The benefit of postoperative adjuvant therapy for patients with resectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is not yet supported by high-level evidence. This review analyzes the role of adjuvant therapy by examining the discrepancy between clinical needs and guidelines, its historical evolution, recent advances in high-risk factors, and future outlooks. We provide a detailed discussion of high-risk factors used for patient selection, including lymph node positivity, and for node-negative patients, features such as tumor length, location, T stage, extent of lymph node dissection, differentiation, vascular and neural invasion, laboratory indices, and molecular markers. The goal is to inform the development of individualized precision treatment strategies for resectable ESCC.

This paper aimed to explore the effects of Duzhong Decoction(DZD)-containing serum on the proliferation and osteoblast differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells through L-type voltage-gated calcium channels(L-VGCCs). L-VGCCs inhibitors, nifedipine and verapamil, were used to block L-VGCCs in osteoblasts. MC3T3-E1 cells were divided into a control group, a low-dose DZD-containing serum(L-DZD) group, a medium-dose DZD-containing serum(M-DZD) group, a high-dose DZD-containing serum(H-DZD) group, a nifedipine group, a H-DZD + nifedipine group, verapamil group, and a H-DZD + verapamil group. The CCK-8 method was used for cell proliferation analysis, alkaline phosphatase(ALP) assay kits for intracellular ALP activity measurement, Western blot for protein expression level in cells, real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR technology for intracellular mRNA expression level determination, fluorescence spectrophotometer for free Ca~(2+) concentration determination in osteoblasts, and alizarin red staining(ARS) for mineralized nodule formation in osteoblasts. The experimental results show that compared to the control group, DZD groups can promote MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation, ALP activity, and mineralized nodule formation, increase intracellular Ca~(2+) concentrations, and upregulate the protein expression of bone morphogenetic protein 2(BMP2), collagen Ⅰ(COL1), α2 subunit protein of L-VGCCs(L-VGCCα2), and the mRNA expression of Runt-related transcription factor 2(RUNX2), and BMP2. After blocking L-VGCCs with nifedipine and verapamil, the intervention effects of DZD-containing serum were inhibited to varying degrees. Both nifedipine and verapamil could inhibit ALP activity, reduce mineralized nodule areas, and downregulate the expression of bone formation-related proteins. Moreover, the effects of DZD-containing serum on increasing MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation, osteoblast differentiation, and Ca~(2+) concentrations, upregulating the mRNA expression of osteoprotegerin(OPG) and protein expression of phosphorylated protein kinase B(p-Akt) and phosphorylated forkhead box protein O1(p-FOXO1), and upregulating phosphatase and tensin homolog(PTEN) expression were reversed by nifedipine. The results indicate that DZD-containing serum can increase the Ca~(2+) concentration in MC3T3-E1 cells to promote bone formation, which may be mediated by L-VGCCs and the PTEN/Akt/FoxO1 signaling pathway, providing a new perspective on the mechanism of DZD in treating osteoporosis.
Animals ; Osteoblasts/metabolism* ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Cell Differentiation/drug effects* ; Mice ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Calcium Channels, L-Type/genetics* ; Alkaline Phosphatase/genetics* ; Serum/chemistry* ; Cell Line ; Osteogenesis/drug effects* ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2/genetics*

To enhance the therapeutic efficacy of the baicalin-berberine complex(BA-BBR) in the treatment of ulcerative colitis(UC), BA-BBR nanocrystal microspheres(BA-BBR NC MS) were prepared using the dropping method. The microspheres were characterized in terms of morphology, particle size, differential scanning calorimetry(DSC), and powder X-ray diffraction(XRD). The release profiles of BA and BBR from the microspheres were measured, and the drug release mechanism was investigated. A rat model of UC was induced by 5% dextran sodium sulfate(DSS) and treated continuously for 7 days to evaluate the therapeutic effects of different formulations. The results showed that the prepared BA-BBR MS and BA-BBR NC MS were uniform gel spheres with particle sizes of(1.77±0.16) mm and(1.67±0.08) mm, respectively. After drying, the gels collapsed inward and exhibited a rough surface. During the preparation process, the BA-BBR nanocrystals(BA-BBR NC) were uniformly encapsulated within the microspheres. The release profiles of the microspheres followed a first-order kinetic model, and the 12-hour cumulative release of BA and BBR from BA-BBR NC MS was higher than that from BA-BBR MS. Compared with BA-BBR, BA-BBR NC, and BA-BBR MS, BA-BBR NC MS further alleviated UC symptoms in rats, most significantly reducing the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and MPO, while increasing the level of IL-4 in colon tissues. These results indicate that BA-BBR NC MS, based on a "nano-in-micro" design, can deliver BA-BBR to the intestine and exert significant therapeutic effects in a UC rat model, suggesting it as a promising new strategy for the treatment of UC.
