Methods: Cervical radiographs were analyzed. EOP hyperplasia was classified into three subtypes with standardized length measurements. Variables encompassed demographics, ONL-related indices, and sagittal parameters. Subtype comparisons and multivariate regression analyses (with EOP length as dependent variable) were conducted. Results: Analysis of 187 CSM patients (64.2% male) identified gender-specific patterns: males exhibited greater EOP length (9.4±6.8 mm vs. 4.6±3.4 mm, p<0.001). Type III EOP demonstrated male predominance (82.4% vs. type I 31.8%, type II 51.4%; p<0.001), with associated longer hyperplasia length (11.6±6.6 mm vs. type II 5.1±1.9 mm, p<0.001). Type III EOP was associated with higher ONL prevalence (type III 64.8% vs. type I 45.5%, type II 41.9%; p=0.010) and longer ONL osteophyte length (type III 18.8±9.8 mm vs. type I 14.2±8.1 mm, type II 14.2±9.4 mm; p=0.046). Multivariate regression confirmed male sex (β=–3.82, p=0.009), ONL osteophyte length (β=0.16, p=0.017), T1 slope (β=0.27, p=0.041), and spino-cranial angle (β=–0.19, p=0.009) as factors independently associated with EOP length (adjusted R²=0.382). Conclusions Severe EOP hyperplasia exhibits a male-predominant distribution pattern and demonstrates significant radiological associations with ONL and cervical sagittal imbalance in CSM patients. These findings advocate for EOP evaluation in clinical evaluations to identify high-risk biomechanical profiles.

BACKGROUND:With the continuous advancement of medical technology,stem cell therapy has been used to treat a variety of diseases,including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. OBJECTIVE:To review the research progress of stem cell therapy for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,and prospect the development trend of this field. METHODS:PubMed,China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI),and WanFang Data were searched for articles published from 1995 to 2024 using the key words"amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,mesenchymal stem cells,neural stem/progenitor cells,pluripotent stem cells."A total of more than 1 700 articles were retrieved,and 58 articles were finally included in this review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a neurodegenerative disease that affects lower motor neurons in the brainstem and spinal cord and upper motor neurons in the motor cortex.The related research of stem cells in the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis has become a research hotspot.In this review,we summarize the application of different types of stem cells in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis research,including mesenchymal stem cells,neural stem progenitor cells,and induced pluripotent stem cells,and evaluate the key points of preclinical research such as stem cell source,cell volume,stem cell modification methods,and drug delivery routes,which lays the foundation for the future application of stem cell therapy.

Purpose This study aimed to investigate the expression,function,and molecular mechanisms of ZNF384 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC),as well as its role in tumor progression and chemoresistance.Methods The expression of ZNF384 in ESCC cell lines and tissues was assessed using RT-qPCR.Correlations with TNM stage,invasion depth,lymph node metastasis,and prognosis were evaluated.In vitro assays were performed to examine the effects of ZNF384 on ESCC cell proliferation,migration,invasion,and chemosensitivity.Dual-luciferase reporter assays were conducted to determine the interaction between ZNF384 and FZD3,and to assess the activation of the Wnt signaling pathway.Results ZNF384 expression was significantly upregulated in ESCC cell lines and tissues(P＜0.01).Elevated ZNF384 expression was associated with advanced TNM stage,greater invasion depth,lymph node metastasis,and poor prognosis(P＜0.05).Functional assays demonstrated that ZNF384 overexpression promo-ted ESCC cell proliferation,migration,and invasion(all P＜0.01),whereas ZNF384 knockdown inhibited these processes and enhanced chemosensitivity to cisplatin(all P＜0.01).Mechanistic studies showed that ZNF384 directly bound to the FZD3 promoter,upregulated FZD3 expression,and activated the Wnt signaling pathway(P＜0.05).Overexpression of FZD3 partially reversed the inhibitory effects of ZNF384 knockdown on cell malignancy and chemore-sistance(P＜0.05).Conclusion ZNF384 promotes ESCC progression and reduces chemosensitivity through activa-tion of the FZD3/Wnt signaling pathway,suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target in ESCC.

