Neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) represents a category of malignant tumors originating from neuroendocrine cells. Given that NEC cells exhibit characteristics of both neural and endocrine cells, they can hijack neuronal signaling pathways and dynamically regulate the expression of neuronal lineage markers during tumor metastasis, thereby constructing a microenvironment conducive to tumor growth and metastasis. Conversely, alterations in the tumor microenvironment can enhance the interactions between neurons and tumor cells, ultimately synergistically promoting the metastasis of NEC. This review highlights recent advancements in the field of cancer neuroscience, uncovering neuronal lineage markers in NEC that facilitate tumor dissemination through mediating crosstalk, bidirectional communication, and synergistic interactions between tumor cells and the nervous system. Consequently, the latest findings in tumor neuroscience have enriched our understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying tumor metastasis, opening new research avenues for a deeper comprehension of the complex biological processes involved in tumor metastasis, particularly brain metastasis. This review provides a comprehensive review of the crosstalk between tumor cells and neural signaling in the metastasis of NEC.
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Humans ; Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction ; Animals ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neurons/pathology* ; Tumor Microenvironment ; Cell Communication

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a crucial renal replacement therapy for end-stage renal disease (ESRD), offering significant advantages as high flexibility, hemodynamic stability, and high cost-effectiveness. However, prolonged exposure to intra-abdominal dialysate may predispose to the mechanical complication of abdominal external hernia. Abdominal external hernia may lead to various adverse clinical outcomes. In severe cases, it can progress to incarceration or even rupture, ultimately necessitating discontinuation of the therapy. The authors systematically review PD-associated abdominal external hernias, including their clinical landscape, risk factors, surgical treatment strategies and prognostic determinants. They also assess the effects of hernia repair on residual renal function, aiming to provide references for clinical decision-making.

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a crucial renal replacement therapy for end-stage renal disease (ESRD), offering significant advantages as high flexibility, hemodynamic stability, and high cost-effectiveness. However, prolonged exposure to intra-abdominal dialysate may predispose to the mechanical complication of abdominal external hernia. Abdominal external hernia may lead to various adverse clinical outcomes. In severe cases, it can progress to incarceration or even rupture, ultimately necessitating discontinuation of the therapy. The authors systematically review PD-associated abdominal external hernias, including their clinical landscape, risk factors, surgical treatment strategies and prognostic determinants. They also assess the effects of hernia repair on residual renal function, aiming to provide references for clinical decision-making.

Objective To explore the nutritional efficacy of compound protein powder formulations from different sources. Methods Three groups of compound protein powder formulations were obtained through scientific blending using soy protein, whey protein and yeast protein as raw materials. The effects of the compound protein powders on nitrogen metabolism, serum biochemical indicators, and pathological changes of liver tissue and epididymal fat in rats were evaluated. Results Compared with the control (casein), the net protein utilization, biological evaluation, and protein efficacy ratio of the compound protein powders in rats were significantly improved, and the changes in these indicators in the formula with the highest whey protein content were most significant among all three formulas. The compound protein powders effectively increased the levels of albumin and globulin, while decreased the content of total cholesterol, indicating beneficial effects on improving immunity and controlling lipid metabolism, with the formula group 2 being the most effective among all three groups. The pathological examination showed that the three groups of protein powder did not have adverse effects on liver tissue and epididymal fat. Conclusion The present study demonstrates that the compound protein powder formulation has nutritional value, which suggests a potential of the application of the compound protein powder formulation in the elderly, and people with special nutritional needs, such as sports people.

Objective    To analyze the outcomes of complicated congenital heart diseases (CCHD) patients accepting multiple (>2) re-sternotomy operations. Methods    We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 146 patients undergoing multiple cardiac re-sternotomy operations between 2015 and 2019 in our center. There were 95 males and 51 females with an age of 4.3 (3.1-6.8) years and a weight of 15.3 (13.4-19.0) kg at last operation. Results    The top three cardiac malformations were pulmonary atresia (n=51, 34.9%), double outflow of right ventricle (n=36, 24.7%) and functional single ventricle (n=36, 24.7%). A total of 457 sternotomy procedures were performed, with 129 (88.3%) patients undergoing three times of operations and 17 (11.7%) patients undergoing more than three times. Fifty-two (35.6%) patients received bi-ventricular repair, 63 (43.1%) patients received Fontan-type procedures, and 31 (21.2%) patients underwent palliative procedures. Ten (6.8%) patients experienced major accidents during sternotomy, including 7 (4.8%) patients of urgent femoral artery and venous bypass. Eleven (7.5%) patients died with 10 (6.8%) deaths before discharge. The follow-up time was 20.0 (5.8-40.1) months, and 1 patient died during the follow-up. The number of operations was an independent risk factor for the death after operation. Conclusion    Series operations of Fontan in functional single ventricle, repeated stenosis of pulmonary artery or conduit of right ventricular outflow tract post bi-ventricular repair are the major causes for the reoperation. Multiple operations are a huge challenge for CCHD treatment, which should be avoided.

