Objective To explore the effects of chronic stress and stress cessation on hypothalamic appetite regulators in mice,and to explore the stress-dependent mechanism of appetite change.Methods A total of 32 male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control(Ctrl)group(n=16)and chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS)group(n=16).The mice in the CUMS group were given CUMS to establish the stress model,and those in the Ctrl group were fed normally.The food intake and weight of mice were recorded.The CUMS model was verified through tail suspension experiments and forced swimming experiments.Eight mice in the Ctrl group and 8 mice in the CUMS group were randomly sacrificed at the 12th week.The Ctrl group was re-grouped into the cessation-control(C-Ctrl)group(n=8),the CUMS group was re-grouped into the cessation-stress(C-CUMS)group(n=8),and the mice were sacrificed at the 15th week.The mRNA and protein levels of appetite-regulating factors,including orexin 1 receptor(OX1R),leptin receptor(LEPR)and agouti-related protein(AgRP)in the hypothalamus,were detected by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunochemistry.Results From week 2 to week 11 of stress,the food intake of the mice in the CUMS group was significantly higher than that in the Ctrl group(all P＜0.05),while there was no significant difference in body weight between the 2 groups within 11 weeks(all P＞0.05).Compared with the Ctrl group,the immobility durations of forced swimming and tail suspension of the CUMS group were markedly longer after 11 weeks(both P＜0.01),indicating successful modeling.AgRP and OX1R mRNA expression in the hypothalamus of the CUMS group was significantly increased(both P＜0.01),while LEPR mRNA expression was significantly decreased(P＜0.01);AgRP protein in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus of the CUMS group was significantly higher than that of the Ctrl group(P＜0.05),and LEPR protein was markedly lower than that of the Ctrl group(P＜0.01).However,after 3 weeks of stress cessation,the C-CUMS group had less food intake and lower body weight than the C-Ctrl group(both P＜0.05).The LEPR mRNA of the C-CUMS group was significantly increased(P＜0.01),while AgRP and OX1R mRNA were not significantly different(both P＞0.05).There was no significant difference in AgRP protein levels between the C-CUMS group and the C-Ctrl group(P＞0.05),while LEPR protein level of the C-CUMS group was significantly higher than that of the C-Ctrl group(P＜0.01).Conclusion CUMS can lead to increased appetite in mice,which may involve the functional regulation of LEPR and AgRP.After the stress cessation,the appetite decreases,which may involve the functional regulation of LEPR.

Objective:To analyze the effectiveness and safety of the second course radiotherapy for unresectable colorectal cancer liver metastases.Methods:We retrospectively collected the data of 28 patients with unresectable colorectal cancer liver metastases who received the second course radiotherapy at Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute from 2017 to 2023, to analyze the feasibility of re-irradiation.Results:For the 28 patients, the median follow-up time after re-irradiation was 20.2 months. The median time interval between the first- and second-course radiotherapy was 11.1 months. The median biologically effective doses of the first- and second-course radiotherapy were 100 Gy and 96 Gy, respectively. Stereotactic body radiotherapy was administered to 25 patients (89.3%) during the first course and 24 patients (85.7%) during the second course of radiotherapy. The mean equivalent dose in 2 Gy fractions to the normal liver was 10.1 Gy in the first-course radiotherapy and 7.9 Gy in the second-course radiotherapy. The complete response rate, partial response rate, and objective response rate after re-irradiation were 54.5%, 18.2%, and 72.7%, respectively. After re-irradiation, the 2-year cumulative local failure rate was 17.0% when calculated based on patients and 15.1% when calculated based on lesions, the 1-year progression-free survival rate was 27.4%, and the 3-year overall survival rate was 46.7%. The second-course radiotherapy was well tolerated, with most patients (75.0%) experiencing grade 1-2 acute adverse reactions and only one case (3.6%) experiencing grade 3 acute adverse events.Conclusions:Second course radiotherapy is an effective and safe treatment approach for selected patients with unresectable colorectal cancer liver metastases.

A patient aged 68 years old presented urinary frequency, urgency, and gross hematuria for 1 month, with initial PSA of 72.72 ng/ml and alkaline phosphatase (ALP)of 114 U/L. Prostate biopsy pathology showed small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of prostate. The patient was immediately administered 6 cycle of chemotherapy including etoposide and cisplatin combined with medical castration. The CDK4 gene was detected 1.99 times amplification by peripheral blood free DNA (cfDNA)gene analysis. The chemotherapy was followed by parbosini therapy. The number and density of bone metastases continued to decrease significantly by bone scan at 3 and 6 months after treatment, with a continuous decline of ALP and PSA. After 1 year of follow-up, pelvic MRI and bone systemic imaging indicated stable lesions, with PSA of 0.05 ng/ml and ALP of 59 U/L.

