OBJECTIVES: Increasing detection of low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is associated with overdiagnosis and overtreatment. N6-methyladenosine (m⁶A)-mediated microRNA (miRNA) dysregulation plays a critical role in tumor metastasis and progression. However, the functional role of m⁶A-miRNAs in PTC remains unclear. This study aims to elucidate the regulatory mechanism of m⁶A-miR-139-5p expression in PTC, determine its association with PTC metastasis, and evaluate its potential as a diagnostic biomarker for PTC metastasis, thereby providing experimental evidence for precision diagnosis and therapy. METHODS: Expression profiles of m⁶A-miRNAs were compared between the The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and GSE130512 cohorts to identify metastasis-associated candidates. Clinical specimens from 13 metastasis and 18 non-metastasis PTC patients were analyzed to assess m⁶A-miR-139-5p expression and its correlation with metastasis. Functional experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO) on pri-miR-139 methylation and processing, clarifying its regulatory role in miR-139-5p expression. In TPC-1 cells, MTT assays were performed to evaluate whether miR-139-5p overexpression could counteract FTO-mediated cell proliferation. Transwell invasion assays were used to determine the impact of miR-139-5p on PTC cell invasion, exploring whether it functions through the ZEB1/E-cadherin axis. RESULTS: By comparing TCGA and GSE130512 cohorts, it was found that circulating m⁶A-miR-139-5p could serve as a biological indicator for detecting PTC metastasis. Detection of 13 metastatic and 18 non-metastatic clinical specimens showed that FTO inhibited the processing of pri-miR-139 by reducing its methylation level, leading to the dysregulation of miR-139-5p in PTC (P<0.05). In TPC-1 cells, MTT assay showed that overexpression of miR-139-5p could partially reverse FTO overexpression-mediated cell proliferation (P<0.05). In addition, miR-139-5p inhibited the invasive ability of PTC cells by targeting the ZEB1/E-cadherin axis, while FTO overexpression could partially weaken this inhibitory effect. CONCLUSIONS Circulating miR-139-5p can be a potential marker for evaluating PTC metastasis. FTO affects the expression and function of miR-139-5p by regulating m⁶A modification of pri-miR-139, but its clinical value needs further verification.
Humans ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Thyroid Cancer, Papillary/metabolism* ; Alpha-Ketoglutarate-Dependent Dioxygenase FTO/metabolism* ; Thyroid Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Adenosine/genetics* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Female ; Male ; Cadherins/metabolism* ; Cell Proliferation ; Zinc Finger E-box-Binding Homeobox 1/genetics*

Objective To analyze the focus and shortcomings of provincial-level digitalization policies for Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM),and to provide references for improving relevant policies.Methods A three-dimensional analytical framework—comprising"digitalization policy coverage-economic level-TCM development level"was constructed to quantitatively analyze provincial TCM digitalization policy documents issued over the past five years.Results A total of 750 policy items were extracted.Among them,digital applications accounted for the largest proportion(58.13%),while digital governance(26.53%)and digital infrastructure(15.33%)were relatively less emphasized.Two-dimensional analysis revealed that 48.4%of provinces had both low economic levels and low digital policy coverage,while 45.2%had both low TCM development levels and low policy coverage.Multiple linear regression result showed a positive association between digitalization policies coverage and TCM development level,with no significant correlation to economic level.Conclusion Most provincial TCM digitalization policies prioritize application while neglecting governance and infrastructure.There is a need to strengthen talent development and standard system construction,The extent of policy coverage is closely related to the level of TCM development,indicating the need to enhance top-level policy design,Provincial policies vary in focus and can be categorized into three types:industry-driven,technology-driven,and demand-driven.

Objective To understand the research hotspots and development trends of Chaihu Guizhi Decoction;To provide references for related research.Methods Relevant literature about Chaihu Guizhi Decoction was retrieved from CNKI,VIP,Wanfang Data and CBM from the establishment of the databases to 31st,Dec.2023.NoteExpress 3.8 software was used to manage the bibliography,and CiteSpace 6.2.R6 software was used to draw graphs of authors,institutions and keyword co-occurrence,and conduct statistical analysis.Results A total of 1 181 Chinese articles were included,with the largest number of articles published in Henan Traditional Chinese Medicine,reaching 42;there were 54 core authors,and the top three authors were Wang Qingguo(18 articles),Cheng Fafeng(14 articles),Wang Xueqian(14 articles);multiple research institutions dominated by Beijing University of Chinese Medicine and Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine carried out multi-level research;a total of 11 cluster labels were formed,involving clinical applications,experimental research,and so forth.The high-frequency keywords mainly included"classical prescriptions","Shang Han Lun"and"experience of famous doctors",etc.Conclusion The clinical application of Chaihu Guizhi Decoction mostly focuses on febrile diseases,and the use of gas chromatography and other methods to explore its active components and explore its mechanism based on the molecular level is the development trend in this field.