Objective To investigate the effects of transplantation with different amount of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs)on osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats.Methods The rat model of osteoporosis was prepared by ovariectom(OVX)and verified after 3 months.A total of 60 female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 6 groups(n=10 each).The rats with shamed operation served as a sham-injured control group(sham control group).The 5 ovariectom (OVX) groups with osteoporosis were study groups as follows:(1)the negative therapy group(simple OVX group);(2)the positive therapy group(OVX+ estrogen,E2 group) by intramuscular injection;others were treated with transplantation of BMSCs by tail vein injection in low dose(LS group),middle dose (MS group)and high dose(HS group).At 8,12 and 16 weeks after intervention,body mineral density (BMD)were detected by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scans.After 16 weeks of intervention,rat shinbone was obtained and stained by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining.Results Compared with the sham control group,simple OVX group showed a reduced total body BMD and the decreased proportion of trabecular bone to bone marrow cavity area (P ＜0.05).The total body BMD and the proportion of trabecular bone to bone marrow cavity area were higher in each BMSCs transplantation groups than in simple OVX group at 8,12,16 weeks after intervention(P ＜0.05),which showed a increased trend in the total body BMD and the proportion with the increased dose of transplantation BMSCs(P＜0.05).Rats in the HS group had highest BMD and best proportion of trabecular bone to bone marrow cavity area among three doses of transplantation BMSCs.Conclusions BMSCs transplantation can significantly improve osteoporosis of ovariectomized rats with an increased total body BMD and higher proportion of trabecular bone to bone marrow cavity area,and better and longer outcomes can be achieved.

Objective Based on structure of animal trabecular bone, implants with porous structure were designed to describe mechanical properties of trabecular structure and explain significance of bionic trabecular porous implants in clinical treatment. Methods Based on anisotropic mechanical properties of animal trabecular bone, a porous structure was designed using the topology optimization method. The principles of partition and block reconstruction were first proposed according to bone function theory. The trabecular structure was then reconstructed based on micro-CT images. The boundary constraint and external load were applied on this model according to the respective-volume-element (RVE) method. Taking the solved mechanical properties as objective functions of optimization, the porous structure design and optimization were conducted using the variable density method and the homogenization method. Results The trabecular bone possessed the anisotropic mechanical properties. It was found that the volume fraction showed an increasing trend from the edge to the middle across the same section of trabecular bone. But there was no obvious regular pattern in Poisson’s ratio, which was evenly distributed in the range between 0.17 and 0.30. As to the values of elastic modulus and shear modulus, they were both significantly higher in the main pressure position compared with those in the other positions. After topography optimization based on these mechanical properties, the Poisson’s ratio of the optimized model was in the same range as the animal trabecular bone. The elastic modulus error was less than 14%， with the minimum being only 3%. In addition, the shear modulus error was below 8%， which ultimately complied with criteria of the original goal. Conclusions The designed porous structure based on topology optimization had the same anisotropic characteristics as animal trabecular bone, while reducing the stress concentration phenomenon, which could achieve the specific design for porous structure, thus providing a reasonable and effective method for clinical porous implants.

The secondary structures of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA and the cellular proteins that bind to them are important for modulating both translation and RNA replication. However, the sets of RNA-binding proteins involved in the regulation of HCV translation, replication and encapsidation remain unknown. Here, we identified RNA binding motif protein 24 (RBM24) as a host factor participated in HCV translation and replication. Knockdown of RBM24 reduced HCV propagation in Huh7.5.1 cells. An enhanced translation and delayed RNA synthesis during the early phase of infection was observed in RBM24 silencing cells. However, both overexpression of RBM24 and recombinant human RBM24 protein suppressed HCV IRES-mediated translation. Further analysis revealed that the assembly of the 80S ribosome on the HCV IRES was interrupted by RBM24 protein through binding to the 5'-UTR. RBM24 could also interact with HCV Core and enhance the interaction of Core and 5'-UTR, which suppresses the expression of HCV. Moreover, RBM24 enhanced the interaction between the 5'- and 3'-UTRs in the HCV genome, which probably explained its requirement in HCV genome replication. Therefore, RBM24 is a novel host factor involved in HCV replication and may function at the switch from translation to replication.
Cells, Cultured ; Hepacivirus ; genetics ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Humans ; Protein Biosynthesis ; RNA-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Virus Replication ; genetics

