In In recent years, small-molecule targeted protein degraders inducing protein degradation have been developing rapidly. These molecules are attracting substantial interest from researchers since they can overcome such limitations of traditional small-molecule inhibitors as their inapplicability to ‘undruggable’ targets and tendency to induce drug resistance. Compared with other targeted protein degraders, small-molecule hydrophobic tags (HyTs) may have a smaller number of hydrogen bond donors/acceptors, smaller molecular weights, and better pharmacokinetic profiles, thus attracting extensive attention from researchers. This review focuses on the possible mechanisms and popular types of HyTs, with special attention to the potential application value of adamantane, a typical hydrophobic tag, in the fields of cancer and neurodegeneration. In general, there are still some problems like fewer types of hydrophobic tags and insufficient research on degradation mechanisms, which still need to be further explored. This review is expected to provide researchers working in the fields of small-molecule targeted protein degraders with some valuable reference.

Eight new diterpenoids, Isodons A-H (1-8), comprising seco-abietane and abietane-type structures, together with 13 known analogues (9-21), were isolated from Isodon lophanthoides (Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don) Hara. The compounds (+)-3/(-)-3, (+)-4/(-)-4, and (+)-5/(-)-5 were identified as three enantiomeric pairs. The planar structures and absolute configurations of 1-8 were determined through high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HR-ESI-MS), 1D & 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations, and X-ray diffraction crystallography. A cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (Cyp7a1) luciferase reporter assay revealed significant anti-cholestatic activities for compounds 1, (+)-4, 6, 7, 12-14, and 16. Additionally, compound 6 demonstrated anti-cholestatic effects through the farnesoid X receptor (FXR)-associated signaling pathways in vitro and in vivo. These findings suggest potential applications for I. Lophanthoides in pharmaceutical development.
Abietanes/pharmacology* ; Molecular Structure ; Animals ; Isodon/chemistry* ; Humans ; Diterpenes/pharmacology* ; Plant Extracts/chemistry*

Objective To investigate the role and molecular mechanism of SOX4 in Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)-mediated gastric mucosal epithelial dysplasia.Methods The expression of SOX4 in gastric tissues and cells was analyzed with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR),Western blotting,and immunohistochemical staining.The effects of SOX4 on gastric epithelial cell proliferation and colony formation were determined with CCK-8 and colony formation assays.A PCR array was used to screen downstream target genes involved in H.pylori-induced dysplasia mediated by SOX4.The transcriptional regulation and binding sites of the target gene MLH3 by SOX4 were elucidated with luciferase reporter assay,promoter truncation assay,and chromatin immunoprecipitation(ChIP).Results SOX4 expression was significantly increased in H.pylori-infected gastric tissues(P<0.05).Overexpression of SOX4 markedly enhanced the proliferation and colony formation abilities of normal gastric epithelial cells(P<0.05).Elevated SOX4 led to the dysregulation of MLH3 and other DNA damage repair-related molecules after H.pylori infection in gastric epithelial cells(|logFC|>1,P<0.05).H.pylori promoted MLH3 expression in gastric epithelial cells through SOX4.SOX4 transcriptionally activated MLH3 expression by binding to the 5th site of the MLH3 promoter.The increased expression of SOX4 and MLH3 is associated with poor prognosis of gastric cancer patients.Conclusion SOX4 is closely associated with H.pylori-induced dysplasia in gastric epithelial cells.Upregulation of SOX4 promotes H.pylori-related dysplasia by transcriptionally activating MLH3,leading to the imbalance of proliferation and colony formation in gastric epithelial cells.

