Lung cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related morbidity and mortality worldwide, and its treatment continues to face major challenges such as therapeutic resistance and tumor recurrence. Pyroptosis, a newly characterized form of programmed cell death, induces tumor cell death through gasdermin-mediated membrane pore formation and is accompanied by the release of inflammatory mediators, thereby playing complex roles in lung cancer initiation, progression, and modulation of the tumor microenvironment. Active components and herbal formulas derived from traditional Chinese medicine can modulate pyroptosis-related signaling pathways through multi-target mechanisms, showing potential advantages in inducing lung cancer cell death, inhibiting proliferation and migration, and reversing chemoresistance. This review systematically summarizes relevant studies from domestic and international sources, focusing on the molecular mechanisms of pyroptosis, its roles in lung cancer development and tumor microenvironment remodeling, and the current research progress on traditional Chinese medicine-based interventions targeting pyroptosis, with the aim of providing references for the prevention and treatment of lung cancer using traditional Chinese medicine.

In the clinical stage, suspected hemolytic plasma may cause hemolysis illness, manifesting as symptoms such as heart failure, severe anemia, etc. Applying a deep learning method to plasma images significantly improves recognition accuracy, so that this paper proposes a plasma quality detection model based on improved "You Only Look Once" 5th version (YOLOv5). Then the model presented in this paper and the evaluation system ‌were introduced‌ into the plasma datasets, and ‌the average accuracy of the final classification reached 98.7%‌. The results of this paper's experiment were obtained through the combination of several key algorithm modules including‌ omni-dimensional dynamic convolution, pooling with separable kernel attention, residual bi-fusion feature pyramid network, ‌and‌ re-parameterization convolution. The method of this paper‌ obtains the feature information of spatial mapping efficiently, and enhances the average recognition accuracy of plasma quality detection. This paper presents a high-efficiency detection method for plasma images, aiming to provide a practical approach to prevent hemolysis illnesses caused by external factors.
Algorithms ; Humans ; Hemolysis ; Plasma ; Deep Learning ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted/methods*

ObjectiveTo investigate the antitumor effect and mechanism of Guiqi Yiyuan ointment on Lewis lung cancer mice based on the extracellular regulatory protein kinase （ERK） signaling pathway. MethodsA Lewis lung cancer mouse model was established. Except for the blank group， the model mice were randomly divided into the model group， Guiqi Yiyuan ointment low， medium， and high dose groups， and the extracellular ERK1/2 inhibitor group， with 10 mice per group. The Guiqi Yiyuan ointment was administered by gavage at doses of 1.75， 3.5， 7.0 g·kg^-1·d^-1 for the low， medium， and high dose groups， respectively. The ERK1/2 inhibitor group was given the ERK1/2 inhibitor LY3214996 （100 mg·kg^-1·d^-1） by gavage. The treatment was administered for 14 consecutive days， after which samples were collected. Tumor histopathological changes were observed using hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe ultrastructural changes in tumor cells. Immunofluorescence was performed to measure the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 （p-ERK1/2） and the expression of programmed cell death ligand-1 （PD-L1） in tumor tissues. Western blot and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） were used to detect the expression of p-ERK1/2， PD-L1， the autophagy marker Beclin-1， the autophagic protein p62， and the microtubule-associated protein light chains LC3Ⅰ and LC3Ⅱ at both the protein and gene levels. ResultsCompared with the model group， the average tumor weight was significantly reduced in the low and medium dose groups of Guiqi Yiyuan ointment （P<0.05）， and markedly reduced in the high dose and inhibitor groups （P<0.01）. Tumor cells in all treatment groups became progressively irregular， with ruptured nuclei and expanded areas of cell disintegration and necrosis. The number of organellar ablations in tumor tissues increased， and the number of autophagic vesicles also increased in all groups. The mean fluorescence intensity of p-ERK1/2 and PD-L1 was reduced in the low and medium dose groups of Guiqi Yiyuan ointment （P<0.05）， and significantly reduced in the high dose and inhibitor groups （P<0.01）. The mRNA expression of ERK1/2， PD-L1， Beclin-1， and p62 was reduced in the medium dose group （P<0.05）， while LC3Ⅰ/Ⅱ mRNA expression was elevated （P<0.05）. In the high dose and inhibitor groups， mRNA expression of ERK1/2， PD-L1， Beclin-1， and p62 was significantly reduced （P<0.01）， while LC3Ⅰ/Ⅱ mRNA expression was significantly increased （P<0.01）. Protein expression of p-ERK1/2， PD-L1， Beclin-1， and p62 was reduced in the medium dose group （P<0.05）， and LC3Ⅰ/Ⅱ protein expression was elevated （P<0.05）. In the high dose and inhibitor groups， protein expression of p-ERK1/2， PD-L1， Beclin-1， and p62 was significantly reduced （P<0.01）， while LC3Ⅰ/Ⅱ protein expression was significantly elevated （P<0.01）. ConclusionGuiqi Yiyuan ointment may inhibit the activation of the ERK signaling pathway， downregulate the expression of p-ERK1/2， promote autophagic flux in tumor cells， and regulate the expression of PD-L1， thereby exerting an inhibitory effect on tumor growth in Lewis lung cancer mice.

