ObjectiveTo investigate the possible mechanism by which Zhiqiao Gancao Decoction （枳壳甘草汤， ZGD） delays intervertebral disc degeneration （IDD） based on the Hippo-yes-associated protein （YAP）/transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif （TAZ） signaling pathway. MethodsA total of 50 SD rats were randomly divided into sham surgery group， model group， low-dose ZGD group， high-dose ZGD group， and high-dose ZGD + inhibitor group， with 10 rats in each group. In the sham surgery group， the rats were pierced in the skin and muscle at the Co6/7/8 segments of the tail with a 21G needle （depth approximately 2 mm） without damaging the intervertebral disc. In the other groups， rats were injected with a 21G needle at the Co6/7/8 segments of the tail to establish an IDD model by piercing the tail intervertebral disc 5 mm. One week after modeling， rats in the low-dose and high-dose ZGD groups were given 6.24 and 12.24 g/（kg·d） of the decoction via gastric gavage， respectively. The high-dose ZGD + inhibitor group was given 12.24 g/（kg·d） of the decoction and an intraperitoneal injection of YAP/TAZ inhibitor Verteporfin 10 mg/kg. The sham surgery and model groups were given 5 ml/（kg·d） of normal saline via gavage. The gavage was given once a day， and the intraperitoneal injection was given every other day. After 4 weeks of continuous intervention， the pathological changes of the tail intervertebral discs were observed using HE staining， Oil Red O-Green staining， and Toluidine Blue staining. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of aggrecan and MMP3 in the nucleus pulposus. TUNEL fluorescence staining was performed to detect apoptosis in the nucleus pulposus， and the apoptosis rate was calculated. Western blot was used to detect the Hippo-YAP/TAZ signaling pathway， including YAP， phosphorylated YAP （p-YAP）， phosphorylated MST1/2 （p-MST1/2）， phosphorylated TAZ （p-TAZ） and apoptosis-related proteins， such as Cleaved Caspase 3， P53， Bcl-2 and Bax. ResultsCompared with sham surgery group， the rats in the model group showed significant degenerative changes in the intervertebral disc. The levels of aggrecan， Bcl-2， and YAP proteins in the nucleus pulposus decreased， while the levels of p-MST1/2， p-YAP， p-TAZ， P53， Bax， Cleaved Caspase 3， MMP3 proteins， and the apoptosis rate increased （P < 0.01）. Compared with the model group， the drug intervention groups showed partial recovery in intervertebral disc degeneration. The levels of aggrecan， Bcl-2， and YAP proteins increased， while the levels of p-MST1/2， p-YAP， p-TAZ， P53， Bax， Cleaved Caspase 3， MMP3 proteins， and the apoptosis rate decreased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. The high-dose ZGD group showed more significant recovery in intervertebral disc degeneration compared to the low-dose ZGD group， with a decrease in the levels of p-MST1/2， p-YAP， p-TAZ， P53， Bax， Cleaved Caspase 3， MMP3 proteins， and apoptosis rate， and an increase in the levels of aggrecan， Bcl-2， and YAP proteins （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared with the high-dose ZGD group， the high-dose ZGD + inhibitor group showed a reduced recovery in intervertebral disc degeneration， with an increase in the levels of p-MST1/2， p-YAP， p-TAZ， P53， Bax， Cleaved Caspase 3， MMP3 proteins， and apoptosis rate， and a decrease in the levels of aggrecan， Bcl-2， and YAP proteins （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. ConclusionZGD may delay intervertebral disc degeneration by inhibiting the phosphorylation of YAP in the nucleus pulposus， maintaining the function of the Hippo-YAP/TAZ signaling pathway， and reducing apoptosis of nucleus pulposus cells.

