Cuproptosis is a new type of cell death that depends on intracellular copper accumulation to trigger the aggregation of mitochondrial lipoacylated protein and the degradation of iron-sulfur cluster protein,with a different mechanism of action from autophagy,ferroptosis,pyroptosis,and necroptosis.Cuproptosis is closely association with the development of liver cancer and resistance to antitumor drugs,as well as the progression of various liver diseases such as hereditary liver diseases,nonalcoholic fatty liver disease,viral hepatitis,and liver cirrhosis.This article summarizes the mechanism of cuproptosis and its role in liver diseases,in order to provide a reference for further research and treatment of liver diseases.

Objective To explore the neuroprotective effect of coenzyme Q10 and its possible mechanism in mice with chronic restraint stress(CRS).Methods Mouse models of CRS were treated with intraperitoneal injections of coenzyme Q10 at low,moderate and high doses(50,100 and 200 mg/kg,respectively,n=8),VX765(a caspase-1 specific inhibitor,50 mg/kg,n=8),or fluoxetine(10 mg/kg,n=8)on a daily basis for 4 weeks,and the changes in depression-like behaviors of the mice were assessed by sugar water preference test,forced swimming test and tail suspension test.The expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP)in the hippocampus of the mice was detected using immunohistochemistry,and the number of synaptic spines was determined with Golgi staining.Western blotting was performed to detect the changes in the expressions of GFAP and pyroptosis-related proteins in the hippocampus,and the colocalization of neurons and caspase-1 p10 was examined with immunofluorescence assay.Results Compared with the normal control mice,the mouse models of CRS showed significantly reduced sugar water preference and increased immobility time in forced swimming and tail suspension tests(P<0.05),and these depression-like behaviors were obviously improved by treatment with coenzyme Q10,VX765 or FLX.The mouse models showed a significantly decreased positive rate of GFAP and lowered GFAP protein expression in the hippocampus with obviously decreased synaptic spines,enhanced expressions of GSDMD-N,caspase-1 and IL-1β,and increased colocalization of neurons and caspase-1 p10(all P<0.05).All these changes were significantly ameliorated in the mouse models after treatment with Q10.Conclusion Coenzyme Q10 can alleviate depression-like behaviors in mice with CRS by down-regulating the pyroptosis signaling pathway.

Objective To explore the neuroprotective effect of coenzyme Q10 and its possible mechanism in mice with chronic restraint stress(CRS).Methods Mouse models of CRS were treated with intraperitoneal injections of coenzyme Q10 at low,moderate and high doses(50,100 and 200 mg/kg,respectively,n=8),VX765(a caspase-1 specific inhibitor,50 mg/kg,n=8),or fluoxetine(10 mg/kg,n=8)on a daily basis for 4 weeks,and the changes in depression-like behaviors of the mice were assessed by sugar water preference test,forced swimming test and tail suspension test.The expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP)in the hippocampus of the mice was detected using immunohistochemistry,and the number of synaptic spines was determined with Golgi staining.Western blotting was performed to detect the changes in the expressions of GFAP and pyroptosis-related proteins in the hippocampus,and the colocalization of neurons and caspase-1 p10 was examined with immunofluorescence assay.Results Compared with the normal control mice,the mouse models of CRS showed significantly reduced sugar water preference and increased immobility time in forced swimming and tail suspension tests(P<0.05),and these depression-like behaviors were obviously improved by treatment with coenzyme Q10,VX765 or FLX.The mouse models showed a significantly decreased positive rate of GFAP and lowered GFAP protein expression in the hippocampus with obviously decreased synaptic spines,enhanced expressions of GSDMD-N,caspase-1 and IL-1β,and increased colocalization of neurons and caspase-1 p10(all P<0.05).All these changes were significantly ameliorated in the mouse models after treatment with Q10.Conclusion Coenzyme Q10 can alleviate depression-like behaviors in mice with CRS by down-regulating the pyroptosis signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVES: The conventional Fr26 resectoscope is difficult to use in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) complicated by urethral stricture. This study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of transurethral plasmakinetic resection of the prostate (PKRP) using a small-caliber (Fr18.5) plasmakinetic resectoscope combined with urethral dilation in patients with BPH and mild urethral stricture. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 37 patients with BPH and mild urethral stricture treated at the Department of Urology, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital from January 2023 to December 2023. All patients underwent PKRP with a small-caliber plasmakinetic resectoscope, followed by routine placement of a Fr20 three-way Foley catheter for continuous bladder irrigation. International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), maximum urinary flow rate (Q_max), post-voiding residual urine volume (PVR), and Quality of Life (QOL) scores were compared before and after surgery. Perioperative indicators (intraoperative bleeding, operative time, postoperative catheterization time, and postoperative hospital stay) and complications were recorded. RESULTS: The median age was 69 years, and the median duration of voiding difficulty was 36 months. Median total prostate specific antigen (T-PSA) was 2.095 ng/mL, free prostate specific antigen (F-PSA) 0.561 ng/mL, and F/T ratio 0.3. Median prostate diameter was 48 mm and volume 41 mL. All 37 surgeries were completed successfully: 11 had external meatal stricture, 19 had mild anterior urethral stricture, and 7 had mild posterior urethral stricture (1 patient with a 1 cm pseudo-blind tract near the membranous urethral). Operative time was (2.4±0.7) hours, blood loss was (40±29) mL, median catheterization duration was 7 days, and median hospital stay was 7 days. No cases of postoperative urinary incontinence, recurrent hematuria, or sepsis occurred, and patients were satisfied with the surgical outcome. At 3 to 6 months follow-up, IPSS, Q_max, PVR, and QOL scores significantly improved compared to preoperative levels (all P<0.01), with no cases of urethral stricture progression or new-onset stricture. CONCLUSIONS PKRP using a small-caliber plasmakinetic resectoscope is safe and effective for treating BPH with mild urethral stricture. It offers advantages such as minimal trauma, rapid postoperative recovery, and a lower risk recovery, and a lower risk of aggravating urethral injury.
Humans ; Male ; Prostatic Hyperplasia/complications* ; Urethral Stricture/complications* ; Retrospective Studies ; Aged ; Transurethral Resection of Prostate/instrumentation* ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Quality of Life ; Aged, 80 and over

