OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the anti-hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) activity of total alkaloids from Gelsemium elegans Benth. (TAG) in vivo and in vitro and to elucidate their potential mechanisms of action through transcriptomic analysis. METHODS: TAG extraction was conducted, and the primary components were quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The effects of TAG (100, 150, and 200 µg/mL) on various tumor cells, including SMMC-7721, HepG2, H22, CAL27, MCF7, HT29, and HCT116, were assessed. Effects of TAG on HCC proliferation and apoptosis were detected by colony formation assays and cell stainings. Caspase-3, Bcl-2, and Bax protein levels were detected by Western blotting. In vivo, a tumor xenograft model was developed using H22 cells. Totally 40 Kunming mice were randomly assigned to model, cyclophosphamide (20 mg/kg), TAG low-dose (TAG-L, 0.5 mg/kg), and TAG high-dose (TAG-H, 1 mg/kg) groups, with 10 mice in each group. Tumor volume, body weight, and tumor weight were recorded and compared during 14-day treatment. Immune organ index were calculated. Tissue changes were oberseved by hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemistry. Additionally, transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses, as well as quatitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), were performed to detect mRNA and metabolite expressions. RESULTS: HPLC successfully identified the components of TAG extraction. Live cell imaging and analysis, along with cell viability assays, demonstrated that TAG inhibited the proliferation of SMMC-7721, HepG2, H22, CAL27, MCF7, HT29, and HCT116 cells. Colony formation assays, Hoechst 33258 staining, Rhodamine 123 staining, and Western blotting revealed that TAG not only inhibited HCC proliferation but also promoted apoptosis (P<0.05). In vivo experiments showed that TAG inhibited the growth of solid tumors in HCC in mice (P<0.05). Transcriptomic analysis and RT-qPCR indicated that the inhibition of HCC by TAG was associated with the regulation of the key gene CXCL13. CONCLUSION TAG inhibits HCC both in vivo and in vitro, with its inhibitory effect linked to the regulation of the key gene CXCL13.
Animals ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Liver Neoplasms/genetics* ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/genetics* ; Humans ; Alkaloids/therapeutic use* ; Gelsemium/chemistry* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Mice ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Listeria brainstem encephalitis with myelitis is extremely rare in clinical practice.Since the clinical manifestations are non-specific,MRI is helpful for diagnosis.Positive cerebrospinal fluid culture is considered the gold standard for diagnosis.This article reports a case of an immunocompetent individual with listeria brainstem encephalitis with myelitis,aiming to enhance the awareness of this condition.
Humans ; Brain Stem/pathology* ; Diagnostic Errors ; Encephalitis/complications* ; Encephalomyelitis, Acute Disseminated/diagnosis* ; Listeriosis/complications* ; Myelitis/complications*

AIM To study the chemical constituents from the sticks and leaves of Croton cascarilloides Raeusch.and their biological activities.METHODS The 95％ethanol extract from the sticks and leaves of C.cascarilloides was isolated and purified by MCI,silica gel,Sephadex LH-20 and semi-preparative HPLC,then the structures of obtained compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data.LPS-induced NO RAW264.7 cell model induced by LPS was used to evaluate its anti-inflammatory activity in vitro.GES-1 injury model induced by taurocholic acid was used to screen the gastric mucosal protection activity.RESULTS Fourteen compounds were isolated and identified as bullatantriol(1),(-)-boscialin(2),(+)-dehydrovomifoliol(3),3-(hydroxylacetyl)-indole(4),pinoresinol(5),3,7-dimethyl-octa-1,7-diene-3,6-ol(6),(+)-syringaresinol(7),curcasinlignan B(8),cleomiscosin C(9),cleomiscosinD(10),2,6-dimethyl-octa-1,7-dien-3,6-diol(11),vanillin(12),vanillic acid(13),methyl vanillate(14).Compound 4 had certain anti-inflammatory activity,with IC50 values of 73.62 μmol/L.The protective rates of 25 μmol/L compounds 1-4,6,9-12 and 14 on gastric mucosal epithelial cells were 30.07％,34.18％,23.91％,30.92％,17.51％,19.69％,31.76％,22.46％,30.56％and 14.49％,respectively.CONCLUSION Compounds 1-14 are isolated from this plant for the first time.Compound 4 shows anti-inflammatory activity,1-4,6,9-12 and 14 show different degrees of gastric mucosal epithelial cell protective activity.

