ObjectiveThis study aims to compare the modeling effects of submaxillary gland antigen and salivary gland antigen in the establishment of Sjögren syndrome (SS) mouse models, and to characterize the phenotypic and immunological features of these models in comparison with spontaneous SS-prone non-obese diabetic (NOD)/LtJ mice. MethodsAdult C57BL/6J mice (equal numbers of males and females) were immunized with submaxillary gland antigen or salivary gland antigen, respectively, combined with Freund's adjuvant to induce SS models. Mice immunized with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) combined with Freund's adjuvant served as the control group. Immunization was induced via multiple subcutaneous injections in the back with antigen combined with Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA) on Days 1 and 7. A booster immunization was administered via multiple subcutaneous injections in the back with antigen combined with Freund's incomplete adjuvant (FIA) on Day 14. Female NOD/LtJ mice were used as the spontaneous SS model group, with ICR mice as the corresponding control strain for comparative analysis. Body weight, water intake, and salivary flow rate of mice were dynamically monitored for 4 weeks. At the end of the experiment, tissue and serum samples were collected, the weights of submaxillary glands, thymus, and spleen were measured, and organ indices (organ-to-body weight ratios) were calculated. Pathological morphological analysis of the submaxillary gland and spleen was performed with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. Serum interleukin-17 (IL-17) level was detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the mRNA expression levels of SS type A (SSA) and SS type B (SSB) in submaxillary gland tissues. ResultsFemale mice in the submaxillary gland antigen group exhibited significantly increased water intake (P<0.05) and reduced salivary flow rate (P<0.05) compared with the female control group. No statistically significant differences were observed in the submaxillary gland index, thymus index and spleen index (P>0.05). Focal lymphocytic infiltration was observed in the submaxillary glands, and the splenic marginal zone was enlarged. Serum IL-17 levels were significantly increased (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in submaxillary gland SSA/SSB expression levels (P>0.05). Compared with the female control group, female mice in the salivary gland antigen group showed no statistically significant differences in water intake, salivary flow rate, submaxillary gland index, and spleen index (P>0.05), whereas the thymus index was significantly reduced (P<0.01). Mild inflammatory cell infiltration and glandular atrophy were observed in the submaxillary glands, and the splenic white pulp and marginal zone were slightly enlarged. Serum IL-17 levels and submaxillary gland SSB mRNA expression levels were significantly increased (P<0.01), whereas no significant change was observed in submaxillary gland SSA expression levels (P>0.05). Compared with the male control group, mild submaxillary gland atrophy was observed in male mice in the submaxillary gland antigen group, whereas no obvious changes were found in other modeling-related indicators (P>0.05). Compared with the ICR control group, NOD/LtJ model mice exhibited elevated water intake (P<0.05), significantly reduced salivary flow rate (P<0.01), no significant differences in the submaxillary gland index or spleen index (P>0.05), but a significantly increased thymus index (P<0.05). Marked focal infiltration was observed in the submaxillary glands, the splenic marginal zone was obviously enlarged, and serum IL-17 concentrations as well as submaxillary gland SSA/SSB expression levels were significantly increased (P<0.05). ConclusionSubmaxillary gland antigen and salivary gland antigen can induce SS-related features in female C57BL/6J mice. The SS-related phenotype is more pronounced in the submaxillary gland antigen group than in the salivary gland antigen group, but weaker than that in spontaneously SS-prone female NOD/LtJ mice. Immunization of male C57BL/6J mice with submaxillary or salivary gland antigens fails to induce an obvious SS phenotype.