ObjectiveTo explore the changes of degree attribute values and its significance of post-concussion syndrome (PCS) patients with tinnitus by the brain network research method based on graph theory.Methods34 PCS patients were chosen,including 17 PCS patients with bilateral tinnitus (PCS tinnitus group) and 17 PCS patients without tinnitus (PCS non-tinnitus group).Meanwhile,17 healthy individuals with the matched age,gender and educational background were recruited as the control.Degree attribute values of PCS patients with tinnitus were figured out with the brain network research method based on graph theory.Results(1)The degree attribute values of PCS patients without tinnitus at left orbital middle frontal gyrus (3.13±1.07),left thalamus (2.51±1.03),left superior temporal gyrus (3.67±1.31),right anterior cingulate cortex (3.13±1.25),right posterior cingulate cortex (2.13±1.08) and right supramarginal gyrus (4.46±1.35) were reduced compared with the control group (4.41±1.47,3.71±1.08,5.27±2.13,5.51±0.67,5.63±2.16 and 5.64±1.30) (P<0.05).The degree attribute values of PCS patients without tinnitus at left posterior cingulate cortex (5.87±1.06) and left gyrus lingualis (4.67±1.48) increased compared with the control group (4.41±1.46,3.21±1.27) (P<0.05).(2) The degree attribute values of PCS patients with tinnitus at left posterior cingulate cortex (3.37±1.54),left parahippocampal gyrus (3.41±1.62),left amygdala (2.25±1.43),left angular gyrus (4.17±1.02),left superior temporal gyrus (3.25±1.02),right thalamus (2.35±1.34),right Heschl gyri (3.97±1.62),right superior temporal gyrus (3.26±1.22),right cuneus (3.18±1.32) and right lingular lobe (3.26±1.42) were decreased,compared with the control group (4.41±1.46,5.27±2.13,3.71±1.08,5.63±2.61,5.64±1.30,3.43±1.33,5.63±2.16,5.13±1.64,5.51±0.67,4.24±0.63) (P<0.05).The degree attribute values of PCS patients with tinnitus at right posterior cingulate cortex (5.76±1.83),left MPFC (6.08±1.62) and right precuneus (6.08±1.06) were increased,compared with the control group (4.47±1.26,4.41±1.47,4.81±0.62) (P<0.05).(3)The degree attribute values of PCS patients with tinnitus at left MPFC,left amygdale,left parahippocampal gyrus,right Heschl gyri,right superior temporal gyrus,right cuneus and right lingular lobe were decreased,compared with PCS patients without tinnitus (P<0.05).The degree attribute values of PCS patients with tinnitus at right posterior cingulate cortex and left insular lobe increased,compared with PCS patients without tinnitus (P<0.05).ConclusionsPCS patients with tinnitus present the alteration of degree attribute in related brain network structure.The alteration in degree attribute of relevant brain zones in auditory system,limbic system and default network system may be important factors which result in tinnitus of PCS patients.

We report a case of cutaneous and subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis caused by Exophiala jeanselmei after renal transplantation in Guangdong. A 66-year-old man who had a renal transplantation 6 years ago was admitted in October 2011 for the presence of 16 nodules (0.5-1.5 cm) found on his right middle finger, wrist and forearm for 5 months. Microscopic examination of the purulent exudate showed segmented and branched brown mycelium, and tissue biopsy and PAS staining showed fungal hyphae. The isolate was processed for morphological identification and molecular sequence analysis. A black colony was found after culture of the isolate on SDA at 26 degrees Celsius;, and small culture identified the isolate as Exophiala jeanselmei. ITS sequence analysis of the isolate showed a 100% homology with Exophiala jeanselmei. E-test strip was used in drug sensitivity test, and the isolate was sensitive to amphotericin B, voriconazole, itraconazole and fluconazole, but resistant to 5-flucytosine and caspofungin. Good response was obtained with surgical intervention, local injection and systemic antifungal treatment.
Aged ; Exophiala ; pathogenicity ; Humans ; Kidney Transplantation ; adverse effects ; Male ; Phaeohyphomycosis ; etiology ; Postoperative Complications