OBJECTIVE: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is sensitive to ferroptosis, a new form of programmed cell death that occurs in most tumor types. However, the mechanism through which ferroptosis modulates HCC remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the oncogenic role and prognostic value of FANCD2 and provide novel insights into the prognostic assessment and prediction of immunotherapy. METHODS: Using clinicopathological parameters and bioinformatic techniques, we comprehensively examined the expression of FANCD2 macroscopically and microcosmically. We conducted univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses to identify the prognostic value of FANCD2 in HCC and elucidated the detailed molecular mechanisms underlying the involvement of FANCD2 in oncogenesis by promoting iron-related death. RESULTS: FANCD2 was significantly upregulated in digestive system cancers with abundant immune infiltration. As an independent risk factor for HCC, a high FANCD2 expression level was associated with poor clinical outcomes and response to immune checkpoint blockade. Gene set enrichment analysis revealed that FANCD2 was mainly involved in the cell cycle and CYP450 metabolism. CONCLUSION To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to comprehensively elucidate the oncogenic role of FANCD2. FANCD2 has a tumor-promoting aspect in the digestive system and acts as an independent risk factor in HCC; hence, it has recognized value for predicting tumor aggressiveness and prognosis and may be a potential biomarker for poor responsiveness to immunotherapy.
Humans ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/diagnosis* ; Liver Neoplasms/diagnosis* ; Immunotherapy ; Fanconi Anemia Complementation Group D2 Protein/metabolism* ; Prognosis ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: CRISPR-Cas protects bacteria from exogenous DNA invasion and is associated with bacterial biofilm formation and pathogenicity. METHODS: We analyzed the type I-F CRISPR-Cas system of Legionella pneumophila WX48, including Cas1, Cas2-Cas3, Csy1, Csy2, Csy3, and Cas6f, along with downstream CRISPR arrays. We explored the effects of the CRISPR-Cas system on the in vitro growth, biofilm-forming ability, and pathogenicity of L. pneumophila through constructing gene deletion mutants. RESULTS: The type I-F CRISPR-Cas system did not affect the in vitro growth of wild-type or mutant strains. The biofilm formation and intracellular proliferation of the mutant strains were weaker than those of the wild type owing to the regulation of type IV pili and Dot/Icm type IV secretion systems. In particular, Cas6f deletion strongly inhibited these processes. CONCLUSION The type I-F CRISPR-Cas system may reduce biofilm formation and intracellular proliferation in L. pneumophila.
Legionella pneumophila/pathogenicity* ; CRISPR-Cas Systems ; Biofilms/growth & development* ; Phenotype ; Bacterial Proteins/metabolism* ; Gene Deletion

Objective:To prepare the nanodrug paclitaxel dimer(PTX2)-loaded nanoparticles(NPs)using the block copolymer 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-polyethylene glycol 2000,(DSPE-PEG2000),and to explore the killing effect of PTX2 NPs on the human lung cancer A549 cells and its influence on apop to tis.Methods:The PTX2 NPs were prepared using nanoprecipitation method.Dynamic light scattering(DLS)was employed to determine the particle size distribution,and transmission electron microscope(TEM)was used to observe the ultrastructure of the nanoparticles.After treatment of 0 and 10 mmol·L-1 dithiothreitol(DTT),dialysis method was used to evaluate the in vitro drug release profile of PTX2 NPs.The cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)method was used to assess the survival rates of the A549 cells after treated with PTX2 and PTX2 NPs with different concentrations(0.000 1,0.001 0,0.010 0,0.100 0,and 1.000 0 μmol·L-1).The A549 cells were divided into control group,PTX2 group,and PTX2 NPs group.Live/dead staining method was used to detect the survival of the A549 cells in various groups,and flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptotic rates of the A549 cells in various groups.Results:The mean hydrodynamic diameter of PTX2 NPs was determined to be 144.7nmbyDLS.TheTEM imaging confirmed uniform spherical morphology of PTX2 NPs.In a reductive environment,the PTX2 NPs exhibited continuous drug release with total paclitaxel(PTX)release of 84％within 72 h.The results of CCK-8 method showed that both PTX2 and PTX2 NPs inhibited the proliferation of A549 cells in a dose-dependent manner.When the concentrations of PTX＜0.01 μmol·L-1,compared with PTX2 group,the survival rates of A549 cells in PTX2 NPs group were significantly decreased(P＜0.01 or P＜0.001).The live/dead staining results showed that compared with PTX2 group,the number of red fluorescence-labeled dead cells in PTX2 NPs group was increased.The flow cytometry results demonstrated that compared with control group and PTX2 group,the apoptotic rates of the A549 cells in PTX2 NPs group were significantly increased(P＜0.05 orP＜0.01).Conclusion:The PTX2-loaded nanoparticles PTX2 NPs are successfully prepared which exhibits responsive drug release and demonstrates a more significant killing effect on the human lung cancer A549 cells compared to PTX2.

