Fibrosis, the pathological scarring of vital organs, is a severe and often irreversible condition that leads to progressive organ dysfunction. It is particularly pronounced in organs like the liver, kidneys, lungs, and heart. Despite its clinical significance, the full understanding of its etiology and complex pathogenesis remains incomplete, posing substantial challenges to diagnosing, treating, and preventing the progression of fibrosis. Among the various molecular players involved, platelet-derived growth factor-C (PDGF-C) has emerged as a crucial factor in fibrotic diseases, contributing to the pathological transformation of tissues in several key organs. PDGF-C is a member of the PDGFs family of growth factors and is synthesized and secreted by various cell types, including fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells, and endothelial cells. It acts through both autocrine and paracrine mechanisms, exerting its biological effects by binding to and activating the PDGF receptors (PDGFRs), specifically PDGFRα and PDGFRβ. This binding triggers multiple intracellular signaling pathways, such as JAK/STAT, PI3K/AKT and Ras-MAPK pathways. which are integral to the regulation of cell proliferation, survival, migration, and fibrosis. Notably, PDGF-C has been shown to promote the proliferation and migration of fibroblasts, key effector cells in the fibrotic process, thus accelerating the accumulation of extracellular matrix components and the formation of fibrotic tissue. Numerous studies have documented an upregulation of PDGF-C expression in various fibrotic diseases, suggesting its significant role in the initiation and progression of fibrosis. For instance, in liver fibrosis, PDGF-C stimulates hepatic stellate cell activation, contributing to the excessive deposition of collagen and other extracellular matrix proteins. Similarly, in pulmonary fibrosis, PDGF-C enhances the migration of fibroblasts into the damaged areas of lungs, thereby worsening the pathological process. Such findings highlight the pivotal role of PDGF-C in fibrotic diseases and underscore its potential as a therapeutic target for these conditions. Given its central role in the pathogenesis of fibrosis, PDGF-C has become an attractive target for therapeutic intervention. Several studies have focused on developing inhibitors that block the PDGF-C/PDGFR signaling pathway. These inhibitors aim to reduce fibroblast activation, prevent the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix components, and halt the progression of fibrosis. Preclinical studies have demonstrated the efficacy of such inhibitors in animal models of liver, kidney, and lung fibrosis, with promising results in reducing fibrotic lesions and improving organ function. Furthermore, several clinical inhibitors, such as Olaratumab and Seralutinib, are ongoing to assess the safety and efficacy of these inhibitors in human patients, offering hope for novel therapeutic options in the treatment of fibrotic diseases. In conclusion, PDGF-C plays a critical role in the development and progression of fibrosis in vital organs. Its ability to regulate fibroblast activity and influence key signaling pathways makes it a promising target for therapeutic strategies aiming at combating fibrosis. Ongoing research into the regulation of PDGF-C expression and the development of PDGF-C/PDGFR inhibitors holds the potential to offer new insights and approaches for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of fibrotic diseases. Ultimately, these efforts may lead to the development of more effective and targeted therapies that can mitigate the impact of fibrosis and improve patient outcomes.

Objective: Accurate evaluation of inflammation severity in ulcerative colitis (UC) can guide treatment strategy selection. The potential value of the pericolic fat attenuation index (FAI) on CT as an indicator of disease severity remains unknown.This study aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of pericolic FAI in predicting UC severity. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study enrolled 148 patients (mean age 48 years; 87 males). The fat attenuation on CT was measured in four different locations: the mesocolic vascular side (MS) and opposite side of MS (OMS) around the most severe bowel lesion, the retroperitoneal space (RS), and the subcutaneous area. The fat attenuation indices (FAI MS, FAI OMS, and FAI RS) were calculated as the fat attenuation measured in MS, OMS, and RS, respectively, minus that of the subcutaneous area, and were obtained in the non-enhanced, arterial, and delayed phases. Correlations between the FAI and UC Endoscopic Index of Severity (UCEIS) were assessed using Spearman’s correlation. Predictors of severe UC (UCEIS ≥7) were selected by univariable analysis. The performance of FAI in predicting severe UC was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Results: The FAIMS and FAI OMS scores were significantly higher than FAI RS in three phases (all P < 0.001). The FAIMS and FAI OMS scores moderately correlated with the UCEIS score (r = 0.474–0.649 among the three phases). Additionally, FAI MS and FAI OMS identified severe UC, with AUC varying from 0.77 to 0.85. Conclusion Increased CT attenuation of pericolic adipose tissue could serve as a noninvasive marker for evaluating UC severity. FAI MS and FAI OMS of three phases showed similar prediction accuracies for severe UC identification.