Objective To understand the research hotspots and development trends of Chaihu Guizhi Decoction;To provide references for related research.Methods Relevant literature about Chaihu Guizhi Decoction was retrieved from CNKI,VIP,Wanfang Data and CBM from the establishment of the databases to 31st,Dec.2023.NoteExpress 3.8 software was used to manage the bibliography,and CiteSpace 6.2.R6 software was used to draw graphs of authors,institutions and keyword co-occurrence,and conduct statistical analysis.Results A total of 1 181 Chinese articles were included,with the largest number of articles published in Henan Traditional Chinese Medicine,reaching 42;there were 54 core authors,and the top three authors were Wang Qingguo(18 articles),Cheng Fafeng(14 articles),Wang Xueqian(14 articles);multiple research institutions dominated by Beijing University of Chinese Medicine and Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine carried out multi-level research;a total of 11 cluster labels were formed,involving clinical applications,experimental research,and so forth.The high-frequency keywords mainly included"classical prescriptions","Shang Han Lun"and"experience of famous doctors",etc.Conclusion The clinical application of Chaihu Guizhi Decoction mostly focuses on febrile diseases,and the use of gas chromatography and other methods to explore its active components and explore its mechanism based on the molecular level is the development trend in this field.

Objective To analyze the focus and shortcomings of provincial-level digitalization policies for Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM),and to provide references for improving relevant policies.Methods A three-dimensional analytical framework—comprising"digitalization policy coverage-economic level-TCM development level"was constructed to quantitatively analyze provincial TCM digitalization policy documents issued over the past five years.Results A total of 750 policy items were extracted.Among them,digital applications accounted for the largest proportion(58.13%),while digital governance(26.53%)and digital infrastructure(15.33%)were relatively less emphasized.Two-dimensional analysis revealed that 48.4%of provinces had both low economic levels and low digital policy coverage,while 45.2%had both low TCM development levels and low policy coverage.Multiple linear regression result showed a positive association between digitalization policies coverage and TCM development level,with no significant correlation to economic level.Conclusion Most provincial TCM digitalization policies prioritize application while neglecting governance and infrastructure.There is a need to strengthen talent development and standard system construction,The extent of policy coverage is closely related to the level of TCM development,indicating the need to enhance top-level policy design,Provincial policies vary in focus and can be categorized into three types:industry-driven,technology-driven,and demand-driven.

