Objective:To analyze the related factors of biochemical recurrence after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP).Methods:Clinical data of 312 patients with prostate cancer who received LRP in Hunan Provincial People's Hospital (the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University) from September 2020 to September 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Those patients were followed up for 1 year after surgery. According to whether biochemical recurrence occurred after surgery, the above patients were divided into biochemical recurrence group ( n=61) and non-biochemical recurrence group ( n=251). Compare the clinical data [including age, smoking history, drinking history, history of diabetes, postoperative Gleason score, body mass index (BMI), tumor stage, presence or absence of seminal vesicle invasion, and positive surgical margins] and laboratory indicators [including fasting blood glucose after admission, hemoglobin, prostate volume, prostate mass, and preoperative prostate-specific antigen (PSA)] levels between the two groups of patients. Measurement data with normal distribution were presented as Mean±SD, comparison between the two groups was performed by the independent samples t-test. Categorical data were expressed as case (%), comparison between groups was performed by the χ2 test, multivariate analysis was performed by Logistic regression model. Results:The difference in smoking history between groups was not statistically significant( P>0.05). The proportions of patients with age≥65 years old [85.25% (52/61) vs. 68.13% (171/251)], alcohol drinking history[73.77% (45/61) vs. 68.53% (172/251)], diabetes mellitus[50.82% (31/61) vs. 40.24% (101/251)], Gleason score >7 points[72.13% (44/61) vs. 30.68% (77/251)], BMI≥30 kg/m 2[32.79% (20/61) vs. 14.34% (36/251)], disease stage ≥T2a[67.21% (41/61) vs. 23.11% (58/251)], seminal vesicle invasion[32.79% (20/61) vs. 13.55% (34/251)], and postoperative positive incisal margin[24.59% (15/61) vs. 3.59% (9/251)] in the biochemical recurrence group were higher than those in the non-biochemical recurrence group, and the differences were statistically significant ( χ2=393.22, 34.58, 74.28, 36.70, 725.49, 48.09, 171.37, 30.49, respectively, all P<0.001). The differences in fasting blood glucose [(6.81±0.89) mmol/L vs. (6.63±0.78) mmol/L], prostate volume[37.19±4.23) mL vs. (36.87±4.36) mL], prostate weight[(48.21±5.11) g vs. (47.82±5.13) g], and hemoglobin level[(134.08±15.62) g/L vs. (133.26±16.24) g/L] between both groups of patients were not statistically significant ( t=1.57,0.52,0.53,0.36, P=0.117,0.606,0.594,0.722, respectively). The preoperative prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level was higher in the biochemical recurrence group than that in the non-biochemical recurrence group [(45.13±5.26) μg/L vs. (28.87±3.18) μg/L, t=30.99, P<0.001). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis results indicated that postoperative Gleason score >7 points, preoperative PSA and seminal vesicle invasion were risk factors for postoperative biochemical recurrence in patients undergoing LRP ( OR=5.39, 95% CI:1.57-18.48, P=0.008; OR=4.32, 95% CI:1.32-14.10, P=0.016; OR=12.76, 95% CI:1.47-111.03, P=0.022). Conclusion:Patients with prostate cancer are prone to biochemical recurrence after LRP, which is affected by postoperative Gleason score, preoperative PSA level and seminal vesicle invasion. It is necessary to take targeted measures to prevent biochemical recurrence.

