Objective : To investigate the effect of chromosome instability(CIN) associated gene polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase 7(GALNT7) on proliferation and apoptosis of HCT116 colon cancer cells. Methods : The HCT116 cell line withGALNT7knockdown was constructed by lentiviral infection. The correlation betweenGALNT7and CIN was verified by chromosome spread assay. The effect ofGALNT7on cell proliferation was detected by live cell counting, and the effect ofGALNT7on cell cycle distribution was detected by flow cytometry and Western blot. Caspase-3 activity and Western blot assays were used to detect the effect ofGALNT7on apoptosis. Results : HCT116 cells showed a slower proliferation rate upon knocking down ofGALNT7, and exhibited a more scattered karyotype distribution and a phenotype of increased degree of CIN. Inhibition ofGALNT7in HCT116 cells resulted in cell cycle arrest, upregulation of P21 and downregulation of CDK6 protein levels, as well as increased levels of Caspase-3 activity, cleaved PARP1 and PUMA protein expression, and decreased levels of BCL-2 protein expression. Conclusion TheGALNT7gene may promote proliferation and inhibit apoptosis of HCT116 colon cancer cells through the suppression of CIN generation.

Background/Aims: Endoscopic radiofrequency ablation (ERFA) is a treatment option for superficial esophageal squamous cell neoplasia (ESCN), with a relatively low risk of stenosis; however, the long-term outcomes remain unclear. We aimed to compare the long-term outcomes of patients with widespread superficial ESCN who underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) or ERFA. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of patients with superficial ESCN who underwent ESD or ERFA between January 2015 and December 2021. The primary outcome measure was recurrence-free survival. Results: Ninety-two and 33 patients with superficial ESCN underwent ESD and ERFA, respectively. The en bloc, R0, and curative resection rates for ESD were 100.0%, 90.2%, and 76.1%, respectively. At 12 months, the complete response rate was comparable between the two groups (94.6% vs 90.9%, p=0.748). During a median follow-up of 66 months, recurrence-free survival was significantly longer in the ESD group than in the ERFA group (p=0.004), while no significant differences in overall survival (p=0.845) and disease-specific survival (p=0.494) were observed.Preoperative diagnosis of intramucosal cancer (adjusted hazard ratio, 5.55; vs high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia) was an independent predictor of recurrence. Significantly fewer patients in the ERFA group experienced stenosis compare to ESD group (15.2% vs 38.0%, p=0.016). Conclusions The risk of recurrence was higher for ERFA than ESD for ESCN but overall survival was not affected. The risk of esophageal stenosis was significantly lower for patients who underwent ERFA.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) remains a leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD), driven by chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. Current therapies targeting glycemic and blood pressure control fail to address the underlying molecular mechanisms of DN. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of andrographolide (AD), a diterpenoid lactone from Andrographis paniculata, in mitigating DN by modulating key molecular pathways. Through integrative network pharmacology, molecular docking, and in vivo/in vitro experiments, 107 overlapping DN-related targets were identified, with STAT3, PI3K, and AKT1 emerging as core nodes. Molecular docking revealed high binding affinities between AD and these targets, supporting its modulatory potential. In vivo, AD significantly improved renal function in streptozotocin-induced DN rats, reducing proteinuria, glomerular hypertrophy, and renal fibrosis. AD also attenuated oxidative stress, decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, and enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities, demonstrating systemic anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects. In vitro studies further confirmed that AD alleviates podocyte oxidative stress and apoptosis under high glucose conditions by suppressing the RAGE-NF-κB and STAT3/PI3K/Akt pathways. Histological analyses revealed substantial improvements in renal architecture, including reductions in fibrosis and mesangial expansion. These results underscore AD’s multi-target mechanism, directly addressing DN’s core pathological drivers, including inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. As a natural compound with notable safety and efficacy, AD holds promise as an adjunct or standalone therapeutic agent for DN. This study establishes a robust preclinical foundation for AD, warranting further exploration in clinical trials and its potential application in other diabetic complications.