AIM:To investigate the impact of recombinant human CC16 protein(rhCC16)on cigarette smoke extract(CSE)-induced senescence-associated secretory phenotype(SASP)in human bronchial epithelial cells(HBECs)and in the lung tissues of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)mice,and to explore the underlying mechanism.METHODS:HBECs were induced into cellular senescence using 5%CSE.The senescent HBECs were treated with 250 ng/mL rhCC16,and the levels of reactive oxygen species(ROS)were assessed using the 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate(DCFH-DA)method.The levels of trimethylated histone H3 at lysine 9(H3K9me3),a marker of senescence-associated heterochromatic foci(SAHF),were detected using a Western blot assay.RT-qPCR and ELISA were utilized to measure the mRNA expression and protein levels of SASP components including interleukin-1 beta(IL-1β),IL-6,IL-8,chemokine(C-X-C motif)ligand-1(CXCL-1),matrix metalloproteinase 1(MMP1)and MMP3.Passive smoking was con-ducted for six months to induce COPD in mice.RhCC16(2.5 μg/g body weight)or an equal volume of PBS(20 μL)was intranasally administered from the 16th week of smoking in the COPD+rhCC16 group or COPD+PBS group,respectively,with administration 2 hours before smoking.ROS levels in lung tissue cells were investigated using DCFH-DA staining.H3K9me3 levels in lung tissues were tested using Western blot assay.RT-qPCR and ELISA were performed to examine the mRNA expression and protein levels of IL-1β,IL-6,IL-8,CXCL-1,MMP1 and MMP3.RESULTS:DCFH-DA staining results showed that CSE stimulation increased ROS levels in HBECs,while rhCC16 treatment reduced them(P＜0.01).Western blot results indicated that CSE stimulation elevated H3K9me3 levels in HBECs,which were decreased with rhCC16 treatment(P＜0.01).RT-qPCR and ELISA assays demonstrated that CSE stimulation upregulated the mRNA and protein levels of IL-1β,IL-6,IL-8,CXCL-1,MMP1 and MMP3 in HBECs,which were reduced with rhCC16 admin-istration(P＜0.05).DCFH-DA staining results showed an increase in ROS levels in the lung tissues of COPD mice,which were decreased with rhCC16 administration(P＜0.01).Western blot data revealed an increase in H3K9me3 levels in the lung tissues of COPD mice,which were reduced with rhCC16 treatment(P＜0.01).RT-qPCR and ELISA assays demon-strated an upregulation of the mRNA and protein levels of IL-1β,IL-6,IL-8,CXCL-1,MMP1 and MMP3 in the lung tis-sues of COPD mice,which were reduced with rhCC16 treatment(P＜0.05).No statistically significant differences were ob-served in the above-mentioned indicators between the lung tissues of COPD and COPD+PBS mice(P＞0.05).CONCLU-SION:rhCC16 can effectively inhibit CSE-induced SASP in HBECs and in the lung tissues of COPD mice,with its under-lying mechanism potentially related to the inhibition of the ROS-H3K9me3 signaling pathway.

