OBJECTIVE: Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common malignancies seen in clinic and requires novel treatment options. Morin is a natural flavonoid extracted from the flower stalk of a highly valuable medicinal plant Prunella vulgaris L., which exhibits an anti-cancer effect in multiple types of tumors. However, the therapeutic effect and underlying mechanism of morin in treating GC remains elusive. The study aims to explore the therapeutic effect and underlying molecular mechanisms of morin in GC. METHODS: For in vitro experiments, the proliferation inhibition of morin was measured by cell counting kit-8 assay and colony formation assay in human GC cell line MKN45, human gastric adenocarcinoma cell line AGS, and human gastric epithelial cell line GES-1; for apoptosis analysis, microscopic photography, Western blotting, ubiquitination analysis, quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis, flow cytometry, and RNA interference technology were employed. For in vivo studies, immunohistochemistry, biomedical analysis, and Western blotting were used to assess the efficacy and safety of morin in a xenograft mouse model of GC. RESULTS: Morin significantly inhibited the proliferation of GC cells MKN45 and AGS in a dose- and time-dependent manner, but did not inhibit human gastric epithelial cells GES-1. Only the caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK was able to significantly reverse the inhibition of proliferation by morin in both GC cells, suggesting that apoptosis was the main type of cell death during the treatment. Morin induced intrinsic apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner in GC cells, which mainly relied on B cell leukemia/lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) associated agonist of cell death (BAD) but not phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate-induced protein 1. The upregulation of BAD by morin was due to blocking the ubiquitination degradation of BAD, rather than the transcription regulation and the phosphorylation of BAD. Furthermore, the combination of morin and BCL-2 inhibitor navitoclax (also known as ABT-737) produced a synergistic inhibitory effect in GC cells through amplifying apoptotic signals. In addition, morin treatment significantly suppressed the growth of GC in vivo by upregulating BAD and the subsequent activation of its downstream apoptosis pathway. CONCLUSION Morin suppressed GC by inducing apoptosis, which was mainly due to blocking the ubiquitination-based degradation of the pro-apoptotic protein BAD. The combination of morin and the BCL-2 inhibitor ABT-737 synergistically amplified apoptotic signals in GC cells, which may overcome the drug resistance of the BCL-2 inhibitor. These findings indicated that morin was a potent and promising agent for GC treatment. Please cite this article as: Wang Y, Sun XY, Ma FQ, Ren MM, Zhao RH, Qin MM, Zhu XH, Xu Y, Cao ND, Chen YY, Dong TG, Pan YF, Zhao AG. Morin inhibits ubiquitination degradation of BCL-2 associated agonist of cell death and synergizes with BCL-2 inhibitor in gastric cancer cells. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(3): 320-332.
Humans ; Flavonoids/therapeutic use* ; Stomach Neoplasms/pathology* ; Animals ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/metabolism* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Ubiquitination/drug effects* ; Mice ; Drug Synergism ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays ; Flavones

OBJECTIVE: The relationship between fish consumption and stroke is inconsistent, and it is uncertain whether this association varies across predicted stroke risks. METHODS: A cohort study comprising 95,800 participants from the Prediction for Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk in China project was conducted. A standardized questionnaire was used to collect data on fish consumption. Participants were stratified into low- and moderate-to-high-risk categories based on their 10-year stroke risk prediction scores. Hazard ratios ( HRs) and 95% confidence intervals ( CIs) were estimated using Cox proportional hazard models and additive interaction by relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI), attributable proportion (AP), and synergy index (SI). RESULTS: During 703,869 person-years of follow-up, 2,773 incident stroke events were identified. Higher fish consumption was associated with a lower risk of stroke, particularly among moderate-to-high-risk individuals ( HR = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.47-0.60) than among low-risk individuals ( HR = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.49-0.85). A significant additive interaction between fish consumption and predicted stroke risk was observed (RERI = 4.08, 95% CI: 2.80-5.36; SI = 1.64, 95% CI: 1.42-1.89; AP = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.28-0.43). CONCLUSION Higher fish consumption was associated with a lower risk of stroke, and this beneficial association was more pronounced in individuals with moderate-to-high stroke risk.
