ObjectiveHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents 90% of all primary liver cancers. The main risk factors associated with HCC include viral hepatitis (B and/or C), alcohol abuse, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), which progressively advance to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and ultimately evolve into HCC. Surgical resection represents the most effective treatment for HCC, while recent advances in immunotherapy, including immune checkpoint inhibitors and adoptive cell therapies, have provided improved treatment prospects for patients with unresectable HCC. However, the complex metabolic heterogeneity of HCC limits the therapeutic efficacy. Metabolic intermediates acyl-CoA not only provide energy and substrates for numerous biochemical reactions but also serve as donors for protein lysine acylation, a major class of post-translational modification (PTM). Therefore, a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying protein lysine acylation and hepatocarcinogenesis is urgently needed. MethodsThe levels of protein lysine acylation and silence information regulator 5 (SIRT5) expression levels in clinical HCC samples were analyzed by Western blot. Quantitative malonylome and succinylome of HCC samples were analyzed by antibody-based affinity enrichment coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. The proliferation of HCC cells was analyzed with Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assays, the apoptosis was quantified by Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide (PI) staining coupled with flow cytometry, and the ability of cells to migrate was assayed by Transwell assays. The enzymatic activity of glutathione S-transferase Mu 1 (GSTM1) was quantified. Transgenic mice with hepatic overexpression of SIRT5 were constructed using CRISPR-Cas9, and primary hepatocarcinogenesis was induced by administration of diethylnitrosamine. ResultsWestern blot analysis indicated that the expression level of SIRT5 was elevated in clinical samples from HCC patients, and the levels of lysine malonylation, glutarylation, and succinylation were significantly reduced in HCC tissues. Knockout of SIRT5 in MHCC-97H and MHCC-97L hepatoma cells suppressed cell proliferation, and increased the percentage of apoptotic cells significantly. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses of the differentially malonylome and succinylome of HCC samples revealed significant enrichment in two major classes of biological processes: core energy metabolism (e.g., glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, tricarboxylic acid metabolic process, fatty acid beta oxidation) and detoxification and oxidative stress response (e.g., response to toxic substance, chemical carcinogenesis, reactive oxygen species (ROS)). SIRT5 removes malonylation from lysine residues in GSTM1 and restores its detoxification activity, which is crucial for the survival of hepatocytes under stressed conditions. More importantly, in vivo experiment indicated that hepatic-specific overexpression of SIRT5 in mice accelerated diethylnitrosamine-induced liver fibrosis and hepatocarcinogenesis, indicating the critical role of SIRT5 in HCC progression. ConclusionThis study highlights the previously unrecognized SIRT5-GSTM1 axis as a key regulator in hepatocarcinogenesis, and suggests a potential target for the treatment of patients with HCC.

Objective:To investigate the risk factors and their predictive efficacy for postoperative premature epiphyseal closure in pediatric patients with distal tibial epiphyseal fractures.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 216 pediatric patients with distal tibial epiphyseal fractures admitted to Zhengzhou Orthopedics Hospital from January 2018 to December 2023, including 136 males and 80 females, aged 2-16 years [11.8(9.8, 13.3)years]. Among them, 112 patients were affected on the left side and 104 on the right. According to the Salter-Harris fracture classification, the fracture was classified as type I in 14 patients, type II in 97, type III in 38, type IV in 64 and type VI in 3. According to the presence of premature epiphyseal closure after surgery, the patients were divided into premature epiphyseal closure group ( n=38) and normal epiphyseal group ( n=178). Age, gender, body mass index (BMI), injury mechanism, side of injury, Salter-Harris classification of fracture, initial displacement distance of the fracture end, medial malleolar involvement by the fracture line surgical fixation method, operation duration, reduction method, and reduction quality were recorded in the two groups. Univariate analysis and binary Logistic regression analysis were used to evaluate and determine the independent risk factors for postoperative premature physeal closure in pediatric patients with distal tibial epiphyseal fracture. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted and area under the curve (AUC) was calculated to evaluate the predictive efficacy of each risk factor for the occurrence of premature physeal closure in pediatric patients with distal tibial epiphyseal fractures. Results:Univariate analysis showed the occurrence of postoperative premature epiphyseal closure of the distal tibia was associated with age, Salter-Harris fracture classification, medial malleolar involvement by the fracture line, surgical fixation method, reduction method, and reduction quality ( P<0.05), while it was not correlated with gender, BMI, injury mechanism, side of injury, initial displacement distance of the fracture end, and operation duration ( P>0.05). Multivariate binary Logistic regression analysis showed that medial malleolar involvement by the fracture line ( OR=0.18, 95% CI 0.04, 0.76, P<0.05) and reduction quality ( OR=43.18,95% CI 10.71, 174.05, P<0.01) were significantly correlated with the occurrence of postoperative premature epiphyseal closure of the distal tibia. The results of ROC curve analysis showed that medial malleolar involvement by the fracture line had limited predictive efficiency (AUC=0.53, 95% CI 0.43, 0.63), reduction quality had moderate predictive efficacy (AUC=0.81, 95% CI 0.72, 0.91), while their combination demonstrated even higher predictive efficacy (AUC=0.83, 95% CI 0.74, 0.91). Conclusions:Medial malleolar involvement by the fracture line and reduction quality are independent risk factors for postoperative premature epiphyseal closure in pediatric patients with distal tibial epiphyseal fractures. Reduction quality demonstrates good predictive efficacy, while medial malleolar involvement by the fracture line shows limited predictive value. The combination of both factors achieves even better predictive performance.