In recent years, with the clinical application of minimally invasive surgical techniques and comprehensive preoperative treatment, the survival rate of locally advanced esophageal cancer has significantly improved. However, the treatment of metastatic esophagogastric cancer still relies mainly on systemic therapy, and immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy has become a first-line treatment option, prolonging the survival of patients with metastatic esophageal cancer. Oligometastatic esophageal cancer is expected to bring survival benefits through systemic therapy combined with local treatment. The 2024 European clinical practice guidelines for oligometastatic esophagogastric cancer have been officially released, which standardize the definition, diagnosis, and treatment of oligometastatic esophageal cancer for further prospective studies. The authors interpret this guideline, especially by reviewing the clinical evidence of oligometastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, to provide reference for the diagnosis and treatment of oligometastatic esophageal cancer in China.

Objective:To investigate the effects of trazodone on the growth, motility and ferroptosis of endometrial carcinoma cells, and to study its effect on phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/ mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway.Methods:Human endometrial carcinoma HEC-1A cells were divided into a control group and an experimental group. HEC-1A cells in the control group and in the experimental group were treated with 0 and 2 μmol/L trazodone dimethyl sulfoxide solution, respectively, for 24 h. Cell growth was evaluated by cell counting kit-8 and colony formation assay, cell motility was evaluated by scratch assay, Transwell assay and Western blotting, ferroptosis was evaluated by Western blotting and iron detection kit, and the effect of trazodone on PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway was evaluated by Western blotting. Analysis and comparisons were made using one-way analysis of variance and Tukey′s multiple comparisons.Results:The cell survival rate [(32.2±3.2%)] and the number of cell clones (18.0±4.0) in the experimental group were lower than those in the control group [(99.2±4.3)% and 35.0±5.0], and the differences were statistically significant (both P<0.01). The relative scratch width of the experimental group (0.57±0.07) was higher than that of the control group (0.24±0.05), and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.01). The number of invasive cells in the experimental group (7.0±1.0) was lower than that in the control group (15.0±2.0), the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.01). The relative expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (0.50±0.05) and matrix metalloproteinase-2 in the experimental group (0.75±0.08) were lower than those in the control group (0.82±0.07 and 1.25±0.15), and the differences were statistically significant (both P<0.01). The iron level [(190.5±18.5)%] and the relative expression level of acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 (0.63±0.06) in the experimental group were higher than those in the control group [(99.2±8.9)% and 0.38±0.05)], and the differences were statistically significant (both P<0.05). The relative expression level of glutathione peroxidase 4 in the experimental group (0.22±0.05) was lower than that in the control group (1.22±0.13) ( P<0.01). The levels of phosphorylated PI3K/PI3K, phosphorylated Akt/Akt and phosphorylated mTOR/mTOR in the experimental group (0.62±0.08, 0.35±0.05, and 1.46±0.18) were lower than those in the control group (1.47±0.16, 1.32±0.11, and 2.34±0.11), and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.01). Conclusions:Trazodone may have an anti-tumor effect on endometrial carcinoma cells by inhibiting the growth and motility of tumor cells, promoting ferroptosis, and inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.

Objective To evaluate the application of flipped classroom(FC)approach in endocrine system integrated course for students from 4+4 clinical medicine pilot class at Peking Union Medical College(PUMC).Methods The study included the students of 4+4 clinical medicine pilot class grades 2019-2023 in PUMC.The students of grades 2019-2021(n=77)served as the control receiving traditional teaching method,while the students of grades 2022 and 2023(n=76)were selected as the experimental group,which were taught by FC approach.The selected teaching content is thyroid theme.The scoring rates of thyroid related questions in the final exam were as-sessed and a questionnaire survey was conducted to evaluate teaching satisfaction and effectiveness.Results The scoring rates of experimental group were significantly higher as compared to that of control group(P＜0.05).Over 90％of the students in the experimental group strongly satisfied or satisfied with the teaching content arrangement,design form,classroom atmosphere,teacher-student interaction of FC and expressed willingness to continue with this methodology.In addition,over 90％of the students strongly agreed or agreed that FC stimulated learning inter-est,improved self-learning ability,strengthened the connection between theory and clinical practice,inspired clini-cal reasoning,enhanced the abilities to analyze and solve problems,and cultivated communication and teamwork skills.Conclusions The application of FC approach in endocrine system integrated course achieved excellent teaching outcomes with high satisfaction of the students.

Objective To explore the correlation of CPNE3 expression with long-term prognosis of patients with gastric cancer(GC)and the possible mechanism.Methods We retrospectively collected the data of 104 GC patients undergoing radical surgery in our hospital from February,2013 to October,2017.TCGA database and immunohistochemistry were used to analyze CPNE3 expression level in GC tissues and its effects on tumor progression and long-term prognosis of the patients.GO analysis was performed to predict the biological role of CPNE3 in GC.We also conducted cell experiments with MGC803 cells and observed the effects of CPNE3 knockdown,CPNE3 overexpression and LY294002(a PI3K/AKT inhibitor)treatment on cell apoptosis and cellular expressions of apoptotic proteins using flow cytometry and Western blotting.Results TCGA analysis and immunohistochemistry both showed high expressions of CPNE3 in GC(P<0.05).The patients with high CPNE3 expressions had a reduced 5-year survival(P<0.01),and a high CPNE3 expression,CEA level≥5 μg/L,CA19-9 level≥37 kU/L,T3-T4 stage,and N2-N3 stage were all independent risk factors for a lowered 5-year survival rate after surgery.The sensitivity and specificity of CPNE3 for predicting 5-year mortality was 79.59%and 74.55%,respectively(P<0.05).GO analysis predicted that CPNE3 negatively regulated GC cell apoptosis.In MGC803 cells,CPNE3 knockdown significantly increased cell apoptosis,enhanced Bax and Cleaved Caspase-3 expressions and decreased Bcl-2 expression,while CPNE3 overexpression produced the opposite results(P<0.05).The cellular expressions of p-PI3K and p-AKT were significantly decreased following CPNE3 knockdown and increased following CPNE3 overexpression(P<0.05).Treatment with LY294002 obviously attenuated the inhibitory effect of CPNE3 overexpression on apoptosis of MGC803 cells(P<0.05).Conclusion CPNE3 is highly expressed in GC tissues and affects the long-term prognosis of the patients possibly by inhibiting GC cell apoptosis through activation of PI3K/AKT signaling.

Objective To analyze the expression level of ATP5A1 in gastric carcinoma and its influence on the prognosis of the patients and glucose metabolism in the tumor cells.Methods We retrospectively analyzed the data of 115 patients undergoing radical resection of gastric carcinoma in our hospital from February,2013 to November,2016.ATP5A1 expression in the surgical specimens were detected using immunohistochemistry,and the long-term prognosis of the patients with high(n=58)and low ATP5A1 expression(n=57)were analyzed.In gastric carcinoma MGC803 cells,the effects of lentivirus-mediated ATP5A1 knockdown or overexpression on glucose metabolism were investigated.We also observed the growth and glucose metabolism of xenografts derived from MGC803 cells with ATP5A1 knockdown or overexpression in nude mice.Results ATP5A1 was significantly overexpressed in gastric carcinoma tissues in close correlation with blood CEA and CA19-9 levels,pathological grade,T stage and N stage(P<0.05).ATP5A1 overexpression was an independent risk factor for a significantly lowered 5-year survival rate of patients with gastric carcinoma(P<0.05).ROC curve analysis demonstrated the predictive value of high ATP5A1 expression for the patients'prognosis(P<0.001).In MGC803 cells,ATP5A1 overexpression significantly up-regulated cellular glucose uptake and lactate production and increased the protein levels of HK2,PFK1,and LDHA(P<0.05),while ATP5A1 knockdown produced the opposite changes(P<0.05).In the tumor-bearing mice,overexpression of ATP5A1 increased glucose metabolism of the tumor cells and promoted tumor growth(P<0.05).Overexpression of ATP5A1 promoted the expressions of p-JNK and p-JUN in MGC803 cells(P<0.05),and the JNK inhibitor SP600125 significantly inhibited the enhancement of cellular glucose metabolism induced by ATP5A1 overexpression(P<0.05).Conclusion High ATP5A1 expression in gastric cancer is associated a poor long-term prognosis of the patients,and its effect is mediated at least partly by promoting glucose metabolism of the cells through the JNK/JUN pathway.

Objective To explore the correlation of CPNE3 expression with long-term prognosis of patients with gastric cancer(GC)and the possible mechanism.Methods We retrospectively collected the data of 104 GC patients undergoing radical surgery in our hospital from February,2013 to October,2017.TCGA database and immunohistochemistry were used to analyze CPNE3 expression level in GC tissues and its effects on tumor progression and long-term prognosis of the patients.GO analysis was performed to predict the biological role of CPNE3 in GC.We also conducted cell experiments with MGC803 cells and observed the effects of CPNE3 knockdown,CPNE3 overexpression and LY294002(a PI3K/AKT inhibitor)treatment on cell apoptosis and cellular expressions of apoptotic proteins using flow cytometry and Western blotting.Results TCGA analysis and immunohistochemistry both showed high expressions of CPNE3 in GC(P<0.05).The patients with high CPNE3 expressions had a reduced 5-year survival(P<0.01),and a high CPNE3 expression,CEA level≥5 μg/L,CA19-9 level≥37 kU/L,T3-T4 stage,and N2-N3 stage were all independent risk factors for a lowered 5-year survival rate after surgery.The sensitivity and specificity of CPNE3 for predicting 5-year mortality was 79.59%and 74.55%,respectively(P<0.05).GO analysis predicted that CPNE3 negatively regulated GC cell apoptosis.In MGC803 cells,CPNE3 knockdown significantly increased cell apoptosis,enhanced Bax and Cleaved Caspase-3 expressions and decreased Bcl-2 expression,while CPNE3 overexpression produced the opposite results(P<0.05).The cellular expressions of p-PI3K and p-AKT were significantly decreased following CPNE3 knockdown and increased following CPNE3 overexpression(P<0.05).Treatment with LY294002 obviously attenuated the inhibitory effect of CPNE3 overexpression on apoptosis of MGC803 cells(P<0.05).Conclusion CPNE3 is highly expressed in GC tissues and affects the long-term prognosis of the patients possibly by inhibiting GC cell apoptosis through activation of PI3K/AKT signaling.

Objective To analyze the expression level of ATP5A1 in gastric carcinoma and its influence on the prognosis of the patients and glucose metabolism in the tumor cells.Methods We retrospectively analyzed the data of 115 patients undergoing radical resection of gastric carcinoma in our hospital from February,2013 to November,2016.ATP5A1 expression in the surgical specimens were detected using immunohistochemistry,and the long-term prognosis of the patients with high(n=58)and low ATP5A1 expression(n=57)were analyzed.In gastric carcinoma MGC803 cells,the effects of lentivirus-mediated ATP5A1 knockdown or overexpression on glucose metabolism were investigated.We also observed the growth and glucose metabolism of xenografts derived from MGC803 cells with ATP5A1 knockdown or overexpression in nude mice.Results ATP5A1 was significantly overexpressed in gastric carcinoma tissues in close correlation with blood CEA and CA19-9 levels,pathological grade,T stage and N stage(P<0.05).ATP5A1 overexpression was an independent risk factor for a significantly lowered 5-year survival rate of patients with gastric carcinoma(P<0.05).ROC curve analysis demonstrated the predictive value of high ATP5A1 expression for the patients'prognosis(P<0.001).In MGC803 cells,ATP5A1 overexpression significantly up-regulated cellular glucose uptake and lactate production and increased the protein levels of HK2,PFK1,and LDHA(P<0.05),while ATP5A1 knockdown produced the opposite changes(P<0.05).In the tumor-bearing mice,overexpression of ATP5A1 increased glucose metabolism of the tumor cells and promoted tumor growth(P<0.05).Overexpression of ATP5A1 promoted the expressions of p-JNK and p-JUN in MGC803 cells(P<0.05),and the JNK inhibitor SP600125 significantly inhibited the enhancement of cellular glucose metabolism induced by ATP5A1 overexpression(P<0.05).Conclusion High ATP5A1 expression in gastric cancer is associated a poor long-term prognosis of the patients,and its effect is mediated at least partly by promoting glucose metabolism of the cells through the JNK/JUN pathway.

Objective To investigate the effect and molecular mechanism of isolongifolene(ISO)on the apoptosis of intestinal epithelial cells and 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid(TNBS)-induced Crohn's disease(CD)-like colitis in mice.Methods In the animal experiments,mice were randomly assigned to the wild type(WT)group,TNBS group and TNBS+ISO group,with 8 mice in each group.Colitis models of mice were established in the TNBS group and the TNBS+ISO group by rectal injection of TNBS.After modeling,the mice in the TNBS+ISO group were given ISO intervention via intragastric gavage(10 mg/kg),and the other two groups were given the same amount of normal saline via intragastric gavage.The mice were sacrificed on the 7th day.The changes in body mass,disease activity scores(DAI),and the colon length of mice were measured,and transepithelial electrical resistance(TEER)of the colon tissues was determined.The score of colon inflammation was calculated according to HE staining.The levels of intestinal mucosal inflammatory factors,including tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-α),interferon(IFN)-γ,interleukin(IL)-1 β,and IL-6,were measured by RT-PCR and ELISA.The apoptosis of colon tissue cells was determined by TUNEL assay.The expressions of apoptotic proteins(cleaved caspase-3/caspase-3 and Bax),an anti-apoptotic protein(Bcl-2),and tight junction proteins(ZO-1 and claudin-1)were detected by Western blot and immunofluorescence.In the cell experiment,TNF-α was used to induce intestinal epithelial cell Caco-2 apoptosis model,which was treated with ISO.Then,intervention with the AMPK inhibitor Compound C was given.TUNEL assay,Western blot assay,and immunofluorescence assay were performed to measure apoptosis and the expression of apoptosis proteins in the Caco-2 cells.Gene Ontology(GO)enrichment analysis was performed to predict the biological function of ISO.Then,the mechanism involved was verified by examination of the mice and Caco-2 cells.Western blot was performed to determine the expression levels of p-AMPK/AMPK and p-PGC1α in the colon tissues from the mice of different groups and Caco-2 cells.The apoptosis of the cells was determined by TUNEL assay.Results According to the results of the animal experiment,ISO could alleviate experimental colitis and intestinal barrier dysfunction,leading to improvements in body mass loss,colon length shortening,DAI score,inflammatory rating,and TEER values(all P＜0.05)in mice.Furthermore,ISO decreased the expression of pro-inflammatory factors TNF-α,IFN-γ,IL-1β,and IL-6 and increased the expression of the tight junction proteins ZO-1 and claudin-1(all P＜0.05).In the cell experiment,in a TNF-α-induced intestinal epithelial cell model,ISO was also found to protect intestinal barrier against damage.ISO reduced the proportion of apoptotic intestinal epithelial cells,reduced the expression of cleaved-caspase-3/caspase-3 and Bax,and upregulated the level of Bcl-2(all P＜0.05).GO enrichment predictive analysis showed that the role of ISO in improving CD-like enteritis might be associated with the negative regulation of apoptosis.Verification of the mechanism showed that the expression of p-AMPK and p-PGC1α in the mice colon tissue was significantly upregulated after ISO intervention(P＜0.05).In contrast,the AMPK inhibitor Compound C increased the apoptosis rate of ISO-treated Caco-2 cells and decreased the relative expression levels of ZO-1 and claudin-1(P＜0.05).Conclusion ISO reduces intestinal epithelial cell apoptosis at least in part by activating AMPK/PGC1α signaling pathway,thereby alleviating TNBS-induced intestinal barrier dysfunction and CD-like colitis in mice.