Humans ; China/epidemiology* ; Male ; Female ; Stroke/etiology* ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Incidence ; Aged ; Animals ; Fishes ; Risk Factors ; Diet ; Seafood ; Adult ; Cohort Studies

To analyze potential adverse drug events(ADEs) associated with ustekinumab and upadacitinib in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease(IBD) based on an international authoritative database, thereby providing evidence for clinical medication safety.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of formononetin （FMN） on the apoptosis of intestinal epithelial cells in inflammatory bowel disease （IBD） rats and its possible mechanism. METHODS IBD rat model was constructed by using trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid （TNBS） induction. Forty-eight rats with successful modeling were divided into model group （normal saline）， low-dose and high-dose FMN groups （20 and 40 mg/kg FMN）， and high-dose FMN+YAP inhibitor Verteporfin （VTPF） group （40 mg/kg FMN+10 mg/kg VTPF）， with 12 rats in each group. Another 12 rats were set as the normal group （normal saline）. They were given drug/normal saline， once a day， for 7 consecutive days. After the last administration， the disease activity index （DAI） of rats was calculated， and the colon length of rats in each group was measured. The pathological changes in the colon tissue of rats were observed. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-6 （IL-6） and IL-10 in serum were detected， and the apoptosis of intestinal epithelial cells was detected. The expressions of Yes associated protein （YAP）， cleaved cysteine-containing aspartate proteolytic enzyme 3 （cleaved-caspase-3）， B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2） and Bcl-2 associated X protein （Bax） were detected in colon tissue of rats. RESULTS Compared with the normal group， DAI score， the levels of TNF-α and IL- 6， the apoptotic rate of intestinal epithelial cells， and the expressions of cleaved-caspase-3 and Bax protein in the model group were increased greatly （P＜0.05）； the length of the colon was greatly decreased （P＜0.05）， and the serum level of IL-10 and the protein expressions of YAP and Bcl-2 were greatly reduced （P＜0.05）. The cell morphology of colon tissue was abnormal， with disordered arrangement and inflammatory cell infiltration. Compared with IBD group， the above indexes of rats were improved significantly in low-dose and high-dose FMN groups （P＜0.05）， in dose-dependent manner （P＜0.05）. VTPF significantly alleviated the effects of FMN on the above indexes of IBD rats （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS FMN may promote the expression of YAP by inhibiting the Hippo/YAP signaling pathway， thereby inhibiting apoptosis of intestinal epithelial cells in IBD rats.

Objective:To investigate the clinical features and outcomes of adolescence-onset methylmalonic acidemia (MMA) and explore preventive strategies.Methods:This was a retrospective case analysis of the phenotypes, genotypes and prognoses of adolescence-onset MMA patients. There were 55 patients diagnosed in Peking University First Hospital from January 2002 to June 2023, the data of symptoms, signs, laboratory results, gene variations, and outcomes was collected. The follow-ups were done through WeChat, telephone, or clinic visits every 3 to 6 months.Results:Among the 55 patients, 31 were males and 24 were females. The age of onset was 12 years old (range 10-18 years old). They visited clinics at Tanner stages 2 to 5 with typical secondary sexual characteristics. Nine cases (16%) were trigged by infection and 5 cases (9%) were triggered by insidious exercises. The period from onset to diagnosis was between 2 months and 6 years. Forty-five cases (82%) had neuropsychiatric symptoms as the main symptoms, followed by cardiovascular symptoms in 12 cases (22%), kidney damage in 7 cases (13%), and eye disease in 12 cases (22%). Fifty-four cases (98%) had the biochemical characteristics of methylmalonic acidemia combined with homocysteinemia, and 1 case (2%) had the isolated methylmalonic acidemia. Genetic diagnosis was obtained in 54 cases, with 20 variants identified in MMACHC gene and 2 in MMUT gene. In 53 children with MMACHC gene mutation,1 case had dual gene variants of PRDX1 and MMACHC, with 105 alleles. The top 5 frequent variants in MMACHC were c.482G>A in 39 alleles (37%), c.609G>A in 17 alleles (16%), c.658_660delAAG in 11 alleles (10%), c.80A>G in 10 alleles (10%), c.567dupT and c.394C>T both are 4 alleles (4%). All patients recovered using cobalamin, L-carnitine, betaine, and symptomatic therapy, and 54 patients (98%) returned to school or work.Conclusions:Patients with adolescence-onset MMA may triggered by fatigue or infection. The diagnosis is often delayed due to non-specific symptoms. Metabolic and genetic tests are crucial for a definite diagnosis. Treatment with cobalamin, L-carnitine, and betaine can effectively reverse the prognosis of MMA in adolescence-onset patients.