Objective:To evaluate the short-term efficacy of endoscopic-laparoscopic regional gastric resection combined with sentinel lymph node basin dissection in patients with early-stage gastric cancer.Methods:This is a retrospective case series study. Data of 17 consecutive early gastric cancer patients from a prospective cohort at Beijing Friendship Hospital,Capital Medical University were analyzed between August 2023 and August 2024. Sixteen cases were from the department of general surgery and 1 from the department of gastroenterology. The cohort included 9 males and 8 females,with a mean age of 61.4 years (range: 46 to 79 years). Clinical data,including demographics,pathological features,surgical procedures,and follow-up outcomes,were collected through medical records and databases. All patients were followed for over 3 months,with follow-up ending on December 5,2024.Results:A total of 17 patients were involved. Among them, 5 patients underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) combined with laparoscopic sentinel lymph node dissection (LSBD),and another 3 patients who underwent complete ESD resection received LSBD due to pathological stage meeting the expanded indications. 6 patients who underwent non-curative ESD resection received laparoscopic gastric regional resection (LRG) combined with LSBD,and another 3 patients directly received LRG combined with LSBD. The average number of sentinel lymph nodes dissected before surgery ( M(IQR)) was 8.9 (4.5) (range: 4 to 21),and the detection rate and accuracy rate were both 100%. Postoperative pathology confirmed that there was no metastasis in the sentinel lymph nodes of 5 patients who underwent ESD combined with LSBD and 3 patients who underwent LSBD after complete ESD resection. The vertical and horizontal margins of ESD were all negative. One patient was an absolute indication for ESD. For the 6 patients who underwent non-curative ESD resection combined with LRG and LSBD,the horizontal margins were all negative. Two patients showed 1 metastasis in each of the 21 and 9 sentinel lymph nodes during the operation,and additional distal gastrectomy was performed during the operation. Postoperatively,73 and 39 lymph nodes were retrieved respectively. The former had 1 additional metastasis,while the latter had no metastasis. Among the 3 patients who underwent direct LRG combined with LSBD,the horizontal margins were negative. One patient was confirmed as an absolute indication for ESD by postoperative pathology,and one patient had 1 metastasis in 8 sentinel lymph nodes during the operation,and additional distal gastrectomy was performed. Postoperatively,there was no metastasis in 54 lymph nodes. All patients had no complications such as infection,bleeding,perforation,or death after surgery. Among the 14 patients who did not receive additional radical surgery,they were able to pass gas and defecate within 3 days after surgery,with an average hospital stay of 6 days. The nutritional indicators and gastric radionuclide emptying imaging half-emptying time were similar to those before surgery at 3 months after surgery. Conclusions:Laparoscopic and endoscopic cooperative regional gastrectomy with sentinel lymph node basin dissection has the advantages of minimal invasiveness,preservation of gastric function,and precise treatment. It maybe suitable for patients with early-stage gastric cancer at high risk of lymph node metastasis and has good short-term efficacy.

Objective To investigate the role and molecular mechanism of SOX4 in Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)-mediated gastric mucosal epithelial dysplasia.Methods The expression of SOX4 in gastric tissues and cells was analyzed with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR),Western blotting,and immunohistochemical staining.The effects of SOX4 on gastric epithelial cell proliferation and colony formation were determined with CCK-8 and colony formation assays.A PCR array was used to screen downstream target genes involved in H.pylori-induced dysplasia mediated by SOX4.The transcriptional regulation and binding sites of the target gene MLH3 by SOX4 were elucidated with luciferase reporter assay,promoter truncation assay,and chromatin immunoprecipitation(ChIP).Results SOX4 expression was significantly increased in H.pylori-infected gastric tissues(P<0.05).Overexpression of SOX4 markedly enhanced the proliferation and colony formation abilities of normal gastric epithelial cells(P<0.05).Elevated SOX4 led to the dysregulation of MLH3 and other DNA damage repair-related molecules after H.pylori infection in gastric epithelial cells(|logFC|>1,P<0.05).H.pylori promoted MLH3 expression in gastric epithelial cells through SOX4.SOX4 transcriptionally activated MLH3 expression by binding to the 5th site of the MLH3 promoter.The increased expression of SOX4 and MLH3 is associated with poor prognosis of gastric cancer patients.Conclusion SOX4 is closely associated with H.pylori-induced dysplasia in gastric epithelial cells.Upregulation of SOX4 promotes H.pylori-related dysplasia by transcriptionally activating MLH3,leading to the imbalance of proliferation and colony formation in gastric epithelial cells.

