Osteoporosis is a prevalent skeletal condition characterized by reduced bone mass and strength, leading to increased fragility. Buqi-Tongluo (BQTL) decoction, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescription, has yet to be fully evaluated for its potential in treating bone diseases such as osteoporosis. To investigate the mechanism by which BQTL decoction inhibits osteoclast differentiation in vitro and validate these findings through in vivo experiments. We employed MTS assays to assess the potential proliferative or toxic effects of BQTL on bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) at various concentrations. TRAcP experiments were conducted to examine BQTL's impact on osteoclast differentiation. RT-PCR and Western blot analyses were utilized to evaluate the relative expression levels of osteoclast-specific genes and proteins under BQTL stimulation. Finally, in vivo experiments were performed using an osteoporosis model to further validate the in vitro findings. This study revealed that BQTL suppressed receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis and osteoclast resorption activity in vitro in a dose-dependent manner without observable cytotoxicity. The inhibitory effects of BQTL on osteoclast formation and function were attributed to the downregulation of NFATc1 and c-fos activity, primarily through attenuation of the MAPK, NF-κB, and Calcineurin signaling pathways. BQTL's inhibitory capacity was further examined in vivo using an ovariectomized (OVX) rat model, demonstrating a strong protective effect against bone loss. BQTL may serve as an effective therapeutic TCM for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis and the alleviation of bone loss induced by estrogen deficiency and related conditions.
Animals ; NFATC Transcription Factors/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Ovariectomy ; Osteoclasts/metabolism* ; Female ; Osteogenesis/drug effects* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; NF-kappa B/genetics* ; Osteoporosis/genetics* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Bone Resorption/genetics* ; Cell Differentiation/drug effects* ; Humans ; RANK Ligand/metabolism* ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/genetics* ; Transcription Factors

Objective:To investigate the clinicopathologic features of sarcomatoid carcinoma of the pancreas.Methods:The clinicopathological data of 7 cases with sarcomatoid carcinoma of the pancreas admitted in the Affiliated Lihuili Hospital of Ningbo University from September 2013 to August 2021 were retrospectively analyzed, including clinical manifestations, laboratory examination, imaging examination, pathological examination of tissue specimens, surgical methods and adjuvant treatments. Expressions of mesenchymal markers and epithelial markers in tumor tissues were determined by immunohistochemical staining.Results:Among the 7 cases of sarcomatoid carcinoma of the pancreas, there were 4 male and 3 female. The patient age ranged from 51 to 88 years old, and the mean age was 69 years old. All the patients underwent CT examimation before surgery. 3 tumors were located in the head, 3 in the body and 1 in the tail of the pancreas. CT examination also showed that 4 tumors were cystic solid and 3 were cystic. Six patients underwent radical surgery and one underwent partial resection for biopsy. Microscopically, the tumor was predominantly composed of sarcomatoid spindle-shaped cells. Immunohistochemical staining showed that the tumor expressed both mesenchymal markers vimentin and epithelial marker CK7, CK19, CK(pan) and CAM5.2. The overall prognosis of the patients was poor, 4 cases died within 1 year after surgery, and the other 3 cases survived without recurrence.Conclusions:The clinical manifestations of sarcomatoid carcinoma of the pancreas were not typical, but the pathological and immunohistochemical features are obvious and the prognosis is poor.

