Objective To investigate the effects of circular RNA APLP2(circAPLP2)on the proliferation,migra-tion,and invasion of human colorectal cancer(CRC)cell lines by regulating microRNA-455-3p(miR-455-3p)/Stathmin1(STMN1)axis.Methods RT-qPCR was used to detect the expression of circAPLP2,miR-455-3p and STMN1 in CRC and normal colorectal cell lines and the optimal cell line was screened.Proliferation,migra-tion and invasion were detected by MTT assay,scratch assay and Transwell assay,respectively.The relationship between circAPLP2 and miR-455-3p,between miR-455-3p and STMN1 was confirmed by dual Lucifer's reporter gene assay.Results CircAPLP2 and STMN1 were highly expressed in CRC cells,miR-455-3p showed a low ex-pression.Knocking down circAPLP2 resulted in a decrease in rate of survival and of scratch healing rate and in-vasion of SW620 cells,An up regulation of miR-455-3p expression,a down regulation of STMN1,cyclin D1,N-cadherin protein expression and an up regulation of E-cadherin protein expression were also found(P<0.05).Inhibition of miR-455-3p expression reversed inhibitory effect of knocking down circAPLP2 on SW620 cell prolif-eration,migration,and invasion,up-regulated the STMN1,cyclin D1 and N-cadherin protein expression,and down-regulation of E-cadherin protein expression(P<0.05).Dual luciferase reporter gene assay showed that circAPLP2 targeted at negative regulation of miR-455-3p expression,while miR-455-3p targeted at negative reg-ulation of STMN1 expression.Nude mouse transplantation experiment found that knocking down circAPLP2 affect-ed the growth of transplanted tumors,while miR-455-3p expression was up-regulated and STMN1 expression was down-regulated(P<0.05).Conclusions CircAPLP2 inhibits the proliferation,migration and invasion of colorectal cancer cell lines by regulating the miR-455-3p/STMN1 axis.

Objective To investigate the effects of Sini Powder on serum hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal(HPA)axis-related hormones and inflammatory factors in liver cancer mice with comorbid depression,and to evaluate its effect on depressive behavior and tumor proliferation activity.Methods Forty-eight specific pathogen-free female C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to either a blank(n=8)or model group(n=40).The modeling group was subjected to chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS)for six weeks.Both groups underwent orthotopically transplanted liver tumor surgery at the end of the fourth week of CUMS treatment.At the end of the sixth week of CUMS treatment,color Doppler ultrasonography was used to observe tumor formation in the orthotopic transplantation liver tumors,and the tail suspension test was used to assess depressive behavior.Non-tumor-bearing and deceased mice were excluded.The remaining model group mice were stratified by tail suspension immobility time and randomly assigned to the following groups:model group(distilled water),Fluoxetine group(5.0 mg/kg),and Sini Powder low-dose,medium-dose,and high-dose groups(5.2,10.4,and 20.8 g/kg,respectively),with six mice per group.The treatments were administered once daily for 21 consecutive days.After treatment,depressive behaviors were assessed using the open field,tail suspension,and forced swimming tests.The proliferation status of the orthotopic liver transplantation tumor was evaluated by measuring the size of the tumor,observing pathological changes in the tumor tissue through hematoxylin and eosin staining,and detecting the positive cell rate of proliferating cell nuclear antigen(Ki-67)in the tumor tissue using immunohistochemistry.The levels of HPA axis-related hormones in serum,such as corticotropin-releasing hormone(CRH),adrenocorticotropic hormone(ACTH),corticosterone(CORT),as well as inflammatory factors such as tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin-1β(IL-1β),and interleukin-6(IL-6)were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Western blotting was used to assess mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPKs)phosphorylation and the expression of nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB),NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing receptor 3(NLRP3),and cysteine aspartic protease-1(Caspase-1)in orthotopic tumors.Results Compared with the blank group,the model group showed reduced total distance traveled in open field test,prolonged immobility times in the tail suspension and forced swimming tests(P<0.05,P<0.01),indicating successful establishment of the liver cancer with comorbid depression mice model.Also,the model group showed increased orthotopic tumor volume(P<0.01),and elevated serum CRH,ACTH,CORT,TNF-α,IL-1β,and IL-6 levels(P<0.01).The phosphorylation of MAPKs in tumor tissues was suppressed(P<0.01),while NF-κB,NLRP3,and Caspase-1 expression levels were downregulated(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,Sini Powder medium-and high-dose groups exhibited increased total distance traveled in the open field test(P<0.05),reduced forced swimming test and prolonged total distance traveled in open field test(P<0.01),while Sini Powder high-dose group showed reduced immobility times in the tail suspension test(P<0.05).Also,Sini Powder low-dose,medium-dose,and high-dose groups showed slower tumor growth,histological changes,including vacuolization and necrosis,decreased Ki-67 positive cell rate(P<0.01),and reduced serum CRH,ACTH,CORT,TNF-α,IL-1β,and IL-6 levels(P<0.05).Additionally,the phosphorylation of MAPKs in tumor tissues was suppressed(P<0.01),and NF-κB,NLRP3,and caspase-1 expression levels were downregulated(P<0.01).Conclusion Sini Powder may alleviate depressive behaviors and suppress tumor proliferation activity in liver cancer mice with comorbid depression by modulating MAPKs activation,inhibiting NF-κB,NLRP3,and Caspase-1 expressions,and reducing serum inflammatory factors and HPA axis-related hormones levels.