Approximately 60% of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients exhibit TP53 mutations, which are strongly associated with tumor progression, chemotherapy resistance, and an unfavorable prognosis. However, targeting p53 has historically been challenging, and currently, there are no approved p53-based therapeutics for clinical use worldwide. In this study, we discovered that ubiquitin carboxyl terminal hydrolase L3 (UCHL3) plays a crucial role in high-level glycolysis, enhanced stem-like properties, and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) chemoresistance in TP53-mutant CRC by exerting its deubiquitinating enzyme activity to stabilize α-enolase (ENO1) protein. Notably, we identified a newly Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drug, pacritinib, that potently suppresses UCHL3 expression by blocking the janus kinase 2 (JAK2)-signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway in TP53-mutant CRC. Furthermore, Pacritinib was demonstrated to effectively inhibit glycolysis and improve the sensitivity to 5-FU chemotherapy in TP53-mutant CRC. Our findings suggest that targeting the JAK2-STAT3-UCHL3-ENO1 axis is a promising strategy to suppress glycolysis and enhance the efficacy of 5-FU chemotherapy in TP53-mutant CRC. Pacritinib shows potential for clinical application in the treatment of TP53-mutant CRC.

Background::Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) can profoundly affect the mental health of the people living with HIV (PLWH), with higher rates of anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances. The disparities in neuropsychological problems evaluated by physicians and self-assessed by patients are still unknown.Methods::A total of 5000 PLWH and 500 physicians from 167 hospitals were enrolled in this cross-sectional study from September 2022 to February 2023. 4-Item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-4) was used for the evaluation of depressive issues and anxiety issues by PLWH. Each physician assessed 10 PLWH under their care for the presence of depressive or anxiety issues. The primary outcomes of this study are the concordance rates on the depressive issues and anxiety issues evaluation between physicians and PLWH. The Cohen’s kappa test was used to assess the agreement between physicians and PLWH.Results::The concordance rate for the evaluation of depressive issues is 73.84% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 72.60-75.04%), and it is significantly different from the expected rate of 80% ( P <0.001). Similarly, the concordance rate for the evaluation of anxiety issues is 71.74% (95% CI: 70.47-72.97%), which is significantly different from the expected rate of 80% as per the null hypothesis ( P <0.001). The overestimation rate by physicians on depressive issues is 12.20% (95% CI: 11.32-13.14%), and for anxiety issues is 12.76% (95% CI: 11.86-13.71%). The mismatch rate for depressive issues is 26.16% (95% CI: 24.96-27.40%), and for anxiety issues is 28.26% (95% CI: 27.02-29.53%). The underestimation rate by physicians on depressive issues is 13.96% (95% CI: 13.03-14.95%), and for anxiety issues is 15.50% (95% CI: 14.52-16.53%). For the treatment regiments, PLWH sustained on innovative treatment regimen (IR) related to a lower prevalence of depressive issues (odds ratio [OR] = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.59-0.87, P = 0.003) and a lower prevalence of anxiety issues (OR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.52-0.76, P <0.001). PLWH switch from conventional treatment regimen (CR) to IR also related to a lower prevalence of depressive issues (OR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.64-0.98) and a lower prevalence of anxiety issues (OR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.67-0.99). Conclusion::Nearly one in three PLWH had their condition misjudged by their physicians. The findings underscore the need for improved communication and standardized assessment protocols in the care of PLWH, especially during the acute phase of HIV infection.

Asari Radix et Rhizoma （AR） is a traditional Chinese medicine with a history of more than 2 000 years of medication and has been included in ancient herbal works in the past dynasties. It is effective in releasing the exterior， dispersing cold， dispelling wind， relieving pain， opening orifices， warming the lung， and resolving fluids， and is still widely used in the clinical treatment of influenza， coronavirus disease-2019 （COVID-19） pneumonia， asthma， allergic rhinitis， eye pain， headache， toothache， oral ulcer， eczema， etc. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that AR has antipyretic， anti-inflammatory， analgesic， antibacterial， antiviral， relieving cough and asthma， anti-allergy， and other effects. AR contains a variety of chemical components， in which essential oil is not only associated with functions such as dispelling cold， relieving heat， relieving pain， and resisting inflammation and allergy， but is also toxic. AR also contains lignans， flavonoids， amides， phenanthrenes， alkaloids， and other non-volatile oil components， which play an important role in immunity regulation， anti-inflammation， pain relief， heart strengthening， and blood vessel expansion. The phenanthrene compounds are mainly aristolochic acid analogues， such as aristolochic acid Ⅳ_a and aristolochic lactam Ⅰ. Aristolochic acid Ⅳ_a has been proven to have a significant anti-inflammatory effect. The toxicity of AR is related to safrole， aristolochic acids and their analogues， and is also affected by many factors， such as preparation method， dosage， origin， collection time， medicinal part， and decocting time， which should be comprehensively considered in clinical application. Based on the relevant literature in China and abroad， the present study reviewed the correlation of chemical composition and pharmacological and toxicological effects of AR， and the safety of AR， aristolochic acid， safrole， and other components to provide a new perspective for an objective understanding of AR safety， as well as references for rational clinical application， production risk prevention and control， and drug scientific supervision of AR.

