OBJECTIVE: To establish venetoclax-resistant acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell lines, assess the sensitivity of venetoclax-resistant cell lines to the BCL-2 protein family, and investigate their resistance mechanisms. METHODS: CCK-8 method was used to screen AML cell lines (MV4-11, MOLM13, OCI-AML2) that were relatively sensitive to venetoclax. Low concentrations of venetoclax continuously induced drug-resistance development in the cell lines. Changes in cell viability and apoptosis rate before and after resistance development were measured using the CCK-8 method and flow cytometry. BH3 profiling assay was performed to anayze the transform of mitochondrion-dependent apoptosis pathway as well as the sensitivity of resistant cell lines to BCL-2 family proteins and small molecule inhibitors. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was utilized to examine changes in the expression levels of BCL-2 protein family members in both venetoclax-resistant cell lines and multidrug-resistant patients. RESULTS: Venetoclax-resistant cell lines of MV4-11, MOLM13, and OCI-AML2 were successfully established, with IC₅₀ values exceeding 10-fold. Under the same concentration of venetoclax, the apoptosis rate of resistant cells decreased significantly (P < 0.05). BH3 profiling assay revealed that the drug-resistant cell lines showed increased sensitivity to many pro-apoptotic proteins (such as BIM,BID and NOXA). RT-qPCR showed significantly upregulated MCL1 and downregulated NOXA1 were detected in drug-resistant cell lines. Expression changes in MCL1 and NOXA1 in venetoclax-resistant patients were consistent with our established drug-resistant cell line results. CONCLUSION The venetoclax-resistant AML cell lines were successfully established through continuous induction with low concentrations of venetoclax. The venetoclax resistance resulted in alterations in the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway of the cells and an increased sensitivity of cells to pro-apoptotic proteins BIM, BID, and NOXA, which may be associated with the upregulation of MCL1 expression and downregulation of NOXA1 expression in the drug-resistant cells.
Humans ; Sulfonamides/pharmacology* ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic/pharmacology* ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/pathology* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/metabolism* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Apoptosis ; Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology*

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of Qingda Granule (QDG) in ameliorating hypertension-induced cardiac damage and investigate the underlying mechanisms involved. METHODS: Twenty spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) were used to develope a hypertension-induced cardiac damage model. Another 10 Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats were used as normotension group. Rats were administrated intragastrically QDG [0.9 g/(kg•d)] or an equivalent volume of pure water for 8 weeks. Blood pressure, histopathological changes, cardiac function, levels of oxidative stress and inflammatory response markers were measured. Furthermore, to gain insights into the potential mechanisms underlying the protective effects of QDG against hypertension-induced cardiac injury, a network pharmacology study was conducted. Predicted results were validated by Western blot, radioimmunoassay immunohistochemistry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction, respectively. RESULTS: The administration of QDG resulted in a significant decrease in blood pressure levels in SHRs (P<0.01). Histological examinations, including hematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson trichrome staining revealed that QDG effectively attenuated hypertension-induced cardiac damage. Furthermore, echocardiography demonstrated that QDG improved hypertension-associated cardiac dysfunction. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and colorimetric method indicated that QDG significantly reduced oxidative stress and inflammatory response levels in both myocardial tissue and serum (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Both network pharmacology and experimental investigations confirmed that QDG exerted its beneficial effects in decreasing hypertension-induced cardiac damage by regulating the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)/angiotensin II (Ang II)/Ang II receptor type 1 axis and ACE/Ang II/Ang II receptor type 2 axis.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Hypertension/pathology* ; Renin-Angiotensin System/drug effects* ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Male ; Rats, Inbred WKY ; Blood Pressure/drug effects* ; Myocardium/pathology* ; Rats ; Inflammation/pathology*

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the prospective association between physical activity (PA),independently or in conjunction with other contributing factors,and osteoporosis (OP) outcomes. Methods The Physical Activity in Osteoporosis Outcomes (PAOPO) study was a community-based cohort investigation. A structured questionnaire was used to gather the participants' sociodemographic characteristics. Bone mineral density (BMD) measurements were performed to assess OP outcomes,and the relationship between BMD and OP was evaluated within this cohort. Results From 2013 to 2014,8,471 participants aged 18 years and older were recruited from Tangshan,China's Jidong community. Based on their PA level,participants were categorized as inactive,moderately active,or very active. Men showed higher physical exercise levels than women across the activity groups. BMD was significantly higher in the very active group than in the moderately active and inactive groups. Individuals aged>50 years are at a higher risk of developing OP and osteopenia. Conclusion The PAOPO study offers promising insights into the relationship between PA and OP outcomes,encouraging the implementation of PA in preventing and managing OP.

