Objective To explore the role and mechanism of RNA m6A methyltransferase Wilms'tumor 1-associated protein(WTAP)in epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)of glioblastoma cells and its association with transcription factor JUNB.Methods(1)Based on the Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)and Genotype-Tissue Expression(GTEx)databases,the expression levels of transforming growth factor β(TGF-β),WTAP,and JUNB in glioblastoma multiforme(GBM)and normal brain tissues were analyzed,as well as their diagnostic and prognostic values for GBM.The correlation of TGF-β,WTAP,and JUNB with gliomas of different WHO grades was analyzed using the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas(CGGA)database.Spearman correlation analysis was performed to assess the correlation between TGF-β and m6A methyltransferases.(2)An EMT model was established in human astrocytoma U87-MG cells through TGF-β1 induction.qRT-PCR and Western blotting were employed to detect the expression levels of WTAP,JUNB,matrix metalloproteinase 2(MMP2),and N-cadherin.The migration capacity of U87-MG cells was evaluated by wound-healing and Transwell assays.An m6A RNA methylation quantification kit(colorimetric)was used to detect RNA m6A methylation modification levels.A stable cell line with low expression of WTAP was constructed to investigate the effects of WTAP knockdown on the migration ability of U87-MG cells,as well as the expression of JUNB.(3)A protein-protein interaction network was constructed using STRING database and GeneMANIA database,followed by gene ontology(GO)and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses to explore the biological processes,molecular functions,cellular components,and signaling pathways potentially involved in TGF-β/WTAP/JUNB.Gene set enrichment analysis(GSEA)was performed on JUNB-related genes to investigate their potential downstream signaling pathways.Results(1)The expression levels of TGF-β,WTAP,and JUNB were significantly higher in GBM(P<0.001),positively correlated with WHO grades of glioma(P<0.001).Glioma patients with high expression of all three genes had shorter overall and disease-free survival(P<0.001).Spearman analysis showed that the expression of TGF-β in GBM was positively correlated with WTAP(r=0.175,P=0.023),but no significant correlation with other m6A methyltransferases(P>0.05).(2)After TGF-β1 treatment,the level of m6A methylation modification of total RNA in U87-MG cells significantly increased(P<0.001).Wound-healing assay and Transwell assay results showed that the migration ability of U87-MG cells was significantly increased after TGF-β1 treatment(P<0.01),while WTAP knockdown significantly reduced the migration ability of U87-MG cells(P<0.01).qRT-PCR and Western blotting results showed that the mRNA and protein expression levels of WTAP,N-Cadherin,MMP2,and JUNB in U87-MG cells were significantly increased after 48 h of TGF-β1 induction(P<0.001),while WTAP knockdown significantly reduced the mRNA and protein expression of JUNB(P<0.001).(3)The TGF-β/WTAP/JUNB-related protein-protein interaction network was constructed,which was primary involved in mRNA modification and EMT.GSEA results showed that JUNB-related signaling pathways were closely associated with glioma malignant progression.Conclusions TGF-β,WTAP,and JUNB are all associated with GBM malignant progression and poor patient prognosis.TGF-β may enhance total RNA m6A modification by promoting the expression of m6A methyltransferase WTAP,and WTAP subsquentaly upregulates transcription factor JUNB,thereby promoting EMT and malignant progression of GBM.

