BACKGROUND: Lung adenocarcinoma is an important pathohistologic subtype of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Invasive non-mucinous pulmonary adenocarcinomas (INMA) tend to have a poor prognosis due to their significant heterogeneity and diverse histologic components. Establishing a histologic grading system for INMA is crucial for evaluating its malignancy. In 2021, the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) proposed that a new histological grading system could better stratify the prognosis of INMA patients. The aim of this study was to establish a visualized nomogram model to predict INMA IASLC grading preoperatively by means of dual-energy computed tomography (DECT), fractal dimension (FD), clinical features and conventional CT parameters. METHODS: A total of 112 patients with INMA who underwent preoperative DECT were retrospectively enrolled from March 2021 to January 2025. Patients were categorized into low-intermediate grade and high grade groups based on IASLC grading. The clinical characteristics and conventional CT parameters, including baseline features, biochemical markers, and serum tumor markers, were collected. DECT-derived parameters, including iodine concentration (IC), effective atomic number (eff-Z), and normalized IC (NIC), were collected and determined as NIC ratio (NICr) and fractal dimension (FD). Univariate analysis was employed to compare differences in conventional characteristics and DECT parameters between the two groups. Variables demonstrating statistical significance were subsequently incorporated into a multivariate Logistic regression analysis. A nomogram model integrating clinical data, conventional CT parameters, and DECT parameters was developed to identify independent predictors for IASLC grading of INMA. The discriminatory performance of the model was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis identified smoking history [odds ratio (OR)=2.848, P=0.041], lobulation sign (OR=2.163, P=0.004), air bronchogram (OR=7.833, P=0.005), eff-Z in arterial phase (OR=4.266, P<0.001), and IC in arterial phase (OR=1.290, P=0.012) as independent and significant predictors for IASLC grading of INMA. The nomogram model constructed based on these indicators demonstrated optimal predictive performance, achieving an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.804 (95%CI: 0.725-0.883), with specificity and sensitivity of 85.3% and 65.7%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The nomogram model based on clinical features, imaging features and spectral CT parameters have a large potential for application in the preoperative noninvasive assessment of INMA IASLC grading.
Humans ; Nomograms ; Female ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods* ; Lung Neoplasms/pathology* ; Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Adenocarcinoma of Lung/pathology* ; Neoplasm Grading ; Adult

The interaction between m⁶A-methylated RNA and chromatin modification remains largely unknown. We found that targeted inhibition of bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) by siRNA or its inhibitor (JQ1) significantly decreases mRNA m⁶A levels and suppresses the malignancy of breast cancer (BC) cells via increased expression of demethylase AlkB homolog 5 (ALKBH5). Mechanistically, inhibition of BRD4 increases the mRNA stability of ALKBH5 via enhanced binding between its 3' untranslated regions (3'UTRs) with RNA-binding protein RALY. Further, BRD4 serves as a scaffold for ubiquitin enzymes tripartite motif containing-21 (TRIM21) and ALKBH5, resulting in the ubiquitination and degradation of ALKBH5 protein. JQ1-increased ALKBH5 then demethylates mRNA of extra spindle pole bodies like 1 (ESPL1) and reduces binding between ESPL1 mRNA and m⁶A reader insulin like growth factor 2 mRNA binding protein 3 (IGF2BP3), leading to decay of ESPL1 mRNA. Animal and clinical studies confirm a critical role of BRD4/ALKBH5/ESPL1 pathway in BC progression. Further, our study sheds light on the crosstalks between histone modification and RNA methylation.