Objective We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Shengxuebao Mixture in the treatment of cancer-related anemia(CRA)presenting with syndrome of deficiency of liver and kidney combined with syndrome of deficiency of both qi and blood.Methods A randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled,multicenter clinical trial was conducted.Eligible patients with malignant tumors meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled from 26 hospitals,including Dongzhimen Hospital,Beijing University of Chinese Medicine,Xiaogan Central Hospital,and Yangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine,from June 1,2022,to September 30,2024.Patients were allocated 1:1 to either the experimental group receiving Shengxuebao Mixture or the control group receiving its simulator(placebo)using a block randomization method under double-blind conditions.Both groups received 15 mL orally three times daily for 28 consecutive days.The primary efficacy indicators included the hemoglobin(Hb)improvement rate(RHb)and the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome improvement rate(RTCM)at week 4 of treatment.The secondary efficacy indicators encompassed Hb and red blood cell(RBC)count,Karnofsky Performance Status(KPS)score,TCM syndrome score,individual TCM symptom scores,and changes in each of these indicators compared to the baseline period at weeks 2,4,and 6 of treatment.Safety evaluations were conducted at week 4 of treatment.Results A total of 239 patients were enrolled,with 225 cases included in the Full Analysis Set(FAS)(109 in the experimental group vs.116 control group),163 in the Per Protocol Set(PPS)(77 vs.86),and 225 in the Safety Set(SS)(109 vs.116).Baseline characteristics between groups showed no significant differences.Significant differences were observed between the experimental and control groups in RHb at week 4(FAS:49.51%vs.35.24%,P<0.05;PPS:53.25%vs.36.05%,P<0.05)and RTCM at week 4(FAS:61.54%vs.39.62%,P<0.01;PPS:64.94%vs.40.70%,P<0.01).At weeks 2,4,and 6,the experimental group showed greater improvements in Hb and RBC counts than the control group.Additionally,the TCM syndrome scores were lower in the experimental group than in the control group at these time points.Except for week 2 in PPS,the KPS improvement was better in the experimental group than in the control group(P<0.05).The experimental group also demonstrated a greater reduction in scores for individual TCM symptoms such as spiritlessness and weakness,poor appetite and reduced food intake at weeks 4 and 6 compared to the control group(P<0.05,P<0.01).Furthermore,the reduction in vertigo score was more pronounced in the experimental group at week 6(P<0.01).For the score of pale and lusterless complexion,only in the PPS was the reduction from baseline more significant in the experimental group than in the control group at weeks 4 and 6(P<0.05).No significant differences were observed between the experimental and control groups in the incidence of all adverse events or drug-related adverse reactions.Conclusion Shengxuebao Mixture demonstrates significant efficacy in patients with CRA presenting syndrome of deficiency of liver and kidney combined with syndrome of deficiency of both qi and blood,effectively increasing Hb levels,ameliorating TCM syndromes,alleviating clinical symptoms,and enhancing functional status,with no significant difference in adverse drug reactions compared to the placebo.