Objective To explore the role and mechanism of RNA m6A methyltransferase Wilms'tumor 1-associated protein(WTAP)in epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)of glioblastoma cells and its association with transcription factor JUNB.Methods(1)Based on the Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)and Genotype-Tissue Expression(GTEx)databases,the expression levels of transforming growth factor β(TGF-β),WTAP,and JUNB in glioblastoma multiforme(GBM)and normal brain tissues were analyzed,as well as their diagnostic and prognostic values for GBM.The correlation of TGF-β,WTAP,and JUNB with gliomas of different WHO grades was analyzed using the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas(CGGA)database.Spearman correlation analysis was performed to assess the correlation between TGF-β and m6A methyltransferases.(2)An EMT model was established in human astrocytoma U87-MG cells through TGF-β1 induction.qRT-PCR and Western blotting were employed to detect the expression levels of WTAP,JUNB,matrix metalloproteinase 2(MMP2),and N-cadherin.The migration capacity of U87-MG cells was evaluated by wound-healing and Transwell assays.An m6A RNA methylation quantification kit(colorimetric)was used to detect RNA m6A methylation modification levels.A stable cell line with low expression of WTAP was constructed to investigate the effects of WTAP knockdown on the migration ability of U87-MG cells,as well as the expression of JUNB.(3)A protein-protein interaction network was constructed using STRING database and GeneMANIA database,followed by gene ontology(GO)and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses to explore the biological processes,molecular functions,cellular components,and signaling pathways potentially involved in TGF-β/WTAP/JUNB.Gene set enrichment analysis(GSEA)was performed on JUNB-related genes to investigate their potential downstream signaling pathways.Results(1)The expression levels of TGF-β,WTAP,and JUNB were significantly higher in GBM(P<0.001),positively correlated with WHO grades of glioma(P<0.001).Glioma patients with high expression of all three genes had shorter overall and disease-free survival(P<0.001).Spearman analysis showed that the expression of TGF-β in GBM was positively correlated with WTAP(r=0.175,P=0.023),but no significant correlation with other m6A methyltransferases(P>0.05).(2)After TGF-β1 treatment,the level of m6A methylation modification of total RNA in U87-MG cells significantly increased(P<0.001).Wound-healing assay and Transwell assay results showed that the migration ability of U87-MG cells was significantly increased after TGF-β1 treatment(P<0.01),while WTAP knockdown significantly reduced the migration ability of U87-MG cells(P<0.01).qRT-PCR and Western blotting results showed that the mRNA and protein expression levels of WTAP,N-Cadherin,MMP2,and JUNB in U87-MG cells were significantly increased after 48 h of TGF-β1 induction(P<0.001),while WTAP knockdown significantly reduced the mRNA and protein expression of JUNB(P<0.001).(3)The TGF-β/WTAP/JUNB-related protein-protein interaction network was constructed,which was primary involved in mRNA modification and EMT.GSEA results showed that JUNB-related signaling pathways were closely associated with glioma malignant progression.Conclusions TGF-β,WTAP,and JUNB are all associated with GBM malignant progression and poor patient prognosis.TGF-β may enhance total RNA m6A modification by promoting the expression of m6A methyltransferase WTAP,and WTAP subsquentaly upregulates transcription factor JUNB,thereby promoting EMT and malignant progression of GBM.

Acute lung injury(ALI) is a critical clinical condition primarily characterized by refractory hypoxemia and infiltration of inflammatory cells in lung tissue, which can progress into a more severe form known as acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS). Immune cells and inflammatory cytokines play important roles in the progression of the disease. Due to its unclear pathogenesis and the lack of effective clinical treatments, ALI is associated with a high mortality rate and severely affects patients' quality of life, making the search for effective therapeutic agents particularly urgent. Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, the dried root of the perennial herb Panax ginseng from the Araliaceae family, contains active ingredients such as saponins and polysaccharides, which possess various pharmacological effects including anti-tumor activity, immune regulation, and metabolic modulation. In recent years, studies have shown that ginsenosides exhibit notable effects in reducing inflammation, ameliorating epithelial and endothelial cell injury, and providing anticoagulant action, indicating their comprehensive role in alleviating lung injury. This review summarizes the pathogenesis of ALI and the molecular mechanisms through which ginsenosides act at different stages of ALI development. The aim is to provide a scientific reference for the development of ginsenoside-based drugs targeting ALI, as well as a theoretical basis for the clinical application of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma in the treatment of ALI.