Atherosclerosis(AS)is the important pathological foundation of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.There is a high degree of consistency between AS and yin-nature carbuncles in terms of etiology,disease-location,severity of illness,pathogenesis,therapies and progression of disease.Based on the theory of yin-nature carbuncles and after the analysis of the characteristics of zang-fu organs mainly involved in AS and the intricate pathogenesis of AS,this paper put forward the use of warming-eliminating,warming-expulsing and warming-tonifying therapies together for treating AS,and established Chiqilin Powder,the experienced prescription including triplet medicinals,i.e.,Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma,Draconis Sanguis,and Fermentum Rubrum.In the prescription,Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma mainly has the warming-tonifying and warming-expulsing actions,and also exerts the warming-eliminating actions;Draconis Sanguis exerts eliminating,expulsing and tonifying actions simultaneously;Fermentum Rubrum mainly has the warming-tonifying and warming-eliminating actions,and also exerts the warming-expulsing actions.In clinical practice,the application of Chiqilin Powder in the treatment of AS patients with yang deficiency and phlegm blended with blood stasis syndrome has achieved remarkable therapeutic effects,which will provide reference for the clinical use of Chinese herbal medicine in the treatment of AS.

Objective To investigate the mechanism by which long non-coding RNA(lncRNA)AI662270 regulates insulin resistance in adipocytes in aging mice.Methods(1)Twenty male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into youth(4-month-old)group and aged(18-month-old)group(n=10).Mice in youth group were raised to 4 months of age and euthanized by orbital exsanguination under urethane anesthesia,while aged mice were euthanized at 18 months using the same sacrifice method.Epididymal white adipose tissue(eWAT)and liver tissue were rapidly dissected.Western blotting was employed to detect the protein expression levels of tumor suppressor gene 1(p16ink4a)and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21(p21kip1),RT-qPCR was used to measure the expression of 4 differentially expressed lncRNAs(C4a,AI662270,BATE1 and Gm29719).Mouse embryonic fibroblasts(3T3-L1)were cultured and divided into a normal control group(no treatment after induced differentiation into mature adipocytes)and a senescence model group[doxorubicin(ADR)-treated group;0.2 μmol/L ADR was used to induce senescent adipocytes].β-galactosidase staining was performed to assess adipocyte senescence.RT-qPCR was applied to evaluate the expression of AI662270 and senescence markers(p16ink4a,p21kip1,p53),while Western blotting was utilized to detect the expression levels of phosphorylated H2A histone family member X(γ-H2AX),p16ink4a,and p21kip1 proteins.(2)Hexokinase method was adopted to measure glucose content in mouse serum and 3T3-L1 adipocyte culture medium.RT-qPCR was performed to analyze mRNA expression levels of insulin sensitivity-related gene protein kinase B(Akt),insulin receptor substrate 1(IRS1),phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase(PI3K)and glucose transporter 4(GLUT4)in mouse eWAT and adipocytes.Western blotting was conducted to determine the protein expression levels of IRS 1,PI3K,Akt,and p-Akt.