ObjectiveTo investigate whether the inhibitory effect of Panax quinquefolium saponins （PQS） on non-small cell lung cancer （NSCLC） is enhanced under graphene-mediated far-infrared therapy （GFIR）， and to analyze its relationships with mitochondrial dysfunction， mitochondrial DNA （mtDNA） leakage， and the activation of cyclic GMP-AMP synthase （cGAS）/stimulator of interferon genes （STING） signaling pathways. MethodsIn the cell experiments， the cell-counting kit 8 （CCK-8） was employed to assess the inhibitory effects of PQS alone or in combination with GFIR （PQS+GFIR） on A549 cell viability. The scratch assay and the colony formation assay were adopted to evaluate cell migration and colony formation capabilities， respectively. Flow cytometry was employed to assess apoptosis， mitochondrial membrane potential， and reactive oxygen species （ROS） levels. Immunofluorescence （IF） assay was performed to assess mitochondrial localization. Real-time polymerase China reaction（PCR） was used to detect mitochondrial DNA （mtDNA） leakage. A STING knockdown cell model was established by transfecting cells with small interfering RNA （siRNA）， and the knockdown efficiency was assessed by Real-time PCR and Western blot. The cell viability and apoptosis following gene knockdown were assessed through the CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry. In the animal experiments， an allogeneic xenograft mouse model was established with Lewis lung cancer cells. Mice were randomized into a control group， a model group， a cisplatin group， a low-dose PQS （PQS-Low， 90 mg·kg^-1） group， a high-dose PQS （PQS-High， 180 mg·kg^-1） group， a low-dose PQS combined with GFIR （PQS-Low+GFIR， 90 mg·kg^-1） group， and a high-dose PQS combined with GFIR （PQS-High+GFIR， 180 mg·kg^-1） group. Treatment lasted for 14 days， and the fluorescence intensity was monitored at the tumor site by small-animal in vivo imaging during the treatment period. Flow cytometry was utilized to determine the proportions of T-lymphocyte subsets， B-lymphocyte levels， and peripheral blood NK cell levels in the spleens of mice. Immunohistochemical （IHC） staining was performed to assess the infiltration of CD3⁺， CD4⁺， and CD8⁺ T-lymphocytes in the tumor tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was conducted to measure the levels of interferon-α （IFN-α）， interferon-β （IFN-β）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， and interleukin-6 （IL-6） in mouse tumors. The mRNA levels of cGAS， STING， TANK-binding kinase 1 （TBK1）， interferon regulatory factor 3 （IRF3）， interferon beta 1 （IFNB1）， and nuclear factor κB p65 （NF-κB p65） were determined by Real-time PCR. The protein levels of cGAS， STING， p-STING， TBK1， p-TBK1， IRF3， p-IRF3， NF-κB p65， and p-NF-κB p65 were quantified via Western blot. ResultsThe cell experiment results showed that compared with the control group， PQS inhibited the viability and migration of A549 cells， promoted apoptosis， affected mitochondrial localization， reduced mitochondrial membrane potential， increased the ROS level， and promoted mtDNA leakage. Following STING knockdown， the reductions in cell viability and the apoptosis-inducing effects caused by PQS were partially reversed （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the PQS group， the PQS+GFIR group showed inhibited A549 cell migration and colony formation， exacerbated apoptosis， downregulated mitochondrial membrane potential， elevated ROS levels， and promoted mtDNA leakage. After STING knockdown， the reduced A549 cell viability and abnormal apoptosis phenotype were further reversed （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The animal experiment results showed that compared with the control group， the model group mice exhibited reduced proportions of T-lymphocyte subsets， CD19⁺ B-lymphocyte levels， and peripheral blood NK1.1⁺ cell levels in the spleen （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the PQS group showed increased immune cell parameters in mice （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the PQS group， the PQS+GFIR group exhibited enhanced levels of the aforementioned indicators （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the PQS group showed significantly reduced fluorescence intensity in transplanted tumors， significantly upregulated expression of CD3 and CD4 in the tumor tissue， elevated levels of IFN-α and IL-6 