Background/Aims: Lenvatinib resistance remains a critical barrier in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) therapy. However, the underlying mechanisms and strategies for reversing resistance remain incompletely understood. Methods: Integrated transcriptomics of lenvatinib-resistant patient tumors and an acquired-resistance murine model identified a novel macrophage subpopulation. Functional validation employed CRISPR-SAM screening, conditioned medium (CM) assays, subcutaneous/orthotopic xenografts, patient-derived organoids (PDOs), and patient-derived xenografts (PDXs). Mechanistic studies included ChIP-qPCR, co-immunoprecipitation, and pharmacologic targeting. Clinical relevance was assessed in a retrospective cohort. Results: Resistant HCC exhibited significant enrichment of a COLEC12high TAM subset , which correlated with poor survival and treatment response. These TAMs secreted neuregulin-1 (NRG1) , activating HER2/HER3-AKT signaling in tumor cells to drive cancer stemness and lenvatinib resistance. Mechanistically, in TAMs COLEC12 sequestered STAT1 in the cytoplasm, preventing its phosphorylation, and thereby derepressing STAT3-mediated NRG1 transcription. Depletion of NRG1 reversed the stemness phenotypes and resensitized tumors to lenvatinib both in vitro and in vivo. Clinically, high NRG1 expression predicted an inferior lenvatinib response and shorter survival. Crucially, the bispecific anti-HER2/HER3 antibody zenocutuzumab restored lenvatinib efficacy in PDOs, PDXs, and murine models. Conclusions Our work establishes the COLEC12high TAM/NRG1 axis as a master regulator of therapeutic resistance and identifies NRG1 as a predictive biomarker, providing a clinically actionable strategy to overcome lenvatinib resistance in HCC.

Neuropathic pain, a debilitating condition caused by dysfunction of the somatosensory nervous system, remains difficult to treat due to limited understanding of its molecular mechanisms. Bioinformatics analysis identified cerebellin 2 (CBLN2) as highly enriched in human and murine proprioceptive and nociceptive neurons. We found that CBLN2 expression is persistently upregulated in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) following spinal nerve ligation (SNL) in mice. In addition, transcription factor SOX11 binds to 12 cis-regulatory elements within the Cbln2 promoter to enhance its transcription. SNL also induced SOX11 upregulation, with SOX11 and CBLN2 co-localized in nociceptive neurons. The siRNA-mediated knockdown of Sox11 or Cbln2 attenuated SNL-induced mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia. High-throughput sequencing of DRG following intrathecal injection of CBLN2 revealed widespread gene expression changes, including upregulation of numerous NF-κB downstream targets. Consistently, CBLN2 activated NF-κB signaling, and inhibition with pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate reduced CBLN2-induced pain hypersensitivity, proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines production, and neuronal hyperexcitability. Together, these findings identified the SOX11/CBLN2/NF-κB axis as a critical mediator of neuropathic pain and a promising target for therapeutic intervention.
Animals ; Neuralgia/metabolism* ; Ganglia, Spinal/metabolism* ; Up-Regulation ; Mice ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; SOXC Transcription Factors/genetics* ; Male ; Neuroinflammatory Diseases/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics* ; Hyperalgesia/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction ; Spinal Nerves