AIM:This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of Carthamus tinctorius L.-derived nanovesicles(CDNVs)and their regulatory mechanisms in endothelial cell injury induced by oxidized low-density lipopro-tein(ox-LDL).METHODS:Human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs)were cultured in vitro and subjected to ox-LDL treatment to establish an endothelial cell injury model.The experimental groups included the normal control(NC)group,ox-LDL group(HUVECs treated with 100 mg/L ox-LDL for 24 h),and CDNVs+ox-LDL group(pre-treated with 40 mg/L CDNVs for 1 hour followed by co-culture with 100 mg/L ox-LDL for 24 hours).Cell proliferation and apoptosis were assessed by the EdU incorporation assay and flow cytometry,respectively.Changes in signal-induced proliferation-associ-ated 1-like protein 2(SIPA1L2)mRNA expression were measured by RT-qPCR,and the expression levels of autophagy-related proteins and SIPA1L2 were evaluated by Western blot.SIPA1L2 ubiquitination was evaluated by immunoprecipita-tion assay.RESULTS:(1)CDNVs were successfully isolated and purified,characterized as nanoscale vesicles with a circular shape and a double-layered membrane structure.(2)CDNVs promoted the proliferation and inhibited apoptosis of ox-LDL-treated HUVECs(P＜0.05).(3)CDNVs suppressed the prorein expression of SIPA1L2 and promoted autophagy in ox-LDL-treated HUVECs(P＜0.05).(4)CDNVs facilitated the ubiquitination of SIPA1L2 protein,and reduced its protein level through the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway(P＜0.05).CONCLUSION:CDNVs exert a protective effect against ox-LDL-induced endothelial cell injury by mediating SIPA1L2 ubiquitination and promoting endothelial cell au-tophagy.

Aim To investigate the protective and reparative effect of empagliflozin on oxidized-low density lipo-protein(ox-LDL)-induced injury in human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVEC)and its mechanism of action.Methods Primary HUVEC were cultured in vitro.ox-LDL was used to induce HUVEC injury model,and the cell sur-vival rate was measured by CCK-8 assay.EDU method was used to detect cell proliferation.Western blot was used to detect the protein levels of Ki-67,Bcl-2,cleaved Caspase-3,Bax,endothelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS),intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1),vascular cell adhesion molecule 1(VCAM-1)and epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR)in HUVEC.RT-qPCR was used to detect the mRNA expression levels of interleukin-6(IL-6)and tumor necro-sis factor-α(TNF-α)in HUVEC.Using Swiss targets,GeneCards databases,gene ontology(GO)and Kyoto encyclope-dia of genes and genomes(KEGG),protein-protein interaction(PPI)network analysis,and ClickDocking(https://mcule.com/apps/1-click-docking/)to predict the target of empagliflozin.Results CCK-8 results showed that 0.025 μmol/L empagliflozin significantly alleviated ox-LDL-induced HUVEC injury(P＜0.01).EDU results showed that ox-LDL treatment for 24 h significantly inhibited the proliferation of HUVEC(P＜0.01),while empagliflozin treatment sig-nificantly alleviated the inhibition of cell proliferation(P＜0.01).The results of Western blot showed ox-LDL treatment significantly decreased the protein expression levels of Ki-67,Bcl-2,and eNOS,and increased the protein expression levels ofcleaved Caspase-3,Bax,ICAM-1,and VCAM-1 in HUVEC(all P＜0.05).However,empagliflozin treatment reversed these changes(all P＜0.05).RT-qPCR results showed that ox-LDL treatment increased the mRNA expression levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in HUVEC(P＜0.01),while empagliflozin treatment decreased their expression levels(P＜0.05).However,after adding EGFR agonist NSC 228155,the protective effect of empagliflozin against ox-LDL-mediated HUVEC injury was significantly reversed(P＜0.05).Conclusion Empagliflozin can significantly reduce ox-LDL-in-duced HUVEC injury,which may be related to EGFR signaling pathway.

