It has been popular and challenging to undertake researches on the delay of acquired resistance of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKI). As key cells for tumor initiation, cancer stem cells (CSC) play an important role in the process of resistance to EGFR-TKI. Although preliminary studies found that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) could inhibit CSC properties and delay EGFR-TKI resistance, the specific molecular mechanism remains unclear. By summarizing the empirical syndrome treatment of EGFR-TKI resistance via TCM and combining recent researches on TCM intervention in CSC to delay EGFR-TKI resistance, this review discussed the potential molecular pathways and mechanisms of deceleration in resistance to EGFR-TKI by TCM via inhibiting CSC characteristics, in order to expand the research ideas of TCM in combination with targeted therapy.
Humans ; Neoplastic Stem Cells/metabolism* ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/drug effects* ; ErbB Receptors/genetics* ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection represents a significant global health challenge. Current therapeutic options, such as interferon and nucleoside analogues (NAs), are limited by issues including long-term medication toxicity, the virus's propensity to develop drug resistance, and the inability to eradicate covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA). Core protein allosteric modulators (CpAMs), as an emerging class of anti-HBV drugs, target HBcAg to interfere with capsid assembly. This not only blocks viral nucleocapsid formation and inhibits viral replication but also indirectly destabilizes the cccDNA pool, while exhibiting a relatively high genetic barrier to resistance. This article systematically evaluates HBV drug resistance to CpAMs and proposes anti-resistance strategies, including the combination of nucleoside analogues with CpAMs, enhancing protein-drug interactions, targeting HBcAg degradation, designing multi-target inhibitors, and employing combination therapy. Looking ahead, the integration of structural biology, computational chemistry, and immunotherapy will offer innovative approaches for developing novel, highly effective, and low-resistance inhibitors, thereby advancing the functional cure of hepatitis B.

Objective To observe the effects of acute normovolemic hemodilution(ANH)on target-controlled infusion(TCI)of etomidate blood drug concentration and adrenal cortical function.Methods Sixty patients who undergo elective multisegmental spine surgery,35 males and 25 females,aged 30-60 years,BMI 20-25 kg/m2,ASA physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ,were divided into two groups using random number table method:ANH group and control group,30 patients in each group.Both groups used a target-controlled infusion of etomidate for anesthesia induction and anesthesia maintenance.In the ANH group,ANH was performed after steady anesthesia induction,ideal Hct 28％to 30％,and transfused within 1 hour after surgery;the control group was routinely treated.The dosage of etomidate was recorded.Liquid chroma-tography-tandem mass spectrometry(LC-MS/MS)was used to detect etomidate blood concentrations at the immediate postoperative,10,20,and 30 minutes postoperative periods in the two groups,and the immedi-ate moment autologous blood collected into the storage bag,preserved in the storage bag for 1 hour,and the immediate moment transfused back in the ANH group.Plasma concentrations of cortisol(Cor),adrenocorti-cotropic hormone(ACTH),and aldosterone(ALD)were measured by chemiluminescence immunoassay(CLIA)before the induction of anesthesia,immediately after the operation,and at 1 day and 2 days postop-eratively.Results There was no significant difference in the total dosage of etomidate between the two groups.Compared with the immediate postoperative period,the plasma etomidate concentration was signifi-cantly decreased 10,20,and 30 minutes after surgery(P<0.05).Compared with the control group,the concentration increased significantly 10 minutes after surgery in the ANH group(P<0.05).The plasma concentrations of etomidate were(547.8±119.4)ng/ml at the immediate moment autologous blood collected into the storage bag,(536.7±107.8)ng/ml at the preserved in the storage bag for 1 hour,and(522.8±91.7)ng/ml at theimmediatemoment transfusedbackinthe ANHgroup.Comparedwithbeforein-duction of anesthesia,the concentration of Cor and ALD immediately after the operation decreased signifi-cantly(P<0.05)and the concentration of ACTH was significantly higher(P<0.05).There were no sta-tistically significant differences in the concentrations of Cor,ALD,and ACTH between the two groups before induction of anesthesia 1 day and 2 days postoperatively.Conclusion In the orthopedic surgery of TCI eto-midate,return transfusion of collected autologous blood transiently(about 10 minutes)increases etomidate blood concentrations,the function of adrenal cortical will recover to the preoperative level within 24 hours after the operation.

Objective To study the significance of leptin and its receptor(OB-R) in the occurrence and development of pulmonary arterial hypertension(PAH) induced by monocrotaline(MCT).Methods Fifteen SD rats were divided into the control group(n=5) and two experimental groups(n=10).The experimental groups were intraperitoneally injected by MCT for constructing the PAH model and the control group was injected by the same dose of solvent groups.The venous blood was extracted at 2,4 weeks after MCT injection in the two experimental groups.The mean pulmonary artery pressure(mPAP) and right ventricular hypertrophy index(RVHI) were measured and then the lung tissue was removed.The pathological change of lung blood vessels was observed.The expression of serum leptin was detected by ELISA.The expression of OB-R in lung tissue was tested by Western blot.Results Compared with the control group,mPAP and RVHI in the experimental groups were significantly increased(P＜0.05);the expression levels of serum leptin and lung tissue OB-R were increased significantly(P＜0.05),moreover,which were positively correlated with mPAP(r=0.912,P＜0.05;r=0.861,P＜0.05).Conclusion Leptin and OB-R may play an important role in the occurrence and development of PAH induced by MCT.

