Chemotherapy remains a primary treatment option for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), yet its clinical benefits are often unsatisfactory. Utilizing arsenic trioxide (ATO) as a model, this study elucidates the role of autophagy inhibition in modulating the cellular response to chemotherapy, shifting cell death from apoptosis to pyroptosis via the caspase-3-GSDME pathway, thereby augmenting the anti-tumor efficacy. Building upon these findings, an ATO nanomedicine delivery system capable of autophagy inhibition to promote pyroptosis for enhanced tumor treatment was developed. Folic acid-modified albumin served as the stabilizer for nano self-assemblies formed through ion pairing between Mn²⁺ and ATO, encapsulating DNAzyme (Dz) targeting Beclin 1, a key autophagy regulator. Characterization studies confirmed efficient encapsulation of ATO and Dz within nanoparticles, designed to disintegrate in the intracellular microenvironment, releasing the all-active components, i.e., ATO, Mn²⁺, and Dz. Mn²⁺ acted as a metal cofactor to activate Dz for Beclin 1 mRNA cleavage, inhibiting autophagy and augmenting ATO-induced cell pyroptosis. Elevated cell pyroptosis levels not only enhance ATO's direct tumor cell killing capacity but also trigger anti-tumor immune responses, synergistically enhancing efficacy. Upon intravenous injection, the nanomedicine accumulated in tumor tissue and targeted liver cancer cells. Compared to free ATO, the nanomedicine exhibited significantly improved in vivo anti-tumor effects, achieving a 100% 45-day survival rate in mice with favorable biosafety profiles. This study offers novel insights into tumor chemotherapy sensitization and presents a promising strategy for ATO nanoformulation development.

Objective:To investigate the expressions of cystathionine-β-synthase(CBS)and cystathionine-γ-lyase(CSE)and their effects on the malignant biological behaviours of breast cancer cells,and to elucidate their mechanisms.Methods:The breast cancer tissue and paracancerous normal tissue from 15 cases of patients were selected,and RT-qPCR and Western blotting methods were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of CBS and CSE in breast cancer tissue,paracancerous normal tissue,MCF-7 cells,and MDA-MB-231 cells.The MCF-7 cells were divided into siNC group(transfected with siNC)and siCBS group(transfected with siCBS),and the MDA-MB-231 cells were divided into ovNC group(transfected with CSE over-expression empty plasmid)and ovCSE group(transfected with CSE over-expression plasmid).CCK8 assay was used to detect the proliferation activities of breast cancer cells in various groups,Transwell assay was used to detect the numbers of migration and invasion cells in various groups,and Western blotting method was used to detect the protein expression levels of E-cadherin,N-cadherin and Vimentin proteins in the breast cancer cells in various groups.Results:Compared with paracancerous normal tissue,the expression levels of CBS and CSE mRNA and proteins in breast cancer tissue were increased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Compared with MDA-MB-231 cells,the CBS mRNA expression level in the MCF-7 cells was increased(P＜0.05);compared with MCF-7 cells,the expression level of CSE protein in the MDA-MB-231 cells was decreased(P＜0.05).Compared with siNC group,the proliferation activity,the numbers of migration and invasion cells,the expression levels of N-cadherin and Vimentin proteins in the MCF-7 cells in siCBS group were significantly decreased(P＜0.05),and the expression level of E-cadherin protein was increased(P＜0.05).Compared with ovNC group,the proliferation activity,the numbers of migratoin and invasion cells,and the expression levels of N-cadherin and Vimentin proteins in the MDA-MB-231 cells in ovCSE group were increased(P＜0.05),while the expression level of E-cadherin protein was significantly decreased(P＜0.05).Conclusion:The expressions of CBS and CSE are upregulated in breast cancer tissue,and high levels of CBS and CSE promote proliferation,migration,invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)of breast cancer cells.