Aim To investigate the protective and reparative effect of empagliflozin on oxidized-low density lipo-protein(ox-LDL)-induced injury in human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVEC)and its mechanism of action.Methods Primary HUVEC were cultured in vitro.ox-LDL was used to induce HUVEC injury model,and the cell sur-vival rate was measured by CCK-8 assay.EDU method was used to detect cell proliferation.Western blot was used to detect the protein levels of Ki-67,Bcl-2,cleaved Caspase-3,Bax,endothelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS),intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1),vascular cell adhesion molecule 1(VCAM-1)and epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR)in HUVEC.RT-qPCR was used to detect the mRNA expression levels of interleukin-6(IL-6)and tumor necro-sis factor-α(TNF-α)in HUVEC.Using Swiss targets,GeneCards databases,gene ontology(GO)and Kyoto encyclope-dia of genes and genomes(KEGG),protein-protein interaction(PPI)network analysis,and ClickDocking(https://mcule.com/apps/1-click-docking/)to predict the target of empagliflozin.Results CCK-8 results showed that 0.025 μmol/L empagliflozin significantly alleviated ox-LDL-induced HUVEC injury(P＜0.01).EDU results showed that ox-LDL treatment for 24 h significantly inhibited the proliferation of HUVEC(P＜0.01),while empagliflozin treatment sig-nificantly alleviated the inhibition of cell proliferation(P＜0.01).The results of Western blot showed ox-LDL treatment significantly decreased the protein expression levels of Ki-67,Bcl-2,and eNOS,and increased the protein expression levels ofcleaved Caspase-3,Bax,ICAM-1,and VCAM-1 in HUVEC(all P＜0.05).However,empagliflozin treatment reversed these changes(all P＜0.05).RT-qPCR results showed that ox-LDL treatment increased the mRNA expression levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in HUVEC(P＜0.01),while empagliflozin treatment decreased their expression levels(P＜0.05).However,after adding EGFR agonist NSC 228155,the protective effect of empagliflozin against ox-LDL-mediated HUVEC injury was significantly reversed(P＜0.05).Conclusion Empagliflozin can significantly reduce ox-LDL-in-duced HUVEC injury,which may be related to EGFR signaling pathway.

Objective:To analyze the related factors of biochemical recurrence after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP).Methods:Clinical data of 312 patients with prostate cancer who received LRP in Hunan Provincial People's Hospital (the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University) from September 2020 to September 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Those patients were followed up for 1 year after surgery. According to whether biochemical recurrence occurred after surgery, the above patients were divided into biochemical recurrence group ( n=61) and non-biochemical recurrence group ( n=251). Compare the clinical data [including age, smoking history, drinking history, history of diabetes, postoperative Gleason score, body mass index (BMI), tumor stage, presence or absence of seminal vesicle invasion, and positive surgical margins] and laboratory indicators [including fasting blood glucose after admission, hemoglobin, prostate volume, prostate mass, and preoperative prostate-specific antigen (PSA)] levels between the two groups of patients. Measurement data with normal distribution were presented as Mean±SD, comparison between the two groups was performed by the independent samples t-test. Categorical data were expressed as case (%), comparison between groups was performed by the χ2 test, multivariate analysis was performed by Logistic regression model. Results:The difference in smoking history between groups was not statistically significant( P>0.05). The proportions of patients with age≥65 years old [85.25% (52/61) vs. 68.13% (171/251)], alcohol drinking history[73.77% (45/61) vs. 68.53% (172/251)], diabetes mellitus[50.82% (31/61) vs. 40.24% (101/251)], Gleason score >7 points[72.13% (44/61) vs. 30.68% (77/251)], BMI≥30 kg/m 2[32.79% (20/61) vs. 14.34% (36/251)], disease stage ≥T2a[67.21% (41/61) vs. 23.11% (58/251)], seminal vesicle invasion[32.79% (20/61) vs. 13.55% (34/251)], and postoperative positive incisal margin[24.59% (15/61) vs. 3.59% (9/251)] in the biochemical recurrence group were higher than those in the non-biochemical recurrence group, and the differences were statistically significant ( χ2=393.22, 34.58, 74.28, 36.70, 725.49, 48.09, 171.37, 30.49, respectively, all P<0.001). The differences in fasting blood glucose [(6.81±0.89) mmol/L vs. (6.63±0.78) mmol/L], prostate volume[37.19±4.23) mL vs. (36.87±4.36) mL], prostate weight[(48.21±5.11) g vs. (47.82±5.13) g], and hemoglobin level[(134.08±15.62) g/L vs. (133.26±16.24) g/L] between both groups of patients were not statistically significant ( t=1.57,0.52,0.53,0.36, P=0.117,0.606,0.594,0.722, respectively). The preoperative prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level was higher in the biochemical recurrence group than that in the non-biochemical recurrence group [(45.13±5.26) μg/L vs. (28.87±3.18) μg/L, t=30.99, P<0.001). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis results indicated that postoperative Gleason score >7 points, preoperative PSA and seminal vesicle invasion were risk factors for postoperative biochemical recurrence in patients undergoing LRP ( OR=5.39, 95% CI:1.57-18.48, P=0.008; OR=4.32, 95% CI:1.32-14.10, P=0.016; OR=12.76, 95% CI:1.47-111.03, P=0.022). Conclusion:Patients with prostate cancer are prone to biochemical recurrence after LRP, which is affected by postoperative Gleason score, preoperative PSA level and seminal vesicle invasion. It is necessary to take targeted measures to prevent biochemical recurrence.

