Objective To elucidate the changes in the gut microbiota and molecular mechanism of huaier in enhancing the efficacy of oxaliplatin (OXA) chemotherapy in gastric cancer (GC). Methods The effects of huaier on the gut microbiota structure and intestinal barrier function in MKN45-bearing mice were analyzed by using 16S rRNA sequencing, RT-qPCR, and IHC. UPLC-MS and network pharmacology, as well as in vivo experimental approaches, were employed to investigate the key bioactive constituents of huaier systematically and elucidate the underlying mechanisms by which huaier exerts therapeutic effects against GC. The expression of the PI3K/AKT/SREBP pathway was detected in cancer cells and tissues via Western blot analysis. The safety profile of huaier combined with OXA was verified through serum biochemistry and HE-stained tissue section analyses. Results Huaier inhibited the PI3K/AKT/SREBP pathway by increasing the abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila, reduced lipid droplet deposition, and ultimately enhanced the sensitivity to OXA in the treatment of GC. Conclusion This study demonstrates the value of huaier in gastric cancer treatment by enhancing chemosensitivity and provides novel insights into its systemic therapeutic effects through molecular mechanisms and gut microbiota modulation.

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.

Objective: To explore the association between vitamin D levels and sleep in children and adolescents，so as to provide a reference for promoting the sleep health of children and adolescents. Methods: From October to December, 2021, 4 827 primary and middle school students aged 6-17 in Shenzhen were selected by multistage cluster random sampling method, and their demographic information, family background, lifestyle and sleep status were obtained by facetoface questionnaire survey, and their fasting venous blood in the morning was collected to detect the serum 25(OH)D level. The relationship between serum vitamin D level and sleep characteristics was analyzed by binary Logistic regression, and stratified analysis was carried out according to gender. Results: The proportion of vitamin D deficiency was 41.1%, and the proportion of sleep deficiency was 19.4%. With the increase of vitamin D level, daily sleep duration of children and adolescents tended to increase (r=0.10,P<0.01). After adjusting for covariates such as gender and age, it was found that children and adolescents with insufficient vitamin D levels were more likely to experience sleep insufficiency, social jetlag, and late sleep on weekdays, with ORs being 1.32(95%CI=1.12-1.56), 1.35(95%CI=1.19-1.54), and 1.26(95%CI=1.05-1.52)(P<0.05). Sexstratified analysis showed that, among boys, vitamin D deficiency was associated with sleep deficiency, social jetlag, and late bedtime on weekdays and weekends[OR(95%CI)=1.42(1.14-1.77),1.25(1.04-1.49),1.39(1.06-1.82),1.86(1.19-2.92),P<0.05]. In girls, however, serum vitamin D levels were only associated with social jetlag with OR being 1.47 (95%CI=1.21-1.79, P<0.05). Conclusion Vitamin D levels are associated with various sleep characteristics in children and adolescents, with this association being more pronounced among boys.

Deactivation of the mitochondrial pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) is important for the metabolic switching of cancer cell from oxidative phosphorylation to aerobic glycolysis. Studies examining PDC activity regulation have mainly focused on the phosphorylation of pyruvate dehydrogenase (E1), leaving other post-translational modifications largely unexplored. Here, we demonstrate that the acetylation of Lys 488 of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex component X (PDHX) commonly occurs in hepatocellular carcinoma, disrupting PDC assembly and contributing to lactate-driven epigenetic control of gene expression. PDHX, an E3-binding protein in the PDC, is acetylated by the p300 at Lys 488, impeding the interaction between PDHX and dihydrolipoyl transacetylase (E2), thereby disrupting PDC assembly to inhibit its activation. PDC disruption results in the conversion of most glucose to lactate, contributing to the aerobic glycolysis and H3K56 lactylation-mediated gene expression, facilitating tumor progression. These findings highlight a previously unrecognized role of PDHX acetylation in regulating PDC assembly and activity, linking PDHX Lys 488 acetylation and histone lactylation during hepatocellular carcinoma progression and providing a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for further development.
Humans ; Acetylation ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/genetics* ; Liver Neoplasms/genetics* ; Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex/genetics* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Animals ; Mice ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Protein Processing, Post-Translational ; Histones/metabolism* ; Disease Progression