Objective To develop a multi-modal deep learning method for automatic classification of immune-mediated glomerular diseases based on images of optical microscopy(OM),immunofluorescence microscopy(IM),and transmission electron microscopy(TEM).Methods We retrospectively collected the pathological images from 273 patients and constructed a multi-modal multi-instance model for classification of 3 immune-mediated glomerular diseases,namely immunoglobulin A nephropathy(IgAN),membranous nephropathy(MN),and lupus nephritis(LN).This model adopts an instance-level multi-instance learning(I-MIL)method to select the TEM images for multi-modal feature fusion with the OM images and IM images of the same patient.By comparing this model with unimodal and bimodal models,we explored different combinations of the 3 modalities and the optimal methods for modal feature fusion.Results The multi-modal multi-instance model combining OM,IM,and TEM images had a disease classification accuracy of(88.34±2.12)%,superior to that of the optimal unimodal model[(87.08±4.25)%]and that of the optimal bimodal model[(87.92±3.06)%].Conclusion This multi-modal multi-instance model based on OM,IM,and TEM images can achieve automatic classification of immune-mediated glomerular diseases with a good classification accuracy.

Objective To develop a multi-modal deep learning method for automatic classification of immune-mediated glomerular diseases based on images of optical microscopy(OM),immunofluorescence microscopy(IM),and transmission electron microscopy(TEM).Methods We retrospectively collected the pathological images from 273 patients and constructed a multi-modal multi-instance model for classification of 3 immune-mediated glomerular diseases,namely immunoglobulin A nephropathy(IgAN),membranous nephropathy(MN),and lupus nephritis(LN).This model adopts an instance-level multi-instance learning(I-MIL)method to select the TEM images for multi-modal feature fusion with the OM images and IM images of the same patient.By comparing this model with unimodal and bimodal models,we explored different combinations of the 3 modalities and the optimal methods for modal feature fusion.Results The multi-modal multi-instance model combining OM,IM,and TEM images had a disease classification accuracy of(88.34±2.12)%,superior to that of the optimal unimodal model[(87.08±4.25)%]and that of the optimal bimodal model[(87.92±3.06)%].Conclusion This multi-modal multi-instance model based on OM,IM,and TEM images can achieve automatic classification of immune-mediated glomerular diseases with a good classification accuracy.

Bone organoids can simulate the complex structure and function of the bone tissues, which makes them a frontier technology in organoid researches. Bone organoids show a tremendous potential of applications in bone disease modeling, bone injury repair, and medicine screening. Although advancements have been made so far in constructing bone organoids with functional structures like mineralization, bone marrow, trabecular bone, callus, woven bone, etc, the researches in this field are confronted with numerous challenges such as lack of standardized construction strategies and unified evaluation criteria, which limits their further promotion and application. To standardize researches in bone organoids, the Orthopedic Expert Committee of Geriatric Branch of Chinese Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics, the Youth Osteoporosis Group of Orthopedic Branch of Chinese Medical Association, the Osteoporosis Group of Orthopedic Surgeon Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association, and the Osteoporosis Committee of Shanghai Association of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine organized related experts to formulate Expert consensus on the construction, evaluation, and application of bone organoids ( version 2024) based on an evidence-based approach. A total of 17 recommendations were put forth, aiming to standardize researches and clinical applications of bone organoids and enhance their value in scientific research and clinical practice.

Objective:To analyze and summarize the clinical manifestations, pathological characteristics, treatment, and outcomes of primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus(PMME)in elderly Chinese patients.Methods:A case study of an elderly patient with PMME was conducted at the Department of Gastroenterology in the China-Japan Friendship Hospital.Additionally, literature and case data on elderly PMME cases reported in China up to July 2023 were gathered and analyzed to summarize the epidemiological characteristics, endoscopic manifestations, clinical presentations, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of the disease.Results:A comprehensive review of the literature up to July 2023 documented a total of 114 cases of elderly patients with PMME in China, which also included cases from our hospital.Among these cases, there were 68 male patients(59.6%)and 46 female patients(40.4%), ranging in age from 60 to 81 years, with a median age of 65 years.The predominant clinical manifestations observed were dysphagia and choking while eating, followed by chest pain and retrosternal burning sensation.The majority of the lesions were found in the middle and lower segments of the esophagus, predominantly protruding into the lumen, with only 2 cases(1.8%)displaying esophageal mucosal pigmentation.Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that HMB45 was positive in 74 cases(64.9%)and negative in 3 cases(2.6%), while S-100 was positive in 66 cases(57.9%)and negative in 2 cases(1.8%), although data for some patients were not available.Lymph node or distant metastases were present in 45 cases(39.5%), while 38 patients(33.3%)had tumors confined to the esophagus without metastases.Of the 114 patients, 61(53.5%)had a follow-up period ranging from 0.3 to 39 months, with a median follow-up time of 6.75 months.Among the patients who survived during the follow-up period, there were 30 cases(26.3%), with a follow-up time of 1 to 39 months and a median follow-up time of 7.5 months.For the deceased patients, the time from consultation to death ranged from 0.3 to 31 months.Conclusions:Elderly individuals with PMME in China typically present with a gradual onset, nonspecific symptoms, frequent metastasis upon diagnosis, aggressive behavior, and unfavorable outcomes.