(3)Spearman correlation analysis was applied to examine the correlation between AI662270 expression levels and IRS1/PI3K mRNA expression levels.A low-expression model of AI662270 in senescent adipocytes was constructed,and RT-qPCR was used to verify the knockdown efficiency.Hexokinase method was employed to assess glucose content in the cell culture medium of senescent adipocytes after AI662270 knockdown.RT-qPCR was performed to measure the mRNA expressions of Akt,IRS1,IRS2,and PI3K,while Western blotting was utilized to detect the expressions levels of Akt and p-Akt proteins.(4)Bioinformatics analysis was performed to predict downstream target genes of AI662270 and their binding sites.RT-qPCR and Western blotting were subsequently applied to validate the expression of these downstream target genes following AI662270 knockdown.Results(1)Compared with youth group,the protein expression levels of p16ink4a and p21kip1 in eWAT of aged mice were significantly increased(P＜0.05).Additionally,the expression levels of C4a,AI662270,BATE1,and Gm29719 in both eWAT and liver tissues were significantly increased in aged group(P＜0.05).β-galactosidase staining revealed enhanced blue-green coloration and enlarged,flattened cellular morphology in ADR-treated senescent adipocytes compared with normal control group.Compared with normal control group,ADR-treated senescent adipocytes significantly increased the mRNA expression levels of AI662270,p16ink4a,and p21kip1,and significantly elevated protein expression levels of γ-H2AX,p16ink4a,and p21kip1(P＜0.05).(2)Serum glucose content was significantly higher in aged group mice compared with youth group(P＜0.01),and glucose content in the adipocyte culture medium in ADR group was significantly increased(P＜0.05).The expression levels of IRS1 and PI3K in eWAT in aged group were significantly reduced compared with youth group(P＜0.01).Compared with normal control group,the expression levels of IRS 1 and PI3K in adipocytes in ADR-treated group were also significantly reduced(P＜0.05).(3)Spearman correlation analysis demonstrated that the expression level of AI662270 was negatively correlated with the mRNA expression levels of IRS1 and PI3K(P＜0.05).RT-qPCR showed that AI662270 expression level was significantly reduced in the siAI662270-transfected senescent adipocytes compared with siNC group(P＜0.05),indicating the low expression model of aged adipocytes AI662270 was successfully constructed.Hexokinase assay results showed that glucose content in the cell culture medium was significantly reduced after the AI662270 was knocked down by senescent adipocytes(P＜0.05).Furthermore,the mRNA expression levels of IRS1,IRS2 and PI3K(P＜0.05)and the p-Akt/Akt ratio in senescent adipocytes was significantly increased after knockdown of AI662270(P＜0.01).(4)Bioinformatics analysis predicted miR-3073b-3p as a downstream target gene of AI662270,and heme oxygenase 1(Hmox1)was identified as a target molecule of miR-3073b-3p.The expression level of miR-3073b-3p in senescent adipocytes in siAI662270 group was significantly increased,while the mRNA and protein expression level of Hmox1 were significantly decreased compared with siNC group(P＜0.01).Conclusions Aging significantly increases the expression of AI662270 in eWAT of mice,and the expression of AI662270 was negatively correlated with insulin sensitivity.AI662270 knockdown can reduce glucose content in senescent adipocyte culture medium,upregulate the expression of IRS1 and PI3K,and increase insulin sensitivity in senescent adipocytes,which may be mediated through the AI662270/miR-3073b-3p/Hmox1 pathway.