OBJECTIVE: Poxviruses are zoonotic pathogens that infect humans, mammals, vertebrates, and arthropods. However, the specific role of ticks in transmission and evolution of these viruses remains unclear. METHODS: Transcriptomic and metatranscriptomic raw data from 329 sampling pools of seven tick species across five continents were mined to assess the diversity and abundance of poxviruses. Chordopoxviral sequences were assembled and subjected to phylogenetic analysis to trace the origins of the unblasted fragments within these sequences. RESULTS: Fifty-eight poxvirus species, representing two subfamilies and 20 genera, were identified, with 212 poxviral sequences assembled. A substantial proportion of AT-rich fragments were detected in the assembled poxviral genomes. These genomic sequences contained fragments originating from rodents, archaea, and arthropods. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that ticks play a significant role in the transmission and evolution of poxviruses. These viruses demonstrate the capacity to modulate virulence and adaptability through horizontal gene transfer, gene recombination, and gene mutations, thereby promoting co-existence and co-evolution with their hosts. This study advances understanding of the ecological dynamics of poxvirus transmission and evolution and highlights the potential role of ticks as vectors and vessels in these processes.
Animals ; Poxviridae/physiology* ; Ticks/virology* ; Phylogeny ; Transcriptome ; Evolution, Molecular ; Poxviridae Infections/virology* ; Genome, Viral

Arsenic is a semi-metal,and lipid-soluble arsenic compounds are one of the widespread forms in the environment and food chain,but there is a lack of standards for lipid-soluble arsenic compounds,which is one of the bottlenecks in the current analytical detection and toxicological studies of organic arsenic.In this study,four saturated arsenic-containing hydrocarbons,AsHC 318,AsHC 332,AsHC 346,and AsHC 374(The number is relative molecular mass),were successfully synthesized in three steps by using dimethylarsinic acid,potassium iodide,sodium hydroxide,and four brominated alkanes(1-Bromotetradecane,1-bromopentadecane,1-bromohexadecane,and 1-bromooctadecane)as raw materials.The structures of these four saturated arsenic-containing hydrocarbons were characterized by proton nuclear magnetic resonance(1H NMR)spectroscopy,13C nuclear magnetic resonance(13C NMR)spectroscopy,and high-resolution mass spectrometry(HR-MS).The yields of the method were 8%-10%,and the synthesized compounds could be used in subsequent toxicity evaluation experiments to assess the toxic effects and mechanisms of action of arsenic-containing hydrocarbons.This study provided an effective method for synthesis of arsenic-containing hydrocarbons,enriching the synthesis methods of arsenic-containing hydrocarbons,and provided raw materials for the subsequent toxicological studies of arsenic-containing hydrocarbons.

Objective To investigate the status of population dynamics and distribution changes of Aedes aegypti in Guangdong Province.Methods Continuous monitoring was conducted from May 2018 to July 2024 in Wushi Town and Qishui Town,Leizhou City,Zhanjiang City,Guangdong Province.Additionally,a survey of the distribution of Ae.aegypti along the Leizhou Peninsula coast was carried out.Results The density of Ae.aegypti in Zhanjiang showed a gradual decline from 2018 to 2024.The last detection of adult Ae.aegypti in Wushi Town was in September 2021,and the last larva was found in October 2023.No Ae.aegypti was detected in Qishui Town during surveys from 2021 to 2024.A survey of 18 coastal villages in the Leizhou Peninsula revealed no detections of Ae.aegypti.Conclusions This study provides a basis for understanding the distribution and population density fluctuations of Ae.aegypti,assessing its invasion risk,and scientifically conducting relevant prevention and control efforts.