ObjectiveBased on ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry（UPLC-Q-TOF-MS^E） technique， we identified qualitatively the metabolites of aristolochic acid（AAs） in rat in order to analyze the metabolic differences between water extract of Aristolochiae fructus（AFE） and Aristolochic acid Ⅰ（AAⅠ）. MethodSD rats were selected and administered AFE（110 g·kg^-1·d^-1） or AAⅠ（5 mg·kg^-1·d^-1） by oral for 5 days， respectively. Serum， urine and feces were collected after administration. Through sample pretreatment， ACQUITY UPLC BEH C₁₈ column（2.1 mm×100 mm， 1.7 μm） was used with the mobile phase of 0.01% formic acid methanol（A）-0.01% formic acid water（B， containing 5 mmol·L^-1 ammonium acetate） for gradient elution（0-1 min， 10%B； 1-7 min， 10%-75%B； 7-7.2 min， 75%-95%B； 7.2-10.2 min， 95%B； 10.2-10.3 min， 95%-10%B； 10.3-12 min， 10%B） at a flow rate of 0.3 mL·min^-1. Positive ion mode of electrospray ionization（ESI⁺） was performed in the scanning range of m/z 100-1 200. In combination with UNIFI 1.9.4.053 system， the Pathway-MS^E was used to qualitatively analyze and identify the AAs prototype and related metabolites in biological samples（serum， urine and feces）， and to compare the similarities and differences of metabolites in rats in the subacute toxicity test between AFE group and AAⅠ group. ResultCompared with AAⅠ group， 6， 10， 13 common metabolites and 14， 20， 30 unique metabolites were identified in biological samples（serum， urine and feces） of AFE group， respectively. Moreover， the main AAs components always followed the metabolic processes of demethylation， nitrate reduction and conjugation. Compared with common metabolites in AAⅠ group， prototype components of AAⅠ in serum and most metabolic derivatives of AAⅠ［AAⅠa， aristolochic lactam Ⅰ（ALⅠ）a， 7-OHALⅠ and its conjugated derivatives］ in biological samples were significantly increased in AFE group（P<0.05， P<0.01）， except that the metabolic amount of ALⅠ in feces of AFE group was remarkably lowed than that of AAⅠ group（P<0.01）. In addition， a variety of special ALⅠ efflux derivatives were also identified in the urine and feces of the AFE group. ConclusionAlthough major AAs components in AFE all show similar metabolic rules as AAⅠ components in vivo， the coexistence of multiple AAs components in Aristolochiae Fructus may affect the metabolism of AAⅠ， and achieve the attenuating effect by increasing the metabolic effection of AAⅠ and ALⅠ.