Background: s/Aims: Non-invasive models stratifying clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) are limited. Herein, we developed a new non-invasive model for predicting CSPH in patients with compensated cirrhosis and investigated whether carvedilol can prevent hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified using the new model. Methods: Non-invasive risk factors of CSPH were identified via systematic review and meta-analysis of studies involving patients with hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG). A new non-invasive model was validated for various performance aspects in three cohorts, i.e., a multicenter HVPG cohort, a follow-up cohort, and a carvediloltreating cohort. Results: In the meta-analysis with six studies (n=819), liver stiffness measurement and platelet count were identified as independent risk factors for CSPH and were used to develop the new “CSPH risk” model. In the HVPG cohort (n=151), the new model accurately predicted CSPH with cutoff values of 0 and –0.68 for ruling in and out CSPH, respectively. In the follow-up cohort (n=1,102), the cumulative incidences of decompensation events significantly differed using the cutoff values of <–0.68 (low-risk), –0.68 to 0 (medium-risk), and >0 (high-risk). In the carvediloltreated cohort, patients with high-risk CSPH treated with carvedilol (n=81) had lower rates of decompensation events than non-selective beta-blockers untreated patients with high-risk CSPH (n=613 before propensity score matching [PSM], n=162 after PSM). Conclusions Treatment with carvedilol significantly reduces the risk of hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified by the new model.

Background/Aims: Endoscopic radiofrequency ablation (ERFA) is a treatment option for superficial esophageal squamous cell neoplasia (ESCN), with a relatively low risk of stenosis; however, the long-term outcomes remain unclear. We aimed to compare the long-term outcomes of patients with widespread superficial ESCN who underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) or ERFA. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of patients with superficial ESCN who underwent ESD or ERFA between January 2015 and December 2021. The primary outcome measure was recurrence-free survival. Results: Ninety-two and 33 patients with superficial ESCN underwent ESD and ERFA, respectively. The en bloc, R0, and curative resection rates for ESD were 100.0%, 90.2%, and 76.1%, respectively. At 12 months, the complete response rate was comparable between the two groups (94.6% vs 90.9%, p=0.748). During a median follow-up of 66 months, recurrence-free survival was significantly longer in the ESD group than in the ERFA group (p=0.004), while no significant differences in overall survival (p=0.845) and disease-specific survival (p=0.494) were observed.Preoperative diagnosis of intramucosal cancer (adjusted hazard ratio, 5.55; vs high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia) was an independent predictor of recurrence. Significantly fewer patients in the ERFA group experienced stenosis compare to ESD group (15.2% vs 38.0%, p=0.016). Conclusions The risk of recurrence was higher for ERFA than ESD for ESCN but overall survival was not affected. The risk of esophageal stenosis was significantly lower for patients who underwent ERFA.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) remains a leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD), driven by chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. Current therapies targeting glycemic and blood pressure control fail to address the underlying molecular mechanisms of DN. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of andrographolide (AD), a diterpenoid lactone from Andrographis paniculata, in mitigating DN by modulating key molecular pathways. Through integrative network pharmacology, molecular docking, and in vivo/in vitro experiments, 107 overlapping DN-related targets were identified, with STAT3, PI3K, and AKT1 emerging as core nodes. Molecular docking revealed high binding affinities between AD and these targets, supporting its modulatory potential. In vivo, AD significantly improved renal function in streptozotocin-induced DN rats, reducing proteinuria, glomerular hypertrophy, and renal fibrosis. AD also attenuated oxidative stress, decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, and enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities, demonstrating systemic anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects. In vitro studies further confirmed that AD alleviates podocyte oxidative stress and apoptosis under high glucose conditions by suppressing the RAGE-NF-κB and STAT3/PI3K/Akt pathways. Histological analyses revealed substantial improvements in renal architecture, including reductions in fibrosis and mesangial expansion. These results underscore AD’s multi-target mechanism, directly addressing DN’s core pathological drivers, including inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. As a natural compound with notable safety and efficacy, AD holds promise as an adjunct or standalone therapeutic agent for DN. This study establishes a robust preclinical foundation for AD, warranting further exploration in clinical trials and its potential application in other diabetic complications.