AIM:This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of Carthamus tinctorius L.-derived nanovesicles(CDNVs)and their regulatory mechanisms in endothelial cell injury induced by oxidized low-density lipopro-tein(ox-LDL).METHODS:Human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs)were cultured in vitro and subjected to ox-LDL treatment to establish an endothelial cell injury model.The experimental groups included the normal control(NC)group,ox-LDL group(HUVECs treated with 100 mg/L ox-LDL for 24 h),and CDNVs+ox-LDL group(pre-treated with 40 mg/L CDNVs for 1 hour followed by co-culture with 100 mg/L ox-LDL for 24 hours).Cell proliferation and apoptosis were assessed by the EdU incorporation assay and flow cytometry,respectively.Changes in signal-induced proliferation-associ-ated 1-like protein 2(SIPA1L2)mRNA expression were measured by RT-qPCR,and the expression levels of autophagy-related proteins and SIPA1L2 were evaluated by Western blot.SIPA1L2 ubiquitination was evaluated by immunoprecipita-tion assay.RESULTS:(1)CDNVs were successfully isolated and purified,characterized as nanoscale vesicles with a circular shape and a double-layered membrane structure.(2)CDNVs promoted the proliferation and inhibited apoptosis of ox-LDL-treated HUVECs(P＜0.05).(3)CDNVs suppressed the prorein expression of SIPA1L2 and promoted autophagy in ox-LDL-treated HUVECs(P＜0.05).(4)CDNVs facilitated the ubiquitination of SIPA1L2 protein,and reduced its protein level through the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway(P＜0.05).CONCLUSION:CDNVs exert a protective effect against ox-LDL-induced endothelial cell injury by mediating SIPA1L2 ubiquitination and promoting endothelial cell au-tophagy.