Objective: To explore the roles and mechanisms of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) small nucleolar RNA host gene 6 (SNHG6) in promoting invasion and metastasis of esophageal squamous carcinoma (ESCC). Methods: Real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to detect the expression of SNHG6 in ESCC and matched para-carcinoma tissues. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed to detect the expression of SNHG6 in ESCC cell lines (TE1, Yes-2, Eca9706 and Kyse150). Then, TE1 cell line which harbored highest expression of SNHG6 was used in following experiments. siRNAs were used to knock down the expression of SNHG6. Clone formation, wound-healing and transwell assay were used to detect the abilities of proliferation, migration andinvasionofTE1cells,respectively.Westernblottingwasusedtodetecttheexpressions of MMP-2, MMP-9andZEB1 protein before and after knockdownofSNHG6inTE1cells.Results:SNHG6washighlyexpressedinESCC tissues, compared to para-carcinoma tissues (P<0.01). The expression of SNHG6 was significantly decreased after transfection of SNHG6siRNA (all P<0.01). The abilities of proliferation, migration and invasion of TE1 cells in si-SNHG6-1 and si-SNHG6-2 group were significantly lower than those in the control group (all P<0.01). The expressions of ZEB1, MMP-2and MMP-9 in si-SNHG6-1 and si-SNHG6-2 group were significantly lower than those in the control group (all P<0.05). Conclusion: SNHG6 is highly expressed in ESCC tissues and promotes the malignant biological behavior of ESCC cells. Its mechanism of promoting the occurrence and development of ESCC may be related to the upregulation of ZEB1 expression.

Objective: To detect the expression of non-coding RNA snord105b in gastric cancer (GC) tissues, sera and cell lines, and its correlation with clinicopathological characteristics of patients with GC as well as its effect on the proliferation of GC cells. Methods: One hundred and twenty pairs of GC tissues and corresponding para-cancerous tissues from patients, who underwent surgery at Department of Surgery, the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University between 2016 and 2017, were collected for this study. The presurgical sera samples from GC patients (n=50) and peripheral venous blood samples from healthy donors (n=30), as well as five gastric cancer cell lines (SGC-7901, AGS, MGC-803, BGC-823, HGC-27) and gastric mucosa normal epithelial GES-1 cells were also obtained. qPCR assay was adopted to detect the expression of snord105b in GC tissues, sera and cell lines. The correlation between snord105b and patients’clinicopathological features was investigated. MTS assay was adopted to detect the effect of snord105b silence or over-expressionon in vitro proliferation of four GC cells. Results: qPCR assay demonstrated that the expression of snord105b in GC tissues, sera and cell lines were significantly higher than that of para-cancerous tissues, sera from healthy donors and GES-1 cells (all P< 0.05). Expression level of snord105b was obviously associated with age,tumor size, differentiation and TNM stages of patients (all P<0.05). MTS assay demonstrated that knockdown of snord105b could suppress the proliferation of GC cells (P< 0.05), while forced-expression of snord105b could promote the proliferation of GC cells (P< 0.05). Conclusion: non-coding RNA snord105b aberrantly expressed in GC tissues, sera, and cells, and its expression was obviously correlated with patients’age, tumor size, differentiation and TNM stages. Snord105b could significantly promote the proliferation of GC cells, which may be used as a potential clinical biomaker for early diagnosis and prognosis of GC.

Objective: To investigate the expression of metastasis-associated protein 2 (MTA2) in human bladder cancer tissues and its effect on the malignant biological behaviors of bladder cancer T24 cells, as well as to explore the effect of MTA2 on the progression of bladder cancer. Methods: Sixty-two cases of human bladder cancer tissues and 28 cases of normal bladder tissues (from patients with cystitis, and pathologically confirmed as normal tissue) were collected at People’s Hospital of Hebei Province during December 2012 and December 2014. The expression of MTA2 in bladder cancer tissues and normal bladder tissues was detected by immunohistochemical staining, and the correlation between MTA2 expression and clinicopathological characteristics of patients was also analyzed. The bladder cancer T24 cell line stably expressing MTA2 was constructed. The effects of MTA2 on the proliferation, colony formation, migration and invasion of bladder cancer T24 cells were detected by MTS, clone formation, scratch healing and Transwell assay, respectively. Results: Immunohistochemical staining showed that MTA2 expression was significantly up-regulated in bladder cancer tissues as compared with normal bladder tissues (P<0.01). The high expression of MTA2 in bladder cancer tissues was not related to gender, age and tumor volume (P>0.05), but was associated with higher TNM stage, histological grade, and lymphatic infiltration and metastasis (all P<0.05). After over-expression of MTA2 in bladder cancer T24 cell line, the proliferation activity of the cells was significantly increased (P<0.05), and the colony formation, scratch healing, migration and invasion ability were significantly increased (all P<0.01). Conclusions: MTA2 is up-regulated in human bladder cancer tissues and can promote the proliferation, tumor formation, migration and invasion of T24 cells.