Objective : To construct a human keratinocyte-forming cell line(HaCaT) with stable knockout of the G protein-coupled receptor 107(GPR107) gene, and to preliminarily investigate the effect of GPR107 deletion on the biological behaviour of HaCaT cells. Methods : Using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology, HaCaT cells with knockout ofGPR107gene were constructed and monoclonal cells with GPR107 deletion were obtained by limited dilution method. Genomic DNA was amplified using Western blot and PCR and sequenced to validate the single-cell clones with knockdown of GPR107. The cell cycle changes were detected by flow cytometry; cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8; apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry; changes in cell differentiation markers were detected by Western blot; cell migration ability was analyzed by cell scratch assay and other methods. Results : LentiCas9-Blast and plenti-guide-RNA-GPR107 plasmids were successfully transfected into HaCaT cells, 21 monoclonal cell lines were obtained by limited dilution, and Western blot showed that the GPR107 expression was significantly reduced in 8 of them; PCR sequencing of the cellular genome was used, which resulted in the obtainment of C4 and 2D8GPR107-/-HaCaT monoclonal cell lines. CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry assay showed thatGPR107gene deletion resulted in G0G1phase block, significantly weakened proliferation ability and increased apoptosis level of HaCaT cells. Western blot found that the differentiation of HaCaT cells accelerated after knockdown ofGPR107. Additionally the results of the cell scratch assay indicated that the migration ability of HaCaT cells was enhanced after knockdown ofGPR107. The results showed that the migration ability of HaCaT cells was enhanced after knockdown ofGPR107. Conclusion HaCaT cell line withGPR107gene deletion is successfully constructed, GPR107 deletion blocks the G0G1phase of HaCaT cells, which inhibiting the proliferation of HaCaT cells and promoted apoptosis, and it was found that the differentiation and migration of HaCaT cells were enhanced after knocking downGPR107.

Objective : To examine the role of LMO4 in the regulation of endothelial cell differentiation and angio- genesis in murine embryonic stem cells (mESC) ． Methods : Mouse Lmo4 cDNA was obtained from MEL cells by using the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and subcloned into the expression vector pFG to generate the pFLG ，in which contained Flk-1 promoter to drive Lmo4 expresses in only FLK-1 + cells．The mESC were transfected with pFG or pFLG plasmids and subsequently screened with geneticin ( G418) to produce cell clones． These cell clones were named mESC /pFG and mESC /pFLG ，respectively． The mESC /pFG and mESC /pFLG were cultured in the differentiation medium for either 4 days or 10 days to generate embryoid bodies (EB) ．The 10-day embryoid bodies ( 10 d-EBs) carrying the pFG and pFLG vectors were subsequently stimulated to generate the blast-colony forming cells (BL-CFC) ，which indicated the presence of hemangioblasts．The endo- thelial cell sprouting analysis was performed by using 10 d-EBs．The expression of the interest genes was detected by using qualitative RT-PCR or Western blot analysis. Results : The pFLG expression vector was successfully con- structed through PCR identification．The mESC /pFG and mESC /pFLG cells were obtained after transfected with the pFG or pFLG vectors and selected by G418．The cells spontaneously differentiate to generate EBs，in which some green fluoresce cells were present．Western blot analysis showed that a significant increase in LMO4 expression in both 4 d-EB and 10 d-EB when compared to mESC．BL-CFC analysis showed that the 4 d-EB/ pFLG had a higher cloning efficiency ( 7. 70% ± 1. 27% ) ，comparing with that of the 4 d-EB/ pFG ( 1. 15% ± 0. 48% ) ( P = 0. 021) ．Quantitative RT-PCR results showed that the expression of Flk-1，C-kit，Tie-2 and Ve-cad genes in 10 d- EBs /pFLG increased more than 2-fold compared to 10 d-EBs /pFG．The endothelial cell sprouting analysis result showed a significant increase in the number and length of new blood vessels in 10 d-EB/ pFLG compared to 10 d- EB/ pFG (P＜0. 05) ． Conclusion Overexpression of LMO4 promotes hemangioblast differentiation from mESC， and benefits for endothelial cell differentiation and angiogenesis.

Objective: To investigate the effect of G protein-coupled receptor 108(GPR108) gene knockout on systemic inflammation in lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced sepsis mice. Methods: Male C57BL/6 mice and GPR108 gene knockout mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: WT group, WT-LPS group, KO group, KO-LPS group. The physiological characteristics of mice in different groups were observed, and the morphological changes of liver and lung tissues were observed. Macrophages were extracted from bone marrow and subjected to flow cytometry to detect their M1 polarization status. The expression levels of IL-6 in liver and lung tissues, macrophages, and serum were also measured. Results: KO-LPS group mice showed significant liver and lung tissue damage, with a significantly greater number of bone marrow-derived macrophages polarizing towards M1 in the KO-LPS group compared to the WT-LPS group. Additionally, at the tissue, cellular, and serum levels, the expression of IL-6 in the KO-LPS group mice was significantly higher than that in the WT-LPS group mice(P<0.05). Conclusion During the systemic inflammatory infection induced by LPS in mice, the lack of GPR108 exacerbates the systemic inflammatory response. GPR108 has an inhibitory effect on the inflammatory response in mice with LPS-induced sepsis.

