ObjectiveTo explore the effect and mechanism of Jianpi Xiaoai prescription （JPXA） in ameliorating the 5-fluorouracil （5-FU） resistance of colon cancer. MethodsA HCT116/5-FU resistant cell line was established. Different concentrations （10%， 15%， 20%） of JPXA-containing serum and drug-free serum were used for intervention， and 10% fetal bovine serum （10% FBS）， fibroblast growth factor receptor （FGFR） inhibitor （AZD4547）， and recombinant fibroblast growth factor 2 （FGF2） were set as the control groups. Sensitive HCT116 cells were used in the FGF2 group， while HCT116/5-FU cells were used in other groups. Drug resistance， the level of FGF2 in the cell culture medium， the mRNA level of FGF2 in cells， and the protein levels of FGF2/FGFR and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B （PI3K/Akt） were determined. The drug-resistant cells were transplanted into the axilla of nude mice to establish a tumor model. The modeled mice were allocated into model， JPXA （15 g·kg^-1）， 5-FU （0.02 g·kg^-1）， JPXA+5-FU （15 g·kg^-1+0.02 g·kg^-1）， AZD4547 （0.012 5 g·kg^-1）， and AZD4547+5-FU （0.012 5 g·kg^-1+0.02 g·kg^-1） groups. The tumor growth and the protein levels of FGF/FGFR and PI3K/Akt in each group were observed. ResultsThe survival rate of HCT116/5-FU cells decreased in all the JPXA groups with different concentrations. The cell survival rate was decreased most obviously in the 20% JPXA group. The level of FGF2 in the cell culture medium and the mRNA level of FGF2 in cells of each JXPA group decreased， and the decrease was the most significant in the 20% group （P<0.01）. HCT116/5-FU cells showed up-regulated protein levels of FGF2 and phosphorylated fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 （p-FGFR1）， but down-regulated protein level of FGFR1 （P<0.01）. JPXA down-regulated the expression of FGF2 and p-FGFR1 and up-regulated the expression of FGFR1 （P<0.05）. In addition， JPXA down-regulated the expression levels of phosphorylated protein kinase B （p-Akt） and phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin （p-mTOR）， while up-regulating the expression levels of Akt and Bcl-2-asociated death promoter （Bad） （P<0.05）. Animal experiments showed that the JPXA combined with 5-FU significantly inhibited the growth of drug-resistant tumors， reduced the protein levels of FGF2， p-FGFR1， phosphorylated phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase （p-PI3K）， p-Akt， and p-mTOR， and increased the expression of Bad. It indicated that JPXA can inhibit the FGF2/FGFR1 signaling in colon cancer and regulate PI3K/Akt and downstream signaling pathways. ConclusionJPXA can ameliorate the chemotherapy resistance of colon cancer through down-regulating FGF2 expression and inhibiting the activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the mechanism by which Shenqi Xiaozheng Decoction-medicated serum regulates c-Myc/SLC1A5/GLS1 signaling axis to inhibit glutamine(Gln)metabolism and activate immunogenic cell death(ICD)in non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)cells.Methods A549 cells were divided into control group,model group,Shenqi Xiaozheng Decoction-medicated serum low-,medium-and high-dosage groups and positive control group.A Gln-dependent growth model was established,and cells were treated with different concentrations of Shenqi Xiaozheng Decoction-medicated serum or the SLC1A5 inhibitor V-9302.Cell proliferation was assessed by CCK-8,EdU and colony formation assays;Cell invasion and migration were evaluated using Transwell and wound-healing assays;intracellular Gln,glutathione(GSH),and α-ketoglutarate(α-KG)contents were determined by colorimetric assay;reactive oxygen species(ROS)contents were measured with fluorescent probes;Western blot was used to detect the protein expressions of E-cadherin,N-cadherin,c-Myc,SLC1A5 and GLS1;c-Myc/SLC1A5 colocalization and high mobility group box 1(HMGB1)expression were assessed by dual immunofluorescence staining;flow cytometry was used to evaluate calreticulin(CRT)exposure on the cell surface,and ATP and HMGB1 contents in cell supernatants were quantified by