Objective To investigate the effect of growth differentiation factor 15(GDF15)on apoptosis and insulin secretion of MIN6 cells under high glucose conditions.Methods The mouse pancreatic islet β cell line(MIN6 cells)were divided into four groups:NG group,NG+rGDF15 group,HG group,and HG+rGDF15 group.The cell morphology among groups were observed,the apoptosis rate,the protein expression levels of Bcl-2 and Bax and the insulin level was detected.Results HG group exhibited significant cellular damage,characterized by upregulated apoptosis-promoting protein Bax and downregulated apoptosis-suppressing protein Bcl-2 expression,accompanied by a marked increase in apoptosis rate and a substantial decrease in insulin secretion(P＜0.01).Administration of recombinant GDF15 protein improved MIN6 cell morphology,significantly reduced Bax protein relative expression,elevated Bcl-2 protein relative expression,markedly decreased apoptosis rate,and enhanced insulin secretion(P＜0.01).Conclusion GDF15 can mitigate high glucose-induced MIN6 cell damage.

Objective To investigate the effect of growth differentiation factor 15(GDF15)on apoptosis and insulin secretion of MIN6 cells under high glucose conditions.Methods The mouse pancreatic islet β cell line(MIN6 cells)were divided into four groups:NG group,NG+rGDF15 group,HG group,and HG+rGDF15 group.The cell morphology among groups were observed,the apoptosis rate,the protein expression levels of Bcl-2 and Bax and the insulin level was detected.Results HG group exhibited significant cellular damage,characterized by upregulated apoptosis-promoting protein Bax and downregulated apoptosis-suppressing protein Bcl-2 expression,accompanied by a marked increase in apoptosis rate and a substantial decrease in insulin secretion(P＜0.01).Administration of recombinant GDF15 protein improved MIN6 cell morphology,significantly reduced Bax protein relative expression,elevated Bcl-2 protein relative expression,markedly decreased apoptosis rate,and enhanced insulin secretion(P＜0.01).Conclusion GDF15 can mitigate high glucose-induced MIN6 cell damage.

Objective: To investigate the association of primary tumor site with prognosis in vulvar cancer, stratified by vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and non-SCC histological types. Methods: This population-based retrospective study enrolled patients with vulvar cancer from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database between January 2000 and December 2018. The primary outcome was cancer-specific survival (CSS). The prognostic difference between labium majus, labium minus and clitoris groups was investigated using Kaplan–Meier analyses and Cox proportional hazards regression analyses. Results: A total of 3,465 eligible patients with vulvar cancer were included with a mean age of 54.5 years. Among the 1,076 (31.1%) patients with non-SCC, the multivariate Cox regression analyses showed that labium minus-sited disease (hazard ratio [HR]=1.85; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.27–2.71; p=0.001) and clitoris-sited disease (HR=2.37; 95% CI=1.47–3.85;p<0.001) were significantly associated with worse CSS, compared with labium majus-sited disease. However, among the 2,389 (68.9%) patients with SCC, no significant association of primary tumor site with CSS was found (p>0.05). Kaplan–Meier analyses also showed that the primary tumor site had a significant prognostic effect in vulvar non-SCC (p<0.001) but not in vulvar SCC (p=0.330). Conclusion Among vulvar non-SCC, patients with labium minus-sited disease had a significantly worse prognosis than those with labium majus-sited disease, and a significantly better prognosis than those with clitoris-sited disease. Gynecologic oncologists should consider the prognostic effect of primary tumor site in vulvar non-SCC, and make optimal, personalized treatment and surveillance strategies based on different primary tumor sites.

