ObjectiveTo investigate the influence of histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) on the occurrence, development of psoriasis-like inflammation in mice, and the relative immune mechanisms. MethodsHealthy C57BL/6 mice aged 6-8 weeks were selected and randomly divided into 3 groups: control group (Control), psoriasis model group (IMQ), and HDAC3 inhibitor RGFP966-treated psoriasis model group (IMQ+RGFP966). One day prior to the experiment, the back hair of the mice was shaved. After a one-day stabilization period, the mice in Control group was treated with an equal amount of vaseline, while the mice in IMQ group was treated with imiquimod (62.5 mg/d) applied topically on the back to establish a psoriasis-like inflammation model. The mice in IMQ+RGFP966 group received intervention with a high dose of the HDAC3-selective inhibitor RGFP966 (30 mg/kg) based on the psoriasis-like model. All groups were treated continuously for 5 d, during which psoriasis-like inflammation symptoms (scaling, erythema, skin thickness), body weight, and mental status were observed and recorded, with photographs taken for documentation. After euthanasia, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to assess the effect of RGFP966 on the skin tissue structure of the mice, and skin thickness was measured. The mRNA and protein expression levels of HDAC3 in skin tissues were detected using reverse transcription real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blot (WB), respectively. Flow cytometry was employed to analyze neutrophils in peripheral blood and lymph nodes, CD4⁺ T lymphocytes, CD8⁺ T lymphocytes in peripheral blood, and IL-17A secretion by peripheral blood CD4⁺ T lymphocytes. Additionally, spleen CD4⁺ T lymphocyte expression of HDAC3, CCR6, CCR8, and IL-17A secretion levels were analyzed. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the localization and expression levels of HDAC3, IL-17A, and IL-10 in skin tissues. ResultsCompared with the Control group, the IMQ group exhibited significant psoriasis-like inflammation, characterized by erythema, scaling, and skin wrinkling. Compared with the IMQ group, RGFP966 exacerbated psoriasis-like inflammatory symptoms, leading to increased hyperkeratosis. The psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) skin symptom scores were higher in the IMQ group than those in the Control group, and the scores were further elevated in the IMQ+RGFP966 group compared to the IMQ group. Skin thickness measurements showed a trend of IMQ+RGFP966>IMQ>Control. The numbers of neutrophils in the blood and lymph nodes increased sequentially in the Control, IMQ, and IMQ+RGFP966 groups, with a similar trend observed for CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T lymphocytes in the blood. In skin tissues, compared with the Control group, the mRNA and protein levels of HDAC3 decreased in the IMQ group, but RGFP966 did not further reduce these expressions. HDAC3 was primarily located in the nucleus. Compared with the Control group, the nuclear HDAC3 content decreased in the skin tissues of the IMQ group, and RGFP966 further reduced nuclear HDAC3. Compared with the Control and IMQ groups, RGFP966 treatment decreased HDAC3 expression in splenic CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells. RGFP966 treatment increased the expression of CCR6 and CCR8 in splenic CD4⁺ T cells and enhanced IL-17A secretion by peripheral blood and splenic CD4⁺ T lymphocytes. Additionally, compared with the IMQ group, RGFP966 reduced IL-10 protein levels and upregulated IL-17A expression in skin tissues. ConclusionRGFP966 exacerbates psoriatic-like inflammatory responses by inhibiting HDAC3, increasing the secretion of the cytokine IL-17A, and upregulating the expression of chemokines CCR8 and CCR6.

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the research on NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3(NLRP3) inflammasome inhibitors in the treatment of inflammatory diseases. The NLRP3 inflammasome is integral to the innate immune response, and its abnormal activation can lead to the release of pro-inflammatory cytokine, consequently facilitating the progression of various pathological conditions. Therefore, investigating the pharmacological inhibition pathway of the NLRP3 inflammasome represents a promising strategy for the treatment of inflammation-related diseases. Currently, the Food and Drug Administration(FDA) has not approved drugs targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome for clinical use due to concerns regarding liver toxicity and gastrointestinal side effects associated with chemical small molecule inhibitors in clinical trials. Natural small molecule compounds such as polyphenols, flavonoids, and alkaloids are ubiquitously found in animals, plants, and other natural substances exhibiting pharmacological activities. Their abundant sources, intricate and diverse structures, high biocompatibility, minimal adverse reactions, and superior biochemical potency in comparison to synthetic compounds have attracted the attention of extensive scholars. Currently, certain natural small molecule compounds have been demonstrated to impede the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome via various action mechanisms, so they are viewed as the innovative, feasible, and minimally toxic therapeutic agents for inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation in the treatment of both acute and chronic inflammatory diseases. Hence, this study systematically examined the effects and potential mechanisms of natural small molecule compounds derived from traditional Chinese medicine on the activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes at their initiation, assembly, and activation stages. The objection is to furnish theoretical support and practical guidance for the effective clinical application of these natural small molecule inhibitors.
NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism* ; Inflammasomes/metabolism* ; Inflammation/drug therapy* ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/therapeutic use* ; Humans ; Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Biological Products/therapeutic use* ; Drug Discovery ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods*

Objective： The aim of this study is to explore the predictive value of biparametric magnetic resonance imaging(bpMRI)for pelvic lymph node metastasis in prostate cancer patients with PSA≤20 μg/L and establish a nomogram. Methods： The imaging data and clinical data of 363 patients undergoing radical prostatectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from July 2018 to December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were used to screen independent risk factors for pelvic lymph node metastasis in prostate cancer, and a nomogram of the clinical prediction model was established. Calibration curves were drawn to evaluate the accuracy of the model. Results： Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed extrocapusular extension (OR=8.08,95%CI=2.62－24.97, P<0.01), enlargement of pelvic lymph nodes (OR=4.45,95%CI=1.16－17.11,P=0.030), and biopsy ISUP grade(OR=1.97,95%CI=1.12－3.46, P=0.018)were independent risk factors for pelvic lymph node metastasis. The C-index of the prediction model was 0.834, which indicated that the model had a good prediction ability. The actual value of the model calibration curve and the prediction probability of the model fitted well, indicating that the model had a good accuracy. Further analysis of DCA curve showed that the model had good clinical application value when the risk threshold ranged from 0.05 to 0.70.Conclusion： For prostate cancer patients with PSA≤20 μg/L, bpMRI has a good predictive value for the pelvic lymph node metastasis of prostate cancer with extrocapusular extension, enlargement of pelvic lymph nodes and ISUP grade≥4.
Humans ; Male ; Prostatic Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging* ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Retrospective Studies ; Nomograms ; Prostate-Specific Antigen/blood* ; Lymph Nodes/pathology* ; Pelvis ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Prostatectomy ; Lymph Node Excision ; Risk Factors ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Logistic Models ; Middle Aged ; Aged

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the dynamic changes of glucocorticoid (GC) dose and the feasibility of GC discontinuation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients under the background of Chinese medicine (CM). METHODS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 1,196 RA patients enrolled in the China Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry of Patients with Chinese Medicine (CERTAIN) from September 1, 2019 to December 4, 2023, who initiated GC therapy. Participants were divided into the Western medicine (WM) and integrative medicine (IM, combination of CM and WM) groups based on medication regimen. Follow-up was performed at least every 3 months to assess dynamic changes in GC dose. Changes in GC dose were analyzed by generalized estimator equation, the probability of GC discontinuation was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curve, and predictors of GC discontinuation were analyzed by Cox regression. Patients with <12 months of follow-up were excluded for the sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: Among 1,196 patients (85.4% female; median age 56.4 years), 880 (73.6%) received IM. Over a median 12-month follow-up, 34.3% (410 cases) discontinued GC, with significantly higher rates in the IM group (40.8% vs. 16.1% in WM; P<0.05). GC dose declined progressively, with IM patients demonstrating faster reductions (median 3.75 mg vs. 5.00 mg in WM at 12 months; P<0.05). Multivariate Cox analysis identified age <60 years [P<0.001, hazard ratios (HR)=2.142, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.523-3.012], IM therapy (P=0.001, HR=2.175, 95% CI: 1.369-3.456), baseline GC dose ⩽7.5 mg (P=0.003, HR=1.637, 95% CI: 1.177-2.275), and absence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use (P=0.001, HR=2.546, 95% CI: 1.432-4.527) as significant predictors of GC discontinuation. Sensitivity analysis (545 cases) confirmed these findings. CONCLUSIONS RA patients receiving CM face difficulties in following guideline-recommended GC discontinuation protocols. IM can promote GC discontinuation and is a promising strategy to reduce GC dependency in RA management. (Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT05219214).
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Retrospective Studies

Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological and molecular genetic features of POLE mutant endometrioid carcinoma.Methods:Genetic test data of 230 cases of endometrial carcinoma that underwent surgical resection and molecular typing by next generation sequencing in the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2021 to June 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Seventeen cases of endometrioid carcinoma with POLE mutation were selected. Clinical and prognostic information was collected. The paraffin-embedded tissue and immunohistochemical sections were reviewed, and the gene detection data were analyzed.Results:In the 17 cases of endometrioid carcinoma with POLE mutations, 16 cases (16/230, 6.9%) had mutations at known pathogenic sites, and 1 case had a mutation site (S459Y) that had not been reported, which was inferred to be pathogenic based on clinical prognosis. The 17 patients aged from 48 to 79 years (median 56 years, mean 58 years). All cases had typical histological features of endometrioid carcinoma, including 7 cases (7/17) of poorly-differentiated, 4 cases (4/17) of moderately-differentiated and 6 cases (6/17) of well-differentiated. Squamous differentiation was noted, mucous differentiation was less commonly found and often accompanied by superficial muscle infiltration. The number of stromal lymphocyte infiltration was variable. Lymph-vascular embolus was found in 6 cases, and lymph node metastasis was only detected in 1 case. According to the FIGO staging system for endometrial cancer in 2023, all the cases were in FIGO stage ⅠA m-POLEmut except for one case in FIGO stage ⅢC1. There were 8 cases with genetic co-mutation, 5 cases with TP53 mutation (immunohistochemically subclonal expression pattern), 1 case with MSI-H, and 2 cases with both TP53 mutation and MSI-H. Five of 7 patients with POLE mutation (poorly-differentiated) received postoperative chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, 4 patients received endocrine therapy, and 8 patients had no treatment after surgery. One of the stage ⅠA m-POLEmut tumor patients was found to have pelvic recurrence one year after surgery, and the other 16 patients were followed up for 10-38 months without recurrence or metastasis. Conclusions:POLE mutant endometrioid carcinoma may have different differentiation, and most patients have good prognosis. Correct interpretation of molecular results, accurate identification and classification are important for predicting prognosis and avoiding overtreatment. However, a small number of cases may have recurrence and metastasis, and therefore it is necessary to make a reasonable treatment plan based on the comprehensive judgment of other high risk factors.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between nutritional status and quality of life in inpatients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma and to analyze the factors affecting nutritional status,so as to provide evidence for clinical nutritional support treatment.Methods:In this study,we retrospectively collected data from patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria in the Head and Neck Oncology Department of Zunyi Medical University Affiliated Hospital from 2014 to 2019.The NRS 2002 scale was used for nutritional risk screening,the PG-SGA scale for nutritional status assessment and the EORTCQLQ-C30 V3.0 scale for quality of life assessment.To further explore the correlation between nutritional status and quality of life,as well as the factors affecting nutritional status.Results:A total of 216 patients were collected,including 168 male(77.78%);average age(50.5±10.58)years;26.85%were at nutritional risk(NRS 2002 score≥3);28.70%were moderate malnutrition(PG-SGA score 4-8),and 23.15%were severe malnutrition(PG-SGA score≥9).There were significant differences in several physical examinations(such as body weight,body mass index,muscle circumference at the midpoint of the upper arm,etc.)and blood biochemical indexes(such as prealbumin,neutrophils,urea nitrogen,etc.)of patients with different nutritional status were differed between groups(P<0.05).Univariate analysis showed that age≥65 years was a risk factor for the development of severe malnutrition(OR:3.429,95%CI:1.467 to 8.014,P=0.004),whereas a high level of education(senior high school and above)was a protective factor(OR:0.027,95%CI:0.011 to 0.064,P=0.000).The poorer the nutritional status of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients,the lower the quality of life.Conclusion:Nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients have a high incidence of malnutrition;the poorer the nutritional status of the patient,the lower the quality of life;routine nutritional diagnosis and treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients after admission to the hospital is recommended to improve clinical outcomes.

Objective:To evaluate the effects of fine particle matter(PM2.5)and ozone(O3)com-bined exposure on adenosine triphosphate(ATP)amount and ATPase activities in nasal mucosa of Spra-gue Dawley(SD)rats.Methods:Twenty male SD rats were divided into control group(n=10)and exposure group(n=10)by random number table method.The rats were fed in the conventional clean environment and the air pollutant exposure system established by our team,respectively,and exposed for 208 d.During the exposure period,the concentrations of PM2 5 and O3 in the exposure system were moni-tored,and a comprehensive assessment of PM2 5 and O3 in the exposure system was conducted by combi-ning self-measurement and site data.On the 208 d of exposure,the core,liver,spleen,kidney,testis and other major organs and nasal mucosal tissues of the rats were harvested.Each organ was weighed and the organ coefficient calculated.The total amount of ATP was measured by bioluminescence,and the ac-tivities of Na+-K+-ATPase and Ca2+-ATPase were detected by spectrophotometry.The t test of two inde-pendent samples was used to compare the differences among the indicator groups.Results:From the 3rd week to the end of exposure duration,the body weight of the rats in the exposure group was higher than that in the control group(P＜0.05),and there was no significant difference in organ coefficients be-tween the two groups.The average daily PM2 5 concentration in the exposure group was(30.68±19.23)μg/m3,and the maximum 8 h ozone concentration(O3-8 h)was(82.45±35.81)μg/m3.The chemi-luminescence value(792.4±274.1)IU/L of ATP in nasal mucosa of the rats in the exposure group was lower than that in the control group(1 126.8±218.1)IU/L.The Na+-K+-ATPase activity(1.53±0.85)U/mg in nasal mucosa of the rats in the exposure group was lower than that in the control group(4.31±1.60)U/mg(P＜0.05).The protein content of nasal mucosa in the control group and the exposure group were(302.14±52.51)mg/L and(234.58±53.49)mg/L,respectively,and the ac-tivity of Ca2+-ATPase was(0.81±0.27)U/mg and(0.99±0.73)U/mg,respectively.There was no significant difference between the groups.Conclusion:The ability of power capacity decreased in the rat nasal mucossa under the sub-chronic low-concentration exposure of PM2 5 and O3.

Objective To study the role of sphingosine-1-phosphate(S1P)signal on the proliferation of breast cancer BT549 cells.Methods Cells were divided into control group and experimental group,experimental group were treated with 0.1,1.0,10.0 μmol·L-1 S1P receptor agonist SEW2871 for 72 h.Control group was cultured with 0.1％fetal bovine serum.Cell proliferation was detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT)assay.Cell models of overexpressing S1P receptors in BT549 were divided into three groups:blank plasmid group(LUC),wild type S1P receptor overexpression group(WT),S1P receptor phosphorylation site mutation overexpression group(MUT);the proliferation ratio was detected by MTT,the number of cell clones was counted by colony formation experiment.S1P antagonist W146(10 μmol·L-1)and protein kinase(AKT)signaling inhibitor MK2206(90 nmol·L-1)were used to detect the role of S1P signaling in the proliferation of breast cancer cells.The expression of phosphorylate signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(p-STAT3),c-Myc proteins were detected by Western blot.Results The growth ratio of BT549 cells in control group and 0.1,1.0,10.0 μmol·L-1experimental groups were 1.00±0.03,1.13±0.06,1.06±0.10 and 1.07±0.03,0.1 μmol·L-1 SEW2871 promot the cell proliferation(P＜0.05).Compared between WT group,MUT group and LUC group,the growth rate and the number of clonal colonies were increased after overexpression of S1P receptor(all P＜0.05).The growth ratio of BT549 cells after treatment with W146 and MK2206 in the LUC group,WT group and MUT group were 1.25±0.12,1.31±0.03,1.43±0.14 and 0.87±0.15,0.77±0.03,0.88±0.02.Compared between MUT group,WT group and corresponding DMSO group,the differences were statistically significant(all P＜0.01).The number of cell clony formation number after treatment with W146 were 65.65±5.12,141.48±5.63 and 93.64±5.14;compared between MUT,WT group and corresponding DMSO group,the differences were statistically significant(all P＜0.05).The relative protein expression levels of p-STAT3 in LUC group,WT group and MUT group were 0.67±0.04,0.69±0.08 and 0.81±0.06,the relative protein expression levels of proto-oncogene c-Myc were 1.69±0.03,0.70±0.10 and 0.67±0.07,compared between WT group,MUT group and corresponding DMSO group,the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion S1P signaling can promote proliferation in breast cancer BT549 cells,and the mechanism could be related to AKT and STAT3 signaling pathway.

Objective To evaluate the inhibitory effects of infigratinib and its pharmacologically active metabolites,BHS697 and CQM157,on cytochrome P450(CYPs)and UDP-glucuronosyltransferases(UGTs)in rat liver microsomes.Methods By adopting in vitro incubation method,the tested compounds(infigratinib,BHS697 or CQM157)and rat liver microsomes were incubated with the specific probe substrates of CYP2B6,CYP2C8,CYP2C9,CYP2C19,CYP2D6,CYP3 A4,respectively,or the specific probe substrates of UGT1A1,UGT1A3,UGT1A6,UGT1A9,UGT2B7,respectively.The production of characteristic metabolites was detected by high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.The half maximal inhibitory concentration(IC50)and inhibition constant(Ki)were calculated by GraphPad Prism 8.0.Results Infigratinib,BHS697 and CQM157 weakly inhibited CYP2B6,CYP2C8,CYP2C9,CYP2C19,CYP2D6,CYP3 A4 and UGT1A6,UGT2B7 in rat liver microsomes,with IC50 values all more than 10 μmol·L-1,and moderately inhibited UGT1Al with IC50 values of 2.70,3.17,7.43 μmol·L-,respectively.Infigratinib had a moderate inhibitory effect on UGT1A9 and CQM157 had a moderate inhibitory effect on UGTIA3,with IC50 values of 5.61 and 9.57 μmol·L-1,respectively.The reversible inhibition analysis showed that infigratinib,BHS697 and CQM157 all non-competitively inhibited UGTIA1,with Ki values of 1.83,2.51 and 5.84 μmol·L-1,respectively.Conclusion Infigratinib had moderate inhibitory effects on UGT1A1 and UGT1A9 in rat liver microsomes and its pharmacologically active metabolites,BHS697 and CQM157,also had moderate inhibitory effects on UGT1A1.