ELISA.Results Compared with the control group,the model group showed significantly increased A549 cell viability,EdU-positive rate and migration rate(P<0.05),as well as higher colony counts and invasion cell numbers(P<0.05);cellular Gln,GSH and α-KG contents were significantly elevated(P<0.05,P<0.01),while ROS content were not significantly different(P>0.05),E-cadherin protein expression significantly decreased,whereas the protein expressions of N-cadherin,c-Myc,SLC1A5 and GLS1 significantly increased(P<0.05,P<0.01).c-Myc and SLC1A5 colocalization was enhanced,HMGB1 expression was significantly increased(P<0.01),CRT exposure significantly increased(P<0.01),and ATP and HMGB1 contents in cell supernatant were significantly elevated(P<0.05,P<0.01).Compared with the model group,Shenqi Xiaozheng Decoction-medicated serum at different concentrations significantly inhibited Gln-stimulated A549 cell proliferation,migration and invasion in a dosage-dependent manner.Mechanistic studies indicated that Shenqi Xiaozheng Decoction could reduce Gln uptake and synthesis of its metabolic products GSH and α-KG,induce ROS accumulation,up-regulate protein expression of E-cadherin,down-regulate the protein expressions of N-cadherin,c-Myc,SLC1A5 and GLS1(P<0.05,P<0.01),and enhance CRT exposure,ATP release and HMGB1 secretion(P<0.01).Conclusion Shenqi Xiaozheng Decoction may exert a synergistic"metabolism-immunity"antitumor effect by inhibiting c-Myc/SLC1A5/GLS1 axis-mediated Gln uptake,inducing ROS accumulation,and activating ICD signaling.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used to induce mouse mononuclear macrophages (RAW 264.7 cells) to establish the inflammation model for investigating the effect and mechanism of Mailuoning oral liquid on arteriosclerosis occlusion (ASO) in vitro. RAW264.7 cells viability was measured by MTT assay. NO concentration was determined by Griess. mRNA levels and protein expressions of NFAT5/NLRP3 signaling pathway were detected by Q-PCR and Western blot. The relationship between NFAT5 and NLRP3 was explored by cellular transfection of NFAT5-siRNA combined with Western blot. Nuclear translocation of NFAT5 was detected by immunofluorescence. The results showed that Mailuoning oral liquid decreased the NO release induced by LPS in RAW264.7 cells. The mRNA levels of NFAT5, NLRP3, caspase1, IL-18 and MMP9, the protein expressions of NFAT5, NLRP3, cleaved-caspase1 (p20) and the phosphorylation of NF-κB-P65 were decreased after administration of Mailuoning oral liquid. NFAT5-siRNA significantly reversed the increase in protein expressions of NLRP3 induced by LPS in RAW264.7 cells. Both Mailuoning oral liquid and KRN2 (NFAT5 inhibitor) could inhibit the expressions and nuclear translocation of NFAT5. In conclusion, Mailuoning oral liquid exert significant anti-inflammatory effects in vitro by inhibiting the NFAT5/NLRP3 signaling pathway, and NFAT5 might be involved in regulating the expressions of NLRP3.

Four novel β-galactoside prodrugs were designed and synthesized from anthraquinones HAQ-OH and AQ-OH in an attempt to use the prodrugs to selectively release superoxide anion (O2−) in cancer cells and to achieve selected anticancer activity by utilizing the Warburg effect and the elevated level of β-galactosidase in certain cancer cells. Cellular assays showed that the prodrugs Gal-HAQ and Gal-AQ selectively inhibited the proliferation and induced apoptosis of ovarian cancer OVCAR-3 cells overexpressing β-galactosidase. Using O2− fluorescent probe, it was found that in OVCAR-3 cells Gal-HAQ and Gal-AQ could time-dependently release O2−, which was essential for their anticancer activity. Furthermore, it was found that Gal-HAQ and Gal-AQ were effective senolytics toward senescent cells overexpressing β-galactosidase without affecting the viability of corresponding non-senescent cells, further confirming the β-galactosidase-dependent cytotoxicity of the prodrugs. In conclusion, Gal-HAQ and Gal-AQ, which release O2− in response to β-galactosidase, are expected to serve as candidate prodrugs targeting cancer cells.

