factors were evaluated by univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analyses to determine their independent effects on aGVHD.Results:Among the 141 patients, 86 (61.0%) were male and 55 (39.0%) were female, with a median age at transplantation of 34 years. Within 100 days post-transplant, 59 patients developed grade Ⅱ-Ⅳ aGVHD, whereas 86 patients experienced no or grade Ⅰ aGVHD (the grade 0-Ⅰ aGVHD group) . Survival analysis showed that the 3-year overall survival was 68.7% (95% CI: 57.7%-81.9%) in the grade Ⅱ-Ⅳ aGVHD group, compared with 78.8% (95% CI: 70.4%-88.3%) in the grade 0 - Ⅰ aGVHD group, with the difference not being statistically significant ( P=0.190) . Univariable analysis identified donor age ( P=0.020, HR=1.020, 95% CI: 1.000-1.040) and the female donor-male recipient sex combination ( P=0.033, HR=1.980, 95% CI: 1.160-3.380) as risk factors for grade Ⅱ-Ⅳ aGVHD. Multivariable analysis confirmed that donor age ( P=0.005, HR=1.026, 95% CI: 1.008-1.047) and the female donor-male recipient sex combination ( P=0.002, HR=2.339, 95% CI: 1.354-4.037) were independent risk factors for aGVHD. Patients receiving grafts from donors aged >45 years had a significantly higher 100-day cumulative incidence of grade Ⅱ-Ⅳ aGVHD compared with those receiving grafts from donors ≤45 years [54.7% (95% CI: 42.3%-67.0%) vs 31.6% (95% CI: 21.0%-42.1%) , P=0.006]. Similarly, patients with the female donor-male recipient sex combination had a higher 100-day cumulative incidence of grade Ⅱ-Ⅳ aGVHD than those with other sex combinations [56.8% (95% CI: 40.4%-73.1%) vs 36.9% (95% CI: 27.5%-46.3%) , P=0.015]. Conclusion:Older donor age and the female donor-male recipient sex combination remain independent risk factors for aGVHD in patients with AML undergoing HID-HSCT.

Objective:To analyze the efficacy of laparoscopic partial splenectomy and devascularization (LPSPD), open partial splenectomy and devascularization (OPSPD), laparoscopic total splenectomy and devascularization (LTSPD), and open total splenectomy and devascularization (OTSPD) in the treatment of portal hypertension.Methods:Clinical data of 128 patients with portal hypertension admitted to the Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery of the Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University and the General Surgery Department of the Fifth Medical Center of the Chinese PLA General Hospital from May 2018 to May 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, including 69 males and 59 females, aged 51.0±10.9 years. According to different surgical methods, patients were divided into four groups, namely the LPSPD group ( n=30), the OPSPD group ( n=32), the LTSPD group ( n=31), and the OTSPD group ( n=35). Operation time, postoperative hospitalization time, postoperative complications such as newly occurred PVT, etc of the four groups of patients were compared. Results:The operation times of the LPSPD, OPSPD, LTSPD and OTSPD group were 240.0 (180.0, 399.0), 209.5 (169.0, 259.0), 207.0 (175.3, 297.5) and 200.0 (162.0, 264.0) minutes, respectively. The postoperative hospital stays were 8.0 (7.0, 12.0), 10.0 (8.3, 11.8), 11.0 (9.0, 13.0) and 13.0 (11.0, 15.0) days, respectively. The incidences of newly occurred PVT after surgery were 3.3% (1/30), 3.1% (1/32), 19.4% (6/31), and 20.0% (7/35), respectively. The above indicators were compared among the four groups respectively, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The postoperative hospital stay of the LPSPD group was shorter than that of the LTSPD group [8.0 (7.0, 12.0) vs 11.0 (9.0, 13.0), d, Z=-3.93], and the postoperative hospital stay of the OPSPD group was also shorter than that of the OTSPD group [10.0 (8.3, 11.8) vs 13.0 (11.0, 15.0), d, Z=-3.56; all P<0.001]. The incidence of newly occurred PVT after surgery in the partial splenectomy group (LPSPD and OPSPD) was 3.2% (2/62), which was lower than that in the total splenectomy group [LTSPD and OTSPD, 19.7% (13/66), χ2=8.38, P=0.004]. Conclusion:Compared to total splenectomy, partial splenectomy might be favorable for the shortened postoperative hospital stay and lower incidence of newly occurred portal vein thrombosis.

Objective To investigate the expression of Nanog and its regulatory relationship with MMP-2/MMP-9 proteins in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC).Methods We detected Nanog and MMP-2/MMP-9 protein expressions in 127 ESCC tissues and 82 adjacent normal tissues using immunohistochemistry and explored their correlations with the clinicopathological parameters and prognosis of the patients.GEO database was utilized to analyze the pathways enriched with the stemness-related molecules including Nanog,and TIMER online tool was used to analyze the correlations among TβR1,MMP-2,and MMP-9 in esophageal cancer.Results Nanog and MMP-2/MMP-9 proteins were significantly upregulated in ESCC tissues and positively intercorrelated.Their expression levels were closely correlated with infiltration depth and lymph node metastasis of ESCC but not with age,gender,or tumor differentiation.The patients with high expressions of Nanog and MMP-2/MMP-9 had significantly shorter survival time.Bioinformatics analysis showed enrichment of stemness-associated molecules in the TGF-β signaling pathway,and the expressions of MMP-2/MMP-9 and TβR1 were positively correlated.In cultured ESCC cells,Nanog knockdown significantly decreased the expression of TβR1,p-Smad2/3,MMP-2,and MMP-9 and strongly inhibited cell migration.Conclusion The high expressions of Nanog,MMP-2,and MMP-9,which are positively correlated,are closely related with invasion depth,lymph node metastasis,and prognosis of ESCC.Nanog regulates the expressions of MMP-2/MMP-9 proteins through the TGF-β signaling pathway,and its high expression promotes migration of ESCC cells.