Bluetongue virus is an arbovirus that seriously harms ruminants such as sheep,this study aims to investigate the molecular mechanism of bluetongue virus infection and host cell interferon antiviral immune response.The study was conducted to characterize the mRNA expression of inter-feron pathway genes by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR,as well as Western blot analysis of MDA5,TRAF3,RIG-Ⅰ,and TBK1 protein expression in BHK-21 cells induced by BTV with a multiplicity of infections(MOI)of 1 for 18,24,and 36 h.The results showed that the most pro-nounced changes in the expression of interferon signaling pathway genes were observed at 24 h of induction,the gene mRNA expression levels of the IFN-α,IFN-β,RIG-Ⅰ,TBK1,MDA5,VISA,and TRAF3 genes were upregulated.However,the mRNA expression levels of IKKε and TRAF6 genes were downregulated.At the protein level,MDA5 and TBK1 proteins were upregulated while RIG-1 and TRAF3 proteins were downregulated,which showed that BTV infection induces a typeⅠ interferon immune response in BHK-21 cells.This study lays the foundation for further exploring the antiviral immunity mechanism of IFN-Ⅰ signaling pathway regulatory genes in host cells infected with BTV infection.

Objective To investigate the role and mechanism of urate in chronic kidney disease complicated with renal interstitial fibrosis(CKD-RIF).Methods Mice were continuously fed with a diet containing 0.2％adenine for a duration of 9 weeks to establish mice models with CKD-RIF.By the end of the 9-week experimental periods,collected blood samples from the posterior orbital venous plexus of mice to measure renal functions and serum urate concentrations prior to euthanizing the mice.Hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining and periodic acid-Schiff staining(PAS)were used to investigate the pathological alternations in kidney tissues.Masson's trichrome staining was used to observe the extent of renal fibrosis.Urate staining was used to detect urate deposition in renal tissues.Western blot and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expression of target molecules.Scratch tests were used to ex-amine the migration abilities of cells treated with different concentrations of uric acid.Results The kidney function analysis showed that a significant increase in the levels of serum urea nitrogen(P=0.006 4),creatinine(P=0.008 0)and urate(P=0.000 7)in the CKD-RIF mice compared with the normal control group.The results of HE staining and PAS staining showed a significance of renal tubule injury and infiltration of inflammatory cells in the model group.Masson's trichrome staining showed that a marked increase in collagen deposition in the model group.The results of urate staining showed a significant presence of urate crystals in kidney tissue of the model group when compared to the control group.Animal tissue immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry analysis showed a significant increase in the expression levels of vimentin,α-SMA and TGF-β1 in the model group in comparison to the control group.Conversely,in the model group,E-cadherin levels exhibited a dramatic reduction compared to the control group.The findings from the scratching tests showed that uric acid significantly enhanced cell migration.Western blot analysis showed a dramatic increase in the expression levels of vimentin and α-SMA,while E-cadherin exhibited significant decrease in the cells subjected to uric acid treatment.Conclusion Urate stimulates the secre-tion of TGF-β1 by renal tubule epithelial cells and induces epithelial-mesenchymal transdifferentiation,thereby ex-acerbating renal interstitial fibrosis in CKD.