Objective To observe the influence of dapagliflozin tablets on myocardial enzymes,mitral valve blood flow and major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE)in patients with acute myocardial infarction(AMI)complicated with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)after interventional therapy.Methods AMI patients with T2DM were divided into control group and treatment group by cohort method.The control group was given aspirin tablets 300 mg and ticagrelor 180 mg orally,qd,until the day of interventional treatment.After interventional therapy,aspirin tablets 100 mg,qd,oral ticagrelor tablets 90 mg each time,once in the morning and once in the evening.On the basis of the treatment in the control group,the patients in the treatment group were given dapagliflozin tablets 5-10 mg,qd,every morning after admission.After 3 months of continuous treatment,the clinical efficacy,blood glucose control effect[fasting plasma glucose(FPG),2 hour postprandial blood glucose(2 h PG)],myocardial enzymes indicators[creatine kinase(CK),creatine kinase isoenzyme-MB(CK-MB)],ventricular remodeling indicators[left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),left ventricular end systolic diameter(LVESD)],adverse drug reactions and MACE were compared between the two groups.Results There were 55 cases in the control group and 59 cases in the treatment group.After treatment,the total effective rates of the treatment group and the control group were 88.14％(52 cases/59 cases)and 72.73％(40 cases/55 cases),respectively,the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).After treatment,the FPG of the treatment group and the control group were(7.29±0.71)and(7.81±0.75)mmol·L-1,respectively;the 2 h PG were(8.66±1.33)and(9.59±1.38)mmol·L-1,respectively;the CK were(145.68±29.82)and(163.68±42.16)U·L-1,respectively;the CK-MB were(8.21±2.37)and(10.33±3.08)U·L-1,respectively;the LVEF were(57.63±8.74)％and(51.41±6.49)％,respectively;LVESD were(33.26±5.33)and(39.51±5.38)mm,respectively.The above indexes in the treatment group were significantly different from those in the control group(all P＜0.05).During the treatment,the adverse drug reactions in the treatment group mainly included nausea and vomiting,diarrhea,constipation.The adverse drug reactions in the control group mainly included hypoglycemia,diarrhea,headache.The total incidence of adverse drug reactions in the treatment group and the control group was 6.68％(4 cases/59 cases)and 9.09％(5 cases/55 cases),respectively,and the difference was not statistically significant(P＞0.05).After 3 months of follow-up,the total incidence of MACE in the treatment group and the control group was 5.08％and 18.18％,respectively,the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion Dapagliflozin has a significant efficacy in the treatment of AMI patients with T2DM,and it can enhance the effect of blood glucose control,reduce the myocardial injury,inhibit the ventricular remodeling,and reduce the risk of MACE,with high safety.

BACKGROUND:It has been hypothesized that PANoptosis may be involved in the pathologic process of osteoporosis,but there have been no studies addressing the mechanisms of PANoptosis genes in osteoporosis. OBJECTIVE:To analyze the biological mechanism of PANoptosis regulators in the occurrence and development of osteoporosis. METHODS:The GSE56815 dataset was obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database and PANoptosis genes were extracted for differential analysis.The key genes of PANoptosis were screened by random forest tree model to construct a disease risk prediction model.Consensus clustering algorithm,single sample genome enrichment analysis and immune infiltration analysis were used to explore the differences between different PANoptosis molecular subtypes.Herbal drugs that regulate the key genes of PANoptosis were predicted through Coremine medical database,a medical ontology information retrieval platform. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Based on the four PANoptosis key genes(CASP1,CASP10,MEFV,and TNF),the diagnostic markers of osteoporosis were determined,and the risk prediction model was constructed and verified.Osteoporosis was divided into two different PANoptosis subtypes(clusters A,B and gene clusters A,B),and the PANoptosis scores of cluster B and gene cluster B were higher than those of cluster A and gene cluster A,respectively.Traditional Chinese drugs such as ginseng which can regulate the key genes of PANoptosis were predicted by the Coremine medical database.

Objective To establish a set of regional evaluation index system for clinical medicine disciplines,and to provide a reference tool for evaluating the effectiveness of its construction.Methods Based on relevant policies and literature research,Delphi expert consultation method and analytic hierarchy process were used to determine the index system and assign corresponding weights.The index system was used to conduct field analysis of 10 clinical disciplines in a district of Shenzhen,and the total score of each discipline was calculated by weighted summing method and spearman correlation analysis was used to verify the validity of the evaluation results.Results A set of evaluation index system including 5 first-level indicators,16 second-level indicators and 54 third-level indicators was formed and the weights of all levels of indicators were quantified,which could truly reflect the level of regional clinical discipline construction.Conclusion The established subject evaluation index system has high initiative,authority and coordination of expert consultation.The results of empirical evaluation have a certain degree of differentiation,and are highly correlated with the ranking results of experts,and have strong feasibility.