ObjectiveTo explore the effect of Qingre Huayu Jianpi prescription （QHJ） on colitis-associated colorectal cancer （CAC） in mice， and its related mechanism. MethodC57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into four groups including the normal， model， QHJ low-dose （QHJ-L， 10 g·kg^-1）， and QHJ high-dose （QHJ-H， 40 g·kg^-1） groups. Azoxymethane （AOM） and dextran sodium sulfate （DSS） were combined to chemically build a CAC mouse model for 14 weeks. Each drug group was given intragastrically from the 5^th week to the 14^th week， once per day. An equal volume of water was fed to the normal and model groups. The mouse survival rate， colon length， weight， and pathological alterations were assessed. The protein expressions of Wnt-3a protein signaling （Wnt3a）， β-catenin， Non-phosphor-β-catenin （Non-p-β-catenin）， and cholesterol-binding glycoproteins 133 （CD133） were detected by Western blot. The localization and expression of the cluster of differentiation （CD） 80 and CD11 antigen-like family member B （CD11b） were detected by immunohistochemistry （IHC）. The colon organoids derived from CAC mice were isolated and cultured to detect the expression of Wnt signaling pathway-related proteins. ResultThe survival rate of the CAC mice was improved by QHJ treatment and the number of colon tumors was inhibited significantly. Compared with those in the normal group， the expression levels of Wnt3a， β-catenin， Non-p-β-catenin， and CD133 in colon tissues in the model group were significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with those in the model group， the levels of Wnt3a and β-catenin in the QHJ-L group were significantly decreased （P<0.01）， and the protein levels of Wnt3a， β-catenin， Non-p-β-catenin， and CD133 in the QHJ-H group were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Meanwhile， the expression level of CD11b in the model group was significantly increased compared with that in the normal group while the CD80 level was significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with those in the model group， CD11b in QHJ-L and QHJ-H groups was significantly decreased， and CD80 was significantly increased（P<0.05， P<0.01）. The expressions of Non-p-β-catenin and CD133 in colonic organoids of CAC model mice were significantly increased， while QHJ treatment could inhibit the expressions of Non-p-β-catenin and CD133 in colonic organoids （P<0.01）. ConclusionQHJ could inhibit the inflammation-cancer development in CAC mice， the mechanism of which might be related to regulating the microenvironment and inhibiting the over-activation of Wnt signaling.

Objective:To investigate the impact of short-term variability in fasting blood glucose (FPG) on the recent major cardiovascular adverse events (MACE) in patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) with different levels of glycated hemoglobin (HbA 1c) . Methods:Retrospective analysis was made on the patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who underwent emergency percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) due to STEMI from January 2016 to March 2020 in Shenzhen Hospital, Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. The patients were divided into HbA 1c compliant group (<6.5%) and non-compliant group (≥6.5%). The blood glucose variability indexes defined included FPG variability score (FPG-VS), variability index independent of FPG mean (VIM) and mean fast plasma glucose (FPG-M). The logistic regression model was used to evaluate the relationship between different HbA 1c levels, blood glucose variability risk indicators, and MACE. Results:A total of 612 patients were ultimately included in the analysis. The blood glucose variability indicators (FPG-VS, VIM) of the HbA 1c non-compliant group (302 cases) were higher than those of the compliant group (310 cases): [FPG-VS: (0.7±0.3) vs (0.4±0.4), P<0.001, VIM: (0.4±0.2) vs (0.3±0.2), P<0.001], while there was no statistically significant difference in FPG-M between the two groups [(7.9±3.2) vs (8.0±3.9), P=0.221]. In the HbA 1c non-compliant group, the correlation between FPG-VS, VIM, and FPG-M and the risk of MACE within 30 days was 0.89(95% CI: 0.69-1.15), 1.21(95% CI: 0.65-2.25), and 1.06(95% CI: 0.97-1.16), respectively (all P>0.05). In the HbA 1c compliant group, FPG-VS was associated with an increase in MACE risk within 30 days ( P=0.04): for each increase in FPG variation ≥1 mmol/L, after multiple factor adjustment, the risk of MACE increased by 8% within 30 days ( OR=1.08, 95% CI: 0.71-1.65); Compared with FPG-VS<20%, FPG-VS≥80% increased the risk of MACE within 30 days by 33% ( OR=1.33, 95% CI: 0.21-8.25, P<0.01), while the correlation between VIM and FPG-M and the risk of MACE within 30 days was 1.65(95% CI: 0.96-2.83) and 1.15(95% CI: 0.98-1.35), respectively (all P>0.05). Conclusions:High FPG-VS is associated with the recent MACE risk in STEMI patients who do not meet HbA 1c standards. After reaching HbA 1c standards, FPG-VS remains an independent MACE risk factor.

