Background Polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) attract widespread public attention due to their adverse effects on mammalian reproductive systems. However, it is currently unclear whether ferroptosis is related to testicular damage and decreased sperm quality in mice exposed to PS-MPs. Objective To clarify the reproductive damage in male mice exposed to PS-MPs and investigate the mechanism of ferroptotic effects. Methods Five-week-old male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into four experimental groups, including one control group and three PS-MPs groups at low dose (0.5 mg·kg⁻¹), medium dose (5 mg·kg⁻¹), and high dose (50 mg·kg⁻¹), respectively, with 6 mice in each group. The treatment was delivered by gavage for 35 consecutive days (one time per day). After the mice were neutralized, the wet weights of testis and epididymis were measured, and organ coefficients were then calculated. Sperm was counted by hematimetry, and sperm motility and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) level were evaluated using CCK-8 and CellTiter Glo ® Kit 2.0 Assay respectively. In addition, serum testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone were determined using ELISA kit, total testicular iron content was measured using tissue iron kit, and pathological changes in testicular tissue were observed after hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. We also used glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) assays to examine their changes to better understand the physiological status of testicular tissue. Finally, the expression levels of ferroptosis-associated proteins glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) were detected by Western blotting. Results Compared with the control group, the testicular index in the high dose group decreased, and the epididymal index decreased in all dose groups (P<0.05). The results of sperm quality analysis showed that the sperm count in each dose group was lower than that of the control group; the sperm motility decreased, sperm malformation rate increased, and ATP level in sperm decreased in the medium and high dose groups. The results of HE staining showed that the spermatogenic epithelium was disordered and the arrangement of spermatogenic cells were loose in the low dose group, the spermatogenic gap was enlarged in the middle dose group, and the cells in the high dose group were vacuolated and even azoospermic. The results of serum sex hormone levels showed that the serum testosterone levels decreased in each dose group, the serum follicle-stimulating hormone levels decreased in the medium and high dose groups, and the serum luteinizing hormone levels decreased in the high dose group (P<0.05). The iron content in the testicular tissue homogenate of the high dose group increased (P<0.05). The levels of GSH and SOD in the homogenate of testicular tissue decreased in the medium and high dose groups, while the levels of MDA increased (P<0.05). The results of Western blotting showed that the protein expression level of GPX4 in the testis in the high dose group was lower than that in the control group. The protein expression levels of SLC7A11 in the medium and high dose groups were lower than that in the control group. The results of correlation analysis showed that the expression level of GPX4 was positively correlated with sperm count, and negatively correlated with MDA level (P<0.05). SLC7A11 expression level was positively correlated with sperm count, and negatively correlated with sperm malformation rate and MDA level (P<0.05). Conclusion PS-MPs exposure leads to decreased sperm quality, testicular damage, and decreased serum sex hormone levels in male mice, and its mechanism of action may involve ferroptosis.

Background: s/Aims: Sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare histological subtype of HCC characterized by extremely poor prognosis; however, its molecular characterization has not been elucidated. Methods: In this study, we conducted an integrated multiomics study of whole-exome sequencing, RNA-seq, spatial transcriptome, and immunohistochemical analyses of 28 paired sarcomatoid tumor components and conventional HCC components from 10 patients with sarcomatoid HCC, in order to identify frequently altered genes, infer the tumor subclonal architectures, track the genomic evolution, and delineate the transcriptional characteristics of sarcomatoid HCCs. Results: Our results showed that the sarcomatoid HCCs had poor prognosis. The sarcomatoid tumor components and the conventional HCC components were derived from common ancestors, mostly accessing similar mutational processes. Clonal phylogenies demonstrated branched tumor evolution during sarcomatoid HCC development and progression. TP53 mutation commonly occurred at tumor initiation, whereas ARID2 mutation often occurred later. Transcriptome analyses revealed the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and hypoxic phenotype in sarcomatoid tumor components, which were confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. Moreover, we identified ARID2 mutations in 70% (7/10) of patients with sarcomatoid HCC but only 1–5% of patients with non-sarcomatoid HCC. Biofunctional investigations revealed that inactivating mutation of ARID2 contributes to HCC growth and metastasis and induces EMT in a hypoxic microenvironment. Conclusions We offer a comprehensive description of the molecular basis for sarcomatoid HCC, and identify genomic alteration (ARID2 mutation) together with the tumor microenvironment (hypoxic microenvironment), that may contribute to the formation of the sarcomatoid tumor component through EMT, leading to sarcomatoid HCC development and progression.