Objective:To study the clinicopathological features, immunohistochemical phenotypes, molecular changes, differential diagnosis and prognosis of isolated intraductal carcinoma of the prostate (iIDC-P).Methods:Three iIDC-P cases were collected retrospectively from 2016 to 2022 at Ningbo Clinical Pathology Diagnosis Center, Ningbo, China. The clinicopathologic features and immunophenotypic profiles were studied using light microscopy and immunohistochemistry. A targeted next-generation sequencing panel was used to analyze cancer-associated mutations. Follow-up and literature review were also performed.Results:The patients′ ages were 61, 67 and 77 years, and their preoperative prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels were 7.99, 7.99 and 4.86 μg/L, respectively. Case 1 and 2 were diagnosed on needle biopsy and radical prostatectomy (RP) specimens, and case 3 was diagnosed on a specimen of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). The RP specimen was entirely submitted for histologic examination. In the case 1, iIDC-P was found in one tissue core (involving two ducts) in the biopsy specimen, and in 6 sections (diameter, 0.3-1.1 cm) from the radical prostatectomy specimen, and one section had separate foci of low-grade acinar adenocarcinoma (diameter, 0.05 cm). In the case 2, 6 tissue sections from the biopsy specimens showed iIDC-P, and 13 sections from RP specimen showed iIDC-P (diameter, 0.5-1.6 cm), and the other 3 sections had separate low grade acinar adenocarcinoma (diameter, 0.6 cm). In the case 3, 5 tissue blocks from the TURP specimen showed iIDC-P. The case 1 and 2 showed solid architecture with expansile proliferation of neoplastic cells in native ducts and acini. The case 3 showed dense or loose cribriform pattern, with marked cytological atypia, and frequent mitotic figures. Comedonecrosis was found in solid or dense cribriform glands in the case 2. Immunohistochemically, surrounding basal cells were highlighted using high-molecular-weight cytokeratin (34βE12 and CK5/6) and p63, while P504s was positive in the tumor cells. The tumor cells were also positive for AR and prostate markers (NKX3.1, PSA and PSAP), and negative for GATA3. The iIDC-P and acinar adenocarcinoma both showed weak PTEN expression and no ERG (nuclear) expression. In case 2 and 3, targeted sequencing revealed activated oncogenic driver mutations in MAPK and PI3K pathway genes (KRAS, MTOR and PTEN). In addition, pathogenic mutation in TP53 and FOXA1 mutation were found in the case 2 and 3, respectively. No case demonstrated TMPRSS2::ERG translocation. All cases were microsatellite stable and had lower tumor mutation burdens (range, 2.1-3.1 muts/Mb). The patients showed no biochemical recurrence or metastasis after follow-up of 16-91 months.Conclusions:iIDC-P is a special type of intraductal carcinoma of the prostate and differs from intraductal carcinoma within high-grade prostate cancer. iIDC-P has unique molecular characteristics and may represent as a molecularly unique in situ tumor of prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect and mechanism of Panax notoginseng saponins （PNS） on wound healing after anal fistula surgery in rats by regulating the hypoxia-inducible factor-1α （HIF-1α）/vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF）/ vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 （VEGFR2） signaling pathway. METHODS SD rats were selected to establish a postoperative rat model of anal fistula by infecting wound with Escherichia coli. The model rats were randomly grouped into model group， PNS low-dose and high-dose groups （15， 30 mg/cm2）， high-dose of PNS+2-methoxyestradiol （2ME2） group （PNS 30 mg/cm2+HIF-1α inhibitor 2ME2 4 mg/kg）， with 10 rats in each group. Another 10 normal rats were selected for back hair removal treatment as the control group. Each drug group was injected with the corresponding drug solution intramuscularly or （and） intraperitoneally， once a day， for 3 weeks. After the last administration， the wound healing rate （excluding the control group）， microvascular density （MVD）， the expression of collagen Ⅰ and fibronectin （FN） in the wound tissue were detected in each group； the levels of angiogenic factors [VEGF， E-mail：842710813@qq.com angiopoietin-Ⅰ （Ang-Ⅰ）， Ang-Ⅱ] in serum， the levels of inflammatory factors [interleukin-6 （IL-6） and IL-2] in serum binggui7183@163.com and wound tissue as well as the expressions of the related proteins of HIF-1α/VEGF/VEGFR2 signaling pathway in the wound tissue of rats were also detected in each group. RESULTS The MVD， the expression of collagen Ⅰ and FN in the wound tissue， and the levels of IL-6 and IL-2 in serum and wound tissue of rats increased significantly in the model group， compared to the control group （P＜0.05）， while the serum levels of VEGF， Ang- Ⅰ and Ang-Ⅱ decreased significantly （P＜0.05）. The wound healing rate， the MVD in wound tissue， the serum levels of VEGF， Ang-Ⅰ and Ang-Ⅱ， the expressions of collagen Ⅰ and FN in the wound tissue， and protein expressions of HIF-1α， VEGF and VEGFR2 in the PNS low-dose and high-dose groups increased significantly， compared to the model group （P＜0.05）， while the levels of IL-6 and IL-2 in serum and wound tissue decreased significantly （P＜0.05）； the high-dose PNS had a stronger effect （P＜ 0.05）. 2ME2 could weaken the effect of PNS on above indicators of rats after anal fistula surgery （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS PNS can promote the production of angiogenic factors and inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory factors， thereby promoting wound healing in rats after anal fistula surgery. The above effects are related to the activation of HIF-1α/VEGF/VEGFR2 signaling pathway.