Objective:Assessing the therapeutic efficacy of methotrexate(MTX)-modified magnetic nanoparticles in thermo-chemotherapy for rat breast cancer and its impact on immune function.Methods:Female Wistar rats were subcutaneously inoculated with breast cancer Walker-256 cells to establish a transplantation tumor model,and injected with polyethyleneimine(PEI)-modified Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles(47T group,42T group and multiple 42T group)or MTX-modified Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles(47TC group,42TC group and multiple 42TC group)for thermotherapy under the magnetic field at different temperatures(47℃and 42℃).The rats injected with MTX-modified magnetic fluid only(MFC group)and the tumor-bearing rats without any treatment(blank control group),with irradiation treatment in an alternating magnetic field only for 30 minutes(M group),with injection of PEI-modified magnetic fluid only(MF group),with treatment of MTX-mono drug(MTX group)and not inoculated with tumor cells(normal group)were used as control groups.X-ray radiography was used to display the distribution of magnetic fluid in the tumor tissue 24 hours,2 weeks and 2 months after intra-tumor injection.After 24 hours of treatment,three rats were selected from each of the 47T and 47TC groups,and the effect of magnetic fluid on tumor cells was observed under an electron microscope after execution.After 14 days of treatment,the tumor volume of rats was measured and statistically analyzed.At the same time,4 rats were selected from each of the 47TC,47T,42TC,42T,MFC,MTX,blank control and normal groups,and the levels of IL-2,IFN-γ and IL-4 in peripheral blood were detected by ELISA method.The remaining rats were observed for long-term survival.Results:The magnetic nanoparticles were evenly distributed in the center of the tumor but unevenly distributed at the tumor's edge;they primarily localize amomg tumor cells and can penertrate into tumor cells.Tumor growth was inhibited in rats in the 47TC,47T,multiple 42TC and multiple 42T groups(all P<0.05),and the survival rates of the rats were high.As compared with the blank control group,the levels of IL-2 and IFN-γ were increased while the IL-4 level was decreased in the 47TC and 47T groups(all P<0.05).Conclusion:Thermo-chemotherapy at 47℃for 30 minutes and multiple sessions at 42℃for 60 minutes can partially inhibit tumor growth and prolong rat survival.This effect maybe related to the thermo-chemotherapy at 47℃for 30 minutes which can activate the body's immune function.

