AIM:To investigate the role of BRCA2 and CDKN1A interacting protein(BCCIP)in gastric can-cer(GC)and elucidate its mechanism in mediating cisplatin resistance.METHODS:The BCCIP mRNA expression was assessed in GC tissues(n=415)and normal tissues(n=34)using The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)database.In an in-ternal cohort(n=36 for RT-qPCR;n=5 for Western blot;n=30 for immunohistochemistry),BCCIP expression at both mRNA and protein levels was examined in GC tissues and paired adjacent normal tissues.Human GC cell lines AGS and HGC27 were cultured in vitro and treated with cisplatin in a dose(0,2,4,6,8 and 10 μmol/L)-and time(0,6,24 and 48 h)-dependent manner,followed by Western blot analysis of BCCIP expression.Stable BCCIP knockdown cell lines(shRNA#1 and shRNA#2 groups)were generated via lentiviral transfection,with empty vector-transfected cells serving as controls(vector group).Flow cytometry and colony formation assay were performed to evaluate the effects of BCCIP on apoptosis and colony-forming ability of GC cells treated with cisplatin.Western blot was utilized to detect the changes of BCCIP protein expression levels in the cytoplasm and nucleus of GC cells after cisplatin(2.5 and 1.0 μmol/L)treatment,as well as the effects of BCCIP on the expression of DNA damage marker γ-H2AX and apoptosis-related proteins cleaved caspase-9 and cleaved caspase-3,and the activation of checkpoint kinase 1(CHK1)after cisplatin(2.5 and 1.0 μmol/L)treatment.Immunofluorescence was conducted to observe the effect of BCCIP on γ-H2AX expression in GC cells treated with cisplatin(2.5 and 1.0 μmol/L).RESULTS:The BCCIP expression was significantly up-regulated in GC tissues compared with normal tissues(P<0.01).Cisplatin induced up-regulation of BCCIP expression in a dose-and time-depen-dent manner.Knockdown of BCCIP significantly enhanced cisplatin-induced apoptosis(P<0.01)and reduced colony-forming ability(P<0.05)of GC cells.Knockdown of BCCIP promoted the expression of γ-H2AX,but inhibited the activa-tion of CHK1 after cisplatin treatment,with increased protein levels of cleaved caspase-9 and cleaved caspase-3(P<0.01).CONCLUSION:Cisplatin promotes the expression of BCCIP in GC cells.BCCIP confers cisplatin resistance in GC cells by suppressing apoptosis through modulation of DNA damage response pathways.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the regulatory role of Ral guanine nucleotide dissociation stimulator-like 1 (RGL1) in metastasis of colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODS: We analyzed the differential expression of RGL1 between metastatic and non-metastatic CRC in GEO database, and examined its expression in 25 patients with metastatic CRC and 25 patients with non-metastatic CRC treated in Zhujiang Hospital between January, 2020 and December, 2022 using quantitative PCR (qPCR) and immunohistochemistry. HCT116 cell lines with stable RGL1 overexpression and SW480 cells with RGL1 knockdown were established using lentiviral vecors, and the changes in invasion and migration abilities of the cells were assessed using Transwell invasion and migration assays. The transduced cells were injected into the serosa of the cecum of nude mice, and tumor growth and liver metastasis were observed 8 weeks later. Fibronectin adhesion assays and immunofluorescence experiments were employed to assess the relationship between RGL1 and focal adhesion formation, and co-immuno-precipitation assays were performed to explore the interaction between RGL1 and GTPase activation. RESULTS: Compared with non-metastatic CRC, metastatic CRC showed significantly upregulated expression of RGL1. HCT116 cells overexpressing RGL1 exhibited obviously enhanced migration and invasion in vitro with increased capacity for liver metastasis in nude mice. RGL1 overexpression strongly accelerated focal adhesion assembly, facilitated the formation of motile focal adhesions, and enhanced the binding of activated CDC42/RAC1 complex to RGL1. CONCLUSIONS RGL1 is highly expressed in metastatic CRC and promotes distant metastasis of CRC by activating the CDC42/RAC1 complex to facilitate the formation of motile focal adhesions. These findings suggest that RGL1 can potentially serve as a therapeutic target for CRC metastasis.
