Objective To investigate the predictive value of the combined tumor burden score (TBS) and platelet-albumin-bilirubin (PALBI) score model for postoperative tumor recurrence in liver transplant recipients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods The general information of 158 recipients diagnosed with HCC and underwent liver transplantation at the 900th Hospital of the Joint Logistics Support Force of the Chinese People's Liberation Army from 2008 to 2021 was collected. Lasso regression analysis combined with multivariate Cox regression analysis were used to identify independent risk factors for postoperative tumor recurrence after liver transplantation with HCC. A nomogram prediction model was constructed based on variables selected by Lasso regression analysis, and the predictive performance of the model was verified by calibration curve and clinical decision curve. The optimal cut-off values for postoperative tumor recurrence in liver transplant recipients with HCC were determined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to compare survival differences among different groups. Results Among the 158 liver transplant recipients with HCC, 82 experienced tumor recurrence, with a recurrence rate of 51.9% and a median tumor-free survival time of 10 (4, 25) months. Results of Lasso regression analysis and multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) ≥400 ng/mL, TBS and PALBI score were all independent risk factors for postoperative tumor recurrence in liver transplant recipients with HCC (all P<0.05). The combined high TBS-high PALBI score showed the highest predictive value (hazard ratio 6.909, 95% confidence interval 3.067-15.563, P<0.001). A nomogram prediction model was constructed based on six variables selected by Lasso regression analysis. Calibration curve showed good consistency between the model's predicted results and the ideal curve. Decision curve analysis indicated that the nomogram prediction model provided the highest clinical benefit for predicting 1-year tumor-free survival after liver transplantation with HCC. Time-dependent ROC curves at 1, 3 and 5 years after surgery showed that TBS-PALBI model had good predictive performance, with no significant difference in area under the curve (AUC) compared with TBS-PALBI-AFP model. The optimal cut-off values for predicting postoperative tumor recurrence were determined by ROC curve, with a PALBI score cut-off of −2.334 and a TBS cut-off of 5.305. Recipients were divided into a low TBS-low PALBI score group (n=47) and a low/high TBS-low/high PALBI score group (at least one score was high) (n=111). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the low TBS-low PALBI score group had a higher tumor-free survival rate than the low/high TBS-low/high PALBI score group, with a significant difference (P<0.05). Conclusions TBS-PALBI model provides a novel, simple and effective tool for assessing the prognosis of liver transplant recipients with HCC. The nomogram model constructed based on this has significant advantages in predictive performance and may serve as a reference for guiding individualized treatment plans and improving clinical outcomes.

Objective:To establish a prognostic prediction model for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using bioinformatics approaches to guide personalized therapy.Methods:Based on bioinformatics, the differential analysis was carried out on the GSE19665 data set of The Cancer Genome Atlas-Liver Hepatocellular Carcinoma (TCGA-LIHC) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), and the same differentially expressed genes were obtained by means of Wayne diagram. Functional enrichment analyses using Gene Ontology, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome, and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis were conducted on co-expressed genes. Based on clinicopathological and transcriptomic profiles, TCGA-LIHC patients were stratified into training ( n=246) and internal validation ( n=116) cohorts, with external validation using Japanese liver cancer data ( n=231) from the International Cancer Genome Consortium. A LASSO-Cox regression-derived risk scoring model was established and visualized as a nomogram. The clinical utility of the risk score was evaluated through multiple analytical approaches.A nomogram incorporating the risk score was developed, and its predictive performance was validated using the concordance index (C-index) and calibration curves. The measurement data of normal distribution were expressed as mean±standard deviation( ± s), and the t-test was used for comparison between groups. The measurement data with non-normal distribution were expressed as M( Q1, Q3), and the Wilcoxon test was used for comparison between groups. The Kruskal-Wallis test was applied to evaluate the significance of the differences among multiple groups. The prognostic value of the risk score was estimated using Kaplan-Meier analysis and ROC curve. Multivariate Cox regression clarified the independent prognostic value of the risk score. Results:Differential analysis identified 457 commonly expressed differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Enrichment analysis revealed that these common DEGs were significantly enriched in pathways related to the cell cycle of tumor cells.The LASSO-Cox regression model selected eight candidate genes ( CENPA, NDC80, ANXA10, NEIL3, G6 PD, MCM10, SOCS2, MMP1). The predictive risk score generated using these eight genes demonstrated a strong association with the overall survival of HCC patients.The nomogram combining the predictive risk score with clinicopathological features exhibited high predictive performance in both the training and validation cohorts. Furthermore, the prognostic value of this risk score was successfully validated in the external validation cohort. Conclusion:This study successfully developed a new predictive model that accurately predicts the 1-year, 3-year and 5-year survival rates of patients with liver cancer. This can serve as a potential tool to help guide patients in personalized treatment.