Purpose: Dual anti–human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) drugs have become the standard regimen for neoadjuvant systemic treatment (NST) to HER2-positive breast cancer patients. However, the efficacy varies greatly among patients with different HER2 protein expression levels. Materials and Methods: A total of 575 HER2-positive breast cancer patients from multiple centers throughout China from 2013 to 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. We compared clinicopathological features in different HER2 immunohistochemistry classes (HER2 2+/in situ hybridization [ISH] + or HER2 3+), and their difference in response to NST and survival with single or dual anti-HER2 drugs. Drug sensitivity assays were used to evaluate different efficacy of anti-HER2 drugs in vitro. Results: Compared to HER2 3+ subgroup, the HER2 2+/ISH+ group had a higher proportion of hormone receptor–positive status (48.7% vs. 76.1%, p < 0.001), more HER2 protein loss after NST, lower pathological complete response (pCR) rate (46.07% vs. 16.24%, p < 0.001), and tended to have worse disease-free survival (DFS). In HER2 2+/ISH+ patients, treated with pertuzumab and trastuzumab in combination had no significant improvement in pCR (19.12% vs. 12.24%, p=0.287) and DFS (p=0.908) than using alone. Drug sensitivity assay showed poor efficacy with dual anti-HER2 drugs in HER2 2+/ISH+ cell lines; however, fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan drugs had a satisfactory effect. Conclusion Owing to the differences in clinicopathological features and treatment efficacy, we considered the HER2 2+/ISH+ group to be a distinct subtype and defined it as the HER2-moderate–positive subgroup. In this subgroup, dual anti-HER2 drugs did not exert significant improvement in pCR and DFS. Therefore, treatment optimization is warranted, with antibody-drug conjugate drugs as potential options.

Objective To explore the enzymatic reaction kinetics of metoprolol tartrate in an in vitro human liver microsome incubation experiment and to explore the effect of famotidine on the metabolism of metoprolol tartrate.Methods An LC-MS/MS method was developed to accurately measure the concentration of metoprolol tartrate in a human liver microsomal incubation system.A human liver microsome incubation system was established to determine the optimal incubation time and protein concentration;using the substrate depletion method,the enzymatic reaction kinetics parameters of metoprolol tartrate(such as Vmax and Km).Series concentrations of famotidine were co-incubated with metoprolol tartrate,and the concentration of metoprolol tartrate was measured to evaluate the effect of famotidine on its metabolism.Results The optimal incubation time for metoprolol tartrate in human liver microsomes was found to be 60 minutes,with an optimal protein concentration of 1.0 mg/mL.The enzymatic reaction kinetics parameters were Vmax=0.07 μmol/min/mg protein and Km=7.84 μmol/L.Conclusion The results indicated that famotidine did not produce a significant inhibitory effect on the metabolism of metoprolol tartrate in human liver microsome incubation system,suggesting that the combination of these two drugs may be relatively safe.

Objective:To explore expression changes of different vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) isoforms in human retinal pigment epithelial cell line ARPE-19 cells under high glucose conditions.Methods:ARPE-19 cells were divided into blank control group, control group 1, control group 2, HG1 group, and HG2 group treated with 5.5 mmol/L glucose, 5.5 mmol/L glucose+ 19.5 mmol/L mannitol, 5.5 mmol/L glucose+ 44.5 mmol/L mannitol, 25.0 mmol/L glucose, and 50.0 mmol/L glucose, respectively.The blank control group, control group 1, and control group 2 were treated for 72 hours, while HG1 and HG2 groups were treated for 24, 48, and 72 hours.The relative expression of VEGFA isoforms was detected by fluorescent quantitative PCR.Total VEGFA, SERPINF1 (pigment epithelium-derived factor, PEDF), a negative regulator of VEGF signaling, and VEGF165 (V4, 5, 10) protein expression was measured by Western blot.Results:Total VEGFA mRNA and protein expression in ARPE-19 cells showed statistically significant differences at both 25 mmol/L and 50 mmol/L glucose concentrations across