ObjectiveTo evaluate the antitumor activity of Periplaneta americana extract（PAE） against human-derived lung adenocarcinoma organoids（LUAD-PDOs） and to elucidate its potential mechanism based on transcriptomics. MethodsFresh tumor and adjacent normal tissues from patients with LUAD were collected to construct LUAD-PDOs and normal lung organoid（Nor-PDOs） models using 3D organoid culture technology. The effective intervention concentration of PAE was determined using the cell counting kit-8（CCK-8） assay. Experimental groups included the model group（LUAD-PDOs）， normal group， model administration group（LUAD-PDOs+PAE）， and normal administration group（Nor-PDOs+PAE）. Hematoxylin-eosin（HE） staining was used to observe the pathological structures of PDOs， immunohistochemistry（IHC） was performed to detect the expressions of the proliferation marker Ki-67 and lung adenocarcinoma differentiation markers cytokeratin-7（CK-7） and Napsin A， TUNEL staining was applied to detect cell apoptosis. RNA sequencing（RNA-Seq） was conducted to identify differentially expressed genes（DEGs）， followed by Gene Ontology（GO）， Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes（KEGG）， and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis（GSEA）， alongside protein-protein interaction（PPI） network analysis to screen core mechanisms. Finally， key targets were validated by integrating external database analysis with immunofluorescence（IF）. ResultsNor-PDOs and LUAD-PDOs that highly recapitulated the pathological characteristics of the primary tissues were successfully established. The CCK-8 assay determined that the effective intervention concentration of PAE was 16 g·L^-1. Morphological observation showed that Nor-PDOs exhibited lumen-forming structures， whereas LUAD-PDOs displayed dense， solid structures. CCK-8 and TUNEL assays revealed that， compared with the model group， PAE intervention inhibited the proliferation of LUAD-PDOs and promoted apoptosis in LUAD cells， while showing no significant effect on the viability of Nor-PDOs. Transcriptomic analysis identified 719 DEGs that were significantly reversed after PAE intervention（347 up-regulated and 372 down-regulated）（P<0.05）. GO enrichment analysis indicated that DEGs in the model administration group were significantly enriched in biological processes related to cell cycle regulation compared to the model group. KEGG pathway analysis revealed that PAE affected pathways related to proliferation and metabolism， including pathways in cancer and the p53 signaling pathway. GSEA further confirmed that PAE significantly enhanced the activity of the p53 signaling pathway（P<0.05）. PPI network analysis indicated that breast cancer type 1 susceptibility protein（BRCA1） and checkpoint kinase 1（CHEK1） were the core down-regulated targets in the p53 pathway. IF verified the high expression of BRCA1 and CHEK1 in LUAD-PDOs and their significant downregulation after PAE intervention（P<0.05）. Furthermore， survival analysis based on The Cancer Genome Atlas（TCGA） database indicated that low expression of BRCA1 and CHEK1 was significantly associated with prolonged overall survival in patients with LUAD（P<0.05）. ConclusionPAE effectively inhibits proliferation of LUAD-PDOs and promotes their apoptosis， its anti-tumor mechanism is potentially associated with the activation of the p53 signaling pathway， with BRCA1 and CHEK1 genes likely serving as key downstream targets for the effects of PAE.

