Purpose To establish a nomogram based on conventional ultrasound combined with contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS)for predicting the probability of cervical central lymph node metastasis(CLNM)in clinical lymph node-negative(CN0)papillary thyroid carcinoma(PTC)patients.Materials and Methods A retrospective study was performed on 359 patients with single CN0 PTC,all of whom underwent thyroid surgery and prophylactic central compartment neck dissection in the First Affiliated Hospital of Shihezi University from September 2015 to March 2022.According to the postoperative pathological results,there were 116 cases with CLNM(+)and other 243 cases with CLNM(-).The indicators of gender,age,conventional ultrasound and CEUS were recorded,and multivariate stepwise Logistic regression was performed to screen out risk predictors to construct prediction models for CLNM in CN0 PTC.The receiver operating characteristic curves of prediction models were drawn,and the area under the curve(AUC)was further compared.The preferable prediction model was selected to establish the risk probability nomogram,and the prediction performance and clinical applicability of the nomogram model were assessed.Results Multivariate analysis showed that gender,age,the maximum diameter of nodule,capsule invasion and enhancement pattern on CEUS were risk factors for CLNM in CN0 PTC(all P<0.05).The AUC of prediction model 1 including the above five indicators was 0.753,and the AUC of prediction model 2 excluding CEUS indicator was 0.704.There were statistically significant difference in AUCs between the two models(Z=2.473,P=0.013).Prediction model 1 was selected to construct a risk probability nomogram for predicting CLNM in CN0 PTC.The nomogram had a C-index of 0.753 and showed well consistency on the calibration curve.Clinical decision curve analysis indicated that the nomogram could achieve ideal net benefit when the threshold probability was between 10.7%to 81.5%.Conclusion Gender,age,the maximum diameter of nodule,capsule invasion and enhancement pattern on CEUS may be the risk predictors for CLNM in CN0 PTC.The nomogram model based on the above indicators can predict the probability of CLNM effectively,and the CEUS indicators can substantially improve the prediction performance of the model.

Malaria is an ancient infectious disease that threatens millions of lives globally even today. The discovery of artemisinin, inspired by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has brought in a paradigm shift and been recognized as the "best hope for the treatment of malaria" by World Health Organization. With its high potency and low toxicity, the wide use of artemisinin effectively treats the otherwise drug-resistant parasites and helps many countries, including China, to eventually eradicate malaria. Here, we will first review the initial discovery of artemisinin, an extraordinary journey that was in stark contrast with many drugs in western medicine. We will then discuss how artemisinin and its derivatives could be repurposed to treat cancer, inflammation, immunoregulation-related diseases, and COVID-19. Finally, we will discuss the implications of the "artemisinin story" and how that can better guide the development of TCM today. We believe that artemisinin is just a starting point and TCM will play an even bigger role in healthcare in the 21st century.
Artemisinins/therapeutic use* ; COVID-19/drug therapy* ; Drug Repositioning ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Neoplasms/drug therapy*

Hepatic stellate cells(HSCs)are essential drivers of fibrogenesis.Inducing activated-HSC apoptosis is a promising strategy for treating hepatic fibrosis.18beta-glycyrrhetinic acid(18β-GA)is a natural com-pound that exists widely in herbal medicines,such as Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch,which is used for treating multiple liver diseases,especially in Asia.In the present study,we demonstrated that 18β-GA decreased hepatic fibrosis by inducing the apoptosis in activated HSCs.18β-GA inhibited the expression of α-smooth muscle actin and collagen type Ⅰ alpha-1.Using a chemoproteomic approach derived from activity-based protein profiling,together with cellular thermal shift assay and surface plasmon reso-nance,we found that 18β-GA covalently targeted peroxiredoxin 1(PRDX1)and peroxiredoxin 2(PRDX2)proteins via binding to active cysteine residues and thereby inhibited their enzymatic activities.18β-GA induced the elevation of reactive oxygen species(ROS),resulting in the apoptosis of activated HSCs.PRDX1 knockdown also led to ROS-mediated apoptosis in activated HSCs.Collectively,our findings revealed the target proteins and molecular mechanisms of 18β-GA in ameliorating hepatic fibrosis,highlighting the future development of 18β-GA as a novel therapeutic drug for hepatic fibrosis.