Background: s/Aims: Non-invasive models stratifying clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) are limited. Herein, we developed a new non-invasive model for predicting CSPH in patients with compensated cirrhosis and investigated whether carvedilol can prevent hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified using the new model. Methods: Non-invasive risk factors of CSPH were identified via systematic review and meta-analysis of studies involving patients with hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG). A new non-invasive model was validated for various performance aspects in three cohorts, i.e., a multicenter HVPG cohort, a follow-up cohort, and a carvediloltreating cohort. Results: In the meta-analysis with six studies (n=819), liver stiffness measurement and platelet count were identified as independent risk factors for CSPH and were used to develop the new “CSPH risk” model. In the HVPG cohort (n=151), the new model accurately predicted CSPH with cutoff values of 0 and –0.68 for ruling in and out CSPH, respectively. In the follow-up cohort (n=1,102), the cumulative incidences of decompensation events significantly differed using the cutoff values of <–0.68 (low-risk), –0.68 to 0 (medium-risk), and >0 (high-risk). In the carvediloltreated cohort, patients with high-risk CSPH treated with carvedilol (n=81) had lower rates of decompensation events than non-selective beta-blockers untreated patients with high-risk CSPH (n=613 before propensity score matching [PSM], n=162 after PSM). Conclusions Treatment with carvedilol significantly reduces the risk of hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified by the new model.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the blood type of specimens from pregnant patients with difficult-to-type ABO status, and to guide clinical safe blood transfusion. METHODS: The specimens from 36 pregnant patients with suspicious ABO blood group were collected. These specimens were submitted by clinical institutions from various regions to our center's genetic testing platform from January 2021 to December 2022. The blood group phenotypes and genotypes of these specimens were identified by serological method and genetic sequencing. RESULTS: A total of 20 ABO subtypes were detected in the 36 samples, including 10 cases of BA/O, 3 cases of cisAB/O, 2 cases of A/Bw, 1 case of A2/B, 1 case of Aw/B, 1 case of BA/B, 1 case of BA/A, and 1 case of Bw/O. Additionally, 4 cases were identified as para-Bombay blood type, and no specific variations associated with abnormal phenotypes were found in the remaining 12 cases. CONCLUSION ABO subtypes interfere with ABO blood group identification in pregnant patients, and pregnancy status also affects blood group phenotype. Accurate determination of blood group genotype by genetic sequencing technology can guide clinical blood transfusion for pregnant patients, and ensure maternal and infant safety.
Humans ; Female ; Pregnancy ; ABO Blood-Group System/genetics* ; Blood Grouping and Crossmatching ; Blood Transfusion ; Genotype ; Phenotype

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the relationship between miR451a and occult hepatitis B virus infection (OBI) in voluntary blood donors, and to provide ideas for the identification of OBI. METHODS: A total of 125 003 blood samples were collected from voluntary blood donors in our center from January 2022 to June 2023, and OBI infection was detected by blood screening. At the same time, 40 HBsAg double reagent reactive samples (S/CO>3.0) were selected as the positive control group, and 40 healthy blood donors were selected as the negative control group (normal group). The plasma miR451a level was detected, and the serum indexes of total bilirubin (TBil), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST). The relationship between miR451a and OBI were analyzed. RESULTS: 54 out of 125 003 blood samples were diagnosed as OBI, and the OBI infection rate was 0.043% (54/125 003). Compared with the normal group, the relative expression of plasma miR451a in the OBI group and the positive control group was down-regulated (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference in the relative expression of plasma miR451a between the OBI group and the positive control group (P >0.05). The HBV DNA load, TBil, ALT and AST levels in the positive control group were higher than those in the OBI group and the normal group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in plasma TBil, ALT and AST levels between OBI group and normal group (P >0.05). Logistic regression analysis and receiver operating curve (ROC) showed that plasma miR451a could distinguish OBI group from healthy group, and the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.904 (95%CI : 0.829-0.978). However, plasma miR451a was difficult to distinguish between OBI and HBsAg responders. CONCLUSION Plasma miR451a can be used as a potential biomarker for HBV infection, and can be used to identify OBI in HBsAg non-reactive blood donors.
Humans ; MicroRNAs/blood* ; Blood Donors ; Hepatitis B/blood* ; Hepatitis B virus ; Alanine Transaminase/blood* ; Aspartate Aminotransferases/blood* ; Female ; Male ; Adult ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens/blood*