Cancer is a serious global health problem and a major cause of human death. Conventional cancer treatments often run the risk of impairing vital organ functions. Anticancer peptides (ACPs) are considered to be one of the most promising therapeutic agents against common human cancers due to their small sizes, high specificity, and low toxicity. Since ACP recognition is highly limited to the laboratory, expensive, and time-consuming, we proposed pLM4ACP, a model for predicting ACPs based on machine learning and protein language models. In this model, the protein language model ProtT5 was used to extract the features of ACPs, and the extracted features were input into the support vector machine (SVM) classification algorithm for optimization and performance evaluation. The model showcased significantly higher accuracy than other methods, with the overall accuracy of 0.763, F1-score of 0.767, Matthews correlation coefficient of 0.527, and area under the curve of 0.827 on the independent test set. This study constructs an efficient anticancer peptide prediction model based on protein language models, further advancing the application of artificial intelligence in the biomedical field and promoting the development of precision medicine and computational biology.
Machine Learning ; Antineoplastic Agents/chemistry* ; Humans ; Peptides/chemistry* ; Support Vector Machine ; Algorithms ; Computational Biology/methods* ; Neoplasms/drug therapy*

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of blueberry-derived tectorigenin （TEC） on hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines HepG2 and Huh7 and its mechanism. MethodsTEC was extracted from blueberries and purified， and a bioinformatics analysis was performed to identify potential target genes and signaling pathways. HepG2 and Huh7 cell lines were used and divided into 0， 30， 60， and 90 μg/mL groups according to the concentration of TEC. CCK-8 assay was used to measure cell viability； wound healing assay and Transwell assay were used to assess the migration ability of cells； flow cytometry was used to measure cell apoptosis rate； Western Blot was used to measure the protein expression levels of CCNB1， p53， MDM2， Bax， Bcl-2， and active-Caspase 3. Cell models with low CCNB1 expression （NC group， si-NC group， si-NC+TEC group， si-CCNB1 group， and si-CCNB1+TEC group） and CCNB1 overexpression （OE-NC group， OE-NC+TEC group， OE-CCNB1 group， and OE-CCNB1+TEC group） were established to validate the targets. A one-way analysis of variance or two factors analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups， and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. The Wilcoxon signed rank sum test was used to compare the expression levels of genes between cancer tissue and paracancerous tissue. ResultsIn HepG2 and Huh7 cells under the same concentration of TEC， cell viability at 24 hours of TEC intervention was significantly lower than that at 12 and 48 hours （all P<0.05）， and at 24 hours of intervention， the TEC 90 μg/mL group had a significantly lower cell viability than the other groups （all P<0.05）. Therefore， TEC intervention for 24 hours at a concentration of 90 μg/mL was used for subsequent studies. Compared with the TEC 0 μg/mL group， the 30， 60， and 90 μg/mL groups had significant reductions in the number of migrated cells and wound healing rate （all P<0.05）， and compared with the NC group and si-NC group， the si-NC+TEC group and the si-CCNB1 group for HepG2 and Huh7 cells had significant reductions in the number of migrated cells and wound healing rate （all P<0.05）. Compared with the NC group and si-NC group， the si-NC+TEC group and the si-CCNB1 group for HepG2 and Huh7 cells had a significant increase in cell apoptosis rate （all P<0.05）. For HepG2 cells， compared with the 0 μg/mL group， the 30， 60， and 90 μg/mL groups had significant reductions in the protein expression levels of CCNB1 and Bcl-2 （all P<0.05）， and the 60 and 90 μg/mL groups had significant increases in the protein expression levels of p53， Bax， and active-Caspase 3 （all P<0.001） and a significant reduction in the protein expression level of MDM2 （both P<0.05）. For Huh7 cells， compared with the 0 μg/mL group， the 30， 60， and 90 μg/mL groups had a significant reduction in the protein expression level of CCNB1 （all P<0.01）； the 60 and 90 μg/mL groups had significant increases in the protein expression levels of p53 and Bax and a significant reduction in the protein expression level of MDM2 （all P<0.05）； the 90 μg/mL group had a significant reduction in the protein expression level of Bcl-2 and a significant increase in the protein expression level of active-Caspase 3 （both P<0.01）. Compared with the si-NC group， the si-NC+TEC group and the si-CCNB1 group for HepG2 and Huh7 cells had significant reductions in the protein expression levels of CCNB1， MDM2， and Bcl-2 and significant increases in the protein expression levels of p53 and Bax （all P<0.05）. Compared with the OE-NC group， the OE-NC+TEC group for HepG2 and Huh7 cells had significant reductions in the protein expression levels of CCNB1 and MDM2 and a significant increase in the protein expression level of p53 （all P<0.05）， while the OE-CCNB1 group had significant increases in the protein expression levels of CCNB1 and MDM2 and a significant reduction in the protein expression level of p53 （all P<0.05）， and there were no significant differences in the protein expression level of CCNB1， MDM2， and p53 between the OE-CCNB1 group and the OE-CCNB1+TEC group （all P>0.05）. ConclusionTEC can inhibit the proliferation and migration of HepG2 and Huh7 cells and promote their apoptosis in vitro， possibly by downregulating the expression of CCNB1 and activating the p53 signaling pathway.