Animals ; Colitis, Ulcerative/metabolism* ; Rats ; Nanoparticles/chemistry* ; Microspheres ; Male ; Berberine/administration & dosage* ; Flavonoids/administration & dosage* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Humans ; Particle Size ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/immunology* ; Drug Liberation ; Drug Compounding

From the perspective of competitive endogenous RNA(ceRNA) constructed by metastasy-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1(Malat1) and microRNA 16-5p(miR-16-5p), the improvement mechanism of Tonggu Xiaotong Capsules(TGXTC) on the imbalance and disorder of "cholesterol-iron" metabolism in chondrocytes of osteoarthritis(OA) was explored. In vivo experiments, 60 8-week-old C57BL/6 mice were acclimatized and fed for 1 week and then randomly divided into two groups: blank group(12 mice) and modeling group(48 mice). The animals in modeling group were anesthetized by 5% isoflurane inhalation, which was followed by the construction of OA model. They were then randomly divided into model group, TGXTC group, Malat1 overexpression group, and TGXTC+Malat1 overexpression(TGXTC+Malat1-OE) group, with 12 mice in each group. The structural changes of mouse cartilage tissues were observed by Masson staining after the intervention in each group. RT-PCR was employed to detect the mRNA levels of Malat1 and miR-16-5p in cartilage tissues. Western blot was used to analyze the protein expression of ATP-binding cassette transporter A1(ABCA1), sterol regulatory element-binding protein(SREBP), cytochrome P450 family 7 subfamily B member 1(CYP7B1), CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein(CHOP), acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4(ACSL4), and glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4) in cartilage tissues. In vitro experiments, mouse chondrocytes were induced by thapsigargin(TG), and the combination of Malat1 and miR-16-5p was detected by double luciferase assay. The fluorescence intensity of Malat1 in chondrocytes was determined by fluorescence in situ hybridization. The miR-16-5p inhibitory chondrocyte model was constructed. RT-PCR was used to analyze the levels of Malat1 and miR-16-5p in chondrocytes under the inhibition of miR-16-5p. Western blot was adopted to analyze the regulation of TG-induced chondrocyte proteins ABCA1, SREBP, CYP7B1, CHOP, ACSL4, and GPX4 by TGXTC under the inhibition of miR-16-5p. The results of in vivo experiments showed that,(1) compared with model group, TGXTC group exhibited a relatively complete cartilage layer structure. Compared with Malat1-OE group, TGXTC+Malat1-OE group showed alleviated cartilage surface damage.(2) Compared with model group, TGXTC group had a significantly decreased Malat1 mRNA level and an increased miR-16-5p mRNA level in mouse cartilage tissues(P<0.01).(3) Compared with the model group, the protein levels of ABCA1 and GPX4 in the cartilage tissue of mice in the TGXTC group increased, while the protein levels of SREBP, CYP7B1, CHOP and ACSL4 decreased(P<0.01). The results of in vitro experiments show that,(1) dual-luciferase was used to evaluate that miR-16-5p has a targeting effect on the Malat1 gene.(2)Compared with TG+miR-16-5p inhibition group, TG+miR-16-5p inhibition+TGXTC group had an increased mRNA level of miR-16-5p and an decreased mRNA level of Malat1(P<0.01).(3) Compared with TG+miR-16-5p inhibition group, TG+miR-16-5p inhibition+TGXTC group exhibited increased expression of ABCA1 and GPX4 proteins and decreased expression of SREBP, CYP7B1, CHOP, and ACSL4 proteins(P<0.01). The reasults showed that TGXTC can regulate the ceRNA of Malat1 and miR-16-5p to alleviate the "cholesterol-iron" metabolism disorder of osteoarthritis chondrocytes.
Animals ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; RNA, Long Noncoding/metabolism* ; Chondrocytes/drug effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice ; Osteoarthritis/drug therapy* ; Iron/metabolism* ; Male ; Cholesterol/metabolism* ; Humans ; Capsules ; RNA, Competitive Endogenous

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of mitotically-associated long non-coding RNA （lncRNA MANCR） on the proliferation，migration， and epithelial mesenchymal transition （EMT） of gastric cancer （GC） cells by regulating the microRNA-50-5p （miR-150-5p）/non-metastatic melanoprotein B （GPNMB） axis. MethodsThe mRNA expressions of lncRNA MANCR，miR-150-5p， and GPNMB in 42 cases of GC tissue and adjacent tissue resected during surgery in the First Hospital of Hebei Medical University from June 2022 to September 2023 were detected by Real-time PCR. Human gastric mucosal epithelial cells GES-1 and human GC cells BGC-823 were cultured in vitro， and their lncRNA MANCR expression was detected. BGC-823 cells were randomly separated into control group （routine culture），sh-NC group （with sh-NC transfected），sh-MANCR group （with sh-MANCR transfected），sh-MANCR + anti-NC group （with sh-MANCR and anti-NC both transfected），and sh-MANCR + anti-miR-150-5p group （with sh-MANCR and anti-miR-150-5p both transfected）. The mRNA expressions of lncRNA MANCR，miR-150-5p， and GPNMB in the BGC-823 cells of all groups were analyzed. EdU staining was used to detect the proliferation of BGC-823 cells. Transwell assay was used to detect the migration and invasion of BGC-823 cells. The expressions of EMT-related proteins E-cadherin，N-cadherin，Vimentin， and GPNMB were detected by Western blot. The interactions between lncRNA MANCR and miR-150-5p and between miR-150-5p and GPNMB were analyzed by dual luciferase reporter assay. ResultsThe mRNA expressions of lncRNA MANCR and GPNMB in GC tissue were higher than those in adjacent tissue，and the expression of miR-150-5p was lower than that in adjacent tissue （P<0.05）. Compared with that in GES-1，lncRNA MANCR expression in BGC-823 cells was increased （P<0.05）. Compared with those in the sh-NC group and control group，the EdU-positive cell rate，migration number，invasion number，the mRNA expressions of lncRNA MANCR and GPNMB， and the expressions of protein，N-cadherin protein， and Vimentin protein in the BGC-823 cells in the sh-MANCR group were lower ，and the protein expressions of miR-150-5p and E-cadherin were higher （P<0.05）. Compared with those in the sh-MANCR group and the sh-MANCR + anti-NC group，the protein expressions of miR-150-5p and E-cadherin in the sh-MANCR + anti-miR-150-5p group were decreased. The EdU-positive cell rate，migration number，invasion number，mRNA expressions of GPNMB， and expressions of protein，N-cadherin protein， and Vimentin protein were increased （P<0.05）. lncRNA MANCR could target the negative regulation of miR-150-5p，and miR-150-5p could target the negative regulation of GPNMB. ConclusionKnockout of lncRNA MANCR can inhibit the proliferation，migration， and EMT of GC cells by regulating the miR-150-5p/GPNMB axis.