ObjectiveTo investigate the possible mechanism of action of Xibining Formula （膝痹宁） for cartilage damage in knee osteoarthritis （KOA） through the cyclic guanosine-adenosine monophosphate synthase （cGAS）- stimulator of interferon genes （STING） signaling pathway. MethodsFifty C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into five groups （10 per group）， sham operation group， KOA model group， low-dose Xibining Formula group， high-dose Xibining Formula group， and high-dose Xibining Formula + agonist group. The KOA models were constructed using the destabilization of the medial meniscus （DMM） method in all groups but the sham surgery group. Two weeks after surgery， the low- and high-dose Xibining Formula groups were administered Xibining Formula at doses of 3.58 g/（kg·d） and 14.32 g/（kg·d） respectively via gavage. The high-dose Xibining Formula + agonist group received 14.32 g/（kg·d） of Xibining Formula via gavage followed by an intraperitoneal injection of Vadimezan （DMXAA） at 25 mg/kg. The sham surgery group and the KOA model group mice were given an equivalent volume of normal saline at 5 ml/（kg·d） via gavage， once daily for four consecutive weeks. Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha （TNF-α）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， and interleukin-6 （IL-6） were measured by ELISA； pathological changes in cartilage tissue were observed using hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and Safranin O-Fast Green staining. Pathological changes were scored according to the Mankin scoring system； the levels of cartilage tissue matrix regulation-related indicators such as matrix metalloproteinase 3 （MMP3）， matrix metalloproteinase 13 （MMP13）， a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 5 （ADAMTS）， type-Ⅱ collagen （CⅡ） and aggregated proteoglycan （Aggrecan）， and also cGAS-STING pathway-related protein and mRNA expression levels were detected by Western blot and qPCR methods. ResultsCompared with the sham surgery group， the KOA model group showed severe cartilage edge destruction， significantly increased Mankin scores， significantly decreased protein and mRNA expression levels of COLⅡ and Aggrecan， and significantly increased protein and mRNA expression levels of cGAS， STING， MMP3， MMP13， and ADAMTS5 （P＜0.01）. Compared with the control group， serum level of IL-6， IL-1β， TNF-α in all the intervented groups decreased （P＜0.01）， while compared with high-dose Xibining Formula group， level of IL-6， IL-1β， and TNF-α in low-dose Xibining Formula group and high-dose Xibining Formula + agonist group increased （P＜0.01）. Compared with the KOA model group， all the intervention groups exhibited alleviated cartilage pathological changes， signi-ficantly reduced Mankin scores， significantly increased protein and mRNA expression levels of COLⅡ and Aggrecan， and significantly decreased protein and mRNA expression levels of cGAS， STING， MMP3， MMP13， and ADAMTS5 （P＜0.01）. Compared with high-dose Xibining Formula group， high-dose Xibining Formula + agonist group showed cartilage edge destruction， significantly increased Mankin scores， significantly decreased protein and mRNA expression levels of COLⅡ and Aggrecan， and increased protein and mRNA expression levels of cGAS， STING， MMP3， MMP13， and ADAMTS5 （P＜0.01）. ConclusionXibining Formula may improve KOA cartilage damage by inhibiting the cGAS-STING signaling pathway， decreasing matrix degradation-related proteins， and elevating matrix composition-related proteins.

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neurotoxicity (CIPN) is a severe dose-limiting adverse event of chemotherapy. Presently, the mechanism underlying the induction of CIPN remains unclear, and no effective treatment is available. In this study, through metabolomics analyses, we found that nab-paclitaxel therapy markedly increased serum serotonin [5-hydroxtryptamine (5-HT)] levels in both cancer patients and mice compared to the respective controls. Furthermore, nab-paclitaxel-treated enterochromaffin (EC) cells showed increased 5-HT synthesis, and serotonin-treated Schwann cells showed damage, as indicated by the activation of CREB3L3/MMP3/FAS signaling. Venlafaxine, an inhibitor of serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake, was found to protect against nerve injury by suppressing the activation of CREB3L3/MMP3/FAS signaling in Schwann cells. Remarkably, venlafaxine was found to significantly alleviate nab-paclitaxel-induced CIPN in patients without affecting the clinical efficacy of chemotherapy. In summary, our study reveals that EC cell-derived 5-HT plays a critical role in nab-paclitaxel-related neurotoxic lesions, and venlafaxine co-administration represents a novel approach to treating chronic cumulative neurotoxicity commonly reported in nab-paclitaxel-based chemotherapy.
Paclitaxel/toxicity* ; Animals ; Albumins/adverse effects* ; Serotonin/metabolism* ; Mice ; Humans ; Male ; Female ; Venlafaxine Hydrochloride/therapeutic use* ; Neurotoxicity Syndromes/metabolism* ; Middle Aged ; Schwann Cells/metabolism* ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases/drug therapy* ; Antineoplastic Agents

Existing studies have underscored the pivotal role of N-acetyltransferase 10 (NAT10) in various cancers. However, the outcomes of protein-protein interactions between NAT10 and its protein partners in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remain unexplored. In this study, we identified a significant upregulation of RNA-binding protein with serine-rich domain 1 (RNPS1) in HNSCC, where RNPS1 inhibits the ubiquitination degradation of NAT10 by E3 ubiquitin ligase, zinc finger SWIM domain-containing protein 6 (ZSWIM6), through direct protein interaction, thereby promoting high NAT10 expression in HNSCC. This upregulated NAT10 stability mediates the enhancement of specific tRNA ac⁴C modifications, subsequently boosting the translation process of genes involved in pathways such as IL-6 signaling, IL-8 signaling, and PTEN signaling that play roles in regulating HNSCC malignant progression, ultimately influencing the survival and prognosis of HNSCC patients. Additionally, we pioneered the development of TRMC-seq, leading to the discovery of novel tRNA-ac⁴C modification sites, thereby providing a potent sequencing tool for tRNA-ac⁴C research. Our findings expand the repertoire of tRNA ac⁴C modifications and identify a role of tRNA ac⁴C in the regulation of mRNA translation in HNSCC.
Humans ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; Head and Neck Neoplasms/genetics* ; N-Terminal Acetyltransferases ; RNA, Transfer ; Serine ; Signal Transduction ; Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck

Objective To observe the imaging findings of embryonal tumor with multilayered rosettes(ETMR).Methods MRI(n=8)and CT(n=6)data of 8 children with pathologically confirmed ETMR were retrospectively reviewed,and the imaging findings were analyzed.Results ETMR present as masses with the maximum diameter of 32-96 mm and clear edges in all 8 cases,located supratentorially in 5 and infratentorially in 3 cases.The supratentorial ETMR were giant cystic solid masses,while the infratentorial ETMR had relatively small volumes.No peritumoral edema was noticed.Cystic solid masses were observed in 6 cases,and the cystic portion presented as low T1WI and high T2WI signals at the edge of the masses.After administration of contrast agents,mild focal uneven enhancement in the solid portion was found in 5 cases,while 1 case was not found enhancement.Among the above 6 cases,the intratumoral bleeding and empty blood vessel shadows within the masses were observed each in 5 cases,while adjacent dura mater invasion was noticed in 3 cases.Two ETMR present as solid masses with focal nodular uneven enhancement,and the enhanced area corresponded to the low signal area on apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)image,among them,increased choline(Cho)/creatine(Cr)and decreased N-acetyl aspartate(NAA)was found in 1 case.Limited diffusion on diffusion weighted imaging(DWI)were detected in all 8 cases.Among 6 cases who underwent CT scanning,patchy or punctate calcification,corresponding to the low signal area on MRI were detected in 4 cases.Conclusion ETMR mostly present as supratentorial large solid cystic masses with clear edges,and the cystic portion often located at the edge of masses,with characteristic vascular flow voids often accompanied by intratumoral bleeding and some with calcifications but without peritumoral edema,which showed significantly limited diffusion on DWI and weakly inhomogeneous enhancement of the solid part.