Objective To explore the effect of hyperlipidemia and lipid-lowering therapy on the prognosis of postoperative patients with hepatitis B related hepatocellular carcinoma.Methods The clinical data of the patients with hepatitis B related hepatocellular carcinoma who were operated in our hospital from January 2012 to January 2021 were retrospectively collected.The effect of blood lipid level and related lipid-lowering therapy on the prognosis of postoperative patients with hepatitis B related hepatocellular carcinoma was analyzed.Results Among 166 patients with hepatitis B related hepatocellular carcinoma,there were 63 cases had hyperlipidemia,of which 33 cases were treated by statins.The median postoperative disease free survival time in the hyperlipidemia group was significantly lower than that in the normal blood lipid group(24.8 months vs.38.5 months,P＜0.05),and the median overall survival time in the hyperlipidemia group was also significantly lower than that in the normal blood lipid group(30.1 months vs.44.5 months,P＜0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in prognosis between the patients with hyperlipidemia who used statins or not.The median disease free survival time was 23.4 months vs.26.3 months,and the median overall survival time was 29.7 months vs.30.3 months.Conclusions Hyperlipidemia is a risk factor for disease free survival and overall survival after surgery in the patients with hepatitis B related hepatocellular carcinoma.The use of statins alone in hyperlipidemia patients cannot reduce the risk of recurrence and prolong survival time.

【Objective】 To investigate the suicidal attitude, ideation of adolescent patients with depression, and to analyze their relationships with family environment, in order to provide evidence for the clinical treatment of adolesent depression and to reduce the suicide rate. 【Methods】 Totally 376 adolescents diagnosed with depression in Lu′an area from March 2019 to October 2021 were selected as the case group, and 376 normal adolescents were selected as the control group.The suicide attitude questionnaire (QSA), Beck scale for suicide ideation (BSS) and family environment scale (FES-CV) were used to investigate the suicide attitude, suicidal ideation and family environment of adolescents in two groups. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the influencing factors of suicide attitude and ideation of adolescent depression patients.Pearson correlation test was used to analyze the correlations between suicidal attitude, ideation and family environment of adolescent patients with depression. 【Results】 The scores of QSA and BSS in the case group were significantly higher than those in the control group (t=43.352, 96.527, P<0.001).The scores of intimacy, emotional expression, knowledge and entertainment in FES-CV of the case group were lower than those of the control group (t=25.487, 14.573, 22.160, 18.906), the score of contradiction was higher than that of the control group (t=30.311), and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.001).Logistic regression analysis showed that age of 20 - 25 years old (OR=2.016,2.261), severe illness (OR=2.115, 2.192), dwelling in city (OR=2.442, 2.557) were all risk factors for suicidal attitude and ideation in adolescent depression patients (P<0.05).The scores of QSA and BSS in the case group were negatively correlated with the scores of intimacy, emotional expression, knowledge and entertainment in FES-CV (QSA: r=-0.891,-0.933,-0.788,-0.698, BSS: r=-0.901,-0.832,-0.725,-0.637, P<0.05), but they were positively correlated with the score of contradiction (r=0.848, 0.883, P<0.05). 【Conclusions】 The suicidal attitude, ideation of adolescents with depression are higher than those of normal adolescents. Age, illness and growth environment are all influencing factors for suicidal attitudes and ideation in adolescent depression patients, of which the suicide attitude, ideation of patients are closely related to family environment.

