BACKGROUND: Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs), which are metabolites of arachidonic acid catalyzed by cytochrome P450 epoxygenase, are degraded into inactive dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids by soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH). Many studies have revealed that sEH gene deletion exerts protective effects against diabetes. Vascular calcification is a common complication of diabetes, but the potential effects of sEH on diabetic vascular calcification are still unknown. METHODS: The level of aortic calcification in wild-type and Ephx2-/- C57BL/6 diabetic mice induced with streptozotocin was evaluated by measuring the aortic calcium content through alizarin red staining, immunohistochemistry staining, and immunofluorescence staining. Mouse vascular smooth muscle cell lines (MOVAS cells) treated with β-glycerol phosphate (0.01 mol/L) plus advanced glycation end products (50 mg/L) were used to investigate the effects of sEH inhibitors or sEH knockdown and EETs on the calcification of vascular smooth muscle cells, which was detected by Western blotting, alizarin red staining, and Von Kossa staining. RESULTS: sEH gene deletion significantly inhibited diabetic vascular calcification by increasing levels of EETs in the aortas of mice. EETs (especially 11,12-EET and 14,15-EET) efficiently prevented the osteogenic transdifferentiation of MOVAS cells by decreasing nidogen-2 (NID2) expression. Interestingly, suppressing sEH activity by small interfering ribonucleic acid or specific inhibitors did not block osteogenic transdifferentiation of MOVAS cells induced by β-glycerol phosphate and advanced glycation end products. NID2 overexpression significantly abolished the inhibitory effect of sEH gene deletion on diabetic vascular calcification. Moreover, NID2 overexpression mediated by adeno-associated virus 9 vectors markedly increased insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) and phospho-ERK1/2 expression in MOVAS cells. Overall, sEH gene knockout inhibited diabetic vascular calcification by decreasing aortic NID2 expression and, then, inactivating the downstream IGF2-ERK1/2 signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS sEH gene deletion markedly inhibited diabetic vascular calcification through repressed osteogenic transdifferentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells mediated by increased aortic EET levels, which was associated with decreased NID2 expression and inactivation of the downstream IGF2-ERK1/2 signaling pathway.
Animals ; Mice ; Vascular Calcification/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Epoxide Hydrolases/metabolism* ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/genetics* ; Male ; Gene Deletion ; MAP Kinase Signaling System/genetics* ; Cell Line ; Immunohistochemistry ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/genetics* ; Mice, Knockout

Homo- or heterodimeric compounds that affect dimeric protein function through interaction between monomeric moieties and protein subunits can serve as valuable sources of potent and selective drug candidates. Here, we screened an in-house dimeric natural product collection, and panepocyclinol A (PecA) emerged as a selective and potent STAT3 inhibitor with profound anti-tumor efficacy. Through cross-linking C712/C718 residues in separate STAT3 monomers with two distinct Michael receptors, PecA inhibits STAT3 DNA binding affinity and transcription activity. Molecular dynamics simulation reveals the key conformation changes of STAT3 dimers upon the di-covalent binding with PecA that abolishes its DNA interactions. Furthermore, PecA exhibits high efficacy against anaplastic large T cell lymphoma in vitro and in vivo, especially those with constitutively activated STAT3 or STAT3^Y640F. In summary, our study describes a distinct and effective di-covalent modification for the dimeric compound PecA to disrupt STAT3 function.

In the context of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), characterized by dysregulated lipid metabolism in hepatocytes, the quest for safe and effective therapeutics targeting lipid metabolism has gained paramount importance. Sanhuang Xiexin Tang (SXT) and Baihu Tang (BHT) have emerged as prominent candidates for treating metabolic disorders. SXT combined with BHT plus Cangzhu (SBC) has been used clinically for Weihuochisheng obese patients. This retrospective analysis focused on assessing the anti-obesity effects of SBC in Weihuochisheng obese patients. We observed significant reductions in body weight and hepatic lipid content among obese patients following SBC treatment. To gain further insights, we investigated the effects and underlying mechanisms of SBC in HFD-fed mice. The results demonstrated that SBC treatment mitigated body weight gain and hepatic lipid accumulation in HFD-fed mice. Pharmacological network analysis suggested that SBC may affect lipid metabolism, mitochondria, inflammation, and apoptosis-a hypothesis supported by the hepatic transcriptomic analysis in HFD-fed mice treated with SBC. Notably, SBC treatment was associated with enhanced hepatic mitochondrial biogenesis and the inhibition of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/NF-κB pathways. In conclusion, SBC treatment alleviates NAFLD in both obese patients and mouse models by improving lipid metabolism, potentially through enhancing mitochondrial biogenesis. These effects, in turn, ameliorate inflammation in hepatocytes.
Humans ; Mice ; Animals ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/metabolism* ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Organelle Biogenesis ; Retrospective Studies ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Obesity/metabolism* ; Liver ; Inflammation/metabolism* ; Body Weight ; Lipid Metabolism ; Lipids ; Diet, High-Fat/adverse effects*

Humans ; Neoplasms, Second Primary/epidemiology* ; Neoplasms/epidemiology* ; Risk Factors ; Prognosis

Purpose The aim of this study is to explore the application value of ALK(1A4)in ALK fused non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC).Methods A total of 1 035 NSCLC specimens were collected.The expression of ALK(1A4)and ALK(D5F3)antibodies was detected by immunohistochemical(IHC)staining,and their consistency was analyzed.FISH and next-generation sequencing(NGS)were used to detect ALK positive,and the sensitivity and specificity of ALK in the two groups were evaluated.Results ALK fused NSCLC patients accounted for about 5.4％(56/1 035).The positive rate of ALK(1A4)was 7.2％(75/1 035),and that of ALK(D5F3)was 5.7％(59/1 035).The consistency between them was high,with a Kappa value of 0.874.The consistency of ALK(1A4)and ALK(D5 F3)antibodies with FISH was high,with Kappa values of 0.845 and 0.954,respectively.The consisten-cy of ALK(1A4)and ALK(D5F3)with NGS was also high,with Kappa values of 0.836 and 0.988,respectively.According to the FISH results,the sensitivities of ALK(1A4)and ALK(D5F3)antibodies were 100％and 98.2％,and the specifici-ties were 98.1％and 99.6％,respectively.Conclusion ALK(1A4)antibody has high sensitivity and slightly low specificity,and can be used for clinical screening of ALK fused NSCLC.

Objective:To investigate the effect of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) on the efficacy and immune function in patients with primary liver cancer.Methods:The clinical data of 152 patients with primary liver cancer from February 2019 to February 2021 in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi′an Jiaotong University were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 76 patients were treated with TACE combined with RFA (combined group), and 76 patients were treated with TACE (control group). The efficacy was compared; the α-L fucosidase, T lymphocyte subsets (CD 3, CD 4, CD 8 and CD 4/CD 8), B lymphocyte subsets (CD 19) and tumor markers (alpha-fetoprotein, AFP; carcinoembryonic antigen, CEA; carbohydrate antigen 125, CA125) before treatment and 1 month after treatment were detected. Results:The total clinical effective rate in combined group was significantly higher than that in control group: 81.58% (62/76) vs. 52.63% (40/76), and there was statistical difference ( χ2 = 4.54, P<0.05). There were no statistical difference in all indexes before treatment between 2 groups ( P>0.05); the α-L fucosidase, AFP and CD 8 1 month after treatment in combined group were significantly lower than those in control group: (18.06 ± 5.33) U/L vs. (26.58 ± 7.75) U/L, (87.93 ± 22.55) μg/L vs. (146.83 ± 21.85) μg/L and 0.295 ± 0.052 vs. 0.367 ± 0.064, the CD 3, CD 4 and CD 4/CD 8 were significantly higher than those in control group (0.489 ± 0.054 vs. 0.462 ± 0.063, 0.363 ± 0.059 vs. 0.303 ± 0.075 and 1.43 ± 0.27 vs. 0.89 ± 0.14), and there were statistical differences ( P<0.01 or<0.05); there was no statistical difference in CEA, CA125 and CD 19 1 month after treatment between 2 groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:TACE combined with RFA in the treatment of primary liver cancer patients can not only improve the total clinical effective rate, but also significantly improve the immune function, and help to reduce level of the liver tumor marker of AFP.

