Thalidomide (THA) is renowned for its potent anti-inflammatory properties. This study aimed to elucidate its underlying mechanisms in the context of Crohn's disease (CD) development. Mouse colitis models were established by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) treatment. Fecal microbiota and metabolites were analyzed by metagenomic sequencing and mass spectrometry, respectively. Antibiotic-treated mice served as models for microbiota depletion and transplantation. The expression of forkhead box P3⁺ (FOXP3⁺) regulatory T cells (Tregs) was measured by flow cytometry and immunohistochemical assay in colitis model and patient cohort. THA inhibited colitis in DSS-treated mice by altering the gut microbiota profile, with an increased abundance of probiotics Bacteroides fragilis, while pathogenic bacteria were depleted. In addition, THA increased beneficial metabolites bile acids and significantly restored gut barrier function. Transcriptomic profiling revealed that THA inhibited interleukin-17 (IL-17), IL-1β and cell cycle signaling. Fecal microbiota transplantation from THA-treated mice to microbiota-depleted mice partly recapitulated the effects of THA. Specifically, increased level of gut commensal B. fragilis was observed, correlated with elevated levels of the microbial metabolite 3alpha-hydroxy-7-oxo-5beta-cholanic acid (7-ketolithocholic acid, 7-KA) following THA treatment. This microbial metabolite may stable FOXP3 expression by targeting the receptor FMR1 autosomal homolog 1 (FXR1) to inhibit autophagy. An interaction between FOXP3 and FXR1 was identified, with binding regions localized to the FOXP3 domain (aa238-335) and the FXR1 domain (aa82-222), respectively. Conclusively, THA modulates the gut microbiota and metabolite profiles towards a more beneficial composition, enhances gut barrier function, promotes the differentiation of FOXP3⁺ Tregs and curbs pro-inflammatory pathways.

Amoenucles A-F (1-6), six previously undescribed nucleoside derivatives, and two known analogs (7 and 8) were isolated from the culture of Aspergillus amoenus TJ507. Their structures were elucidated through spectroscopic analysis, single-crystal X-ray crystallography, and chemical reactions. Notably, 3 and 4 represent the first reported instances of nucleosides with an attached pyrrole moiety. Of particular significance, the absolute configuration of the sugar moiety of 1-4 was determined using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), electric circular dichroism (ECD) calculations, and a hydrolysis reaction, presenting a potentially valuable method for confirming nucleoside structures. Furthermore, 1, 2, and 5-8 exhibited potential tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) inhibitory activities, which may provide a novel chemical template for the development of agents targeting autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
Aspergillus/chemistry* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/antagonists & inhibitors* ; Molecular Structure ; Nucleosides/isolation & purification* ; Crystallography, X-Ray ; Animals ; Humans ; Mice ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

Hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) remains a critical complication contributing to graft dysfunction following liver surgery. As part of an ongoing search for hepatoprotective natural products, five previously unreported homoadamantane-type polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinols (PPAPs), named hyperhomanoons A-E (1-5), and one known analog, hypersampsone O (6), were isolated from Hypericum patulum. Among these, compound 6 demonstrated potent protective effects against CoCl₂-induced hypoxic injury in hepatocytes. Furthermore, in a murine model of hepatic IRI induced by vascular occlusion, pretreatment with 6 markedly alleviated liver damage and reduced hepatocyte apoptosis. This study is the first to identify PPAPs as promising scaffolds for the development of therapeutic agents targeting hepatic IRI, underscoring their potential as lead compounds in drug discovery efforts for ischemic liver diseases.
Reperfusion Injury/prevention & control* ; Animals ; Hypericum/chemistry* ; Phloroglucinol/administration & dosage* ; Mice ; Humans ; Male ; Liver/blood supply* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Molecular Structure ; Protective Agents/pharmacology* ; Hepatocytes/drug effects* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Liver Diseases/drug therapy*