In recent years， data mining algorithms have been widely employed in scientific research within the field of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）. The data mining algorithms are used to effectively handle and analyze the complex data in TCM formulas， providing a rational explanation for the mechanism of action. This method has proven particularly useful in uncovering patterns of compatibility and frequent combinations of herbs in TCM， thereby enhancing the reliability and accuracy of clinical diagnosis， target screening， and the study of new drugs. This paper reviews and analyzes 147 papers on TCM formula research that utilize data mining algorithms. The results indicate that data mining algorithms play a unique advantage in six sub- areas， including the study on the mechanism of action in TCM formula， the dose-efficacy of TCM formulas， the identification of core drugs pairs/groups， mining the relationships among “formulas-drug-symptom”， the discovery of new formulas， and mining the compatibility law. Notably， association rules and clustering algorithms are the most representative.

OBJECTIVE To explore the effects of pterostilbene （PTE） on wound healing in diabetic skin ulcer model rats and its mechanism. METHODS Ten SD rats were grouped into control group； after diabetic skin ulcer model of other rats was induced by giving high-fat and high-sugar diet+intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin+cutting off the skin and subcutaneous tissue in the marked area of the back， model rats were randomly divided into model group， PTE low-dose group （40 mg/kg）， PTE high-dose group （80 mg/kg）， PTE high-dose+PP2 group （80 mg/kg PTE+2 mg/kg SRC inhibitor PP2）， with 10 rats in each group. On the second day after modeling， the rats in each drug group were intraperitoneally injected with corresponding drug solutions， while the rats in control group and model group were intraperitoneally injected with normal saline， once a day， for 14 consecutive days. The wound healing rate of rats in each group was measured on the 7th and 14th day of administration； the contents of interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， IL-6， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） and vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） in the serum of rats were detected； the pathological changes of wound granulation tissue were observed， and the expressions of SRC/mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase （MEK）/extracellular signal-regulated kinase （ERK） signaling pathway-related proteins in wound granulation tissue were detected. RESULTS Compared with control group， the wound healing rate， serum content of VEGF， the phosphorylation levels of SRC， MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 were decreased significantly （P＜0.05）， while serum contents of IL- 1β， IL-6 and TNF-α were increased significantly （P＜0.05）； there was obvious infiltration of inflammatory cells in the wound granulation tissue， and the number of new blood vessels decreased. Compared with model group， above indexes of PTE low-dose and high-dose groups were improved significantly （P＜0.05）， and the pathological injury of granulation tissue in wound was improved. PP2 significantly reversed the improvement effects of PTE on the above indexes （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS PTE can promote the wound healing of diabetic skin ulcer model rats， the mechanism of which may be related to activating SRC/MEK/ERK signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the application of surgical strategies for the treatment of cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) involving the C ₂ segment. METHODS: The literature about the surgery for cervical OPLL involving C ₂ segment was reviewed, and the indications, advantages, and disadvantages of surgery were summarized. RESULTS: For cervical OPLL involving the C ₂ segments, laminectomy is suitable for patients with OPLL involving multiple segments, often combined with screw fixation, and has the advantages of adequate decompression and restoration of cervical curvature, with the disadvantages of loss of cervical fixed segmental mobility. Canal-expansive laminoplasty is suitable for patients with positive K-line and has the advantages of simple operation and preservation of cervical segmental mobility, and the disadvantages include progression of ossification, axial symptoms, and fracture of the portal axis. Dome-like laminoplasty is suitable for patients without kyphosis/cervical instability and with negative R-line, and can reduce the occurrence of axial symptoms, with the disadvantage of limited decompression. The Shelter technique is suitable for patients with single/double segments and canal encroachment >50% and allows for direct decompression, but is technically demanding and involves risk of dural tear and nerve injury. Double-dome laminoplasty is suitable for patients without kyphosis/cervical instability. Its advantages are the reduction of damage to the cervical semispinal muscles and attachment points and maintenance of cervical curvature, but there is progress in postoperative ossification. CONCLUSION OPLL involving the C ₂ segment is a complex subtype of cervical OPLL, which is mainly treated through posterior surgery. However, the degree of spinal cord floatation is limited, and with the progress of ossification, the long-term effectiveness is poor. More research is needed to address the etiology of OPLL and to establish a systematic treatment strategy for cervical OPLL involving the C ₂ segment.
Humans ; Longitudinal Ligaments/surgery* ; Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome ; Osteogenesis ; Decompression, Surgical/methods* ; Cervical Vertebrae/surgery* ; Laminoplasty/methods* ; Kyphosis/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies

Ventilator related events is a new concept proposed by the America Center for Disease Control and Prevention of the United States. Compared with ventilator-associated pneumonia, ventilator related events has objectivity in diagnosis. In 2013, the National Health Safety Network replaced ventilator-associated pneumonia monitoring in adult inpatients with ventilator-associated event monitoring. This review mainly introduces the concept of ventilator-related events, the evaluation of the relationship between ventilator-related events and respiratory pneumonia, the monitoring situation at home and abroad, and the related factors of ventilator-related events, so as to lay a foundation for the further study in the future.

0bjective To investigate the clinicopathological features,immunohistochemical phenotypes, molecular genetic alterations,diagnosis and differential diagnosis of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) of the urinary bladder. Methods:Ten cases of IMT of the urinary bladder (three cases at Ningbo Diagnostic Pathology Center from September 2011 to December 2020, five in-house diagnosed cases and two consultation cases at Shanghai Rui Jin Hospital from June 2011 to December 2020) were collected retrospectively. The clinicopathologic features and immunophenotypic profiles were studied by light microscopy and immunohistochemistry (EnVision method). The translocation of ALK gene was detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH).Results:Of the 10 patients, eight were male and two were female. The patients′ age range was 16 to 62 years (median 36 years).The main clinical presentation was hematuria and urinary irritation. Three cases were located at the dome of the urinary bladder, four cases were in the left lateral wall and the remaining three cases were in the right lateral wall. The tumor size ranged from 1.5 cm to 8.5 cm. In eight cases, the tumors were mainly submucosal, and in some cases extending to the muscular layer of the urinary bladder. In two cases, the tumors were mainly located in the muscular layer and focally extended to the submucosa and adventitia. Histologically, four cases had the nodular fasciitis-like pattern, three cases had fibrohistiocytoma-like pattern, two cases had mixed histologic patterns and the remaining case showed leiomyosarcoma-like histologic features. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells expressed SMA (10/10),calponin (9/10),desmin (6/10) and CKpan (9/10). Cytoplasmic staining for ALK1 and ALK (5A4) was detected in 7 of 10 cases and 8 of 10 cases, respectively. Nuclear and cytoplasmic staining for ALK (D5F3) was detected in 7 of 10 cases. Among eight cases with material available for FISH analysis, ALK rearrangement was present in five cases. Follow-up data were available in eight patients and none had local recurrence nor distant metastasis.Conclusion:IMT of the urinary bladder is an uncommon mesenchymal neoplasm with intermediate malignant potential.It has special clinicopathologic features, and a minority of cases have local tumor recurrence.

To study the inhibitory effect of celastrol respectively combined with glycyrrhetic acid, paclitaxel, and rhein on the proliferation of human hepatoma cell line HepG2. The MTT method was used to detect the survival rate of HepG2 cells. The cooperativity index(CI)and Jin′s formula method were used to determine the synergistic effect. Apoptosis and cell cycle arrest were detected, too. The results show that celastrol, glycyrrhetinic acid, rhein, and paclitaxel alone can inhibit the proliferation of HepG2 cells, respectively. Combination with glycyrrhetic acid, paclitaxel, and rhein, respectively, the inhibitory effect of celastrol on the proliferation of HepG2 cells was significantly enhanced. And the synergistic effect on the proliferation inhibition of HepG2 cells in some concentrations was displayed in the experiment. The cell apoptosis rate was improved(P< 0. 01)and more cells were arrested in G2/M phase. Celastrol respectively combined with glycyrrhetic acid, paclitaxel, and rhein displayed a synergistic inhibitory effect on the proliferation of HepG2 cells, and the effect was related to inducing cell apoptosis and increasing the cell cycle arrest in G2/M phase.