Objective To investigate the impact of long non-coding RNA maternal expression gene 3(lncRNA MEG3)on hypoxia/reoxygenation(H/R)-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis by modulating the miR-202-5p/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)axis.Methods An H/R cell model was constructed and randomly separated into four groups:sh-NC(transfected with NC shRNA),sh-MEG3(transfected with lncRNA MEG3 shRNA),miR-NC(transfected with lncRNA MEG3 shRNA and NC miR),and in-miR-202-5p(transfected with lncRNA MEG3 shRNA and miR-202-5p inhibitor).In addition,the H/R group(nontransfected H/R model cells)and the AC 16 group(normal AC 16 cells)were set.Quantitative real-time PCR method was used to analyze the expression of lncRNA MEG3,miR-202-5p,and STAT3 in cells from each group.CCK-8 method was used to analyze cell viability.Flow cytometry was used to analyze apoptosis.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent,colorimetric,and probe assays were applied to detect the levels of inter-leukin-6(IL-6),tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α),malondialdehyde(MD A),glutathione peroxidases(GSH-Px),and reactive oxygen spe-cies(ROS).Western blotting was carried out to examine the expression of STAT3,Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax),B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2),caspase-3,and caspase-9.A dual luciferase assay was used to analyze the relationship between lncRNA MEG3 and miR-202-5p,as well as the relationship between miR-202-5p and STAT3.Results Compared with that in the AC 16 group,the expression of lncRNA MEG3 and STAT3 in cells in the H/R group increased,while the expression of miR-202-5p decreased(P＜0.05).Compared with that in the H/R group and sh-NC group,the expression of lncRNA MEG3 and STAT3 decreased in the sh-MEG3 group,while the expression of miR-202-5p increased(P＜0.05).Compared with that in the sh-MEG3 group and miR-NC group,the expression of lncRNA MEG3 and STAT3 increased in the in-miR-202-5p group,while the expression of miR-202-5p decreased(P＜0.05).Compared with that in the AC 16 group,the apoptosis rate,levels of IL-6,TNF-α,MDA,and ROS,and the expression of STAT3,Bax,cleaved caspase-3,and cleaved caspase-9 increased in the H/R group.In contrast,the cell viability,clone count,levels of superoxide dismutase(SOD)and GSH-Px,and the expression of Bcl-2 decreased(P＜0.05).Compared with that in the H/R group and sh-NC group,the cell viability,clone count,levels of SOD and GSH-Px,and the expression of Bcl-2 increased in the sh-MEG3 group.In contrast,the apoptosis rate,levels of IL-6,TNF-α,MDA,and ROS,and the expression of STAT3,Bax,cleaved caspase-3,and cleaved caspase-9 decreased(P＜0.05).Compared with that in the sh-MEG3 group and miR-NC group,the apoptosis rate,levels of IL-6,TNF-α,MDA,and ROS,and the expression of STAT3,Bax,cleaved caspase-3,and cleaved caspase-9 increased in the in-miR-202-5p group.In contrast,the cell viability,clone count,levels of SOD and GSH-Px,and the expression of Bcl-2 decreased(P＜0.05).There were multiple binding sites between lncRNA MEG3 and miR-202-5p,and between miR-202-5p and STAT3.The luciferase activity was lower in the WT-MEG3+miR-202-5p group than in the WT-MEG3+miR-NC group(P＜0.05).The luciferase activity was lower in the WT-STAT3+miR-202-5p group than in the WT-STAT3+miR-NC group(P＜0.05).Conclusion Knocking down lncRNA MEG3 can downregulate STAT3 by negatively regulating miR-202-5p,inhibiting H/R-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis.

Objective To investigate the impact of long non-coding RNA maternal expression gene 3(lncRNA MEG3)on hypoxia/reoxygenation(H/R)-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis by modulating the miR-202-5p/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)axis.Methods An H/R cell model was constructed and randomly separated into four groups:sh-NC(transfected with NC shRNA),sh-MEG3(transfected with lncRNA MEG3 shRNA),miR-NC(transfected with lncRNA MEG3 shRNA and NC miR),and in-miR-202-5p(transfected with lncRNA MEG3 shRNA and miR-202-5p inhibitor).In addition,the H/R group(nontransfected H/R model cells)and the AC 16 group(normal AC 16 cells)were set.Quantitative real-time PCR method was used to analyze the expression of lncRNA MEG3,miR-202-5p,and STAT3 in cells from each group.CCK-8 method was used to analyze cell viability.Flow cytometry was used to analyze apoptosis.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent,colorimetric,and probe assays were applied to detect the levels of inter-leukin-6(IL-6),tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α),malondialdehyde(MD A),glutathione peroxidases(GSH-Px),and reactive oxygen spe-cies(ROS).Western blotting was carried out to examine the expression of STAT3,Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax),B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2),caspase-3,and caspase-9.A dual luciferase assay was used to analyze the relationship between lncRNA MEG3 and miR-202-5p,as well as the relationship between miR-202-5p and STAT3.Results Compared with that in the AC 16 group,the expression of lncRNA MEG3 and STAT3 in cells in the H/R group increased,while the expression of miR-202-5p decreased(P＜0.05).Compared with that in the H/R group and sh-NC group,the expression of lncRNA MEG3 and STAT3 decreased in the sh-MEG3 group,while the expression of miR-202-5p increased(P＜0.05).Compared with that in the sh-MEG3 group and miR-NC group,the expression of lncRNA MEG3 and STAT3 increased in the in-miR-202-5p group,while the expression of miR-202-5p decreased(P＜0.05).Compared with that in the AC 16 group,the apoptosis rate,levels of IL-6,TNF-α,MDA,and ROS,and the expression of STAT3,Bax,cleaved caspase-3,and cleaved caspase-9 increased in the H/R group.In contrast,the cell viability,clone count,levels of superoxide dismutase(SOD)and GSH-Px,and the expression of Bcl-2 decreased(P＜0.05).Compared with that in the H/R group and sh-NC group,the cell viability,clone count,levels of SOD and GSH-Px,and the expression of Bcl-2 increased in the sh-MEG3 group.In contrast,the apoptosis rate,levels of IL-6,TNF-α,MDA,and ROS,and the expression of STAT3,Bax,cleaved caspase-3,and cleaved caspase-9 decreased(P＜0.05).Compared with that in the sh-MEG3 group and miR-NC group,the apoptosis rate,levels of IL-6,TNF-α,MDA,and ROS,and the expression of STAT3,Bax,cleaved caspase-3,and cleaved caspase-9 increased in the in-miR-202-5p group.In contrast,the cell viability,clone count,levels of SOD and GSH-Px,and the expression of Bcl-2 decreased(P＜0.05).There were multiple binding sites between lncRNA MEG3 and miR-202-5p,and between miR-202-5p and STAT3.The luciferase activity was lower in the WT-MEG3+miR-202-5p group than in the WT-MEG3+miR-NC group(P＜0.05).The luciferase activity was lower in the WT-STAT3+miR-202-5p group than in the WT-STAT3+miR-NC group(P＜0.05).Conclusion Knocking down lncRNA MEG3 can downregulate STAT3 by negatively regulating miR-202-5p,inhibiting H/R-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis.

Objective Utilizing the Langchain framework in combination with large models and integrating a knowledge base to create a question-answering system,this paper conducts a technical exploration of the application of large models in the field of medical knowledge question and answer.Methods Authenticated knowledge documents,including diagnostic and treatment guidelines for AD endorsed by authoritative organizations such as the Chinese Association of Integrative Medicine and the Chinese Medical Association,along with medical textbooks,were introduced to construct a local knowledge base for AD.This knowledge base enhanced the model's capability in AD-related question-answering.Ultimately,the application of the ChatGLM3-6B model in AD medical question-answering was achieved.Results Using Fact accuracy(FA)and Completeness of response(CR)as evaluation metrics,comparative experiments were conducted between the AD question-answering system and the ChatGLM3-6B and ChatGPT large models.Superior performance is denoted as Win,while equal performance is denoted as Tie.Comparing with the ChatGLM3-6B model,the AD question-answering system achieved a Win rate of 88.09%in FA and a Tie rate of 7.14%,and a Win rate of 85.71%in CR with a Tie rate of 11.90%.Compared to the ChatGPT model,the AD question-answering system attained a Win rate of 54.76%in FA with a Tie rate of 30.95%and a Win rate of 35.71%in CR with a Tie rate of 40.47%.Conclusion The AD question-answering system demonstrated better performance in FA and CR compared to the ChatGLM3-6B and ChatGPT models,confirming the effectiveness of the approach proposed in this study.

Objective Utilizing the Langchain framework in combination with large models and integrating a knowledge base to create a question-answering system,this paper conducts a technical exploration of the application of large models in the field of medical knowledge question and answer.Methods Authenticated knowledge documents,including diagnostic and treatment guidelines for AD endorsed by authoritative organizations such as the Chinese Association of Integrative Medicine and the Chinese Medical Association,along with medical textbooks,were introduced to construct a local knowledge base for AD.This knowledge base enhanced the model's capability in AD-related question-answering.Ultimately,the application of the ChatGLM3-6B model in AD medical question-answering was achieved.Results Using Fact accuracy(FA)and Completeness of response(CR)as evaluation metrics,comparative experiments were conducted between the AD question-answering system and the ChatGLM3-6B and ChatGPT large models.Superior performance is denoted as Win,while equal performance is denoted as Tie.Comparing with the ChatGLM3-6B model,the AD question-answering system achieved a Win rate of 88.09%in FA and a Tie rate of 7.14%,and a Win rate of 85.71%in CR with a Tie rate of 11.90%.Compared to the ChatGPT model,the AD question-answering system attained a Win rate of 54.76%in FA with a Tie rate of 30.95%and a Win rate of 35.71%in CR with a Tie rate of 40.47%.Conclusion The AD question-answering system demonstrated better performance in FA and CR compared to the ChatGLM3-6B and ChatGPT models,confirming the effectiveness of the approach proposed in this study.

Objective: To explore the prevalence of elevated blood pressure and overweight/obesity and their comorbidities among Tibetan middle school students in Lhasa, and to analyze their association with lifestyle and other factors, so as to provide a basis for the intervention measures targeting elevated blood pressure, overweight and obesity among middle school students in high altitude area. Methods: Using a stratified cluster random sampling method in September 2021, a total of 1 488 Tibetan junior and high students from Lhasa City were investigated with blood pressure measurement, physical examination and questionnaire survey. The influencing factors of elevated blood pressure, overweight and obesity and their comorbidities association were analyzed by multivariate Logistic regression. Results: The prevalence of elevated blood pressure, overweight/obesity and their comorbidities were 17.8%, 17.4% , 5.0% respectively. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that age( OR =0.81), residence, body mass inex(BMI) and gender were the influencing factors of elevated blood pressure; and the risks of elevated blood pressure in female students were higher than male students ( OR =1.89), suburban students were higher than urban students ( OR =8.06), overweight and obesity groups were higher than normal groups ( OR =2.55, 2.87) ( P <0.05). Adjusting for confounding factors such as gender, residence and school, and BMI (only for elevated blood pressure), daily screen time ≥2 h was positively correlated with elevated blood pressure, overweight/obesity and its comorbidities ( OR =1.56, 1.59 , 2.51) ( P <0.05). Conclusions The prevalence of elevated blood pressure, overweight/obesity are relatively high in Lhasa. Longer screen time is a common factor affecting with elevated blood pressure, overweight/obesity and comorbidities among Tibetan students. Measures should be taken intervene in the lifestyle of Tibetan students, in order to reduce elevated blood pressure and overweight/obesity.

Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of combining medial plantar flap with medial foot flap for repairing weight-bearing area defects of the foot.Methods:A retrospective case series study was used to analyze the clinical data of 12 patients with weight-bearing area defects of the foot, who were admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University from March 2020 to March 2022. There were 9 males and 3 females, with the age of 27-62 years [(39.3±8.7)years]. There were 4 patients with palm defects and 8 with heel defects. The defect area ranged from 10 cm×8 cm to 13 cm×12 cm. The cutting area of skin flap ranged from 11 cm×8 cm to 14 cm×13 cm. A total of 5 patients were treated with free flaps (4 patients with palm and 1 with heel defects) and 7 with pedicled flaps (all with heel defects). The flap donor areas were repaired with skin grafting. The flap survival was observed after surgery. At the last follow-up, the appearance, texture, and two point discrimination of the flap were recorded; the foot function was evaluated by Maryland foot function score; the sensory function of the reconstructed skin flap was evaluated by testing the two-point discrimination using a bipedal gauge.Results:The patients were followed up for 6-24 months [(11.8±5.3)months], and all the flaps survived. At the last follow-up, the flaps were free of any swelling and ulceration, with good texture and no sliding. The Maryland foot function score was (92.8±7.2)points at the last follow-up, which was significantly higher than the preoperative (36.6±6.1)points ( P<0.01), being excellent in 9 patients and good in 3. The two-point discrimination of the reconstructed flap was (17.8±5.7)mm at the last follow-up, and there was no significant difference compared with the contralateral (16.3±5.1)mm ( P>0.05). The sensation of the flap returned to normal. There were residual scars in the flap donor area after skin grafting, but no significant impact on foot movement. Conclusion:The medial plantar flap combined with medial foot flap has a large cutting area and good texture, meets the functional requirements, and achieves good postoperative sense recovery, making it a good choice for the repair of weight-bearing area defects of the foot.