Purpose This study aimed to investigate the expression,function,and molecular mechanisms of ZNF384 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC),as well as its role in tumor progression and chemoresistance.Methods The expression of ZNF384 in ESCC cell lines and tissues was assessed using RT-qPCR.Correlations with TNM stage,invasion depth,lymph node metastasis,and prognosis were evaluated.In vitro assays were performed to examine the effects of ZNF384 on ESCC cell proliferation,migration,invasion,and chemosensitivity.Dual-luciferase reporter assays were conducted to determine the interaction between ZNF384 and FZD3,and to assess the activation of the Wnt signaling pathway.Results ZNF384 expression was significantly upregulated in ESCC cell lines and tissues(P＜0.01).Elevated ZNF384 expression was associated with advanced TNM stage,greater invasion depth,lymph node metastasis,and poor prognosis(P＜0.05).Functional assays demonstrated that ZNF384 overexpression promo-ted ESCC cell proliferation,migration,and invasion(all P＜0.01),whereas ZNF384 knockdown inhibited these processes and enhanced chemosensitivity to cisplatin(all P＜0.01).Mechanistic studies showed that ZNF384 directly bound to the FZD3 promoter,upregulated FZD3 expression,and activated the Wnt signaling pathway(P＜0.05).Overexpression of FZD3 partially reversed the inhibitory effects of ZNF384 knockdown on cell malignancy and chemore-sistance(P＜0.05).Conclusion ZNF384 promotes ESCC progression and reduces chemosensitivity through activa-tion of the FZD3/Wnt signaling pathway,suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target in ESCC.

This review summarizes the applications and advancements of artificial intelligence(AI)in the analysis of retinal vascular parameters. Retinal vascular parameters, including vessel diameter, fractal dimension, vascular tortuosity, branching angles, and vessel density, are important indicators for assessing changes in the retinal vascular network structure. These parameters are not only related to various ophthalmic diseases but also reflect the conditions of systemic diseases such as diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. This article provides a detailed discussion on the advantages of AI technology in the automated identification and quantification of retinal vascular parameters, particularly in improving measurement efficiency and accuracy, and enabling the early detection and monitoring of various diseases. Additionally, the challenges faced by AI in the analysis of retinal vascular parameters were discussed, such as data standardization and insufficient sample diversity, and proposes directions for future research. By thoroughly analyzing the application of AI in retinal vascular parameter analysis, this article aims to offer new perspectives and methods for clinical diagnosis and early intervention of diseases, holding significant clinical significance and application prospects.

Objective:To construct a machine learning classification prediction model using planning-omics (planomics) features to predict the γ pass rate of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) plan dose verification in fixed-field thoracic tumors, and evaluate the application of planomics in radiotherapy quality assurance.Methods:The fixed-field IMRT plans of 240 patients with chest tumors admitted to Department of Radiotherapy, Henan Cancer Hospital from August 2022 to March 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. All plans underwent dose verification using the electronic portal imaging system detector on the Varian accelerator to collect field dose data. The dose verification results were analyzed through Portal Dosimetry in the treatment planning system of Eclipse. The γ pass rate standard was set at 2%/2 mm with a 10% dose threshold. From the planning documents, 48 conventional planning features, 2476 planomics features, and the combination of the previous two feature sets were extracted. Subsequently, an auto-encoder classification model was constructed. To evaluate the classification efficacy of various feature sets, 20 random train-test divisions were conducted by calculating the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) values along with the accuracy rates.Results:After the feature selection, 2 conventional features and 16 planomics features were finally selected. In the testing set, the AUC values for the model using combined features, planomics features, and conventional planned features were 0.802±0.030, 0.740±0.069, and 0.673±0.083, respectively. In contrast, in the training set, these AUC values were 0.844±0.074, 0.816±0.047, and 0.687±0.036, respectively. The accuracy rates were 0.752±0.083, 0.703±0.110, and 0.648±0.081 in the testing set, and 0.753±0.098, 0.751±0.075, and 0.624±0.054 in the training set for the combined, planomics, and conventional planning feature sets, respectively.Conclusions:For thoracic fixed-field adjusted radiotherapy planning, the machine learning method based on planomics features can be utilized to build a classification model for predicting the γ pass rate. Combining planomics features with conventional planned features can enhance the predictive performance of the classification models.

