Objective To compare the impact of different primary tumor sites on the survival of patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma(mUC)before and after the approval of immune checkpoints inhibitors(ICIs)based on data from Surveillance,Epidemiology,and End Results(SEER).Methods The mUC cases during 2013 and 2017 in the SEER database were enrolled.Cohorts were defined by primary tumor sites(renal pelvis,ureter,bladder)and then stratified by ICIs availability into non-ICIs era(2013)and ICIs era(2017).The survival differences in each cohort between the two eras were compared,and stratified analysis was performed.The 2-year overall survival(OS)was assessed using Kaplan-Meier analysis and multivariable Cox proportional hazards analysis.Results A total of 1750 mUC cases were enrolled,with 785 cases in the non-ICIs era and 965 in the ICIs era.No significant differences existed across different anatomical sites in the non-ICIs era,whether in the whole urinary system or inside bladder.The 2-year survival rates were 23.5％for ureteral cancer,18.0％for renal pelvic cancer,and 15.9％for bladder cancer.Significant prognostic disparities emerged among patients based on primary tumor sites in ICIs era(P＜0.05).The 2-year survival rates were 37.7％for ureteral cancer,25.5％for renal pelvic cancer,and 25.7％for bladder cancer.Further analysis revealed that the OS of the lesions originating from the bladder dome was significantly longer than that of the other bladder subgroups(P＜0.05),while the OS of the lesions in bladder bottom was the shortest.The 2-year survival rates were 52.0％for the bladder dome,13.0％for the bladder body,and 10.7％for the bladder bottom.Conclusion Our study indicates that in the non-ICIs era,there was no significant difference in the prognosis among mUC patients with lesions from different primary sites.In the ICIs era,the OS of ureteral cancer was significantly longer than that of bladder cancer and renal pelvis cancer.As for patients with metastatic bladder cancer,those with tumor located at the top of the bladder had a significantly better prognosis than those with tumors at other sites.

Objective To compare the impact of different primary tumor sites on the survival of patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma(mUC)before and after the approval of immune checkpoints inhibitors(ICIs)based on data from Surveillance,Epidemiology,and End Results(SEER).Methods The mUC cases during 2013 and 2017 in the SEER database were enrolled.Cohorts were defined by primary tumor sites(renal pelvis,ureter,bladder)and then stratified by ICIs availability into non-ICIs era(2013)and ICIs era(2017).The survival differences in each cohort between the two eras were compared,and stratified analysis was performed.The 2-year overall survival(OS)was assessed using Kaplan-Meier analysis and multivariable Cox proportional hazards analysis.Results A total of 1750 mUC cases were enrolled,with 785 cases in the non-ICIs era and 965 in the ICIs era.No significant differences existed across different anatomical sites in the non-ICIs era,whether in the whole urinary system or inside bladder.The 2-year survival rates were 23.5％for ureteral cancer,18.0％for renal pelvic cancer,and 15.9％for bladder cancer.Significant prognostic disparities emerged among patients based on primary tumor sites in ICIs era(P＜0.05).The 2-year survival rates were 37.7％for ureteral cancer,25.5％for renal pelvic cancer,and 25.7％for bladder cancer.Further analysis revealed that the OS of the lesions originating from the bladder dome was significantly longer than that of the other bladder subgroups(P＜0.05),while the OS of the lesions in bladder bottom was the shortest.The 2-year survival rates were 52.0％for the bladder dome,13.0％for the bladder body,and 10.7％for the bladder bottom.Conclusion Our study indicates that in the non-ICIs era,there was no significant difference in the prognosis among mUC patients with lesions from different primary sites.In the ICIs era,the OS of ureteral cancer was significantly longer than that of bladder cancer and renal pelvis cancer.As for patients with metastatic bladder cancer,those with tumor located at the top of the bladder had a significantly better prognosis than those with tumors at other sites.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect and mechanism of Hyssopus cuspidatus Boriss. extract (HCE) in ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic asthma. METHODS: Components identification of HCE was conducted using ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight-mass spectrometry. Mice were sensitized with OVA to establish asthmatic model, and dexamethasone was used as positive control. Respiratory reactivity, white cells counting in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and peripheral blood, cytokine level measurement in serum and lung tissue, and histologic examination were performed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of HCE on asthma. Network pharmacology approach was used for mechanism prediction. Western blotting and untargeted lipidomics method were applied for mechanism validation. RESULTS: Fifty-two compounds were identified in HCE, predominantly terpenoids and flavonoids. HCE markedly reduced airway resistance, the eosinophil infiltration in lung tissues, and the levels of immunoglobulin E, interleukin-4, interleukin-5, and interleukin-13. Network pharmacology analysis suggested phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases (PI3K), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 Mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) may be key proteins of HCE in the treatment of allergic asthma. Western blot results indicated that the levels of phosphorylated PI3K, JNK, and P38 were downregulated in HCE-treated group. Moreover, HCE significantly upregulated the levels of ceramide and sphingomyelin and downregulated the level of phosphatidylcholine. CONCLUSION HCE inhibited allergic asthma via PI3K/JNK/P38 signaling pathway and lipid homeostasis regulation.