Objective:To investigate the prevalence and severity of symptom burden among long-term survivors of oropharyngeal cancer after radiotherapy, to identify core symptom clusters, and to explore their correlation with quality of life.Methods:A previous retrospective study was conducted by the Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences on patients with oropharyngeal cancer who underwent radiotherapy between January 2010 and December 2020. Patients who were still alive as of December 2023 were further followed and analyzed. From December 2023 to August 2024, symptom burden and quality of life were assessed using the Chinese version of the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory–Head and Neck Module (MDASI-HN) and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ). Exploratory factor analysis (principal component analysis with Promax rotation) were used to identify symptom clusters. Spearman correlation analysis was performed to explore the relationship between total symptom cluster scores and standardized domain scores of quality of life. Multivariate linear regression analysis was further employed to determine the relationship between identified symptom clusters and overall quality of life.Results:A total of 273 patients were included, with a median follow-up duration of 6.2 years (range: 3.5-14.5 years) and a median age of 61 years (range: 27-88 years) at follow-up. The top 5 incidence rates of symptom reported by patients were mucus problems in the mouth or throat (147 cases, 53.8%), dental or gum issues (143 cases, 52.4%), xerostomia (140 cases, 51.3%), difficulty swallowing or chewing (95 cases, 34.8%), and taste disturbance (79 cases, 28.9%). Among them, xerostomia was the most serious symptom. The most frequently reported interference was impact on work (including household chores) (55 cases, 20.1%). Exploratory factor analysis identified 3 symptom clusters: fatigue-nausea cluster, eating-voice cluster, and xerostomia-sleep cluster, all of which were significantly correlated with lower overall quality of life of patients (all P<0.001). Conclusion:Long-term survivors of oropharyngeal cancer after radiotherapy experience substantial symptom burden. The fatigue-nausea, eating-voice, and xerostomia-sleep clusters are the core symptom clusters impacting quality of life.

In-depth study of the components of polymyxins is the key to controlling the quality of this class of antibiotics. Similarities and variations of components present significant analytical challenges. A two-dimensional (2D) liquid chromatography-mass spectrometr (LC-MS) method was established for screening and comprehensive profiling of compositions of the antibiotic colistimethate sodium (CMS). A high concentration of phosphate buffer mobile phase was used in the first-dimensional LC system to get the components well separated. For efficient and high-accuracy screening of CMS, a targeted method based on a self-constructed high resolution (HR) mass spectrum database of CMS components was established. The database was built based on the commercial MassHunter Personal Compound Database and Library (PCDL) software and its accuracy of the compound matching result was verified with six known components before being applied to genuine sample screening. On this basis, the unknown peaks in the CMS chromatograms were deduced and assigned. The molecular formula, group composition, and origins of a total of 99 compounds, of which the combined area percentage accounted for more than 95% of CMS components, were deduced by this 2D-LC-MS method combined with the MassHunter PCDL. This profiling method was highly efficient and could distinguish hundreds of components within 3 h, providing reliable results for quality control of this kind of complex drugs.

In-depth study of the components of polymyxins is the key to controlling the quality of this class of antibiotics.Similarities and variations of components present significant analytical challenges.A two-dimensional(2D)liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(LC-MS)method was established for screening and comprehensive profiling of compositions of the antibiotic colistimethate sodium(CMS).A high concentration of phosphate buffer mobile phase was used in the first-dimensional LC system to get the components well separated.For efficient and high-accuracy screening of CMS,a targeted method based on a self-constructed high resolution(HR)mass spectrum database of CMS components was established.The database was built based on the commercial MassHunter Personal Compound Database and Library(PCDL)software and its accuracy of the compound matching result was verified with six known components before being applied to genuine sample screening.On this basis,the unknown peaks in the CMS chromatograms were deduced and assigned.The molecular formula,group composition,and origins of a total of 99 compounds,of which the combined area percentage accounted for more than 95％of CMS components,were deduced by this 2D-LC-MS method combined with the MassHunter PCDL.This profiling method was highly efficient and could distinguish hundreds of components within 3 h,providing reliable results for quality control of this kind of complex drugs.