ObjectiveTo explore the molecular mechanism of aerobic exercise to improve hippocampal neuronal degeneration by regulating tryptophan metabolic pathway. Methods60 SPF-grade C57BL/6J male mice were divided into a young group (2 months old, n=30) and a senile group (12 months old, n=30), and each group was further divided into a control group (C/A group, n=15) and an exercise group (CE/AE group, n=15). An aerobic exercise program was used for 8 weeks. Learning memory ability was assessed by Y-maze, and anxiety-depression-like behavior was detected by absent field experiment. Hippocampal Trp levels were measured by GC-MS. Nissl staining was used to observe the number and morphology of hippocampal neurons, and electron microscopy was used to detect synaptic ultrastructure. ELISA was used to detect the levels of hippocampal Trp,5-HT, Kyn, KATs, KYNA, KMO, and QUIN; Western blot was used to analyze the activities of TPH2, IDO1, and TDO enzymes. ResultsGroup A mice showed significant decrease in learning and memory ability (P<0.05) and increase in anxiety and depressive behaviors (P<0.05); all of AE group showed significant improvement (P<0.05). Hippocampal Trp levels decreased in group A (P<0.05) and increased in AE group (P<0.05). Nidus vesicles were reduced and synaptic structures were degraded in group A (P<0.05), and both were significantly improved in group AE (P<0.05). The levels of Trp, 5-HT, KATs, and KYNA were decreased (P<0.05) and the levels of Kyn, KMO, and QUIN were increased (P<0.05) in group A. The activity of TPH2 was decreased (P<0.05), and the activities of IDO1 and TDO were increased (P<0.05). The AE group showed the opposite trend. ConclusionThe aging process significantly reduces the learning memory ability and increases the anxiety-depression-like behavior of mice, and leads to the reduction of the number of nidus vesicles and degenerative changes of synaptic structure in the hippocampus, whereas aerobic exercise not only effectively enhances the spatial learning memory ability and alleviates the anxiety-depression-like behavior of aging mice, but also improves the morphology and structure of neurons in hippocampal area, which may be achieved by the mechanism of regulating the tryptophan metabolic pathway.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy and safety of trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer.Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted. The clinical data of 38 breast cancer patients with metastasis in other parts who received T-DXd treatment in Xi'an International Medical Center Hospital from August 2021 to August 2024 were analyzed. The clinical efficacy and incidence of adverse reactions in patients were recorded, comparison of clinical efficacy in stratified patients based on clinical characteristics was performed, and the progression-free survival (PFS) was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier method.Results:All 38 patients were female, with a median age [ M ( Q1, Q3)] of 55 (42, 60) years; according to the guidelines of the American Society of Clinical Oncology/College of American Pathologists, 13 cases (34.2%) were positive for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) and 25 cases (65.8%) were low in HER2 expression; the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) physical status scores of 23 cases (60.5%) were 0-2 points and 15 cases (39.5%) were 3-4 points; the median number of T-DXd treatment lines was 4 (2,16) lines. According to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors 1.1, the objective response rate (ORR) of T-DXd treatment was 34.2% (13/38), and the disease control rate (DCR) was 78.9% (30/38); the ORR of patients aged ≤ 50 years old was higher than that of patients aged >50 years old [56.3% (9/16) vs. 18.2% (4/22)], patients with HER2 positive was lower than that of patients with low HER2 expression [100.0 (13/13) vs. 68.0% (17/25)], patients with previous tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment was higher than that of patients without TKI treatment [100.0% (12/12) vs. 69.2% (18/26)], and the DCR of patients with T-DXd treatment for ≥ 4 cycles was higher than that of patients with T-DXd treatment for 1-3 cycles [100.0% (25/25) vs. 38.5% (5/13)], and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). Among the 38 patients, 19 (50.0%) stopped medication due to disease progression, 11 (28.9%) stopped medication due to economic reasons, 1 (0.8%) stopped medication due to grade 3 nausea and vomiting, and 