Background/Aims: Dysregulated cholesterol metabolism is a hallmark of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) that drives tumor initiation and progression. However, clinical targeting of cholesterol metabolism has yielded limited benefits due to stringent feedback in tumor cells. Identifying a central mediator capable of restoring cholesterol homeostasis within the cell’s intrinsically fine-tuned regulatory framework is urgently needed. Methods: We integrated a proteomic dataset from patients with cholesterol-dysregulated HCC into a global cholesterol metabolic regulatory network to identify potential therapeutic targets for disrupted cholesterol homeostasis. The prognostic significance of the candidate targets was further validated in an independent cohort through immunohistochemistry. Functional and mechanistic studies were conducted in vitro using HCC cell lines and in vivo using mouse models. The pharmacological efficacy of the candidate agent was evaluated in both subcutaneous and orthotopic HCC mouse models. Results: ER lipid raft-associated 1 (ERLIN1), a pivotal regulator of cholesterol metabolism reprogramming, was identified as an independent favorable prognostic indicator in HCC. ERLIN1 constrains HCC progression both in vitro and in vivo by stabilizing the INSIG1–SCAP–SREBP2 axis and maintaining the metabolic balance of intracellular cholesterol. Under hypoxia, impaired factor-inhibiting hypoxia-1-dependent hydroxylation of ASB11 at asparagine residues 90 and 92 enhances ASB11-mediated ERLIN1 degradation. Pharmacological targeting of this axis using zoledronic acid (ZoA) attenuated HCC progression by weakening the ASB11–ERLIN1 interaction and restoring cholesterol homeostasis. Conclusions ERLIN1 represents a druggable metabolic vulnerability in cholesterol-dysregulated HCC. Targeting the ASB11–ERLIN1 axis with the clinically approved ZoA reestablishes cholesterol homeostasis and offers a promising therapeutic strategy to overcome the current limitations of cholesterol-targeted HCC therapies.

Schizophrenia is a chronic and debilitating mental disorder.Around 20%to 40%of patients do not respond well to normal antipsychotic medication,and are ultimately diagnosed with treatment-resistant schizophrenia(TRS),representing the most severe and challenging form of schizophrenia.Currently,clozapine is the standard treatment for TRS.Early identification and standardized treatment can be beneficial to patients with TRS by controlling acute-phase symptoms as soon as possible,reducing suicidal rate and improving their quality of life.Under the guidance of the Steering Committee,this consensus was formed after multiple discussions by 30 psychiatric experts and anonymous Delphi surveys including 17 consensus opinions on treatment-resistant schizophrenia,which cover risk factors and prevention,diagnosis and evaluation,standardized clozapine treatment and management of adverse reactions,treatment regimens for clozapine resistance and intolerance,and psychosocial intervention,etc.The consensus-making process also incorporated evidence-based medicine to help standardize and guide diagnosis and treatment for adults with TRS in China.

Schizophrenia is a chronic and debilitating mental disorder.Around 20%to 40%of patients do not respond well to normal antipsychotic medication,and are ultimately diagnosed with treatment-resistant schizophrenia(TRS),representing the most severe and challenging form of schizophrenia.Currently,clozapine is the standard treatment for TRS.Early identification and standardized treatment can be beneficial to patients with TRS by controlling acute-phase symptoms as soon as possible,reducing suicidal rate and improving their quality of life.Under the guidance of the Steering Committee,this consensus was formed after multiple discussions by 30 psychiatric experts and anonymous Delphi surveys including 17 consensus opinions on treatment-resistant schizophrenia,which cover risk factors and prevention,diagnosis and evaluation,standardized clozapine treatment and management of adverse reactions,treatment regimens for clozapine resistance and intolerance,and psychosocial intervention,etc.The consensus-making process also incorporated evidence-based medicine to help standardize and guide diagnosis and treatment for adults with TRS in China.