Objective To investigate the mortality and risk factors of HIV-infected patients complicated with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy(PML)to inform the outcomes of these patients.Methods The clinical data of people living with HIV related PML who were treated at Chongqing Public Health Medical Treatment Center from January 1,2019 to December 31,2023 were retrospectively analyzed.Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis.Log-rank test was performed.Cox regression model was used for multivariate analysis.Results A total of 42 people living with HIV related PML were enrolled,including 34 males(81.0％).The median age was 44.5(36.3,51.0)years.PML was confirmed in 76.2％(32/42)of patients,and possible PML was diagnosed in 23.8％(10/42)of patients.The median time to diagnosis was 32.5(14.8,58.3)days.The median CD4+T cell count was 69.0(39.8,112.0)cells/μL.The median HIV viral load was 5.05(2.62,5.77)log10 copies/mL.The overall mortality rate was 54.8％(23/42)for patients with HIV related PML.CD4+T cell count ≤50 cells/μL and initial modified Rankin scale(mRS)score ≥4 points were independent risk factors for the overall mortality of people living with HIV related PML(P＜0.05).Conclusions People living with HIV related PML have a high mortality rate.Low CD4+T cell count and high initial mRS score were independent risk factors for the mortality of patients with HIV related PML.Currently,no definitive and effective drug treatment is available for PML.Early detection,diagnosis and initiation of antiretroviral therapy may improve the outcomes of patients.

Purpose To evaluate the diagnostic value of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose(18F-FDG)PET/CT in differentiating primary lung cancer(PLC)from metastatic pulmonary breast cancer in breast cancer patients with solitary pulmonary lesion(SPL).Materials and Methods This retrospective analysis included 58 breast cancer patients with SPL in the Cancer Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from January 2015 to August 2024.All patients had pathologically confirmed breast cancer with SPL and underwent PET/CT scans,including 36 cases of PLC and 22 cases of metastatic pulmonary breast cancer.Differences in clinical pathological features,high resolution CT morphological,and PET metabolic characteristics were analyzed.Multivariate Logistic regression was utilized to investigate independent predictive factors for SPL diagnosis.Results Statistically significant differences were observed between lesion density,nodule-lung interface,bubble sign,vascular convergence sign and pleural indentation sign(χ2=9.420,7.000,8.487,all P<0.05).PET/CT metabolic analysis revealed a significant difference in maximum standardized uptake value(SUVmax)between the two groups(Z=4.613,P<0.001).Multivariate analysis showed that bubble sign,pleural indentation sign and lower SUVmax were independent predictors for PLC.With an SUVmax threshold of 2.5,the area under the receiver operating curve(AUC)was 0.862,with a sensitivity of 90.9%,specificity of 77.8%and an accuracy of 82.8%.Combined analysis of high resolution CT and SUVmax demonstrated the highest diagnostic efficacy,with an area under the curve of 0.937,sensitivity of 90.9%,specificity of 94.4%and accuracy of 93.1%.Conclusion The presence of bubble sign,pleural indentation and SUVmax<2.5 suggests a high likelihood of PLC.Combined high resolution CT imaging features and PET metabolic characteristics significantly improve diagnostic accuracy for SPLs in breast cancer patients.

Objective To investigate the mortality and risk factors of HIV-infected patients complicated with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy(PML)to inform the outcomes of these patients.Methods The clinical data of people living with HIV related PML who were treated at Chongqing Public Health Medical Treatment Center from January 1,2019 to December 31,2023 were retrospectively analyzed.Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis.Log-rank test was performed.Cox regression model was used for multivariate analysis.Results A total of 42 people living with HIV related PML were enrolled,including 34 males(81.0％).The median age was 44.5(36.3,51.0)years.PML was confirmed in 76.2％(32/42)of patients,and possible PML was diagnosed in 23.8％(10/42)of patients.The median time to diagnosis was 32.5(14.8,58.3)days.The median CD4+T cell count was 69.0(39.8,112.0)cells/μL.The median HIV viral load was 5.05(2.62,5.77)log10 copies/mL.The overall mortality rate was 54.8％(23/42)for patients with HIV related PML.CD4+T cell count ≤50 cells/μL and initial modified Rankin scale(mRS)score ≥4 points were independent risk factors for the overall mortality of people living with HIV related PML(P＜0.05).Conclusions People living with HIV related PML have a high mortality rate.Low CD4+T cell count and high initial mRS score were independent risk factors for the mortality of patients with HIV related PML.Currently,no definitive and effective drug treatment is available for PML.Early detection,diagnosis and initiation of antiretroviral therapy may improve the outcomes of patients.

Purpose To evaluate the diagnostic value of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose(18F-FDG)PET/CT in differentiating primary lung cancer(PLC)from metastatic pulmonary breast cancer in breast cancer patients with solitary pulmonary lesion(SPL).Materials and Methods This retrospective analysis included 58 breast cancer patients with SPL in the Cancer Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from January 2015 to August 2024.All patients had pathologically confirmed breast cancer with SPL and underwent PET/CT scans,including 36 cases of PLC and 22 cases of metastatic pulmonary breast cancer.Differences in clinical pathological features,high resolution CT morphological,and PET metabolic characteristics were analyzed.Multivariate Logistic regression was utilized to investigate independent predictive factors for SPL diagnosis.Results Statistically significant differences were observed between lesion density,nodule-lung interface,bubble sign,vascular convergence sign and pleural indentation sign(χ2=9.420,7.000,8.487,all P<0.05).PET/CT metabolic analysis revealed a significant difference in maximum standardized uptake value(SUVmax)between the two groups(Z=4.613,P<0.001).Multivariate analysis showed that bubble sign,pleural indentation sign and lower SUVmax were independent predictors for PLC.With an SUVmax threshold of 2.5,the area under the receiver operating curve(AUC)was 0.862,with a sensitivity of 90.9%,specificity of 77.8%and an accuracy of 82.8%.Combined analysis of high resolution CT and SUVmax demonstrated the highest diagnostic efficacy,with an area under the curve of 0.937,sensitivity of 90.9%,specificity of 94.4%and accuracy of 93.1%.Conclusion The presence of bubble sign,pleural indentation and SUVmax<2.5 suggests a high likelihood of PLC.Combined high resolution CT imaging features and PET metabolic characteristics significantly improve diagnostic accuracy for SPLs in breast cancer patients.