BackgroundSevere mental disorders represent a major public health concern due to the high disability rates and substantial disease burden， which has garnered significant national attention and prompted their inclusion in public health project management systems. However， credible evidence regarding the current status of disease management and factors influencing disease stabilization among patients with severe mental disorders in Luzhou City， Sichuan Province， remains limited. ObjectiveTo investigate the current management status of patients with severe mental disorders in Luzhou City， Sichuan Province， and to analyze influencing factors of disease stabilization among patients under standardized care， so as to provide evidence-based insights for developing targeted management strategies to optimize clinical interventions for this patient population. MethodsIn March 2023， data were extracted from the Sichuan Mental Health Service Comprehensive Management Platform for patients with severe mental disorders in Luzhou City who received management between December 2017 and December 2022. Information on mental health service utilization and clinical status changes was collected. Trend analysis was conducted to evaluate temporal changes in key management indicators for severe mental disorders in Luzhou City. Logistic regression analysis was employed to identify factors influencing the disease stabilization or fluctuation of these patients. ResultsThis study enrolled a total of 20 232 patients. In Luzhou City， the stabilization rate and standardized management rate of severe mental disorders were 94.89% and 79.36% in 2017， respectively， which increased to 95.33% and 96.92% by 2022. The regular medication adherence rate rose from 34.42% in 2018 to 86.81% in 2022. In 2022， the regular medication adherence rate was 71.80% for schizophrenia， 55.26% for paranoid psychosis， and 51.43% for schizoaffective disorder. Multivariate analysis identified the following protective factors for disease stabilization： age of 18~39 years （OR=0.613， 95% CI： 0.409~0.918）， age of 40~65 years （OR=0.615， 95% CI： 0.407~0.931）， urban residence （OR=0.587， 95% CI： 0.478~0.720）， and regular medication adherence （OR=0.826， 95% CI： 0.702~0.973）. Risk factors for disease fluctuation included poor （OR=1.712， 95% CI： 1.436~2.040）， non-inclusion in care-support programs （OR=1.928， 95% CI： 1.694~2.193）， non-participation in community rehabilitation （OR=2.255， 95% CI： 1.930~2.634）， and intermittent medication adherence （OR=3.893， 95% CI： 2.548~5.946）. ConclusionThe stability rate， standardized management rate， and regular medication adherence rate of patients with severe mental disorders in Luzhou City have shown a year-by-year increase. Age， household registration status， economic condition， medication compliance， and community-based rehabilitation were identified as influencing factors for disease fluctuation in these patients. ［Funded by Luzhou Science and Technology Plan Project （number， 2022-ZRK-186）］

BACKGROUND: Regulatory dendritic cell (DCreg) subset exhibits a unique capacity for inducing immune tolerance among the variety subsets of dendritic cells (DCs) within gut-associated lymphoid tissues (GALTs). Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (FLT3L) is involved in the differentiation of DCregs and the subsequent expansion of regulatory T-cells (Tregs) mediated by DCregs, though the precise mechanism remains poorly understood. This study aimed to explore the expansion mechanism of Treg induced by DCreg and the role of FLT3L in this process. METHODS: DCregs were distinguished from other DC subsets isolated from GALTs of BALB/c mice through a mixed lymphocyte reaction assay. The functions and mechanisms by which FLT3L promoted Treg expansion via DCregs were investigated in vitro through co-culture experiments involving DCregs and either CD4 + CD25 - T-cells or CD4 + CD25 + T-cells. Additionally, an in vivo experiment was conducted using a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis model in mice. RESULTS: CD103 + CD11b + DC exhibited DCreg-like functionality and was identified as DCreg for subsequent investigation. Analysis of Foxp3 + Treg percentages within a co-culture system of CD4 + CD25 - T-cells and DCregs, with or without FLT3L, demonstrated the involvement of the FLT3/FLT3L axis in driving the differentiation of precursor T-cells into Foxp3 + Tregs induced by DCregs. Cell migration and co-culture assays revealed that the FLT3/FLT3L axis enhanced DCreg migration toward Tregs via the Rho pathway. Additionally, it was observed that DCregs could promote Treg proliferation through the Notch pathway, as inhibition of Notch signaling by DAPT (N-[N-(3,5-difluorophenacetyl)-l-alanyl]-S-phenylglycine t-butyl ester) suppressed Treg expansion within the co-culture system of DCregs and CD4 + T-cells or CD4 + CD25 + T-cells. Furthermore, the FLT3/FLT3L axis influenced JAG1 expression in DCregs, indirectly modulating Treg expansion. In vivo experiments further established that FLT3L promoted DCreg expansion and restored Treg balance in DSS-induced colitis models, thereby ameliorating colitis symptoms in mice. CONCLUSION The FLT3/FLT3L axis is integral to the maintenance of DCreg function in Treg expansion.