To prepare monoclonal antibody to the N protein of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus(PRRSV),BALB/c mice were immunized with the purified N protein of the PRRSV-2 strain expressed by prokaryotic expression system.Mouse splenocytes were fused with myeloma cells using hybridoma technique,hybridoma cells were identified by indirect ELISA method and indirect immunofluorescence assay(IFA),and positive hybridoma cells were screened for subclones using the limited dilution method.The results showed that a monoclonal antibody cell line 4A7 was successfully obtained,and the results of Western blot and IFA indicated that the monoclonal antibody could accurately recognize the N proteins of type 1 and type 2 PRRSV.Mean-while,the N protein gene was truncated and expressed by prokaryotic expression system,and the amino acid sequence of the B-cell antigenic epitope recognized by 4A7 was screened as 51EKPHF55 using Western blot.Comparison of epitope amino acids in the N protein gene sequences of different strains revealed that the antigenic epitope 51EKPHF55 recognized by the monoclonal antibody 4A7 has no amino acid difference in the sequences of three subtypes among the PRRSV-1 strains and nine lineages among the PRRSV-2 strains,indicating a high degree of conservation.The results of the study provide a foundation the development of PRRSV diagnostic kits and novel vaccines.

With the advancement of rectal cancer surgery, low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) has emerged as a significant issue impacting the postoperative quality of life for patients. Anorectal manometry (ARM), an essential diagnostic tool, possesses principles and methodologies that are crucial for assessing anorectal function. In the context of LARS diagnosis, ARM plays a pivotal role by providing objective evidence for clinical evaluations. Concurrently, the implications and efficacy of this technology in treatment are gaining increasing attention. Nonetheless, several challenges remain regarding its current application. Through an analysis of existing research, this article aims to elucidate the value of ARM in both the diagnosis and treatment of LARS, with the ultimate goal of enhancing the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to LARS and improving patients' quality of life.

Objective:To investigate the feasibility of employing high-resolution colon manometry (HRCM) in conjunction with natural orifice specimen extraction surgery (NOSES) during laparoscopic Jinling surgery for the treatment of colonic slow transit constipation (STC).Methods:This study retrospectively analyzed data from nine patients with STC who underwent HRCM preoperative evaluation and subsequently received NOSES Jinling surgery at Tianjin Union Medical Center between October 2016 and March 2023. The general intraoperative conditions and postoperative evaluation indicators were recorded.Results:All 9 patients underwent HRCM examination before surgery. High amplitude propagation contraction (HAPC) was observed in the ascending colon segment of all patients. The occurrence frequency of HAPC was 4.22±1.86 (times/day). The operation time of 9 patients was 200.0 (167.5, 250.0) minutes, the intraoperative blood loss was 100 (50, 150) ml, the postoperative hospitalization time was 13.0 (12.5, 24.0) days, and the first postoperative exhaust time was 3.0 (2.0, 3.5) days, the first postoperative defecation time was 5.0 (4.5, 5.5) days, the first postoperative eating time was 5.0 (5.0, 5.5) days, and the first postoperative time out of bed was 5.0 (5.0, 8.0) days. Notably, none of the 9 patients experienced postoperative complications. The Wexner scores at 6 months [5 (4, 7)], and 12 months [4 (3, 5)] post-surgery were significantly lower than the preoperative score [20 (16, 21)] ( P<0.05). Additionally, the patient assessment of constipation quality of life (PAC-QOL) scores at 6 months [22 (20, 25)], and 12 months [18 (12, 45)] after surgery showed a significant decrease compared to preoperative scores [79 (72, 82)] ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The combination of HRCM preoperative assessment and NOSES Jinling surgery is both safe and feasible for the treatment of slow transit constipation, warranting further development and promotion.

