1.Mechanism of glycogen synthase kinase-3β participating in stroke-induced inflammatory brain injury by regulating endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondria coupling
Jianhua LEI ; Hefang DU ; Yuxiao LIU
Journal of Apoplexy and Nervous Diseases 2025;42(7):637-640
Objective To investigate the mechanism of glycogen synthase kinase-3β(GSK-3β) participating in stroke-induced inflammatory brain injury through endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondria coupling, and to provide a theoretical reference and potential targets for precise treatment. Methods A rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion was established, and the rats were divided into sham-operation group, model group, and GSK-3β inhibitor(TDZD-8) intervention group. Neurological function score was used to evaluate the degree of brain injury; TTC staining was used to evaluate cerebral infarct area; electron microscopy was used to observe mitochondrial ultrastructure; mitochondrial calcium concentration was measured; ELISA was used to measure the levels of inflammatory factors[tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and interleukin-1β(IL-1β)], and Western blot was used to measure the expression levels of related proteins. Results Compared with the sham-operation group, the model group had significant neurological function impairment, an increase in cerebral infarct area, and significant increases in the expression levels of inflammatory factors and GSK-3β,with enhanced endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondria coupling and mitochondrial calcium overload. TDZD-8 significantly improved the above indicators and reduced the levels of inflammatory factors and cerebral infarct area. Conclusion Abnormal activation of GSK-3β damages brain tissue by regulating endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondria coupling and promotes mitochondrial calcium overload and inflammatory response. Inhibiting GSK-3β activity can effectively improve stroke-induced inflammatory brain injury, which provides a new pathway and a molecular target for developing precise treatment strategies.
Stroke
3.Quercetin mediates the therapeutic effect of Centella asiatica on psoriasis by regulating STAT3 phosphorylation to inhibit the IL-23/IL-17A axis.
Qing LIU ; Jing LIU ; Yihang ZHENG ; Jin LEI ; Jianhua HUANG ; Siyu LIU ; Fang LIU ; Qunlong PENG ; Yuanfang ZHANG ; Junjie WANG ; Yujuan LI
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(1):90-99
OBJECTIVES:
To explore the active components that mediate the therapeutic effect of Centella asiatica on psoriasis and their therapeutic mechanisms.
METHODS:
TCMSP, TCMIP, PharmMapper, Swiss Target Prediction, GeneCards, OMIM and TTD databases were searched for the compounds in Centella asiatica and their targets and the disease targets of psoriasis. A drug-active component-target network and the protein-protein interaction network were constructed, and DAVID database was used for pathway enrichment analysis. In a RAW264.7 macrophage model of LPS-induced inflammation, the anti-inflammatory effect of 7.5, 15, 30, and 60 μmol/L quercetin, asiaticoside, and asiatic acid, which were identified as the main active components in Centella asiatica, were tested by measuring cellular production of NO, TNF‑α and IL-6 using Griess method and ELISA and by detecting mRNA expressions of IL-23, IL-17A, TNF-α and IL-6 and protein expressions of p-STAT3 (Tyr705) and p-STAT3 (Ser727) with RT-qPCR and Western blotting.
RESULTS:
A total of 139 targets of Centella asiatica and 4604 targets of psoriasis were obtained, and among them CASP3, EGFR, PTGS2, and ESR1 were identified as the core targets. KEGG analysis suggested that quercetin, asiaticoside, and asiatic acid in Centella asiatica were involved in cancer and IL-17 and MAPK signaling pathways. In the RAW264.7 macrophage model of inflammation, treatment with quercetin significantly reduced cellular production of NO, TNF‑α and IL-6, and lowered mRNA expressions of IL-23, IL-17A, TNF‑α and IL-6 and protein expressions of p-STAT3 (Tyr705) and p-STAT3 (Ser727).
CONCLUSIONS
Quercetin, asiaticoside and asiatic acid are the main active components in Centella asiatica to mediate the therapeutic effect against psoriasis, and quercetin in particular is capable of suppressing cellular production of NO, TNF‑α and IL-6 and regulating the IL-23/IL-17A inflammatory axis by mediating STAT3 phosphorylation to inhibit inflammatory response.
Quercetin/pharmacology*
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Psoriasis/metabolism*
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STAT3 Transcription Factor/metabolism*
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Mice
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Animals
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Centella/chemistry*
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Triterpenes/pharmacology*
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Phosphorylation
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Interleukin-17/metabolism*
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Interleukin-23/metabolism*
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RAW 264.7 Cells
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Pentacyclic Triterpenes/pharmacology*
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Macrophages/drug effects*
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Signal Transduction
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Plant Extracts
4.Screening of the specific aptamer of human CD20 extracellular protein expressed in Escherichia coli by systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment.