OBJECTIVES: Shelter hospital was an alternative way to provide large-scale medical isolation and treatment for people with mild coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Due to various reasons, patients admitted to the large shelter hospital was reported high level of psychological distress, so did the healthcare workers. This study aims to introduce a comprehensive and multifaceted psychosocial crisis intervention model. METHODS: The psychosocial crisis intervention model was provided to 200 patients and 240 healthcare workers in Wuhan Wuchang shelter hospital. Patient volunteers and organized peer support, client-centered culturally sensitive supportive care, timely delivery of scientific information about COVID-19 and its complications, mental health knowledge acquisition of non-psychiatric healthcare workers, group activities, counseling and education, virtualization of psychological intervention, consultation and liaison were exhibited respectively in the model. Pre-service survey was done in 38 patients and 49 healthcare workers using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scale, the Patient Health Questionnaire 2-item (PHQ-2) scale, and the Primary Care PTSD screen for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (PC-PTSD-5). Forty-eight healthcare workers gave feedback after the intervention. RESULTS: The psychosocial crisis intervention model was successfully implemented by 10 mental health professionals and was well-accepted by both patients and healthcare workers in the shelter hospital. In pre-service survey, 15.8% of 38 patients were with anxiety, 55.3% were with stress, and 15.8% were with depression; 16.3% of 49 healthcare workers were with anxiety, 26.5% were with stress, and 22.4% were with depression. In post-service survey, 62.5% of 48 healthcare workers thought it was very practical, 37.5% thought more practical; 37.5% of them thought it was very helpful to relief anxiety and insomnia, and 27.1% thought much helpful; 37.5% of them thought it was very helpful to recognize patients with anxiety and insomnia, and 29.2% thought much helpful; 35.4% of them thought it was very helpful to deal with patients' anxiety and insomnia, and 37.5% thought much helpful. CONCLUSIONS Psychological crisis intervention is feasible, acceptable, and associated with positive outcomes. Future tastings of this model in larger population and different settings are warranted.
Humans ; COVID-19 ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders ; Crisis Intervention ; Psychosocial Intervention ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Mental Health ; Depression/epidemiology* ; Health Personnel/psychology* ; Anxiety/etiology*

OBJECTIVE: To review the research progress of the feasibility of a new treatment method for atrophic rhinitis (ATR) based on tissue engineering technology (seed cells, scaffold materials, and growth factors), and provide new ideas for the treatment of ATR. METHODS: The literature related to ATR was extensively reviewed. Focusing on the three aspects of seed cells, scaffold materials, and growth factors, the recent research progress of ATR treatment was reviewed, and the future directions of tissue engineering technology to treat ATR were proposed. RESULTS: The pathogenesis and etiology of ATR are still unclear, and the effectiveness of the current treatments are still unsatisfactory. The construction of a cell-scaffold complex with sustained and controlled release of exogenous cytokines is expected to reverse the pathological changes of ATR, promoting the regeneration of normal nasal mucosa and reconstructing the atrophic turbinate. In recent years, the research progress of exosomes, three-dimensional printing, and organoids will promote the development of tissue engineering technology for ATR. CONCLUSION Tissue engineering technology can provide a new treatment method for ATR.
Humans ; Tissue Engineering/methods* ; Tissue Scaffolds ; Rhinitis, Atrophic ; Printing, Three-Dimensional ; Cytokines

Objective:Using ultrasound imaging technology to evaluate the contraction characteristics of diaphragm in patients with chronic low back pain.Methods:Twenty nine patients with chronic low back pain and 26 healthy persons recruited from the rehabilitation department of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from November 2019 to April 2020 were selected and divided into the low back pain (LBP) group and the healthy control group. The thickness of the diaphragm (Tdi) of the subjects during deep breathing was evaluated by portable color Doppler ultrasound equipment under different body positions. The subjects were required to perform maximum inspiration for total lung capacity (TLC) and expiration for functional residual capacity (FRC) in the supine and standing position, respectively. The end-inspiratory diaphragm thickness (TdiTLC) and end-expiratory diaphragm thickness (TdiFRC) were recorded, and the diaphragmatic thickening fraction (DTF) was calculated. The general data of subjects with lower back pain and the correlation between Oswestry Dysfunction Index (ODI) and diaphragm function were analyzed; The diaphragm function of healthy control group and LBP group were compared; The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of Tdi and DTF in the diagnosis of lower back pain were analyzed.Results:ODI lifting score was negatively correlated with standing TdiTLC ( r=-0.50, P<0.01). In intra-group comparison, the TdiTLC and TdiFRC values of healthy subjects in standing position were increased compared with those in supine position ( t=6.115, 7.314, all P<0.001); In standing position, TdiTCL and TdiFRC values in LBP group were increased compared with those in supine position ( t=2.834, 4.673, all P<0.01). In comparison between groups, TdiTLC values in supine and standing position of LBP group were significantly lower than those in healthy control group ( t=2.597, 3.338, all P<0.05); In standing position, TdiFRC of patients in LBP group was significantly lower than that of healthy control group ( t=2.098, P=0.041) and DTF value of patients in LBP group was significantly lower than that of healthy control group ( t=2.902, P=0.006). When TdiTCL≤3.3 mm in supine position was used to predict low back pain, the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were 78.6% and 53.8%, respectively, and the area under the curve was 0.661. When TdiTCL≤4.5 mm in standing position was used to predict low back pain, the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were 95.7% and 46.2%, respectively, and the area under the curve was 0.759. When DTF≤81.3% in standing position was used to predict low back pain, the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were 52.2% and 84.6%, respectively, and the area under the curve was 0.698. Conclusions:It is found in our study that the diaphragm contractile function of patients with lower back pain is worse than that of normal subjects, and the difference was significant in standing position. We suggest that the right-side ultrasound image acquisition in the patient′s standing position is helpful to ensure the accuracy and objectivity of the measurement results. TdiTCL≤4.5 mm or DTF≤81.3% in standing position can be used as one of the reference indexes for the combined diagnosis of chronic low back pain.