Objective:To investigate the mechanism of curcumin affecting HIV-1 infection co-receptor CCR5 by regulating transcription factor FOXP3.Methods:Binding sites of transcription factor FOXP3 on CCR5 promoter were predicted and analyzed by bioinformatics method.AutoDock 4.2 software was used to connect curcumin and FOXP3 flexibly.MTT assay was used to detect cyto-toxcity of curcumin on activity of Jurkat cells.qRT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect expression levels of CCR5 and FOXP3 mRNA and protein in Jurkat cells that were treated with different concentrations of curcumin.pcDNA3.1-FOXP3 expression vector was built and combined with the prediction results of transcription factors.The mutant CCR5 gene fragment was amplified by Overlap PCR,and the mutant CCR5 promoter recombinant vector pFireRluc-Mt-CCR5 was constructed.Binding site between transcription fac-tor FOXP3 and CCR5 promoter was verified by double luciferase reporter gene assay.Results:Results of JASPAR transcription factor prediction showed that there was a binding site between CCR5 promoter and transcription factor FOXP3;molecular docking results showed that curcumin could bind to the active region of FOXP3;MTT results showed that curcumin inhibited the activity of Jurkat cells after 24 hours,and the IC50 was 34.48 μmol/L.qRT-PCR and Western blot showed that expression levels of CCR5 and FOXP3 mRNA and protein were decreased in a dose-dependent manner after different concentrations of curcumin treated Jurkat cells;double luciferase reporter gene confirmed that FOXP3 could bind to CCR5 promoter,and the transcription factor FOXP3 could regulate the activity of CCR5 promoter;results of the recovery experiment of FOXP3 on curcumin showed that when the curcumin concentration was 60 μmol/L,relative value of luciferase activity in HEK293T cells with pcDNA3.1-FOXP3 and pFireRluc-Wt-CCR5 was signifi-cantly higher than that in pFireRluc-Wt-CCR5+curcumin-60 group(P<0.01).Conclusion:FOXP3 can regulate the activity of CCR5 promoter,and the mechanism may be that curcumin affects activity of CCR5 promoter by acting on binding site of FOXP3 and CCR5 promoter.

Objective:To analyze the application value of MCV,MCH and HbA2 in screening for thalassemia in the population of childbearing age in Quanzhou area,and to determine the optimal screening cut-off value of relevant indicators in this area. Methods:2725 couples of childbearing age were included in the study and underwent routine blood test,capillary hemoglobin electrophoresis,and α and β thalassemia gene test. Statistical methods were used to analyze the distribution of thalassemia genotypes,and compare the performance of MCV,MCH,and HbA2 in screening various types of thalassemia. According to the ROC curve,the best cut-off values of MCV,MCH and HbA2 in screening for thalassemia in this area were determined. Results:In this study,a total of 1801 thalassemia carriers were detected,including 1341 cases of α-thalassemia,420 cases of β-thalassemia,and 40 cases of αβ compound thalassemia. The most common genotypes of α-thalassemia and β-thalassemia were--SEA/αα and β654/βN,respectively. ROC curves were drawn to evaluate the performance of MCV,MCH and HbA2 in screening for α-thalassemia,mild β-thalassemia,αβ compound thalassemia,silent α-thalassemia,mild α-thalassemia,and intermediate α-thalassemia. The maximum areas under the curves (AUC) were 0.747,0.865,0.724,0.486,0.812,0.841;0.747,0.846,0.703,0.479,0.796,0.903;0.613,0.980,0.909,0.465,0.674,0.996,respectively;and the best cut-off values corresponding to the three screening indicators were 76.15fl,71.95fl,77.35fl,86.15fl,75.41fl,61.15fl;24.35pg,21.51pg,25.45pg,28.65pg,24.01pg,20.51pg;2.45％,3.05％,3.55％,3.25％,2.45％,1.65％,respectively. Conclusion:The levels of MCV,MCH and HbA2 are correlated with the phenotype of thalassemia,and the detection of these indicators is of great significance for the prevention and control of thalassaemia.