Objective To assess the utility of real-time shear wave elastography(SWE)in diagnosing vascular erectile dysfunction(ED)and to predict the optimal timing for color Doppler flow imaging(CDFI)examination.Methods Patients diagnosed with ED who received intracavernosal injection(ICI)of vasoactive drugs were recruited and categorized based on CDFI findings into three groups:arterial ED(n=17),venous ED(n=33),and non-vascular ED(n=29).SWE technology was utilized to measure the average Young's modulus(E value)of the corpus cavernosum in these patients,both in the flaccid state prior to ICI and at four time points following ICI-induced erection.Subsequently,the differences in E values among the three groups were analyzed.Results There was no significant difference in the E value of the corpus cavernosum in the flaccid state among the arterial,venous,and non-vascular ED groups before ICI(P>0.05).However,the E value in the flaccid state for each group was significantly higher than the mean E values observed at the four time points after ICI-induced erection(P<0.01).Additionally,the mean E values at these four time points post-ICI were also statistically significant(P<0.01).ROC curve analysis revealed that the AUC for diagnosing arterial,venous,and non-vascular ED using the E value after ICI were 0.814,0.770,and 0.711,respectively,with corresponding cutoff values of 9.98,8.16 and 7.06 kPa.The combined use of CDFI and SWE cutoff values following ICI-induced erection significantly shortened the detection time for both arterial and venous ED groups(P<0.01).Conclusions SWE can accurately measure the E value of the corpus cavernosum following erection induced by the vasoactive drug ICI,thereby facilitating the differentia-tion of various types of ED.Additionally,when combined with CDFI,this technique can reduce the time required for examination.

Objective:To evaluate the role of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in long-term cognitive impairment after multiple sevoflurane anesthesia in newborn mice.Methods:Clean-grade healthy male C57BL/6 mice, aged 6 days, were used in this study. Ten mice were divided into 2 groups ( n=5 each) by the random number table method: control group (group C) and sevoflurane group (group S). The animals inhaled 3% sevoflurane for 2 h at 6, 7 and 8 days after birth. The DHA content was detected by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry at 9 days of age. Fifty-two mice were selected and divided into 4 groups ( n=13 each) by a random number table method: control+ normal saline group (group C+ S), sevoflurane anesthesia + normal saline group (group S+ S), control+ DHA group (group C+ D), and sevoflurane anesthesia+ DHA group (group S+ D). The sevoflurane anesthesia method was the same as the one mentioned above. DHA 50 mg/kg was administered by intragastric gavage from postnatal days 6-19 (at 6, 7 and 8 days after birth, 2 h before anesthesia) in C+ D and S+ D groups. The equal volume of normal saline was given instead in C+ S group and S+ S group. The novel object recognition test was conducted at 37 days of age, and the Morris water maze test was performed at 42 days of age. The corpus callosum and hippocampal tissues were isolated at 47 days of age for examination of the ultrastructure of myelin (with a transmission electron microscope) and for determination of the expression of myelin basic protein (MBP) in hippocampal tissues (by Western blot). The G-ratio was calculated. Results:Compared with group C, the content of DHA in hippocampal tissues was significantly decreased in group S ( P<0.05). Compared with group C+ S, the discrimination index was significantly decreased, the percentage of duration of staying at the target platform quadrant and the number of crossing the original platform were decreased, the expression of MBP was down-regulated, and the G-ratio in the original platform and hippocampus was increased in S+ S group ( P<0.05). Compared with group S+ S, the discrimination index was significantly increased, the percentage of duration of staying at the target platform quadrant and the number of crossing the original platform were increased, the expression of MBP was up-regulated, and the G-ratio in the original platform and hippocampus was decreased in S+ D group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The mechanism of long-term cognitive impairment following multiple sevoflurane anesthesia may be related to a decrease in the content of DHA, which subsequently leads to myelin structural damage in neonatal mice.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of multiple sevoflurane anesthesia on the metabolism of long-chain fatty acids in the hippocampus of newborn mice and the role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-beta (PPARβ).Methods:Clean-grade healthy male C57BL/6 mice, aged 6 days, weighing 3-5 g, were divided into 2 groups ( n=8 each) by a random number table method: control group (group C) and multiple sevoflurane anesthesia group (group S). This study was performed in 2 parts. PartⅠ Sixteen newborn mice were divided into 2 groups ( n=8 each) using a random number table: control group (C group) and multiple sevoflurane anesthesia group (S group). Anesthesia was performed with sevoflurane on postnatal days 6, 7 and 8. The hippocampus was obtained at postnatal day 9 for determination of the content of long-chain fatty acids (by ultra-high performance liquid mass spectrometry), expression of PPARβ (by Western blot), and expression of stearoyl-CoA desaturase-2 (Scd2) and fatty acid desaturase 2 (Fads2) mRNA (using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction). Part Ⅱ Twenty-one newborn mice were divided into 3 groups ( n=7 each) using a random number table: control+ normal saline group (group C+ S), sevoflurane + normal saline group (group S+ S), and sevoflurane+ PPARβ specific agonist KD3010 group (group S+ K). Anesthesia was carried out with sevoflurane on postnatal days 6, 7 and 8. KD3010 25 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected once a day from postnatal day 6 to 13 in S+ K group. The novel object recognition test was performed on postnatal day 37, and the Morris water maze test was performed on postnatal day 42. The hippocampal tissues were obtained on postnatal day 47 for detection of the expression of Scd2 mRNA and Fads2 mRNA by fluorescent quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Anesthesia was carried out with sevoflurane as follows: Mice were exposed to 3% sevoflurane in 40% oxygen-60% nitrogen in an induction chamber for 2 h at a flow rate of 1 L/min. Results:PartⅠ Compared with group C, the total content of long-chain fatty acids, contents of saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids were significantly decreased, the percentage of saturated fatty acids was increased, the percentage of monounsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids was decreased, the expression of Scd2 mRNA and Fads2 mRNA was down-regulated, and the expression of PPARβ was down-regulated in group S ( P<0.05). Part Ⅱ Compared with group C+ S, the discrimination index in the novel object recognition test and percentage of time spent in the target quadrant were significantly decreased, the number of crossing the original platform was reduced, and the expression of Scd2 and Fads2 mRNA was down-regulated in group S+ S ( P<0.05). Compared with group S+ S, the discrimination index in the novel object recognition test and percentage of time spent in the target quadrant were significantly increased, the number of crossing the original platform was increased, and the expression of Scd2 and Fads2 mRNA was up-regulated in group S+ K ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Multiple anesthesia with sevoflurane can lead to the disorder of long-chain fatty acid metabolism in the hippocampus of neonatal mice, resulting in long-term cognitive dysfunction. The mechanism may be related to inhibiting the activity of hippocampal PPARβ signaling pathway.

Purpose: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common male sexual dysfunction. Gut microbiota plays an important role in various diseases. To investigate the effects and mechanisms of intestinal flora dysregulation induced by high-fat diet (HFD) on erectile function. Materials and Methods: Male Sprague–Dawley rats aged 8 weeks were randomly divided into the normal diet (ND) and HFD groups. After 24 weeks, a measurement of erectile function was performed. We performed 16S rRNA sequencing of stool samples. Then, we established fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) rat models by transplanting fecal microbiota from rats of ND group and HFD group to two new groups of rats respectively. After 24 weeks, erectile function of the rats was evaluated and 16S rRNA sequencing was performed, and serum samples were collected for the untargeted metabolomics detection. Results: The erectile function of rats and the species diversity of intestinal microbiota in the HFD group was significantly lower, and the characteristics of the intestinal microbiota community structure were also significantly different between the two groups. The erectile function of rats in the HFD-FMT group was significantly lower than that of rats in the ND-FMT group. The characteristics of the intestinal microbiota community structure were significantly different. In the HFD-FMT group, 27 metabolites were significantly different and they were mainly involved in the several inflammation-related pathways. Conclusions Intestinal microbiota disorders induced by HFD can damage the intestinal barrier of rats, change the serum metabolic profile, induce low-grade inflammation and apoptosis in the corpus cavernosum of the penis, and lead to ED.