ObjectiveTo evaluate the antitumor activity of Periplaneta americana extract（PAE） against human-derived lung adenocarcinoma organoids（LUAD-PDOs） and to elucidate its potential mechanism based on transcriptomics. MethodsFresh tumor and adjacent normal tissues from patients with LUAD were collected to construct LUAD-PDOs and normal lung organoid（Nor-PDOs） models using 3D organoid culture technology. The effective intervention concentration of PAE was determined using the cell counting kit-8（CCK-8） assay. Experimental groups included the model group（LUAD-PDOs）， normal group， model administration group（LUAD-PDOs+PAE）， and normal administration group（Nor-PDOs+PAE）. Hematoxylin-eosin（HE） staining was used to observe the pathological structures of PDOs， immunohistochemistry（IHC） was performed to detect the expressions of the proliferation marker Ki-67 and lung adenocarcinoma differentiation markers cytokeratin-7（CK-7） and Napsin A， TUNEL staining was applied to detect cell apoptosis. RNA sequencing（RNA-Seq） was conducted to identify differentially expressed genes（DEGs）， followed by Gene Ontology（GO）， Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes（KEGG）， and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis（GSEA）， alongside protein-protein interaction（PPI） network analysis to screen core mechanisms. Finally， key targets were validated by integrating external database analysis with immunofluorescence（IF）. ResultsNor-PDOs and LUAD-PDOs that highly recapitulated the pathological characteristics of the primary tissues were successfully established. The CCK-8 assay determined that the effective intervention concentration of PAE was 16 g·L^-1. Morphological observation showed that Nor-PDOs exhibited lumen-forming structures， whereas LUAD-PDOs displayed dense， solid structures. CCK-8 and TUNEL assays revealed that， compared with the model group， PAE intervention inhibited the proliferation of LUAD-PDOs and promoted apoptosis in LUAD cells， while showing no significant effect on the viability of Nor-PDOs. Transcriptomic analysis identified 719 DEGs that were significantly reversed after PAE intervention（347 up-regulated and 372 down-regulated）（P<0.05）. GO enrichment analysis indicated that DEGs in the model administration group were significantly enriched in biological processes related to cell cycle regulation compared to the model group. KEGG pathway analysis revealed that PAE affected pathways related to proliferation and metabolism， including pathways in cancer and the p53 signaling pathway. GSEA further confirmed that PAE significantly enhanced the activity of the p53 signaling pathway（P<0.05）. PPI network analysis indicated that breast cancer type 1 susceptibility protein（BRCA1） and checkpoint kinase 1（CHEK1） were the core down-regulated targets in the p53 pathway. IF verified the high expression of BRCA1 and CHEK1 in LUAD-PDOs and their significant downregulation after PAE intervention（P<0.05）. Furthermore， survival analysis based on The Cancer Genome Atlas（TCGA） database indicated that low expression of BRCA1 and CHEK1 was significantly associated with prolonged overall survival in patients with LUAD（P<0.05）. ConclusionPAE effectively inhibits proliferation of LUAD-PDOs and promotes their apoptosis， its anti-tumor mechanism is potentially associated with the activation of the p53 signaling pathway， with BRCA1 and CHEK1 genes likely serving as key downstream targets for the effects of PAE.

Objective To investigate the relationship between tooth loss and the occurrence of esophageal cancer in a natural village in Wenfeng District, Anyang City, Henan Province. Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted to observe the occurrence of tooth loss and esophageal cancer among the asymptomatic residents of the natural village for 16 years from January 2008 to July 2024. Data were analyzed by chi-square test, binary logistic regression, and restricted cubic spline. Results Among the total population of 711 cases, 136 cases were lost to follow-up and 575 cases were included in the final statistics, including 45 cases with esophageal cancer. Significant statistical difference was found between esophageal cancer patients with and without tooth loss (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that tooth loss was associated with the occurrence of esophageal cancer (OR=3.977, 95%CI: 1.543-10.255). After the adjustment for confounders, tooth loss remained significantly associated with the occurrence of esophageal cancer (OR=3.038, 95%CI: 1.035-8.914). A nonlinear dose-response relationship was observed between the number of teeth lost and the incidence of esophageal cancer. When the number of teeth lost was less than 12, the risk of esophageal cancer increased with the number of teeth lost. When more than 12 teeth were lost, the risk of esophageal cancer decreased as the number of teeth lost increased. Conclusion Tooth loss is a risk factor for the occurrence of esophageal cancer in this natural village. When the number of teeth lost is less than 12, the risk of esophageal cancer increases with the number of teeth lost.