1 (0.8%) stopped medication due to grade 2 interstitial lung disease (ILD), while the remaining 6 (15.8%) were undergoing T-DXd treatment. The median follow-up time was 9.5 (3.9, 17.8) months, and 16 cases (42.1%) progressed and died; the median PFS time was 5.9 months (95% CI: 3.1-8.7 months). Adverse reactions were mostly grade 1-2; common hematological adverse reactions included leukopenia [18 cases (47.3%)], neutropenia [16 cases (42.1%)], thrombocytopenia [11 cases (28.9%)], and anemia [15 cases (39.5%)]. Non-hematological adverse reactions included nausea [28 cases (73.7%)], vomiting [15 cases (39.5%)], decreased appetite [20 cases (52.6%)], fatigue [22 cases (57.9%)], alopecia [22 cases (57.5%)], elevated aspartate aminotransferase [20 cases (52.6%)], and elevated alanine aminotransferase [15 cases (39.5%)] were more common. Two cases developed interstitial lung disease (ILD), classified as grade 1 and grade 2, respectively. After discontinuation of medication and treatment with methylprednisolone, they returned to normal. Conclusions:T-DXd ≥ 2 line therapy has good efficacy and safety in the treatment of HER2 positive or low expression metastatic breast cancer. Bone marrow suppression and gastrointestinal adverse reactions are the most common, and the occurrence of ILD should be noted in the treatment.

To explore the mediating effect of resilience between sleep quality index and quality of life in lung cancer patients,we used General data questionnaire,Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index,Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale,Chinese version Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale and functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Lung to investigate 218 lung cancer patients in the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine,Zhongshan Hospital,Fudan University during Nov 2023 to Feb 2024.A structural equation model was constructed to analyze the mediating effect of resilience between sleep quality index and quality of life.The sleep quality of lung cancer patients was in mild sleep disturbance.There was a negative correlation between sleep quality index and quality of life.Resilience of the patients partly mediated the relationship between sleep quality index and quality of life with an effect of 0.826,accounting for 28.47%of the total effect.Doctors and nurses should pay attention to enhancing the resilience level of lung cancer patients and improving their impact of sleep disturbance on the quality of life.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Shexiang Tongxin Dropping Pill (STDP) in treating stable angina patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis syndrome by exercise duration and metabolic equivalents. METHODS: This multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial enrolled stable angina patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis syndrome from 22 hospitals. They were randomized 1:1 to STDP (35 mg/pill, 6 pills per day) or placebo for 56 days. The primary outcome was the exercise duration and metabolic equivalents (METs) assessed by the standard Bruce exercise treadmill test after 56 days of treatment. The secondary outcomes included the total angina symptom score, Chinese medicine (CM) symptom scores, Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) scores, changes in ST-T on electrocardiogram and adverse events (AEs). RESULTS: This trial enrolled 309 patients, including 155 and 154 in the STDP and placebo groups, respectively. STDP significantly prolonged exercise duration with an increase of 51.0 s, compared to a decrease of 12.0 s with placebo (change rate: -11.1% vs. 3.2%, P<0.01). The increase in METs was significantly greater in the STDP group than in the placebo group (change: -0.4 vs. 0.0, change rate: -5.0% vs. 0.0%, P<0.01). The improvement of total angina symptom scores (25.0% vs. 0.0%), CM symptom scores (38.7% vs. 11.8%), reduction of nitroglycerin consumption (100.0% vs. 11.3%), and all domains of SAQ, were significantly greater with STDP than placebo (all P<0.01). The changes in Q-T intervals at 28 and 56 days from baseline were similar between the two groups (both P>0.05). Twenty-five participants (16.3%) with STDP and 16 (10.5%) with placebo experienced AEs (P=0.131), with no serious AEs observed. CONCLUSION STDP could improve exercise tolerance in patients with stable angina and phlegm-heat and blood stasis syndrome, with a favorable safety profile. (Registration No. ChiCTR-IPR-15006020).