Objective:To investigate the circadian rhythm of blood pressure and morning blood pressure surge (MBPS) in children with neurally mediated syncope (NMS).Methods:From July 2018 to June 2019, 135 cases [aged 3-16 years old (10.12±2.53) years old, with 74 males and 61 females] with unexplained syncope, presyncope, and symptoms such as headache, dizziness, chest pain, and chest tightness were collected in the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University for the first time.The 24 hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (24 h ABPM) was completed on the same day of the head-up tilt test (HUTT). Patients were divided into HUTT negative and positive groups, and dippers and non-dippers groups. MBPS (sleep-trough surge) was calculated and compared respectively.Results:(1) There were 51 patients in the HUTT positive group, including 27 patients with vasovagal syncope, 23 patients with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, and 1 patient with orthostatic hypotension. In HUTT positive group, there were 22 cases (43.14%) of dippers and 29 cases of non-dippers.There were 84 patients in the HUTT negative group, there were 32 cases (38.10%) of dippers and 52 cases of non-dippers. There were no statistical significances in the dipper proportion between HUTT positive and negative group ( χ2=1.305, P>0.05). (2) Sleep-trough systolic blood pressure (SBP) surge was 1-45 mmHg [(15.97±8.03) mmHg](1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), and sleep-trough diastolic blood pressure (DBP) surge was -6-43 mmHg[(14.05±7.97) mmHg]. There were no statistical significances in sleep-trough surge between the HUTT negative and positive group (all P>0.05). (3) The age in the dipper group was higher than that in the non-dipper group [(10.72±2.20) years old vs. (9.72±2.66) years old, t=2.288, P<0.05]. The daytime average SBP [(110.20±8.33) mmHg vs.(105.54±7.51) mmHg, t=3.381, P<0.01], and morning peak SBP [(109.99±10.19) mmHg vs.(106.63±8.71) mmHg, t=2.045, P<0.05] of the dipper group were higher than those of the non-dipper group.The nighttime average SBP[(95.41±7.50) mmHg vs.(98.59±6.88) mmHg, t=2.540, P<0.01], nighttime average DBP[(48.61±4.52) mmHg vs.(52.28±4.65) mmHg, t=4.547, P<0.01], nocturnal minimum SBP[(89.62±8.18) mmHg vs.(93.60±7.38) mmHg, t=2.940, P<0.01], and nocturnal minimum DBP[(44.99±5.32) mmHg vs.(49.01±5.54) mmHg, t=4.205, P<0.01] of the dipper group were lower than that of the non-dipper group.Nocturnal SBP reduction rate [(13.42±2.68)% vs.(6.48±2.49)%, t=15.384, P<0.01], nocturnal DBP reduction rate[(19.98±4.92)% vs.(12.46±5.05)%, t=8.561, P<0.01], sleep-trough SBP surge[(20.37±8.30) mmHg vs.(13.03±6.36) mmHg, t=5.800, P<0.01], and sleep-trough DBP surge[(16.91±8.06) mmHg vs.(12.13±7.36) mmHg, t=3.554, P<0.01] of the dipper group were higher than those of the non-dipper group. Conclusions:Nocturnal blood pressure reduction and sleep-trough surge decreased in NMS children, and there is a circadian rhythm disorder of blood pressure.

Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological features, immunohistochemical characteristics, differential diagnosis and prognosis of gastric SWI/SNF-complex deficient undifferentiated/rhabdoid carcinomas.Methods:Two cases of gastric SWI/SNF-complex deficient undifferentiated/rhabdoid carcinoma were collected at Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China from 2017 to 2018. The clinicopathological characteristics were analyzed. Hematoxylin and eosin, and immunohistochemical stains were performed, and the relevant literatures were reviewed.Results:The two patients were both male, aged 60 and 74 years, respectively. Their symptoms were both abdominal pain. The tumor arose in the esophagogastric junction in case 1, and the cardia to the fundus and the posterior wall of the upper part of gastric body in case 2. Both tumors were present as an ulcerative mass. The patients died of tumor 11 months and 8 months after surgery, respectively. Histologically, the tumor cells arranged in sheets, nests, cords or trabecular patterns, and pseudoavleolar structure. The tumor cells were epithelioid with uniform morphology, while the tumors showed scant stroma and massive necrosis. Variable rhabdoid cells and multinucleated giant cells were seen in both cases. SMARCA4 encoding protein BRG1 was undetectable in both tumors, while SMARCB1 encoding protein INI1 was detected. The tumor cells were diffusely positive for vimentin and negative for epithelial marker (CKpan), gastrointestinal stromal tumor markers (CD117 and DOG1), myogenic markers (desmin and myogenin), melanoma markers (S-100 protein, SOX10 and HMB45), and lymphohematopoietic markers (LCA and CD20).Conclusions:Gastric SWI/SNF-complex deficient undifferentiated/rhabdoid carcinoma is a rare and highly aggressive tumor with poor prognosis. The detection of subunits protein expression of SWI/SNF complex is important for diagnosis of the tumor.

Objective:To explore a new training mode for nursing professionals suitable for the 1+X certificate system, and realize the training goal of "one specialty and multi-ability" compound technical nursing talents.Methods:To take the "1+ X" certificate standard as the basis for the construction of nursing specialty, to reconstruct the talent training program of integration of graduation certificate and certificate. To take the content of "1+X" certificate as the basis for the construction of professional courses, construct the core curriculum system of integration of curriculum and certificate. To build a "new double-qualified" teaching staff and constructing of new double-qualified teachers and accelerate the development of quality resources.Results:The talent training mode of integration of graduation certificate and certificate under the 1+X certificate system was constructed. The curriculum structure has been optimized. The teachers′ability of teaching, training and examination was improved.Conclusions:The new mode of training nursing professionals under the 1+X certificate system meets 1 degree education and X vocational training of nursing students and achieve a "1" and "X" seamless convergence. It provides innovative ideas for the promotion and implementation of 1+X certificate system pilot work in the field of nursing education nationwide.

Objective:To summarize the patient profiles and therapeutic efficacies of ABO-incompatible living-related kidney transplantations at 19 domestic transplant centers and provide rationales for clinical application of ABOi-KT.Methods:Clinical cases of ABO-incompatible/compatible kidney transplantation (ABOi-KT/ABOc-KT) from December 2006 to December 2009 were collected. Then, statistical analyses were conducted from the aspects of tissue matching, perioperative managements, complications and survival rates of renal allograft or recipients.Results:Clinical data of 342 ABOi-KT and 779 ABOc-KT indicated that (1) no inter-group differences existed in age, body mass index (BMI), donor-recipient relationship or waiting time of pre-operative dialysis; (2) ABO blood type: blood type O recipients had the longest waiting list and transplantations from blood type A to blood type O accounted for the largest proportion; (3) HLA matching: no statistical significance existed in mismatch rate or positive rate of PRA I/II between two types of surgery; (4) CD20 should be properly used on the basis of different phrases; (5) hemorrhage was a common complication during an early postoperative period and microthrombosis appeared later; (6) no difference existed in postoperative incidence of complications or survival rate of renal allograft and recipients at 1/3/5/10 years between ABOi-KT and ABOc-KT. The acute rejection rate and serum creatinine levels of ABOi-KT recipients were comparable to those of ABOc-KT recipients within 1 year.Conclusions:ABOi-KT is both safe and effective so that it may be applied at all transplant centers as needed.