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy Yizhi Qingxin Prescription combined with warming-needle muxibustion in the treatment of vascular cognitive impairment(VCI)after cerebral infarction,and to explore its effect on cognitive function.Methods A total of 110 cases of patients with definitive diagnosis of VCI after cerebral infarction admitted to Beijing Bo'ai Hospital from February 2020 to February 2023 were selected for the study.The patients were randomly divided into a control group and an observation group according to random number table method,with 55 cases in each group.The control group was treated with Donepezil Hydrochloride,and the observation group was treated with Yizhi Qingxin Prescription combined with warming-needle muxibustion on the basis of the treatment of the control group,the course of treatment covered four consecutive weeks.After one month of treatment,the clinical efficacy of the two groups was evaluated,and the changes in the scores of the Mini-Mental State Examination(MMSE)and Montreal Cognitive Assessment(MoCA),as well as the measurements of cerebral blood perfusion were observed before and after the treatment of the patients in the two groups.The changes of C-reactive protein(CRP),interleukin 6(IL-6),and tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α)before and after treatment were compared between the two groups.The safety and incidence of adverse reactions in the two groups were also evaluated.Results(1)The total effective rate was 96.36％(53/55)in the observation group and 74.55％(41/55)in the control group.The efficacy of the observation group was superior to that of the control group,the difference being statistically significant(P＜0.05).(2)After treatment,the MMSE scores and MoCA scores of the patients in the two groups were improved significantly(P＜0.05),and the improvement in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group,the difference being statistically significant(P＜0.05).(3)After treatment,the CBV,MTT,and CBF of the basal ganglia region of the two groups were significantly improved(P＜0.05),and the improvement in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group,the difference being statistically significant(P＜0.05).(4)After treatment,the serum CRP,IL-6,and TNF-α levels of patients in the two groups were significantly improved(P＜0.05),and the improvement in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group,the difference being statistically significant(P＜0.05).(5)The incidence of adverse reactions in the observation group was 7.27％(4/55),and that in the control group was 5.45％(3/55),the comparison between the two groups showed that the difference being not statistically significant(P＞0.05).Conclusion Yizhi Qingxin Prescription combined with warming-needle muxibustion in the treatment of VCI after cerebral infarction can effectively alleviate the cognitive function of patients,improve their cerebral blood perfusion,and inhibit the release of inflammatory factors,so as to enhance their quality of life.

ObjectiveBased on tumor necrosis factor alpha （TNF-α）/tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 （TNFR1）/receptor-interacting protein kinases （RIPKs） signaling pathway， this paper aims to study the effect of modified Erchentang on inflammation in rats with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD） and explore its mechanism of action. MethodA total of 60 SD rats were randomly divided into normal group， model group， high， medium， and low-dose groups （20， 10， 5 g·kg^-1·d^-1） of modified Erchentang， and Xiaokechuan group （3.5 mL·kg^-1·d^-1）， with 10 rats in each group. The COPD rat model was established by cigarette smoke combined with lipopolysaccharide （LPS）. The normal group and model group were given the same amount of normal saline for 21 days by gavage administration. The contents of TNF-α and TNFR1 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid （BALF） of rats were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect mRNA expressions of RIPK1， RIPK3， and mixed lineage kinase domain-like （MLKL） in the lung tissue. The protein expressions of RIPK1， RIPK3， and MLKL in the lung tissue were detected by Western blot. The pathological changes in lung tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. ResultCompared with the normal group， the contents of TNF-α and TNFR1 in BALF of the model group were significantly increased （P<0.01）， and the mRNA and protein expression levels of RIPK1， RIPK3， and MLKL in the lung tissue were significantly increased （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the contents of TNF-α and TNFR1 in BALF of high， medium， and low-dose groups of modified Erchentang and Xiaokechuan group were decreased （P<0.01）. The mRNA and protein expression levels of RIPK1， RIPK3， and MLKL in the lung tissue were decreased to different degrees （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionModified Erchentang can effectively improve the inflammatory response of lung tissue in COPD rats， and the mechanism may be by inhibiting the activation of the TNF-α/TNFR1/RIPKs signaling pathway.