Animals ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/immunology* ; Dendritic Cells/immunology* ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Membrane Proteins/metabolism* ; Receptors, Notch/metabolism* ; Lymphoid Tissue/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/physiology* ; Coculture Techniques ; Flow Cytometry

BACKGROUND: Treatment with chimeric antigen receptor-T (CAR-T) cells has shown promising effectiveness in patients with relapsed/refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (R/R B-ALL), although the process of preparing for this therapy usually takes a long time. We have recently created CD19 Fast-CAR-T (F-CAR-T) cells, which can be produced within a single day. The objective of this study was to evaluate and contrast the effectiveness and safety of CD19 F-CAR-T cells with those of CD19 conventional CAR-T cells in the management of R/R B-ALL. METHODS: A multicenter, retrospective analysis of the clinical data of 44 patients with R/R B-ALL was conducted. Overall, 23 patients were administered with innovative CD19 F-CAR-T cells (F-CAR-T group), whereas 21 patients were given CD19 conventional CAR-T cells (C-CAR-T group). We compared the rates of complete remission (CR), minimal residual disease (MRD)-negative CR, leukemia-free survival (LFS), overall survival (OS), and the incidence of cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) between the two groups. RESULTS: Compared with the C-CAR-T group, the F-CAR-T group had significantly higher CR and MRD-negative rates (95.7% and 91.3%, respectively; 71.4% and 66.7%, respectively; P = 0.036 and P = 0.044). No significant differences were observed in the 1-year or 2-year LFS or OS rates between the two groups: the 1-year and 2-year LFS for the F-CAR-T group vs.C-CAR-T group were 47.8% and 43.5% vs. 38.1% and 23.8% (P = 0.384 and P = 0.216), while the 1-year and 2-year OS rates were 65.2% and 56.5% vs. 52.4% and 47.6% (P = 0.395 and P = 0.540). Additionally, among CR patients who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) following CAR-T-cell therapy, there were no significant differences in the 1-year or 2-year LFS or OS rates: 57.1% and 50.0% vs. 47.8% and 34.8% (P = 0.506 and P = 0.356), 64.3% and 57.1% vs. 65.2% and 56.5% (P = 0.985 and P = 0.883), respectively. The incidence of CRS was greater in the F-CAR-T group (91.3%) than in the C-CAR-T group (66.7%) (P = 0.044). The incidence of ICANS was also greater in the F-CAR-T group (30.4%) than in the C-CAR-T group (9.5%) (P = 0.085), but no treatment-related deaths occurred in the two groups. CONCLUSION Compared with C-CAR-T-cell therapy, F-CAR-T-cell therapy has a superior remission rate but also leads to a tolerably increased incidence of CRS/ICANS. Further research is needed to explore the function of allo-HSCT as an intermediary therapy after CAR-T-cell therapy.