Humans ; Colorectal Neoplasms/metabolism* ; cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein/metabolism* ; Animals ; Mice, Nude ; rac1 GTP-Binding Protein/metabolism* ; Cell Movement ; Mice ; Focal Adhesions/metabolism* ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Cell Line, Tumor ; HCT116 Cells ; Up-Regulation ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing ; Female ; Rho Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors

Objective The study aims to investigate the immunological functions of the nucleocapsid (N) protein of the novel coronavirus Omicron (BA.1, BA.2) and evaluate the differences among different N proteins of mutant strains in immunogenicity. Methods By aligning sequences, the mutation sites of the Omicron (BA.1, BA.2) N protein relative to prototype strain of the novel coronavirus (Wuhan-Hu-1) were determined. The pET-28a-N-Wuhan-Hu-1 plasmid was used as template to construct pET-28a-BA.1/BA.2-N through single point mutation or homologous recombination. The three kinds of N protein were expressed in prokaryotic system, purified through Ni-NTA affinity chromatography, and then immunized into mice. The titer and reactivity of the polyclonal antibody, as well as the expression level of IL-1β and IFN-γ in mouse spleen cells, were detected using indirect ELISA and Western blot assay. Results The constructed prokaryotic expression plasmids were successfully used to express the Wuhan-Hu-1 N, BA.1 N, and BA.2 N proteins in E.coli BL21(DE3) at 37 DegreesCelsius for 4 hours. The indirect ELISA test showed that the titers of polyclonal antibody prepared by three N proteins were all 1:51 200. All three N proteins can increase the expression of IFN-γ and IL-1β cytokines, but the effect of Omicron N protein in activing two cytokines was more obvious than that of Wuhan-Hu-1 N protein. Conclusion The study obtained three new coronavirus N proteins and polyclonal antibodies, and confirmed that mutations in the amino acid sites of the N protein can affect its immunogenicity. This provides a basis for developing rapid diagnostic methods targeting N protein of different novel coronavirus variants.
Animals ; Mice ; SARS-CoV-2/genetics* ; Coronavirus Nucleocapsid Proteins/immunology* ; Nucleocapsid Proteins/isolation & purification* ; COVID-19/immunology* ; Antibodies, Viral/immunology* ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Interferon-gamma/metabolism* ; Interleukin-1beta/metabolism* ; Female ; Escherichia coli/metabolism* ; Mutation ; Humans

Objective: To investigate the characteristics and risk factors of an outbreak of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis (AHC) in a boarding middle school in Guangdong Province, in order to provide a scientific evidence for effective prevention and control of campus AHC outbreaks. Methods: From September 1st to 28th 2023, case identification was conducted among 559 students and 60 faculty members using standardized definition. Descriptive analysis was conducted on the three distrubution patterns of the outbreak. Questionnaires were designed, and a case-control study was adopted to analyze the possible risk factors of the disease transmission. The propensity score matching (PSM) method was used to control the difference of baseline data. Results: A total of 269 cases of AHC were identified, with an attack rate of 43.46%. The pathogen was confirmed as Coxsackie virus A24 variant (CA24v). Among these, 264 cases were students (attack rate of 47.23%) and 5 were staff (attack rate of 8.33%). A total of 153 pairs of PSM were successfully matched. After PSM matching, there were no statistically significant differences in gender, grade and class between the case group and the control group ( χ 2=0.12, 5.41, 11.24, P >0.05). The results of multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that middle school students whose towels contacted with others ( OR =1.81), and direct contact with other AHC cases recently ( OR =4.89) were more likely to have AHC; while wearing glasses ( OR =0.43) and frequent use of hand sanitizer ( OR = 0.37 ) were less likely to have AHC ( P <0.05). Conclusion The outbreak of AHC is caused by CA24v, demonstrating rapid spread and extensive impact within the school setting.