Objective To analyze the characteristics of left ventricular systolic function in Kawasaki disease (KD) patients with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) resistant during acute phase by two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging (2D STI).Methods IVIG resistant patients (n=40) as well as age and gender matched IVIG responder patients (n=40) were selected from KD patients in acute phase.Patients in IVIG resistant group were further divided into coronary artery dilation (CAD) subgroup and no coronary artery dilation (NCAD) subgroup.Then conventional echocardiography,2D STI and laboratory indexes were acquired and compared between IVIG resistant group and IVIG responder group,as well as between CAD and NCAD subgroup.ROC curve analysis was used to determine threshold values of 2D STI measurements associated with IVIG resistance.Results Compared with IVIG responder group,coronary artery dilation,left ventricular mass and left ventricular mass index increased,systolic global longitudinal strain (GLS) and systolic global circumferential strain (GCS) decreased,albumin,erythrocyte sedimentation rate,C-reactive protein and platelet increased in IVIG resistant group (all P＜0.05).Taking absolute GLS 16.8％ as a threshold,the area under curve (AUC) was 0.769 (P=0.021),sensitivity,specificity in diagnosis of IVIG resistant was 79.27％,68.36％.Taking absolute GCS 15.9％ as a threshold,AUC was 0.749 (P=0.038),sensitivity,specificity in diagnosis of IVIG resistant was 71.43％,57.28％.Conclusion IVIG resistant KD patients present significantly greater systolic dysfunction compared with responders in patients with KD,which may be the results of myocardium infection other than coronary artery lesions.2D STI may predict myocardial injury in IVIG resistant KD patients.

Objective To evaluate the change of clinicopathological features and prognosis of papillary thyroid cancer over a 15-year period.Methods The clinicopathological features and outcomes of papillary thyroid cancer patients were analyzed in three groups according to the time of diagnosis:group Ⅰ (1997-2001),group Ⅱ (2002-2006),and group Ⅲ (2007-2011).Results As time advanced,the average age of papillary thyroid cancer patients increased,tumor stage,like size,extrathyroid invasion and lymph node metastasis decreased dramatically (P ＜ 0.01).The percentage of multifocality and bilaterality increased.The long-term follow up data (median follow up time was 6.6 years),indicated that the 15-year over all survival was 97.8％ and the 15-year disease-free survival was 90.2％.Tumor ≥3 cm,bilaterality,extrathyroid invasion,lymph node metastasis and AJCC stage were correlated with tumor recurrence.By multivariate COX-regression analysis only lymph node metastasis and bilaterality were independent risk factors.Conclusion The clinicopathological features of papillary thyroid cancer changed over 15 years,with the percentage of early-staged patients increased.Lymph node metastasis and bilaterality are two risk factors for tumor recurrence.

Myofibrillogenesis regulator-1 (MR-1) is a novel protein involved in cellular proliferation, migration, inflammatory reaction and signal transduction. However, little information is available on the relationship between MR-1 expression and the progression of atherosclerosis. Here we report atheroprotective effects of silencing MR-1 in a model of Ang II-accelerated atherosclerosis, characterized by suppression focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κB) signaling pathway, and atherosclerotic lesion macrophage content. In this model, administration of the siRNA-MR-1 substantially attenuated Ang II-accelerated atherosclerosis with stabilization of atherosclerotic plaques and inhibited FAK, Akt, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and NF-kB activation, which was associated with suppression of inflammatory factor and atherogenic gene expression in the artery. In vitro studies demonstrated similar changes in Ang II-treated vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and macrophages: siRNA-MR-1 inhibited the expression levels of proinflammatory factor. These studies uncover crucial proinflammatory mechanisms of Ang II and highlight actions of silencing MR-1 to inhibit Ang II signaling, which is atheroprotective.
Angiotensin II* ; Angiotensins* ; Animals ; Arteries ; Atherosclerosis* ; Cell Proliferation ; Focal Adhesion Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; Gene Expression ; In Vitro Techniques ; Macrophages ; Mice* ; Muscle Development ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; NF-kappa B ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Signal Transduction ; Sirolimus

