1.Buyang Huanwu Decoction targets PPARG/SPP1/CD44 signaling pathway: mechanisms of lipid dysregulation and treatment in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
Gang-Gang LI ; Xiao-Chuan PAN ; Fei WANG ; Quan-Yu DU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(14):3821-3834
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis(IPF) is a chronic progressive interstitial lung disease characterized by a complex pathogenesis and limited treatment options. Although studies have indicated that lipid metabolism dysregulation is associated with the progression of IPF, the core regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. By integrating RNA sequencing data from the GEO database, we identified four key genes related to lipid metabolism: peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma(PPARG), secreted phosphoprotein 1(SPP1), caspase 3(CASP3), and platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1(PECAM1). Further validation using single-cell RNA sequencing revealed the cell-specific expression patterns of these genes. The results found that PPARG was significantly downregulated in alveolar macrophages while SPP1 was significantly upregulated. Mechanistic studies indicated that PPARG negatively regulated SPP1 expression, and the interaction between SPP1 and cluster of differentiation 44(CD44) activated intercellular signaling pathways that promoted fibrosis. Through network pharmacology and molecular docking, it was predicted that the bioactive components of the traditional Chinese medicine formula, namely Buyang Huanwu Decoction may target PPARG to modulate lipid metabolism pathways. In a bleomycin-induced rat model with IPF, this paper randomly divided the rats into six groups(control, group, model group, pirfenidone group, and low, middle, and high-dose groups of Buyang Huanwu Decoction). The results demonstrated that Buyang Huanwu Decoction treatment significantly improved tissue pathological damage, reduced collagen deposition, and alleviated lipid metabolism dysregulation. Western blot analysis confirmed that Buyang Huanwu Decoction mediated the upregulation of PPARG and inhibited the activation of the SPP1/CD44 pathway. The multi-omics study elucidated the role of the PPARG/SPP1/CD44 pathway as a key regulatory factor in lipid metabolism in IPF, providing evidence that Buyang Huanwu Decoction exerted its antifibrotic effects through this novel mechanism and thus offering new insights into the therapeutic prospects for IPF.
Animals
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
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Signal Transduction/drug effects*
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PPAR gamma/genetics*
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Humans
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Osteopontin/genetics*
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Lipid Metabolism/drug effects*
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Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis/genetics*
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Hyaluronan Receptors/genetics*
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Rats
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Male
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Rats, Sprague-Dawley
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Molecular Docking Simulation
2.Human epidermal growth factor gel for pin tract infection following halo-pelvic ring traction procedure in patients with severe spinal deformity.
Yu-Liang LOU ; Feng HONG ; Can-Feng WANG ; Hui FEI ; Wei-Bin DU ; Ren-Fu QUAN
China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2025;38(8):816-821
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the efficacy and safety of human epidermal growth factor gel in the treatment of pin tract infections after surgery in patients with severe spinal deformity.
METHODS:
A retrospective case-control study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 26 patients with pin tract infections after skull-pelvic ring traction for severe spinal deformity admitted from February 2019 to May 2022. Among them, 11 were male and 15 were female;the age ranged from 18 to 31 years, with an average of (24.1±4.3) years;the Cobb angle ranged 80.3° to 120.7°, with an average of (88.6±10.2)°;there were 52 iliac traction pins, 104 pin tract openings, and 38 pin tract infections. According to the Checketts-Otterbum classification, there were 11 infections of gradeⅠ, 13 infections of gradeⅡ, 10 infections of grade Ⅲ, and 4 infections of grade Ⅳ. The patients were divided into the conventional dressing change group (13 cases) and the growth factor group (13 cases) by coin flipping. Clinical efficacy was evaluated by recording the visual analogue scale(VAS) score during dressing change, duration of dressing change, cost of dressing change, positive rate of bacterial culture, wound improvement rate, and wound improvement time.
RESULTS:
There were no statistically significant differences in VAS or duration of dressing change between the two groups (P>0.05). The cost of dressing change was (800.0±59.5) yuan in the conventional dressing change group and (1 179.5±80.9) yuan in the growth factor group, with a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the positive rate of bacterial culture between the two groups (P>0.05). In the conventional dressing change group, within 20 pin tract infections, 2 infections achieved wound healing, 7 infections showed improvement, and 11 infections were ineffective;in the growth factor group, within 18 pin tract infections 5 infections achieved wound healing, 8 infections showed improvement, and 5 infections were ineffective, with a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). The wound healing time was (22.8±4.9) days in the conventional dressing change group and (14.2±2.5) days in the growth factor group, with a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). No complications occurred in either group.