Objective To investigate the causal relationship between gut microbiota and pigmented villonodular synovitis using Mendelian randomization analysis.Methods We conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis to investigate the causal relationship between 211 gut microbiome taxa and pigmented villonodular synovitis based on GWAS summary data,with inverse variance weighted(IVW)analysis as the primary result and the other methods as supplementary analyses.The reliability of the results was tested using Cochran's Q test,MR-Egger regression,MR-PRESSO method and conditional Mendelian randomization analysis(cML-MA).Results The increased abundance of Barnesiella(OR=3.12,95%CI:1.15-8.41,P=0.025)and Rumatococcaceae UCG010(OR=4.03,95%CI:1.19-13.68,P=0.025)may increase the risk of pigmented villous nodular synovitis,and elevated abundance of Lachnospiraceae(OR=0.33,95%CI:0.12-0.91,P=0.032),Alistipes(OR=0.16,95%CI:0.05-0.53,P=0.003),Blautia(OR=0.20,95%CI:0.06-0.61,P=0.005),and Lachnospiraceae FCS020 group(OR=0.38,95%CI:0.15-0.94,P=0.036)and Ruminococcaceae UCG014(OR=0.36,95%CI:0.14-0.94,P=0.037)were all associated with a reduced risk of pigmented villonodular synovitis,which were supported by the results of sensitivity analyses.Reverse Mendelian randomization analysis did not reveal any inverse causal association.Conclusion Increased abundance of specific intestinal microorganisms is associated with increased or decreased risks of developing hyperpigmented villonodular synovitis,and gut microbiota plays an important role in the pathogenesis of this disease.

Objective To investigate the causal relationship between gut microbiota and pigmented villonodular synovitis using Mendelian randomization analysis.Methods We conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis to investigate the causal relationship between 211 gut microbiome taxa and pigmented villonodular synovitis based on GWAS summary data,with inverse variance weighted(IVW)analysis as the primary result and the other methods as supplementary analyses.The reliability of the results was tested using Cochran's Q test,MR-Egger regression,MR-PRESSO method and conditional Mendelian randomization analysis(cML-MA).Results The increased abundance of Barnesiella(OR=3.12,95%CI:1.15-8.41,P=0.025)and Rumatococcaceae UCG010(OR=4.03,95%CI:1.19-13.68,P=0.025)may increase the risk of pigmented villous nodular synovitis,and elevated abundance of Lachnospiraceae(OR=0.33,95%CI:0.12-0.91,P=0.032),Alistipes(OR=0.16,95%CI:0.05-0.53,P=0.003),Blautia(OR=0.20,95%CI:0.06-0.61,P=0.005),and Lachnospiraceae FCS020 group(OR=0.38,95%CI:0.15-0.94,P=0.036)and Ruminococcaceae UCG014(OR=0.36,95%CI:0.14-0.94,P=0.037)were all associated with a reduced risk of pigmented villonodular synovitis,which were supported by the results of sensitivity analyses.Reverse Mendelian randomization analysis did not reveal any inverse causal association.Conclusion Increased abundance of specific intestinal microorganisms is associated with increased or decreased risks of developing hyperpigmented villonodular synovitis,and gut microbiota plays an important role in the pathogenesis of this disease.