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of mitotically-associated long non-coding RNA （lncRNA MANCR） on the proliferation，migration， and epithelial mesenchymal transition （EMT） of gastric cancer （GC） cells by regulating the microRNA-50-5p （miR-150-5p）/non-metastatic melanoprotein B （GPNMB） axis. MethodsThe mRNA expressions of lncRNA MANCR，miR-150-5p， and GPNMB in 42 cases of GC tissue and adjacent tissue resected during surgery in the First Hospital of Hebei Medical University from June 2022 to September 2023 were detected by Real-time PCR. Human gastric mucosal epithelial cells GES-1 and human GC cells BGC-823 were cultured in vitro， and their lncRNA MANCR expression was detected. BGC-823 cells were randomly separated into control group （routine culture），sh-NC group （with sh-NC transfected），sh-MANCR group （with sh-MANCR transfected），sh-MANCR + anti-NC group （with sh-MANCR and anti-NC both transfected），and sh-MANCR + anti-miR-150-5p group （with sh-MANCR and anti-miR-150-5p both transfected）. The mRNA expressions of lncRNA MANCR，miR-150-5p， and GPNMB in the BGC-823 cells of all groups were analyzed. EdU staining was used to detect the proliferation of BGC-823 cells. Transwell assay was used to detect the migration and invasion of BGC-823 cells. The expressions of EMT-related proteins E-cadherin，N-cadherin，Vimentin， and GPNMB were detected by Western blot. The interactions between lncRNA MANCR and miR-150-5p and between miR-150-5p and GPNMB were analyzed by dual luciferase reporter assay. ResultsThe mRNA expressions of lncRNA MANCR and GPNMB in GC tissue were higher than those in adjacent tissue，and the expression of miR-150-5p was lower than that in adjacent tissue （P<0.05）. Compared with that in GES-1，lncRNA MANCR expression in BGC-823 cells was increased （P<0.05）. Compared with those in the sh-NC group and control group，the EdU-positive cell rate，migration number，invasion number，the mRNA expressions of lncRNA MANCR and GPNMB， and the expressions of protein，N-cadherin protein， and Vimentin protein in the BGC-823 cells in the sh-MANCR group were lower ，and the protein expressions of miR-150-5p and E-cadherin were higher （P<0.05）. Compared with those in the sh-MANCR group and the sh-MANCR + anti-NC group，the protein expressions of miR-150-5p and E-cadherin in the sh-MANCR + anti-miR-150-5p group were decreased. The EdU-positive cell rate，migration number，invasion number，mRNA expressions of GPNMB， and expressions of protein，N-cadherin protein， and Vimentin protein were increased （P<0.05）. lncRNA MANCR could target the negative regulation of miR-150-5p，and miR-150-5p could target the negative regulation of GPNMB. ConclusionKnockout of lncRNA MANCR can inhibit the proliferation，migration， and EMT of GC cells by regulating the miR-150-5p/GPNMB axis.

White matter injury (WMI) is a major form of brain injury in preterm infants. Its characteristic pathological features primarily involve impaired development of oligodendrocyte precursor cells and structural damage to axons, which can lead to the neurological sequelae such as motor, behavioral, and cognitive dysfunctions. Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs), as the important components of extracellular matrix, can participate in neuroinflammatory response mediated by microglial cells and dynamically balance glial scar reconstruction and axon growth by regulating specific receptors and signaling pathways. This article reviews the relationship between CSPGs and WMI, as well as the mechanisms by which CSPGs inhibit axon growth, focusing on the role of multi-target regulation of CSPGs in promoting axon plasticity and functional brain recovery, thereby providing a theoretical basis for improving the prognosis of preterm infants with WMI.