[Objective]To explore the clinical efficacy of Qingre Jiedu Decoction in the treatment of acute mastitis during lactation.[Methods]The clinical data of lactating mastitis patients who presented to the Galactophore Department of Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine,Capital Medical University from January 2019 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed.In the treatment group,80 patients received internal decoction;in control group,no decoction was taken.The severity index of mastitis,disease improvement rate,breast pain score,milk patency,nipple cracking condition and traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)systemic symptom score were observed.[Results]There were significant statistic differences in the severity index of mastitis,disease improvement rate,breast pain score,milk patency and TCM systemic symptoms scores(P＜0.05).The therapeutic effect of the treatment group was better than that of the control group.[Conclusion]Qingre Jiedu Decoction can effectively release pain,reduce the size of lumps,release swelling and milk stasis of lactation acute mastitis,and the curative effect is good.

Background::Liver cancer is largely resistant to chemotherapy. This study aimed to identify the effective chemotherapeutics for β-catenin-activated liver cancer which is caused by gain-of-function mutation of catenin beta 1 ( CTNNB1), the most frequently altered proto-oncogene in hepatic neoplasms. Methods::Constitutive β-catenin-activated mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) were established by deleting exon 3 ( β-cateninΔ(ex3)/+ ), the most common mutation site in CTNNB1 gene. A screening of 12 widely used chemotherapy drugs was conducted for the ones that selectively inhibited β-cateninΔ(ex3)/+ but not for wild-type MEFs. Untargeted metabolomics was carried out to examine the alterations of metabolites in nucleotide synthesis. The efficacy and selectivity of methotrexate (MTX) on β-catenin-activated human liver cancer cells were determined in vitro. Immuno-deficient nude mice subcutaneously inoculated with β-catenin wild-type or mutant liver cancer cells and hepatitis B virus ( HBV); β-cateninlox(ex3)/+ mice were used, respectively, to evaluate the efficacy of MTX in the treatment of β-catenin mutant liver cancer. Results::MTX was identified and validated as a preferential agent against the proliferation and tumor formation of β-catenin-activated cells. Boosted nucleotide synthesis was the major metabolic aberration in β-catenin-active cells, and this alteration was also the target of MTX. Moreover, MTX abrogated hepatocarcinogenesis of HBV; β-cateninlox(ex3)/+ mice, which stimulated concurrent Ctnnb1-activated mutation and HBV infection in liver cancer. Conclusion::MTX is a promising chemotherapeutic agent for β-catenin hyperactive liver cancer. Since repurposing MTX has the advantages of lower risk, shorter timelines, and less investment in drug discovery and development, a clinical trial is warranted to test its efficacy in the treatment of β-catenin mutant liver cancer.

[Objective]To explore the regulatory mechanism of hypoxia exposure on carbon metabolism pathway in spleen of mice.[Methods]C57BL/6 mice were raised at altitudes of 400 m and 4 200 m,with 5 mice in each group.After 30 days,spleen tissues were aseptically removed for analysis of differentially expressed genes,proteins,and metabolites using transcriptome sequencing,proteomics,and non-targeted metabolomics.GO and KEGG enrichment analysis were conducted to explore key pathways.The key genes and protein in the pathway were validated by RT-qPCR and Western blot.[Results]Transcriptome sequencing revealed a significant difference in the expression of 4 213 genes in hypoxic exposure,of which 1 947 were up-regulated and 2 266 were down-regulated.The analysis of differentially expressed proteins showed that 166 proteins were up-regulated and 39 proteins were down-regulated.The results of non-targeted metabolomics showed that 133 different metabolites were screened under high altitude hypoxia condition,of which 95 were up-regulated and 38 were down-regulated.KEGG enrichment analysis showed that differentially expressed genes,differentially expressed proteins and differentially expressed metabolites were enriched into the carbon metabolic pathway.Therefore,the key genes and proteins in the carbon metabolic pathway were verified.The mRNA and protein expressions of PGAM2、ENO3、PRPS2、PGLS、RPE、IDH3A、SUCLA2 and MDH2 were significantly down-regulated in the carbon metabolism pathway.[Conclusion]Low oxygen environment at high altitude weakens glycolysis,tricarboxylic acid cycle and pentose phosphate pathway by inhibiting the carbon metabolism pathway of the body,resulting in oxidative stress and energy metabolism imbalance.

Existing studies have underscored the pivotal role of N-acetyltransferase 10(NAT10)in various cancers.However,the outcomes of protein-protein interactions between NAT10 and its protein partners in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma(HNSCC)remain unexplored.In this study,we identified a significant upregulation of RNA-binding protein with serine-rich domain 1(RNPS1)in HNSCC,where RNPS1 inhibits the ubiquitination degradation of NAT10 by E3 ubiquitin ligase,zinc finger SWIM domain-containing protein 6(ZSWIM6),through direct protein interaction,thereby promoting high NAT10 expression in HNSCC.This upregulated NAT10 stability mediates the enhancement of specific tRNA ac4C modifications,subsequently boosting the translation process of genes involved in pathways such as IL-6 signaling,IL-8 signaling,and PTEN signaling that play roles in regulating HNSCC malignant progression,ultimately influencing the survival and prognosis of HNSCC patients.Additionally,we pioneered the development of TRMC-seq,leading to the discovery of novel tRNA-ac4C modification sites,thereby providing a potent sequencing tool for tRNA-ac4C research.Our findings expand the repertoire of tRNA ac4C modifications and identify a role of tRNA ac4C in the regulation of mRNA translation in HNSCC.

Existing studies have underscored the pivotal role of N-acetyltransferase 10(NAT10)in various cancers.However,the outcomes of protein-protein interactions between NAT10 and its protein partners in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma(HNSCC)remain unexplored.In this study,we identified a significant upregulation of RNA-binding protein with serine-rich domain 1(RNPS1)in HNSCC,where RNPS1 inhibits the ubiquitination degradation of NAT10 by E3 ubiquitin ligase,zinc finger SWIM domain-containing protein 6(ZSWIM6),through direct protein interaction,thereby promoting high NAT10 expression in HNSCC.This upregulated NAT10 stability mediates the enhancement of specific tRNA ac4C modifications,subsequently boosting the translation process of genes involved in pathways such as IL-6 signaling,IL-8 signaling,and PTEN signaling that play roles in regulating HNSCC malignant progression,ultimately influencing the survival and prognosis of HNSCC patients.Additionally,we pioneered the development of TRMC-seq,leading to the discovery of novel tRNA-ac4C modification sites,thereby providing a potent sequencing tool for tRNA-ac4C research.Our findings expand the repertoire of tRNA ac4C modifications and identify a role of tRNA ac4C in the regulation of mRNA translation in HNSCC.

Existing studies have underscored the pivotal role of N-acetyltransferase 10(NAT10)in various cancers.However,the outcomes of protein-protein interactions between NAT10 and its protein partners in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma(HNSCC)remain unexplored.In this study,we identified a significant upregulation of RNA-binding protein with serine-rich domain 1(RNPS1)in HNSCC,where RNPS1 inhibits the ubiquitination degradation of NAT10 by E3 ubiquitin ligase,zinc finger SWIM domain-containing protein 6(ZSWIM6),through direct protein interaction,thereby promoting high NAT10 expression in HNSCC.This upregulated NAT10 stability mediates the enhancement of specific tRNA ac4C modifications,subsequently boosting the translation process of genes involved in pathways such as IL-6 signaling,IL-8 signaling,and PTEN signaling that play roles in regulating HNSCC malignant progression,ultimately influencing the survival and prognosis of HNSCC patients.Additionally,we pioneered the development of TRMC-seq,leading to the discovery of novel tRNA-ac4C modification sites,thereby providing a potent sequencing tool for tRNA-ac4C research.Our findings expand the repertoire of tRNA ac4C modifications and identify a role of tRNA ac4C in the regulation of mRNA translation in HNSCC.