Background: s/Aims: Sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare histological subtype of HCC characterized by extremely poor prognosis; however, its molecular characterization has not been elucidated. Methods: In this study, we conducted an integrated multiomics study of whole-exome sequencing, RNA-seq, spatial transcriptome, and immunohistochemical analyses of 28 paired sarcomatoid tumor components and conventional HCC components from 10 patients with sarcomatoid HCC, in order to identify frequently altered genes, infer the tumor subclonal architectures, track the genomic evolution, and delineate the transcriptional characteristics of sarcomatoid HCCs. Results: Our results showed that the sarcomatoid HCCs had poor prognosis. The sarcomatoid tumor components and the conventional HCC components were derived from common ancestors, mostly accessing similar mutational processes. Clonal phylogenies demonstrated branched tumor evolution during sarcomatoid HCC development and progression. TP53 mutation commonly occurred at tumor initiation, whereas ARID2 mutation often occurred later. Transcriptome analyses revealed the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and hypoxic phenotype in sarcomatoid tumor components, which were confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. Moreover, we identified ARID2 mutations in 70% (7/10) of patients with sarcomatoid HCC but only 1–5% of patients with non-sarcomatoid HCC. Biofunctional investigations revealed that inactivating mutation of ARID2 contributes to HCC growth and metastasis and induces EMT in a hypoxic microenvironment. Conclusions We offer a comprehensive description of the molecular basis for sarcomatoid HCC, and identify genomic alteration (ARID2 mutation) together with the tumor microenvironment (hypoxic microenvironment), that may contribute to the formation of the sarcomatoid tumor component through EMT, leading to sarcomatoid HCC development and progression.

Background: s/Aims: Sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare histological subtype of HCC characterized by extremely poor prognosis; however, its molecular characterization has not been elucidated. Methods: In this study, we conducted an integrated multiomics study of whole-exome sequencing, RNA-seq, spatial transcriptome, and immunohistochemical analyses of 28 paired sarcomatoid tumor components and conventional HCC components from 10 patients with sarcomatoid HCC, in order to identify frequently altered genes, infer the tumor subclonal architectures, track the genomic evolution, and delineate the transcriptional characteristics of sarcomatoid HCCs. Results: Our results showed that the sarcomatoid HCCs had poor prognosis. The sarcomatoid tumor components and the conventional HCC components were derived from common ancestors, mostly accessing similar mutational processes. Clonal phylogenies demonstrated branched tumor evolution during sarcomatoid HCC development and progression. TP53 mutation commonly occurred at tumor initiation, whereas ARID2 mutation often occurred later. Transcriptome analyses revealed the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and hypoxic phenotype in sarcomatoid tumor components, which were confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. Moreover, we identified ARID2 mutations in 70% (7/10) of patients with sarcomatoid HCC but only 1–5% of patients with non-sarcomatoid HCC. Biofunctional investigations revealed that inactivating mutation of ARID2 contributes to HCC growth and metastasis and induces EMT in a hypoxic microenvironment. Conclusions We offer a comprehensive description of the molecular basis for sarcomatoid HCC, and identify genomic alteration (ARID2 mutation) together with the tumor microenvironment (hypoxic microenvironment), that may contribute to the formation of the sarcomatoid tumor component through EMT, leading to sarcomatoid HCC development and progression.

Objective To evaluate the characteristics of the mass balance and pharmacokinetics of[14 C]birociclib in Chinese male healthy volunteers after a single oral administration.Methods This study used a 14 C labeled method to investigate the mass balance and biological transformation of birociclib in human.Subjects were given a single oral dose of 360 mg/50 pCi of[14 C]birociclib suspension after meals.The blood,urine,and fecal samples were collected at specified time points/intervals after administration.The radiation levels of 14 C labeled birociclib-related compounds in the blood,plasma,urine,and feces were analyzed using liquid scintillation counting.In addition,a combination of high-performance liquid chromatography and on-line/off-line isotope detectors was used to obtain radioactive isotope metabolite spectra of plasma,urine,and fecal samples,and high-resolution mass spectrometry was used to identify the main metabolites.Results A total of 6 healthy male subjects were enrolled in this study.The median peak time of radioactive components in plasma was 5.00 h and the average terminal elimination half-life was 43.70 h after administration.The radioactive components were basically excreted and cleared from the body within 288.00 hours after administration,and average cumulative recovery rate of radioactive drugs was(94.10±8.19)％.The radioactive drugs were mainly excreted through feces,accounting for(84.60±7.10)％of the dose of radioactive drugs administered.Urine was the secondary excretory pathway,accounting for 9.41％of the dose of radioactive drugs administered.Metabolic analysis indicated that the prototype drug was the main radioactive components in plasma samples.The main metabolites in plasma were RM4(XZP-5286),RM6(XZP-3584),and RM7(XZP-5736).The drugs were mainly cleared from the body in the form of prototype drugs and metabolites.In addition to prototype drugs,a total of 9 metabolites were identified and analyzed in plasma,urine,and fecal samples,all of which were phase 1 metabolites.The main metabolic and clearance pathways of drugs in the body were deethylation,diisopropylat ion,oxidation,etc.Conclusion After a single oral administration of[14C]birociclib suspension to healthy subjects,it was mainly cleared from the body in the form of prototype drugs and metabolites,with feces as the main excretory pathway and urine as the secondary excretory pathway.Drugs mainly undergo metabolic reactions in the body,such as deethylation,diisopropylation,and oxidation.The subjects were well tolerance after administration.