Fan CHEN ; Fan YANG ; Lei GAO ; Yue HU ; Yun XUE ; Jing ZHOU ; Jianhua KANG ; Wei WANG
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2025;41(4):1467-1477
CD20 is a surface marker protein of B-cell lymphoma, and its extracellular region is the target of specific antibodies and drugs. To obtain a cheap and easily modified specific preparation targeting CD20, we optimized the gene of CD20 extracellular region according to codon degeneracy to facilitate its expression in Escherichia coli. The optimized gene was cloned into pGEX-4T-1 vector, and the recombinant vector was transformed into E. coli BL21(DE3) for expression. The purified protein was identified by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting. Systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) was employed to screen the ssDNA aptamer that specifically binds to the fusion protein, and the affinity of the aptamer to CD20 was detected by flow cytometry. Then, the cytotoxicity test was carried out to examine the inhibitory effect of the aptamer on B lymphoma cells. In this study, we established the prokaryotic expression method of CD20 and obtained the aptamer specifically binding to the extracellular region of CD20, which laid a foundation for the development of therapeutic drugs targeting CD20.
Humans
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Escherichia coli/metabolism*
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SELEX Aptamer Technique/methods*
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Aptamers, Nucleotide/genetics*
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Antigens, CD20/metabolism*
;
Ligands
5.Shuangshen Ningxin Capsules Regulates Mitochondrial Fission and Fusion to Alleviate Myocardial Ischemia-reperfusion Injury in Rats
Gaojie XIN ; Yuanyuan CHEN ; Zixin LIU ; Yue YOU ; Ce CAO ; Aoao WANG ; Hongxu MENG ; Xiao HAN ; Jianxun LIU ; Lei LI ; Jianhua FU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(7):87-94
ObjectiveTo explore whether the mechanism of Shuangshen Ningxin capsules (SSNX) in alleviating myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) in rats is related to the regulation of mitochondrial fission and fusion. MethodThis study focused on Sprague Dawley (SD) rats and ligated the left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery to construct a rat model of MIRI. The rats were divided into the sham operation group, model group, SSNX group (90 mg·kg-1) and trimetazidine group (5.4 mg·kg-1). The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) were detected by micro method. Changes in mitochondrial membrane potential (△Ψm) and the degree of mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening were detected by the chemical fluorescence method. The intracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) level was detected by the luciferase assay. The messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and protein expression levels of mitochondrial fission and fusion related factors dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1), mitochondrial fission 1 protein (FIS1), optic atrophy protein 1 (OPA1), mitochondrial outer membrane fusion protein 1 (MFN1), and MFN2 were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR) and Western blot. ResultCompared with the sham operation group, the model group showed a decrease in serum SOD activity and an increase in MDA content. The opening level of mPTP, the level of △Ψm and ATP content decreased, the protein expressions of mitochondrial fission factors DRP1 and FIS1 increased, and the protein expressions and mRNA transcription levels of fusion related factors OPA1 and MFN1 decreased. Compared with the model group,SSNX significantly increased serum SOD activity, reduced MDA content, increased intracellular ATP level and △Ψm, reduced the opening level of mPTP, downregulated the protein expressions of mitochondrial fission factors DRP1 and FIS1, and increased the mRNA transcription levels and protein expressions of fusion related factors OPA1 and MFN1. ConclusionSSNX inhibits the expressions of mitochondrial fission factors DRP1 and FIS1, and increases the expressions of fusion related factors OPA1 and MFN1, inhibiting mitochondrial fission and increasing mitochondrial fusion, thereby alleviating MIRI.
6.Conical beam CT measurement of alveolar bone structure remodeling in patients with skeletal class Ⅲ malocclusion after orthodontic-orthognathic treatment
Qihang ZHAO ; Xin LU ; Lei TONG ; Yonghui SHANG ; Shuai LI ; Wen LIU ; Jianhua ZHOU ; Rongtao YUAN ; Qingyuan GUO
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2024;28(23):3729-3735
BACKGROUND:Most of the studies on combined orthodontic-orthognathic treatment of skeletal class Ⅲ malocclusions have focused on the improvement of the patient's lateral appearance and recovery in the later stages of the treatment,while there are fewer studies observing the microcosmic nature of the alveolar bone remodeling of the lower anterior teeth. OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the therapeutic effect of lower anterior tooth decompensation and alveolar bone remodeling in patients with skeletal class Ⅲ malocclusion before and after orthodontic-orthognathic treatment based on oral X-ray lateral films and oral cone-beam CT. METHODS:From January 2015 to May 2023,15 patients with skeletal class Ⅲ malocclusion who underwent orthodontic-orthognathic surgery at Qingdao Hospital of Rehabilitation University were enrolled.All patients underwent lateral cephalography and cone beam computed tomography before and after treatment.Cephalometric measurement items related to the angle and line distance,lip/lingual bone cracking length(d-La/d-Li)and bone cracking/bone fenestration of the lower anterior teeth before and after treatment were measured. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Lateral X-ray films showed that the amount of alveolar bone remodeling after decompensation of the lower anterior teeth showed significant changes compared to before treatment.The root of the tooth moved significantly towards the center of the alveolar bone,and the specific data was closer to normal data,but there were still some differences compared with normal individuals.Based on the cone-beam CT measurement,the bone cracking/bone fenestration length and width of the alveolar bone were improved in almost all the teeth after orthodontic-orthognathic combined treatment,alveolar bone remodeling in some teeth even reached the level of healthy individuals.Before treatment,most patients often experienced bone fenestration/cracking on the lip/lingual side of the lower incisor due to compensatory tooth growth.However,during the preoperative orthodontic stage,decompensation triggered alveolar bone remodeling and significant changes in tooth angle.Preoperative orthodontic treatment caused the upper anterior teeth to retract and the lower anterior teeth to tilt and control the root,but the amount of decompensation before surgery was often insufficient.In the orthognathic surgery stage,the jaw was removed through the positioning guide plate,the maxilla moved forward,and the mandible retreated.During the postoperative orthodontic process,the effect of fine adjustment was better.Although there is a certain degree of recurrence trend in the position of teeth and jawbones,the postoperative orthodontic treatment is closer to the normal value.
7.Comparing the effects of dual-task training and single-task training on walking, balance and cognitive functions in individuals with Parkinson’s disease: A systematic review
Xiaoying LIN ; Yanming ZHANG ; Xiaowei ZHANG ; Xi CHEN ; Jianhua LIU ; Lei YANG ; Pang Marco Yiu Chung
Chinese Medical Journal 2024;137(13):1535-1543
Background::This systematic review aimed to examine whether dual-task (DT) training was superior to single-task (ST) training in improving DT walking, balance and cognitive functions for individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD).Methods::Literature search was performed in the following electronic databases: PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Metstr covering inception to May 10, 2023. And in order to facilitate comparison across trials, we calculated the effect size (Hedges’ g) of gait, balance, cognitive, and other parameters under both ST and DT conditions, using the mean change score and standard deviation (SD) of change score of the experimental and control groups. Randomized controlled trials that examined the effects of DT motor and cognitive training in individuals with Parkinson’s disease were included for this systematic review.Results::A total of 214 participants recruited from six articles (actually five trials) were involved in this review. In terms of walking ability, only double support time and stride time variability showed significant between-group difference (Hedges’ g = 0.34, 0.18, respectively). Compared to ST training group, DT training group had a more improvement effect in laboratory balance measurement (Hedges’ g = 0.18, 1.25), but no significant improvement in clinical balance measurement. No significant between-group differences were observed, thus its training effect on cognitive function was inconclusive.Conclusions::The DT training failed to achieve promising results better than ST training in improving DT walking and balance functions for individuals with PD. Any firm conclusion cannot be drawn at present, due to the limited number of eligible publications. Larger sample size and high-quality studies are needed to investigate the effectiveness of DT training in individuals with PD.
8.Effect of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway inhibitor MS AB on fibrogenic responses of human endometrial stromal cells
Feina WANG ; Xuguang MI ; Xiuying LIN ; Jianhua FU ; Lei LIU ; Xinyue YU ; Huanhuan ZANG ; Linjun LIU ; Shiling CHEN ; Yanqiu FANG
Journal of Jilin University(Medicine Edition) 2024;50(5):1266-1274
Objective:To discuss the effect of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway inhibitor methyl 3-{[(4-methyl-phenyl)sulfonyl]amino } benzoate(MS AB)on the fibrogenic response of the human endometrial stromal cells(HESCs),and to provide the foundation for the application of MSAB in the target therapy of intrauteriue adhesion(JUA).Methods:The normal HESCs were cultured in vitro and divided into two groups:control group and transforming growth factor β1(TGF-β1)group;the HESCs from the adhesion part of the IUA patients were cultured in vitro,regarded as IUA group.Western blotting method was used to detect the expression levels of fibrotic marker protein type Ⅰ collagen α1(COL1A1)in the cells in various groups at different time points(0,12,24,48,and 60 h)after treated with TGF-β1.MTT assay was used to detect the proliferation activities of the cells in various groups.Western blotting method was used to detect the expression levels of the fibrotic marker protein COL1A1,stromal marker proteins such as N-cadherin and α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA),and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway-related protein β-catenin in the cells in control and IUA groups.Based on the MSAB concentrations,the normal HESCs were divided into 0(control),0.25,0.50,0.75,and 1.00 μmol·L-1 MSAB groups,and MTT assay was used to detect the survival rates of the cells in various groups.After treated with MSAB,the normal HESCs were divided into control group(normal HESCs),TGF-β1 group(10 μg·L-1 TGF-β1 induced normal HESCs for 24 h then the drug was withdrawn,replaced with complete culture medium,and the cells continued to be cultured for 24 h),and MSAB group(10 μg·L-1 TGF-β1 induced normal HESCs for 24 h then the drug was withdrawn,replaced with a complete medium containing 0.75 μmol·L-1 MSAB and the cells continued to be cultured for 24 h).Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)method was used to detect the expression levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)-related transcription factors Snail,Slug,Smuc,ZEB1,and ZEB2,and COL1A1 mRNA in the cells in various groups.Western blotting method was used to detect the expression levels of COL1A1,N-cadherin,α-SMA,β-catenin,and c-myc proteins in the cells in various groups.Results:Compared with control group(after treated with TGF-β1 for 0 h),the expression levels of COL1A1 proteins in the HESCs after treated with TGF-β1 for 12,24,48,and 60 h in TGF-β1 group were increased(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Compared with control group,there was no significant difference in the proliferation activity of the HESCs in IUA and TGF-β1 groups(P>0.05).Compared with control group,the expression levels of COL1A1,β-catenin,N-cadherin,and α-SMA proteins in the cells in IUA group were increased(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Compared with control group,the survival rates of the cells in 0.75 and 1.00 μmol·L-1 MSAB groups were decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Compared with control group,the expression levels of Snail,Slug,and COL1A1 mRNA in the cells in TGF-β1 group were increased(P<0.05 or P<0.01);compared with TGF-β1 group,the expression levels of Snail,Slug,and COL1A1 mRNA in the cells in MSAB group were decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Compared with control group,after treated with TGF-β1 for 24 h,the expression levels of COL1A1,N-cadherin,α-SMA,β-catenin,and c-myc proteins in the cells in TGF-β1 group were increased(P<0.01);compared with TGF-β1 group,the expression levels of COL1A1,N-cadherin,α-SMA,β-catenin,and c-myc proteins in the cells in MSAB group were decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Conclusion:MSAB can inhibit the fibrogenic responses of the HESCs in vitro,and the results provide the theoretical basis for the application of MSAB in the target therapy of IUA.
9.Effects of bisphenol A on stemness of endometrial mesenchymal stem/stromal cells and improvement effect of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived supernatant on cell injury
Aiqiao WANG ; Xuguang MI ; Xiuying LIN ; Jianhua FU ; Lei LIU ; Lin WANG ; Wenqi ZHANG ; Ling DENG ; Shiling CHEN ; Yanqiu FANG
Journal of Jilin University(Medicine Edition) 2024;50(6):1557-1564