Humans ; Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycans/physiology* ; White Matter/pathology* ; Axons/physiology* ; Infant, Premature ; Infant, Newborn ; Animals

OBJECTIVE: To identify the underlying mechanism by which quercetin (Que) alleviates sepsis-related acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). METHODS: In vivo, C57BL/6 mice were assigned to sham, cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), and CLP+Que (50 mg/kg) groups (n=15 per group) by using a random number table. The sepsisrelated ARDS mouse model was established using the CLP method. In vitro, the murine alveolar macrophages (MH-S) cells were classified into control, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), LPS+Que (10 μmol/L), and LPS+Que+acetylcysteine (NAC, 5 mmol/L) groups. The effect of Que on oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in mice lungs and MH-S cells was determined, and the mechanism with reactive oxygen species (ROS)/p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway was also explored both in vivo and in vitro. RESULTS: Que alleviated lung injury in mice, as reflected by a reversal of pulmonary histopathologic changes as well as a reduction in lung wet/dry weight ratio and neutrophil infiltration (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Additionally, Que improved the survival rate and relieved gas exchange impairment in mice (P<0.01). Que treatment also remarkedly reduced malondialdehyde formation, superoxide dismutase and catalase depletion, and cell apoptosis both in vivo and in vitro (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Moreover, Que treatment diminished the release of inflammatory factors interleukin (IL)-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, and IL-6 both in vivo and in vitro (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Mechanistic investigation clarifified that Que administration led to a decline in the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK in addition to the suppression of ROS expression (P<0.01). Furthermore, in LPS-induced MH-S cells, ROS inhibitor NAC further inhibited ROS/p38 MAPK pathway, as well as oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell apoptosis on the basis of Que treatment (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION Que was found to exert anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects by suppressing the ROS/p38 MAPK pathway, thereby conferring protection for mice against sepsis-related ARDS.
Animals ; Sepsis/drug therapy* ; Quercetin/therapeutic use* ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome/enzymology* ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Male ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; MAP Kinase Signaling System/drug effects* ; Lung/drug effects* ; Mice ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Macrophages, Alveolar/pathology* ; Inflammation/pathology* ; Protective Agents/therapeutic use*

Objective To explore the characteristics of oropharyngeal metabolites of postoperative pneumonia(POP)and non-POP patients with gastric cancer by non-targeted metabolomics,and to provide reference for revea-ling the pathogenesis as well as clinical prevention and control.Methods Oropharyngeal swabs were collected from patients who underwent surgical treatment for gastric cancer in the department of gastrointestinal surgery of a tertia-ry hospital in Fujian Province from January 2022 to December 2023,nested case-control study was adopted,with 30 cases in POP group and non-POP group,respectively,ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(UHPLC-MS/MS)technique was adopted for detection,and multivariate statistical analysis was per-formed.Results The metabolites of POP group and non-POP group preoperatively,POP group and non-POP group postoperatively,POP group preoperatively and postoperatively,as well as non-POP group preoperatively and post-operatively did not show a clear trend of separation on the score graph of principal component analysis(PCA),par-tial least squares discriminant analysis(PLS-DA),and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA),but the screening of the differential metabolites revealed that the relative abundances of ascorbic acid and lipoic acid in the POP group preoperatively were lower than non-POP group preoperatively.The relative abundance of 5'-adenylic acid in the POP group preoperatively was lower than postoperatively,while the relative abundances of suc-cinic acid and phenylacetaldehyde were higher.There were differences in metabolic pathways such as phenylalanine.Conclusion Alteration of metabolite level due to abnormalities in specific metabolic pathways presents in the deve-lopment of gastric cancer POP and may be related to the development of POP.

Older critically ill patients with tuberculosis may have multiple organ involvement and rapid disease progression,and often have high mortality.Consequently,high-risk patients must be identified early to receive aggressive treatment.The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between serum inflammatory factors and prognosis in older critically ill patients with tuberculo-sis,to provide a diagnosis and treatment basis for clinicians,and to facilitate early intervention for patients with poor prognosis.SPSS software was used to analyze data for 172 patients included in the study(82 patients in the survival group and 90 patients in the death group).Univariate analysis indicated significantly higher levels of IL-6,IL-1β,TNF-α,IL-8,IL-17,IL-12P70,IFN-γ,and IL-10 in the death group than the survival group(P<0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that IL-6(OR=1.002,95%CI:1.000-1.003,P=0.021),TNF-α(OR=1.175,95%CI:1.034-1.335,P=0.013),and IFN-γ(OR=1.008,95%CI:1.001-1.015,P=0.036)were independent risk factors,and the AUC of the three combined factors in predicting critical and severe tuberculo-sis prognosis in older patients was 0.771.Serum levels of IL-6,TNF-α,and IFN-γ were closely associated with the occurrence and development of tuberculosis in critically ill older patients.The combined detection of the three factors had a high clinical value for the assessment of prognosis of critically ill older patients with tuberculosis,and might be used to predict death in this patient group.