Objective To investigate the risk factors of infection after hepatectomy for liver cancer, and to establish and validate a risk prediction model. Methods The clinical data of 167 patients with primary liver cancer who underwent hepatectomy in People's Hospital of Wuhan University from January 2020 to March 2022 were retrospectively collected. All patients were divided into postoperative infection group ( n =28) and non-infection group ( n =139) according to whether postoperative infection complications occurred. The t -test or Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups and the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. Univariate analysis and logistic regression analysis were used to screen the risk factors of infection after hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma, and a nomogram risk prediction model for postoperative infection was established. All patients were randomly divided into training cohort ( n =119) and the validation cohort ( n =48) according to the ratio of 7∶ 3, the Bootstrap method was used for internal validation of the model, and the model calibration curve and ROC curve were used to evaluate the calibration and discrimination of the nomogram model. Results Postoperative infection occurred in 28 of 167 patients (16.8%). Logistic regression analysis showed that diabetes, CONUT score ≥4 points, preoperative NLR, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and drainage tube placement time > 7 d were independent risk factors for infection after hepatectomy for liver cancer (all P < 0.05). Based on the nomogram constructed from the above six risk factors, the area under the ROC curve of the training cohort and the validation cohort was 0.848, and 0.853, respectively. The calibration curve of the nomogram model shows that the predicted value is basically consistent with the actual observed value, indicating that the accuracy of the nomogram model prediction is better. Conclusion The individualized nomogram risk prediction model based on diabetes, CONUT score ≥4 points, preoperative NLR, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and drainage tube placement time > 7 d has good predictive performance and has high predictive value for high-risk patients.

Objective To analyze the serological markers and surgical indicators associated with biliary complications after orthotopic liver transplantation, explore their influencing factors and predictive indicators. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 101 patients who underwent orthotopic liver transplantation in Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from January 2016 to June 2022, according to the presence or absence of biliary complication (BC) at 6 months after surgery, they were divided into BC group with 21 patients and non-BC group with 80 patients.The t -test or the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of continuous data between groups, and the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups.Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses were performed, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the predictive performance of combined indicators. Results Among the 101 patients, 21(20.8%) experienced BC.The multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that MELD score (odds ratio[ OR ]=0.134, 95% confidence interval[ CI ]: 0.031-0.590, P =0.008), SⅡ/Alb ( OR =1.415, 95% CI : 1.181-1.696, P =0.001), and plasma transfusion volume ( OR =1.001, 95% CI : 1.000-1.002, P =0.032) were independent risk factors for the development of BC in patients after liver transplantation.MELD score, SⅡ/Alb, plasma transfusion volume, MELD+SⅡ/Alb, and MELD+SⅡ/Alb+plasma transfusion volume had an area under the ROC curve of 0.712, 0.870, 0.712, 0.900, and 0.918, respectively, in predicting BC after liver transplantation. Conclusion SⅡ/Alb, plasma transfusion volume and MELD score are independent risk fators for BC after liver transplantation.The combination of three indicators has good predictive value and clinical guiding significance for BC after liver transplantation.