in tumors， and upregulated mRNA levels of cGAS， STING， TBK1， IRF3， IFNB1， and NF-κB p65 as well as upregulated protein level of cGAS and phosphorylation level of STING in tumors （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the PQS group， the PQS+GFIR group demonstrated further reduced tumor fluorescence intensity， elevated levels of CD3， CD4， and CD8 as well as cytokine levels in tumor tissue， and upregulated mRNA levels of genes related to the cGAS/STING pathway as well as upregulated protein level of cGAS and phosphorylation levels of STING， TBK1， IRF3， and NF-κB p65 （P<0.05， P<0.01） ConclusionGFIR enhances the inhibitory effect of PQS on NSCLC， potentially through mitochondrial dysfunction， mtDNA leakage， and activation of the cGAS/STING signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo investigate whether the inhibitory effect of Panax quinquefolium saponins （PQS） on non-small cell lung cancer （NSCLC） is enhanced under graphene-mediated far-infrared therapy （GFIR）， and to analyze its relationships with mitochondrial dysfunction， mitochondrial DNA （mtDNA） leakage， and the activation of cyclic GMP-AMP synthase （cGAS）/stimulator of interferon genes （STING） signaling pathways. MethodsIn the cell experiments， the cell-counting kit 8 （CCK-8） was employed to assess the inhibitory effects of PQS alone or in combination with GFIR （PQS+GFIR） on A549 cell viability. The scratch assay and the colony formation assay were adopted to evaluate cell migration and colony formation capabilities， respectively. Flow cytometry was employed to assess apoptosis， mitochondrial membrane potential， and reactive oxygen species （ROS） levels. Immunofluorescence （IF） assay was performed to assess mitochondrial localization. Real-time polymerase China reaction（PCR） was used to detect mitochondrial DNA （mtDNA） leakage. A STING knockdown cell model was established by transfecting cells with small interfering RNA （siRNA）， and the knockdown efficiency was assessed by Real-time PCR and Western blot. The cell viability and apoptosis following gene knockdown were assessed through the CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry. In the animal experiments， an allogeneic xenograft mouse model was established with Lewis lung cancer cells. Mice were randomized into a control group， a model group， a cisplatin group， a low-dose PQS （PQS-Low， 90 mg·kg^-1） group， a high-dose PQS （PQS-High， 180 mg·kg^-1） group， a low-dose PQS combined with GFIR （PQS-Low+GFIR， 90 mg·kg^-1） group， and a high-dose PQS combined with GFIR （PQS-High+GFIR， 180 mg·kg^-1） group. Treatment lasted for 14 days， and the fluorescence intensity was monitored at the tumor site by small-animal in vivo imaging during the treatment period. Flow cytometry was utilized to determine the proportions of T-lymphocyte subsets， B-lymphocyte levels， and peripheral blood NK cell levels in the spleens of mice. Immunohistochemical （IHC） staining was performed to assess the infiltration of CD3⁺， CD4⁺， and CD8⁺ T-lymphocytes in the tumor tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was conducted to measure the levels of interferon-α （IFN-α）， interferon-β （IFN-β）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， and interleukin-6 （IL-6） in mouse tumors. The mRNA levels of cGAS， STING， TANK-binding kinase 1 （TBK1）， interferon regulatory factor 3 （IRF3）， interferon beta 1 （IFNB1）， and nuclear factor κB p65 （NF-κB p65） were determined by Real-time PCR. The protein levels of cGAS， STING， p-STING， TBK1， p-TBK1， IRF3， p-IRF3， NF-κB p65， and p-NF-κB p65 were quantified via Western blot. ResultsThe cell experiment results showed that compared with the control group， PQS inhibited the viability and migration of A549 cells， promoted apoptosis， affected mitochondrial localization， reduced mitochondrial membrane potential， increased the ROS level， and promoted mtDNA leakage. Following STING knockdown， the reductions in cell viability and the apoptosis-inducing effects caused by PQS were partially reversed （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the PQS group， the PQS+GFIR group showed inhibited A549 cell migration and colony formation， exacerbated apoptosis， downregulated mitochondrial membrane potential， elevated ROS levels， and promoted mtDNA leakage. After STING knockdown， the reduced A549 cell viability and abnormal apoptosis phenotype were further