Humans ; Double-Blind Method ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Angina, Stable/physiopathology* ; Aged ; Syndrome ; Treatment Outcome ; Placebos ; Tablets

Mycophenolic acid (MPA), the active moiety of both mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium (EC-MPS), serves as a primary immunosuppressant for maintaining solid organ transplants. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) enhances treatment outcomes through tailored approaches. This study aimed to develop an evidence-based guideline for MPA TDM, facilitating its rational application in clinical settings. The guideline plan was drawn from the Institute of Medicine and World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Using the Delphi method, clinical questions and outcome indicators were generated. Systematic reviews, Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) evidence quality evaluations, expert opinions, and patient values guided evidence-based suggestions for the guideline. External reviews further refined the recommendations. The guideline for the TDM of MPA (IPGRP-2020CN099) consists of four sections and 16 recommendations encompassing target populations, monitoring strategies, dosage regimens, and influencing factors. High-risk populations, timing of TDM, area under the curve (AUC) versus trough concentration (C₀), target concentration ranges, monitoring frequency, and analytical methods are addressed. Formulation-specific recommendations, initial dosage regimens, populations with unique considerations, pharmacokinetic-informed dosing, body weight factors, pharmacogenetics, and drug‍-‍drug interactions are covered. The evidence-based guideline offers a comprehensive recommendation for solid organ transplant recipients undergoing MPA therapy, promoting standardization of MPA TDM, and enhancing treatment efficacy and safety.
Mycophenolic Acid/administration & dosage* ; Drug Monitoring/methods* ; Humans ; Organ Transplantation ; Immunosuppressive Agents/administration & dosage* ; Delphi Technique

Early-life stress (ES) leads to cognitive dysfunction in female adolescents, but the underlying neural mechanisms remain elusive. Recent evidence suggests that the cell adhesion molecules NECTIN1 and NECTIN3 play a role in cognition and ES-related cognitive deficits in male rodents. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether and how nectins contribute to ES-induced cognitive dysfunction in female adolescents. Applying the well-established limited bedding and nesting material paradigm, we found that ES impairs recognition memory, suppresses prefrontal NECTIN1 and hippocampal NECTIN3 expression, and upregulates corticotropin-releasing hormone (Crh) and its receptor 1 (Crhr1) mRNA levels in the hippocampus of adolescent female mice. Genetic experiments revealed that the reduction of dorsal CA1 (dCA1) NECTIN3 mediates ES-induced object recognition memory deficits, as knocking down dCA1 NECTIN3 impaired animals' performance in the novel object recognition task, while overexpression of dCA1 NECTIN3 successfully reversed the ES-induced deficits. Notably, prefrontal NECTIN1 knockdown did not result in significant cognitive impairments. Furthermore, acute systemic administration of antalarmin, a CRHR1 antagonist, upregulated hippocampal NECTIN3 levels and rescued object and spatial memory deficits in stressed mice. Our findings underscore the critical role of dCA1 NECTIN3 in mediating ES-induced object recognition memory deficits in adolescent female mice, highlighting it as a potential therapeutic target for stress-related psychiatric disorders in women.
Animals ; Female ; Mice ; CA1 Region, Hippocampal/metabolism* ; Cell Adhesion Molecules/metabolism* ; CRF Receptor, Type 1/metabolism* ; Memory Disorders/etiology* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Nectins/genetics* ; Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone/antagonists & inhibitors* ; Recognition, Psychology/physiology* ; Stress, Psychological/complications*