Objective:To investigate the unqualified hepatitis C virus (HCV) detection result of blood donors from the served area of blood institutions.Methods:The data related to HCV markers detected of the first and repeat blood donors were collected from the system of practice comparison for the Chinese mainland blood institutions from 2017 to 2021. The anti-HCV reactive rate and the rates of anti-HCV negative but HCV-RNA reaction and all the relationship between rates and the annual, regional and different blood donors were statistically analyzed.Results:During 2017-2021, the number of anti-HCV reactive per 100 000 blood donors decreased from 444.3 to 250.44 in the served area of 22 blood institutions ( χ2=49.677, P<0.05). The number of HCV RNA detected positive per 100 000 anti-HCV negative increased from 0.69 to 2.05 year by year, but there was no statistical significance ( χ2=0.643, P>0.05). The anti-HCV unqualified rate was significantly different among regions ( χ2=3 260.283, P<0.05). The anti-HCV unqualified rate of the first blood donors was significantly higher than that of the repeated blood donors ( F=130.993, P < 0.05). The annual number of HCV RNA detected positive per 100 000 anti-HCV negative blood samples from donors ranged from 0 to 17.28. Conclusions:The anti-HCV unqualified rate of blood donors in the served area of 22 blood institutions decreased year by year. Compared with repeated blood donors, HCV infection should be emphasized in first-time blood donors. The implementation of HCV RNA test can detect out much more HCV infections and reduce the risk of transfusion transmitted infectious HCV.