Objective: To investigate the association of primary tumor site with prognosis in vulvar cancer, stratified by vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and non-SCC histological types. Methods: This population-based retrospective study enrolled patients with vulvar cancer from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database between January 2000 and December 2018. The primary outcome was cancer-specific survival (CSS). The prognostic difference between labium majus, labium minus and clitoris groups was investigated using Kaplan–Meier analyses and Cox proportional hazards regression analyses. Results: A total of 3,465 eligible patients with vulvar cancer were included with a mean age of 54.5 years. Among the 1,076 (31.1%) patients with non-SCC, the multivariate Cox regression analyses showed that labium minus-sited disease (hazard ratio [HR]=1.85; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.27–2.71; p=0.001) and clitoris-sited disease (HR=2.37; 95% CI=1.47–3.85;p<0.001) were significantly associated with worse CSS, compared with labium majus-sited disease. However, among the 2,389 (68.9%) patients with SCC, no significant association of primary tumor site with CSS was found (p>0.05). Kaplan–Meier analyses also showed that the primary tumor site had a significant prognostic effect in vulvar non-SCC (p<0.001) but not in vulvar SCC (p=0.330). Conclusion Among vulvar non-SCC, patients with labium minus-sited disease had a significantly worse prognosis than those with labium majus-sited disease, and a significantly better prognosis than those with clitoris-sited disease. Gynecologic oncologists should consider the prognostic effect of primary tumor site in vulvar non-SCC, and make optimal, personalized treatment and surveillance strategies based on different primary tumor sites.

Objective:To analyze the genetic characteristics of the complete genome of a strain of human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) in Qinghai province in 2024.Methods:A total of 300 samples were collected during 2024 influenza surveillance in Qinghai province sentinel hospitals from patients with fever accompanied by severe respiratory infection symptoms. We used real-time fluorescent quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction RT-PCR) method to screen out HRSV subtype B (HRSVB) positive specimens, whole genome sequencing was performed on positivespecimens meeting the requirements for the sequencing. After downloading the global representative HRSVB genotypes at GenBank database, sequence alignment was performed, related evolutionary tree was built and the calculation and analyses of genetic distance were done, analyses of HRSVB sequencing of sequence homology of nucleotides, amino acids and amino acid mutation were performed.Results:The first strain in Qinghai, China/qinghai/2024-03 had a complete sequence of 15 140 bp nucleotides, with HRSV′s all structural characteristics, and subtype HRSVA prototype strain Long strains of nucleotide the lowest homology was 80.0%, and subtype HRSVB prototype strain nucleotide homology was above 94.7%. The result indicated that the first strain in Qinghai belonged to HRSVB subtype. Genetic evolution shows China/qinghai/2024-03 and USA/WA-S23450/2021 (OR326803.1) and Germany/2021 (OR795235.1) all belong to a branch, they have the closest relationship. Phylogenetic analysis of G gene showed that the strain belonged to BA9 genotype of HRSVB subtype, and the hypervariable regions of the genome were SH and G genes.Conclusions:In this study, the complete genome sequence of HRSV China/qinghai/2024-03 was obtained for the first time, and the basic molecular structural characteristics were elucidated, which filled the gaps in the gene and amino acid data of HRSV in our province, and also provided a basis for HRSV epidemiology.

AIM:To investigate the anti-fibrotic effect of Panax notoginseng saponins(PNS)in arecoline(ANE)-induced oral submucous fibrosis,and to analyze the effect of PNS on nuclear factor E2-related factor 2(Nrf2)/glu-tamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit(GCLC)signaling pathway.METHODS:CCK-8 assay was used to evaluate the effects of different concentrations of PNS and arecoline on the survival rate of human immortalized keratinocyte cell line Ha-CaT.The results of CCK-8 were used to select 75 mg/L arecoline,and 25,50 and 100 mg/L PNS as subsequent experi-mental concentrations.The cells were set as blank control group,model group,and low,medium and high doses(25,50 and 100 mg/L)of PNS groups.The protein and mRNA expressions of collagen type I(COL-I),E-cadherin,Nrf2,GCLC and glutathione reductase(GR)in each group were detected by Western blot and RT-qPCR.Immunofluorescence method was used to detect the entry of Nrf2 into the nucleus.Biochemical kits were used to detect the content of glutathione(GSH),nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate(NADPH)and malondialdehyde(MDA),and superoxide dis-mutase(SOD)activity in each group of cells.DCFH-DA fluorescent probe was used to detect the content of intracellular reactive oxygen species(ROS).RESULTS:Compared with the blank control group,the protein and mRNA expression of COL-I in the model group was up-regulated,and the protein and mRNA levels of E-cadherin,Nrf2,GCLC,nuclear Nrf2 and GR were down-regulated.The content of NADPH,MDA and ROS in the cells increased,and the content of GSH and the activity of SOD was significantly reduced.Compared with the model group,the protein and mRNA expression of COL-I was down-regulated,and the protein and mRNA expression of E-cadherin,Nrf2,GCLC,nuclear Nrf2 and GR were up-regulated in PNS 50 and 100 mg/L groups.Compared with the model group,the content of NADPH,MDA and ROS in cells decreased,and the content of GSH and the activity of SOD was significantly enhanced(P<0.05 or P<0.01).CON-CLUSION:Panax notoginseng saponins have anti-fibrosis effects in HaCaT cells,and their mechanism may be related to the activation of Nrf2/GCLC signaling pathway,thereby resisting oxidative stress and improving oral submucosal fibrosis.