CONCLUSION
The application of human epidermal growth factor gel in the treatment of pin tract infections after skull-pelvic ring surgery in patients with severe spinal deformity is easy to operate, does not increase patient pain, and has significant efficacy. It shortens wound healing time, effectively promotes wound healing, and has good safety and high cost-effectiveness.
Humans
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Male
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Female
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Adult
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Adolescent
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Retrospective Studies
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Case-Control Studies
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Young Adult
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Epidermal Growth Factor/therapeutic use*
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Traction/adverse effects*
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Gels
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Bone Nails/adverse effects*
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Surgical Wound Infection/drug therapy*
3.Traumatic cervical tracheal trunk complete rupture combined with cardiac arrest: A case report.
Cheng YANG ; Da-Liang WANG ; Yang-Lin DU ; Qiang-Fei WANG ; Yuan SUO ; Hui-Jie YU
Chinese Journal of Traumatology 2025;28(5):378-381
Traumatic main bronchus rupture is a relatively rare injury in thoracic trauma, which is extremely critical, with a mortality rate as high as 70% - 80%. The complete rupture and displacement of the traumatic cervical trachea can lead to asphyxia, hypoxia, and cardiac arrest, even death of the patient in a short time. We performed emergency surgery with the support of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for a case of traumatic cervical tracheal trunk complete rupture and displacement combined with cardiac arrest and achieved a successful rescue. We summarized our experience and found that timely surgical reconstruction of the airway is the key to increasing the traumatic main bronchus rupture survival of patients.
Humans
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Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
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Heart Arrest/etiology*
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Rupture
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Trachea/surgery*
4.Occupational Hazard Factors and the Trajectory of Fasting Blood Glucose Changes in Chinese Male Steelworkers Based on Environmental Risk Scores: A Prospective Cohort Study.
Ming Xia ZOU ; Wei DU ; Qin KANG ; Yu Hao XIA ; Nuo Yun ZHANG ; Liu FENG ; Fei Yue LI ; Tian Cheng MA ; Ya Jing BAO ; Hong Min FAN
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(6):666-677
OBJECTIVE:
We aimed to investigate the patterns of fasting blood glucose (FBG) trajectories and analyze the relationship between various occupational hazard factors and FBG trajectories in male steelworkers.
METHODS:
The study cohort included 3,728 workers who met the selection criteria for the Tanggang Occupational Cohort (TGOC) between 2017 and 2022. A group-based trajectory model was used to identify the FBG trajectories. Environmental risk scores (ERS) were constructed using regression coefficients from the occupational hazard model as weights. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to explore the effects of occupational hazard factors using the ERS on FBG trajectories.
RESULTS:
FBG trajectories were categorized into three groups. An association was observed between high temperature, noise exposure, and FBG trajectory ( P < 0.05). Using the first quartile group of ERS1 as a reference, the fourth quartile group of ERS1 had an increased risk of medium and high FBG by 1.90 and 2.21 times, respectively (odds ratio [ OR] = 1.90, 95% confidence interval [ CI]: 1.17-3.10; OR = 2.21, 95% CI: 1.09-4.45).
CONCLUSION
An association was observed between occupational hazards based on ERS and FBG trajectories. The risk of FBG trajectory levels increase with an increase in ERS.
Humans
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Male
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Adult
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Blood Glucose/analysis*
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China
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Prospective Studies
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Occupational Exposure/adverse effects*
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Risk Factors
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Middle Aged
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Steel
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Fasting/blood*
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Metal Workers
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East Asian People
5.Association of Body Mass Index with All-Cause Mortality and Cause-Specific Mortality in Rural China: 10-Year Follow-up of a Population-Based Multicenter Prospective Study.