OBJECTIVE To study the protective effect of saikosaponin b2(SSb2)on corticosterone(CORT)induced PC12 cell injury and its mechanism.METHODS ① PC12 cells were divided into the cell control group(24 h of culture with RPMI-1640 medium),CORT group(24 h of culture with CORT 100-800 μmol·L-1)and SSb2 group(24 h of culture with SSb2 1.5625,3.125,6.25,12.5,25,50 and 100 μmol·L-1).MTT assay was used to detect the cell survival rate.②PC12 cells were divided into the cell control group(24 h of culture with RPMI 1640 medium),model group(24 h of culture with CORT 400 μmol·L-1),and model+SSb2 group(3 h pretreatment with SSb2 1.5625,3.125,6.25,12.5 and 25 μmol·L-1,removal of the supernatant before cells were co-incubated with CORT 400 μmol·L-1 and corresponding concentrations of SSb2 for 24 h).MTT assay was used to detect the cell survival rate while micro-plate assay was used to detect the lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)leakage rate of PC12 cells.③PC12 cells were divided into the cell control group,model group and model+SSb2 12.5 μmol·L-1 group.AnnexinV-FITC/PI flow cytometry assay was used to detect PC12 cell apoptosis,ultra-perfor-mance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS)cell metabonomics was used to detect metabolic profile changes and colorimetric assay was employed to detect the glutamic acid content and glutaminase activity in PC12 cells.RESULTS Compared with the cell control group,the cell viability decreased to(55±6)%(P<0.01)when the concentration of CORT was 400 μmol·L-1.When the concentration of SSb2 was higher than 50 μmol·L-1,there was significant toxicity to PC12 cells(P<0.01).②Compared with the cell control group,the cell survival rate was signif-icantly decreased(P<0.01),while the release rate of LDH was significantly increased(P<0.01)in the model group.Compared with the model group,the cell survival rate significantly increased(P<0.05,P<0.01),while the LDH release rate significantly decreased(P<0.01)in the model+SSb2 group.③ Com-pared with the cell control group,cell apoptosis was significantly increased in the model group(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,cell apoptosis was significantly decreased(P<0.05)in the model+ SSb2 group.Metabolomics results show that SSb2 significantly back-regulated nine differential metabo-lites of glutamate,creatine,N-acetylaspartate,L-tyrosine,citric acid,L-isoleucine,lactic acid,glutamine and choline.Further network analysis of the key metabolites regulated by SSb2 yielded five major metabolic pathways:D-glutamine and D-glutamate metabolism,phenylalanine,tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis,alanine,aspartate and glutamate metabolism,tyrosine metabolism and arginine biosynthesis.Compared with the cell control group,the content of glutamate and activity of glutaminase were significantly decreased in the model group(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the content of glutamate(P<0.01)and activity of glutaminase(P<0.05)were significantly increased in the model+SSb2 group.CONCLUSION SSb2 has a neuroprotective effect on CORT-injured PC12 cells,and the mechanism of which is related to inhibition of apoptosis and regulation of metabolic disorders.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of sintilimab combined with paclitaxel and docetaxel in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Methods:Prospective cohort study was performed. A total of 90 patients with advanced NSCLC receiving second-line treatment in Baotou Cancer Hospital from October 2019 to October 2022 were prospectively selected. All patients were divided into the study group (sintilimab combined with paclitaxel and docetaxel as second-line treatment, 45 cases) and the control group (paclitaxel or docetaxel alone, 45 cases) according to random number table method. The short-term efficacy, serum cytokine levels, quality of life and T-cell subsets of the two groups were compared. The survival of patients within 6 months was followed up. Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the overall survival (OS) of both groups, and log-rank test was used to make comparison among groups.Results:There were 25 males (55.56%) in the study group with the age of (63±5) years and 28 males (62.22%) in the control group with the age of (65±6) years. There were no statistically significant differences in the gender, age, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group scores, the body mass (all P>0.05). The total effective rate was 88.89% (40/45) in the study group and 71.11% (32/45) in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2 = 4.44, P = 0.035). The levels of serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) of both groups after treatment were lower than those before treatment (all P<0.001); the levels of VEGF and CA125 in the study group after treatment were lower than those in the control group [VEGF: (223±15) pg/ml vs. (289±15) pg/ml, t=20.82, P<0.001;CA125: (23±6) ng/ml vs. (75±4) ng/ml, t=51.28, P<0.001].Quality of life scale score, Karnofsky score of both groups after treatment were higher than those before treatment (all P<0.05); quality of life scale score and Karnofsky score in the study group after treatment were higher than those in the control group [quality of life scale score: (63±6) scores vs. (51±5) scores, t=10.29, P<0.001; Karnofsky score: (80.5±5.7) scores vs.(78.8±3.7) scores, t=1.70, P=0.041]. T-cell subsets indicators of both groups after treatment were higher than those before treatment (all P<0.001). T-cell subsets indicators in the study group after treatment were higher than those in the control group [CD3 + cell proportion: (68±5)% vs. (65±5)%, t=2.52, P = 0.014; CD4 + cell proportion:(42.5±1.7)% vs. (36.5±3.7)%, t=9.91, P<0.001;CD4 +/CD8 +: 1.78±0.54 vs. 1.46±0.27, t=3.56, P<0.001]. There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups [11.11% (5/45) vs. 15.55% (7/45), χ2=0.39, P=0.534]. The follow-up time was 6 months. The OS in the study group was better than that in the control group ( χ2=3.86, P = 0.044). Conclusions:Sintilimab combined with taxoid chemotherapy drugs is effective in the second-line treatment of advanced NSCLC, and it improves immune function and shows a favorable safety.