AIM To study the chemical constituents from the sticks and leaves of Croton cascarilloides Raeusch.and their biological activities.METHODS The 95％ethanol extract from the sticks and leaves of C.cascarilloides was isolated and purified by MCI,silica gel,Sephadex LH-20 and semi-preparative HPLC,then the structures of obtained compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data.LPS-induced NO RAW264.7 cell model induced by LPS was used to evaluate its anti-inflammatory activity in vitro.GES-1 injury model induced by taurocholic acid was used to screen the gastric mucosal protection activity.RESULTS Fourteen compounds were isolated and identified as bullatantriol(1),(-)-boscialin(2),(+)-dehydrovomifoliol(3),3-(hydroxylacetyl)-indole(4),pinoresinol(5),3,7-dimethyl-octa-1,7-diene-3,6-ol(6),(+)-syringaresinol(7),curcasinlignan B(8),cleomiscosin C(9),cleomiscosinD(10),2,6-dimethyl-octa-1,7-dien-3,6-diol(11),vanillin(12),vanillic acid(13),methyl vanillate(14).Compound 4 had certain anti-inflammatory activity,with IC50 values of 73.62 μmol/L.The protective rates of 25 μmol/L compounds 1-4,6,9-12 and 14 on gastric mucosal epithelial cells were 30.07％,34.18％,23.91％,30.92％,17.51％,19.69％,31.76％,22.46％,30.56％and 14.49％,respectively.CONCLUSION Compounds 1-14 are isolated from this plant for the first time.Compound 4 shows anti-inflammatory activity,1-4,6,9-12 and 14 show different degrees of gastric mucosal epithelial cell protective activity.

Objective To construct curcumin pyrazole derivative by the reaction of diketone of curcumin and benzylhydrazine based on the above structure-activity relationship,and to explore its antioxidant activity to provide experimental basis for the development of curcumin antioxidant derivative.Methods Curcumin-N-substituted pyrazole derivative was synthesized from curcumin and benzylhydrazine.The structures of the derivative were confirmed by infrared spectroscopy(IR),nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy(1H-NMR,13C-NMR)and LC-MS.The antioxidant activity in vitro of the derivative was evaluated by determination of curcumin and its pyrazole derivative scavenging ability for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH)free radical and 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid(ABTS)free radical.Results Curcumin pyrazole derivative was successfully synthesized.Curcumin and its pyrazole derivative showed good free radical scavenging effects in the range of 4.6-73.6,6.25-100 μg·mL-1,respectively,with a significant dose-effect relationship.The half-maximal inhibition(IC50)values of curcumin and its pyrazole derivatives determined by DPPH method were 14.24,40.37 μg·mL-1,respectively,while the IC50 values of curcumin and its pyrazole derivatives determined by ABTS method were 36.65,19.26 μg·mL-1,respectively.Conclusion The antioxidant activity of β-dione of curcumin was retained through the substitution of the pyrazole ring,and the curcumin pyrazole derivative deserves further investigation as a potential antioxidant.

Objective This study aimed to comprehensively analyze and compare the clinicopathological features and prognosis of Chinese patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER2)-low early breast cancer(BC)and HER2-IHC0 BC. Methods Patients diagnosed with HER2-negative BC(N=999)at our institution between January 2011 and December 2015 formed our study population.Clinicopathological characteristics,association between estrogen receptor(ER)expression and HER2-low,and evolution of HER2 immunohistochemical(IHC)score were assessed.Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test were used to compare the long-term survival outcomes(5-year follow-up)between the HER2-IHC0 and HER2-low groups. Results HER2-low BC group tended to demonstrate high expression of ER and more progesterone receptor(PgR)positivity than HER2-IHC0 BC group(P<0.001).The rate of HER2-low status increased with increasing ER expression levels(Mantel-Haenszel χ2 test,P<0.001,Pearson's R=0.159,P<0.001).Survival analysis revealed a significantly longer overall survival(OS)in HER2-low BC group than in HER2-IHC0 group(P=0.007)in the whole cohort and the hormone receptor(HR)-negative group.There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of disease-free survival(DFS).The discordance rate of HER2 IHC scores between primary and metastatic sites was 36.84%. Conclusion HER2-low BC may not be regarded as a unique BC group in this population-based study due to similar clinicopathological features and prognostic roles.