Objective To explore the protective effect of polypeptide Apelin on podocyte mitochondria in diabetic nephropathy and underling mechanisms.Methods Human renal podocytes were divided into four experimental groups:control group,high glucose(HG)group(glucose 25 mmol/L,48 h),Apelin intervention HG group(Ape-lin-13 1 μmol/L,48 h)and Apelin group(Apelin-13 1 μmol/L,48 h).The podocyte apoptosis was observed by TUNEL staining,the expression of mitochondrial membrane protein FUNDC1 was detected by Western blot,and the binding of mitochondrial fission protein DRP1 to FUNDC1 was examined by immunoprecipitation.The 8-week-old male mice were divided into three experimental groups:control group,diabetes group(intraperito-neal injection of streptozotocin 150 mg/kg,only one time)and Apelin intervention DM group(intraperitoneal injection of Apelin-13 0.3 μmol/kg,daily).The morphology of renal was observed by PAS staining and trans-mission electron microscopy.Plasma creatinine(Cr),urea nitrogen,urinary albumin and creatinine were de-tected by ELISA kit.The level of creatinine clearance rate(Ccr)and urinary albumin/creatinine(ACR)was calculated.Results Compared with the control group,the podocyte apoptosis and expression of FUNDC1 in the HG group increased significantly(P＜0.05),and the combination of mitochondrial fission division protein DRP1 to FUNDC1 raised.Meanwhile,compared with the HG group,the number of apoptosis,the expression of FUNDC1(P＜0.05),and the combination of DRP1 to FUNDC1 all reduced in Apelin intervention HG group.Animal experiments showed that the kidney structure of the control group was intact.In the DM group,the num-ber of podocytes decreased significantly,the foot processes were fused and dropped off.In the Apelin intervention DM group,podocyte lesions were less severe than those in the DM group.Compared with the control group,the level of plasma Cr,BUN and urine ACR in the DM group increased,while the level of Ccr decreased significantly(P＜0.05).However,compared with the DM group,the level of above biomarkers in the Apelin intervention DM group was improved(P＜0.05).Conclusions Apelin keeps mitochondrial homeostasis and reduces podocyte ap-optosis by inhibiting the expression of mitochondrial membrane protein FUNDC1,which may contribute to allevia-tion of diabetic nephropathy.

This study aimed to explore key quality control factors that affected the prognosis of intensive care unit (ICU) patients in Chinese mainland over six years (2015-2020). The data for this study were from 31 provincial and municipal hospitals (3425 hospital ICUs) and included 2 110 685 ICU patients, for a total of 27 607 376 ICU hospitalization days. We found that 15 initially established quality control indicators were good predictors of patient prognosis, including percentage of ICU patients out of all inpatients (%), percentage of ICU bed occupancy of total inpatient bed occupancy (%), percentage of all ICU inpatients with an APACHE II score ⩾15 (%), three-hour (surviving sepsis campaign) SSC bundle compliance (%), six-hour SSC bundle compliance (%), rate of microbe detection before antibiotics (%), percentage of drug deep venous thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis (%), percentage of unplanned endotracheal extubations (%), percentage of patients reintubated within 48 hours (%), unplanned transfers to the ICU (%), 48-h ICU readmission rate (%), ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) (per 1000 ventilator days), catheter related blood stream infection (CRBSI) (per 1000 catheter days), catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) (per 1000 catheter days), in-hospital mortality (%). When exploratory factor analysis was applied, the 15 indicators were divided into 6 core elements that varied in weight regarding quality evaluation: nosocomial infection management (21.35%), compliance with the Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines (17.97%), ICU resources (17.46%), airway management (15.53%), prevention of deep-vein thrombosis (14.07%), and severity of patient condition (13.61%). Based on the different weights of the core elements associated with the 15 indicators, we developed an integrated quality scoring system defined as F score=21.35%xnosocomial infection management + 17.97%xcompliance with SSC guidelines + 17.46%×ICU resources + 15.53%×airway management + 14.07%×DVT prevention + 13.61%×severity of patient condition. This evidence-based quality scoring system will help in assessing the key elements of quality management and establish a foundation for further optimization of the quality control indicator system.
Humans ; China/epidemiology* ; Cross Infection/epidemiology* ; Intensive Care Units/statistics & numerical data* ; Quality Control ; Quality Indicators, Health Care/statistics & numerical data* ; Sepsis/therapy* ; East Asian People/statistics & numerical data*