Objective: To investigate the expression of miR-1269 in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissues, and to explore its effect on the cellular biological characteristics of NSCLC A549 cells and the underlying mechanism. Methods: 34 pairs of NSCLC tissues and the corresponding adjacent para-cancerous tissues obtained from the patients, who underwent surgery in the Department of Breast Surgery, the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University from Jan. 2017 to Jan. 2018, were collected for this study. The expression level of miR-1269 in above tissue specimens was examined by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR.After transfection with miR1269 mimics and mimics NC (negative control), the proliferation, migration and invasion of A549 cells were detected by MTS, Wound healing and Transwell assay, respectively; and the changes in cell cycle distribution of A549 cells were examined by flow cytometry. The bioinformatics tool was used to predict the possible target gene of miR-1269, and the regulation effect of miR-1269 on target gene was then validated by Western blotting and Dual-luciferase reporter assay. In the meanwhile, the protein expressions of cyclin depen dent kinase inhibitor p21, Cyclin D2, and EMT-related proteins (E-cadherin and ZEB2) in the transfected A549 cells were measured by Western blotting. Results: The expression level of miR-1269 in NSCLC tissues was significantly higher than that in paracancerous tissues (2.81±2.27 vs 1.61±1.36, P <0.05). The capacities of proliferation, migration and invasion ofA549 cells in miR-1269 mimics transfection group were significantly higher than those in mimics NC group and blank control group (all P <0.01). And the cell proportion at S-phase in miR-1269-mimics group was obviously higher than that in mimics NC group [(46.54±1.57)% vs (23.32±3.15)%， P<0.01]. Bioinformatics analysis showed that miR-1269 could combine with 3’UTR of FOXO1 gene. After transfection with miR-1269 mimics, the expression level and luciferase activity of FOXO1 protein in A549 cells were significantly reduced (all P <0.01). Moreover, the protein expressions of p21 and E-cadherin were significantly decreased after over-expression of miR-1269 (all P <0.05), while the expressions of ZEB2 and Cyclin D2 were up-regulated (all P <0.05). Conclusion: The expression level of miR-1269 in NSCLC tissues was significantly increased, and it could enhance the proliferation, cell cycle progression, migration and invasion ofA549 cells. The possible mechanism may be related to its targeted regulation of FOXO1.

Objective To analyze the neuroelectrophysiological characteristics of peripheral neuropathy after chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Methods From January to December, 2016, a total of 60 patients of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with peripheral neuropathy were reviewed the motor conduction velocity and compound muscle action potential amplitude of median, ulnar, tibial, peroneal nerves; the sensory conduction velocity and sensory nerve action potential amplitude of median, ulnar, tibial, superficial peroneal nerves; and the skin sympathetic response of limbs. Results The incidence of abnormalities was higher in amplitude than in conduction velocity of motor nerve and sensory nerves (χ2=190.026, P<0.001). The incidence of abnormal conduction velocity was similar in motor nerve and sensory nerves (χ2=1.538, P>0.05), as well as the abnormal action potential amplitude (χ2=2.839, P>0.05). The incidence of abnormal conduction was similar with abnormal skin sympathetic response (χ2=0.001, P>0.05). The incidence of abnormalities of nerve conduction study (χ2=81.114, P<0.001) and abnormal skin sympathetic response (χ2=5.689, P<0.05) was more in lower limbs than in upper limbs. Conclusion The peripheral neuropathy after chronic obstructive pulmonary disease characters mainly as motor-sensory multiple neuropathy, involving motor, sensory and autonomic nerve. The axonal damage is significant, with the similar severity between motor and sensory nerves, as well as between the large and small nerves.