Juan Juan HUANG ; Yuan Zhi DI ; Ling Yu SHEN ; Jian Guo LIANG ; Jiang DU ; Xue Fang CAO ; Wei Tao DUAN ; Ai Wei HE ; Jun LIANG ; Li Mei ZHU ; Zi Sen LIU ; Fang LIU ; Shu Min YANG ; Zu Hui XU ; Cheng CHEN ; Bin ZHANG ; Jiao Xia YAN ; Yan Chun LIANG ; Rong LIU ; Tao ZHU ; Hong Zhi LI ; Fei SHEN ; Bo Xuan FENG ; Yi Jun HE ; Zi Han LI ; Ya Qi ZHAO ; Tong Lei GUO ; Li Qiong BAI ; Wei LU ; Qi JIN ; Lei GAO ; He Nan XIN
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(10):1179-1193
OBJECTIVE:
This study aimed to explore the association between body mass index (BMI) and mortality based on the 10-year population-based multicenter prospective study.
METHODS:
A general population-based multicenter prospective study was conducted at four sites in rural China between 2013 and 2023. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models and restricted cubic spline analyses were used to assess the association between BMI and mortality. Stratified analyses were performed based on the individual characteristics of the participants.
RESULTS:
Overall, 19,107 participants with a sum of 163,095 person-years were included and 1,910 participants died. The underweight (< 18.5 kg/m 2) presented an increase in all-cause mortality (adjusted hazards ratio [ aHR] = 2.00, 95% confidence interval [ CI]: 1.66-2.41), while overweight (≥ 24.0 to < 28.0 kg/m 2) and obesity (≥ 28.0 kg/m 2) presented a decrease with an aHR of 0.61 (95% CI: 0.52-0.73) and 0.51 (95% CI: 0.37-0.70), respectively. Overweight ( aHR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.67-0.86) and mild obesity ( aHR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.59-0.87) had a positive impact on mortality in people older than 60 years. All-cause mortality decreased rapidly until reaching a BMI of 25.7 kg/m 2 ( aHR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.92-0.98) and increased slightly above that value, indicating a U-shaped association. The beneficial impact of being overweight on mortality was robust in most subgroups and sensitivity analyses.
CONCLUSION
This study provides additional evidence that overweight and mild obesity may be inversely related to the risk of death in individuals older than 60 years. Therefore, it is essential to consider age differences when formulating health and weight management strategies.
Humans
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Body Mass Index
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China/epidemiology*
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Male
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Female
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Middle Aged
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Prospective Studies
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Rural Population/statistics & numerical data*
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Aged
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Follow-Up Studies
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Adult
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Mortality
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Cause of Death
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Obesity/mortality*
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Overweight/mortality*
6.Clinical features and early warning indicators of patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure and bacterial infection
Zhanhu BI ; Linxu WANG ; Haifeng HU ; Hong DU ; Yidi DING ; Xiaofei YANG ; Jiayi ZHAN ; Fei HU ; Denghui YU ; Hongkai XU ; Jianqi LIAN
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2024;40(4):760-766
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical features of patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) and bacterial infection and early warning indicators associated with multidrug-resistant infections. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed for 130 patients with ACLF and bacterial infection who attended The Second Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2021, and according to the drug susceptibility results, the patients were divided into multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infection group with 80 patients and non-MDR bacterial infection group with 50 patients. General information and laboratory examination results were compared between the two groups to screen for the early warning indicators associated with MDR bacterial infection. The Student’s t-test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data with homogeneity of variance between two groups, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data or continuous data with heterogeneity of variance between two groups; the chi-square test or the Fisher’s exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. The binary logistic regression analysis and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were used to assess the predictive value of early warning indicators. ResultsAmong the 130 patients with ACLF and bacterial infection, sputum (27.7%) was the most common specimen for detection, followed by blood (24.6%), urine (18.5%), and ascites (17.7%). Bacterial infections were dominated by Gram-negative bacteria (58.5%). Of all bacteria, Escherichia coli (18.5%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (14.6%), and Enterococcus faecium (13.8%) were the most common pathogens. Gram-positive bacteria had a high resistance rate to the antibacterial drugs such as erythromycin (72.2%), penicillin (57.4%), ampicillin (55.6%), and ciprofloxacin (53.7%), while Gram-negative bacteria had a high resistance rate to the antibacterial drugs such as ampicillin (73.3%), cefazolin (50.0%), and cefepime (47.4%). The patients with ACLF and bacterial infection had a relatively high rate of MDR bacterial infection (61.5%). Comparison of clinical data between the two groups showed that compared with the patients with non-MDR bacterial infection, the patients with MDR bacterial infection had significantly higher levels of alanine aminotransferase (Z=2.089, P=0.037), aspartate aminotransferase (Z=2.063, P=0.039), white blood cell count (Z=2.207, P=0.027), and monocyte count (Z=4.413, P<0.001). The binary logistic regression analysis showed that monocyte count was an independent risk factor for MDR bacterial infection (odds ratio=7.120, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.478 — 20.456,P<0.001) and had an area under the ROC curve of 0.686 (95%CI: 0.597 — 0.776) in predicting ACLF with MDR bacterial infection(P<0.001), with the optimal cut-off value of 0.50×109/L, a sensitivity of 0.725, and a specificity of 0.400. ConclusionACLF combined with bacterial infections is mainly caused by Gram-negative bacteria, with the common pathogens of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae and a relatively high MDR rate in clinical practice. An increase in monocyte count can be used as an early warning indicator to distinguish MDR bacterial infection from non-MDR bacterial infection.