Objective:To investigate the predictive value of 18F-FDG PET related metabolic parameters on microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2(HER2) expression in colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods:The 18F-FDG PET imaging, clinical and pathological data of 101 CRC patients (58 males, 43 females; age 68.0(58.0, 75.0) years) admitted to Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University from January 2016 to March 2024 were retrospectively collected, including 17 cases in MSI-H group, 84 cases in microsatellite stability/microsatellite instability-low (MSS/MSI-L) group, 23 cases in HER2 expression group, 34 cases in non-HER2 expression group, and 44 patients without HER2 detection. Univariate analyses (independent-sample t test, Mann-Whitney U test, χ2 test) and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to screen out independent risk factors, and ROC curve was used to evaluate the predictive efficacy. Bootstrap method was used to verify the model internally. Results:There were significant differences in metabolic tumor volume (MTV) 80% between MSI-H group and MSS/MSI-L group (2.1(1.6, 4.0) vs 1.4(1.0, 2.7) cm 3;Z=-2.10, P=0.036), and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) 80% and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) were significantly different between those 2 groups ( Z=-2.27, χ2=6.40, both P<0.05). There were significant differences in TLG 80% (29.0(16.1, 41.0) vs 14.3(9.4, 22.9) g; Z=-2.80, P=0.005) between HER2 expression group and non-HER2 expression group, and significant differences were also found in MTV 80%, heterogeneity index (HI) and CV ( Z=-2.24, t values: -2.26, 2.54, all P<0.05). The independent risk factors for MSI-H were MTV 80% (odds ratio ( OR)=1.326, 95% CI: 1.015-1.733, P=0.038) and CEA ( OR=0.200, 95% CI: 0.056-0.706, P=0.012), with the AUC for the combined model of 0.730 (95% CI: 0.605-0.856), and the concordance index (C-index) of 0.716. The independent risk factors for HER2 expression were TLG 80% ( OR=1.037, 95% CI: 1.001-1.073, P=0.041) and CV ( OR=1.467, 95% CI: 1.073-2.005, P=0.016), with the AUC for the combined model of 0.775 (95% CI: 0.645-0.875), and the C-index of 0.757. Conclusions:18F-FDG PET can be used as a noninvasive tool to evaluate CRC microsatellite status and HER2 gene amplification. MTV 80% and CEA are independent risk factors for MSI-H; TLG 80% and CV are independent risk factors for HER2 expression.

Objective:To investigate the factors affecting the efficacy of 131I treatment for Graves′ disease (GD) and to construct a predictive model for the treatment outcomes of 131I therapy. Methods:Retrospective analysis of the treatment efficacy was performed on 2 190 patients (547 males, 1 643 females, age (42.9±12.4) years) with GD, who received initial 131I treatment in Tianjin Medical University General Hospital between October 2013 and May 2018. Univariate analysis ( χ2 test, et al) and logistic regression were performed to analyze the possible factors affecting the efficacy of 131I treatment. An efficacy prediction model for 131I treatment of GD was constructed, and decision curve analysis (DCA) was used to evaluate the clinical utility of the prediction model. Results:The overall effectiveness rate of 131I treatment for GD patients was 99.95%(2 189/2 190), with a total cure rate of 83.74%(1 834/2 190), among which 94.11%(1 726/1 834) were cured after a single treatment. Pre-treatment thyroid mass was identified as an independent risk factor affecting the efficacy of initial 131I treatment (odds ratio ( OR)=0.983(95% CI: 0.977-0.989), P<0.001). The clinical cure rate was higher in patients who received an adequate dose of 131I compared with that in patients who didn′t receive an adequate dose (79.97%(1 537/1 922) vs 70.52%(189/268); χ2=12.57, P<0.001), but it did not increase the incidence of hypothyroidism within one year. A predictive model was constructed, and it was found that thyroid mass and disease duration had a relatively high impact on the clinical cure rate. The concordance index (C-index) of the predictive model was 0.623(95% CI: 0.593-0.654). DCA indicated that the predictive model offered substantial net benefits across a wide range of probability thresholds. Conclusions:131I treatment is effective in most patients with GD. The predictive model for efficacy of initial 131I treatment developed in this study can assist in evaluating treatment outcomes and help clinicians select the most suitable 131I treatment dose, enhancing clinical decision-making.