Objective:To construct and validate a clinical model combining CYP11B2 gene polymorphisms with clinical parameters to predict complete postoperative hypertension remission in primary aldosteronism patients.Methods:The clinical data of a total of 116 patients with primary aldosteronism who underwent unilateral adrenalectomy from April 2018 to August 2024 were retrospectively included. There were 63 males and 53 females，with a body mass index（BMI）of（25.50 ± 2.03）kg/m 2. Genomic DNA was extracted from venous blood leukocytes before surgery，and polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphisms（PCR-RFLP）were used to detect CYP11B2（rs1799998）promoter region 344（C > T）base substitution. The follow-up duration was more than 6 months，with the following parameters recorded at the last follow-up：plasma aldosterone，renin，serum potassium，and sodium levels. Blood pressure progression and antihypertensive medication usage were also assessed. The postoperative outcome was determined according to the Primary Aldosteronism Surgical Outcome score（PASO）for primary aldosteronism，and the specific criteria were as follows. ① Clinical complete remission：the patient's blood pressure returned to normal（< 140/90 mmHg，1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa）and all antihypertensive drugs were discontinued；②Partial clinical remission：blood pressure returns to normal，and the number or dose of antihypertensive drugs is reduced compared with before；③Clinical non-remission：blood pressure does not drop and antihypertensive drugs do not change or increase compared with before surgery. Patients were divided into complete and incomplete remission groups. The chi-square test was used for univariate analysis，followed by binary logistic forward conditional regression for multivariate analysis，and a variety of machine learning algorithms such as random forest，logistic regression，support vector machine and gradient lifter were integrated，and the results of multivariate analysis were included to construct a postoperative blood pressure outcome model，and the predictive performance of the model was evaluated by using receiver operating characteristic（ROC）curve，calibration curve and clinical decision curve. Results:The PCR-RFLP detection results of 116 cases showed the genotype distribution of CYP11B2（344C > T）（rs1799998）as follows：CC type in 50 cases（43.1%），CT type in 46 cases（39.7%），and TT type in 20 cases（17.3%）. There were 74 cases in the complete remission group and 42 cases in the incomplete remission group，and the rate of complete remission with hypertension at the end of the operation was 63.8%. Univariate analysis showed that the the differences between complete remission group and incomplete remission group in body mass index［（24.27 ± 2.90）kg/m 2 vs.（26.98 ± 3.17）kg/m 2， P<0.001］，preoperative hypertension grade（grade 1/2/3：29/29/16 cases vs. 9/13/20 cases， P = 0.012），preoperative antihypertensive drugs（0/1/≥ 2：25/32/17 cases vs. 7/15/20 cases， P = 0.016），and CYP11B2（344C > T）（CC/TT + CT：39/35 cases vs. 11/31 cases， P = 0.006）were statistically significant. Multivariate analysis showed that the type of preoperative antihypertensive drugs［≥ 2： OR = 5.26（95% CI 1.12?24.61， P = 0.016；1： OR = 4.55（95% CI 1.23?22.47）， P = 0.025］was the strongest independent predictor，followed by CYP11B2（344C > T）［ OR = 4.02（95% CI 1.16?13.82）， P = 0.028］and BMI［ OR = 3.96（95% CI 2.26?6.92）， P < 0.001］. Comparing the receiver operating feature（ROC）curves of the four types of machine learning models，the best model was the support vector machine model with an area under the curve（AUC）of 0.88（95% CI 0.82?0.95），followed by the gradient elevator model of 0.83（95% CI 0.76?0.91），the logistic regression model of 0.78（95% CI 0.68?0.88），and the random forest model of 0.77（95% CI 0.68?0.86）. The optimal threshold of the Yoden index of the support vector machine model was 0.588，with a sensitivity of 78.5% and a specificity of 86.5%. The clinical decision curve and calibration curve show that the support vector machine model has a higher net benefit and acceptable stability and reliability. Conclusions:The support vector machine model incorporating CYP11B2 gene polymorphisms，BMI，and types of preoperative antihypertensive medications could effectively predict postoperative hypertension remission in primary aldosteronism patients，providing new evidence for personalized treatment strategies

