Caspase-8 is a cysteine-aspartate protease widely dis-tributed in cells.As a molecular"switch",caspase-8 is involved in the regulation of various modes of cell death,including apopto-sis,necroptosis and pyroptosis.During cerebral ischemia/reper-fusion,caspase-8 activation is one of the key factors inducing neuronal cell death.Currently there are both specific inhibitors of caspase-8,such as Z-IETD-FMK and Ac-IETD-CHO,as well as a variety of pan-caspase inhibitors,such as z-VAD,Q-VD-OPH,and enricosan.Both animal and cellular experiments have demonstrated that all of these inhibitors attenuate cerebral ische-mia/reperfusion injury,an effect that involves inhibition of caspase-8 activity and reduction of neuronal apoptosis.Clinical-ly,certain drugs for ischemic stroke reduce plasma caspase-8 ac-tivity,suggesting that caspase-8 may be a biomarker for the diag-nosis and prognosis of ischemic stroke.Finding and developing clinically valuable inhibitors around caspase-8 is expected to provide new ideas for new drug development in ischemic stroke.

Caspase-8 is a cysteine-aspartate protease widely dis-tributed in cells.As a molecular"switch",caspase-8 is involved in the regulation of various modes of cell death,including apopto-sis,necroptosis and pyroptosis.During cerebral ischemia/reper-fusion,caspase-8 activation is one of the key factors inducing neuronal cell death.Currently there are both specific inhibitors of caspase-8,such as Z-IETD-FMK and Ac-IETD-CHO,as well as a variety of pan-caspase inhibitors,such as z-VAD,Q-VD-OPH,and enricosan.Both animal and cellular experiments have demonstrated that all of these inhibitors attenuate cerebral ische-mia/reperfusion injury,an effect that involves inhibition of caspase-8 activity and reduction of neuronal apoptosis.Clinical-ly,certain drugs for ischemic stroke reduce plasma caspase-8 ac-tivity,suggesting that caspase-8 may be a biomarker for the diag-nosis and prognosis of ischemic stroke.Finding and developing clinically valuable inhibitors around caspase-8 is expected to provide new ideas for new drug development in ischemic stroke.

Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent cell death caused by phospholipid peroxidation damage of polyunsaturated fatty acids on cell membranes and involves several pathways, including the iron homeostasis regulatory pathway, the cystine glutamate reverse transporter (system Xc) pathway and the voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC) pathway. Ferroptosis is involved in the development of several diseases (e. g. myocardial infarction, stroke, cancer and degenerative diseases). The ubiquitination is an important post-translational modification of various protein molecules in the organism. Studies have shown that regulating the ubiquitination of ferroptosis pathway-related molecules can control cellular ferroptosis. Targeting the ubiquitination of ferroptosis pathway-related molecules can effectively promote or inhibit ferroptosis, which is expected to be a new strategy for the treatment of cancer or cardiovascular diseases. In this paper we review the progress of the ferroptosis pathways and the ubiquitination modification of ferroptosis-related molecules.

Receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 3(RIPK3),a member of the RIP kinase family,plays an important role in cell death,especially in necroptosis. In addition,RIPK3 is also involved in apoptosis and pyroptosis,suggesting that RIPK3 may be the intersection of multiple cell death and it possesses the potential to be a target for precise regulation of cell death. According to the kinase binding mode,current RIPK3 inhibitors can be classified into type ,type Ⅱ and other types. This review summarizes the research progress in the role of RIPK3 in cell death and its inhibitors,which is of great significance in seeking drugs for the treatment of injury-related diseases.

Objective: To determine the causal association between long-term Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) exposure and the risk of cardiovascular hospitalization. Methods: Based on a sub-cohort of a community-based prospective cohort study, a total of 36 271 participants were recruited from 35 communities randomly selected in Guangzhou in 2015. The annual average exposure of NO₂, demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, and information on the causes of hospitalization was collected. We applied marginal structural Cox models to investigate the effect of NO₂ on cardiovascular hospitalization. Demographic and behavioral factors also stratified results. Results: The mean age of participants in the present study was (50.9±17.8) years, and the cardiovascular admission rate was 8.7%, with 203 822 person-years of follow-up. The annual mean NO₂ concentration was 48.7 μg/m³ during 2015-2020. For each 10 μg/m³ increase in NO₂ concentrations, the HRs (95%CIs) of total cardiovascular hospitalization, cardiovascular hospitalization, and cerebrovascular hospitalization were 1.33 (1.16-1.52), 1.36 (1.16-1.60) and 1.25 (1.00-1.55), respectively. Participants who were never married/married, with secondary education, high exercise frequency, or non-smokers/current smokers may be more susceptible than their counterparts. Conclusion: Long-term exposure to NO₂ significantly increased hospitalization risk for cardiovascular disease.
Humans ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Nitrogen Dioxide ; Prospective Studies ; Cardiovascular Diseases/epidemiology* ; Causality ; Hospitalization

Humans ; Mesothelioma/pathology* ; Mesothelioma, Malignant ; Pleural Neoplasms/diagnosis* ; Pleural Effusion, Malignant ; Pleural Effusion/pathology*