AIM:To investigate the role of BRCA2 and CDKN1A interacting protein(BCCIP)in gastric can-cer(GC)and elucidate its mechanism in mediating cisplatin resistance.METHODS:The BCCIP mRNA expression was assessed in GC tissues(n=415)and normal tissues(n=34)using The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)database.In an in-ternal cohort(n=36 for RT-qPCR;n=5 for Western blot;n=30 for immunohistochemistry),BCCIP expression at both mRNA and protein levels was examined in GC tissues and paired adjacent normal tissues.Human GC cell lines AGS and HGC27 were cultured in vitro and treated with cisplatin in a dose(0,2,4,6,8 and 10 μmol/L)-and time(0,6,24 and 48 h)-dependent manner,followed by Western blot analysis of BCCIP expression.Stable BCCIP knockdown cell lines(shRNA#1 and shRNA#2 groups)were generated via lentiviral transfection,with empty vector-transfected cells serving as controls(vector group).Flow cytometry and colony formation assay were performed to evaluate the effects of BCCIP on apoptosis and colony-forming ability of GC cells treated with cisplatin.Western blot was utilized to detect the changes of BCCIP protein expression levels in the cytoplasm and nucleus of GC cells after cisplatin(2.5 and 1.0 μmol/L)treatment,as well as the effects of BCCIP on the expression of DNA damage marker γ-H2AX and apoptosis-related proteins cleaved caspase-9 and cleaved caspase-3,and the activation of checkpoint kinase 1(CHK1)after cisplatin(2.5 and 1.0 μmol/L)treatment.Immunofluorescence was conducted to observe the effect of BCCIP on γ-H2AX expression in GC cells treated with cisplatin(2.5 and 1.0 μmol/L).RESULTS:The BCCIP expression was significantly up-regulated in GC tissues compared with normal tissues(P<0.01).Cisplatin induced up-regulation of BCCIP expression in a dose-and time-depen-dent manner.Knockdown of BCCIP significantly enhanced cisplatin-induced apoptosis(P<0.01)and reduced colony-forming ability(P<0.05)of GC cells.Knockdown of BCCIP promoted the expression of γ-H2AX,but inhibited the activa-tion of CHK1 after cisplatin treatment,with increased protein levels of cleaved caspase-9 and cleaved caspase-3(P<0.01).CONCLUSION:Cisplatin promotes the expression of BCCIP in GC cells.BCCIP confers cisplatin resistance in GC cells by suppressing apoptosis through modulation of DNA damage response pathways.

Objective:To establish venetoclax-resistant acute myeloid leukemia(AML)cell lines,assess the sensitivity of venetoclax-resistant cell lines to the BCL-2 protein family,and investigate their resistance mechanisms.Methods:CCK-8 method was used to screen AML cell lines(MV4-11,MOLM13,OCI-AML2)that were relatively sensitive to venetoclax.Low concentrations of venetoclax continuously induced drug-resistance development in the cell lines.Changes in cell viability and apoptosis rate before and after resistance development were measured using the CCK-8 method and flow cytometry.BH3 profiling assay was performed to anayze the transform of mitochondrion-dependent apoptosis pathway as well as the sensitivity of resistant cell lines to BCL-2 family proteins and small molecule inhibitors.Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)was utilized to examine changes in the expression levels of BCL-2 protein family members in both venetoclax-resistant cell lines and multidrug-resistant patients.Results:Venetoclax-resistant cell lines of MV4-11,MOLM13,and OCI-AML2 were successfully established,with IC50 values exceeding 10-fold.Under the same concentration of venetoclax,the apoptosis rate of resistant cells decreased significantly(P＜0.05).BH3 profiling assay revealed that the drug-resistant cell lines showed increased sensitivity to many pro-apoptotic proteins(such as BIM,BID and NOXA).RT-qPCR showed significantly upregulated MCL1 and downregulated NOXA1 were detected in drug-resistant cell lines.Expression changes in MCL1 and NOXA1 in venetoclax-resistant patients were consistent with our established drug-resistant cell line results.Conclusion:The venetoclax-resistant AML cell lines were successfully established through continuous induction with low concentrations of venetoclax.The venetoclax resistance resulted in alterations in the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway of the cells and an increased sensitivity of cells to pro-apoptotic proteins BIM,BID,and NOXA,which may be associated with the upregulation of MCL1 expression and downregulation of NOXA1 expression in the drug-resistant cells.