Objective:To investigate the learning curve for a five-step procedure, namely, a transthoracic single-port assisted laparoscopic transabdominal diaphragmatic approach, for Siewert type II adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction.Methods:In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed relevant clinical data of 66 patients with Siewert type II adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction who had undergone the five-step procedure performed by the same surgeon in the Gastrointestinal Surgery Department of Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine from May 2017 to April 2023. The learning curve were plotted using cumulative summation analysis and selected indicators, including intraoperative blood loss, duration of surgery, time to first flatus, time to first tolerance of liquid food, length of hospital stay, and incidence of perioperative complications at different stages were compared. The data were analyzed using SPSS 24.0 statistical software. Numerical data are presented as cases (%) and data were analyzed using the χ 2 test or Fisher's exact test. Normally distributed measurement data are presented as x±s, and independent sample t-testing was performed for inter group comparison. Non-normally distributed measurement data are presented as M( Q1, Q3) and the Mann–Whitney U test was used for inter group comparison. Results:The five-step procedure had been successfully completed without switching to open surgery in all 66 study patients. There were no perioperative deaths, blood loss was 100 (50, 200) mL and duration of surgery 329.4±87.3 minutes. The equation of optimal fit for the duration of surgery was y=0.031x 3-4.4757x 2+164.97x-264.4 ( P<0.001, R2=0.9797). The cumulative summation learning curve reached a vertex when 25 surgical procedures had accumulated. Using 25 cases as the cut-off, we divided the learning curves into learning and proficiency periods and patients into learning (25) and proficiency period groups (41). There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups of patients in sex, age, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, history of abdominal surgery, comorbidities, preoperative neoadjuvant therapy, maximum tumor diameter, surgical procedure, or T and N stage of tumor ( P>0.05). The following factors differed significantly (all P<0.05) between the learning and proficiency stages: in the latter there was less intraoperative blood loss (100 [50, 100] ml vs. 200 [100, 200] ml, U=-3.940, P<0.001), shorter duration of surgery ([289.8±50.7] minutes vs. [394.4±96.0] minutes, t=5.034, P<0.001), more mediastinal lymph nodes removed (5 [2, 8] vs. 2 [1, 5], U=-2.518, P=0.012), earlier time to first flatus (2 [2, 3] days vs. 4 [3, 6] days, U=-4.016, P<0.001), earlier time to first tolerance of liquid food (5 [4, 6] days vs. 7 [6, 8] days, U=-2.922, P=0.003), shorter duration of hospital stay (8 [8, 10] vs. 10 [9, 12] days, U=-2.028, P=0.043). The incidence of surgical complications did not differ significantly between the two groups ( P=0.238). Conclusion:Satisfactory results can be achieved with the five-step procedure for patients with Siewert type II adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction once 25 procedures have been performed.

Objective:To investigate the learning curve for a five-step procedure, namely, a transthoracic single-port assisted laparoscopic transabdominal diaphragmatic approach, for Siewert type II adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction.Methods:In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed relevant clinical data of 66 patients with Siewert type II adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction who had undergone the five-step procedure performed by the same surgeon in the Gastrointestinal Surgery Department of Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine from May 2017 to April 2023. The learning curve were plotted using cumulative summation analysis and selected indicators, including intraoperative blood loss, duration of surgery, time to first flatus, time to first tolerance of liquid food, length of hospital stay, and incidence of perioperative complications at different stages were compared. The data were analyzed using SPSS 24.0 statistical software. Numerical data are presented as cases (%) and data were analyzed using the χ 2 test or Fisher's exact test. Normally distributed measurement data are presented as x±s, and independent sample t-testing was performed for inter group comparison. Non-normally distributed measurement data are presented as M( Q1, Q3) and the Mann–Whitney U test was used for inter group comparison. Results:The five-step procedure had been successfully completed without switching to open surgery in all 66 study patients. There were no perioperative deaths, blood loss was 100 (50, 200) mL and duration of surgery 329.4±87.3 minutes. The equation of optimal fit for the duration of surgery was y=0.031x 3-4.4757x 2+164.97x-264.4 ( P<0.001, R2=0.9797). The cumulative summation learning curve reached a vertex when 25 surgical procedures had accumulated. Using 25 cases as the cut-off, we divided the learning curves into learning and proficiency periods and patients into learning (25) and proficiency period groups (41). There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups of patients in sex, age, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, history of abdominal surgery, comorbidities, preoperative neoadjuvant therapy, maximum tumor diameter, surgical procedure, or T and N stage of tumor ( P>0.05). The following factors differed significantly (all P<0.05) between the learning and proficiency stages: in the latter there was less intraoperative blood loss (100 [50, 100] ml vs. 200 [100, 200] ml, U=-3.940, P<0.001), shorter duration of surgery ([289.8±50.7] minutes vs. [394.4±96.0] minutes, t=5.034, P<0.001), more mediastinal lymph nodes removed (5 [2, 8] vs. 2 [1, 5], U=-2.518, P=0.012), earlier time to first flatus (2 [2, 3] days vs. 4 [3, 6] days, U=-4.016, P<0.001), earlier time to first tolerance of liquid food (5 [4, 6] days vs. 7 [6, 8] days, U=-2.922, P=0.003), shorter duration of hospital stay (8 [8, 10] vs. 10 [9, 12] days, U=-2.028, P=0.043). The incidence of surgical complications did not differ significantly between the two groups ( P=0.238). Conclusion:Satisfactory results can be achieved with the five-step procedure for patients with Siewert type II adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction once 25 procedures have been performed.

Objective:To study the clinical characteristics of different types of neonatal sepsis.Methods:From January 2012 to December 2019, neonates with confirmed sepsis from 5 neonatal centers of central-south China were reviewed. The neonates were assigned into early-onset sepsis (EOS) and late-onset sepsis (LOS) group, and the latter was further subgrouped into hospital-acquired LOS (hLOS) group and community-acquired LOS (cLOS) group. The etiological and clinical characteristics were analyzed. SPSS 26.0 was used for statistical analysis.Results:A total of 580 neonates were enrolled, including 286 (49.3%) in the EOS group and 294 (50.7%) in the LOS group. In LOS group, 147 were in hLOS group and 147 were in cLOS group. The gestational age and birth weight of hLOS group were significantly lower than the other two groups [(32.7±3.6) weeks vs. (37.1±3.7) weeks and (37.7±3.0) weeks, (1 810±717) g vs. (2 837±865) g and (3 024±710) g] ( P<0.05). The common pathogens in EOS and cLOS groups were coagulase-negative staphylococci and Escherichia coli, while Klebsiella pneumoniae was common in hLOS group. Carbapenems usage in the hLOS group was significantly higher than the other two groups [62.6% vs. 28.7% and 16.2%] ( P<0.05). Antibiotics duration in the hLOS group was longer than the other two groups [19 (14, 27) d vs. 15 (12, 20) d and 14 (12, 19) d] ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The clinical characteristics of neonatal sepsis vary among different types of infections, and it is necessary to establish appropriate prevention, control, diagnosis and treatment protocols.

Objective:To investigate the effect of CCN1 on the chemosensitivity of colon cancer cells to 5-FU .Methods:Colon cancer and adjacent tissues, colon cancer cells and normal colon epithelial cells, HCT-116 and HCT-116/5/FU cells were collected, and the SCD1 mRNA expression levels were detected by RT-qPCR; HCT-116 cells were cultured and transfected with pcDNA3.1 and CCN1 expression vectors, or infected with shNC and shCCN1 lentivirus, CCK-8 assay was used to detect cell sensitivity to 5-FU, Western blot and RT-qPCR were used to detect SCD1 mRNA expression, and oil red O staining was used to detect the lipid content. Western blot was used to detect the distribution of transcription factor FoxO1 in the nucleus and cytoplasm. The effect of CCN1 and FoxO1 on the transcriptional activity of SCD1 promoter was detected by luciferase assay.Results:Compared with control group, the expression of SCD1 was up-regulated in colon cancer tissues, cell lines and HCT-116/5-FU cells (all P<0.05); overexpression of CCN1 reduced the sensitivity to 5-FU, increased intracellular lipid deposition, and up-regulated the expression of SCD1 ( P<0.05); Knockdown of CCN1 increased the sensitivity to 5-FU, reduced intracellular lipid content and down-regulate the expression level of SCD1 ( P<0.05); CCN1 can promote FoxO1 nuclear distribution, activation or inhibition of FoxO1 activity can promote or up-regulate SCD1 expression level and promoter activity ( P<0.05). Conclusion:CCN1 may up-regulate the expression of SCD1 by activating FoxO1 activity and inhibit the sensitivity of colon cancer cells to 5-FU.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of tibiocalcaneal arthrodesis using bone transport technique in the treatment of traumatic talus infection or loss. Methods A retrospective case series study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 15 patients with talus infection or loss admitted to the provincial hospital affiliated to Shandong University from June 2011 to October 2017. There were 13 males and two females, aged from 19 to 47 years, with an average age of 27 years. Thirteen patients had talus infection and two patients had talus loss. All patients underwent tibiocalcaneal fusion with external fixator using bone transport technique, including four patients treated with annular external fixator and 11 with unilateral external fixator. Six patients with severe infection underwent debridement at stage I and osteotomy at stage II, and the other nine underwent debridement and osteotomy at the same time. The length of new bone, the fixation time of external fixator and complications were recorded. The American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society ( AOFAS ) score was used to evaluate the efficacy. Results All patients were followed up for 18-35 months, with an average of 26 months. The length of new bone in proximal tibial osteotomy area was 5-16 cm, with an average of 9 cm. The external fixators were removed after bone healing at docking site and maturation of new bone. The fixation time of external fixator ranged from 13 to 27 months, with an average of 18 months. No complications such as needle breakage, recurrence of infection and calcaneal varus occurred, and the length of both lower limbs was equal. AOFAS score was increased from preoperative (42. 0 ± 3. 6)points (31-55 points) to (76. 0 ± 4. 2)points (69-86 points ) at the last follow-up. Conclusion Tibiocalcaneal arthrodesis using bone transport technique is proved to be effective in treating traumatic talus infection or loss, which can repair the bone defect after debridement, improve the ankle-hindfoot function and improve the quality of life.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of using pegylated recombinant human granulocyte-colonystimulating factor (PEG-rhG-CSF) in preventing neutropenia in multiple chemotherapy cycles. Methods: A multicenter, prospective, open-label, singlearmstudy was designed. Patients with malignant tumors, such as lung, ovarian, and colorectal cancers, who received multiple cycles of chemotherapy with the prophylactic use of PEG-rhG-CSF for 2-4 consecutive cycles participated in the study. Results: After the prophylactic use of PEG-rhG-CSF, the incidence of grade IV neutropenia decreased from 4.76% (13/273) in the first cycle to 1.83% (5/273), 1.15% (2/174), and 2.08% (2/96) in subsequent cycles. Meanwhile, the incidence of grade III neutropenia decreased from 11.36% (31/ 273) in the first cycle to 6.23% (17/273), 2.87% (5/174), and 3.13% (3/96) in subsequent cycles. The incidence of febrile neutropenia (FN) during the first cycle was 0.73% (2/273). The duration of FN was 2 days in one case and 5 days in another case. FN was not observed during the second, third, or fourth cycle. After the secondary prophylactic use of PEG-rhG-CSF, the incidence of grade IV neutropenia decreased from 25% (7/28) to 3.57% (1/28), 0% (0/28), and 6.67% (1/15) in subsequent cycles. Meanwhile, the incidence of grade III neutropenia decreased from 71.43% (20/28) to 10.71% (3/28), 14.29% (4/28), and 0% (0/15) in subsequent cycles. The proportion of patients who received antibiotic therapy during the entire chemotherapy period was 10.48% (44/420). Conclusion: The application of PEG-rhG-CSF once per chemotherapy cycle can effectively reduce the occurrence of neutropenia in patients under multiple cycles of chemotherapy treatment with good safety.

Objective To construct the LyP-1 targeted MR fluorescence dual-modality molecular probe for pancreatic cancer,and to observe its features and MRI charicteristics.Methods The 50 nm MR-fluorescent dual-modality molecular probe with surface modified with cyclic nine-amino acid peptide LyP-1 (Cys-Gly-Asn-Lys-Arg-Thr-Arg-Gly Cys) was rationally designed.Whether the molecular probe could specifically recognize the pancreatic cancer cells were validated by the combination of fluorescent imaging and MR T2WI.Results The new MR-fluorescent dual-modality molecular probe anchored with LyP-1 could be used for the fluorescent imaging and MR T2WI of pancreatic cancer in mouse.And the molecular probe was demonstrated to be effective in conjugating with pancreatic cancer cells on fluorescent images and caused obvious MR signal reduction under T2 relaxometry in vitro.In vivo experiment,the molecular probe could be used for fluorescent labeling tumor tissue and detecting orthotopic pancreatic cancer in C57BL/6 mouse as MR contrast agent.Conclusion The LyP1 immobilized MR-fluorescent dual-modality molecular probe can actively target to mouse orthotopic xenograft of pancreatic cancer,which is hopeful to the application in early probing and diagnosis of pancreatic cancer by multimodal imaging.