[Abstract] [Objective] To assess the effect of a centrifugal haemocyte separator on platelet counts in patients with neurological immune-mediated disorders during/after therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE). [Methods] This study included 189 patients (108 females and 81 males) who were treated in the department of neurology at Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, from March 2021 to March 2022. A total of 820 TPE treatments were carried out. Each patient received 2 to 5 TPEs, with each TPE amounting to the patient's plasma volume. The peripheral blood cell counts of the patients were evaluated before TPE and after 2 to 5 TPEs. [Results] The duration of a single TPE in this study was 94(84,107) minutes, and the actual volume of a single TPE replacement was 2 456(2 142, 2 785) mL. The number of patients who underwent TPE for 2, 3, 4, and 5 sessions was 17, 28, 18, and 126, respectively. The platelet (PLT) counts of the patients before and after the TPE were 195×10⁹/L (range:150 to 245) and 220×10⁹/L (range:170 to 270), respectively (P<0.05). Consequently, the overall PLT counts exhibited a significant decrease from baseline following TPE, yet the PLT counts remained within the normal range after TPE. Spearman's correlation analysis indicated that platelet loss did not correlate with the duration of TPE (ρ=0.037), the age of the patient (ρ=0.015), or the volume of the single replacement fluid (ρ=0.034), P>0.05, weakly correlated with the number of TPE sessions (ρ=0.017), and moderately correlated with the PLT counts before TPEs (ρ=0.446). [Conclusion] The TPE procedure exhibited a measurable impact on the patients' platelet levels, but the platelet counts remained within the normal range, therefore did not interfere with the patients' subsequent treatment protocols. The decrease in platelet level was correlated with the baseline platelet level before treatment and the number of TPE sessions.

Objective To explore the effects of electroacupuncture on motor function in Parkinson's disease(PD)model mice and NLRP3 inflammasome-related proteins in the midbrain substantia nigra(SN).Methods C57BL/6 mice were assigned to three groups according to the random number table method:control group,model group,and electroacupuncture(EA)group,12 mice per group.The PD model was reproduced by intragastric administration of rotenone solution 10 mg/(kg·d).EA group was administered at the three selected points,"Fengfu"(GV16),"Taichong"(LR3),and"Zusanli"(ST36),with a treatment cycle of 2 weeks.The control and model groups took the same time synchronous fixation operation for the control variable.Behavioral scores and open field tests were used to detect the exercise ability of mice in each group.Tyrosine hydroxylase(TH)and α-synuclein(α-syn)in the midbrain SN of mice in all groups were measured with an immunohistochemistry test.NLRP3 and cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-1(Caspase-1)protein expression levels in the midbrain SN of mice in the three groups were measured using Western blotting,and interleukin-1β(IL-1β)content was determined with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results Compared to the control group,the behavioral scores of the mice in the model group were higher(P<0.01).Compared to the model group,the behavioral scores of the mice in the EA group were lower(P<0.01).Compared to the control group,the time ratio of the relative rest state of the mice in the model group(<100 mm/s)increased significantly(P<0.01),while the time ratio of the slow motion(100～200 mm/s)and time ratio of the fast motion(>200 mm/s)state decreased significantly(P<0.01).Compared to the model group,the time ratio spent in the relative rest state of mice in the EA group decreased significantly(P<0.01),while the time ratio of the slow motion state and time ratio of the fast motion state and movement rate increased significantly(P<0.01).Compared to the control group,the TH expression level decreased in the SN in the model group(P<0.01),while α-syn increased(P<0.01).Compared to the model group,the TH expression level in the EA group increased(P<0.05),while α-syn decreased(P<0.05).Compared to the control group,the protein expressions of NLRP3 and Caspase-1 in the SN of the model group increased(P<0.01);compared to the model group,the expressions of NLRP3 and Caspase-1 in the SN of the midbrain of mice decreased after EA treatment(P<0.01).Compared to the control group,IL-1β in the SN of the mouse midbrain increased in the model group(P<0.01).Compared to the model group,IL-1β decreased in the EA group(P<0.05).Conclusion This experiment shows that stimulation of EA in"Fengfu","Taichong",and"Zusanli"can effectively reduce abnormal aggregation of the PD marker α-syn,increase TH expression,and enhance the motor dysfunction of PD model mice.The molecular mechanism is related to the regulation of the expression of NLRP3,Caspase-1,and IL-1β of inflammasome-related pathways.