BACKGROUND:silencing information regulatory 1(SIRT1)regulates the function of related proteins in chondrocytes in a deacetylated manner and participates in chondrocyte proliferation and differentiation,thereby promoting cartilage defect repair. OBJECTIVE:To screen for signaling pathways with unclear action status after SIRT1 gene knockdown in chondrocytes,as well as diseases or functions that produce changes using high-throughput technology. METHODS:ATDC5 chondrocytes from mice in logarithmic growth phase were divided into two groups:the cells were transfected with SIRT1 gene knockdown negative control lentivirus in control group and SIRT1 gene knockdown lentivirus in experimental group.GeneChip? Mouse Genome 430 2.0 Array was used to detect the mRNA expression at 72 hours after transfection.Applied bioinformatics technology was also used to screen for unclear activation or inhibition signaling pathways and their related factors.Moreover,enrichment of disease or function modules was analyzed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:After knocking down the SIRT1 gene,there were 245 signaling pathways with unclear activation or inhibition status in the mouse ATDC5 chondrocytes.According to the ranking of-Log(P-value),we reported the factors in the top 20 signaling pathways with unclear activation or inhibition status,including IGFBP4,TGFBR1,CTGF,COL4A5,LHX2,IL1RL1,and KLF6.According to the ranking of-Log(P-value),there were significant changes in 14 disease or function modules,including cellular growth and proliferation,organism survival,cell death and survival.According to the number of differentially expressed genes,there were significant changes in three disease or function modules,including organismal injury and abnormalities,cancer,and cell death and survival.According to the comprehensive ranking of-Log(P-value)and the number of differentially expressed genes,the disease or function module related to intrinsic immune response was significantly activated.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the improvement effects of sinomenine （Sin） on non-alcoholic steatohepatitis （NASH） and its potential mechanism. METHODS Male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into standard chow diet （SCD） group， high- fat diet （HFD） group， Sin low-dose group （Sin-L group， 50 mg/kg）， and Sin high-dose group （Sin-H group， 100 mg/kg）， with 6 mice in each group. The mice of SCD groups were fed with SCD， and other groups were given HFD for consecutive 24 weeks to establish NASH model. Since 17th week， the mice in each drug group were given corresponding drug solutions intragastrically， once a day， for 8 consecutive weeks. After the last medication， the body weight and liver weight of mice were determined， and liver indexes were calculated. The contents of total cholesterol （TC） and triglyceride （TG） in liver tissue， the serum contents of aspartate aminotransferase （AST）， alanine aminotransferase （ALT）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β） and IL-18 were all determined. Hepatic steatosis and fibrosis were observed， and hepatic lipid droplets were located. The expressions of IL-18 and IL-1β mRNA， inflammation-related proteins （IL-1β， cleaved-IL-1β）， fibrosis-related proteins [collagen Ⅰ （Col-Ⅰ）， α-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA）， connective tissue growth factor （CTGF）]， and pathway-related protein [adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase （AMPK）， phosphorylated AMPK （p-AMPK）， Yes-associated protein （YAP）， phosphorylated YAP （p-YAP）] were all determined. HepG2 human liver cancer cells were selected as subjects and divided into control group， oleic acid （OA） group， Sin 50 μmol/L group， Sin 100 μmol/L group， OA+Sin 50 μmol/L group and OA+Sin 100 μmol/L group. After 24 hours of treatment， the accumulation of lipid droplets was observed， and the expressions of pathway-related proteins were detected.RESULTS Compared to HFD group， hepatic steatosis， zengcheng@gdpu.edu.cn fibrotic lesions and lipid droplet accumulation were all alleviated in Sin