Objective: Accurate evaluation of inflammation severity in ulcerative colitis (UC) can guide treatment strategy selection. The potential value of the pericolic fat attenuation index (FAI) on CT as an indicator of disease severity remains unknown.This study aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of pericolic FAI in predicting UC severity. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study enrolled 148 patients (mean age 48 years; 87 males). The fat attenuation on CT was measured in four different locations: the mesocolic vascular side (MS) and opposite side of MS (OMS) around the most severe bowel lesion, the retroperitoneal space (RS), and the subcutaneous area. The fat attenuation indices (FAI MS, FAI OMS, and FAI RS) were calculated as the fat attenuation measured in MS, OMS, and RS, respectively, minus that of the subcutaneous area, and were obtained in the non-enhanced, arterial, and delayed phases. Correlations between the FAI and UC Endoscopic Index of Severity (UCEIS) were assessed using Spearman’s correlation. Predictors of severe UC (UCEIS ≥7) were selected by univariable analysis. The performance of FAI in predicting severe UC was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Results: The FAIMS and FAI OMS scores were significantly higher than FAI RS in three phases (all P < 0.001). The FAIMS and FAI OMS scores moderately correlated with the UCEIS score (r = 0.474–0.649 among the three phases). Additionally, FAI MS and FAI OMS identified severe UC, with AUC varying from 0.77 to 0.85. Conclusion Increased CT attenuation of pericolic adipose tissue could serve as a noninvasive marker for evaluating UC severity. FAI MS and FAI OMS of three phases showed similar prediction accuracies for severe UC identification.

Objective: Accurate evaluation of inflammation severity in ulcerative colitis (UC) can guide treatment strategy selection. The potential value of the pericolic fat attenuation index (FAI) on CT as an indicator of disease severity remains unknown.This study aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of pericolic FAI in predicting UC severity. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study enrolled 148 patients (mean age 48 years; 87 males). The fat attenuation on CT was measured in four different locations: the mesocolic vascular side (MS) and opposite side of MS (OMS) around the most severe bowel lesion, the retroperitoneal space (RS), and the subcutaneous area. The fat attenuation indices (FAI MS, FAI OMS, and FAI RS) were calculated as the fat attenuation measured in MS, OMS, and RS, respectively, minus that of the subcutaneous area, and were obtained in the non-enhanced, arterial, and delayed phases. Correlations between the FAI and UC Endoscopic Index of Severity (UCEIS) were assessed using Spearman’s correlation. Predictors of severe UC (UCEIS ≥7) were selected by univariable analysis. The performance of FAI in predicting severe UC was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Results: The FAIMS and FAI OMS scores were significantly higher than FAI RS in three phases (all P < 0.001). The FAIMS and FAI OMS scores moderately correlated with the UCEIS score (r = 0.474–0.649 among the three phases). Additionally, FAI MS and FAI OMS identified severe UC, with AUC varying from 0.77 to 0.85. Conclusion Increased CT attenuation of pericolic adipose tissue could serve as a noninvasive marker for evaluating UC severity. FAI MS and FAI OMS of three phases showed similar prediction accuracies for severe UC identification.

Objective: Accurate evaluation of inflammation severity in ulcerative colitis (UC) can guide treatment strategy selection. The potential value of the pericolic fat attenuation index (FAI) on CT as an indicator of disease severity remains unknown.This study aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of pericolic FAI in predicting UC severity. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study enrolled 148 patients (mean age 48 years; 87 males). The fat attenuation on CT was measured in four different locations: the mesocolic vascular side (MS) and opposite side of MS (OMS) around the most severe bowel lesion, the retroperitoneal space (RS), and the subcutaneous area. The fat attenuation indices (FAI MS, FAI OMS, and FAI RS) were calculated as the fat attenuation measured in MS, OMS, and RS, respectively, minus that of the subcutaneous area, and were obtained in the non-enhanced, arterial, and delayed phases. Correlations between the FAI and UC Endoscopic Index of Severity (UCEIS) were assessed using Spearman’s correlation. Predictors of severe UC (UCEIS ≥7) were selected by univariable analysis. The performance of FAI in predicting severe UC was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Results: The FAIMS and FAI OMS scores were significantly higher than FAI RS in three phases (all P < 0.001). The FAIMS and FAI OMS scores moderately correlated with the UCEIS score (r = 0.474–0.649 among the three phases). Additionally, FAI MS and FAI OMS identified severe UC, with AUC varying from 0.77 to 0.85. Conclusion Increased CT attenuation of pericolic adipose tissue could serve as a noninvasive marker for evaluating UC severity. FAI MS and FAI OMS of three phases showed similar prediction accuracies for severe UC identification.