Objective:To evaluate the detection capability of the contrast-enhanced three-dimensional turbo spin-echo (CE-SPACE) sequence for brain metastases (BM), aiming to provide evidence for precise target delineation in stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT).Methods:A total of 123 BM patients who received radiotherapy at the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University from May to November 2024 were enrolled. All patients underwent contrast-enhanced (CE) MRI and CT scans in the same treatment position, with images rigidly registered in the Eclipse planning system. Two experienced radiation oncologists independently delineated BM lesions on CE-MPRAGE and CE-SPACE sequences in a blinded manner. Patients were divided into the delayed group (10 min, n=61) and a priority group (5 min, n=62) based on the time interval between gadolinium injection and CE-SPACE acquisition. The non-parametric Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used to compare the lesion counts and volume differences between the two imaging sequences. Point-biserial correlation analysis was performed to assess the correlation between the additional lesions identified by CE-SPACE and lesion volume. Results:The overall analysis demonstrated that CE-SPACE detected 421 BM lesions, achieving an 8.2% higher detection rate than CE-MPRAGE ( Z=3.78, P<0.001). In terms of lesion volume, the median BM lesions volume identified by CE-SPACE [0.30(0.07,1.53)cm 3] was 8.7% larger than that by CE-MPRAGE [0.23 (0.04, 1.34) cm 3] ( Z=12.88, P<0.001). CE-SPACE demonstrated superior sensitivity for lesions ≤ 0.06 cm3, with negative correlation between the number of additional lesions detected and lesion volume ( r=-0.104, P=0.034). Subgroup analysis revealed that in the delayed group, CE-SPACE detected significantly more lesions [median 2 (1, 3.5) vs. 2 (1, 3), P=0.002] and larger volumes [0.39 (0.08, 2.24) cm3 vs. 0.29 (0.05, 1.99) cm3, P<0.001] than CE-MPRAGE. In the priority group, CE-SPACE detected significantly larger lesion volumes [0.55 (0.09, 2.06) cm3 vs. 0.45 (0.08, 1.88) cm3, P<0.001], but no significant difference was observed in lesion counts between two sequences ( P=0.059). Conclusions:Three-dimensional CE-SPACE sequence offers superior detection sensitivity for small BM (≤ 0.06 cm3), providing crucial guidance for accurate target delineation in SRT.