Objective:To investigate the prevalence and severity of symptom burden among long-term survivors of oropharyngeal cancer after radiotherapy, to identify core symptom clusters, and to explore their correlation with quality of life.Methods:A previous retrospective study was conducted by the Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences on patients with oropharyngeal cancer who underwent radiotherapy between January 2010 and December 2020. Patients who were still alive as of December 2023 were further followed and analyzed. From December 2023 to August 2024, symptom burden and quality of life were assessed using the Chinese version of the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory–Head and Neck Module (MDASI-HN) and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ). Exploratory factor analysis (principal component analysis with Promax rotation) were used to identify symptom clusters. Spearman correlation analysis was performed to explore the relationship between total symptom cluster scores and standardized domain scores of quality of life. Multivariate linear regression analysis was further employed to determine the relationship between identified symptom clusters and overall quality of life.Results:A total of 273 patients were included, with a median follow-up duration of 6.2 years (range: 3.5-14.5 years) and a median age of 61 years (range: 27-88 years) at follow-up. The top 5 incidence rates of symptom reported by patients were mucus problems in the mouth or throat (147 cases, 53.8%), dental or gum issues (143 cases, 52.4%), xerostomia (140 cases, 51.3%), difficulty swallowing or chewing (95 cases, 34.8%), and taste disturbance (79 cases, 28.9%). Among them, xerostomia was the most serious symptom. The most frequently reported interference was impact on work (including household chores) (55 cases, 20.1%). Exploratory factor analysis identified 3 symptom clusters: fatigue-nausea cluster, eating-voice cluster, and xerostomia-sleep cluster, all of which were significantly correlated with lower overall quality of life of patients (all P<0.001). Conclusion:Long-term survivors of oropharyngeal cancer after radiotherapy experience substantial symptom burden. The fatigue-nausea, eating-voice, and xerostomia-sleep clusters are the core symptom clusters impacting quality of life.

Objective To explore the intervention effect and mechanism of Zhiwei Fuwei pills on precancerous lesions of gastric cancer(PLGC)model rats based on hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α)/vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)signaling pathway.Methods PLGC model rats were established by the combination of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine and ammonia drinking,hunger and satiation disorder,ethanol gavage and ranitidine feeding,and were randomly divided into model group,control group and experimental-H,-M,-L groups,with 8 rats in each group.Another 8 healthy rats were selected as blank group.Experimental-H,-M,-L groups were given 1.67,0.84 and 0.42 g·kg-1 Zhiwei Fuwei pills solution by intragastric administration,respectively;control group was given 2.00 × 10-3g·kg-1 folic acid solution by intragastric administration;blank group and model group were given 0.9％NaCl by intragastric administration,once a day for 4 weeks.The structural changes of gastric microvessels were detected by transmission electron microscopy,and the expression levels of HIF-1α,VEGF,vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2(VEGFR-2)and Angiopoietin-2(Ang-2)were detected by western blot.Results Compared with the model group,the abnormality of gastric microvascular structure in experimental-H,-M,-L groups was improved to some extent,and the effect of high dose experimental group was the most obvious.The relative expression levels of HIF-1 α protein in experimental-H,-M groups and control group,model group and blank group were 0.43±0.03,0.66±0.04,0.77±0.01,0.80±0.02 and 0.37±0.02;the relative expression levels of VEGF protein were 0.97±0.06,1.21±0.06,1.51±0.07,1.54±0.05 and 0.88±0.02;the relative expression levels of VEGFR-2 protein were 1.03±0.06,1.18±0.04,1.37±0.05,1.45±0.02 and 0.70±0.02;the relative expression levels of Ang-2 protein were 0.51±0.03,0.61±0.02,0.71±0.01,0.78±0.03 and 0.34±0.01,respectively.Compared with the model group,the above indexes in the experimental-H,-M groups were statistically significant(all P＜0.01).Conclusion Zhiwei Fuwei pills may inhibit the abnormal activation of HIF-1α/VEGF signaling pathway,improve hypoxia microenvironment,reduce angiogenesis,and then effectively interfere with the progression of PLGC.