Objective:To construct and validate a clinical model combining CYP11B2 gene polymorphisms with clinical parameters to predict complete postoperative hypertension remission in primary aldosteronism patients.Methods:The clinical data of a total of 116 patients with primary aldosteronism who underwent unilateral adrenalectomy from April 2018 to August 2024 were retrospectively included. There were 63 males and 53 females，with a body mass index（BMI）of（25.50 ± 2.03）kg/m 2. Genomic DNA was extracted from venous blood leukocytes before surgery，and polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphisms（PCR-RFLP）were used to detect CYP11B2（rs1799998）promoter region 344（C > T）base substitution. The follow-up duration was more than 6 months，with the following parameters recorded at the last follow-up：plasma aldosterone，renin，serum potassium，and sodium levels. Blood pressure progression and antihypertensive medication usage were also assessed. The postoperative outcome was determined according to the Primary Aldosteronism Surgical Outcome score（PASO）for primary aldosteronism，and the specific criteria were as follows. ① Clinical complete remission：the patient's blood pressure returned to normal（< 140/90 mmHg，1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa）and all antihypertensive drugs were discontinued；②Partial clinical remission：blood pressure returns to normal，and the number or dose of antihypertensive drugs is reduced compared with before；③Clinical non-remission：blood pressure does not drop and antihypertensive drugs do not change or increase compared with before surgery. Patients were divided into complete and incomplete remission groups. The chi-square test was used for univariate analysis，followed by binary logistic forward conditional regression for multivariate analysis，and a variety of machine learning algorithms such as random forest，logistic regression，support vector machine and gradient lifter were integrated，and the results of multivariate analysis were included to construct a postoperative blood pressure outcome model，and the predictive performance of the model was evaluated by using receiver operating characteristic（ROC）curve，calibration curve and clinical decision curve. Results:The PCR-RFLP detection results of 116 cases showed the genotype distribution of CYP11B2（344C > T）（rs1799998）as follows：CC type in 50 cases（43.1%），CT type in 46 cases（39.7%），and TT type in 20 cases（17.3%）. There were 74 cases in the complete remission group and 42 cases in the incomplete remission group，and the rate of complete remission with hypertension at the end of the operation was 63.8%. Univariate analysis showed that the the differences between complete remission group and incomplete remission group in body mass index［（24.27 ± 2.90）kg/m 2 vs.（26.98 ± 3.17）kg/m 2， P<0.001］，preoperative hypertension grade（grade 1/2/3：29/29/16 cases vs. 9/13/20 cases， P = 0.012），preoperative antihypertensive drugs（0/1/≥ 2：25/32/17 cases vs. 7/15/20 cases， P = 0.016），and CYP11B2（344C > T）（CC/TT + CT：39/35 cases vs. 11/31 cases， P = 0.006）were statistically significant. Multivariate analysis showed that the type of preoperative antihypertensive drugs［≥ 2： OR = 5.26（95% CI 1.12?24.61， P = 0.016；1： OR = 4.55（95% CI 1.23?22.47）， P = 0.025］was the strongest independent predictor，followed by CYP11B2（344C > T）［ OR = 4.02（95% CI 1.16?13.82）， P = 0.028］and BMI［ OR = 3.96（95% CI 2.26?6.92）， P < 0.001］. Comparing the receiver operating feature（ROC）curves of the four types of machine learning models，the best model was the support vector machine model with an area under the curve（AUC）of 0.88（95% CI 0.82?0.95），followed by the gradient elevator model of 0.83（95% CI 0.76?0.91），the logistic regression model of 0.78（95% CI 0.68?0.88），and the random forest model of 0.77（95% CI 0.68?0.86）. The optimal threshold of the Yoden index of the support vector machine model was 0.588，with a sensitivity of 78.5% and a specificity of 86.5%. The clinical decision curve and calibration curve show that the support vector machine model has a higher net benefit and acceptable stability and reliability. Conclusions:The support vector machine model incorporating CYP11B2 gene polymorphisms，BMI，and types of preoperative antihypertensive medications could effectively predict postoperative hypertension remission in primary aldosteronism patients，providing new evidence for personalized treatment strategies

Objective:To evaluate the short-term efficacy of endoscopic-laparoscopic regional gastric resection combined with sentinel lymph node basin dissection in patients with early-stage gastric cancer.Methods:This is a retrospective case series study. Data of 17 consecutive early gastric cancer patients from a prospective cohort at Beijing Friendship Hospital,Capital Medical University were analyzed between August 2023 and August 2024. Sixteen cases were from the department of general surgery and 1 from the department of gastroenterology. The cohort included 9 males and 8 females,with a mean age of 61.4 years (range: 46 to 79 years). Clinical data,including demographics,pathological features,surgical procedures,and follow-up outcomes,were collected through medical records and databases. All patients were followed for over 3 months,with follow-up ending on December 5,2024.Results:A total of 17 patients were involved. Among them, 5 patients underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) combined with laparoscopic sentinel lymph node dissection (LSBD),and another 3 patients who underwent complete ESD resection received LSBD due to pathological stage meeting the expanded indications. 6 patients who underwent non-curative ESD resection received laparoscopic gastric regional resection (LRG) combined with LSBD,and another 3 patients directly received LRG combined with LSBD. The average number of sentinel lymph nodes dissected before surgery ( M(IQR)) was 8.9 (4.5) (range: 4 to 21),and the detection rate and accuracy rate were both 100%. Postoperative pathology confirmed that there was no metastasis in the sentinel lymph nodes of 5 patients who underwent ESD combined with LSBD and 3 patients who underwent LSBD after complete ESD resection. The vertical and horizontal margins of ESD were all negative. One patient was an absolute indication for ESD. For the 6 patients who underwent non-curative ESD resection combined with LRG and LSBD,the horizontal margins were all negative. Two patients showed 1 metastasis in each of the 21 and 9 sentinel lymph nodes during the operation,and additional distal gastrectomy was performed during the operation. Postoperatively,73 and 39 lymph nodes were retrieved respectively. The former had 1 additional metastasis,while the latter had no metastasis. Among the 3 patients who underwent direct LRG combined with LSBD,the horizontal margins were negative. One patient was confirmed as an absolute indication for ESD by postoperative pathology,and one patient had 1 metastasis in 8 sentinel lymph nodes during the operation,and additional distal gastrectomy was performed. Postoperatively,there was no metastasis in 54 lymph nodes. All patients had no complications such as infection,bleeding,perforation,or death after surgery. Among the 14 patients who did not receive additional radical surgery,they were able to pass gas and defecate within 3 days after surgery,with an average hospital stay of 6 days. The nutritional indicators and gastric radionuclide emptying imaging half-emptying time were similar to those before surgery at 3 months after surgery. Conclusions:Laparoscopic and endoscopic cooperative regional gastrectomy with sentinel lymph node basin dissection has the advantages of minimal invasiveness,preservation of gastric function,and precise treatment. It maybe suitable for patients with early-stage gastric cancer at high risk of lymph node metastasis and has good short-term efficacy.