Objective: To investigate the therapeutic efficacy and potential mechanisms of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and to preliminarily identify the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome element characteristics of FMT in the treatment of T2DM. Methods: Between March 25, 2023 and September 30, 2024, T2DM patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled at the Department of Rheumatology and Endocrinology of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Participants received oral microbiota capsules as an adjunct to metformin therapy. Information obtained by four diagnostic methods of TCM, along with clinical and laboratory parameters, was collected before and after the intervention. Metagenomic sequencing was employed to analyze the gut microbiota, and Spearman correlation analysis was used to explore the relationship between laboratory indicators and differential bacterial genera. According to the post-treatment reduction in glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), patients were categorized into a response (R) group and a non-response (NR) group. Treatment outcomes, safety indicators, gut microbiota changes, and TCM syndrome element features were compared between the two groups. Results: A total of 53 T2DM patients were included in the final analysis, and 30 patients were assigned to R group and 23 to NR group. After treatment, the R group exhibited significant reductions in HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and 2-hour postprandial glucose (2hPG) (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The NR group also showed significant decreases in HbA1c and FPG levels P < 0.01 or P < 0.05. Compared with the NR group, after treatment, FPG level in the R group demonstrated significant reductions (P < 0.01). As compared with before treatment, pancreatic islet function demonstrated enhancement in the R group, a significant increase in the 2-hour pastprandial C-peptide (2hC-P) levels in R group (P < 0.05), whereas no marked change was observed in the NR group. Regarding body composition indicators, the R group showed significantly lower waist-hip ratio (WHR), visceral fat (VF), and subcutaneous fat (SF) levels compared with the NR group (P < 0.01). After treatment, the NR group exhibited a significant elevation in aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels (P < 0.05). Other safety-related indicators fluctuated within normal reference ranges, and no other adverse events, such as diarrhea, fever, or nausea, were reported. Metagenomic sequencing showed that FMT improved the diversity and richness of the gut microbiota, remodeling its overall structure. At the phylum level, the abundance of p_Firmicutes decreased significantly (P < 0.01), while the abundances of p_Bacteroidota and p_Proteobacteria increased significantly (P < 0.01). At the family level, among the 125 identified taxa, the abundances of f_Bacteroidaceae, f_Lactobacillaceae, and f_Sutterellaceae were significantly elevated, whereas six families, including f_Lachnospiraceae, f_Ruminococcaceae, and f_Coriobacteriaceae, were significantly decreased (all P < 0.05). Among the 367 taxa at the genus level, the top 10 differential genera showed significantly increased abundances of g_Bacteroides and g_Sutterella, and significantly decreased abundances in eight genera, including g_Faecalibacterium, g_Ruminococcus, g_Blautia, and g_Collinsella (all P < 0.05). Correlation analysis suggested that the phylum p_Bacillota was positively correlated with improvements in T2DM laboratory parameters, g_norank_f_Prevotellaceae was significantly positively correlated with fasting C-peptide (FC-P) and 2hC-P (P < 0.05). HbA1c demonstrated a significantly positive correlation with g_Blautia and g_Gemmiger (P < 0.05) and a significantly negative correlation with g_Bacteroides and g_Collinsella (P > 0.05). Analysis of syndrome element characteristics revealed that the R group was primarily characterized by pathological patterns of dampness, phlegm, and Yang deficiency. Before treatment, statistically significant reductions in syndrome element scores were observed for dampness, Yang deficiency, spleen, phlegm, Qi deficiency, Qi stagnation, and Yin deficiency (P < 0.01), as well as for heat and liver (P < 0.05). The NR group was mainly featured with Qi deficiency and Yin deficiency. Statistically significant changes in their syndrome element scores after treatment were noted for Qi deficiency (P < 0.01), and for spleen, Qi stagnation, liver, and blood deficiency (P < 0.05). In this group, the score changes for Yang deficiency, Yin deficiency, heat, and dampness were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Conclusion The principles of syndrome element differentiation can be effectively applied to predict treatment efficacy and facilitate patient selection for FMT in the treatment of T2DM. Patients with T2DM presented with specific TCM syndrome element characteristics, notably dampness, phlegm, and Yang deficiency, represent a highly responsive population to FMT therapy.

Glucosidases are an indispensable class of enzymes in the sugar metabolism of organisms. To investigate the biological functions and expression patterns of α-glucosidases (AGLUs) and β-glucosidases (BGLUs), we identified the two family members in the genome of melon (Cucumis melo). The number, location on chromosomes, gene structure, subcellular localization, conserved motifs, and phylogenetic relationship of the two family members were analyzed. Based on the cis-acting elements in the promoter region and protein interaction models, their functions were preliminarily predicted. Furthermore, the gene expression of the two family members was determined by qRT-PCR. The results showed that the melon genome contained five AGLU family members on five chromosomes, and all of the five members were located in the extracellular matrix, with the amino acid sequence lengths ranging from 899 aa to 1 060 aa. The melon genome carried 18 BGLU family members on 8 chromosomes, and all the members were located in the cell membrane or cytoplasm, with the amino acid lengths ranging from 151 aa to 576 aa. The qRT-PCR results showed that the expression of about 50% of the genes was down-regulated upon cold stress. CmAGLU5 and CmBGLU7 may be key members of the two families, respectively, in response to cold stress. The expression of all members of the two families was up-regulated under abscisic acid (ABA), high salt, and drought stress. In the AGLU family, CmAGLU3 was the key gene in response to ABA and high salt stress, while CmAGLU4 was the key gene in response to drought stress. In the BGLU family, CmBGLU18 was the key gene in response to ABA, while CmBGLU6 was the key gene in response to high salt and drought stress.
beta-Glucosidase/metabolism* ; Phylogeny ; alpha-Glucosidases/metabolism* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Cucurbitaceae/enzymology* ; Multigene Family ; Cucumis melo/enzymology* ; Stress, Physiological