Objective: To investigate the association of primary tumor site with prognosis in vulvar cancer, stratified by vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and non-SCC histological types. Methods: This population-based retrospective study enrolled patients with vulvar cancer from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database between January 2000 and December 2018. The primary outcome was cancer-specific survival (CSS). The prognostic difference between labium majus, labium minus and clitoris groups was investigated using Kaplan–Meier analyses and Cox proportional hazards regression analyses. Results: A total of 3,465 eligible patients with vulvar cancer were included with a mean age of 54.5 years. Among the 1,076 (31.1%) patients with non-SCC, the multivariate Cox regression analyses showed that labium minus-sited disease (hazard ratio [HR]=1.85; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.27–2.71; p=0.001) and clitoris-sited disease (HR=2.37; 95% CI=1.47–3.85;p<0.001) were significantly associated with worse CSS, compared with labium majus-sited disease. However, among the 2,389 (68.9%) patients with SCC, no significant association of primary tumor site with CSS was found (p>0.05). Kaplan–Meier analyses also showed that the primary tumor site had a significant prognostic effect in vulvar non-SCC (p<0.001) but not in vulvar SCC (p=0.330). Conclusion Among vulvar non-SCC, patients with labium minus-sited disease had a significantly worse prognosis than those with labium majus-sited disease, and a significantly better prognosis than those with clitoris-sited disease. Gynecologic oncologists should consider the prognostic effect of primary tumor site in vulvar non-SCC, and make optimal, personalized treatment and surveillance strategies based on different primary tumor sites.

Objective: To evaluate the application of calcium suppressed (CaSupp) spectral CT technique in evaluating disk position and measuring the thickness of the posterior band of temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Methods: The twenty-three temporomandibular disorder patients [mean age 23(12~62) years, male/female=14/9] were performed with oblique sagittal and coronal proton density weighted imaging (PDWI) and spectral CT scans from February to July, 2019 in Department of Radiology, Hainan Hospital of General Hospital of Chinese PLA, and 45 TMJ joints were evaluated. The subjects were classified into two groups according to the scanning modalities: MRI measurement group and CaSupp spectral-based CT group. The CaSupp technique were applied with the spectral-based CT images and CaSupp images were generated. The oblique sagittal and coronal CaSupp imaged were reformatted by perpendicular to the long axis of the condyle. The TMJ disk positions were evaluated on oblique sagittal and coronal images, and the maximal disk thickness were measured on the oblique sagittal images. Results: The joint position was basically consistent on MRI and CaSupp images for the 45 TMJ joints. The intra-class coefficient value was 0.843 (0.712, 0.914) for the measurement of the posterior band of the TMJ disk between MRI and CaSupp images. Bland-Altman presented that the [95.6% (43/45)] points with the difference located in the 95% agreement interval. Wilcoxon paired text demonstrated that there was no significant different for the thickness of the posterior band between MRI [2.57 (1.76, 3.65) mm] and CaSupp images [2.67 (1.74, 4.56) mm] (P=0.07). Conclusions The CaSupp spectral-based CT could be used to evaluated the TMJ disk position and the thickness of the posterior band.