Objective:To investigate the changes in interaction proteome of NUS1 mutant R290C and their relations with pathogenicity of Lennox Gastaut syndrome (LGS). Methods:The wild-type and mutant NUS1(R290C) plasmids were constructed and transfected into human embryonic kidney HEK293T cells; 48 h after that, NUS1 protein expression in HEK293T cells was detected by Western blotting. Co-immunoprecipitation, silver nitrate staining, and proteomic analysis were used to analyze the proteins interacted with wild-type or mutant NUS1 and identify the differential interacting proteins. Enrichment analyses of Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) were performed to annotate the molecular function and signaling pathways involved in the differential proteins. DisGeNet database was used to analyze the association between differential proteins and human diseases. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) was used to analyze the interaction network of NUS1 with protein folding regulatory proteins (RTN4 and DHDDS) and developmental epileptic encephalopathy related proteins.Results:(1) There was no significant difference in NUS1 protein expression between the wild-type and mutant NUS1 transfected HEK293T cells ( t=0.536, P=0.620). (2) Compared with that with wild-type NUS1 plasmid, number of proteins interacting with mutant NUS1 plasmid was significantly reduced in the transfected cells; 310 differential interacting proteins were screened in the mutant NUS1. (3) GO and KEGG enrichment analyses showed that the differential proteins were mainly involved in protein folding reaction and translation regulation. (4) DisGeNet association analysis showed that the two most relevant proteins in the differential interacting proteins were associated with frontotemporal dementia and developmental epileptic encephalopathy. (5) PPI analysis showed that NUS1 may be involved in occurrence of neurological diseases such as LGS by affecting protein folding signaling pathways. Conclusion:NUS1 mutant R290C alters its interacting protein lineage and mediates the development of LGS and other neurological diseases probably by regulating protein folding-related signaling.

Objectives:To investigate the association between normal-weight central obesity with new-onset cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality risk. Methods:A prospective cohort study was conducted,selecting a total of 93885 participants from the Kailuan Study who had their first physical examination in 2006-2007.According to waist circumference (central obesity:male waist circumference ≥90 cm,female waist circumference ≥85 cm;no central obesity:male waist circumference<90 cm,female waist circumference<85 cm) and body mass index (BMI,normal weight:18.5 kg/m2≤BMI<24.0 kg/m2;overweight/obesity:BMI ≥24.0 kg/m2),the participants were divided into 4 groups:normal weight no central obesity group (G1 group),normal weight central obesity group (G2 group),overweight/obesity no central obesity group (G3 group) and overweight/central obesity group (G4 group);Using the Kaplan-Meier method,the cumulative incidence of new-onset cardiovascular diseases (including hemorrhagic stroke,ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction) and all-cause mortality in different groups was calculated,and the Log-rank test was used for intergroup comparisons.Furthermore,the associations between the different groups and the risk of new-onset cardiovascular diseases and all-cause mortality were analyzed using the multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression model. Results:After a median follow-up of 14.97 (14.55,15.17) years,the cumulative incidence of new-onset cardiovascular diseases in G1 group,G2 group,G3 group and G4 group was 7.62％,10.84％,8.67％,12.91％ respectively (log-rank P<0.05) and the cumulative incidence of all-cause mortality was 12.83％,19.72％,10.65％,16.33％ respectively (log-rank P<0.01).After adjusting for confounding factors,Cox regression analysis showed that the HR (95％CI) of new-onset cardiovascular diseases in G2 group,G3 group and G4 group were 1.14 (1.04-1.25),1.07 (1.01-1.14),1.27 (1.21-1.34),respectively compared with G1 group (all P<0.05).The HR (95％CI) of all-cause mortality were 1.06 (1.00-1.14),0.90 (0.85-0.95),0.97 (0.93-1.01) compared with G1 group,and P values were 0.07,<0.01,0.15,respectively.The results of sensitivity analysis were consistent with the above major studies after excluding overweight/obesity and cancer participants during follow-up. Conclusions:Normal-weight central obesity increases the risk of new-onset cardiovascular diseases and all-cause mortality.