Objective: Accurate evaluation of inflammation severity in ulcerative colitis (UC) can guide treatment strategy selection. The potential value of the pericolic fat attenuation index (FAI) on CT as an indicator of disease severity remains unknown.This study aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of pericolic FAI in predicting UC severity. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study enrolled 148 patients (mean age 48 years; 87 males). The fat attenuation on CT was measured in four different locations: the mesocolic vascular side (MS) and opposite side of MS (OMS) around the most severe bowel lesion, the retroperitoneal space (RS), and the subcutaneous area. The fat attenuation indices (FAI MS, FAI OMS, and FAI RS) were calculated as the fat attenuation measured in MS, OMS, and RS, respectively, minus that of the subcutaneous area, and were obtained in the non-enhanced, arterial, and delayed phases. Correlations between the FAI and UC Endoscopic Index of Severity (UCEIS) were assessed using Spearman’s correlation. Predictors of severe UC (UCEIS ≥7) were selected by univariable analysis. The performance of FAI in predicting severe UC was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Results: The FAIMS and FAI OMS scores were significantly higher than FAI RS in three phases (all P < 0.001). The FAIMS and FAI OMS scores moderately correlated with the UCEIS score (r = 0.474–0.649 among the three phases). Additionally, FAI MS and FAI OMS identified severe UC, with AUC varying from 0.77 to 0.85. Conclusion Increased CT attenuation of pericolic adipose tissue could serve as a noninvasive marker for evaluating UC severity. FAI MS and FAI OMS of three phases showed similar prediction accuracies for severe UC identification.

Cancer stem cell(CSC)are the"seed"cells in the occurrence,development,metastasis and recurrence of colorectal cancer.Targeted killing of CSC provides a new target for anti-colorectal cancer therapy.Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent cell death mode due to the abnormal accumulation of intracellular i-ron ions,which results in the massive reactive oxygen species(ROS)and lipid peroxides,leading to cell death.Studies have shown that cancer stem cells are more enriched in iron ions than non-CSC,which provides a new perspective for targeting ferropto-sis in cancer stem cells against colorectal cancer.This article re-views the research progress of inducing CSC ferroptosis in the treatment of colorectal cancer,such as targeted regulation of SLC7A11 expression in CSC,chelating iron in CSC lysosomes,targeting CSC phenotypic plasticity,reversing CSC iron homeo-stasis,and targeting CSC lipid droplet metabolism induce CSC ferroptosis,which provides new ideas for anti-tumor therapy.

Objective:To investigate the factors related to hypothyroidism induced by programmed death(PD)-1 treatment in elderly patients with cancer.Methods:A total of 193 older patients(≥60 years old)with advanced solid tumors who received PD-1 treatment between January 2018 and January 2021 at the Department of Oncology of Xiangyang Central Hospital were included in this study.The patients were divided into two groups based on whether they were diagnosed with hypothyroidism after PD-1 treatment: the hypothyroidism group(36 cases)and the non-hypothyroidism group(157 cases).The clinical data of both groups, including age, gender, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status(ECOG PS), PD-1 inhibitors, thyroid function, and thyroid antibody, were compared to analyze the risk factors associated with hypothyroidism.Results:Among the 193 patients, 36(18.7%)were diagnosed with hypothyroidism.The study found no significant differences between the two groups in terms of age, gender, ECOG PS, tumor type, and PD-1 type(all P>0.05).However, significant differences were observed in the baseline levels of thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH)and thyroid antibody subgroups(both P<0.05).The results of multivariate Logistic regression analysis revealed that the presence of baseline anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody(TPOAb)( OR=20.256, 95% CI: 5.709-71.868, P<0.001), the presence of both baseline thyroglobulin antibody(TGAb)and TPOAb( OR=5.853, 95% CI: 1.475-23.227, P=0.012), and an increase in baseline TSH levels( OR=3.065, 95% CI: 1.049-8.959, P=0.041)were identified as risk factors for hypothyroidism induced by PD-1 treatment.On the other hand, there was no significant association between the presence of baseline TGAb and the occurrence of hypothyroidism( OR=1.373, 95% CI: 0.353-5.341, P=0.648). Conclusions:The incidence rate of hypothyroidism induced by PD-1 inhibitors is high among elderly patients with cancer.Additionally, the risk of hypothyroidism is higher in patients with elevated baseline TSH and positive TPOAb.Therefore, it is crucial to remain vigilant for the occurrence of hypothyroidism during PD-1 treatment.Timely diagnosis and treatment of hypothyroidism are necessary to minimize the incidence of adverse events.