Objective To preliminarly investigate the application value of Pipeline embolization device ( PED ) in the endovascular interventional treatment of complex intracranial aneurysms. Methods From July 2015 to October 2016, the clinical data of 10 consecutive patients with complex intracranial aneurysm treated with PED at the Department of Neurosurgery, Guangdong General Hospital were enrolled retrospectively. Their surgical modalities,complications,and imaging findings were analyzed. Results Of the 10 patients,7 were females and 3 were males,their age was 32-68 years ( mean age 54 ± 12 years) . There were 8 patients with internal carotid artery aneurysm,1 with middle cerebral artery aneurysm,and 1 with vertebrobasilar artery aneurysm;there were 2 patients with ruptured aneurysm and 8 with unruptured aneurysm;there were 5 patients with saccular aneurysm ( 2 with wide-necked aneu-rysm) ,3 with fusiform aneurysm,2 with dissecting aneurysm;there were 2 patients with medium aneurysm ( diameter>5-15 mm) ,2 with large aneurysm ( diameter>15-25 mm) ,6 with giant aneurysm ( diameter>25 mm) ,and there were 2 patients with recurrent aneurysm. They were all single aneurysms. Three patients were treated with PED in combination with coil embolization,and 7 patients were treated with PED implantation alone. Nine patients were treated with one PED and 1 was treated with 3 PEDs. The immediate postoperative angiography revealed that the contrast agents in the aneurysm cavities were obviously stranded. One patient died after procedure and 1 had quadriplegia after procedure,and the remaining 8 patients had no PED-related complications. The modified Rankin scale score was 0 in 8 cases,5 in 1 case,and 6 in 1 case on the first post-operative day. They were followed up for 14 to 28 months. Conclusions The different types of intracranial aneurysms treated with PED implantation is relatively safe and effective,but there are also some risks of dis-ability and death. Strictly selecting the indications and developing the individualized treatment strategies are needed.

[ ABSTRACT] AIM:To investigate the effects of tanshinone IIA ( Tan IIA) on proliferation, apoptosis and its mo-lecular mechanism in human hepatoma HepG2 cells under hypoxic condition.METHODS:Hypoxia model was established by treatment with cobalt chloride ( CoCl2 ) .The cells were divided into normoxia control group, hypoxia control group and hypoxia combined at different concentrations of Tan IIA groups.After HepG2 cells were incubated with different concentra-tions of Tan IIA (0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 5.0 and 10.0 mg/L) for 24 h, 48 h and 72 h under hypoxic condition, the cell prolifer-ation was determined by MTT assay.After Tan IIA was added to the media at different concentrations for 24 h and 48 h, the apoptotic cells were observed by Hoechst 33258 staining.The protein levels of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α) , vascular endothelial growth factor ( VEGF) and wild-type P53 were detected by Western blotting after cultured with different concentrations of Tan IIA for 48 h.RESULTS:Tan IIA inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 cells in a dose-and time-dependent manner.Tan IIA induced the typical morphology of apoptotic cells and increased the apoptotic rate in a dose-and time-dependent manner after treatment with 1.0 mg/L~5.0 mg/L for 24 h and 48 h under hypoxic condition. The protein levels of HIF-1αand VEGF were weakly expressed in HepG2 cells under normoxia but up-regulated after incu-bated under hypoxia for 48 h.The protein expression of HIF-1αand VEGF were decreased with the increase in the concen-tration of Tan IIA under hypoxia.The protein expression of wild-type P53 was increased with the increase in the concentra-tions of Tan IIA under hypoxia.CONCLUSION:Tan IIA significantly inhibits the proliferation and induces the apoptosis of human hepatoma HepG2 cells under hypoxia, which may be related to the down-regulation of HIF-1αand VEGF and up-regulation of wild-type P53.