Objective To understand the disease spectrum of a natural village in an area with high incidence of esophageal cancer to provide a reference for precise prevention and control. Methods From 2008 to 2024, 711 asymptomatic people over the age of 35 years in a natural village with high incidence of esophageal cancer in China were surveyed, and 171 of them were subjected to gastroscopy, biopsy, and pathological examination. All participants were followed up for a long time, and their disease history was recorded. Results A total of 16 years of follow-up were performed, and 703 people were effectively followed up. In 2008, 171 people underwent gastroscopy, and 160 people had biopsy and pathological results in endoscopic screening. By 2024, 76 people had been diagnosed with malignant tumors of 12 different types, and among these people, 45 had esophageal cancer. Conclusion Esophageal cancer remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality from malignant tumors in this region. Biopsy and pathological examination should be strengthened during gastroscopy, and follow-ups and regular check-ups should be given high importance to reduce the incidence and mortality rates of esophageal cancer.

Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound（LIPUS），with its remarkable advantages of higher safety and better penetrability，has gradually become a novel method of physical adjuvant therapy. Previous studies have verified that LIPUS can modulate the immune response of different immune cells such as macrophage，T lymphocyte，and neutrophil by reducing the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Therefore，it plays a crucial role on acceleration of fracture healing，expedition of wound repair，and repairation of myocardial injury. The review summarizes the regulatory effects and potential mechanisms of LIPUS on abnormal immune cell responses triggered by various diseases.

Objective To investigate the screening results and factors affecting abnormal detection rates among high-risk groups of esophageal cancer and to explore effective intervention measures. Methods We investigated and collected the information on gender, education level, age, marital status, symptoms of reflux esophagitis (heartburn, acid reflux, belching, hiccup, foreign body sensation in the pharynx, and difficulty swallowing), consumption of pickled vegetables, salt use, and esophageal cancer incidence of villagers in a natural village in Wenfeng District, Anyang City, Henan Province. Changes in reflux esophagitis symptoms in the high-incidence area of esophageal cancer before and after 16 years were observed, and the relationship of such changes with esophageal cancer was analyzed. Results In 2008, 711 cases were epidemiologically investigated, including 213 cases with one of the symptoms of reflux esophagitis such as heartburn, acid reflux, belching, hiccups, foreign body sensation in the pharynx, and difficulty swallowing (sorted in accordance with the abovementioned symptoms; if there are multiple symptoms, then the former is taken); 55 cases with at least two related symptoms, among which the most symptom was heartburn in 108 cases (15.1%); followed by acid reflux, belching, etc. In 2024, the same group of people was investigated, and eight people were missing because of relocation. A total of 703 people were successfully investigated, of which 189 cases (26.8%) had one of the symptoms of reflux esophagitis, such as heartburn (sorted in accordance with relevant symptoms, if there are multiple symptoms, then the former will be selected); 167 cases (23.7%) had at least two related symptoms, among which the most symptom was heartburn in 139 cases (19.7%); followed by acid reflux. Over 16 years, among the 703 people investigated, 45 cases had esophageal cancer and they had one or more of the abovementioned symptoms. No significant differences in the reflux esophagitis-like symptoms were found between 2008 and 2024 (P=0.26); no significant differences in the composition of reflux esophagitis-like symptoms were found between 2008 and 2024 (P=0.299). Conclusion The detection rate of reflux esophagitis-related symptoms in the population in a high-risk area of esophageal cancer has not decreased in the past 16 years, and the high-risk factors still exist. Esophageal cancer is closely related to reflux esophagitis, and clinical practice can provide early diagnosis and treatment for high-risk population.

Alzheimer's disease(AD)is a preva-lent neurodegenerative disorder,characterized by the accumulation of beta-amyloid plaques,the phosphorylation of Tau proteins,and neuronal loss.As the global population ages,the incidence of AD is rising,and there is currently no effective cure.Herbal monomers have garnered interest due to their multifaceted pharmacological effects and low toxicity.This paper aims to provide a comprehen-sive overview of the mechanisms of Nrf2,NF-κB,PI3K/Akt,MAPK and other signalling pathways in the pathogenesis of AD.It also explores the modu-lation of these pathways by various TCM mono-mers,such as leptomeningine and tanshinone ⅡA,and details the research progress to date.For in-stance,Leptosine has been shown to activate Nrf2,thereby reducing oxidative stress,while Tanshinone ⅡA has been observed to inhibit the NF-κB path-way,leading to a reduction in inflammation.Not-withstanding the encouraging indications for the treatment of AD with TCM monomers,there are several challenges that must be addressed.Firstly,the precise mechanism of action remains to be ful-ly elucidated.Secondly,there are significant chal-lenges related to pharmacokinetics and bioavailabil-ity.Thirdly,the sample size of clinical studies is lim-ited and of variable quality.Fourthly,the quality control process is complex.Finally,interactions with other drugs must be taken into account.

Carotid artery perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) can influence plaque formation and progression. Recently, carotid artery PVAT density has emerged as a novel imaging biomarker being capable of reflecting local metabolic and inflammatory states of adipose tissue. It is closely associated with vulnerable plaque characteristics, such as intraplaque hemorrhage, thinning or rupture of the fibrous cap, lipid-rich necrotic core, and calcification. Therefore, carotid artery PVAT density holds promise as a key parameter for early identification of vulnerable carotid plaques and stroke risk prediction. This article reviews the definition and pathophysiological mechanism of PVAT and application of imaging techniques in PVAT, as well as the association between carotid artery PVAT density and vulnerable characteristics of plaques, with the aim of providing references for early identification of asymptomatic high-risk plaques and individualized prevention strategies of ischemic stroke.

In the ever-evolving landscape of cancer therapy, while cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted therapy aim to eradicate malignant cells, they also inadvertently trigger cellular senescence in both cancerous and microenvironmental tissues. Therapy-induced senescence (TIS) can act as a barrier against tumor growth by halting cell proliferation in the short term, but the long-term persistence of therapy-induced senescent (TISnt) cells may pose a significant challenge in cancer management. Their distinct characteristics, like senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), metabolic dysregulation, and immune evasion, make them exhibit remarkable heterogeneity to orchestrate the tumor microenvironment (TME), resulting in therapy resistance. However, how these TISnt cells functioning differently in cancer progression, and the intricate mechanisms by which they remodel the senescence-associated immunosuppressive microenvironment present challenges for improving anticancer therapy. Therefore, this review summarizes the heterogeneous TISnt cell phenotypes contributing to an accumulated senescent state, outlines their multidimensional interactions in the senescent microenvironment, and discusses current senescence-targeting strategies. Building on the current understanding of TIS, we propose potential avenues for improving TIS-targeting methodologies in the context of head and neck cancer, a representative heterogeneous malignancy, which can substantially enhance the efficacy of the "one-two punch" sequential treatment approach for head and neck cancer.
Humans ; Cellular Senescence/drug effects* ; Tumor Microenvironment ; Neoplasms/pathology* ; Senescence-Associated Secretory Phenotype

AIM:This study aims to investigate of perodic expression,distribution and interaction between es-trogen receptor α(ERα)and ClC-3 chloride channel,and their relevance to the cell cycle specificity of tamoxifen(TAM)in anti-breast cancer treatment.METHODS:We utilized a web database to analyze the correlation between ERα and ClC-3 expression.Three-dimentional molecular simulation software and co-immunoprecipitation were employed to detect and analyze the interactions between these two proteins.To assess cell cycle dynamics,we performed thymidine(TdR)double-blocking release assay and used nocodazole to block the cell cycle,with subsequent analysis via flow cytometry.Cell viability was measured by MTT assay.Western blot was conducted to evaluate the protein expression levels of ERα and ClC-3,while immunofluorescence staining was utilized to assess their subcellular distribution.RESULTS:(1)Anal-ysis from the web database revealed a significant correlation between ERα and ClC-3 expression,and co-immunoprecipita-tion confirmed their interaction.(2)We successfully obtained human breast cancer T47D cells at different cycle stages us-ing the TdR double-blocking release method and nocodazole treatment.(3)Treatment with TAM primarily inhibited T47D cell viability during G2/M phase.(4)Both ERα and ClC-3 exhibited cyclic variations in protein expression,with their sub-cellular distributions showing periodicity and co-localization.(5)Protein interactions between ERα and ClC-3 were ob-served across all cell cycle phases;(6)After TAM treatment,ERα expression peaked in G2/M phase,while ClC-3 expres-sion remained unaffected.CONCLUSION:Our findings demonstrate cyclic differences in the expression and distribution of ERα and ClC-3 in human breast cancer T47D cells,along with confirmed interactions between these two proteins.The cyclic properties of ERα may play a role in mediating the cell cycle specificity of TAM's anti-breast cancer effect.

Alzheimer's disease(AD)is a preva-lent neurodegenerative disorder,characterized by the accumulation of beta-amyloid plaques,the phosphorylation of Tau proteins,and neuronal loss.As the global population ages,the incidence of AD is rising,and there is currently no effective cure.Herbal monomers have garnered interest due to their multifaceted pharmacological effects and low toxicity.This paper aims to provide a comprehen-sive overview of the mechanisms of Nrf2,NF-κB,PI3K/Akt,MAPK and other signalling pathways in the pathogenesis of AD.It also explores the modu-lation of these pathways by various TCM mono-mers,such as leptomeningine and tanshinone ⅡA,and details the research progress to date.For in-stance,Leptosine has been shown to activate Nrf2,thereby reducing oxidative stress,while Tanshinone ⅡA has been observed to inhibit the NF-κB path-way,leading to a reduction in inflammation.Not-withstanding the encouraging indications for the treatment of AD with TCM monomers,there are several challenges that must be addressed.Firstly,the precise mechanism of action remains to be ful-ly elucidated.Secondly,there are significant chal-lenges related to pharmacokinetics and bioavailabil-ity.Thirdly,the sample size of clinical studies is lim-ited and of variable quality.Fourthly,the quality control process is complex.Finally,interactions with other drugs must be taken into account.