Objective The inhibitor of differentiation 3 (Id3) is an important transcriptional regulation factor, which participates in tumorigenesis, cell proliferation, and cell apoptosis.β-catenin, as a central molecule of the Wnt signaling pathway, is critical for tumor development.This study aimed to evaluate the expressions of these two molecules and the regulatory effect of Id3 on β-catenin in different tumor cells.Methods Total RNA was extracted using the Trizol Reagent.The relative mRNA expression levels of Id3 and β-catenin in tumor cells were detected by quantitative real-timePCR(qRT-PCR).The recombinant eukaryotic expression vector pEGFP/Id3 with the human Id3 gene was transfected into A549, A549/ DDP and SW-480 cells using the non-liposome-mediated method.The protein expressions of Id3 and β-catenin were determined by Western blot.Results The expression of Id3 was significantly lower in the colorectal cancer cell lines SW-480 and HT-29 than in A549 and other tumor cells (P<0.05), but remarkably higher in nasopharyngeal carcinoma CNE and 5-8F cells than in other tumor cells (P<0.05).The expression of β-catenin was the highest in SW-480in comparison withother malignant tumor cells(P<0.05), and the second highest was in gastric cancer AGS and colorectal cancer HT-29 cell lines, but low in H446, A549, SPC-A-1, A549/DDP, and SK-MES-1 cell lines and extremely low or almost absent in CNE and 5-8F cells (P<0.05).After transfected with pEGFP/Id3, the cells showed a decreased volume, wrinkled membrane and absent refraction under the fluorescence microscope, which, however, were not observed in most of the cells transfected with the empty vector pEGFP.Compared with the control, the Id3/pEGFP group showed remarkably increased expressions of Id3 mRNA in the A549, A549/DDI, and SW-480 cells (1.24±0.12 vs 193.12±2.80, 1.09±0.11 vs 188.30±2.60, and 0.92±0.29 vs 19.08±0.59, P<0.01), and the expression of β-catenin was significantly down-regulated in the transfected SW-480 cells with an overexpression of Id3 (0.98±0.05 vs 0.32±0.03, P<0.01), but exhibited no statistically significant differences from those in the transfected A549 and A549/DDP cells (0.98±0.07 vs 1.04±0.08 and 0.98±0.05 vs 0.32±0.03, P>0.05).Western blot showed the same results.Conclusion The expression levels of Id3 and β-catenin vary in different tumor cell lines.Anabnormally high level of β-catenin is an important risk factor for colorectal cancer, and the down-regulatedexpression of β-catenin after eogenous transfection of Id3 may provide some new ideas for target gene therapies of colorectal cancer.

Objective Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a typical type Ⅲ hypersensitivity with a large number of immune complexes (IC) and complement deposits in the synovial tissue , but its specific pathogenesis is not yet clear.This article was to explore the expression of the antigenic profile of serum ICs in RA.Methods ICs were isolated from the serum of 55 patients with RA (41 cases of anti-CCP antibody [+] and 14 cases of anti-CCP antibody [-]), 41 with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and another 41 healthy controls by polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation, separated by immunoprecipitation, digested with trypsin in gel, and then subjected to mass spectrometry for identification.The levels of total proteins were compared among different groups using Vennny 2.1.0.The protein expression was considered to be up-regulated when the total protein level of the RA group was >2 times and down-regulated when it was <0.5 times that of the control.Further functional analysis was performed on the differential proteins in RA using the STRING software.Results Totally, 277 proteins were identified in the serum ICs of the RA patients, including 162 in the anti-CCP (+) and 248 in the anti-CCP (-) RA group.Compared with the SLE and healthy control groups, only 129 proteins were found in the RA patients, including 38 in the anti-CCP (+), 109 in the anti-CCP (-) RA group, and 18 in both the two groups.Among the proteins identified in the RA patients and healthy controls, 2 and 11 were up-regulated while 17 and 21 down-regulated in the anti-CCP (+) and anti-CCP (-) RA group, respectively.Conclusion More differentially expressed proteins were identified in the anti-CCP (-) than in the anti-CCP (+) RA patients.The identification of differentially expressed proteins provides a new idea and direction for the investigation of the pathogenesis and new biomarkers of RA.

Objective To scan protein expression profile of immune complexes (ICs) derived from the synovial tissue of the patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) based on liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS).Methods The samples of synovial fluid were obtained from knee joints of the patients with RA and osteoarthritis (OA) used as control during therapeutic arthrocentesis in knee jiont at the Department of Orthopedics of Jinling Hospital,School of Medicine,Nanjing University.The protein expression profile of ICs was identified by enrichment strategy based on immunoprecipitation and LC-MS analysis.The value of fraction of total (FOT) was used to estimate protein abundance and screen the up-and down-regulated proteins.The function enrichment,interaction network and signal pathway of differential proteins were analyzed using softwares David and String.Results A total of 511 and 526 protein spots in ICs of RA and OA patients were identified respectively.Among them,170 proteins existed only in RA group.45 and 85 proteins in RA group were statistically up-and down-expressed compared with controls.Conclusion HSP90AA1,HSP70,HLAG,Thioredoxin,Annexin A2 and vitronectin may be involved in the pathogenesis of RA through different paths and possible to become promising diagnostic indicators or new therapeutic targets for RA.