Objective:To analyze the clinical features of Vibrio vulnificus sepsis, so as to provide the basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment, and reducing the mortality rate and improving the prognosis. Methods:The clinical data of 17 patients with Vibrio vulnificus sepsis were retrospectively collected from the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University from April 2018 to February 2024. Univariate analysis was used to compare the differences of laboratory examinations between the death group (five cases) and the survival group (12 cases). The study was clinical retrospective case-control study. Independent sample t test and Mann-Whitney U test were used as statistical methods when appropriate. Results:Among 17 patients with Vibrio vulnificus sepsis, there were 11 males and six females, aged (63±14) years. Eight cases had a history of handling seafood, three cases had a history of trauma after engaging in sea activities, one case had consumed seafood, and the remaining five cases had unknown causes.Univariate analysis showed that white blood cell count (3.6(2.9, 6.8)×10 9/L vs 12.1(7.4, 21.2)×10 9/L), the platelet count ((40.0±30.4)×10 9/L vs (117.8±76.7)×10 9/L) and fibrinogen level (2.3(2.1, 2.4) g/L vs 3.9(2.9, 6.4) g/L) in the death group were all lower than those in the survival group ( Z=-2.42, t=2.16 and Z=-2.11, respectively, all P<0.05). And the procalcitonin level (89.0 (31.9, 100.0) mg/L vs 23.2(5.4, 47.2) mg/L), thrombin time (17.7(16.2, 30.8) s vs 15.2(14.2, 15.7) s), aspartate aminotransferase level (215.0(75.5, 1 240.5) U/L vs 32.0(20.3, 47.8) U/L), total bilirubin (68.4 (42.0, 93.8) μmol/L vs 21.4 (14.1, 30.5) μmol/L), creatine kinase (7 899.0(364.5, 19 474.5) U/L vs 185.5(40.5, 333.5) U/L) and creatinine ((159.6±61.7) μmol/L vs (79.3±42.4) μmol/L) in the death group were all higher than those in the survival group ( Z=-2.42, -2.22, -2.16, -2.11 and -2.74, t=-3.13, respectively, all P<0.05). The differences were all statistically significant. Conclusions:Vibrio vulnificus infection is highly lethal. Creatine kinase, creatinine and procalcitonin levels in the death group are higher than those in the survival group, while the white blood cell count is lower than that in the surviving group.

By targeting the key gene csgD involved in the biofilm formation of Escherichia coli, we employed molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation to screen the active components of Chinese medicine with inhibitory effects on the biofilm formation from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP). After the anti-biofilm properties of the active components were validated in vitro, data-independent acquisition (DIA) proteomics was employed to further identify the differential proteins involved in interfering with the biofilm formation of Escherichia coli. The mechanisms of inhibition were explored with consideration to the phenotype. Through virtual screening, we identified four candidate active components, including tannic acid, narirutin, salvianolic acid B, and rosmarinic acid. Among them, tannic acid demonstrated significant inhibitory effect on the biofilm formation of E. coli. The analysis of differential proteins, combined with relevant phenotype validation, suggested that tannic acid primarily affected E. coli by intervening in pilus assembly, succinic acid metabolism, and the quorum sensing system. This study provided a lead compound for the development of new drugs against biofilm-associated infections in the future.