Objective:To investigate the effects of bisphenol A(BPA)on the proliferation activity and stemness characteristics of endometrial mesenchymal stem/stromal cells(eMSCs),and to elucidate the improvement effect of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived supernatant(hUCMSC-Sup)on the cell injury.Methods:The eMSCs were cultured in vitro and treated with different concentrations of BPA(0,200,250,300,350,and 400 μmol·L-1).The eMSCs were divided into control group(only cultured with culture solution),BPA group(cultured with isovolumetric culture solution including 200 μmol·L-1 BPA),BPA+hUCMSC-Sup group(cultured with isovolumetric culture solution including 200 μmol·L-1 BPA and 50%volumetric ratio of hUCMSC-Sup),and BPA+CHIR-99021 group(cultured with isovolumetric culture solution including 200 μmol·L-1 BPA and 10 μmol·L-1 CHIR-99021).The survival rates of eMSCs in various groups were detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT)assay.The numbers and diameters of the spheroids in various groups were detected by spheroids formation assay,the proliferation activities of the cells in eMSCs stem cell spheroids in various groups were detected by CCK-8 assay;the percentage of CD73+cells in eMSCs in various groups were detected by flow cytometry;the expression levels of sex determining region Y-box 2(Sox2),octamer-binding transcription factor 4(Oct4),and Nanog mRNA in the eMSCs in various groups were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)method,the expression levels of β-catenin protein in the eMSCs in various groups were detected by Western blotting method.Results:The MTT results showed that after treated with BPA for 24 and 48 h,compared with 0 μmol·L-1 BPA group,the survival rates of eMSCs in 200,250,300,350,and 400 μmol·L-1 BPA groups were significantly decreased(P<0.01).At 24 and 48 h after treatment,compared with control group,the survival rate of the eMSCs in BPA group was significantly decreased(P<0.01);at 48 h after treatment,compared with BPA group,the survival rate of the eMSCs in BPA+hUCMSC-Sup group was significantly inereased(P<0.05).The spheroids formation assay results showed that compared with culture 3 d group,the numbers and diameters of stem cell spheroids of the eMSCs in culture 4 d group and culture 5 d group were significantly increased(P<0.05 or P<0.01);compared with control group,after 48 h of culture,the number and diameter of the cells in eMSCs stem cell spheroids in BPA group were significantly decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01).The CCK-8 results showed that after 24 and 48 h of treatment,compared with control group,the proliferation activity of the cells in eMSCs stem cell spheroids in BPA group was significantly decreased(P<0.01);compared with BPA group,the proliferation activity of the cells in eMSCs stem cell spheroids in BPA+hUCMSC-Sup group was significantly increased(P<0.01).The flow cytometry results showed that compared with control group,the percentage of the CD73+cells in the eMSCs in BPA group was significantly decreased(P<0.01);compared with BPA group,the percentage of the CD73+cells in eMSCs in BPA+hUCMSC-Sup group was significantly increased(P<0.01).The RT-qPCR results showed that compared with control group,the expression levels of Sox2,Oct4,and Nanog mRNA in the cells in BPA group were significantly decreased(P<0.01);compared with BPA group,the expression levels of Sox2,Oct4,and Nanog mRNA in the cells in BPA+hUCMSC-Sup group and BPA+CHIR-99021 group were significantly increased(P<0.01).The Western blotting results showed that compared with control group,the expression level of β-catenin protein in the eMSCs in BPA group was significantly decreased(P<0.01);compared with BPA group,the expression levels of β-catenin protein in the eMSCs in BPA+hUCMSC-Sup group and BPA+CHIR-99021 group were signifrcantly inereased(P<0.01).Conclusion:BPA can inhibit the stemness characteristics of the eMSCs,and injury the self-renewal and repair of endometrium;its mechanism may be related to down-regulating the activity of Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway in the cells.hUCMSC-Sup can promote the proliferation of injured eMSCs,and has improvement effect on the stemness injury induced by BPA.
10.Clinical analysis of 38 patients diagnosed with head and neck extramedullary plasmacytoma
Lei YANG ; Mingjie WANG ; Lijie ZENG ; Jianhua TAO ; Chengji WANG ; Liang WANG
Chinese Archives of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery 2024;31(5):278-282
OBJECTIVE Investigating the clinical characteristics,risk factors,treatment strategies and prognosis of head and neck extramedullary plasmacytoma(HNEMP).METHODS To analyze indicators affecting survival and prognosis,retrospective study was conducted on the clinical data of 38 newly diagnosed and untreated patients with HNEMP who were admitted to Beijing Tongren Hospital from September 2008 to January 2022.RESULTS Among 38 patients,5 cases(13.2%)displayed a manifestation as cranial-nasal-orbital communication,and 8 cases(21.1%)involved a tumor with diameter≥5 cm.There were 17 patients(44.7%)who underwent surgical resection along,13 patients(34.2%)who received postoperative radiotherapy,8 cases(21.1%)who accepted chemotherapy,and 5 cases(13.2%)who experienced combined radiochemotherapy.Following treatment evaluation,32 cases achieved CR,3 cases showed PR,1 case demonstrated SD and 2 cases experienced PD.The median follow-up time was 86 months,with 5-year PFS and OS rates of 92.1%and 94.7%,respectively.Of note,the patients with cranial-nasal-orbital communication exhibited significantly unfavorable 5-year PFS and OS rates of 40%and 60%,respectively,with median PFS of 13 months,whereas the patients in other groups achieved 100%of 5-year PFS and OS rates.Additionally,tumor diameter≥5 cm and the involvement of cranial-nasal-orbital communication were adverse prognostic factors for both PFS and OS.CONCLUSION HNEMP is a rare disease and the primary treatment approach is surgery combined with radiotherapy.The prognosis for HNEMP tends to be relatively favorable,with the involvement of cranial-nasal-orbital communication and high tumor burden as the adverse prognostic indicators.

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