AIM To study the chemical constituents form the leaves of Castanopsis orthacantha Fance and their α-glucosidase inhibitory activities.METHODS The methanol extract form the leaves of C.orthacanth was isolated and purified by various column chromatography methods,such as MCI gel CHP 20P,Sephadex LH-20,Diaion HP20SS,then the structures of obtained compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data.The α-glucosidase inhibitory activities were determined by PNPG method.RESULTS Eighteen compounds were isolated and identified as protocatechuic acid(1),gallic acid(2),3-O-α-L-arabininopyranosyl-4-hydroxybenzoic acid(3),3-O-galloyl shikimic acid(4),methyl 4-epi-shikimate-3-O-gallate(5),5-O-galloyl shikimic acid(6),5-O-caffeoylshikimic acid(7),6-O-galloyl-glucoside(8),1,6-di-O-galloyl-β-D-pyranogluloside(9),1,3-di-O-galloyl-α-D-glucoside(10),2,3-di-O-galloyl-D-glucoside(11),β-O-methylgluco-2,3-digalloyl esters(12),(3R,1'S)-[1'-(6"-O-galloyl-β-D-gluco-pyranosyl)oxyethyl]-3-hydroxy-dihydrofuran-2(3H)-one(13),4-O-D-(6'-O-galloyl)glucopyranyl-(E)-p-coumaryl acid(14),chestanin(15),1-desgalloyl eugeniin(16),picrorhiza acid(17),11-methyl chebulate(18).The IC50 values of compounds 2 and 16 were(0.12±0.059),(0.00089±0.00025)mmol/L,respectively.CONCLUSION All compounds are isolated from the leaves of C.orthacantha for the first time.Compounds 2 and 16 have strong α-glucosidase inhibitory activities.

AIM To compare the in vivo pharmacokinetics of paeoniflorin,paeoniflorin,liquiritin,isoliquiritin,liquiritigenin and glycyrrhizic acid from Shaoyao Gancao Decoction in normal and gastric ulcer rats.METHODS Six rats were randomly assigned into two groups,after which the 75%ethanol-induced gastric ulcer model was established,the gastric tissues were collected.Twelve rats were randomly assigned into two groups and given intragastric administration(9.9 g/kg),after which blood collection was made at different time points,UPLC-MS/MS method was adopted in the determination of plasma concentrations,and main pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated.RESULTS Prolonged Tmax(P＜0.05,P＜0.01)of various active constituents,prolonged T1/2,MRT0-t(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),increased Cmax,AUC(P＜0.05,P＜0.01)and decreased Vd/F,CL/F(P＜0.05,P＜0.01)of paeoniflorin,increased Cmax,AUC(P＜0.05,P＜0.01)and decreased CL/F(P＜0.05)of albiflorin,prolonged MRT(P＜0.05),increased AUC(P＜0.05)and decreased CL/F(P＜0.01)of liquiritin,prolonged MRT(P＜0.05,P＜0.01)and decreased Vd/F(P＜0.05)of isoliquiritin,no obviously changed pharmacokinetic parameters(except for Tmax)of liquiritigenin(P＞0.05),and prolonged T1/2,MRT0-∞(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),increased Cmax,AUC(P＜0.05,P＜0.01)and decreased CL/F(P＜0.01)of glycyrrhizic acid were observable in the model group as compared with those in the normal group.CONCLUSION Gastric ulcer exhibits certain influences on the velocities and degrees of in vivo absorption and metabolism of active constituents from Shaoyao Gancao Decoction.