Ginsenosides/pharmacology* ; Humans ; Acute Lung Injury/immunology* ; Animals ; Panax/chemistry* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the short-and med-term clinical efficacy of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty(UKA)for the treatment of medial knee osteoarthritis (OA) in elderly patients with anterior cruciate ligament deficiency(ACLD). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 31 patients aged over 75 years old with primary medial knee OA and ACLD who underwent UKA between January 2018 and December 2022. The cohort included 12 males and 19 females, aged from 75 to 91 years with an average age of (79.56±4.54) years, with 13 left knee, 16 right knee, and 2 bilateral knees. Clinical outcomes were assessed preoperatively and at final follow-up using the visual analogue scale (VAS), Hospital for Special Surgery(HSS) score, range of motion (ROM), hip-knee-ankle angle (HKA), and tibial component posterior slope angle (TCPSA). Complications such as infection, prosthesis wear, prosthesis loosening, and dislocation were also recorded. RESULTS: All 31 patients were followed up from 12 to 63 months with an average of (28.34±10.56) months. The average postoperative TCPSA was (4.83±1.31)° ranged from 2.5° to 6.8°. At the final follow-up, there was significant improvement in VAS (3.24±0.53) vs. (6.59±0.69), HSS score (85.19±4.45) vs. (64.38±5.94), ROM (118.83±5.38)° vs. (98.85±4.08)°, and HKA (176.83±5.16)° vs. (169.57±6.28)° compared to preoperative values (P<0.05). No cases of infection, prosthesis loosening, or dislocation were reported. CONCLUSION UKA provides favorable short-and mid-term outcomes for elderly patients with medial knee OA and ACLD . However, long-term clinical efficacy needs further investigation through extended follow-up.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee/methods* ; Aged ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/physiopathology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Aged, 80 and over ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries/surgery*

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of acute T-cell lymphoblastic leukemia(T-ALL)in children and explore the prognostic risk factors.Methods:The clinical data of 127 newly diagnosed children with T-ALL admitted to five hospitals in Fujian province from April 2011 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed,and compared with children with newly diagnosed acute precursor B-cell lymphoblastic leukemia(B-ALL)in the same period.Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to evaluate the overall survival(OS)and event-free survival(EFS),and COX proportional hazard regression model was used to evaluate the prognostic factors.Among 116 children with T-ALL who received standard treatment,78 cases received the Chinese Childhood Leukemia Collaborative Group(CCLG)-ALL 2008 protocol(CCLG-ALL 2008 group),and 38 cases received the China Childhood Cancer Collaborative Group(CCCG)-ALL 2015 protocol(CCCG-ALL 2015 group).The efficacy and serious adverse event(SAE)incidence of the two groups were compared.Results:Proportion of male,age ≥ 10 years old,white blood cell count(WBC)≥ 50 × 109/L,central nervous system leukemia,minimal residual disease(MRD)≥ 1％during induction therapy,and MRD ≥ 0.01％at the end of induction in T-ALL children were significantly higher than those in B-ALL children(P＜0.05).The expected 10-year EFS and OS of T-ALL were 59.7％and 66.0％,respectively,which were significantly lower than those of B-ALL(P＜0.001).COX analysis showed that WBC ≥ 100 x 109/L at initial diagnosis and failure to achieve complete remission(CR)after induction were independent risk factors for poor prognosis.Compared with CCLG-ALL 2008 group,CCCG-ALL 2015 group had lower incidence of infection-related SAE(15.8％vs 34.6％,P=0.042),but higher EFS and OS(73.9％vs 57.2％,PEFS=0.090;86.5％vs 62.3％,PoS=0.023).Conclusions:The prognosis of children with T-ALL is worse than children with B-ALL.WBC ≥ 100 × 109/L at initial diagnosis and non-CR after induction(especially mediastinal mass has not disappeared)are the risk factors for poor prognosis.CCCG-ALL 2015 regimen may reduce infection-related SAE and improve efficacy.

The concept of'harmony'is the soul of traditional Chinese culture,which has a profound impact on the formation and development of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM).TCM is rooted in traditional Chinese culture,and the mode of thinking in TCM is in line with traditional Chinese culture.Based on the harmony culture,TCM has developed a unique view of health,disease and therapeutics.From the view of the harmony culture and by combining with years of clinical experience in treating dermatosis,Chinese medical master XUAN Guo-Wei has applied the concept of'harmony'in the TCM syndrome differentiation and treatment system in clinic,and has developed the academic thoughts of harmonizing therapy for removing toxins for the diagnosis and treatment of dermatosis.The thoughts of harmonizing therapy for removing toxins includes four aspects,namely harmonizing yin and yang,harmonizing healthy qi and pathogenic qi,harmonizing water and fire(i.e.,clod and hot),and harmonizing the administration of formula and drugs,aiming to remove toxins and expel pathogens and value the harmony.The thoughts of harmonizing therapy for removing toxins will beneficial to the comprehensive understanding of the unique health-disease-therapeutics concept in TCM,and will be helpful for managing the doctor-patient relationship,which is of enlightening significance to the modern clinical practice with TCM.

Objective To elucidate the molecular genetic etiology of patients with disorders of sex development(DSD)using whole exome sequencing(WES),thereby enhancing our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of sexual development abnormalities.Methods Retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data of 60 DSD patients diagnosed in the First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province between March 2008 and August 2021,with an additional family study for one proband.Genomic DNA was extracted from patients for WES analysis.Single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP)and insertions/deletion(InDel)tests were identified using SAMtools software in conjunction with established SNP and InDel databases.Copy number variations(CNVs)at the exon level were detected using ExomeDepth,while the potential pathogenicity of mutations was predicted with PolyPhen-2,Mutation taster and PyMol software,with Sanger sequencing employed for confirmation.Results The study included 22 patients with 46,XX DSD and 38 with 46,XY DSD.Among the 46,XX DSD patients,the SRY gene was detected in 14 patients.In the remaining 8 patients and a proband's families,single nucleotide site variations(SNVs)of NR5A1,PROKR2 and ANOS1 genes were identified in 2 patients,and CNVs in CYP21A2 gene were found in 4 patients.The pathogenicity of CYP21A2 EX1 Dup has been previously reported,while the remaining 3 CNVs were of uncertain significance,and no DSD-related mutations were detected in 2 patients.In the WES analysis of 46,XY DSD patients,10 pathogenic or likely pathogenic SNVs across 5 genes(SRY,AR,SRD5A2,CYP17A1,and NR5A1)were identified in 14 patients.Additionally,5 likely pathogenic CNVs involving the CYP21A2,AKR1C2,CBX2,and NR5A1 genes were detected in 5 patients,comprising 3 deletions and 2 duplications.Novel SNVs in NR5A1(c.722G>T,c.48C>G)and ANOS1 c.564A>T were identified,with no prior reports in relevant databases.The pathogenicity of CYP21A2 EX1 Dup is documented in related databases,while the remaining CNVs have not been previously reported.Conclusion The utilization of WES technology has enhanced the diagnostic potential for DSD,broadened the spectrum of known DSD-related gene mutations,and deepened our comprehension of DSD pathogenesis,offering valuable support for genetic counseling.