different culture periods (mRNA: F=114.60, 143.60; both P<0.05.protein: F=10.00, 8.04; both P<0.05). Compared to the respective controls, the relative expression of total VEGFA mRNA and protein increased significantly at 24, 48, and 72 hours after treatment (all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in SERPINF1 (PEDF) mRNA or protein expression in ARPE-19 cells across different time points at 25 mmol/L or 50 mmol/L glucose concentrations (mRNA: F=0.86, 0.32; both P>0.05.protein: F=1.25, 0.08; both P>0.05). The mRNA expression levels of VEGFA isoforms in ARPE-19 cells from highest to lowest were VEGF165(V4, 5, 10), VEGF121(V6), VEGF189(V2), VEGF111(V8) and VEGF165b(V7). The relative VEGF111(V8) mRNA expression level was significantly lower in HG1-24 hour group than in control group 1, the relative VEGF189(V2) and VEGF121(V6) mRNA expression levels were significantly higher in HG1-48 hour group than in control group 1, the relative VEGF121(V6) and VEGF165b(V7) mRNA expression levels were significantly higher in HG1-72 hour group than in control group 1, with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). The relative VEGF111(V8) and VEGF165(V4, 5, 10) mRNA expression levels were significantly higher in the HG2-24 hour group than in control group 2, the relative VEGF165(V4, 5, 10) and VEGF165b(V7) mRNA expression levels were significantly higher in HG2-48 hour group than control group 2, and the relative VEGF189(V2), VEGF111(V8), VEGF165(V4, 5, 10), and VEGF165b(V7) mRNA expression levels were significantly higher in HG2-72 hour group than in control group 2, with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). The relative VEGF165(V4, 5, 10) protein expression levels in blank control group, control group 1, HG1-24 hour group, HG1-48 hour group, and HG1-72 hour group were 1.01±0.07, 1.05±0.07, 1.16±0.06, 1.37±0.08, and 1.28±0.05, respectively, with a statistically significant overall difference ( F=10.36, P<0.05). The relative VEGF165(V4, 5, 10) protein expression level was significantly higher in HG1-48 hour group than in control group 1 ( P<0.05). The relative protein expression levels of VEGF165(V4, 5, 10) in blank control group, control group 2, HG2-24 hour group, HG2-48 hour group, and HG2-72 hour group were 1.02±0.05, 1.12±0.00, 1.22±0.05, 1.53±0.21, and 1.77±0.04, respectively, with a statistically significant overall difference ( F=16.55, P<0.001). The relative VEGF165(V4, 5, 10) protein levels were significantly higher in HG2-48 hour group and HG2-72 hour group than in control group 2 (both P<0.05). Conclusions:In ARPE-19 cells, mRNA abundance of VEGFA isoforms from highest to lowest were VEGF165(V4, 5, 10), VEGF121(V6), VEGF189(V2), VEGF111(V8), VEGF165b(V7). VEGF121(V6) mRNA expression level is significantly increased at 25 mmol/L high glucose concentration, whereas VEGF165(V4, 5, 10) mRNA expression level shows significant elevation only at 50 mmol/L high glucose.Under both high glucose conditions, isoforms with significantly elevated mRNA expression levels are VEGF189(V2) and VEGF165b(V7), while SERPINF1 (PEDF) expression level does not change significantly.

Extensive epigenetic reprogramming involves in memory CD8+ T-cell differentiation. The elaborate epigenetic rewiring underlying the heterogeneous functional states of CD8+ T cells remains hidden. Here, we profile single-cell chromatin accessibility and map enhancer-promoter interactomes to characterize the differentiation trajectory of memory CD8+ T cells. We reveal that under distinct epigenetic regulations, the early activated CD8+ T cells divergently originated for short-lived effector and memory precursor effector cells. We also uncover a defined epigenetic rewiring leading to the conversion from effector memory to central memory cells during memory formation. Additionally, we illustrate chromatin regulatory mechanisms underlying long-lasting versus transient transcription regulation during memory differentiation. Finally, we confirm the essential roles of Sox4 and Nrf2 in developing memory precursor effector and effector memory cells, respectively, and validate cell state-specific enhancers in regulating Il7r using CRISPR-Cas9. Our data pave the way for understanding the mechanism underlying epigenetic memory formation in CD8+ T-cell differentiation.
CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/metabolism* ; Cell Differentiation ; Chromatin/immunology* ; Animals ; Mice ; Immunologic Memory ; Epigenesis, Genetic ; SOXC Transcription Factors/immunology* ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/immunology* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Gene Regulatory Networks ; Enhancer Elements, Genetic

Objective To investigate the effects of two driving pressure-based methods to set positive end-expiratory pressure on pulmonary mechanics and oxygenation in patients undergoing laparoscopic and thoracoscopic esophagectomy.Methods Sixty patients undergoing laparoscopic and thoracoscopic esophagectomy were divided into two groups(n=30 each):incremental group(group Ⅰ)and decremental group(group D).PEEP titration was performed in both groups during thoracoscopy and laparoscopy.Respiratory mechanics parameters,hemodynamic parameters,and blood gas analysis were collected for analysis before preoxygenation(T0),10 minutes after intuba-tion(T1),20 minutes after PEEP application for one-lung ventilation(T2),20 minutes after PEEP application for two-lung ventilation(T3),before extubation(T4),and 30 minutes after extubation(Ts).The postoperative pulmonary complications within 3 days and 7 days after operation,hospitalization duration,and costs were recorded.Results Compared with group Ⅰ,patients in group D showed higher oxygenation index and pulmonary compliance during surgery(P＜0.05).In both groups,driving pressure decreased and compliance increased after PEEP titration(P＜0.05).Conclusion Both driving pressure-guided incremental and decremental titration of individualized PEEP improved intraoperative respiratory mechanics in patients undergoing laparoscopic and thoracoscopic esopha-gectomy,and decremental titration was more effective in improving intraoperative respiratory mechanics and oxygenation in patients during operation.

Objective To analyze the correlation between right atrial strain at various stages and various influencing factors in patients with pulmonary hypertension,and to explore the role of right atrial strain in the assessment of pulmonary hypertension.Methods A total of 239 cases diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension who underwent echocardiography and complete right heart catheterization at hospital from October 2021 to December 2023 were included.Conventional ultrasound parameters such as right heart strain,right atrial area(RA area),inferior vena cava diameter(IVC diameter),and collapse rate of the inferior vena cava(IVC diameter changes)were measured.The heart rate(HR)corresponding to the ultrasound images were recorded.General information such as age and gender,as well as catheter data including mean right atrial pressure(mRAP),mean pulmonary artery pressure(mPAP),and pulmonary vascular resistance(PVR),were collected.The relationship between right atrial strain and its influencing factors was analyzed,and further analysis was conducted by dividing into shunt group and non-shunt group based on the presence or absence of left-to-right shunt disease.Results The correlation with RA reservoir strain(RASr)from high to low is RV global strain(RV4CSL),RV free wall strain(RVFWSL),RA area,IVC diameter,mRAP,age,HR,and PVR;the correlation with RAconduit strain(RAScd)from high to low is RV4CSL,RVFWSL,RA area,IVC diameter,mRAP,age,PVR,and HR;the correlation with RA contraction strain(RASct)from high to low is RA area,RV4CSL,RVFWSL,mRAP,IVC diameter,and HR.The collapse rate of the inferior vena cava is correlated with strain at various stages of the right atrium;gender is correlated with RASr and RASct.Conclusions Right atrial strain can reflect changes in right atrial function,with the highest correlation to right ventricular strain and right atrial area.Right atrial strain can indicate the severity of right ventricular function and right atrial remodeling,serving as an evaluative index for the condition and treatment outcomes of pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Objective:To explore expression changes of different vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) isoforms