7.Effects of quercetin combined with iron death inhibitor on calcium oxalate-induced HK-2 cell damage
Bing-Fei NIE ; Huang-Hui CHEN ; Qun-Jie TAN ; Yu-Feng DU
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(14):2028-2032
Objective To explore the effect of quercetin combined with iron death inhibitor Ferrostain-1 on oxalate-induced HK-2 cell injury.Methods HK-2 cells were randomly divided into control group(normal cultured cells),model group(0.5 mmol·L-1 calcium oxalate crystals),quercetin group(0.5 mmol·L-1 calcium oxalate crystals+100 μmol·L-1 quercetin),inhibitor group(0.5 mmol·L-1 calcium oxalate crystals+8 μmol·L-1 Ferrostain-1)and combination group(0.5 mmol·L-1calcium oxalate crystals+100 μmol·L-1quercetin+8 μmol·L-1 Ferrostain-1).Cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)assay was used to detect cell survival rate;Western blot was used to detect iron death related protein expression such as glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4);flow cytometry and Tunel assay were used to detect cell apoptosis,and assay kit was used to detect cellular iron ions and antioxidant levels.Results The cell survival rates of control group,model group,quercetin group,inhibitor group and combination group were(100.00±2.55)%,(54.49±4.11)%,(64.26±6.30)%,(58.03±3.04)%and(79.37±4.29)%,respectively;GPX4 protein expression levels were 0.98±0.11,0.33±0.05,0.56±0.05,0.78±0.07 and 1.11±0.11,respectively;cell apoptosis rates were(4.15±0.28)%,(23.12±2.49)%,(17.28±1.07)%,(15.08±1.41)%and(8.95±0.75)%,respectively;Fe2+levels were(100.00±0.87)%,(162.55±14.70)%,(149.09±9.50)%,(144.95±11.12)%and(131.76±12.18)%,respectively;superoxide dismutase(SOD)levels were(58.67±3.46),(21.56±1.32),(33.60±2.03),(35.15±3.02)and(44.27±3.89)U·mL-1,respectively.The above indicators of the model group were compared with the control group,and the above indicators of the quercetin group,inhibitor group,and combination group were compared with the model group,the above indicators of the combination group were compared with the quercetin group,and inhibitor group,all they all showed statistical significance(all P<0.05).Conclusion Iron death inhibitors can enhance the inhibitory effect of quercetin in vitro on oxalate-induced renal tubular epithelial cell injury.