Objective To discuss the application of partial antiplatelet drug genotype detection and thromboelastography-platelet mapping(TEG-PM)in guiding the selection of antiplatelet regimens in patients with intracranial aneurysms(IAs)after receiving stenting.Methods A total of 106 patients with IAs in the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University,who underwent implantation of stent and received the testings of platelet-endothelial aggregation receptor 1(PEAR 1)and clopidogrel-related gene-cytochrome P450 enzyme 2C19(CYP2C19),and some of whom received TEG-PM testing from January 2019 to August 2022,were collected for this study.The patients were divided into group A(gene detection group,according to the drug-related gene detection results to adjust the medication)and group B(combination group,according to the two testing results to guide the medication).The patient's gender,age,testing data were collected,and the occlusion of IAs,stent intimal hyperplasia,drug-related hemorrhagic and ischemic complications during follow-up period were recorded.Results A total of 123 IAs lesions in 106 patients were treated.The patient's mean age was(53.67±6.66)years,67 patients were female.Group A had 41 patients and group B had 65 patients.No statistically significant differences in the baseline data,IAs features,stent types used,and medication regimen existed between the two groups(all P＞0.05).In Group A,the ischemic complications and hemorrhagic complications occurred in two patients each.In Group B,no ischemic complications occurred and 4 patients developed hemorrhagic complications.The difference in the incidence of related complications between the two groups was not statistically significant(P=0.287 and P=0.782 respectively).There were no statistically significant differences in the postoperative one-month and 3-month intimal hyperplasia grade and the aneurysm occlusion rate between the two groups(all P＞0.05).The postoperative 6-month overall intimal hyperplasia grade in Group A was slightly higher than that in Group B,and the difference was statistically significant(P=0.034).Conclusion In order to improve the precision and individualized treatment of antiplatelet therapy,it is suggested that clinicians should adopt TEG-PM-guided conventional double-antibody therapy first when making selection of testing items.For patients with insufficient inhibition rate indicated by TEG-PM,testing of the genes associated with antiplatelet drugs should be used.Based on the genetic test results it is necessary to determine the reasons for the insufficient inhibition rate as well as to adjust the medication promptly according to the specific situation of the patient,so as to ensure the effectiveness of antiplatelet therapy and achieve the purpose of individualized precision therapy.

Objective To investigate the efficacy of Xuanbi Decoction as an adjuvant therapy for rheumatoid arthritis(RA)with dampness-heat obstruction syndrome,and its impacts on the interleu-kin-23(IL-23)/helper T cell 17(Th 17)inflammatory axis,as well as the levels of matrix metallo-proteinase-3(MMP-3)and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1(TIMP-1).Methods A total of 95 RA patients with dampness-heat obstruction syndrome were selected as the study subjects,and randomly divided into control group(48 cases)and observation group(47 cases).The control group received western medicine treatment,while the observation group received Xuanbi Decoction treat-ment based on the control group.The clinical efficacy,traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syn-drome scores,imaging assessment results,disease activity,indicators of the IL-23/Th17 inflammatory axis,MMP-3,TIMP-1 and adverse reactions were compared between the two groups.Results The total effective rate in the observation group was 95.74％,which was significantly higher than 81.25％in the control group(P＜0.05).After treatment,the TCM syndrome scores(joint pain,joint swell-ing,yellow and greasy tongue coating as well as slippery and rapid pulse)in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P＜0.05).After treatment,the DAS28 and Sharp scores in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P＜0.05).After treatment,the levels of IL-23,Th17,IL-17 and MMP-3 in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group,while the TIMP-1 level was significantly higher(P＜0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion Xuanbi Decoction as an adjuvant therapy for RA patients with dampness-heat obstruction syndrome demonstrates significant efficacy and high safety.

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BACKGROUND: Treatment with chimeric antigen receptor-T (CAR-T) cells has shown promising effectiveness in patients with relapsed/refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (R/R B-ALL), although the process of preparing for this therapy usually takes a long time. We have recently created CD19 Fast-CAR-T (F-CAR-T) cells, which can be produced within a single day. The objective of this study was to evaluate and contrast the effectiveness and safety of CD19 F-CAR-T cells with those of CD19 conventional CAR-T cells in the management of R/R B-ALL. METHODS: A multicenter, retrospective analysis of the clinical data of 44 patients with R/R B-ALL was conducted. Overall, 23 patients were administered with innovative CD19 F-CAR-T cells (F-CAR-T group), whereas 21 patients were given CD19 conventional CAR-T cells (C-CAR-T group). We compared the rates of complete remission (CR), minimal residual disease (MRD)-negative CR, leukemia-free survival (LFS), overall survival (OS), and the incidence of cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) between the two groups. RESULTS: Compared with the C-CAR-T group, the F-CAR-T group had significantly higher CR and MRD-negative rates (95.7% and 91.3%, respectively; 71.4% and 66.7%, respectively; P = 0.036 and P = 0.044). No significant differences were observed in the 1-year or 2-year LFS or OS rates between the two groups: the 1-year and 2-year LFS for the F-CAR-T group vs.C-CAR-T group were 47.8% and 43.5% vs. 38.1% and 23.8% (P = 0.384 and P = 0.216), while the 1-year and 2-year OS rates were 65.2% and 56.5% vs. 52.4% and 47.6% (P = 0.395 and P = 0.540). Additionally, among CR patients who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) following CAR-T-cell therapy, there were no significant differences in the 1-year or 2-year LFS or OS rates: 57.1% and 50.0% vs. 47.8% and 34.8% (P = 0.506 and P = 0.356), 64.3% and 57.1% vs. 65.2% and 56.5% (P = 0.985 and P = 0.883), respectively. The incidence of CRS was greater in the F-CAR-T group (91.3%) than in the C-CAR-T group (66.7%) (P = 0.044). The incidence of ICANS was also greater in the F-CAR-T group (30.4%) than in the C-CAR-T group (9.5%) (P = 0.085), but no treatment-related deaths occurred in the two groups. CONCLUSION Compared with C-CAR-T-cell therapy, F-CAR-T-cell therapy has a superior remission rate but also leads to a tolerably increased incidence of CRS/ICANS. Further research is needed to explore the function of allo-HSCT as an intermediary therapy after CAR-T-cell therapy.