Objective:To study diagnostic value of left atrial diameter(LAD),lipoprotein(a)[LP(a)]combined D-dimer(D-D)for left atrial thrombus(LATH)in patients with atrial fibrillation(AF).Methods:According to results of transesophageal echocardiography,a total of 367 AF patients treated in our hospital were divided into LATH group(n=67)and no LATH group(n=300).General clinical data,LAD,serum Lp(a)level and positive D-D rate were compared between two groups,and diagnostic value of above indexes for LATH in AF was ana-lyzed.Results:Compared with no LATH group,there were significant rise in LAD[(40.93±4.69)mm vs.(44.65±4.31)mm],serum Lp(a)level[(17.05±2.31)mg/dl vs.(27.42±3.06)mg/dl]and positive D-D rate(5.67%vs.22.34%)in LATH group(P=0.001 all).ROC curve indicated that AUC of Lp(a),positive D-D,LAD single detection and triple combined detection diagnosing LATH in AF was 0.711,0.584,0.728 and 0.801 respectively;sensitivity was 43.28%,22.39%,64.18%and 65.67%respectively;and specificity was 92.00%,94.33%,76.67%and 80.67%respectively.AUC of triple combined detection was significantly higher than that of any single detection,and sensitivity and specificity were significantly higher than those of Lp(a)and positive D-D single detection(P＜0.05 or＜0.01).Conclusion:Combined detection of Lp(a),positive D-D and LAD possess high diagnostic value for left atrial thrombus in atrial fibrillation.

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological features and HER2 expression of metaplastic squamous cell carcinoma (MSCC) of the breast. Methods: A total of 47 MSCC cases diagnosed in the Wuhan Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China from January 2010 to December 2021 were reviewed. The clinical information (including the follow-up data of HER2 positive patients) and pathological features were collected and analyzed. Results: All of the patients were female. Among the 47 cases, 25 were pure squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC) and 22 were mixed metaplastic carcinoma with squamous cell component (MMSC). The median age of the patients was 54 years (range, 29-84 years). The maximum diameter of the mass ranged from 0.8 to 10.0 cm, with a mean value of 3.3 cm, 85.7% (24/28) of the cases were smaller than 5 cm, and only 4 cases were larger than or equal to 5 cm. 89.5% of the MMSC presented with a solid mass. Cystic changes were more commonly found in the PSCC group (50%, P<0.05) than the MMSC group. 36.7% (11/30) of the patients had lymph node metastasis at the time of diagnosis. The squamous cell carcinoma component in all cases showed diffuse or patchy expression of p63, p40 and CK5/6. 55.3% (26/47) of the cases showed triple-negative phenotype. Among the 7 HER2-positive patients, 6 were MMSC group, which had a significantly higher rate of HER2-positivity than that in the PSCC group (1 case). In 1 MMSC case, immunohistochemistry showed HER2 2+in the invasive ductal carcinoma component and HER2 negativity (0) in the squamous cell carcinoma component, but HER2 FISH was negative in invasive ductal carcinoma and positive in squamous cell carcinoma component. Six HER2-positive MSCC patients received anti-HER2-targeted therapy, including two patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with anti-HER2-targeted therapy before surgery. One patient achieved pathological complete remission, while the other achieved partial remission (the residual tumors were squamous cell carcinoma components). After 9-26 months of follow-up, four patients had no disease progression, two patients developed pulmonary metastases, and one patient showed local recurrence. Conclusions: MSCC is a group of heterogeneous diseases. PSCC and MMSC may be two different entities. Most of the MSCC are triple-negative and HER2 positivity is more commonly seen in MMSC with invasive ductal carcinoma component. Some HER2-positive MSCC patients can achieve complete remission or long-term progression-free survival after receiving anti-HER2 targeted therapy, but the squamous cell carcinoma component may be less sensitive to targeted therapy than the invasive ductal carcinoma component.
Carcinoma, Ductal ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology* ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Receptor, ErbB-2/metabolism*