Objective:To investigate postoperative analgesic effects of transversus abdominis plane block (TAPB) versus local infiltration analgesia (LIA) after laparotomy for cytoreductive surgery in patients with ovarian cancer. Methods:This study used a randomized controlled design. Ninety patients with ovarian cancer who underwent laparotomy for cytoreductive surgery at Jilin Cancer Hospital from June 2022 to June 2023 were prospectively included. The patients were randomly assigned to either the TAPB group or the LIA group ( n = 45 per group) using the random number table method. The TAPB group received TAPB postoperatively, while the LIA group received LIA. Postoperative pain in both groups was assessed, and the number of presses on the patient-controlled intravenous analgesia device, as well as the incidence of postoperative adverse reactions, were recorded. Results:At 6, 12, and 24 hours after surgery, the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores in the TAPB group were significantly lower than those in the LIA group [(2.91 ± 0.64) vs. (3.35 ± 0.82), t = -2.84, P = 0.006; (3.42 ± 0.96) vs. (4.27 ± 1.14), t = -3.83, P<0.001; (2.28 ± 0.51) vs. (2.86 ± 0.83), t = -3.99, P<0.001]. The number of presses on the patient-controlled intravenous analgesia device and the number of rescue treatments in the TAPB group were significantly lower than those in the LIA group [(10.24 ± 2.52) counts vs. (16.79 ± 4.38) counts, t = -8.70, P<0.001; (1.82 ± 0.46) counts vs. (2.68 ± 0.84) counts, t = -6.02, P<0.001]. There was no significant difference in incidence of postoperative adverse reactions including nausea, vomiting, and chills between the two groups [4.44% (2/45) vs. 6.67% (3/45), P>0.05]. Conclusions:In patients with ovarian cancer undergoing laparotomy for cytoreductive surgery, postoperative analgesia using TAPB demonstrates greater efficacy compared with LIA. TAPB more effectively alleviates postoperative pain and reduces the number of presses on the patient-controlled intravenous analgesia device, while also offering higher safety than LIA.

Objective To investigate the effects of Qizhi Zhoufei Granules on endoplasmic reticulum stress in rats with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD);To explore its mechanism.Methods COPD rat model was induced by lipopolysaccharide tracheal instillation and smoking.Totally 60 Wistar rats were divided into control group,model group,Bufei Huoxue Capsules group and Qizhi Zhoufei Granules low-,medium-and high-dosage groups using random number table method,with 10 rats in each group.Drug gavage intervention was carried out for the treatment group since the 29th day of modeling,and normal saline was given to the control group and model group for 28 d.Lung function tests were performed,HE staining was used to detect morphology of lung tissue,TUNEL staining was used to detect the degree of apoptosis in lung tissue,RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to detect the endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis related molecular mRNA and protein expression in lung tissue.Results Compared with the control group,the lung function indexes of peak inspiratory flow(PIF),peak expiratory flow(PEF)and minute volume(MV)significantly decreased,and frequency of breathing(F)significantly increased in the model group(P＜0.05);the structural damage of the lung tissue was obvious,the lung injury score and apoptosis rate significantly increased(P＜0.05),the expressions of glucose regulated protein 78(GRP78),protein kinase R-like ER kinase(PERK),C/EBP-homologous protein(CHOP),Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 mRNA were increased(P＜0.05),the protein expressions of GRP78,p-PERK,activating transcription factor 4(ATF4),CHOP,Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 were significantly increased(P＜0.05).Compared with the model group,PIF,PEF and MV significantly increased in Qizhi Zhoufei Granules medium-and high-dosage groups and Bufei Huoxue Capsules group,and F significantly decreased(P＜0.05);the damage in lung tissue was improved,and the lung injury score and cell apoptosis rate significantly decreased(P＜0.05),the mRNA expressions of GRP78,PERK,CHOP,Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 in lung tissue decreased(P＜0.05),and the protein expressions of GRP78,p-PERK,ATF4,CHOP,Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 decreased(P＜0.05).Conclusion Qizhi Zhoufei Granules can prevent cell apoptosis and excessive damage by inhibiting the expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress related factors in COPD rats,thereby promoting unfolded protein response and improving endoplasmic reticulum folding ability,constraining endoplasmic reticulum stress state,and assisting in its regulation.