The circadian clock plays a critical role in regulating various physiological processes, including gene expression, metabolic regulation, immune response, and the sleep-wake cycle in living organisms. Post-translational modifications (PTMs) are crucial regulatory mechanisms to maintain the precise oscillation of the circadian clock. By modulating the stability, activity, cell localization and protein-protein interactions of core clock proteins, PTMs enable these proteins to respond dynamically to environmental and intracellular changes, thereby sustaining the periodic oscillations of the circadian clock. Different types of PTMs exert their effects through distincting molecular mechanisms, collectively ensuring the proper function of the circadian system. This review systematically summarized several major types of PTMs, including phosphorylation, acetylation, ubiquitination, SUMOylation and oxidative modification, and overviewed their roles in regulating the core clock proteins and the associated pathways, with the goals of providing a theoretical foundation for the deeper understanding of clock mechanisms and the treatment of diseases associated with circadian disruption.
Protein Processing, Post-Translational/physiology* ; Circadian Rhythm/physiology* ; Humans ; Animals ; CLOCK Proteins/physiology* ; Circadian Clocks/physiology* ; Phosphorylation ; Acetylation ; Ubiquitination ; Sumoylation

This study employed 16S r RNA gene high-throughput sequencing and metabolomics to explore the mechanism of Angelicae Dahuricae Radix polysaccharides(RP) in the treatment of ulcerative colitis(UC). A mouse model of UC was induced with 2. 5% dextran sulfate sodium. The therapeutic effects of RP on UC in mice were evaluated based on changes in body weight, disease activity index( DAI), and colon length, as well as pathological changes. RT-qPCR was performed to assess the m RNA levels of interleukin(IL)-6, IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α, myeloperoxidase(MPO), mucin 2(Muc2), Occludin, Claudin2, and ZO-1 in the mouse colon tissue. ELISA was employed to measure the expression of IL-1β and TNF-α in the colon tissue. The intestinal permeability of mice was evaluated by the fluorescent dye permeability assay. Immunohistochemistry was employed to detect the expression of Muc2 and occludin in the colon tissue. Changes in gut microbiota and metabolites were analyzed by 16S r RNA sequencing and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-orbitrap mass spectrometry( UPLC-Q-Exactive Plus Orbitrap MS), respectively. The results indicated that low-dose RP alleviated general symptoms, reduced colonic inflammation and intestinal permeability, and promoted Muc2 secretion and tight junction protein expression in UC mice. In addition, low-dose RP increased gut microbiota diversity in UC mice and decreased the relative abundance of harmful bacteria such as Ochrobactrum and Streptococcus. Twenty-seven differential metabolites were identified in feces, and low-dose RP restored the levels of disturbed metabolites. Notably, arginine and proline metabolism were the most significantly altered amino acid metabolic pathways following lowdose RP intervention. In conclusion, RP can ameliorate general symptoms, inhibit colonic inflammation, and maintain intestinal mucosal barrier integrity in UC mice by modulating gut microbiota composition and arginine and proline metabolism.
Animals ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects* ; Colitis, Ulcerative/genetics* ; Mice ; Male ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Polysaccharides/administration & dosage* ; Angelica/chemistry* ; Humans ; Colon/metabolism* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Mucin-2/metabolism* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism*