ObjectiveTo investigate the impact of melanoma-associated antigen D4 （MAGED4） on the malignant biological behavior of hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC）， providing experimental evidence for its evaluation as a potential therapeutic target in HCC. MethodsGenes positively correlated with MAGED4 expression in HCC were screened using the LinkedOmics database， followed by GO functional and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses. Endogenously low-expressing SMMC-7721 and Huh7 cells were selected， with normal hepatic LO2 cells serving as controls. Stable overexpression cell lines were established via lentiviral infection （MAGED4 overexpression group）， with RT-PCR and Western blot validating overexpression efficiency. The effects of MAGED4 overexpression on cell proliferation， cell cycle distribution， migration， and adhesion were systematically analyzed using CCK-8 assays， flow cytometry， scratch healing assays， Transwell migration assays， and cell adhesion assays. ResultsBioinformatics analysis indicated that MAGED4 co-expressed genes were significantly enriched in biological processes closely associated with tumor proliferation and metastasis， including cell-cell adhesion， extracellular matrix organization， and the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. A stable MAGED4 overexpression cell model was successfully established. In vitro functional assays demonstrated that MAGED4-overexpressing SMMC-7721 and Huh7 cells exhibited a mesenchymal-like morphology， whereas LO2 cells maintained an epithelial-like morphology. Compared with the empty-virus control groups， the MAGED4-overexpressing groups showed significantly increased proliferative activity （48 h： t=3.887， 22.070， 8.866， all P<0.05； 72 h： t=3.231， 23.840， 9.848， all P<0.05； 96 h： t=5.123， 49.800， 5.909， P<0.05， P<0.01， P<0.05）， wound healing rates （12 h： F=40.90， 44.00， 200.50， all P<0.001； 24 h： F=112.00， 34.89， 249.20， all P<0.001）， and numbers of migrated cells （F=239.20， 59.79， 132.80， all P<0.001）， along with significantly decreased numbers of adherent cells （F=73.65， 85.91， 138.00， all P<0.001）， while no significant differences were observed in cell cycle phase distribution in all three cell lines. ConclusionMAGED4 enhances proliferation and migration while suppressing adhesion in both HCC and normal hepatocytes， however， induces mesenchymal-like morphological changes exclusively in HCC cells， suggesting that MAGED4 is capable of driving HCC progression and may serve as a potential therapeutic target for HCC.

Background and aims:Liver fibrosis is a prevalent pathological stage of various chronic liver diseases and has the potential to progress to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.However,experimental models for in vivo research are limited.Unexpectedly,increased liver inflammation and fibrosis were previously observed in mice treated with aluminum adjuvant(commercial Imject Alum,a mixture of Al(OH)3 and Mg(OH)2).Our study aimed to reveal the pathogenesis and pathological features of Imject Alum-induced liver injury and evaluate its potential as an experimental model of fibrotic liver disease.Methods and materials:C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into the following four groups:(ⅰ)control group,which received phosphate-buffered saline injections on days 1,12,26,40,and 54;(ⅱ)Imject Alum(Al(OH)3 160 mg/kg)D26 group,which was administered with Imject Alum(Al(OH)3 160 mg/kg)on days 1,12,and 26;(ⅲ)Imject Alum(Al(OH)3 80 mg/kg)D54;and(ⅳ)Imject Alum(Al(OH)3 160 mg/kg)D54 groups,which were treated with 80 mg/kg and 160 mg/kg of Imject Alum(Al(OH)3),respectively,on days 1,12,26,40,and 54.All reagents were delivered by intraperitoneal injection.Serum biochemical pa-rameters,liver pathology,and expression of genes related to inflammation and fibrogenesis were eval-uated.Transcriptome sequencing was performed.The genetic characteristics of the Imject Alum-induced liver lesions in the existing fibrosis model and patients with cirrhosis were determined.Results:Administration of Imject Alum(Al(OH)3 160 mg/kg)at certain points for 54 days led to extensive hepatic inflammation and fibrosis,accompanied by disturbed bile acid metabolism in mice.Moreover,Imject Alum aggravated liver inflammation and injury by activating the pyroptosis-related inflamma-some pathway.Transcriptome analysis revealed that Imject Alum-induced liver lesions had differentially expressed genes that were significantly enriched in pathways related to inflammation,fibrogenesis,and multiple metabolic processes.Moreover,Imject Alum-induced liver lesions exhibited gene signatures similar to those of existing fibrosis models and patients with cirrhosis.Conclusions:Aluminum adjuvant(Imject Alum;Al(OH)3 160 mg/kg)administration at certain points for 54 days resulted in notable liver injury,inflammation,and fibrosis.This model had similar gene expression characteristics with existing fibrosis models and liver samples from patients with cirrhosis.Overall,aluminum adjuvant(Imject Alum)-induced mouse model may be a novel approach for estab-lishing a liver fibrosis animal model.

Objective: To determine the expression of melanoma-associated antigens D4(MAGED4) and SIRT7 in human glioma, and to analyze the potential effects of MAGED4 and SIRT7 on glioma cell proliferation. Methods: The MAGED4 and SIRT7 expression levels and their correlation were compared by the China glioma genome atlas(CGGA), human protein atlas(HPA), and UALCAN databases. Survival analysis, ROC curve analysis, and Cox regression analysis were used to predict the outcome of MAGED4 and SIRT 7 in glioma patients. Gene ontology(GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes(KEGG) signaling pathway enrichment analysis were used to explore the biological functions of MAGED4 and SIRT7 in glioma. Western blot experiment was used to investigate whether MAGED4 protein exerted its regulatory effects on the activity of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway via SIRT7. The effect of MAGED4 on cell proliferation in glioma through SIRT7 was explored by CCK-8. Results: The analysis results of CGGA, UALCAN, and HPA databases showed that the expression levels of MAGED4 and SIRT7 in glioma tissues were higher than those in normal brain tissue, and the expression were positively correlated. Results of survival, ROC, and Cox analysis showed that high expression of MAGED4 and SIRT7 mRNA were risk factors for poor prognosis in glioma. Results of KEGG enrichment analysis showed that MAGED4 and SIRT7 were associated with the PI3K/AKT signaling in glioma, and Western blot results showed that MAGED4 activated the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway by regulating SIRT7. The CCK-8 results showed that MAGED4 promotes the proliferation of glioma cells through SIRT7. Conclusion MAGED4 and SIRT7 are highly expressed in glioma and associated with poor prognosis, and MAGED4 promotes glioma cell proliferation through activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway by SIRT7.

Objective To investigate the effects of DNA demethylation drugs combined with histone deacetylase in-hibitors on fragile X mental retardation 1 neighbor protein (FMR1NB) expression and its promoter methylation in human oral cancer cells and try to find a strategy of weakening the heterogeneity of FMR1NB expression.Methods Human oral cancer cell lines Cal27 and SCC-9 were treated with decitabine (DAC) , an inhibitor of DNA meth-yltransferase, combined with trichostatin A (TSA) and valproic acid (VPA), inhibitors of histone deacetylase.Then reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) , quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot were used to detect the expression of FMR1 NB and pyrosequencing was used to detect the methylation of FMR1NB promoter.Results Compared with the blank control group, DAC and its combination with TSA and VPA significantly induced the expression of FMR1NB mRNA and protein in Cal27 and SCC-9 cells.Compared with DAC alone group, FMR1NB mRNA expression of each DAC-combined drug groups significantly increased, but FMR1NB protein did not significantly change in Cal27 cells; for SCC-9 cells, except for DAC+TSA group, the mRNA and protein levels of FMR1NB significantly increased in all other groups.In addition, there was no signifi-cant difference in the expression of FMR1 NB mRNA and protein between the three-combined drugs group and two-combined drugs groups.Further methylation assay showed that the methylation level of the overall FMR1NB promot-er and its each CpG site measured were reduced to varying degrees in all treatment groups except for three-combina-tion drug group of SCC-9.Conclusion DAC and its combination with TSA and VPA can enhance the expression of FMR1NB by mediating the demethylation of FMR1NB promoter, wherein the enhanced expression effect of the com-bination of the two drugs is stronger, suggesting that they have the potential to weaken the heterogeneity of FMR1NB expression and improve the immunotherapy effect of oral cancer.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Stemona tuberosa alkaloids （STA） on apoptosis and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B （PI3K/Akt） and c-Jun N-terminal kinase/p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase （JNK/p38 MAPK） signaling pathways in human lung cancer A549 cells. MethodA549 cells were classified into blank group and STA groups （100， 150， 200， 250， 300 mg⋅L^-1）. Thiazole blue （MTT） assay and colony formation assay were used to evaluate the proliferation of A549 cells. Apoptosis was observed based on Hoechst 33258 staining， flow cytometry， and Annexin V-FITC/PI staining. Western blot was employed to detect the expression of apoptosis-related proteins cysteine-aspartic acid protease-3 （Caspase-3）， B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）-associated X protein （Bax）， and Bcl-2， and the expression of PI3K， phosphorylated （p）-PI3K， Akt， p-Akt， JNK， p-JNK， p38 MAPK， and p-p38 MAPK. ResultCompared with the blank group， STA groups （150， 200， 250， 300 mg⋅L^-1） demonstrated the increase in inhibition rate of cell proliferation （P<0.01） and cell clone inhibition rate， and decrease in cell clone formation rate （P<0.01）. In comparison with the blank group， STA groups showed typical characteristics of apoptosis， such as chromatin condensation and enhanced fluorescence reaction. The apoptosis rate of STA groups was significantly higher than that of the blank group （P<0.01）. Compared with the blank group， STA （150， 200， 250， 300 mg⋅L^-1） significantly up-regulated the protein expression of Caspase-3 and Bax （P<0.05， P<0.01） and down-regulated the expression of Bcl-2 protein （P<0.01）. Compared with the blank group， STA had no significant influence on the total protein expression of PI3K， Akt， JNK， and p38 MAPK. However， STA （150， 200， 250， 300 mg⋅L^-1） significantly decreased the levels of p-PI3K and p-Akt （P<0.05， P<0.01） and increased the level of p-p38 MAPK （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the blank group， STA （200， 250， 300 mg⋅L^-1） significantly raised the level of p-JNK （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionSTA can inhibit the proliferation and induce the apoptosis of A549 cells by inhibiting PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and activating JNK/p38 MAPK signaling pathway.

Objective: To study the expression of long non-coding RNA LINC01152 in glioma and its influence on the malignant biological behavior of glioma cells． Methods: LINC01152 expression in glioma was analyzed by LncSpA V2．0 and GEPIA database．qRT-PCR was applied to detect the expression of LINC01152 mRNA in 10 samples of human normal brain tissues，40 samples of glioma tissues and 5 glioma cell lines．GO and KEGG enrichment analysis of LINC01152 co-expressed genes were performed using the DAVID database to predict the related functions． The AnoLnc2，TargetScan，LinkedOmics and miRDB databases were used to predict the LINC01152 related miRNAs and target genes to construct a ceRNA regulatory network．LINC01152 expression was knocked down in glioma cell lines by small interfering RNA (siRNA) transfection．The CCK-8 test，scratch healing experiments，Transwell，flow cytometry and Western blot experiments were used to measure the influence of LINC01152 on the proliferation，migra- tion，invasion and apoptosis of glioma cells. Results : Database analysis showed that compared with other tumor types，LINC01152 was highly expressed in glioblastoma (GBM) and low grade glioma (LGG) ，and was higher than normal brain tissue．qRT-PCR showed that the expression of LINC01152 mRNA in glioma tissues was significantly higher than that in normal brain tissues (P＜0. 01)．The expression of LINC01152 was correlated with Ki-67 (P < 0. 05) ，but not with clinical parameters such as gender，age，tumor size，P53 protein，glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) ，O-6-methylguanine-DNAmethyltransferase ( MGMT) and WHO grade of glioma patients． Functional enrichment analysis of co-expressed genes indicated that the LINC01152 was mainly involved in biological processes such as cell adhesion and synaptic signaling．LINC01152-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network was constructed according to predicted target genes．After down-regulation of LINC01152 expression，the proliferation，migration and invasion abilities of A172 and U87 cells decreased(P＜0. 01) ，while the apoptosis of glioma cells significantly increased (P＜0. 001) ． Conclusion LINC01152 is highly expressed in glioma，which can promote the malignant biological behavior of glioma cells by enhancing proliferation，migration as well as invasion and inhibition of apoptosis.

OBJECTIVE： To establish HPLC fingerprint of Zhuang and Yao medicine Lespedeza formosa， and to provide reference for quality control of L. formosa from different producing areas. METHODS： Totally 10 batches of samples were collected from 5 producing areas as Guangxi Nanning， Guilin， Wuzhou and so on. HPLC fingerprints was established and similarity analysis was carried out by using “Similarity evaluation system of TCM chromatographic fingerprint” （2012 edition） software. The determination was performed on Inertsil ODS-3 column with mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile-0.2％ phosphoric acid solution （gradient elution） at the flow rate of 0.8 mL/min. The detection wavelength was set at 350 nm， and the column temperature was 35 ℃. The sample size was 10 μL. Common peaks were identified by comparing substance control. Cluster analysis and principal compoent analysis were performed by using IBM SPSS 21.0 statistical software. RESULTS： HPLC fingerprint was established， and 12 common peaks were calibrated. 3 common peaks were identified （common peak 8， 10， 11 were chafotalin， vitexin and isovitexin）. The similarity of 10 batches of samples were all higher than 0.9. Through cluster analysis， 10 batches of medicinal materials could be clutered into 2 groups. According to the principal component analysis， the cumulative variance contribution rate of the two principal component factors was 86.108％ （contribution rates of first principal components and second principal components were 66.891％ and 19.217％）. CONCLUSIONS： HPLC fingerprint of L. formosa is established successfully. The method is simple and easy to use， provides a reliable evalution method for quality control of L. formosa.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of arctigenin(ATG) on liver fibrosis in rats induced by carbon tetrachloride(CCl4)and to explore its underlying mechanism. METHODS Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups:vehicle,ATG 3.0 mg · kg-1 group,CCl4 model group,CCl4+ATG 1.0 and 3.0 mg·kg-1 groups,and CCl4+colchicine(COL)0.1 mg·kg-1(toxicity)group. Liver fibrosis was induced by subcutaneous injection of CCl4 in rats for 8 weeks. ATG and colchicine were administrated ig once a day starting from the fifth week after the CCl4 treatment for 4 weeks subsequent. At the end of the study,glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT),glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase(GOT),albumin(ALB),and total bilirubin (TBIL) as well as the contents