Objective:Assessing the therapeutic efficacy of methotrexate(MTX)-modified magnetic nanoparticles in thermo-chemotherapy for rat breast cancer and its impact on immune function.Methods:Female Wistar rats were subcutaneously inoculated with breast cancer Walker-256 cells to establish a transplantation tumor model,and injected with polyethyleneimine(PEI)-modified Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles(47T group,42T group and multiple 42T group)or MTX-modified Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles(47TC group,42TC group and multiple 42TC group)for thermotherapy under the magnetic field at different temperatures(47℃and 42℃).The rats injected with MTX-modified magnetic fluid only(MFC group)and the tumor-bearing rats without any treatment(blank control group),with irradiation treatment in an alternating magnetic field only for 30 minutes(M group),with injection of PEI-modified magnetic fluid only(MF group),with treatment of MTX-mono drug(MTX group)and not inoculated with tumor cells(normal group)were used as control groups.X-ray radiography was used to display the distribution of magnetic fluid in the tumor tissue 24 hours,2 weeks and 2 months after intra-tumor injection.After 24 hours of treatment,three rats were selected from each of the 47T and 47TC groups,and the effect of magnetic fluid on tumor cells was observed under an electron microscope after execution.After 14 days of treatment,the tumor volume of rats was measured and statistically analyzed.At the same time,4 rats were selected from each of the 47TC,47T,42TC,42T,MFC,MTX,blank control and normal groups,and the levels of IL-2,IFN-γ and IL-4 in peripheral blood were detected by ELISA method.The remaining rats were observed for long-term survival.Results:The magnetic nanoparticles were evenly distributed in the center of the tumor but unevenly distributed at the tumor's edge;they primarily localize amomg tumor cells and can penertrate into tumor cells.Tumor growth was inhibited in rats in the 47TC,47T,multiple 42TC and multiple 42T groups(all P<0.05),and the survival rates of the rats were high.As compared with the blank control group,the levels of IL-2 and IFN-γ were increased while the IL-4 level was decreased in the 47TC and 47T groups(all P<0.05).Conclusion:Thermo-chemotherapy at 47℃for 30 minutes and multiple sessions at 42℃for 60 minutes can partially inhibit tumor growth and prolong rat survival.This effect maybe related to the thermo-chemotherapy at 47℃for 30 minutes which can activate the body's immune function.

Objective To investigate the effects of Qizhi Zhoufei Granules on endoplasmic reticulum stress in rats with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD);To explore its mechanism.Methods COPD rat model was induced by lipopolysaccharide tracheal instillation and smoking.Totally 60 Wistar rats were divided into control group,model group,Bufei Huoxue Capsules group and Qizhi Zhoufei Granules low-,medium-and high-dosage groups using random number table method,with 10 rats in each group.Drug gavage intervention was carried out for the treatment group since the 29th day of modeling,and normal saline was given to the control group and model group for 28 d.Lung function tests were performed,HE staining was used to detect morphology of lung tissue,TUNEL staining was used to detect the degree of apoptosis in lung tissue,RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to detect the endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis related molecular mRNA and protein expression in lung tissue.Results Compared with the control group,the lung function indexes of peak inspiratory flow(PIF),peak expiratory flow(PEF)and minute volume(MV)significantly decreased,and frequency of breathing(F)significantly increased in the model group(P＜0.05);the structural damage of the lung tissue was obvious,the lung injury score and apoptosis rate significantly increased(P＜0.05),the expressions of glucose regulated protein 78(GRP78),protein kinase R-like ER kinase(PERK),C/EBP-homologous protein(CHOP),Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 mRNA were increased(P＜0.05),the protein expressions of GRP78,p-PERK,activating transcription factor 4(ATF4),CHOP,Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 were significantly increased(P＜0.05).Compared with the model group,PIF,PEF and MV significantly increased in Qizhi Zhoufei Granules medium-and high-dosage groups and Bufei Huoxue Capsules group,and F significantly decreased(P＜0.05);the damage in lung tissue was improved,and the lung injury score and cell apoptosis rate significantly decreased(P＜0.05),the mRNA expressions of GRP78,PERK,CHOP,Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 in lung tissue decreased(P＜0.05),and the protein expressions of GRP78,p-PERK,ATF4,CHOP,Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 decreased(P＜0.05).Conclusion Qizhi Zhoufei Granules can prevent cell apoptosis and excessive damage by inhibiting the expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress related factors in COPD rats,thereby promoting unfolded protein response and improving endoplasmic reticulum folding ability,constraining endoplasmic reticulum stress state,and assisting in its regulation.