Objective To explore the intervention effect and mechanism of Zhiwei Fuwei pills on precancerous lesions of gastric cancer(PLGC)model rats based on hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α)/vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)signaling pathway.Methods PLGC model rats were established by the combination of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine and ammonia drinking,hunger and satiation disorder,ethanol gavage and ranitidine feeding,and were randomly divided into model group,control group and experimental-H,-M,-L groups,with 8 rats in each group.Another 8 healthy rats were selected as blank group.Experimental-H,-M,-L groups were given 1.67,0.84 and 0.42 g·kg-1 Zhiwei Fuwei pills solution by intragastric administration,respectively;control group was given 2.00 × 10-3g·kg-1 folic acid solution by intragastric administration;blank group and model group were given 0.9％NaCl by intragastric administration,once a day for 4 weeks.The structural changes of gastric microvessels were detected by transmission electron microscopy,and the expression levels of HIF-1α,VEGF,vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2(VEGFR-2)and Angiopoietin-2(Ang-2)were detected by western blot.Results Compared with the model group,the abnormality of gastric microvascular structure in experimental-H,-M,-L groups was improved to some extent,and the effect of high dose experimental group was the most obvious.The relative expression levels of HIF-1 α protein in experimental-H,-M groups and control group,model group and blank group were 0.43±0.03,0.66±0.04,0.77±0.01,0.80±0.02 and 0.37±0.02;the relative expression levels of VEGF protein were 0.97±0.06,1.21±0.06,1.51±0.07,1.54±0.05 and 0.88±0.02;the relative expression levels of VEGFR-2 protein were 1.03±0.06,1.18±0.04,1.37±0.05,1.45±0.02 and 0.70±0.02;the relative expression levels of Ang-2 protein were 0.51±0.03,0.61±0.02,0.71±0.01,0.78±0.03 and 0.34±0.01,respectively.Compared with the model group,the above indexes in the experimental-H,-M groups were statistically significant(all P＜0.01).Conclusion Zhiwei Fuwei pills may inhibit the abnormal activation of HIF-1α/VEGF signaling pathway,improve hypoxia microenvironment,reduce angiogenesis,and then effectively interfere with the progression of PLGC.

Humans ; Olfaction Disorders/etiology* ; Smell

ObjectiveTo investigate the value of the serum levels of Clusterin and sphingosine 1-phosphate （S1P） in assessing the prognosis of sepsis patients with acute liver injury. MethodsA total of 127 sepsis patients with acute liver injury who were admitted to Lianyungang Hospital， Xuzhou Medical University， from March 2019 to May 2022 were enrolled， and according to their prognosis after 28 days of treatment， they were divided into death group with 35 patients and survival group with 92 patients. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups， and the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. A pearson correlation analysis was used to investigate the correlation. The prognostic value of serum Clusterin and S1P was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic curve. ResultsThere were significant differences between the two groups in the degree of liver injury， Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation Ⅱ （APACHEⅡ） score， Sequential Organ Failure Assessment （SOFA） score， the presence or absence of acute kidney injury， prothrombin time （PT）， international normalized ratio （INR）， Child-Pugh class， and C-reactive protein （all P<0.05）. The death group had significantly lower serum levels of Clusterin and S1P than the survival group （t=11.094 and 10.390， both P<0.05）. The patients with severe liver injury had significantly lower serum levels of Clusterin and S1P than those with mild or moderate liver injury （t=9.825 and 11.418， both P<0.05）. The multivariate regression analysis showed that the degree of liver injury （odds ratio ［OR］=1.260， 95% confidence interval ［CI］： 1.081 — 1.468， P<0.05）， APACHEII score （OR=1.031， 95%CI： 1.019 — 1.044， P<0.05）， SOFA score （OR=1.066， 95%CI： 1.039 — 1.094， P<0.05）， Clusterin （OR=0.899， 95%CI： 0.859 — 0.940， P<0.05）， and S1P （OR=0.824， 95%CI： 0.749 — 0.908， P<0.05） were independent risk factors for the prognosis of patients with sepsis. The ROC curve analysis showed that serum Clusterin and S1P used alone or in combination had an area under the ROC curve of 0.864， 0.861， and 0.949， respectively. Serum Clusterin and S1P were significantly negatively correlated with alanine aminotransferase， total bilirubin， PT， and INR in sepsis patients with acute liver injury （all P<0.05）. ConclusionThe sepsis patients with acute liver injury who died had significant reductions in serum Clusterin and S1P compared with those who survived， and the levels of Clusterin and S1P are closely associated with the degree of liver injury. The combination of Clusterin and S1P has a good value in predicting the prognosis of sepsis patients with acute liver injury and is expected to become a potential marker for predicting the prognosis of sepsis patients with acute liver injury.