in human retinal pigment epithelial cell line ARPE-19 cells under high glucose conditions.Methods:ARPE-19 cells were divided into blank control group, control group 1, control group 2, HG1 group, and HG2 group treated with 5.5 mmol/L glucose, 5.5 mmol/L glucose+ 19.5 mmol/L mannitol, 5.5 mmol/L glucose+ 44.5 mmol/L mannitol, 25.0 mmol/L glucose, and 50.0 mmol/L glucose, respectively.The blank control group, control group 1, and control group 2 were treated for 72 hours, while HG1 and HG2 groups were treated for 24, 48, and 72 hours.The relative expression of VEGFA isoforms was detected by fluorescent quantitative PCR.Total VEGFA, SERPINF1 (pigment epithelium-derived factor, PEDF), a negative regulator of VEGF signaling, and VEGF165 (V4, 5, 10) protein expression was measured by Western blot.Results:Total VEGFA mRNA and protein expression in ARPE-19 cells showed statistically significant differences at both 25 mmol/L and 50 mmol/L glucose concentrations across different culture periods (mRNA: F=114.60, 143.60; both P<0.05.protein: F=10.00, 8.04; both P<0.05). Compared to the respective controls, the relative expression of total VEGFA mRNA and protein increased significantly at 24, 48, and 72 hours after treatment (all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in SERPINF1 (PEDF) mRNA or protein expression in ARPE-19 cells across different time points at 25 mmol/L or 50 mmol/L glucose concentrations (mRNA: F=0.86, 0.32; both P>0.05.protein: F=1.25, 0.08; both P>0.05). The mRNA expression levels of VEGFA isoforms in ARPE-19 cells from highest to lowest were VEGF165(V4, 5, 10), VEGF121(V6), VEGF189(V2), VEGF111(V8) and VEGF165b(V7). The relative VEGF111(V8) mRNA expression level was significantly lower in HG1-24 hour group than in control group 1, the relative VEGF189(V2) and VEGF121(V6) mRNA expression levels were significantly higher in HG1-48 hour group than in control group 1, the relative VEGF121(V6) and VEGF165b(V7) mRNA expression levels were significantly higher in HG1-72 hour group than in control group 1, with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). The relative VEGF111(V8) and VEGF165(V4, 5, 10) mRNA expression levels were significantly higher in the HG2-24 hour group than in control group 2, the relative VEGF165(V4, 5, 10) and VEGF165b(V7) mRNA expression levels were significantly higher in HG2-48 hour group than control group 2, and the relative VEGF189(V2), VEGF111(V8), VEGF165(V4, 5, 10), and VEGF165b(V7) mRNA expression levels were significantly higher in HG2-72 hour group than in control group 2, with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). The relative VEGF165(V4, 5, 10) protein expression levels in blank control group, control group 1, HG1-24 hour group, HG1-48 hour group, and HG1-72 hour group were 1.01±0.07, 1.05±0.07, 1.16±0.06, 1.37±0.08, and 1.28±0.05, respectively, with a statistically significant overall difference ( F=10.36, P<0.05). The relative VEGF165(V4, 5, 10) protein expression level was significantly higher in HG1-48 hour group than in control group 1 ( P<0.05). The relative protein expression levels of VEGF165(V4, 5, 10) in blank control group, control group 2, HG2-24 hour group, HG2-48 hour group, and HG2-72 hour group were 1.02±0.05, 1.12±0.00, 1.22±0.05, 1.53±0.21, and 1.77±0.04, respectively, with a statistically significant overall difference ( F=16.55, P<0.001). The relative VEGF165(V4, 5, 10) protein levels were significantly higher in HG2-48 hour group and HG2-72 hour group than in control group 2 (both P<0.05). Conclusions:In ARPE-19 cells, mRNA abundance of VEGFA isoforms from highest to lowest were VEGF165(V4, 5, 10), VEGF121(V6), VEGF189(V2), VEGF111(V8), VEGF165b(V7). VEGF121(V6) mRNA expression level is significantly increased at 25 mmol/L high glucose concentration, whereas VEGF165(V4, 5, 10) mRNA expression level shows significant elevation only at 50 mmol/L high glucose.Under both high glucose conditions, isoforms with significantly elevated mRNA expression levels are VEGF189(V2) and VEGF165b(V7), while SERPINF1 (PEDF) expression level does not change significantly.

This study investigated the effects and underlying mechanisms of vanillic acid(VA) against cardiac fibrosis(CF) induced by isoproterenol(ISO) in mice. Male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into control group, VA group(100 mg·kg~(-1), ig), ISO group(10 mg·kg~(-1), sc), ISO + VA group(10 mg·kg~(-1), sc + 100 mg·kg~(-1), ig), ISO + dynamin-related protein 1(Drp1) inhibitor(Mdivi-1) group(10 mg·kg~(-1), sc + 50 mg·kg~(-1), ip), and ISO + VA + Mdivi-1 group(10 mg·kg~(-1), sc + 100 mg·kg~(-1), ig + 50 mg·kg~(-1), ip). The treatment groups received the corresponding medications once daily for 14 consecutive days. On the day after the last administration, cardiac functions were evaluated, and serum and cardiac tissue samples were collected. These samples were analyzed for serum aspartate aminotransferase(AST), lactate dehydrogenase(LDH), creatine kinase-MB(CK-MB), cardiac troponin I(cTnI), reactive oxygen species(ROS), interleukin(IL)-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-18, and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) levels, as well as cardiac tissue catalase(CAT), glutathione(GSH), malondialdehyde(MDA), myeloperoxidase(MPO), superoxide dismutase(SOD), total antioxidant capacity(T-AOC) activities, and cytochrome C levels in mitochondria and cytoplasm. Hematoxylin-eosin, Masson, uranium acetate and lead citrate staining were used to observe morphological and mitochondrial ultrastructural changes in the cardiac tissues, and myocardial injury area and collagen volume fraction were calculated. Flow cytometry was applied to detect the relative content and M1/M2 polarization of cardiac macrophages. The mRNA expression levels of macrophage polarization markers [CD86, CD206, arginase 1(Arg-1), inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS)], CF markers [type Ⅰ collagen(Coll Ⅰ), Coll Ⅲ, α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)], and cytokines(IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-18, TNF-α) in cardiac tissues were determined by quantitative real-time PCR. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of Coll Ⅰ, Coll Ⅲ, α-SMA, Drp1, p-Drp1, voltage-dependent anion channel(VDAC), hexokinase 1(HK1), NOD-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein(ASC), caspase-1, cleaved-caspase-1, gasdermin D(GSDMD), cleaved N-terminal gasdermin D(GSDMD-N), IL-1β, IL-18, B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2), B-cell lymphoma-xl(Bcl-xl), Bcl-2-associated death promoter(Bad), Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax), apoptotic protease activating factor-1(Apaf-1), pro-caspase-3, cleaved-caspase-3, pro-caspase-9, cleaved-caspase-9, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1(PARP-1), and cleaved-PARP-1 in cardiac tissues. The results showed that VA significantly improved cardiac function in mice with CF, reduced myocardial injury area and cardiac index, and decreased serum levels of AST, CK-MB, cTnI, LDH, ROS, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18, and TNF-α. VA also lowered MDA and MPO levels, mRNA expressions of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18, and TNF-α, and mRNA and protein expressions of Coll Ⅰ, Coll Ⅲ, and α-SMA in cardiac tissues, and increased serum levels of IL-4 and IL-10, cardiac tissue levels of CAT, GSH, SOD, and T-AOC, and mRNA expressions of IL-4 and IL-10. Additionally, VA ameliorated cardiac pathological damage, inhibited myocardial cell apoptosis, inflammatory infiltration, and collagen fiber deposition, reduced collagen volume fraction, and alleviated mitochondrial damage. VA decreased the ratio of F4/80~+CD86~+ M1 cells and the mRNA expressions of CD86 and iNOS in cardiac tissue, and increased the ratio of F4/80~+CD206~+ M2 cells and the mRNA expressions of CD206 and Arg-1. VA also reduced protein expressions of p-Drp1, VDAC, NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, cleaved-caspase-1, GSDMD, GSDMD-N, IL-1β, IL-18, Bad, Bax, Apaf-1, cleaved-caspase-3, cleaved-caspase-9, cleaved-PARP-1, and cytoplasmic cytochrome C, and increased the expressions of HK1, Bcl-2, Bcl-xl, pro-caspase-3, pro-caspase-9 proteins, as well as the Bcl-2/Bax and Bcl-xl/Bad ratios and mitochondrial cytochrome C content. These results indicate that VA has a significant ameliorative effect on ISO-induced CF in mice, alleviates ISO-induced oxidative damage and inflammatory response, and its mechanism may be closely related to the inhibition of Drp1/HK1/NLRP3 and mitochondrial apoptosis signaling pathways, suppression of myocardial cell inflammatory infiltration and collagen fiber deposition, reduction of collagen volume fraction and CollⅠ, Coll Ⅲ, and α-SMA expressions, thus mitigating CF.
Animals ; Isoproterenol/adverse effects* ; Male ; Mice ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Vanillic Acid/administration & dosage* ; Dynamins/genetics* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Fibrosis/genetics* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Mitochondria/metabolism* ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/genetics* ; Myocardium/metabolism* ; Humans