ObjectiveFlavonoids are clinically significant natural products, yet their oxygen-glycosylation in aqueous environments relies heavily on expensive nucleotide-activated sugar donors such as UDP-glucose. Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) creates specialized, membraneless physicochemical microenvironments capable of modulating enzymatic functions and overcoming mass transfer limitations. This study aims to investigate whether the gut microbiota-derived DgpB/C complex—a multienzyme system traditionally recognized for cleaving stable C-glycosidic bonds and facilitating isomerization—can undergo functional remodeling within phase-separated condensates. Our core objective is to elucidate the role of phase separation in expanding enzymatic catalytic plasticity and to provide a non-canonical, highly cost-effective biocatalytic mechanism for the direct utilization of free sugars in the synthesis of O-glycosylated natural products. MethodsAn artificial phase-separation platform was constructed utilizing the multivalent arginine-glycine-glycine motif (RGG)-repeat domain derived from the Caenorhabditis elegans LAF-1 protein. To ensure precise spatial compartmentalization, the DgpB/C complex was specifically recruited into the RGG condensates via a high-affinity SZ1/SZ2 heterodimerization tag system. Condensate formation and substrate partitioning were visualized using light and confocal fluorescence microscopy. The chemical structures and regioselectivity of the reaction products were rigorously characterized using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)/MS systems. Furthermore, molecular docking and 20-ns molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed via the Hermite platform and Uni-GBSA pipeline to elucidate the structural and thermodynamic basis underlying the phase-transition-induced functional shift. ResultsWe observed that the condensates formed by RGG proteins selectively recruited and significantly enriched hydrophobic flavonoid substrates. Strikingly, within the LLPS microenvironment, the DgpB/C complex—which typically exhibits only degradative or isomerase activities—underwent a profound functional remodeling, transforming into an efficientO-glycosyltransferase. Diverging from canonical pathways that require high-energy donors, the sequestered DgpB/C complex directly utilized unactivated free glucose to catalyze the formation of new O-glycosidic bonds. This remodeled activity was found to be evolutionarily conserved across DgpB/C homologs from diverse gut microbiota strains, such as P581a and W974-1. LC-MS/MS analysis further revealed that the phase-separated environment reduced the regioselectivity constraints of the enzyme, enabling catalytic action on multiple hydroxyl positions of the flavonoid scaffold. MD simulations further indicated that the low-water-activity microenvironment of the condensates reconfigured the conformational dynamics of the catalytic pocket, favoring a spatial orientation highly conducive to dehydration condensation. ConclusionThis study demonstrates that LLPS drives the functional remodeling of the gut microbiota enzyme DgpB/C through the reconfiguration of the physicochemical microenvironment. These findings challenge traditional perceptions regarding the functional boundaries of metabolic enzymes and reveal a novel biocatalytic pathway that bypasses the requirement for nucleotide-activated sugars. Consequently, this provides a highly promising artificial compartmentalization strategy for the green manufacturing of complex, high-value-added natural products.

Objective To analyze the factors affecting the prognosis of patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) undergoing immunotherapy and construct an individualized prognostic nomogram prediction model. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 385 patients with driver gene-negative, locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC who received first-line immune checkpoint inhibitors. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to identify prognostic risk factors, and a prognostic nomogram model was established. The predictive performance of the model was evaluated using the concordance index (C-index), time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and area under the curve (AUC), and calibration curves. The cutoff value of the nomogram was calculated to stratify patients by risk. Survival curves were calculated by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Results Age (HR=1.775, 95%CI: 1.265-2.490), degree of differentiation (HR=0.365, 95%CI: 0.257-0.519), low PD-L1 expression (HR=0.661, 95%CI: 0.455-0.960), high PD-L1 expression (HR=0.423, 95%CI: 0.297-0.603), SCC-Ag (HR=1.549, 95%CI: 1.109-2.163), and CONUT score (HR=2.527, 95%CI: 1.797-3.554) were independent risk factors affecting overall survival (OS) of patients with NSCLC undergoing immunotherapy. The nomogram prediction model constructed on the basis of these factors had a C-index of 0.767. Time-dependent ROC curves for survival showed that the AUCs for 1-, 2-, and 3-year OS were 0.830, 0.853, and 0.886, respectively. Calibration curves indicated that the nomogram-predicted survival rates were in good agreement with the actual outcomes. The cutoff value for the study’s nomogram prediction model was 136.60 points, and survival curves showed statistically significant differences between different risk groups (P<0.05). Conclusion The nomogram model established in this study can effectively predict the prognosis of patients with driver gene-negative locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC treated with first-line immunosuppressive therapy. It provides a new tool for assessing prognosis and aids clinicians in formulating individualized treatment plans.