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of licoflavone A on the proliferation and glycolysis of gastric cancer cells in the hypoxic environment. MethodHuman gastric cancer AGS cells were classified into five groups： Normoxia， hypoxia， and low-， medium-， and high-dose （25， 50， 100 μmol·L^-1， respectively） licoflavone A. The cells in other groups except the normoxia group were cultured in the environment with 5% O₂ for 48 h. The cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） and colony formation assay were employed to examine the proliferation of AGS cells. Cell migration was detected by the scratch assay. The protein and mRNA levels of hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha （HIF-1α）， glucose transporter 1 （GLUT1）， lactate dehydrogenase A （LDHA）， pyruvate kinase M2 （PKM2）， and hexokinase Ⅱ （HK2） in AGS cells were measured by Western blotting and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）， respectively. The corresponding kits were used to determine glucose uptake and HK activity. ResultThe CCK-8 results showed that compared with the hypoxia group， the high- and medium-dose licoflavone A groups showed decreased proliferation rate of AGS cells at the time point of 24 h （P<0.01） and all the licoflavone A groups demonstrated decreased proliferation rate at the time point of 48 h （P<0.01）. Compared with the normoxia group， the hypoxia group showed increased number of clone formation of AGS cells （P<0.01）， which was decreased after the treatment with licoflavone A at high， medium， and low doses （P<0.01）. Compared with the normoxia group， the hypoxia group showed increased migration of AGS cells （P<0.01）， which was attenuated by the high， medium， and low doses of licoflavone A （P<0.01）. Compared with the normoxia group， the hypoxia group showed up-regulated mRNA levels of GLUT1， LDHA， PKM2， and HK2 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with those in the hypoxia group， the mRNA levels of GLUT1， LDHA， PKM2， and HK2 in the high-dose licoflavone A group， GLUT1， LDHA， and HK2 in the medium-dose licoflavone A group， and HK2 in the low-dose licoflavone A group were down-regulated （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The protein levels of HIF-1α， GLUT1， LDHA， PKM2， and HK2 in the hypoxia group were higher than those in the normoxia group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with those in the hypoxia group， the protein levels of HIF-1α， GLUT1， LDHA， PKM2， and HK2 in the high-dose licoflavone A group and HK2 in the medium- and low-dose licoflavone A groups were down-regulated （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The glucose uptake and HK activity were elevated in the hypoxia group compared with those in the normoxia group （P<0.01）. Compared with the hypoxia group， high-dose licoflavone A decreased the glucose uptake and HK activity， and medium-dose licoflavone A decreased the HK activity （P<0.01）. ConclusionLicoflavone A inhibits the proliferation of AGS cells under hypoxic conditions by regulating glycolysis in gastric cancer.

Objective CT scans combined with Mimics software were used to measure femoral offset(FO),rotation center height(RCH)and lower leg length discrepancy(LLD)following total hip arthroplasty(THA),and the relationship between FO,RCH and LLD after THA is discussed.Methods Retrospective analysis was performed on 40 patients with unilateral THA who met standard cases from October 2020 to June 2022.There were 21 males and 19 females,18 patients on the left side and 22 patients on the right side,aged range from 30 to 81 years old,with an average age of(58.90±14.13)years old,BMI ranged from 17.3 to 31.5 kg·m-2withan average of(25.3±3.4)kg·m-2.There were 30 cases of femoral head necrosis(Ficattype Ⅳ),2 cases of hip osteoarthritis(Tonnis type Ⅲ),2 cases of developmental hip dislocation combined with end-stage osteoarthritis(Crowe type Ⅲ),and 6 cases of femoral neck fracture(Garden type Ⅳ).Three-dimensional CT reconstruction of pelvis was taken preoperative and postoperative,and three-dimensional reconstruction model was established after processing by Mimics software.FO,RCH and LLD were measured on the model.The criteria for FO reconstruction were as follows:postoperative bi-lateral FO difference less than 5 mm;the standard for equal length of both lower limbs was as follows:postoperative LLD differ-ence less than 5 mm.Results Bilateral FO difference was positively correlated with LLD(r=0.744,P＜0.00l).Chi-square test was performed between the FO reconstructed group and the non-reconstructed eccentricity group:The results showed that the i-sometric ratio of lower limbs in the FO reconstructed group was significantly higher than that in the FO reconstructed group(x2=6.320,P=0.012).The bilateral RCH difference was significantly negatively correlated with LLD(r=-0.877,P＜0.001).There is a linear relationship between bilateral FO difference and bilateral RCH difference and postoperative LLD,and the lin-ear regression equation is satisfied:postoperative LLD=0.038x-0.099y+0.257(x:postoperative bilateral FO difference,y:post-operative bilateral RCH difference;Unit:cm),F=77.993,R2=0.808,P=0.009.Conclusion After THA,LLD increased with the increase of FO and decreased with the increase of RCH.The effect of lower limb isometric length can be obtained more easily by reconstruction of FO.There is a linear relationship between the bilateral FO difference and the bilateral RCH difference after THA and LLD,and the regression equation can provide a theoretical reference forjudging LLD.