Objective: To analyze the migration of the HIV/AIDS cases and related factors in Liangshan Yi autonomous prefecture (Liangshan). Methods: According to HIV/AIDS Comprehensive Response Information Management System of China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention, a total of 28 772 HIV/AIDS cases who had follow-up records in Liangshan in 2020 were included in the survey. The migration of the HIV/AIDS cases was described and the related factors were analyzed using multiple logistic regression models, and the migration destinations of the HIV/AIDS cases were mapped. Results: Among the 28 772 HIV/AIDS cases, 20.89% (6 010/28 772) had migration in 2020. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that among the HIV/AIDS cases, the migration related factors included being aged 15-24 years (compared with being aged 0-14 years, OR=2.74, 95%CI:2.04-3.69) and ethnic group (compared with Han ethnic group, OR=2.44, 95%CI:2.19-2.72), having education level of junior high school (compared with having education level of primary school or below, OR=1.25, 95%CI:1.14-1.38), being unmarried (compared with being married, OR=1.29, 95%CI:1.20-1.39), being engaged in business services (compared with being engaged in farming, OR=1.96, 95%CI:1.31-2.92), receiving antiviral treatment <1 year (compared with receiving antiviral treatment >3 years, OR=1.42, 95%CI:1.26-1.61), having recent CD4⁺T lymphocytes (CD4) counts >500 cells/μl (compared with having recent CD4 counts <200 cells/μl, OR=1.15, 95%CI:1.03-1.29). The geographical distribution maps showed that among all cities in Sichuan, Xichang (13.26%, 797/6 010) and Chengdu (10.12%,608/6 010) were the main migration destinations of the HIV/AIDS cases, and the provinces outside Sichuan where the HIV/AIDS cases would like to migrate to were mainly Guangdong (18.19%, 1 093/6 010) and Zhejiang provinces (7.67%, 461/6 010) in 2020. The HIV/AIDS cases who migrated where Liangshan, within Sichuan province, and to other provinces accounted for 27.67% (1 663/6 010), 15.34% (922/6 010) and 56.99% (3 425/6 010), respectively. Conclusions: More attention should be paid to the mobility characteristics and the classification management of HIV/AIDS cases according to their characteristics in Liangshan. Timely access to information on changes in the place of work and residence of HIV/AIDS cases should be warranted when they have migration. Good referrals and management for mobility of HIV/AIDS cases in different places should be made to reduce loss to follow-up and improving interventions.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/epidemiology* ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China/epidemiology* ; Ethnicity ; HIV Infections/epidemiology* ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Logistic Models ; Marriage ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE Right ventricular (RV) remodeling is one of the essential pathological features in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). RV hypertrophy or fibrosis are the leading causes of RV remodeling. Magnolol is a com?pound isolated from Magnolia officinalis. It possesses multiple pharmacological activities, such as anti-oxidation and anti-inflammation. This study aims to evaluate the effects and underlying mechanisms of magnolol on RV remodeling in hypoxia-induced PAH. METHODS ① Male SD rats (220 g) were randomly divided into 5 groups (n=10): the normoxia group, the hypoxia group, the hypoxia plus Magnolol (10 and 20 mg·kg-1·d-1) group, and the vehicle group. Rats in the normoxia group were kept in a normoxia environment for 4 weeks, while rats in the hypoxia group were kept in a hypoxic chamber (10％ O2). The rats in the hypoxia plus magnolol groups were administered with magnolol at 10 or 20 mg·kg-1 (ip) once a day for 4 weeks. At the end of 4 weeks, the heart function was assessed by Doppler echocardiography, and then the rats were anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital (30 mg·kg-1, ip). The RVSP was measured by the right heart catheterization method. The heart tissues were collected and dissected to calculate the index of RV remodeling (RV/LV+IVS, RV/tibial length, or RV/body weight). Part of the RV samples was fixed with 4％paraformaldehyde for morphological analysis, while other samples were frozen at-80℃for molecular studies (measurements of ANP, BNP,α-SMA, and col?lagen Ⅰ/Ⅲ mRNA expression as well as p-JAK2/JAK2 and p-STAT3/STAT3 protein levels). ② To evaluate the effect of magnolol on hypoxia-induced myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis, H9c2 or cardiac fibroblasts were divided into 7 groups: the control group, cells were cultured under normal conditions; the hypoxia group, cells were cultured under hypoxic condition (3％ O2);the hypoxia plus magnolol 10 mg·kg-1 group, magnolol10μmol·L-1 was added to the culture medium before the hypoxia treatment;the hypoxia plus magnolol 30 mg·kg-1 group, magnolol 20μmol·L-1 was added to the culture medium before the hypoxia treatment;the hypoxia plus TG-101348 group, TG-101348 (a specific inhibitor of JAK2) 1μmol·L-1 was added to the culture medium before the hypoxia treatment;the hypoxia plus JSI-124 group, JSI-124 (a specific inhibitor of JAK2) 1μmol·L-1 was added to the culture medium before the hypoxia treatment;and the hypoxia plus vehicle group, an equal volume of vehicle (DMSO) was added to the culture medium before the hypoxia treatment. At the end of the experiments, the cells were collected for morphological and molecular analysis. RESULTS In vivo, male Sprang-Daley rats were exposed to 10％ O2 for 4 weeks to establish an RV remodeling model, which showed hypertrophic and fibrotic features (increases of RV remodeling index, cellular size, hypertrophic and fibrotic marker expression), accompanied by an elevation in phosphorylation levels of JAK2 and STAT3;these changes were attenuated by treating rats with magnolol. In vitro, the cultured H9c2 cells or cardiac fibroblasts were exposed to 3％ O2 for 48 h to induce hypertrophy or fibrosis, which showed hypertrophic (increases in cellular size as well as the expression of ANP and BNP) or fibrotic features (increases in the expression of collagenⅠ, collagenⅢandα-SMA). Administration of mag?nolol and TG-101348 or JSI-124 (JAK2 selective inhibitors) could prevent the process of myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis, accompanied by the decrease in the phosphorylation level of JAK2 and STAT3. CONCLUSION Magnolol can attenuate RV hypertrophy and fibrosis in hypoxia-induced PAH rats through a mechanism involving inhibition of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.