This paper aimed to study phenylpropanoids of Tripterygium hypoglaucum. Twenty-four compounds were isolated from the 70% EtOH extracts of T. hypoglaucum by silica gel column chromatography, reversed phase column chromatography, gel column chromatography, preparative thin layer chromatography, and semi-preparative high performance liquid chromatography. Compounds 1-3 were three new phenylpropionds. Their structures were identified by ultraviolet spectrum, infrared spectroscopy, high resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance data as: threo-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenoxy)-3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1,3-propanedol (1), erythro-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenoxy)-3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1,3-propanediol (2), erythro-3-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-3-ethoxypropane-1,2-propanediol (3). Compounds 4-6, 9, 14, 15, 18, 19, and 21-24 were obtained from Tripterygium genus for the first time. The cytotoxicity assay of cancer cells suggested that compound 20 displayed cytotoxicity on the breast cancer 4T1 cells whose 50% inhibitory concentration was 125.60 μmol·L^-1.

Objective To investigate the association between body mass index(BMI),sex hormone and single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)of follicle-stimulating hormone receptor(FSHR)gene rs2268361 and rs2349415 and its correlation with the risk of polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS).Methods Peripheral blood was collected from 213 PCOS patients and 207 healthy controls,attending the Department of Reproductive Medicine at the First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University,and 32 follicular fluids were randomly collected from each of the PCOS and control groups from March to August 2021.Calculation of BMI of the PCOS and control groups;The levels of follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH),luteinizing hormone(LH),estradiol(E2),testosterone(T),progesterone(P)and prolactin(PRL)in peripheral blood of the two groups were detected by immunochemiluminescence method.Polymerase chain reaction(PCR)and high-resolution melting curve(HRM)were used to analyze the polymorphisms of rs2268361 and rs2349415 in FSHR of the two groups.Quantitative real-time PCR was used to detect the expression of FSHR gene mRNA in peripheral blood and ovarian granulosa cells.Results There was a strong positive correlation between LH and LH/FSH(r=0.88,P<0.05);The levels of BMI,E2,LH,LH/FSH and T in PCOS group were significantly higher than those in control group(P<0.05);FSH level was significantly lower than that of control group(P<0.001).HRM analysis showed the frequencies of CC,CT and TT genotypes at rs2349415 were 55.9%,34.3%and 9.8%in PCOS group and 68.6%,23.2%and 8.2%in control group,respectively.The frequencies of C and T alleles were 73.0%and 27.0%in PCOS group and 80.2%and 19.8%in control group,respectively.There were significant differences in genotype frequencies and allele frequencies between the two groups(P<0.05);The expression level of FSHR mRNA was higher in ovarian granulosa cells in PCOS group than in control group(P=0.004),the expression level of FSHR mRNA in rs2349415 TT genotype was higher than that in CC(P=0.002)and CT(P=0.035)genotype.Conclusion High levels of BMI, LH, E2 and T allele of rs2349415 increased the risk of PCOS.

Objective To analyze the residual status,transfer behavior,and risk of paclobutrazole in the national mar-ket of Shenmai granules.Methods GC-MS/MS determined the residual amount of paclobutrazol in Shenmai granules,and ANOVA analyzed the distribution characteristics of sample residuals.The transfer rule of paclobutrazol from Ophiopogonis Radix to Shenmai granules was investigated by simulating the production process,and chronic exposure assessment was performed using the point evaluation model.Results The established method can accurately determine the residual amount of paclobutrazol in Shenmai granules.The residual amount of paclobutrazol in 85 batches of Shenmai granules ranged from 0.001 3 to 0.015 8 mg·kg-1,and there was a statistical difference in the residual amount among different enterprise samples.The transfer rate of paclobutrazol from decoction pieces to preparations was 29.8%.The chronic risk quotient(HQc)of paclobutrazol residues in Shenmai granules was 0.000 7%,far lower than 1.Conclusion There is a general presence of paclobutrazol residues in Shenmai granules.The risk assessment results show that the normal dosage of Shenmai granules does not pose an unacceptable risk to the general population.The residual distribution characteristics and process transfer rules can provide a reference for safety risk control in production enterprises.