Biofilms/drug effects* ; Escherichia coli/metabolism* ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Tannins/chemistry* ; Cinnamates/metabolism* ; Benzofurans/chemistry* ; Depsides/metabolism* ; Rosmarinic Acid ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/chemistry* ; Escherichia coli Proteins/genetics* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

ObjectiveTo study the effect of modified Erchentang on the expression of key molecules in the high mobility group Box 1 protein （HMGB1）/receptor for advanced glycation endproduct （RAGE）/nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） signaling pathway in bronchioles of rats with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD）， to explore the mechanism of modified Erchentang against bronchiolar inflammation of COPD rats via HMGB1/RAGE/NF-κB signaling pathway. MethodSixty SD rats were randomly divided into normal group， model group， modified Erchentang low-， medium- and high-dose groups （5， 10， 20 g·kg^-1·d^-1） and ethyl pyruvate （HMGB1 inhibitor） group， with 10 in each group. The COPD rat model was prepared by cigarette smoke combined with tracheal injection of lipopolysaccharide （LPS）. After modeling， the modified Erchentang groups were given corresponding drugs （ig） and Ringer's solution （4 mL， ip）， while the EP group was treated with equal volume of normal saline （ig） and EP （0.04 g·kg^-1·d^-1， ip）. The normal group and the model group received equal volume of normal saline （ig） and Ringer's solution （ip） for 21 consecutive days. The contents of HMGB1， chemokine （C-X-C motif） ligand 1 （CXCL1）， CXCL2 and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 （MCP-1） in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid （BALF） were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The mRNA expressions of HMGB1， RAGE and NF-κB p65 were determined by Real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）， and the protein expressions of HMGB1， RAGE， p-NF-κB p65， and alpha-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA） in bronchioles tissue of rats were determined by immunohistochemistry （IHC）. ResultCompared with the conditions in the normal group， the forced vital capacity （FVC）， forced expiratory volume in the first second （FEV1） and FEV1/FVC in the model group were decreased （P<0.01） while the contents of HMGB1， CXCL1， CXCL2 and MCP-1 in BALF were increased （P<0.01）. And the model group presented higher mRNA expressions of HMGB1， RAGE and NF-κB p65 （P<0.01） and protein expressions of HMGB1， RAGE， p-NF-κB p65 and α-SMA （P<0.05， P<0.01） than the normal group. Compared with the model group， the modified Erchentang medium- and high-dose groups had increased FEV1/FVC （P<0.05， P<0.01）， lowered contents of HMGB1， CXCL1， CXCL2 and MCP-1 in BALF （P<0.05， P<0.05）， and reduced mRNA expressions of HMGB1， RAGE and NF-κB p65 （P<0.05， P<0.01） and protein expressions of HMGB1， RAGE， p-NF-κB p65 and α-SMA （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionModified Erchentang can resist bronchiolar inflammation of COPD rats. The mechanism may be related to down-regulating the mRNA expressiona of HMGB1 and RAGE， inhibiting the activity of NF-κB， and reducing the release of HMGB1， CXCL1， CXCL2 and MCP-1， thus suppressing the inflammatory injury and abnormal repair of bronchioles.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of modified Erchentang on the expression of key molecules in the Jagged1/Notch1/Hes1 signaling pathway in lung tissues of rats with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD） and explore its anti-inflammatory effect and molecular mechanism on COPD through the Jagged1/Notch1/Hes1 signaling pathway. MethodSixty SD rats were randomly divided into normal group， model group， low-， medium-， and high-dose modified Erchentang groups （5， 10， 20 g·kg^-1）， and γ-secretase inhibitor DAPT group （0.02 g·kg^-1）， with 10 rats in each group. The COPD model was induced in rats by cigarette smoking combined with intratracheal instillation of lipopolysaccharide （LPS）. Rats were treated with corresponding drugs by gavage， while those in the normal group and the model group were treated with the same amount of normal saline by gavage. The serum levels of Notch1， soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 （sICAM-1）， activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule （ALCAM）， and soluble vascular adhesion molecule-1 （sVCAM-1） were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The mRNA expression of Jagged1， Notch1， and Hes1 was detected by Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. The protein expression of Jagged1， Notch1， Notch1 intracellular domain （NICD1）， and Hes1 in lung tissues of rats was detected by immunohistochemistry （IHC）. ResultCompared with the normal group， the model group showed increased serum content of Notch1， sICAM-1， ALCAM， and sVCAM-1 （P<0.01）， increased mRNA expression of Jagged1， Notch1， and Hes1 in lung tissues （P<0.01）， and increased protein expression of Jagged1， Notch1， NICD1， and Hes1 （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the medium- and high-dose modified Erchentang groups and the DAPT group showed decreased serum content of Notch1， sICAM-1， ALCAM， and sVCAM-1 （P<0.05， P<0.05）， down-regulated mRNA expression of Jagged1， Notch1， and Hes1 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and reduced protein expression of Jagged1， Notch1， NICD1， and Hes1（P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionModified Erchentang may inhibit the inflammatory response in the lung of COPD rats， and its mechanism may be related to the resistance of inflammatory injury in the lung by decreasing the mRNA expression of Jagged1， Notch1， and Hes1 and inhibiting the release of Notch1， sICAM-1， ALCAM， and sVCAM-1.