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of pneumococcal meningitis(PM),and drug sensitivity of Streptococcus pneumoniae(SP)isolates in Chinese children.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical information,laboratory data,and microbiological data of 160 hospitalized children under 15 years old with PM from January 2019 to December 2020 in 33 tertiary hospitals across the country.Results Among the 160 children with PM,there were 103 males and 57 females.The age ranged from 15 days to 15 years,with 109 cases(68.1% )aged 3 months to under 3 years.SP strains were isolated from 95 cases(59.4% )in cerebrospinal fluid cultures and from 57 cases(35.6% )in blood cultures.The positive rates of SP detection by cerebrospinal fluid metagenomic next-generation sequencing and cerebrospinal fluid SP antigen testing were 40% (35/87)and 27% (21/78),respectively.Fifty-five cases(34.4% )had one or more risk factors for purulent meningitis,113 cases(70.6% )had one or more extra-cranial infectious foci,and 18 cases(11.3% )had underlying diseases.The most common clinical symptoms were fever(147 cases,91.9% ),followed by lethargy(98 cases,61.3% )and vomiting(61 cases,38.1% ).Sixty-nine cases(43.1% )experienced intracranial complications during hospitalization,with subdural effusion and/or empyema being the most common complication[43 cases(26.9% )],followed by hydrocephalus in 24 cases(15.0% ),brain abscess in 23 cases(14.4% ),and cerebral hemorrhage in 8 cases(5.0% ).Subdural effusion and/or empyema and hydrocephalus mainly occurred in children under 1 year old,with rates of 91% (39/43)and 83% (20/24),respectively.SP strains exhibited complete sensitivity to vancomycin(100% ,75/75),linezolid(100% ,56/56),and meropenem(100% ,6/6).High sensitivity rates were also observed for levofloxacin(81% ,22/27),moxifloxacin(82% ,14/17),rifampicin(96% ,25/26),and chloramphenicol(91% ,21/23).However,low sensitivity rates were found for penicillin(16% ,11/68)and clindamycin(6% ,1/17),and SP strains were completely resistant to erythromycin(100% ,31/31).The rates of discharge with cure and improvement were 22.5% (36/160)and 66.2% (106/160),respectively,while 18 cases(11.3% )had adverse outcomes.Conclusions Pediatric PM is more common in children aged 3 months to under 3 years.Intracranial complications are more frequently observed in children under 1 year old.Fever is the most common clinical manifestation of PM,and subdural effusion/emphysema and hydrocephalus are the most frequent complications.Non-culture detection methods for cerebrospinal fluid can improve pathogen detection rates.Adverse outcomes can be noted in more than 10% of PM cases.SP strains are high sensitivity to vancomycin,linezolid,meropenem,levofloxacin,moxifloxacin,rifampicin,and chloramphenicol.[Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics,2024,26(2):131-138]

Objective To explore the predictive value of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1(sFlt-1)and leukotriene B4(LTB4)in patients with intracranial aneurysms for cerebral vasospasm(CVS)after interventional embolization.Methods A total of 98 patients with intracranial aneurysms admitted to our hospital from January 2019 to September 2023 were regarded as the observation group,and were divided into the CVS group(32 cases)and the non CVS group(66 cases)according to whether CVS occurred or not within 3 to 5 days after surgery;102 healthy examinees in our hospital were selected as the control group.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect serum levels of sFlt-1 and LTB4;the influencing factors for CVS after interventional embolization of intracranial aneurysms were analyzed by Logistic regression analysis;the predictive value of serum sFlt-1 and LTB4 levels for the occurrence of CVS after interventional embolization of intracranial aneurysms was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Results The serum levels of sFlt-1 and LTB4 of patients in the observation group were obviously higher than those in the control group,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).The serum levels of sFlt-1 and LTB4,and the proportions of patients with postoperative blood pressure fluctuation range≥30 mmHg and Hunt-Hess grade Ⅲ in the CVS group were obviously higher than those in the non CVS group,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).SFlt-1(OR:2.985;95%CI:1.684 to 5.291)and LTB4(OR:2.868;95%CI:1.581 to 5.204)were the independent risk factors for CVS after interventional embolization of intracranial aneurysms(P<0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)of sFlt-1 and LTB4 alone and in combination for predicting the occurrence of CVS after interventional embolization of intracranial aneurysms were 0.839,0.825,and 0.915,respectively,with sensitivity of 84.44%,87.59%,and 81.36%,and specificity of 74.26%,75.87%,and 90.98%,respectively.The AUC of the combination of the two was higher than those of sFlt-1 and LTB4 alone,and the differences were statistically significant(Z=2.150,2.546,P<0.05).Conclusion The serum levels of sFlt-1 and LTB4 in patients with CVS after interventional embolization of intracranial aneurysms are increased,and the combination of the two can serve as the important indicators for predicting CVS.