Transcranial magneto-acoustic electrical stimulation (TMAES) is a novel method of brain nerve regulation and research, which uses induction current generated by the coupling of ultrasound and magnetic field to regulate neural electrical activity in different brain regions. As the second special envoy of nerve signal, calcium plays a key role in nerve signal transmission. In order to investigate the effect of TMAES on prefrontal cortex electrical activity, 15 mice were divided into control group, ultrasound stimulation (TUS) group and TMAES group. The TMAES group received 2.6 W/cm ² and 0.3 T of magnetic induction intensity, the TUS group received only ultrasound stimulation, and the control group received no ultrasound and magnetic field for one week. The calcium ion concentration in the prefrontal cortex of mice was recorded in real time by optical fiber photometric detection technology. The new object recognition experiment was conducted to compare the behavioral differences and the time-frequency distribution of calcium signal in each group. The results showed that the mean value of calcium transient signal in the TMAES group was (4.84 ± 0.11)% within 10 s after the stimulation, which was higher than that in the TUS group (4.40 ± 0.10)% and the control group (4.22 ± 0.08)%, and the waveform of calcium transient signal was slower, suggesting that calcium metabolism was faster. The main energy band of the TMAES group was 0-20 Hz, that of the TUS group was 0-12 Hz and that of the control group was 0-8 Hz. The cognitive index was 0.71 in the TMAES group, 0.63 in the TUS group, and 0.58 in the control group, indicating that both ultrasonic and magneto-acoustic stimulation could improve the cognitive ability of mice, but the effect of the TMAES group was better than that of the TUS group. These results suggest that TMAES can change the calcium homeostasis of prefrontal cortex nerve clusters, regulate the discharge activity of prefrontal nerve clusters, and promote cognitive function. The results of this study provide data support and reference for further exploration of the deep neural mechanism of TMAES.
Acoustics ; Animals ; Brain ; Calcium ; Electric Stimulation ; Mice ; Prefrontal Cortex ; Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation ; Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Background and purpose: XB130 protein plays an important role in proliferation and invasiveness of tumor cells. However, there is little research on the role of XB130 protein in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the effect of XB130 is still unclear. This study investigated the role of XB130 gene in the proliferation of HCC cell and its potential mechanism. Methods: The protein expressions of XB130 in HCC cell lines, Huh7, HepG2 and SNU449, and liver cell line HL7702 were detected by Western blot. Huh7 cells were transfected with XB130-siRNA. Then cell viability was measured using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), and cell cycle was examined by flow cytometry. Protein expressions of p-AKT, p-GSK3β, cyclin D1 and p-Rb were detected by Western blot, while mRNA expression levels of E2F/DP1 target genes (cyclin E1, c-Myc and PCNA) were measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: The relative protein expressions of XB130 in Huh7, HepG2, SNU449 and HL7702 cells were 0.66±0.10, 0.78±0.11, 0.83±0.08 and 0.32±0.06, respectively. The difference between HCC cell lines and HL7702 cell line was statistically significant (P＜0.01). The transfection efficacy of XB130-siRNA was confirmed to be highly effective in Huh7 cells, and the viability of XB130-siRNA transfected Huh7 cells declined 72 h after transfection (P＜0.001). The ratio of Huh7 cells in G0/G1 phase was increased, while the ratio in S or G2/M was decreased 48 h after XB130-siRNA transfection (P＜0.01). In addition, compared with negative control, protein expressions of p-AKT, p-GSK3β, cyclin D1 and p-Rb, and mRNA expression levels of cyclin E1, c-Myc and PCNA were all decreased in XB130-siRNA transfected Huh7 cells (P＜0.001). Conclusion: XB130 promotes the proliferation of HCC cells by regulating cell cycle-related proteins and downstream transcription factors.

Objective: To investigate the imaging features of cerebral small vessel disease(SVD) in systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE) patients with impaired renal function and their related risk factors. Methods: Seventy-six SLE patients and forty age- and sex-matched healthy controls were recruited, and SLE patients were divided into the impaired renal function group [estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <90 ml/(min·1.73 m²)] (n=38) and the normal renal function group [eGFR≥90 ml/(min·1.73 m²)] (n=38) according to their eGFR. All subjects underwent brain MRI, cognitive and psychiatric testing. The SVD scores were measured, total white matter hyperintensity (WMH) and SVD scores were calculated, and the risk factors of SVD scores were analyzed by using ordinal logistic regression. Results: SLE patients in the impaired renal function group showed higher basal ganglia PVS, centrum semiovale perivascular space (PVS), periventricular WMH, deep WMH and total SVD scores compared with normal controls or patients with normal renal function (H=44.568, 31.380, 31.172, 43.419, 24.317, P<0.001) . The ordinal logistic regression analysis showed that C-reactive protein was a risk factor for SVD in patients with SLE(OR=1.323, P<0.01). Conclusion SLE patients with impaired renal function had a higher SVD burden on MR imaging, particularly PVS in the basal ganglia and deep WMH, which was affected by the C-reactive protein level.

4D Flow MRI is a new phase contrast MR technique,which can spatially encode velocity in three-direction,collect multi-directional blood flow data,and result in complex three-dimensional dynamic parameters.4D Flow MRI is more accurate and comprehensive than 2D phase contrast MRI and Doppler echocardiography.However,4D Flow MRI have some disadvantages,such as long scanning time,noise,etc.,which are the future key technical issues to be addressed.4D Flow MRI technology has a great potential in clinical applications,such as intracranial vascular diseases,cardiac magnetic resonance imaging,and other aspects of aortic diseases.Research advances in clinical application of 4D Flow MRI were reviewed in this paper.