BACKGROUND: Quantitative flow ratio (QFR) holds significant value in guiding drug-coated balloon (DCB) treatment and enhancing outcomes. However, the predictive capability of post-angioplasty QFR for long-term clinical events in patients with de novo lesions who receive DCB treatment remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to explore the potential significance of post-angioplasty QFR measurements in predicting clinical outcomes in patients underwent DCB treatment for de novo lesions. METHODS: Patients who underwent DCB-only intervention for de novo lesions were enrolled. QFR was conducted after DCB treatment. The patients were then categorized based on post-angioplasty QFR. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiac events (MACE), encompassing all-cause death, cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, stroke, and target vessel revascularization. RESULTS: A total of 553 patients with 561 lesions were included. The median follow-up period was 505 days, during which 66 (11.8%) MACEs occurred. Based on post-procedural QFR grouping, there were 259 cases in the high QFR group (QFR > 0.93) and 302 cases in the low QFR group (QFR ≤ 0.93). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed a significantly higher cumulative incidence of MACE in the low QFR group (log-rank P = 0.004). The multivariate Cox proportional hazards model demonstrated a significant inverse correlation between QFR and the occurrence of MACEs (HR = 0.522, 95%CI: 0.289-0.942, P = 0.031). Landmark analysis indicated that high QFR had a significant reducing effect on the cumulative incidence of MACEs within 1 year (log-rank P = 0.016) and 1-5 years (log-rank P = 0.026). CONCLUSIONS In patients who underwent DCB-only treatment for de novo lesions, higher post-procedural QFR values (> 0.93) were identified as an independent protective factor against adverse prognosis.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) manual, sperm concentration should be measured using an improved Neubauer hemocytometer, while sperm motility should be measured by manual assessment. However, in China, thousands of laboratories do not use the improved Neubauer hemocytometer or method; instead, the Makler counting chamber is one of the most widely used chambers. To study sources of error that could impact the measurement of the apparent concentration and motility of sperm using the Makler counting chamber and to verify its accuracy for clinical application, 67 semen samples from patients attending the Department of Andrology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University (Chengdu, China) between 13 September 2023 and 27 September 2023, were included. Compared with applying the cover glass immediately, delaying the application of the cover glass for 5 s, 10 s, and 30 s resulted in average increases in the sperm concentration of 30.3%, 74.1%, and 107.5%, respectively (all P < 0.0001) and in the progressive motility (PR) of 17.7%, 30.8%, and 39.6%, respectively (all P < 0.0001). However, when the semen specimens were fixed with formaldehyde, a delay in the application of the cover glass for 5 s, 10 s, and 30 s resulted in an average increase in the sperm concentration of 6.7%, 10.8%, and 14.6%, respectively, compared with immediate application of the cover glass. The accumulation of motile sperm due to delays in the application of the cover glass is a significant source of error with the Makler counting chamber and should be avoided.
Humans ; Male ; Sperm Motility/physiology* ; Sperm Count ; Semen Analysis/methods* ; Spermatozoa/physiology* ; Time Factors

Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) is a critical endocrine mediator implicated in male reproductive physiology. To investigate the correlation between IGF2 protein levels and various aspects of male infertility, specifically focusing on sperm quality, inflammation, and DNA damage, a cohort of 320 male participants was recruited from the Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine (Hangzhou, China) between 1 st January 2024 and 1 st March 2024. The relationship between IGF2 protein concentrations and sperm parameters was assessed, and Spearman correlation and linear regression analysis were employed to evaluate the independent associations between IGF2 protein levels and risk factors for infertility. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure IGF2 protein levels in seminal plasma, alongside markers of inflammation (tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-α] and interleukin-1β [IL-1β]). The relationship between seminal plasma IGF2 protein levels and DNA damage marker phosphorylated histone H2AX (γ-H2AX) was also explored. Our findings reveal that IGF2 protein expression decreased notably in patients with asthenospermia and teratospermia. Correlation analysis revealed nuanced associations between IGF2 protein levels and specific sperm parameters, and low IGF2 protein concentrations correlated with increased inflammation and DNA damage in sperm. The observed correlations between IGF2 protein levels and specific sperm parameters, along with its connection to inflammation and DNA damage, underscore the importance of IGF2 in the broader context of male reproductive health. These findings lay the groundwork for future research and potential therapeutic interventions targeting IGF2-related pathways to enhance male fertility.