Objective:To investigate the effects of microRNA (miR)-513a-3p regulating hexokinase 2 (HK2) on proliferation and glycometabolism in colorectal cancer cell.Methods:From May 2019 to February 2020, the miR-513a-3p simulant, miR-513a-3p inhibitor and miR control were transfected into colorectal cancer SW480 cell respectively. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the expression levels of miR-513a-3p in colorectal cancer SW480 cell, normal colorectal cell and all transfected colorectal cancer SW480 cell. The effect of miR-513a-3p on cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8 assay. Brd/PI incorporation assay was used to detect the effect of miR-513a-3p on glycometabolism. Western blot was used to detect the expression of HK2.Results:The expression level of miR-513a-3p in colorectal cancer SW480 cell was significantly lower than that in normal colorectal cell (0.43 ± 0.06 vs. 1.00 ± 0.02), and there was statistical difference ( t = 7.024, P = 0.003). The expression level of miR-513a-3p in colorectal cancer SW480 cell transfected with miR-513a-3p simulant was significantly higher than that in colorectal cancer SW480 cell transfected with miR control and transfected with miR-513a-3p inhibitor (1.18 ± 0.24 vs. 0.45 ± 0.04 and 0.22 ± 0.03), the expression level of miR-513a-3p in colorectal cancer SW480 cell transfected with miR control was significantly higher than that in colorectal cancer SW480 cell transfected with miR-513a-3p inhibitor, and there were statistical differences ( P<0.05). The proliferation ability in colorectal cancer SW480 cell transfected with miR-513a-3p simulant at 24, 48, 72 and 96 h was significantly lower than that in colorectal cancer SW480 cell transfected with miR-513a-3p control group, the proliferation ability in colorectal cancer SW480 cell transfected with miR-513a-3p inhibitor at 24, 48, 72 and 96 h was significantly higher than that in colorectal cancer SW480 cell transfected with miR-513a-3p control, and there were statistical differences ( P<0.05). The glucose intake, lactate and thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) expression levels in colorectal cancer SW480 cell transfected with stimulant were significantly lower than those in colorectal cancer SW480 cell transfected with miR control (1.02 ± 0.04 vs. 1.90 ± 0.06, 0.88 ± 0.03 vs. 1.45 ± 0.04 and 0.16 ± 0.02 vs. 0.86 ± 0.06), the indexes in colorectal cancer SW480 cell transfected with miR-513a-3p inhibitor were significantly higher than those in colorectal cancer SW480 cell transfected with miR control (2.35 ± 0.09 vs. 1.90 ± 0.06, 1.67 ± 0.08 vs. 1.45 ± 0.04 and 2.01 ± 0.15 vs. 0.86 ± 0.06), and there were statistical differences ( P<0.05). The expression level of HK2 in colorectal cancer SW480 cell transfected with miR-513a-3p stimulant was significantly lower than that in colorectal cancer SW480 cell transfected with miR control (0.20 ± 0.01 vs. 1.02 ± 0.04), and there was statistical difference ( t = 8.367, P<0.05); the expression level of HK2 in colorectal cancer SW480 cell transfected with miR-513a-3p inhibitor was significantly higher than that in colorectal cancer SW480 cell transfected with miR control (1.91 ± 0.07 vs. 1.02 ± 0.04), and there was statistical difference ( t = 4.279, P<0.05). Conclusions:MiR-513a-3p can significantly inhibit the proliferation and glycometabolism of colorectal cancer cell, and its regulatory mechanism is related to the inhibition of the HK2 protein expression in the cell by miR-513a-3p.

Background: Arctic-like (AL) lineages of rabies viruses (RABVs) remains endemic in some Arctic and Asia countries. However, their evolutionary dynamics are largely unappreciated. Objectives: We attempted to estimate the evolutionary history, geographic origin and spread of the Arctic-related RABVs. Methods: Full length or partial sequences of the N and G genes were used to infer the evolutionary aspects of AL RABVs by Bayesian evolutionary analysis. Results: The most recent common ancestor (tMRCA) of the current Arctic and AL RABVs emerged in the 1830s and evolved independently after diversification. Population demographic analysis indicated that the viruses experienced gradual growth followed by a sudden decrease in its population size from the mid-1980s to approximately 2000.Genetic flow patterns among the regions reveal a high geographic correlation in AL RABVs transmission. Discrete phylogeography suggests that the geographic origin of the AL RABVs was in east Russia in approximately the 1830s. The ancestral AL RABV then diversified and immigrated to the countries in Northeast Asia, while the viruses in South Asia were dispersed to the neighboring regions from India. The N and G genes of RABVs in both clades sustained high levels of purifying selection, and the positive selection sites were mainly found on the C-terminus of the G gene. Conclusions The current AL RABVs circulating in South and North Asia evolved and dispersed independently.

Objective To review the failure patterns and clinical outcomes for patients with cervical esophageal carcinoma (CEC) undergoing definitive radiotherapy (RT).Methods Medical records,clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with CEC treated by definitive RT from August 2008 to May 2017 were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed.Results A total of 97 patients with squamous cell CEC were enrolled in this study with a median age of 59 years old (range 18-78 years old).There were 34 patients with limited cervical esophagus,and 63 patients with diseases beyond cervical region,respectively.There were 69,7,and 6 patients with Bronchi invasion,thyroid lobes involvement and aortic involvement,respectively.There were 11,80 and 6 patients with stage Ⅱ,Ⅲ and Ⅳ (non-regional lymph node metastases),respectively.The median dose to the gross tumor volume (GTV) was 66 Gy,in which 46 patients received above 66 Gy and 51 patients received less than 66 Gy,respectively.The median progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 16.03 and 23.30 months,respectively,with a median follow-up of 14.90 months.The 1,2,3-year PFS and OS were 56.86％,30.35％,26.34％,and 72.54％,47.94％,40.81％,respectively.Sixty-one patients had treatment failure at their last follow-up,in which 40,27,and 18 patients developed local failure,regional failure,and distant metastasis,respectively.Univariate analysis revealed that thyroid lobes involvement resulted in lower PFS (x2 =5.773,P＜0.05) and OS (x2 =13.461,P＜0.05),and bronchi involvement (x2 =4.283,P＜0.05) was associated with lower OS.Multivariate analysis indicated that aortic involvement and thyroid lobes involvement were associated with lower PFS (x2 =6.796,4.548,P＜0.05) and OS (x2 =13.421,10.581,P＜0.05),and GTV dose above 66 Gy was associated with higher OS (x2=5.296,P＜0.05).Conclusions Local-regional recurrence was the main failure pattern for patients with CEC after definitive RT.Aortic,thyroid lobes,and/or bronchi involvement were associated with poor prognosis,and GTV dose ≥66 Gy tended to improve OS.Prospective studies with larger population were needed to further confirm this study.

Objective To investigate the efficacy of concurrent chemoradiotherapy for anal squamous cell carcinoma (ASCC) in the era of intensity-modulated radiotherapy.Methods A total of 19 patients with ASCC who underwent definitive radiotherapy in our hospital since 2011 were collected.The survival curves were depicted with K-M method.Risk factors of disease progression were analyzed using case-control study.Results The median follow-up time was 31 months.The 3 year-LFS and 3 year-OS were 88.1％ and 91.7％,respectively.Grade 3 acute toxicities during the chemoradiotherapy were mainly white blood cell reduction (15.8％),platelet reduction (10.5％),diarrhea (15.8％),and skin reaction (31.6％).Compared with historical data,volumetric intensity modulated arc therapy was superior to conventional radiotherapy in the treatment outcome and normal tissue protection in ASCC.Univariate analysis showed that concurrent chemotherapy with capecitabine was a favorable factor in disease progression (P＜ 0.05).Conclusions Volumetric intensity modulated arc therapy for ASCC may have advantages in terms of efficacy and normal tissue protection.Concurrent chemotherapy with a double-drug regimen containing capecitabine may be a beneficial factor in disease progression.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of miR-199a-3p in cardiac fibrosis and the potential target of miR-199a-3p.

METHODSCardiac fibroblasts were isolated from C57BL/6 mice and cultured. The miR-199a-3p mimic and Smad1 siRNA were transiently transfected into the cardiac fibroblasts via liposome. Dual luciferase reporter assay was performed to confirm the interaction between miR-199a-3p and the 3'-UTR of Smad1. The expressions of Smad1 and fibrosis-related genes at the mRNA and protein levels in the cells after miR-199a-3p mimic transfection were determined using RT-qPCR and Western blotting, respectively. The expressions of Smad1, Smad3 and fibrosis-related genes at the protein level in cells transfected with miR-199a-3p mimic and Smad1 siRNA were detected using Western blotting.

RESULTSOver-expression of miR-199a-3p significantly increased the expression of cardiac fibrosis-related genes in cultured mouse cardiac fibroblasts. Dual luciferase reporter assay revealed the interaction of miR-199a-3p with the 3'-UTR of Smad1. The results of RT-qPCR and Western blotting confirmed that miR-199a-3p inhibited Smad1 expression at the post- transcriptional level. Transfection with miR-199a-3p mimic and siRNA-mediated Smad1 silencing consistently activated the Smad3 signaling pathway and enhanced the expressions of cardiac fibrosis-related genes in the cardiac fibroblasts.

CONCLUSIONSAs the target gene of miR-199a-3p, Smad1 mediates the pro-fibrotic effect of miR-199a-3p by activating the Smad3 signaling in cultured mouse cardiac fibroblasts.

Objective To explore the value of MRI simulation in the pre-operative radiotherapy for locally advanced low rectal carcinoma.Methods A total of 40 patients diagnosed with locally advanced low rectal carcinoma by endoscopic biopsy and radiological staging examinations were included in this study.There were 22 male and 18 female with nedian age 58 years (range 31-80).Patients underwent CT and MRI simulation scanning in the same position and fixing device.GTV under CT images and MRI inages were delineated respectively by two experienced radiologists.Primary tumor length,tumor volume and distance of distal tumor from the anal verge were calculated by treatment planning system(TPS).The two groups of data were compared.Results The distance of distal tumor to the anal verge were all no more than 5 cm on digital examination.The mean length of GTVcT was remarkably longer than that of GTVMRI [(5.21 ±1.65) cm vs.(4.46 ± 1.51) cm,t =5.059,P ＜0.05].The mean volume of GTVcTWaS significantly larger than that of GTVMRI[(55.71 ±31.57) cm3vs.(44.02 ±25.11) cm3,t=6.977,P＜ 0.05)].The mean distance of distal tumor to the anal verge was (3.72 ± 0.93) cm,significantly longer than that of lower bounds of GTVCT to the anal verge,which had a high consistency with GTVMRI.The IMRT plan was based on CT-MRI fusion images.There were no 3-4 grade adverse effects of radiotherapy.The overall pCR rate was 32.5％.Conclusions MRI simulation could define smaller GTV and more precise lower bounds than CT.With improved accuracy of target volumes contours,the application of MRI simulation may promote the efficacy of radiotherapy and result in a reduction in the incidence of toxicities.

Aim To assess the regulatory effects of Po-lygonatum sibiricum polysaccharides(PSP)on Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4 )-myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88)-nuclear factor κB(NF-κB)signaling path-way in anoxia /reoxygenation-H9c2 myocardial cells. Methods The H9c2 myocardial cells cultured in vitro were randomly divided into groups:control group (C group),hypoxia /reoxygenation group (H/R group), PSP group,TLR4 inhibitor group(TAK-242 group)and PSP +TLR4 inhibitor group(PSP +TAK-242 group). The cells were cultured in normal condition for 27 h in C group.The cells were subjected to 21 h hypoxia fol-lowed by 6 h reoxygenation in H/R.Definitely,the cells in TAK-242,PSP and PSP +TAK-242 groups were treated with PSP and TAK-242 with the final con-centration of 1 .5 g·L -1 and 1 μmol·L -1 for 1 2 h before 21 h hypoxia,then the cells were exposed to the normal culture condition for another 6 h.After the treatment,cell survival rate was tested by MTT method. The contents of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and interleukin-1 β(IL-1 β)were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).The protein ex-pression levels of NF-κB and inhibitor κBα(IκBα) were detected by Western blot,and the expression lev-els of TLR4 and MyD88 mRNA were detected by fluo-rescence quantitative PCR method.Results Compared with H/R group,the cell survival rates were significant-ly increased,while the inflammatory cytokines contents and NF-κB protein expression were dramatically de-creased in groups PSP,TAK-242 and PSP +TAK-242, whereas the NF-κB expression was significantly down-regulated,and the IκBα protein expression was in-creased.The mRNA expression levels of TLR4 and MyD88 were markedly decreased.Conclusion PSP might protect H9c2 myocardial cells against H/R inju-ry,which may be associated with the inhibition of TLR4-MyD88-NF-κB pathway.