Background::To date, there is no effective medicine to treat coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and the antiviral efficacy of arbidol in the treatment for COVID-19 remained equivocal and controversial. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of arbidol tablets in the treatment of COVID-19.Methods::This was a prospective, open-label, controlled and multicenter investigator-initiated trial involving adult patients with confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Patients were stratified 1:2 to either standard-of-care (SOC) or SOC plus arbidol tablets (oral administration of 200 mg per time, three times a day for 14 days). The primary endpoint was negative conversion of SARS-CoV-2 within the first week. The rates and 95% confidential intervals were calculated for each variable.Results::A total of 99 patients with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection were enrolled; 66 were assigned to the SOC plus arbidol tablets group, and 33 to the SOC group. The negative conversion rate of SARS-CoV-2 within the first week in patients receiving arbidol tablets was significantly higher than that of the SOC group (70.3% [45/64] vs. 42.4% [14/33]; difference of conversion rate 27.9%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 7.7%-48.1%; P = 0.008). Compared to those in the SOC group, patients receiving arbidol tablets had a shorter duration of clinical recovery (median 7.0 days vs. 12.0 days; hazard ratio [HR]: 1.877, 95% CI: 1.151-3.060, P = 0.006), symptom of fever (median 3.0 days vs. 12.0 days; HR: 18.990, 95% CI: 5.350-67.410, P < 0.001), as well as hospitalization (median 12.5 days vs. 20.0 days; P < 0.001). Moreover, the addition of arbidol tablets to SOC led to more rapid normalization of declined blood lymphocytes (median 10.0 days vs. 14.5 days; P > 0.05). The most common adverse event in the arbidol tablets group was the elevation of transaminase (5/200, 2.5%), and no one withdrew from the study due to adverse events or disease progression. Conclusions::SOC plus arbidol tablets significantly increase the negative conversion rate of SARS-CoV-2 within the first week and accelerate the recovery of COVID-19 patients. During the treatment with arbidol tablets, we find no significant serious adverse events.Trial registration::Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, NCT04260594, www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04260594?term= NCT04260594&draw=2&rank=1

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors in the world, and the study on the regulatory mechanisms of the invasion and migration of HCC is of great significance to clinical diagnosis and treatment. Circular RNA (circRNA), as an important member of the non-coding RNA family, plays the role of microRNA (miRNA) sponge in hepatocytes due to its highly stable circular structure. It also plays an important role in HCC progression by regulating miRNA or promoting the expression of target genes through the competitive endogenous RNA mechanism. This article explores the mechanism of action of circRNA in the pathogenesis of HCC, so as to help with the screening for diagnostic markers of HCC and the development of effective therapeutic targets for HCC.

Objective To investigate the clinical value of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) combined with gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT)/aspartate aminotransferase (AST) ratio in the diagnosis of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods A total of 352 subjects who received treatment or underwent physical examination in Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from January 15 to June 15, 2020, were enrolled, among whom there were 86 healthy controls (HC group), 68 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB group), 69 patients with liver cirrhosis (LC group), and 129 patients with HCC (HCC group), and a retrospective analysis was performed for the serological test results of all subjects. An analysis of variance was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t -test was used for further comparison between two groups; the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of continuous data with skewed distribution between multiple groups, and the Nemenyi method was used for further comparison between two groups. A binary logistic regression analysis was used to calculate predictor variables; a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted for AFP, GGT/AST, and the predictor variables used alone or in combination, and the area under the ROC curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity were calculated; the Z test was used for comparison of AUC. Results The HCC group had significantly higher GGT/AST ratio and AFP than the other groups (all P < 0.05). The ROC curve analysis showed that AFP combined with GGT/AST ratio had a significantly higher AUC than AFP alone in the HCC group vs the LC group, the HCC group vs the HC+CHB+LC groups, and the HCC group vs the CHB+LC groups ( Z =2.684, 2.241, and 2.415, P =0.007, 0.025, and 0.016). Conclusion AFP combined with GGT/AST ratio can improve the clinical diagnostic performance of HBV-related HCC and thus has a certain diagnostic value.