of hydroxyproline (HYP) in liver tissues were measured. Histopathological changes were observed in the liver tissues using hematoxyline-eosin(HE)and Masson’s trichrome staining. The proliferation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) and expression of cell cycle-related proteins were assayed by indirect immunofluores?cence staining and Western blotting,respectively. RESULTS Compared with CCl4 model group,ATG 1.0 and 3.0 mg · kg-1 improved the liver function by decreasing serum contents of GPT,GOT and TBIL (P<0.05),and increasing serum content of albumin(P<0.05). Histological results indicated that ATG 1.0 and 3.0 mg · kg-1 alleviated liver damage and reduced the formation of fibrous septa. Moreover, ATG 1.0 and 3.0 mg · kg-1 significantly decreased liver HYP when compared with CCl4 model group(P<0.05). In addition,CCl4-induced proliferation of activated HSC was inhibited by ATG 1.0 and 3.0 mg·kg-1, and this was accompanied by down-regulation of cyclin D1,cyclin-dependent kinase(CDK)2,CDK4, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)(P<0.05),and up-regulation of p27kip1 in activated HSC (P<0.05). CONCLUSION ATG can alleviate hepatic injury and fibrosis induced by CCl4,which is probably associated with suppression of the proliferation of activated HSC.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) with Dermatophagoides farinae drops for allergic rhinitis (AR) of different symptom severity. METHOD: This retrospective analysis to receive SLIT treatment of 143 cases of patients with allergic rhinitis, according to the severity of disease symptoms divid- ed into two groups, moderate group (62 patients) and severe group (81 patients). Before SLIT and after SLIT for half year, 1 year and 1. 5-2.0 years, the TNSS, TMS and sign scores of patients with allergic rhinitis were evaluated. RESULT: The TNSS, TMS and sign scores had continuously improved significantly after SLIT for half year, 1 year and 1.5-2.0 years in two groups as compared with baseline (P < 0.05). Before SLIT, TNSS and sign scores of severe group had a significantly higher level than moderate group (Z = 10.40, 2.40, P < 0.05), while TMS of two groups had no significant differences (Z = 0.00, P > 0.05). Half year after SLIT treatment, in two groups for sign scores, there were significant differences (Z = 3.32, P < 0.05), and there were no significant differences for TNSS (Z = 1.58, P > 0.05) and TMS (Z = 0.37, P > 0.05). 1 and 1.5-2.0 years after SLIT, there were no significant differences in two groups for TNSS, TMS and sign scores (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION SLIT with Dermatophagoides farinae drops for 1.5-2.0 years is effective in the patients with allergic rhinitis of different symptom severity. And equivalent efficacy could be achieved for different symptom severity.
Administration, Sublingual ; Animals ; Antigens, Dermatophagoides ; administration & dosage ; Dermatophagoides farinae ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; drug therapy ; Sublingual Immunotherapy ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of personal sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) with dermatophagoides to study the efficacy of dermatophagoides farinae drops for allergic rhinitis (AR) of different age groups. METHOD: The current study had analyzed the efficacy of SLIT in 150 patients with AR who were sensitized to house dust mites. All patients were treated with dermatophagoides farinae drops and combined with symptomatic treatment. The patients were divided into groups 1-5, group 1:17 patients (4-7 years old), group 2: 38 patients (> 7-12 years old), group 3:31 patients (> 12-18 years old), group 4: 38 patients (> 18 - 40 years old), group 5: 26 patients (> 40-63 years old). The total nasal symptom scores (TNSS) and total medicine scores (TMS) were recorded at each visit. Before and after SLIT for 0.5 year, 1 year and 1.5 to 2.0 years, the TNSS and TMS of each patient were evaluated. The dosage adjustment of immunotherapy according to the patient's symptoms were performed. RESULT: The TNSS and TMS had continuously improved significantly after SLIT for half year, 1 year and 1.5 to 2.0 years in all groups as compared with baseline (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the different age groups for TNSS and TMS during all time points. CONCLUSION Individualized SLIT with dermatophagoides farinae drops for 1.5-2.0 years is the most effective in the patients with allergic rhinitis of different age groups. And equivalent efficacy could be achieved for different age groups.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Animals ; Antigens, Dermatophagoides ; administration & dosage ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; therapy ; Sublingual Immunotherapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult