OBJECTIVE To investigate ameliorative effects and mechanisms of two probiotics （Bacillus subtilis， Lactobacillus acidophilus） combined with Aurantii Fructus Immaturus （AFI） on functional dyspepsia （FD） in rats. METHODS Rats were randomly divided into blank group， model group， positive control group （domperidone group， 2.7 mg/kg）， AFI group （9 g/kg）， L. acidophilus group （5×107 cfu/kg）， B. subtilis group （5×107 cfu/kg）， L. acidophilus+ AFI group （L. acidophilus 5×107 cfu/kg+ AFI 9 g/kg）， and B. subtilis+AFI group （B. subtilis 5×107 cfu/kg+AFI 9 g/kg）， with 8 rats in each group. Except for the blank group， FD model was established by tail-clamping stimulation+hunger and satiety disorder+swimming exhaustion in other groups. After modeling， each group was given the corresponding drug/probiotic suspensions/physiological saline intragastrically， once a day， for 14 consecutive days. After the last medication， gastric emptying rate and the rate of propulsion of the small intestine in rats were measured； the levels of brain-gut peptide-related indicators [gastrin （GAS）， substance P （SP）， vasoactive intestinal peptide （VIP）， somatostatin （SS） and cholecystokinin （CCK）] in the serum of rats were measured. The pathological morphology of the gastric antrum tissue and duodenal tissue was observed. Cecal contents from the rats were collected for gut microbiota sequencing analysis. The protein expression levels of tyrosine kinase receptor c-Kit and stem cell factor （SCF） in the gastric antrum tissue， as well as Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）， myeloid differentiation factor 88 （MyD88）， and nuclear factor κB （NF-κB） in the duodenal tissue of the rats were detected. RESULTS Compared with the blank group， model group showed significantly lower gastric emptying rate， small intestinal propulsion rate， serum levels of GAS and SP， relative abundance of Firmicutes， Ace， Chao and Sobs indexes of the gut microbiota， and protein levels of SCF and c-Kit in gastric antrum （P＜0.05）， while serum levels of VIP， SS and CCK， relative abundance of Bacteroidetes， as well as protein expressions of TLR4， MyD88， and NF-κB， were significantly higher （P＜0.05）. The histological structure JZYC23S53） of the gastric antrum tissue appeared basically normal； however， abnormalities were observed in the duodenal structure， with a significant infiltration of inflammatory cells visible. Compared with the model group， all treatment groups significantly modulated most of the above indexes （P＜0.05）. The histological structure of the gastric antrum tissue was normal. Except for the B. subtilis group and the B. subtilis+AFI group， the pathological states of the duodenum in the remaining rats gradually recovered. Compared with each single drug group， most of above indexes in rats from each combination group showed further improvement （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS The combination of AFI with two probiotics can improve gastrointestinal motility in FD rats， and the effect is superior to that of using the drugs alone. The specific underlying mechanisms may be related to the activation of the SCF/c-Kit signaling pathway and the inhibition of the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND: Lung adenocarcinoma is an important pathohistologic subtype of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Invasive non-mucinous pulmonary adenocarcinomas (INMA) tend to have a poor prognosis due to their significant heterogeneity and diverse histologic components. Establishing a histologic grading system for INMA is crucial for evaluating its malignancy. In 2021, the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) proposed that a new histological grading system could better stratify the prognosis of INMA patients. The aim of this study was to establish a visualized nomogram model to predict INMA IASLC grading preoperatively by means of dual-energy computed tomography (DECT), fractal dimension (FD), clinical features and conventional CT parameters. METHODS: A total of 112 patients with INMA who underwent preoperative DECT were retrospectively enrolled from March 2021 to January 2025. Patients were categorized into low-intermediate grade and high grade groups based on IASLC grading. The clinical characteristics and conventional CT parameters, including baseline features, biochemical markers, and serum tumor markers, were collected. DECT-derived parameters, including iodine concentration (IC), effective atomic number (eff-Z), and normalized IC (NIC), were collected and determined as NIC ratio (NICr) and fractal dimension (FD). Univariate analysis was employed to compare differences in conventional characteristics and DECT parameters between the two groups. Variables demonstrating statistical significance were subsequently incorporated into a multivariate Logistic regression analysis. A nomogram model integrating clinical data, conventional CT parameters, and DECT parameters was developed to identify independent predictors for IASLC grading of INMA. The discriminatory performance of the model was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis identified smoking history [odds ratio (OR)=2.848, P=0.041], lobulation sign (OR=2.163, P=0.004), air bronchogram (OR=7.833, P=0.005), eff-Z in arterial phase (OR=4.266, P<0.001), and IC in arterial phase (OR=1.290, P=0.012) as independent and significant predictors for IASLC grading of INMA. The nomogram model constructed based on these indicators demonstrated optimal predictive performance, achieving an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.804 (95%CI: 0.725-0.883), with specificity and sensitivity of 85.3% and 65.7%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The nomogram model based on clinical features, imaging features and spectral CT parameters have a large potential for application in the preoperative noninvasive assessment of INMA IASLC grading.
Humans ; Nomograms ; Female ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods* ; Lung Neoplasms/pathology* ; Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Adenocarcinoma of Lung/pathology* ; Neoplasm Grading ; Adult

The Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK-STAT) control natural killer (NK) cells development and cytotoxic functions, however, whether long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in this pathway remains unknown. We found that miR155HG was elevated in activated NK cells and promoted their proliferation and effector functions in both NK92 and induced-pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)-derived NK (iPSC-NK) cells, without reliance on its derived miR-155 and micropeptide P155. Mechanistically, miR155HG bound to miR-6756 and relieved its repression of JAK3 expression, thereby promoting the JAK-STAT pathway and enhancing NK cell proliferation and function. Further investigations disclosed that upon cytokine stimulation, STAT3 directly interacts with miR155HG promoter and induces miR155HG transcription. Collectively, we identify a miR155HG-mediated positive feedback loop of the JAK-STAT signaling. Our study will also provide a power target regarding miR155HG for improving NK cell generation and effector function in the field of NK cell adoptive transfer therapy against cancer, especially iPSC-derived NK cells.

Chemotherapy is currently the mainstay of systemic management for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), but chemoresistance significantly impacts patient outcomes. Our research indicates that Doxorubicin (Dox)-resistant TNBC cells exhibit increased glycolysis and ATP generation compared to their parental cells, with this metabolic shift contributing to chemoresistance. We discovered that ALKBH3, an m¹A demethylase enzyme, is crucial in regulating the enhanced glycolysis in Dox-resistant TNBC cells. Knocking down ALKBH3 reduced ATP generation, glucose consumption, and lactate production, implicating its involvement in mediating glycolysis. Further investigation revealed that aldolase A (ALDOA), a key enzyme in glycolysis, is a downstream target of ALKBH3. ALKBH3 regulates ALDOA mRNA stability through m¹A demethylation at the 3'-untranslated region (3'UTR). This methylation negatively affects ALDOA mRNA stability by recruiting the YTHDF2/PAN2-PAN3 complex, leading to mRNA degradation. The ALKBH3/ALDOA axis promotes Dox resistance both in vitro and in vivo. Clinical analysis demonstrated that ALKBH3 and ALDOA are upregulated in breast cancer tissues, and higher expression of these proteins is associated with reduced overall survival in TNBC patients. Our study highlights the role of the ALKBH3/ALDOA axis in contributing to Dox resistance in TNBC cells through regulation of ALDOA mRNA stability and glycolysis.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the mechanism of DDX17 for regulating proliferation and migration of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) during the development of pulmonary hypertension (PH). METHODS: In murine PASMCs cultured under normoxic or hypoxic conditions, the effects of transfection with si-Ddx17 and insulin treatment, alone or in combination, on cell proliferation and migration were evaluated using Ki-67 immunofluorescence staining, scratch assay and Transwell assay. Western Blotting was performed to detect the changes in protein expression levels of DDX17, 4EBP1, S6, p-4EBP1, and p-S6. In a mouse model of PH induced by intraperitoneal injection of monocrotaline (MCT), the changes in pulmonary vasculature were examined using HE staining following tail vein injection of AD-Ddx17i. RESULTS: The PASMCs in hypoxic culture exhibited significantly enhanced cell proliferation and migration and protein expressions of p-4EBP1 and p-S6, and these changes were obviously reversed by transfection with si-Ddx17. Treatment with insulin significantly attenuated the effect of si-Ddx17 against hypoxic exposure-induced changes in PASMCs. In the mouse model of MCT-induced PH, transfection with AD-Ddx17i obviously alleviated pulmonary vascular stenosis and intimal hyperplasia. CONCLUSIONS The expression of DDX17 is elevated in hypoxia-induced PASMCs and PH mice, and silencing DDX17 significantly inhibits PASMC proliferation and migration in vitro and pulmonary vascular remodeling in PH mice by reducing mTORC1 activity.
Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; Cell Movement ; DEAD-box RNA Helicases/metabolism* ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/metabolism* ; Mice ; Pulmonary Artery/cytology* ; Hypertension, Pulmonary/metabolism* ; Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1 ; Cells, Cultured ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/cytology*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between fluid balance trajectories within the first 3 days of intensive care unit (ICU) admission and 28-day mortality as well as the incidence of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) in patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). METHODS: Clinical data of SAP patients were extracted from the Medical Information Mart of Intensive Care-IV (MIMIC-IV). Group-based trajectory modeling (GBTM) was used to analyze the daily fluid balance of patients within 3 days of ICU admission, and grouping them accordingly. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the association between fluid balance trajectory and 28-day mortality and ICU CRRT in SAP patients. RESULTS: A total of 251 SAP patients were included, with 33 deaths within 28 days, and a 28-day mortality of 13.15%; 49 patients (19.52%) continued to receive bedside CRRT after 3 days of ICU admission. The fluid balance on the 3rd day, cumulative fluid balance within 3 days of ICU admission, and incidence of CRRT in the death group were significantly higher than those in the survival group. According to GBTM groups, there were 127 cases in the moderate fluid resuscitation with rapid reduction (MF group), 44 cases in the large fluid resuscitation with rapid reduction (LF group), 20 cases in the moderate fluid resuscitation with slow reduction (MS group), and 60 cases in the small fluid resuscitation with slow reduction (SS group). The cumulative fluid balance within 3 days of ICU admission of the MF group, LF group, MS group, and SS group were 8.60% (5.15%, 11.70%), 16.70% (13.00%, 21.02%), 23.40% (19.38%, 25.45%), and 0.65% (-2.35%, 2.20%), respectively, and the incidence of CRRT during ICU hospitalization were 11.02%, 29.55%, 85.00%, and 8.33%, respectively, with statistically significant differences among the groups (both P < 0.05); the 28-day mortality were 11.02%, 18.18%, 20.00%, and 11.67%, respectively, with no statistically significant difference among the groups (P > 0.05). Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis showed there was no statistically significant difference in 28-day cumulative survival rate among groups with different fluid balance trajectories (Log-rank test: χ ² = 2.31, P = 0.509). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that cumulative fluid balance within 3 days of ICU admission was an independent risk factor for 28-day mortality [odds ratio (OR) = 1.071, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) was 1.005-1.144, P = 0.040] and CRRT requirement (OR = 1.233, 95%CI was 1.125-1.372, P < 0.001); early aggressive fluid resuscitation on day 1 reduced CRRT risk (OR = 0.866, 95%CI was 0.756-0.978, P = 0.030). CONCLUSIONS Dynamic fluid management is essential in SAP patients. While early aggressive fluid resuscitation may reduce CRRT demand, excessive cumulative fluid balance is associated with increased 28-day mortality and CRRT incidence.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Water-Electrolyte Balance ; Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy ; Intensive Care Units ; Aged ; Adult ; Pancreatitis/mortality* ; Logistic Models ; Retrospective Studies ; Renal Replacement Therapy

ObjectiveTo analyze the evolutionary characteristics and genetic variations of the HA (hemagglutinin) and NA (neuraminidase) genes of influenza A(H1N1) viruses in Shanghai during 2024, to investigate their transmission patterns, and to evaluate their potential impact on vaccine effectiveness. MethodsFrom January to October 2024, throat swab specimens were collected from influenza like illness (ILI) patients at 4 hospitals in Shanghai. Real-time fluorescence ploymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used for virus detection and isolation of H1N1 influenza viruses. Forty influenza A(H1N1) virus strains were sequenced using Illumina NovaSeq 6000 platform, followed by phylogenetic analyses, genetic distance analysis, and amino acid variation analyses of HA and NA genes. ResultsPhylogenetic tree of the HA and NA genes revealed that the 40 influenza A(H1N1) virus strains circulating in Shanghai in 2024 exhibited no significant geographic clustering, with a broad origin of strains and complex transmission chains. Genetic distance analyses demonstrated that the average intra-group genetic distances of HA and NA genes among the Shanghai strains were 0.005 1±0.000 6 and 0.004 6±0.000 6, respectively, which were comparable to or higher than those observed in global surveillance strains. Both HA and NA genes displayed frequent mutations. Compared to the 2023‒2024 and 2024‒2025 Northern Hemisphere A(H1N1) vaccine strains (WHO-recommended), the HA proteins of 40 Shanghai strains exhibited amino acid substitutions at positions 120, 137, 142, 169, 216, 223, 260, 277, 356 and 451, with critical mutations at positions 137 and 142 located within the Ca2 antigenic determinant. Furthermore, mutations in the NA protein were observed at positions 13, 50, 200, 257, 264, 339 and 382. ConclusionThe genetic background of the 2024 Shanghai influenza A(H1N1) virus strains is complex and diverse, and antigenic variation may affect vaccine effectiveness. Therefore, it is recommended to enhance genomic surveillance of influenza viruses, evaluate vaccine suitability, and implement more targeted prevention and control strategies against imported influenza viruses.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of modified Banxia Houpu Decoction plus Deanxit for the treatment of cancer-related depression(CRD)of phlegm blended with qi type.Methods Sixty-four CRD patients with phlegm blended with qi type were randomly divided into the treatment group and the control group,with 32 patients in each group.The control group was given oral use of Deanxit,and the treatment group was treated with modified Banxia Houpu Decoction plus Deanxit orally.The course of treatment covered 4 weeks.The changes of Karnofsky Performance Status(KPS)scores,self-rating depression scale(SDS)scores,and traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome scores in the two groups were observed before and after the treatment.Moreover,the efficacy for improving KPS scores and TCM syndrome efficacy in the two groups were also evaluated.Results(1)After 4 weeks of treatment,the total effective rate for improving KPS scores in the treatment group was 90.63%(29/32),and that in the control group was 78.13%(25/32).The intergroup comparison showed that the efficacy for improving KPS scores in the treatment group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.01).(2)In terms of the efficacy of TCM syndromes,after 4 weeks of treatment,the total effective rate for improving TCM syndrome scores in the treatment group was 87.50%(28/32),and that in the control group was 40.63%(13/32),and the efficacy of TCM syndromes in the treatment group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.05).(3)After treatment,the KPS scores in the treatment group were significantly increased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the KPS scores in the control group tended to increase compared with those before treatment,but the difference was not statistically significant(P＞0.05).The intergroup comparison showed that the effect on increasing KPS scores in the treatment group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.05).(4)After treatment,the SDS scores in the two groups were lower than those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the effect on lowering SDS scores in the treatment group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.05).(5)After treatment,the TCM syndrome scores of the two groups were lower than those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the effect on lowering TCM syndrome scores in the treatment group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.05).Conclusion Modified Banxia Houpu Decoction plus Deanxit exerts certain effect for the treatment of CRD of phlegm blended with qi type.The combined therapy can effectively improve the depression mood and quality of life of the patients,and its efficacy is superior to that of Deanxit alone.