8.Effects and mechanism of NCTD on proliferation and apoptosis of human leukemic cells by targeting PPP5C
Xin ZHANG ; Bingjie CUI ; Guoxing YU ; Fei WANG ; Liang ZHAO ; Na GAO ; Jing DU
Chinese Journal of Comparative Medicine 2024;34(4):11-19
Objective To study the effects and mechanism of norcantharidin(NCTD)on proliferation and apoptosis of NB4 and K562 human leukemic cells by regulating phosphoprotein phosphatase 5 catalytic(PPP5C).Methods PC3.1 and PPP5C-PC3.1 plasmids were electroporated into NB4 and K562 cells.Stable NB4 and K562 cell lines were selected with geneticin(G418).Protein and mRNA expression levels of PPP5C were measured by Western blot and RT-qPCR,respectively.Proliferation,migration,and apoptosis of NB4 and K562 cells were determined by a CCK-8 assay,transwell assay,and Live & Dead? animal cell viability/toxicity detection kit,respectively.NB4 and K562 cells were divided into 0 μg/mL NCTD group and various NCTD dose groups,and cultured in RPMI 1640 medium containing 0,8,16,or 32 μg/ml NCTD.The Live & Dead? animal cell viability/toxicity detection kit measured the numbers of dead and live cells,and cell morphology was observed under a microscope.Western blot was used to measure protein expression levels of caspase 3,Cleaved caspase 3,JNK,p-JNK,p38,p-p38,and α-Tubulin.Results Proliferation,migration,and apoptosis of NB4 and K562 cells were enhanced by overexpression of PPP5C.Compared with 0 μg/mL NCTD group,NCTD promoted apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner.PPP5C overexpression antagonized the killing effect of NCTD on leukemic cells.Mechanistic investigations showed that PPP5C reduced the protein level of p-JNK by dephosphorylating and regulating the expression of apoptosis-related protein Cleaved caspase 3.Conclusions NCTD promotes apoptosis of NB4 and K562 cells and inhibits their proliferation by inhibiting PPP5C.
9.Risk factors for parastomal hernias:a systematic review and meta-analysis
Kai-Lei WANG ; Li-Na MA ; Guang-Bo BU ; Guang-Dong ZHANG ; Hui FAN ; Fei YU ; Heng-Rui DU ; Gang MA
Chinese Journal of Current Advances in General Surgery 2024;27(6):463-470
Objective:To evaluate the risk factors for the formation of parastomal Hernias(PSH)using meta-analysis,and to provide a theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of PSH.Methods:Case control or Cohort study of PSH risk factors were collected by searching PubMed,CNKI,Wanfang data and other databases.Extract relevant data and perform meta-analysis using RevMan 5.3.Results:The results included a total of 16 studies,with a total sample size of 2411 cases,including 670 in the PSH group and 1741 in the non PSH group.The results showed that advanced age,female gender,BMI≥25,hypertension,COPD/chronic cough,diabetes,and postoperative Hypoproteinemia could increase the risk of PSH(P<0.05);Smoking,previous ab-dominal surgery history,preoperative radiotherapy/chemotherapy etc.,were not significantly asso-ciated with the occurrence of PSH(P>0.05).Conclusion:The current evidence shows that ad-vanced age,female gender,BMI≥25,hypertension,COPD/chronic cough,diabetes,postoperative Hypoproteinemia are risk factors for PSH,and extraperitoneal stoma can reduce the occurrence of PSH.
10.The inhibitory effect of artesunate on hepatocellular carcinoma cells by regulating expression of GADD45A and NACC1
Guan-Tong SHEN ; Jin-Yao DONG ; Jing FENG ; Nan QIN ; Gen-Lai DU ; Fei ZHU ; Ke LIAN ; Xin-Yu LIU ; Qing-Liang LI ; Xun-Wei ZHANG ; Ru-Yi SHI
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(6):1089-1097
Aim To explore the effect and mechanism of the artesunate(ART)on hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Methods The cell lines MHCC-97H and HCC-LM3 were used to be detected.MTT and clone formation were used to determine the cell proliferation;Wound healing was used to detect the cell migration;Transwell was used to test the cell invasion.Flow-cy-tometry was used to detect cell apoptosis and cell cy-cle.RNA-seq and qRT-PCR was used to detect the genes expression.Results The proliferation,migra-tion and invasion of treated cells were obviously inhibi-ted(P<0.01).Moreover,the apoptosis rate in-creased significantly,so did the proportion of G2/M cells.Transcriptomic analysis identified GADD45A as a potential target of ART through RNA-sequencing da-ta,and suggested that ART might induce apoptosis and cell cycle arrest through regulating the expression of GADD45A.In addition,the results of mechanism studies and signaling analysis suggested that GADD45A had interaction with its upstream gene NACC1(nucle-us accumbens associated 1).Moreover,after ART treatment,the expressions of GADD45A and NACC1 were changed significantly.Conclusion ART may be a potential drug to resist HCC by affecting the expres-sion of GADD45A and its upstream gene NACC1,which provides a new drug,a new direction and a new method for the clinical treatment of HCC.

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