Objective We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Shengxuebao Mixture in the treatment of cancer-related anemia(CRA)presenting with syndrome of deficiency of liver and kidney combined with syndrome of deficiency of both qi and blood.Methods A randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled,multicenter clinical trial was conducted.Eligible patients with malignant tumors meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled from 26 hospitals,including Dongzhimen Hospital,Beijing University of Chinese Medicine,Xiaogan Central Hospital,and Yangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine,from June 1,2022,to September 30,2024.Patients were allocated 1:1 to either the experimental group receiving Shengxuebao Mixture or the control group receiving its simulator(placebo)using a block randomization method under double-blind conditions.Both groups received 15 mL orally three times daily for 28 consecutive days.The primary efficacy indicators included the hemoglobin(Hb)improvement rate(RHb)and the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome improvement rate(RTCM)at week 4 of treatment.The secondary efficacy indicators encompassed Hb and red blood cell(RBC)count,Karnofsky Performance Status(KPS)score,TCM syndrome score,individual TCM symptom scores,and changes in each of these indicators compared to the baseline period at weeks 2,4,and 6 of treatment.Safety evaluations were conducted at week 4 of treatment.Results A total of 239 patients were enrolled,with 225 cases included in the Full Analysis Set(FAS)(109 in the experimental group vs.116 control group),163 in the Per Protocol Set(PPS)(77 vs.86),and 225 in the Safety Set(SS)(109 vs.116).Baseline characteristics between groups showed no significant differences.Significant differences were observed between the experimental and control groups in RHb at week 4(FAS:49.51%vs.35.24%,P<0.05;PPS:53.25%vs.36.05%,P<0.05)and RTCM at week 4(FAS:61.54%vs.39.62%,P<0.01;PPS:64.94%vs.40.70%,P<0.01).At weeks 2,4,and 6,the experimental group showed greater improvements in Hb and RBC counts than the control group.Additionally,the TCM syndrome scores were lower in the experimental group than in the control group at these time points.Except for week 2 in PPS,the KPS improvement was better in the experimental group than in the control group(P<0.05).The experimental group also demonstrated a greater reduction in scores for individual TCM symptoms such as spiritlessness and weakness,poor appetite and reduced food intake at weeks 4 and 6 compared to the control group(P<0.05,P<0.01).Furthermore,the reduction in vertigo score was more pronounced in the experimental group at week 6(P<0.01).For the score of pale and lusterless complexion,only in the PPS was the reduction from baseline more significant in the experimental group than in the control group at weeks 4 and 6(P<0.05).No significant differences were observed between the experimental and control groups in the incidence of all adverse events or drug-related adverse reactions.Conclusion Shengxuebao Mixture demonstrates significant efficacy in patients with CRA presenting syndrome of deficiency of liver and kidney combined with syndrome of deficiency of both qi and blood,effectively increasing Hb levels,ameliorating TCM syndromes,alleviating clinical symptoms,and enhancing functional status,with no significant difference in adverse drug reactions compared to the placebo.

Objective To investigate the effects of Sini Powder on serum hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal(HPA)axis-related hormones and inflammatory factors in liver cancer mice with comorbid depression,and to evaluate its effect on depressive behavior and tumor proliferation activity.Methods Forty-eight specific pathogen-free female C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to either a blank(n=8)or model group(n=40).The modeling group was subjected to chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS)for six weeks.Both groups underwent orthotopically transplanted liver tumor surgery at the end of the fourth week of CUMS treatment.At the end of the sixth week of CUMS treatment,color Doppler ultrasonography was used to observe tumor formation in the orthotopic transplantation liver tumors,and the tail suspension test was used to assess depressive behavior.Non-tumor-bearing and deceased mice were excluded.The remaining model group mice were stratified by tail suspension immobility time and randomly assigned to the following groups:model group(distilled water),Fluoxetine group(5.0 mg/kg),and Sini Powder low-dose,medium-dose,and high-dose groups(5.2,10.4,and 20.8 g/kg,respectively),with six mice per group.The treatments were administered once daily for 21 consecutive days.After treatment,depressive behaviors were assessed using the open field,tail suspension,and forced swimming tests.The proliferation status of the orthotopic liver transplantation tumor was evaluated by measuring the size of the tumor,observing pathological changes in the tumor tissue through hematoxylin and eosin staining,and detecting the positive cell rate of proliferating cell nuclear antigen(Ki-67)in the tumor tissue using immunohistochemistry.The levels of HPA axis-related hormones in serum,such as corticotropin-releasing hormone(CRH),adrenocorticotropic hormone(ACTH),corticosterone(CORT),as well as inflammatory factors such as tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin-1β(IL-1β),and interleukin-6(IL-6)were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Western blotting was used to assess mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPKs)phosphorylation and the expression of nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB),NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing receptor 3(NLRP3),and cysteine aspartic protease-1(Caspase-1)in orthotopic tumors.Results Compared with the blank group,the model group showed reduced total distance traveled in open field test,prolonged immobility times in the tail suspension and forced swimming tests(P<0.05,P<0.01),indicating successful establishment of the liver cancer with comorbid depression mice model.Also,the model group showed increased orthotopic tumor volume(P<0.01),and elevated serum CRH,ACTH,CORT,TNF-α,IL-1β,and IL-6 levels(P<0.01).The phosphorylation of MAPKs in tumor tissues was suppressed(P<0.01),while NF-κB,NLRP3,and Caspase-1 expression levels were downregulated(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,Sini Powder medium-and high-dose groups exhibited increased total distance traveled in the open field test(P<0.05),reduced forced swimming test and prolonged total distance traveled in open field test(P<0.01),while Sini Powder high-dose group showed reduced immobility times in the tail suspension test(P<0.05).Also,Sini Powder low-dose,medium-dose,and high-dose groups showed slower tumor growth,histological changes,including vacuolization and necrosis,decreased Ki-67 positive cell rate(P<0.01),and reduced serum CRH,ACTH,CORT,TNF-α,IL-1β,and IL-6 levels(P<0.05).Additionally,the phosphorylation of MAPKs in tumor tissues was suppressed(P<0.01),and NF-κB,NLRP3,and caspase-1 expression levels were downregulated(P<0.01).Conclusion Sini Powder may alleviate depressive behaviors and suppress tumor proliferation activity in liver cancer mice with comorbid depression by modulating MAPKs activation,inhibiting NF-κB,NLRP3,and Caspase-1 expressions,and reducing serum inflammatory factors and HPA axis-related hormones levels.

Objective:To explore the application and clinical efficacy of functional neural navigation multimodal image fusion technology combined with intraoperative fluorescein sodium in the surgery of lung cancer brain metastases.Methods:Forty patients with lung cancer and brain metastasis admitted to the Department of Neurosurgery of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region People's Hospital from January 2020 to January 2024 were collected as the observation group. Another 40 patients with lung cancer brain metastases who underwent microscopic resection at Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region People's Hospital from January 2016 to December 2019 were selected as the control group. All patients received head CT examination, head MRI examination, MRI enhanced sequence and MRA, MRV and DWI sequence scanning before operation. Functional neural navigation system was used to perform preoperative multi-modal image fusion to realize three-dimensional display of tumor lesions, and display the position relationship between tumor and functional areas, conduction bundles and large blood vessels, so as to make preoperative navigation plan. After conducting a fluorescein sodium allergy test on the patient before surgery, a small dose of fluorescein sodium (2 mg/kg) was intravenously injected during the operation. During the operation, neuro navigation was combined with fluorescein sodium to perform tumor resection by displaying the boundary between tumor tissue and normal brain tissue under a Pentero 900 Zeiss microscope 560 fluorescence mode. Both groups collected tumor tissue samples for pathological classification and immunohistochemical analysis, comparing and analyzing differences in tumor resection degree, postoperative occurrence of new neurological dysfunction, postoperative muscle strength improvement, changes in KPS scores before and after surgery, and the occurrence of complications. The metric data that conforms to normal distribution is represented by xˉ± s, and the comparison of means between two groups is conducted using independent sample t-test. Calculate the percentage based on the count data, and compare the inter group rates using the χ2 test. P<0.05 indicates statistical significance of the difference. Results:Compared with the control group, the total tumor resection rate of observation group (75.0% (30/40) ) and KPS score of 3 months after surgery (82.5% (33/40)) were better than those of the control group (52.5% (21/40) and 60% (24/40)), and the differences were statistically significant ( χ2 value was 4.94 and 4.38, P values were 0.026 and 0.036). The rate of postoperative new neurological dysfunction in the observation group (22.5% (9/40)) was lower than that in the control group (45.0% (18/40)), and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( χ2=4.53, P=0.033). The length of hospital stay ((21.48±3.23) days), operation time ((216.65±56.76) points) and complication rate (37.5% (15/40)) in observation group were lower than those in control group ((22.43±2.34) days, (225.62±37.68) points, 45.0% (18/40)). However, the difference was not statistically significant ( t/ χ2 values were 1.51, 0.83, and 0.46, respectively; P values were 0.136, 0.408, and 0.496, respectively). The 12-month survival rate of observation group (67.5%(27/45) respectively was significantly higher than that of control group (40.0%(16/40) respectively, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=6.08, P=0.014). Conclusion:Functional neural navigation multimodal image fusion technology combined with intraoperative fluorescein sodium can accurately locate the tumor and determine the boundary relationship between the tumor and normal brain tissue during lung cancer brain metastasis surgery, improve tumor resection rate, enhance patient quality of life, and ultimately improve patient prognosis without increasing the risk of related complications.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Shugan Quyu Jiedu prescription （SGQYJDF） on inducing ferroptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells based on the tumor protein 53 （p53）/solute carrier family 7 member 11 （SLC7A11）/glutathione peroxidase 4 （GPX4） pathway. MethodMHCC97H cells were divided into the blank serum group （10% blank serum medium）， SGQYJDF-containing serum low concentration group （5% SGQYJDF-containing serum and 5% blank serum medium）， SGQYJDF-containing serum medium concentration group （7.5% SGQYJDF-containing serum and 2.5% blank serum medium）， SGQYJDF-containing serum high concentration group （10% SGQYJDF-containing serum medium） and sorafenib group （sorafenib concentration of 10 μmol·L^-1 in 10% blank serum medium）. After 24 hours of intervention， the cell survival rate was detected by cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） assay. The cell proliferation ability was detected by 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine （EdU） staining. The intracellular ferrous ion （Fe²⁺） level was detected by ferrous ion fluorescent probe （FerroOrange） staining. The intracellular malondialdehyde （MDA） and glutathione （GSH） levels were detected by colorimetric assays. The ultrastructure of mitochondria was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The expression levels of ferroptosis-related proteins p53， SLC7A11 and GPX4 were detected by Western blot. ResultIn terms of cell viability， compared with the blank serum group， the SGQYJDF group showed a dose-dependent decrease in the survival rate of MHCC97H cells. Effect of the medium and high concentrations of SGQYJDF on the survival rate of MHCC97H cells were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Additionally， the results of the EdU assay showed that both the medium and high concentrations of SGQYJDF were able to inhibit the proliferation ability of MHCC97H cells （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Regarding the biochemical indicators of ferroptosis， compared to the blank serum group， the medium and high concentrations of SGQYJDF were able to dose-dependently increase the intracellular Fe²⁺ level （P<0.01）. The low， medium， and high concentrations of SGQYJDF were able to dose-dependently decrease the level of GSH in MHCC97H cells （P<0.01） and increase the level of MDA in the cells （P<0.05， P<0.01）. In terms of pathway-related protein expression， compared to the blank serum group， the medium and high concentrations of SGQYJDF could significantly increase the expression of p53 （P<0.01）. The low， medium， and high concentrations of SGQYJDF could significantly decrease the expression of GPX4 （P<0.01）. The high concentration of SGQYJDF could decrease the expression of SLC7A11 （P<0.01）. In terms of the cell morphology of ferroptosis， compared with the blank serum group， transmission electron microscopy revealed that the low concentration of SGQYJDF caused mitochondrial deformation， while the medium and high concentrations of SGQYJDF resulted in reduced mitochondrial volume， increased double-layer membrane density， and decreased mitochondrial cristae. These features were similar to those of sorafenib-induced ferroptosis. Furthermore， compared with the sorafenib group， the high concentration of SGQYJDF showed no statistically significant differences in cell survival rate， proliferation ability， Fe²⁺ level， MDA level， and GSH level. ConclusionThe results suggest that SGQYJDF may induce ferroptosis and inhibit proliferation in hepatocellular carcinoma MHCC97H cells by upregulating the expression of p53， suppressing the expressions of GPX4 and SLC7A11， downregulating the level of GSH， and leading to the accumulation of intracellular Fe²⁺ and MDA.

Bovine coronavirus(BCoV)can cause diarrhea in calves,as well as respiratory diseases,and lead to the death of calves in severe cases,resulting in great economic losses to the cattle pro-duction.BCoV is highly prevalent and widely spread.So far in China there is no independently de-veloped vaccine against BCoV on the market.In this study,the most conserved N gene of BCoV was first selected to construct a prokaryotic expression vector,and the N protein was expressed and purified;subsequently,BALB/c mice were immunized with BCoV N protein combined with Freund's adjuvant,and the antibody potency,the proportion of splenic T-lymphocyte subpopulation and the cytokine release of the immunized mice were detected by ELISA and flow cytometry.The results showed that a soluble BCoV N protein about 55 kDa in size was successfully obtained.The ELISA test showed that the antibody potency of serum IgG and IgA was 1∶51 200 and 1∶3 200,respectively,in mice immunized with BCoV N protein combined with Freund's adjuvant.The flow cytometry test showed that the percentage of CD4+/CD8+T-lymphocytc subsets was extremely higher in the immunized mice(P＜0.01),and the release of TNF-α was significantly higher(P＜0.05),producing a cellular immune response biased towards the Th1 type in comparison with that in control mice.It is indicated that the soluble expression of BCoV N protein can be successfully a-chieved by the prokaryotic expression system,and the obtained BCoV N protein presents good im-munogenicity which induces strong humoral,mucosal and cellular immune responses in the immu-nized mice.Our study provides an important technical support for the development of a safe and ef-fective BCoV subunit vaccine.