BACKGROUND:The anterior cruciate ligament has unique nonlinear mechanical properties under a complex physiological loading environment.Elastin is an important contributor to the mechanical properties of the anterior cruciate ligament,but its mechanical response to the anterior cruciate ligament under axial tension is not clear. OBJECTIVE:To quantitatively analyze the effect of elastin on the tensile mechanical response of the anterior cruciate ligament. METHODS:Elastase solution and control buffer were prepared.The porcine anterior cruciate ligament samples were prepared into small-size samples and randomly soaked in 0,0.1,1.0,2.0,5.0,and 10.0 U/mL elastase solution for 6 hours,and other small samples of the same size were soaked in 2 U/mL elastase solution for 0,1,3,6,9,and 12 hours.To determine suitable soaking conditions for elastin-targeted enzymes and verify the digestive effect,histological staining was used to compare the effects of enzyme treatment on tissue structure and composition.The ligament samples were randomly divided into elastase-treated group and PBS group,and immersed in 2 U/mL elastase solution and PBS buffer for 6 hours,respectively.A mechanical tensile test was performed before and after immersion. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The biochemical results showed that being treated in 2 U/mL elastase solution for 6 hours could reduce the elastin content by 31.1%,and had no significant effect on other mechanical-related components in the tissue.(2)The histological results showed that elastase was able to penetrate the tissue,and the loose degree of tissue increased after treatment.(3)In the mechanical results before and after treatment,the mechanical properties of the PBS group decreased significantly,only the low-tension elastic modulus increased significantly and the initial length increased significantly in the elastase-treated group.(4)The intergroup comparison results showed that there was no significant difference between the two groups in pre-treatment,but the low-tension elastic modulus,initial slopes,saturated slopes,and initial length of the elastase-treated group after treatment were significantly higher than those in the PBS group.(5)These results suggest that elastin degradation significantly affects the biomechanical properties of the anterior cruciate ligament and further complements our understanding of the structure-function relationship of the anterior cruciate ligament.

BACKGROUND:Several studies have found that the total flavonoids of rhizome drynariae can promote neovascularization in the induced membrane,improve the biological properties of the induced membrane,and accelerate bone remodeling in the induced membrane,but the related molecular mechanisms still need to be further explored. OBJECTIVE:To explore the effect of total flavonoids of rhizome drynariae on bone remodeling in rat femoral Masquelet-induced membrane model by regulating H-type blood vessels. METHODS:Thirty-six male Sprague-Dawley rats were stratified by body mass and then randomly divided into blank group,model group and traditional Chinese medicine group,with 12 rats in each group.A 4-mm femoral bone defect model was established in all the rats.Bone defects in the model group and traditional Chinese medicine group were filled with polymethylmethacrylate bone cement.At 6 weeks after modeling,the tail bone of the rats was implanted in the blank group,as well as in the other two groups after removal of bone cement.The traditional Chinese medicine group was given 157.5 mg/kg per day of total flavonoids of rhizome drynariae at 3 days after bone implantation,while the model and blank groups were given the same amount of saline by gavage until the 8th week after bone implantation.Bone graft samples were taken for relevant testing at 8 weeks after implantation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:X-ray films showed that in the blank group,the fracture line in the defect area was clear,and only a small amount of bone callus formed;in the model group,the bone defect area still existed,where discontinuous cortical bone was visible;in the traditional Chinese medicine group,the defect area was filled with newborn bone tissues,the bone marrow cavity and part of the cortical bone formed,and the fracture line disappeared.Micro-CT scans showed that the amount of new bone in the defect area was low in the blank group,the number of bone trabeculae in the defect area was significantly increased in the model group,and a large amount of new bone tissue was filled in the bone defect area in the traditional Chinese medicine group.Hematoxylin-eosin staining results showed that in the blank group,only a small amount of new bone formed in the defect area and the quality of osteogenesis was poor;in the model group,there was more new bone tissue in the defect area,but some fibrous connective tissues were interspersed within the bone tissue;and in the traditional Chinese medicine group,a large amount of new bone formed in the defect area and the quality of osteogenesis was the best.CD31/Emcn immunofluorescence double-labeling staining results showed that the number of H-type blood vessels in the newborn bone tissue in the bone defect area of the blank group was sparse and sparsely distributed;compared with the blank group,there were more H-type blood vessels in the bone tissue in the bone defect area of the model group,and the blood vessels were distributed in relatively regular strips;the number of H-type blood vessels in the bone defect area of the traditional Chinese medicine group was the highest and the blood vessels were densely distributed.To conclude,the total flavonoids of rhizoma drynariae can upregulate the expression of H-type blood vessels to enhance the angiogenic-osteogenic effect,improve the osteogenic efficiency of the rat femoral Masquelet induced membrane model,and promote bone remodeling.