reversed （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The animal experiment results showed that compared with the control group， the model group mice exhibited reduced proportions of T-lymphocyte subsets， CD19⁺ B-lymphocyte levels， and peripheral blood NK1.1⁺ cell levels in the spleen （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the PQS group showed increased immune cell parameters in mice （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the PQS group， the PQS+GFIR group exhibited enhanced levels of the aforementioned indicators （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the PQS group showed significantly reduced fluorescence intensity in transplanted tumors， significantly upregulated expression of CD3 and CD4 in the tumor tissue， elevated levels of IFN-α and IL-6 in tumors， and upregulated mRNA levels of cGAS， STING， TBK1， IRF3， IFNB1， and NF-κB p65 as well as upregulated protein level of cGAS and phosphorylation level of STING in tumors （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the PQS group， the PQS+GFIR group demonstrated further reduced tumor fluorescence intensity， elevated levels of CD3， CD4， and CD8 as well as cytokine levels in tumor tissue， and upregulated mRNA levels of genes related to the cGAS/STING pathway as well as upregulated protein level of cGAS and phosphorylation levels of STING， TBK1， IRF3， and NF-κB p65 （P<0.05， P<0.01） ConclusionGFIR enhances the inhibitory effect of PQS on NSCLC， potentially through mitochondrial dysfunction， mtDNA leakage， and activation of the cGAS/STING signaling pathway.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2022.05.019.].

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers are a leading cause of cancer morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite advances in treatment, cancer relapse remains a significant challenge, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies. In this study, we engineered nanobody-based chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) natural killer (NK) cells targeting cadherin 17 (CDH17) for the treatment of GI tumors. In addition, to enhance the efficacy of CAR-NK cells, we also incorporated CV1, a CD47-SIRPα axis inhibitor, to evaluate the anti-tumor effect of this combination. We found that CDH17-CAR-NK cells effectively eliminated GI cancers cells in a CDH17-dependent manner. CDH17-CAR-NK cells also exhibit potent in vivo anti-tumor effects in cancer cell-derived xenograft and patient-derived xenograft mouse models. Additionally, the anti-tumor activity of CDH17-CAR-NK cells is synergistically enhanced by CD47-signal regulatory protein α (SIRPα) axis inhibitor CV1, likely through augmented macrophages activation and an increase in M1-phenotype macrophages in the tumor microenvironment. Collectively, our findings suggest that CDH17-targeting CAR-NK cells are a promising strategy for GI cancers. The combination of CDH17-CAR-NK cells with CV1 emerges as a potential combinatorial approach to overcome the limitations of CAR-NK therapy. Further investigations are warranted to speed up the clinical translation of these findings.

Gout in modern medicine is often attributed to "Li Jie Disease （历节病）"， "Bai Hu Wind" （白虎风）， and "Bi （痹） Syndrome" categories in traditional Chinese medicine， mainly because its joint pain often presents as wandering attacks， and the clinical symptoms are similar to those caused by wind. However， the essence of gout is actually dietary disorders caused by internal injuries， so it should not be classified as Bi （痹） syndrome due to wind， cold， dampness. Focusing on the theory of "gout is not Bi syndrome" proposed by TONG Xiaolin， combining ancient and modern medical literature and modern clinical research， this article analyzes the underlying etiology of gout， which originates from dietary irregularities and accumulation of turbid toxins， as well as the disease mechanism of "toxicity hurts joints and accumulation of toxins impairs the kidneys"， in order to clarify the essential difference between gout and impediment syndrome. Using the theory of "state-targeted diagnosis and treatment"， gout is classified into two categories： dampness-heat and deficiency-cold， and the treatment strategy of lowering the turbid toxin， facilitating the joints， and preserving the kidneys was proposed in order to guide the clinical practice.

Objective:To investigate the application of Galectin-9 and Pentraxin3 in cardiotoxicity assessment during anthracycline chemotherapy in breast cancer patients.Methods:A total of 143 breast cancer patients who received anthracycline chemotherapy in Department of Breast, Shanxi Provincial People’s Hospital from Oct. 2021 to Oct. 2023 were separated into cardiotoxic group ( n=47) and non-cardiotoxic group ( n=96) according to whether cardiotoxicity occurred. Clinical data of patients were collected and the risk factors of cardiotoxicity were analyzed by univariate and multivariate Logistic regression. The predictive efficacy of serum Galectin-9 and Pentraxin3 levels on cardiotoxicity was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) . Results:There was no statistically significant difference in age, body mass index, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein, high density lipoprotein, smoking history, drinking history, underlying disease (hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia) , tumor stage, pathological type, tumor size, anthracycline type, or dose between the two groups ( t=1.07, 1.22, 0.96, 0.43, 1.07, 0.50; χ 2=0.12, 1.20, 0.14, 0.01, 0.47, 0.14, 3.32, 3.83, 1.91, 3.18, P > 0.05) ; The levels of troponin and B-type brain natriuretic peptide in cardiotoxicity group were higher than those in non-cardiotoxicity group ( t=13.48, 10.28, P < 0.05) , and serum Galectin-9 and Pentraxin3 levels were also higher ( t=22.53, 17.92, P < 0.05) . Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that high levels of troponin, B-type brain natriuretic peptide, Galectin-9 and Pentraxin3 were all influential factors in the occurrence of cardiotoxicity ( OR=2.221, 2.050, 1.925, 1.976, P < 0.05) . ROC curve analysis showed that the area under curve of serum Galectin-9 for predicting cardiotoxicity was 0.722, the predictive sensitivity was 68.09%, and the specificity was 77.08%; The area under the curve of miR-135 for predicting cardiotoxicity was 0.636, the predictive sensitivity was 44.68%, and the specificity was 82.29%. Conclusion:Serum Galectin-9 and Pentraxin3 have high expression levels in breast cancer patients treated with anthracyclines, which are influential factors for the occurrence of cardiotoxicity after chemotherapy, and have high predictive value for the occurrence of cardiotoxicity in patients.

Objective:To explore the application effect of Total Life Cycle Management(TLCM)in managing maintenance cost of ultrasound imaging equipment.Methods:Thirty ultrasound imaging equipment of the China-Japan Friendship Hospital from June 2021 to July 2023 were selected.From June 2021 to June 2022,a conventional maintenance mode was adopted to manage these equipment,and TLCM was implemented to manage them from July 2022 to July 2023.The qualified rate and failure frequency of the ultrasound imaging equipment,the satisfaction scores of medical staffs in using equipment,and the costs of operation and maintenance were compared between different management modes.Results:Under TLCM mode,the qualified rate was 93.33%,which was significantly higher than 73.33% under conventional maintenance mode,and the difference was significant(x2=4.320,P＜0.05). Under TLCM mode,the boot-up time of ultrasound imaging equipment was shorter than that under the conventional maintenance mode,and the difference was significant (t=7.146,P＜0.05). Under TLCM mode,the failure rate of long-term use of equipment was lower than that under conventional maintenance,and the difference was significant (x2=4.443,P＜0.05). The satisfaction scores of medical staffs for the performance,efficiency,and cleanliness of equipment under TLCM mode were higher than those under conventional maintenance mode,and the differences of them between two modes were significant (t=3.955,5.872,6.368,8.214,P＜0.05). Under TLCM mode,both maintenance costs and operational expenses were lower than those under conventional maintenance,and the differences of them between two modes were significant (t=41.353,16.743,P＜0.05). Conclusion:TLCM can effectively enhance operationally qualified rate of equipment,and reduce maintenance costs and failure rate of equipment in long-term use,and improves the satisfaction of medical staff.

Objective:To identify factors influencing treatment-free remission (TFR) outcomes in children and adolescent patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) after imatinib (IM) discontinuation.Methods:This multicenter retrospective study analyzed 36 children and adolescent patients with CML from eight hematology centers in China (December 1, 2016, to September 27, 2024) who discontinued IM therapy with documented post-cessation outcomes. Clinical characteristics and molecular response dynamics were assessed. Univariate analysis and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models were employed to assess factors associated with TFR outcomes.Results:A total of 36 patients were documented, comprising 17 males and 19 females. The median ages at CML diagnosis and IM discontinuation were 11 years ( IQR: 5,16) and 20 years ( IQR: 14,25), respectively. The median time from IM initiation to first deep molecular response (DMR) was 21 months ( IQR: 13, 38). Pre-discontinuation, patients received IM for a median duration of 96 months ( IQR: 84, 121) and maintained DMR for 74 months ( IQR: 63, 89). With a median post-discontinuation follow-up of 38 months ( IQR: 15, 68), cumulative TFR rates at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months were 74.1%, 60.7%, 60.7%, and 56.0%, respectively, generating an overall TFR rate of 58.3%. Fifteen patients lost major molecular response at a median of 5 months post-discontinuation ( IQR: 3, 11). All 15 patients resumed tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy, comprising 13 who restarted IM and 2 who switched to dasatinib. By the last follow-up, 13 (86.7% ) patients regained DMR after a median treatment duration of 5 months ( IQR: 3, 17), and no disease progression occurred in any patient. Withdrawal syndrome occurred in 2 (5.6% ) patients. Univariate analysis revealed significantly higher TFR rates in patients with pre-discontinuation IM duration of ≥100 months vs <100 months (82.4% vs 36.8%, P=0.017) and pre-discontinuation DMR duration of ≥72 months vs <72 months (84.2% vs 29.4%, P=0.003). Multivariate Cox analysis identified pre-discontinuation DMR duration as an independent protective factor for TFR ( HR=5.419, 95% CI: 1.524–19.272, P=0.009) . Conclusion:DMR duration was identified as an independent protective factor influencing TFR outcomes in children and adolescent patients with CML after IM discontinuation. Patients who maintained DMR for ≥72 months before IM discontinuation demonstrated a significantly higher TFR rate.

Objective:To investigate the effects of sampling methods on pathological assessment of resected non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) specimen with tumor maximum diameter >3 cm after neoadjuvant therapy.Methods:NSCLC patients with a large tumor (diameter >3 cm) that were resected after neoadjuvant therapy from June 2020 to July 2023 were retrospectively collected in the Department of Pathology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Shanghai, China. Sampling methods of the tumor bed were performed in accordance with the international and Chinese experts recommendations for resection specimens following neoadjuvant therapy (recommended sampling method, RSM), and all remaining tumor bed lesions were completely sampled after recommended sampling (complete sampling method, CSM). The difference of pathological response assessment of residual viable tumor (RVT) between RSM and CSM was examined.Results:A total of 90 cases were identified and analyzed, including 39 cases of squamous cell carcinoma and 51 cases of adenocarcinoma, treated with neoadjuvant therapy including chemotherapy in 22 cases (24.4%), targeted therapy in 14 cases (15.6%), and chemoimmunotherapy in 54 cases (60.0%). There were 62 males and 28 females with an average age of (62.7±17.9) years. The average tumor maximum diameter was 4.3 cm (range, 3.1-8.0 cm). The average number of sampled blocks was 8 blocks (range, 5 to 16) and 15 blocks (range, 8 to 36) per case by RSM and CSM, respectively. According to the definition of major pathological response (MPR) in which RVT is ≤10%, the numbers of patients with MPR were 34 cases by RSM and 30 cases by CSM, respectively. Four cases showed inconsistent RVT between the two methods, including one case of squamous cell carcinoma and three cases of adenocarcinoma. The RVT of the four inconsistent cases was 7%, 7%, 5% and 9% (MPR by RSM), and 15%, 15%, 15% and 20% (non-MPR by CSM), respectively. The kappa values of MPR consistency evaluated by the two sampling methods were 0.893 for all cases, 0.906 for squamous cell carcinoma cases and 0.751 for adenocarcinoma cases. According to MPR cut-off of 65% for invasive primary adenocarcinoma, 24 cases and 20 cases achieved MPR by RSM and CSM, respectively. Of the four inconsistent cases, the RVT by RSM was 60% in three cases and 65% in one case (MPR), whereas the RVT by CSM was 70% in three cases and 75% in one case (non-MPR). The kappa value of the two sampling methods was 0.741.Conclusions:There is high consistency between RSM and CSM in the pathological assessment of post-treatment responses in resected NSCLC specimens with tumor maximum diameter larger than 3 cm. When the percentage of RVT cells is close to MPR, re-evaluation of the specimen is required and CSM may be necessary to accurately evaluate the degree of pathological remission, assist in clinical postoperative treatment, and predict patient prognosis.

Purpose To investigate the expression of POLR2M in colorectal cancer(CRC)and its effects on cell growth,apoptosis and invasion.Methods GEPIA2.0,TCGA and Kaplan-Meier Plotter databases were used to ana-lyze the differential expression of POLR2M in CRC tissues and normal adjacent tissues,and to evaluate its prognostic significance using the Log-rank test.Quantitative real-time PCR(qRT-PCR)was used to detect the expression of POLR2M in human colorectal cancer cell lines SW480,HCT-8,RKO,LOVO,DLD-1,HCT-116,SW620 and human normal colorectal cell line FHC.DLD-1 and RKO cells were stably transfected with lentivirus,and the POLR2M groups were up-regulated into the control group(LV-NC)and experimental group(LV-POLR2M),and the transient transfec-tion of SW620 and SW480 cells with interfering fragments of SiRNA was used to down-regulate the POLR2M groups into the control group(Si-NC)and experimental group(Si-POLR2M),and the transfection efficiency of each group was verified.CCK-8,plate cloning,Transwell and scratch healing assays were used to detect cell proliferation,invasion and migration.Flow cytometry was used to detect the effects of POLR2M on cell cycle and apoptosis.Results GE-PIA2.0,TCGA and Kaplan-Meier Plotter database analysis showed that the expression of POLR2M in colorectal cancer was significantly higher than in normal adjacent tissues(P＜0.05),and the expression of POLR2M was closely associ-ated with the histological type of colorectal cancer and lymph node metastasis(P＜0.05),but not with the age,gen-der,tumor grade and vascular invasion of patients(P＞0.05).The prognosis of patients with POLR2M overexpression was poor(P＜0.05).The results of qRT-PCR showed that compared with FHC cells,the mRNA expression of POLR2M in SW480,HCT-8,RKO,LOVO,DLD-1,HCT-116 and SW620 cell lines was increased(F=97.7,P＜0.05),and POLR2M stable overexpression and interference cell lines were successfully constructed.Compared with the LV-NC group,the viability,colony number,number of cells passing through the chamber and cell mobility of DLD-1 and RKO cells in the LV-POLR2M group were significantly increased(P＜0.05).Compared with the Si-NC group,the viability,colony number,number of cells passing through the chamber,and cell mobility of SW620 and SW480 cells in the Si-POLR2M group were significantly decreased(P＜0.05).Downregulation of POLR2M induced cell cycle arrest in G1 phase and promotes apoptosis(P＜0.05).Conclusion POLR2M may play a role as a pro-tumor gene in CRC,and its high expression can significantly promote the proliferation and invasion of CRC cells.