Background/Aims: Roxadustat, an oral medication for treating renal anemia, is a hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor used for regulating iron metabolism and promoting erythropoiesis. To investigate the efficacy and safety of roxadustat in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD) with erythropoietin hyporesponsiveness. Methods: Single-center, retrospective study, 81 PD patients (with erythropoietin hyporesponsiveness) were divided into the roxadustat group (n = 61) and erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) group (n = 20). Hemoglobin (Hb), total cholesterol, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), related indicators of cardiac function and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were collected. Additionally, adverse events were also recorded. The follow-up period was 16 weeks. Results: The two groups exhibited similar baseline demographic and clinical characteristics. At baseline, the roxadustat group had a mean Hb level of 89.8 ± 18.9 g/L, while the ESAs group had a mean Hb level of 95.2 ± 16.0 g/L. By week 16, the Hb levels had increased to 118 ± 19.8 g/L (p < 0.05) in the roxadustat group and 101 ± 19.3 g/L (p > 0.05) in the ESAs group. The efficacy of roxadustat in improving anemia was not influenced by baseline levels of hs-CRP and iPTH. Cholesterol was decreased in the roxadustat group without statin use. An increase in left ventricular ejection fraction and stabilization of BNP were observed in the roxadustat group. Conclusions For PD patients with erythropoietin hyporesponsiveness, roxadustat can significantly improve renal anemia. The efficacy of roxadustat in improving renal anemia was not affected by baseline levels of hs-CRP0 and iPTH.

Objective: To investigate the role and mechanism of Sigirr deletion in chronic kidney disease complicated with renal interstitial fibrosis (CKD⁃RIF) in mice. Methods: polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for identification of gene types of mice. Mice were continuously fed with the foods containing 0. 2% adenine for 12 weeks to establish the CKD⁃RIF models. Then , serum was collected to detect levels of creatinine and nitrogen when mice were killed. H&E staining was used to analyze the pathological changes of kidney tissues. Masson staining was used to observe the degree of renal fibrosis. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the changes of the interest proteins , such as IL⁃1β , MyD88 , activated NF⁃κB , TGF⁃ β1 , E ⁃cadherin and Vimentin. Results: Serum creatinines and urea nitrogens of mice fed with high adenine (CKD⁃RIF groups) significantly increased , compared with those of the control groups. H&E and Masson staining results showed that there were more infiltrated inflammatory cells and more critical collagen fiber deposition in the renal tissues of the Sigirr - / - mice with CKD⁃RIF. Western blot and Immunohistochemical analysis showed that the expression of IL⁃1β and its downstream MyD88 increased , and the level of phosphorylated NF⁃κB (p⁃P65) significantly increased in the renal tissues of CKD⁃RIF mice compared with the controls. And upregulation of these proteins in renal tissues of Sigirr - / - mice with CKD⁃RIF was more obvious than that of the CKD⁃RIF Sigirr + / + mice. TGF⁃ β1 , as a key cytokine involved in renal interstitial fibrosis , significantly increased ,followed by the increase of vimentin , as well as the decrease of E ⁃cadherin . The results of vimentin and cadherin E detected by Western blot were consistent with those of immunohistochemistry , and α ⁃SMA also increased significantly. Conclusion Adenine diet successfully induces CKD⁃RIF mice models. Sigirr deletion is beneficial to activation of the IL⁃1β mediating NF⁃κB signal pathway ,which promotes TGF⁃ β1 expression in the renal interstitiums to induce renal interstitial fibrosis.

Objective : To investigate lim domain protein 4 (LMO4) functions and mechanisms in regulating proliferation of skin squamous cells (A431) , the shRNAs targeted to human LMO4 were coated by calcium phosphate nanoparticles (NP) and transfected into A431 cells to inhibit LMO4 expression. Methods : Reverse transcription and quantitative polymerase chain reaction ( RT⁃qPCR) , immunohistochemistry analysis and Western blot were used to detect expression of the interest genes. The expression vectors with shRNA targeted to human LMO4 (NP/sh⁃L) were coated by the calcium phosphate nanoparticles , and transfected into A431 . The MTT assay was conducted to determine cell proliferation after transfected for 24 , 36 and 48 h. Cells were stained with propidium iodide and examined cell cycles by using flow cytometry. Results : LMO4 expressed at higher levels both in the skin squacalcium phosphate nanoparticles and DNA was 10 ∶ 1 . There was no significant difference of transfection efficiency between the NP/sh⁃L and lipofection approaches. The MTT assay showed that silencing LMO4 inhibited proliferadown did not alter expression of CDK4 and cyclin D1 . Conclusion The calcium phosphate nanoparticles could bind and transfer the foreign DNA into the targeted cells with high efficiency. Silencing LMO4 decreased expression of cyclin E and CDK2 resulted in inhibition of cell proliferation.