Objective:To investigate the etiologies and clinical characteristics of bilateral adrenal lesions.Methods:The clinical data of 143 patients with bilateral adrenal lesions hospitalized in the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from Jan. 2013 to Mar. 2018 were collected and analyzed.Results:140 patients were retained for final analysis. 79 were men, and 61 were women. The age was (51.53±13.93) years. Regarding the etiologies, there were primary aldosteronism ( n=44, 31.43%) , Cushing’s syndrome ( n=27, 19.29%) , non-functional lesions ( n=23, 16.43%) , adrenal tuberculosis ( n=17, 12.14%) , pheochromocytoma ( n=11, 7.86%) , congenital adrenal hyperplasia ( n=5, 3.57%) , adrenal metastases ( n=5, 3.57%) , and adrenal lymphoma ( n=4, 2.86) . These patients were classified into the following groups according to the mass size: ≤2 cm, 2-4 cm and ≥4 cm. The highest proportion of primary aldosteronism (62.79%) , Cushing’s syndrome (46.15%) and pheochromocytoma (31.25%) was observed in the ≤2 cm, 2-4 cm and ≥4 cm groups, respectively. The mass sizes of primary aldosteronism, Cushing’s syndrome and pheochromocytoma were compared, with pheochromocytoma the largest, followed by Cushing’s syndrome, non-functional lesion, and primary aldosteronism. Conclusions:For patients with bilateral adrenal lesions in our hospital, primary aldosteronism and Cushing’s syndrome are more common than non-functional lesion. Mass size is of great value in the diagnosis of endocrinological etiology, as well as distinguishing malignant tumors from the benign ones. The imaging phenotype is helpful to determine tumor types.

Objective:To compare the efficacy and safety of endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), EMR with pre-cutting (EMR-P), endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and ESD with snare (ESD-S) for the treatment of colorectal laterally spreading tumors (LSTs).Methods:Between January 2016 and March 2018, a total of 146 patients with 146 colorectal LSTs undergone endoscopic resection at the first medical center of PLA General Hospital. Data of demographics, treatment information, pathology and follow-up results were retrospectively analyzed.Results:Among the 146 patients, EMR, EMR-P, ESD, and ESD-S were performed in 23, 29, 50 and 44 tumors, respectively. Median tumor diameter was 2.5 cm (ranged 1.2-10.0 cm). The en bloc resection rate of EMR, EMR-P, ESD and ESD-S were 73.9% (17/23), 72.4% (21/29), 96.0% (48/50), and 65.9% (29/44), respectively, with statistical difference ( P<0.001). And the R0 resection rate were 65.2% (15/23), 69.0% (20/29), 94.0% (47/50), and 63.6% (28/44), respectively, with statistical difference ( P=0.002). The en bloc resection rate and R0 resection rate of the ESD group were significantly higher than those of the other three groups (all P<0.05). The difference was not statistically significant in terms of perforation rate [0, 0, 6.0% (3/50), and 9.1% (4/44), respectively, P=0.269] and delayed hemorrhage rate [4.3% (1/23), 0, 2.0% (1/50), and 2.3% (1/44), respectively, P=0.768] among the four groups. Follow-up endoscopy was performed in 117 cases (80.1%) with a median period of 10.0 months (ranged 3.0-26.0 months), and local recurrence was identified in 7 (6.0%) cases. Conclusion:ESD could be the optimal method for the resection of colorectal LSTs, while LSTs smaller than 20 mm can be resected by EMR. EMR-P and ESD-S as modified methods have their respective advantages for the treatment of LSTs.

Objective: To evaluate optical coherence tomography(OCT)for predicting invasion depth of early esophageal cancer(EEC) and to compare OCT and magnifying endoscopy-narrow band imaging (ME-NBI)in clinical performance. Methods: Twenty-eight patients who were diagnosed with EEC and accepted OCT and ME-NBI before endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD)were enrolled in this prospective study. On the basis of OCT and ME-NBI images, real-time prediction of EEC invasion depth was conducted. Postoperative pathological results were taken as golden standard to compare the accuracy of OCT and ME-NBI in evaluation of EEC invasion depth. The procedure time and incidence of complications during evaluation process were also analyzed. Results: The overall accuracy of OCT and ME-NBI in predicting invasion depth of 28 EEC patients were 67.9% (19/28) and 75.0% (21/28) respectively, with no significant difference(P>0.05). The accuracy of OCT and ME-NBI in distinguishing lesions located in epithelium/lamina propria mucosa (EP/LPM) lesions were 78.9%(15/19) and 68.4% (13/19), with no significant difference(P>0.05). The procedure time of OCT was significantly shorter than that of ME-NBI (6.0±2.9 min VS 16.3±5.4 min, P<0.001). Conclusion The ability of OCT to predict invasion depth of EEC and distinguish lesions located in the EP/LPM is comparable with that of ME-NBI. Besides, OCT requires shorter procedure time for evaluation.