Objective:To investigate postoperative analgesic effects of transversus abdominis plane block (TAPB) versus local infiltration analgesia (LIA) after laparotomy for cytoreductive surgery in patients with ovarian cancer. Methods:This study used a randomized controlled design. Ninety patients with ovarian cancer who underwent laparotomy for cytoreductive surgery at Jilin Cancer Hospital from June 2022 to June 2023 were prospectively included. The patients were randomly assigned to either the TAPB group or the LIA group ( n = 45 per group) using the random number table method. The TAPB group received TAPB postoperatively, while the LIA group received LIA. Postoperative pain in both groups was assessed, and the number of presses on the patient-controlled intravenous analgesia device, as well as the incidence of postoperative adverse reactions, were recorded. Results:At 6, 12, and 24 hours after surgery, the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores in the TAPB group were significantly lower than those in the LIA group [(2.91 ± 0.64) vs. (3.35 ± 0.82), t = -2.84, P = 0.006; (3.42 ± 0.96) vs. (4.27 ± 1.14), t = -3.83, P<0.001; (2.28 ± 0.51) vs. (2.86 ± 0.83), t = -3.99, P<0.001]. The number of presses on the patient-controlled intravenous analgesia device and the number of rescue treatments in the TAPB group were significantly lower than those in the LIA group [(10.24 ± 2.52) counts vs. (16.79 ± 4.38) counts, t = -8.70, P<0.001; (1.82 ± 0.46) counts vs. (2.68 ± 0.84) counts, t = -6.02, P<0.001]. There was no significant difference in incidence of postoperative adverse reactions including nausea, vomiting, and chills between the two groups [4.44% (2/45) vs. 6.67% (3/45), P>0.05]. Conclusions:In patients with ovarian cancer undergoing laparotomy for cytoreductive surgery, postoperative analgesia using TAPB demonstrates greater efficacy compared with LIA. TAPB more effectively alleviates postoperative pain and reduces the number of presses on the patient-controlled intravenous analgesia device, while also offering higher safety than LIA.

Objective:To investigate the predictive value of preoperative peripheral blood systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) for lymph node metastasis in gastric cancer patients.Methods:A retrospective case cohort study was performed. The clinicopathological data of 319 gastric cancer patients who underwent surgical resection in Jiangsu Cancer Hospital from October 2021 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 150 cases were postoperatively pathologically confirmed as non-lymph node (non-metastasis group) and 169 cases were confirmed as lymph node (metastasis group). Preoperative SII, PLR, and NLR of patients in both groups were compared. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated to determine the optimal cut-off value of all hematological indicators to judge lymph node metastasis. Logistic regression was used to analyze the factors influencing the lymph node metastasis of gastric cancer. According to multivariate logistic regression result, the predictive model for lymph node metastasis in gastric cancer was established. R4.2.1 software was used to establish a nomogram model. C statistics and Hosmer-Lemeshow test were used to evaluate the predictive performance and the fitness of the model.Results:Among 150 non-metastatic patients, 105 cases were male and 45 cases were female, the age [ M ( Q1, Q3)] was 60 years (54 years, 70 years); among 169 metastatic patients, 124 cases were male and 45 cases were female, the age was 64 years (56 years, 70 years). Compared with non-metastasis group, patients in metastasis group had higher levels of preoperative SII, PLR and NLR, and the differences were statistically significant ( Z = -4.58, -4.14, -3.79, all P < 0.05). The AUC values of SII, PLR, and NLR were 0.649, 0.634 and 0.623, respectively, with optimal cut-off values of 710.24, 182.21 and 1.72. Multivariate logistic analysis showed that SII > 710.24 ( OR = 2.051, 95% CI: 1.006-4.184, P = 0.048), PLR > 182.21 ( OR = 1.950, 95% CI: 1.011-3.760, P = 0.046), NLR > 1.72 ( OR =1.976, 95% CI: 1.116-3.500, P = 0.020), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) > 2.57 ng/ml ( OR =2.179, 95% CI: 1.290-3.679, P = 0.004), carbohydrate antigen 724 (CA724) > 1.83 U/ml ( OR =2.365, 95% CI: 1.420-3.938, P = 0.001), and carbohydrate antigen 199 (CA199) > 14.85 U/ml ( OR =1.965, 95% CI: 1.129-3.420, P = 0.017) were independent risk factors for lymph node metastasis in gastric cancer. The predictive model of gastric cancer patients with lymph node metastasis: logit (P) = -1.730+0.718×SII+0.668×PLR+0.681×NLR+0.779×CEA+0.861×CA724+0.676×CA199. The prediction accuracy rate was 71.47% and C statistics was 0.762 (95% CI: 0.710-0.815, P < 0.01). There was no statistically significant difference between the model predictive value and the actual observed value ( χ2 = 3.84, P = 0.871). Conclusions:Preoperative monitoring of peripheral blood SII, PLR and NLR levels has a certain value in predicting lymph node metastasis in patients with gastric cancer.