Humans ; Male ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor II/metabolism* ; Infertility, Male/genetics* ; DNA Damage ; Adult ; Inflammation/metabolism* ; Spermatozoa/metabolism* ; Semen Analysis ; Semen/metabolism* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism* ; Histones/metabolism* ; Interleukin-1beta/metabolism*

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the application value of thromboelastography (TEG) in assessing coagulation function in children with severe hemophilia A (HA) after emicizumab (EMI) therapy. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and TEG testing results of 17 children with severe HA before and after EMI treatment at Shenzhen Children's Hospital from January 2023 to July 2024. Correlation analysis was conducted between coagulation factor VIII (FVIII) equivalent activity and reaction time (R value) measured by TEG. RESULTS: After EMI treatment, the mean bleeding rate for children with severe HA was 1.6 events per year, with 15 children (88%) without spontaneous bleeding or joint bleeding. The children with severe HA showed a significant reduction in APTT after EMI treatment (P<0.05), with a significantly shorter APTT than the normal control group (P<0.05). There was no correlation between APTT and FVIII equivalent activity after treatment (P>0.05). After EMI treatment, TEG parameters, including R value, kinetic time, alpha angle (α), maximum amplitude, clot strength, and coagulation index, shifted from a hypocoagulable state before treatment to a nearly normal state after treatment (P<0.05). The R value demonstrated a strong negative correlation with FVIII equivalent activity (r=-0.758, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The bleeding condition of children with severe HA can be effectively controlled after EMI treatment. Routine APTT testing cannot reflect true coagulation function, whereas TEG testing is clinically valuable in assessing the coagulation function of children with severe HA undergoing EMI treatment.
Humans ; Thrombelastography ; Hemophilia A/physiopathology* ; Male ; Child ; Antibodies, Bispecific/therapeutic use* ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/therapeutic use* ; Blood Coagulation/drug effects* ; Child, Preschool ; Retrospective Studies ; Female ; Partial Thromboplastin Time ; Adolescent ; Infant

OBJECTIVE: To explore and quantify the association of hot night exposure during the sperm development period (0-90 lag days) with semen quality. METHODS: A total of 6,640 male sperm donors from 6 human sperm banks in China during 2014-2020 were recruited in this multicenter study. Two indices (i.e., hot night excess [HNE] and hot night duration [HND]) were used to estimate the heat intensity and duration during nighttime. Linear mixed models were used to examine the association between hot nights and semen quality parameters. RESULTS: The exposure-response relationship revealed that HNE and HND during 0-90 days before semen collection had a significantly inverse association with sperm motility. Specifically, a 1 °C increase in HNE was associated with decreased sperm progressive motility of 0.0090 (95% confidence interval [ CI]: -0.0147, -0.0033) and decreased total motility of 0.0094 (95% CI: -0.0160, -0.0029). HND was significantly associated with reduced sperm progressive motility and total motility of 0.0021 (95% CI: -0.0040, -0.0003) and 0.0023 (95% CI: -0.0043, -0.0002), respectively. Consistent results were observed at different temperature thresholds on hot nights. CONCLUSION Our findings highlight the need to mitigate nocturnal heat exposure during spermatogenesis to maintain optimal semen quality.
Humans ; Male ; Semen Analysis ; Adult ; Sperm Motility ; Hot Temperature/adverse effects* ; China ; Middle Aged ; Spermatozoa/physiology* ; Young Adult