ObjectiveTo explore the intervention effect and mechanism of Buzhong Yiqiwan （BZYQ） on colitis mice. MethodSixty-four C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 2 weeks blank group， 2 weeks model group， 2 weeks high-dose BZYQ （12 g·kg^-1） group， 2 weeks low-dose BZYQ （6 g·kg^-1） group， 4 weeks blank group， 4 weeks model group， 4 weeks high-dose BZYQ （12 g·kg^-1） group， and 4 weeks low-dose BZYQ （6 g·kg^-1） group. The colitis model was induced in mice by feeding 3% dextran sodium sulfate （DSS） for 7 days. The mice received BZYQ （12 and 6 g·kg^-1） by gavage on the 8^th day after modeling， once per day， and sacrificed on the 2^nd and 4^th weeks， correspondingly. The colon length and weight of mice in each group were measured. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used for pathological observation and colonic mucosal inflammation was scored. The mRNA and protein expression of NOD-like receptor thermoprotein domain 3 （NLRP3）， apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD （ASC）， and cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease-1 （Caspase-1） was detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Western blot， respectively. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect the content of inflammatory cytokines， such as interleukin （IL）-1β， IL-18， and IL-33 in colonic tissues. ResultCompared with the 2 weeks blank group， the 2 weeks model group showed shortened colon length， increased colon weight （P<0.05）， loss of epithelial cells， destruction of gland structure， infiltration of a large number of inflammatory cells in mucosa and submucosa， local crypt abscess， and increase in mucosal inflammation score （P<0.01） as revealed by light microscopy， elevated levels of IL-1β， IL-18， and IL-33 in colonic tissues （P<0.05）， and increased mRNA and protein expression of NLRP3， ASC， and Caspase-1 （P<0.05）. The intervention of BZYQ （12 g·kg^-1） restored colon length， alleviated mucosal injury （P<0.05）， down-regulated the content of IL-18 （P<0.05）， reduced the mRNA expression of NLRP3 and ASC as well as the protein expression of ASC and Caspase-1 compared with the conditions in the 2 weeks model group. Compared with the 4 weeks blank group， the 4 weeks model group showed decreased colon length， increased colon weight （P<0.05）， decreased glands in the mucosal layer， expansion of glandular cavity， atrophy of crypt， local connective tissue hyperplasia and lymphocyte infiltration， increased inflammation score （P<0.01） as revealed by the light microscopy， increased expression of IL-1β， IL-18， and IL-33 （P<0.05）， and elevated mRNA and expression of NLRP3 inflammasome complex （P<0.05）. Compared with the conditions in the 4 weeks model group， the intervention of BZYQ （12 and 6 g·kg^-1） could improve colon length and weight （P<0.05）， and the intervention of BZYQ （12 g·kg^-1） could also improve the inflammation score of the colon （P<0.05）. Different from the acute stage， the intervention of BZYQ （12 and 6 g·kg^-1） increased the content of IL-33 in the intestinal mucosa and up-regulated the mRNA and protein expression of NLRP3 inflammasome complexes ASC and Caspase-1 （P<0.05）. ConclusionBZYQ can relieve the injury of colitis induced by DSS in mice. The mechanism is related to the regulation of intestinal immune response mediated by NLRP3 inflammasome， and it has different regulatory effects in acute and chronic inflammation stages.

Schizophrenia is a serious mental disease. The diagnosis of schizophrenia so far relies heavily on subjective evidence, including self-reported experiences by patients, manifestations described by relatives, and abnormal behaviors assessed by psychiatrists. The diagnosis, monitoring of the disease progression and therapy efficacy assessment are challenging due to the lack of established laboratory biomarkers. Based on the current literature, clinical consensus, guidelines, and expert recommendations, this review highlighted evidence-based potential laboratory biomarkers for the diagnosis of schizophrenia, including genetic biomarkers, neurotransmitters, neurodevelopmental-related proteins, and intestinal flora, and discussed the potential future directions for the application of these biomarkers in this field, aiming to provide an objective basis for the use of these biomarkers in the early and accurate diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis and rehabilitation assessment of schizophrenia.