Objective:To evaluate the value of conventional ultrasound, shear wave elastic parameters and immunohistochemistry in predicting axillary lymph node metastasis of breast cancer.Methods:The ultrasonographic features and pathological results of 172 masses in 152 breast cancer patients who underwent surgery in the First Affiliated Hospital of Shihezi University Medical College from May to October 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were divided into metastatic group and non-metastatic group according to the status of axillary lymph nodes. The conventional ultrasound characteristics, shear wave velocity (SWV) and immunohistochemical indexes (ER, PR, HER-2, Ki-67) of 2 groups of breast cancer masses were analyzed. Finally, the parameters with statistically significant difference between groups were selected and the Logistic regression model was established.Results:There were significant differences in the aspect ratio, calcification, SWVmean and HER-2 expression between metastatic group and non-metastatic group (all P<0.05). A prediction model was constructed with aspect ratio >1, calcification, high SWVmean and HER-2(+ ). The area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of the subjects was 0.891, which was larger than the single parameter (all P<0.05), and was in good agreement with pathological results (Kappa=0.731). Conclusions:The joint prediction model can be used to predict the status of lymph nodes, and the axillary lymph node metastasis is more likely to occur in breast cancer with the aspect ratio >1, calcification, high SWVmean and HER-2(+ ).

The composition of serum is extremely complex,which complicates the discovery of new pharmaco-dynamic biomarkers via serum proteome for disease prediction and diagnosis.Recently,nanoparticles have been reported to efficiently reduce the proportion of high-abundance proteins and enrich low-abundance proteins in serum.Here,we synthesized a silica-coated iron oxide nanoparticle and devel-oped a highly efficient and reproducible protein corona(PC)-based proteomic analysis strategy to improve the range of serum proteomic analysis.We identified 1,070 proteins with a median coefficient of variation of 12.56％using PC-based proteomic analysis,which was twice the number of proteins iden-tified by direct digestion.There were also more biological processes enriched with these proteins.We applied this strategy to identify more pharmacodynamic biomarkers on collagen-induced arthritis(CIA)rat model treated with methotrexate(MTX).The bioinformatic results indicated that 485 differentially expressed proteins(DEPs)were found in CIA rats,of which 323 DEPs recovered to near normal levels after treatment with MTX.This strategy can not only help enhance our understanding of the mechanisms of disease and drug action through serum proteomics studies,but also provide more pharmacodynamic biomarkers for disease prediction,diagnosis,and treatment.

Animals ; Cdc20 Proteins/metabolism* ; Cell Line ; Embryo, Mammalian/embryology* ; Embryonic Development ; Female ; Infertility, Female/metabolism* ; Mice ; Mutation ; Oocytes/metabolism*

Objective To investigate the effect of metformin on the osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells exposed to PMMA particles. Methods Human placental mesenchymal stem cells were iso-lated and cultured in vitro. The effect of metformin with different concentrations on cell viability was determined by CCK8 assay. The effect of metformin on the mRNA expression of osteogenic genes was detected by using real-time RT-PCR. Calcified nodules were stained by alizarin S. The effect of metformin on the expression of eNOS was also detected by using real-time RT-PCR. Results PMMA particles could inhibit the viability of mesenchymal stem cells. Metformin(0.05 mmol/L)could promote the viability of mesenchymal stem cells exposed to PMMA particles. Metformin(0.05 mmol/L)could increase the expression of osteogenic genes,including OCN,RNUX2,and ALP, in human mesenchymal stem cells exposed to PMMA particles. The calcium deposit was also increased after metfor-min treatment. Results of real-time RT-PCR showed that metformin could increase the expression of eNOS in human mesenchymal stem cells exposed to PMMA particles. Conclusions Metformin can increase the osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells exposed to PMMA particles,partially by inducing eNOS expression.