Objective:To explore the efficacy and safety profile of tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (TAF) in the treatment of patients with decompensated hepatitis B cirrhosis.Methods:A two-way cohort study method was used to enroll patients with decompensated hepatitis B cirrhosis who visited four medical centers, including Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, from April 2021 to April 2024 and were treated with TAF and followed up for 48 weeks. The primary efficacy indicator was hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA seronegative conversion rate at 48-weeks, and the secondary efficacy indicator was alanine aminotransferase (ALT) return to normal rate at 48-weeks. Relevant safety indicators, adverse drug reactions (ADRs), and clinical adverse outcomes were collected.Results:A total of 74 cases were included. Of these, 52 were males with an average age of (53.14 ± 9.15) years. Twenty-five and thirty-three cases completed 24 and 48 weeks of follow-up, respectively. The HBV DNA negative conversion rate was 96.97% (32/33), which was higher than the baseline of 58.1% (43/74) following 48 weeks of TAF treatment. The ALT return to normal rate was 72.73% (24/33), which was higher than the baseline of 47.30% (35/74); however, the renal function and blood lipid levels did not change significantly compared with the baseline level after completing 48 weeks of treatment (P>0.05). During the follow-up period, one case developed hepatocellular carcinoma, and no other adverse clinical outcomes, such as liver transplantation or death, were reported.Conclusion:TAF has a good efficacy and safety profile in the treatment of patients with decompensated hepatitis B cirrhosis.

Objective To investigate the effect of staphylococcal nuclease and tudor domain containing 1(SND1)on the biological function of osteosarcoma cells and decipher the mechanism of SND1 in regulating fer-roptosis in osteosarcoma cells via SLC7A11.Methods Human osteoblasts hFOB1.19 and osteosarcoma cell lines Saos-2,U2OS,HOS,and 143B were cultured,in which the expression level of SND1 was determined.Small in-terfering RNA was employed to knock down the expression of SND1(si-SND1)in the osteosarcoma cell line HOS and 143B.The CCK8 assay kit,colony formation assay,and Transwell assay were employed to examine the effect of SND1 expression on the biological function of osteosarcoma cells.Furthermore,we altered the expression of SND1 and SLC7A11 in osteosarcoma cells to investigate the effect of SND1 on osteosarcoma ferroptosis via SLC7A11.Results The mRNA and protein levels of SND1 in Saos-2,U2OS,HOS,and 143B cells were higher than those in hFOB1.19 cells(all P<0.01).Compared with the control group,transfection with si-SND1 down-regulated the expression level of SND1 in HOS and 143B cells(all P<0.01),decreased the viability of HOS and 143B cells,reduced the number of colony formation,and inhibited cell invasion and migration(all P<0.001).The ferroptosis inducer Erastin promoted the apoptosis of HOS and 143B cells,while the ferroptosis inhibitor Fer-rostatin-1 improved the viability of HOS and 143B cells(all P<0.001).After SND-1 knockdown,Erastin reduced the viability of HOS and 143B cells,while Ferrostatin-1 restored the cell viability(all P<0.001).After treatment with Erastin in the si-SND1 group,the levels of iron and malondialdehyde were elevated,and the level of glutathione was lowered(all P<0.001).The results of in vivo experiments showed that SND1 knockdown inhibited the mass of the transplanted tumor in 143B tumor-bearing nude mice(P<0.001).Knocking down the expression of SND1 resul-ted in down-regulated SLC7A11 expression(all P<0.001)and increased ferroptosis in HOS and 143B cells(P<0.001,P=0.020).Conclusions SND1 presents up-regulated expression in osteosarcoma cells.It may inhibit ferrop-tosis by up-regulating the expression of SLC7A11,thereby improving the viability of osteosarcoma cells.