Objective: To explore the application and efficacy of paclitaxel liposome in the treatment of advanced breast cancer among Chinese population in the real world. Methods: The clinical characteristics of patients with advanced breast cancer who received paclitaxel liposome as salvage treatment from January 1, 2016 to August 31, 2019 in 11 hospitals were collected and retrospectively analyzed. The primary outcome was progression free survival (PFS), and the secondary outcome included objective response rate (ORR) and safety. The survival curve was drawn by Kaplan-Meier analysis and the Cox regression model were used for the multivariate analysis. Results: Among 647 patients with advanced breast cancer who received paclitaxel liposome, the first-line treatment accounted for 43.3% (280/647), the second-line treatment accounted for 27.7% (179/647), and the third-line and above treatment accounted for 29.1% (188/647). The median dose of first-line and second-line treatment was 260 mg per cycle, and 240 mg in third line and above treatment. The median period of paclitaxel liposome alone and combined chemotherapy or targeted therapy is 4 cycles and 6 cycles, respectively. In the whole group, 167 patients (25.8%) were treated with paclitaxel liposome combined with capecitabine±trastuzumab (TX±H), 123 patients (19.0%) were treated with paclitaxel liposome alone (T), and 119 patients (18.4%) were treated with paclitaxel liposome combined with platinum ± trastuzumab (TP±H), 108 patients (16.7%) were treated with paclitaxel liposome combined with trastuzumab ± pertuzumab (TH±P). The median PFS of first-line and second-line patients (5.5 and 5.5 months, respectively) were longer than that of patients treated with third line and above (4.9 months, P<0.05); The ORR of the first line, second line, third line and above patients were 46.7%, 36.8% and 28.2%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that event-free survival (EFS) and the number of treatment lines were independent prognostic factors for PFS. The common adverse events were myelosuppression, gastrointestinal reactions, hand foot syndrome and abnormal liver function. Conclusion: Paclitaxel liposomes is widely used and has promising efficacy in multi-subtype advanced breast cancer.
Humans ; Female ; Breast Neoplasms/chemically induced* ; Paclitaxel/adverse effects* ; Liposomes/therapeutic use* ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Trastuzumab/therapeutic use* ; Capecitabine/therapeutic use* ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/adverse effects*

This study investigated the effect of multi-glycosides of Tripterygium wilfordii(GTW) on renal injury in diabetic kidney disease(DKD) rats through Nod-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)/cysteine-aspartic acid protease-1(caspase-1)/gsdermin D(GSDMD) pyroptosis pathway and the mechanism. To be specific, a total of 40 male SD rats were randomized into the normal group(n=8) and modeling group(n=34). In the modeling group, a high-sugar and high-fat diet and one-time intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin(STZ) were used to induce DKD in rats. After successful modeling, they were randomly classified into model group, valsartan(Diovan) group, and GTW group. Normal group and model group were given normal saline, and the valsartan group and GTW group received(ig) valsartan and GTW, respectively, for 6 weeks. Blood urea nitrogen(BUN), serum creatinine(Scr), alanine ami-notransferase(ALT), albumin(ALB), and 24 hours urinary total protein(24 h-UTP) were determined by biochemical tests. The pathological changes of renal tissue were observed based on hematoxylin and eosin(HE) staining. Serum levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β) and interleukin-18(IL-18) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Western blot was used to detect the expression of pyroptosis pathway-related proteins in renal tissue, and RT-PCR to determine the expression of pyroptosis pathway-related genes in renal tissue. Compared with the normal group, the model group showed high levels of BUN, Scr, ALT, and 24 h-UTP and serum levels of IL-1β and IL-18(P<0.01), low level of ALB(P<0.01), severe pathological damage to kidney, and high protein and mRNA levels of NLRP3, caspase-1, and GSDMD in renal tissue(P<0.01). Compared with the model group, valsartan group and GTW group had low levels of BUN, Scr, ALT, and 24 h-UTP and serum levels of IL-1β and IL-18(P<0.01), high level of ALB(P<0.01), alleviation of the pathological damage to the kidney, and low protein and mRNA levels of NLRP3, caspase-1, and GSDMD in renal tissue(P<0.01 or P<0.05). GTW may inhibit pyroptosis by decreasing the expression of NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD in renal tissue, thereby relieving the inflammatory response of DKD rats and the pathological injury of kidney.
Rats ; Male ; Animals ; Diabetic Nephropathies/genetics* ; Interleukin-18/metabolism* ; Glycosides/pharmacology* ; Tripterygium ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Caspase 1/metabolism* ; Pyroptosis ; Uridine Triphosphate/pharmacology* ; Kidney ; Valsartan/pharmacology* ; RNA, Messenger/metabolism* ; Diabetes Mellitus