Weightlessness in the space environment affects astronauts' learning memory and cognitive function. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation has been shown to be effective in improving cognitive dysfunction. In this study, we investigated the effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on neural excitability and ion channels in simulated weightlessness mice from a neurophysiological perspective. Young C57 mice were divided into control, hindlimb unloading and magnetic stimulation groups. The mice in the hindlimb unloading and magnetic stimulation groups were treated with hindlimb unloading for 14 days to establish a simulated weightlessness model, while the mice in the magnetic stimulation group were subjected to 14 days of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation. Using isolated brain slice patch clamp experiments, the relevant indexes of action potential and the kinetic property changes of voltage-gated sodium and potassium channels were detected to analyze the excitability of neurons and their ion channel mechanisms. The results showed that the behavioral cognitive ability and neuronal excitability of the mice decreased significantly with hindlimb unloading. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation could significantly improve the cognitive impairment and neuroelectrophysiological indexes of the hindlimb unloading mice. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation may change the activation, inactivation and reactivation process of sodium and potassium ion channels by promoting sodium ion outflow and inhibiting potassium ion, and affect the dynamic characteristics of ion channels, so as to enhance the excitability of single neurons and improve the cognitive damage and spatial memory ability of hindlimb unloading mice.
Animals ; Mice ; Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation ; Hindlimb Suspension ; Neurons ; Cognitive Dysfunction ; Brain

Currently, multiple difficulties exist in clinical liver transplantation, such as shortage of donor liver, increasing quantity of patients waiting for liver transplantation and lack of matching donors, etc. Some children and adult patients have little chance of undergoing liver transplantation, which also limits the development of liver transplantation. In this context, split liver transplantation emerges, in which 1 donor liver can be applied to 2 or even more recipients. It may effectively increase the utilization rate of donor liver and alleviate the shortage of donor liver. With the development of split liver transplantation, the survival rate of split liver transplantation is comparable to that of total liver transplantation. Multiple transplantation centers have routinely adopted split liver transplantation. In this article, the development of split liver transplantation, the selection and matching of donors and recipients, the split and reconstruction techniques of donor liver and postoperative complications were reviewed, aiming to provide reference for subsequent development of split liver transplantation in clinical practice and increase the chance of liver transplantation for more patients diagnosed with end-stage liver diseases.

Objective:To explore the effect of repeated magnetic stimulation (rMS) on the growth and differentiation of SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells.Methods:SH-SY5Y cells were subjected to rMS at 15%, 30% and 60% of the maximum output intensity at frequencies of 0.5Hz, 1Hz, 5Hz, 10Hz and 20Hz. They received either 800 or 1600 pulses per day for 4 days. Cell viability was detected using the 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Apoptosis was induced using 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridine ion (MPP + ) and all-trans retinoic acid was used to induce differentiation. The expression of neuron-specific nuclear proteins and the degree of cell differentiation were observed by immunohistochemistry. Results:0.5Hz rMS inhibited proliferation and 10Hz rMS promoted it. With 5Hz rMS significantly greater cell proliferation was observed at 15% and 30% of the maximum output intensity. The stimulatory effect of 1600 pulses per day was significantly greater than that of 800 pulses, especially at 10Hz. Apoptosis was inhibited at both 0.5Hz and 10Hz with 30% of the maximum output intensity. Meanwhile, both 0.5Hz and 10Hz rMS promoted differentiation of the SH-SY5Y cells into neurons.Conclusions:rMS at low frequency inhibits the proliferation of SH-SY5Y cells, but at higher frequency it promotes it. The effect strengthens with more pulses administered. rMS has a protective effect on MPP + -induced SH-SY5Y apoptosis, and it can promote the cells′ differentiation into neurons.

Liver cancer has a high degree of malignancy and its prognosis is poor. The biological behavior of liver cancer with its high degree of malignancy and high tumor heterogeneity impact on its therapeutic effect. The rapid development of precision therapy in the field of cancer provides a platform for application of the precision therapy mode in liver cancer treatment. This article reviews the combined impact by using immune checkpoint inhibitors therapy under precision medicine with targeted therapy, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, oncolytic viruses, tumor vaccines, fecal bacteria transplantation and other therapies.