Objective To investigate the anti-inflammatory mechanism by which curcumin affects TNF-αand IL-8 production in Propionibactierium acnes-induced THP-1 cells. Methods THP-1 cell viability was determined by CCK8 assay. The productions of TNF-α and IL-8 were detected by ELISA assay. Total RNA and proteins were collected for real-time PCR and Western blot analysis, respectively. Results Curcumin didn′t significantly affect the cell viability at 12 h. It decreased Propionibactierium acnes-induced productions of TNF-αand IL-8 in THP-1 cells. Moreover, it decreased TLR2, NF-κB p65, and P-NF-κB p65 expressions in THP-1 cells. Conclusions Curcumin may reduce TNF-α and IL-8 expressions in Propionibactierium acnes-induced THP-1 cells by inhibiting TLR2/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Objective:To establish a pristine-induced rheumatoid arthritis model in mice,and to evaluate its histological and immunological distinction.Methods:Thirty female BALB/c mice,6-8 weeks old,were randomly divided into 2 groups,a control group and pristine group.The mice in pristine group were injected intraperitoneally with 0.5 ml pristine three times at 0,9,and 18 weeks, while mice in the control group receiving saline at the same time.Arthritis score and paw thickness were measured and histopathological assessment of joint sections was performed.The expression of phagocytes,dendritic,neutrophils,T and B cells markers in spleen were determined by flow cytometry.Results:In model-marking group,11 mice were presented with macroscopic evidence of arthritis such as erythema or swelling.The paw thickness in pristine-induced mice was significant higher than that in the control groups[(2.90±0.51) mm vs(1.29±0.47 mm),P<0.05].In addition,arthritis score in pristine-induced mice was 9.55±2.80 at 21 weeks after first injection with 0.5 ml pristine.H&E staining revealed a significant increase of synovial inflammation, cartilage and bone destruction after stimulated with pristine.Meanwhile,the expression levels of CD11b,CD11c,GR1,CD4,CD8 and CD154 were obviously increased in model-marking group when compared with that in control group.Conclusion: The pristine-induced model presents the similar histological and immunological distinctions with human rheumatism arthritis,which can mimic the pathogenesis of rheumatism arthritis.

Objective To explore the relationship of zearalenone (ZEA) and precocious puberty in girls.Methods The peripheral serums from 71 cases of precocious puberty girls and 50 cases of healthy girls were collected respectively and concentrations of ZEA were detected by high performance liquid chromatography.Bone age,body mass index (BMI),volume of uterus and ovaries,concentrations of estradiol (E2),luteinizing hormone (LH) and folliclestimulating hormone (FSH) were detected,and the residence of each subject was recorded as well.Results (1) In 71 patients,52 patients were diagnosed as idiopathic central precocious puberty,others were diagnosed as premature thelarche.(2) In 71 patients,serum ZEA was detected from 51 patients,and undetected in 20 patients.(3)Concentration of ZEA in precocious puberty girls [(318 ±34) ng/L]was significantly increased than that in healthy girls [(143 ± 35) ng/L,P =0.002],but no distinct difference existed between ICPP group and PT group(P =0.326).(4)Compared with uterus volume of ZEA in the undetected patients (1.975 ±0.150) cm3,the uterus volume of ZEA detected patients (2.972 ±0.180) cm3,which was significantly enlarged,there was significant difference (P =0.01) ; Percentage of overweight girls in ZEA detected patients (31.4％,16/51 cases) was lower than which in ZEA undetected patients (65.0％,13/20 cases,P =0.01) ; Although there was no statistical differences in the breast diameter,bone age,value of E2,LH and FSH between ZEA detected patients and undetected patients (all P ＞ 0.05),but the increased tendency in ZEA detected patients existed.(5) ZEA in serum was detected in 53.3％ (16/30 cases) patients living in the cities,and the rate was obviously lower than 82.9％ of the patients (34/41 cases) living in the countryside,there was significant difference (P =0.007).Conclusions ZEA is correlated with precocious puberty in girls.ZEA pollution might be one of reasons for precocious puberty occurrence.