groups； body weight， liver weight， liver indexes， the contents of AST， ALT， IL-1β， IL-18 in serum and TG， TC in liver tissue， the mRNA expressions of IL-1β and IL-18， and the expressions of cleaved-IL-1β and fibrosis-related proteins all decreased significantly （P＜0.01）； the protein expression of IL-1β， and the phosphorylation levels of AMPK and YAP proteins significantly increased （P＜0.01）. Compared with OA group， the lipid droplet accumulation of cells in OA+Sin groups significantly decreased， while the phosphorylation levels of AMPK and YAP proteins significantly increased （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Sin can ameliorate the inflammation， lipid deposition and fibrosis of liver tissue in mice， the mechanism of which may be associated with activating the AMPK signaling pathway and promoting YAP phosphorylation.

This study was designed to evaluate the correlation between immune antibodies and pelvic inflammatory disease(PID)using retrospective analysis.Cases were selected from 171 patients who met the diagnosis of PID in Liuzhou People's Hospital of Guangxi Province from January 2022 to March 2023,and the PID patients were further divided into simple PID group(53 cases)and in PID combined with reproductive tract infection group(118 cases)according to the presence or absence of reproductive tract infections,while 83 cases of women who did not meet the specific diagnostic criteria of PID and did not have reproductive tract infections were selected as the control group during the same period.The positive rate of immune antibodies in the three groups were observed and compared to explore the relationship between immune antibodies and PID.Data showed that the positive rates of immune antibodies were significantly higher in the PID alone group and the PID combined with reproductive tract infection group than that in the control group.Furthermore,the positive rate of immune antibody TPOAb was significant difference in the PID combined with reproductive tract infection group and the PID alone group(P<0.05).In conclusion,TPOAb is closely associated with reproductive tract infections.

Objective To investigate the oral health status of the first-grade primary school students in Shanghai and analyze its influencing factors.Methods In 2021,Huangpu,Xuhui,Jiading,and Jing'an districts were selected in Shanghai by random sampling method.The first-grade students of 8 primary schools in these 4 districts were enrolled by random cluster sampling.Oral clinical examinations and questionnaires were conducted according to the criteria of the Fourth National Oral Health Epidemiological Survey.EpiData 3.1 software was used to create the database.SPSS 26.0 software was applied for statistical analysis.Chi-square test was used to compare the caries prevalence between groups,and two independent samples non-parametric test was used to compare the decayed,missing and filled teeth(DMFT)between groups.Multifactorial logistic regression model was used to analyzse the influencing factors of caries.Results A total of 824 informed consent forms and questionnaires were collected,of which 764 were completed,with an effective rate of 92.7％.The total caries prevalence of the participating students was 65.6％(501/764),and the mean DMFT was 3.24±3.47.A total of 2 473 carious teeth were found in the participating students,and 671 teeth were filled,with a filling rate of 27.1％.There were 7.91±2.76 permanent teeth erupted per student,and 56.3％(430/764)of the students had all 4 first permanent molars erupted.Multivariate logistic regression showed that eating sweets＞3 times a day(P=0.030),eating regularly before bedtime(P=0.001),and parents'cognition of kids'poor oral health status(P=0.025)were the influencing factors for the detection of caries in children.Conclusion The first-grade primary school students in Shanghai have high prevalence of caries.Eating sweets＞3 times a day,eating regularly before bedtime,and parents'cognition of kids'poor oral health status(P＜0.05)are the influencing factors for the detection of caries in children.