Bovine coronavirus(BCoV)can cause diarrhea in calves,as well as respiratory diseases,and lead to the death of calves in severe cases,resulting in great economic losses to the cattle pro-duction.BCoV is highly prevalent and widely spread.So far in China there is no independently de-veloped vaccine against BCoV on the market.In this study,the most conserved N gene of BCoV was first selected to construct a prokaryotic expression vector,and the N protein was expressed and purified;subsequently,BALB/c mice were immunized with BCoV N protein combined with Freund's adjuvant,and the antibody potency,the proportion of splenic T-lymphocyte subpopulation and the cytokine release of the immunized mice were detected by ELISA and flow cytometry.The results showed that a soluble BCoV N protein about 55 kDa in size was successfully obtained.The ELISA test showed that the antibody potency of serum IgG and IgA was 1∶51 200 and 1∶3 200,respectively,in mice immunized with BCoV N protein combined with Freund's adjuvant.The flow cytometry test showed that the percentage of CD4+/CD8+T-lymphocytc subsets was extremely higher in the immunized mice(P＜0.01),and the release of TNF-α was significantly higher(P＜0.05),producing a cellular immune response biased towards the Th1 type in comparison with that in control mice.It is indicated that the soluble expression of BCoV N protein can be successfully a-chieved by the prokaryotic expression system,and the obtained BCoV N protein presents good im-munogenicity which induces strong humoral,mucosal and cellular immune responses in the immu-nized mice.Our study provides an important technical support for the development of a safe and ef-fective BCoV subunit vaccine.

AIM:To investigate the inhibitory effect of the"decoction for soothing liver and removing stasis and toxicity(SGQYJDF)"on hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)proliferation in nude mice by inducing ferroptosis via the tumor protein 53(p53)/solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11/xCT)/glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4)pathway.METHODS:An ectopic subcutaneous tumor model was established by injecting SK-Hep-1 cells subcutaneously into the right axilla of nude mice.Upon formation of tumor,the mice were randomly divided into five groups(i.e.,control group,low-,medium-and high-dose SGQYJDF groups and medium-dose SGQYJDF plus Sorafenib group).Each group of mice was orally administered with the corresponding therapy for 14 consecutive days,during which the tumor size was observed regularly.At the end of treatment,the tumor growth inhibition rate was calculated based on tumor mass,and histopatho-logical changes were observed by HE staining.Then,the levels of malondialdehyde(MDA),glutathione(GSH)and fer-rous ions(Fe2+)were detected by colorimetric assays.The expression of the proliferation markers Ki-67 and GPX4 was de-tected by immunohistochemistry(IHC).The expression of p53 and xCT was detected by Immunofluorescence(IF).And the expression of p53,xCT and GPX4 was determined by Western blot.RESULTS:(1)SGQYJDF was found to dose-de-pendently decrease tumor volume(P＜0.01)and inhibit tumor mass growth(P＜0.01),and meanwhile,reduce the per-centage of Ki-67-positive cells(P＜0.01)and their proliferation ability in tumor tissues,as compared to the control group.(2)In terms of Ferroptosis-related indicators,SGQYJDF was found to dose-dependently increase the levels of Fe2+ and MDA but decrease the level of GSH in tumor tissues(P＜0.01),as compared to the control group.(3)In terms of protein expression,SGQYJDF was found to dose-dependently upregulate the expression of p53(P＜0.05)but inhibit the expres-sion of xCT(P＜0.05)and GPX4(P＜0.01).Notably,medium-dose SGQYJDF plus sorafenib showed a stronger effect than high-dose SGQYJDF.CONCLUSION:Our findings suggest that SGQYJDF can induce Ferroptosis to inhibit the proliferation of subcutaneously transplanted tumor tissues in nude mice by upregulating the expression of p53,and inhibit-ing the expression of xCT and GPX4.