Objective： The aim of this study is to explore the predictive value of biparametric magnetic resonance imaging(bpMRI)for pelvic lymph node metastasis in prostate cancer patients with PSA≤20 μg/L and establish a nomogram. Methods： The imaging data and clinical data of 363 patients undergoing radical prostatectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from July 2018 to December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were used to screen independent risk factors for pelvic lymph node metastasis in prostate cancer, and a nomogram of the clinical prediction model was established. Calibration curves were drawn to evaluate the accuracy of the model. Results： Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed extrocapusular extension (OR=8.08,95%CI=2.62－24.97, P<0.01), enlargement of pelvic lymph nodes (OR=4.45,95%CI=1.16－17.11,P=0.030), and biopsy ISUP grade(OR=1.97,95%CI=1.12－3.46, P=0.018)were independent risk factors for pelvic lymph node metastasis. The C-index of the prediction model was 0.834, which indicated that the model had a good prediction ability. The actual value of the model calibration curve and the prediction probability of the model fitted well, indicating that the model had a good accuracy. Further analysis of DCA curve showed that the model had good clinical application value when the risk threshold ranged from 0.05 to 0.70.Conclusion： For prostate cancer patients with PSA≤20 μg/L, bpMRI has a good predictive value for the pelvic lymph node metastasis of prostate cancer with extrocapusular extension, enlargement of pelvic lymph nodes and ISUP grade≥4.
Humans ; Male ; Prostatic Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging* ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Retrospective Studies ; Nomograms ; Prostate-Specific Antigen/blood* ; Lymph Nodes/pathology* ; Pelvis ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Prostatectomy ; Lymph Node Excision ; Risk Factors ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Logistic Models ; Middle Aged ; Aged

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the mechanism of Banxia Houpo Decoction (BHD) in treating gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) by integrating and utilizing the compound analysis, network pharmacology, and empirical verification. METHODS: Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-HRMS) was utilized to identify the primary compounds in BHD. Network pharmacology was employed to retrieve target genes. A GERD rat model was developed and 32 SD rats were randomly divided into model, BHD-L (3 g/kg), BHD-H (6 g/kg), and mosapride (0.75 mg/kg) groups using a random number table, 8 rats in each group. Eight rats without the construction of a GERD model were selected as the blank group. Esophageal damage was evaluated through visualization and histopathology evaluation. 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) levels in serum and lower esophageal sphincter (LES) were determined by ELISA. LES contractility was measured with a force transducer, and serotonin transporter (SERT) and 5-HT4R expressions in LES were assessed by RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence staining, respectively. RESULTS: UPLC-HRMS analysis identified 37 absorption peaks and 157 compounds in BHD. Functional enrichment identified SERT as a significant target for LES contractility. Histopathological findings indicated less severe esophageal mucosal damage in the BHD-H group compared with the model group. Although serum 5-HT levels showed no significant difference, 5-HT concentration in LES tissue was notably higher in the BHD-H group (P<0.05). Within the range from 10^-10 to 10^-7 mmol/L, LES contractility in the BHD-H and mosapride groups was significantly increased (P<0.05). Within the range from 3 × 10^-7 to 3 × 10^-6 mmol/L 5-HT, LES contractility in the BHD-H group was increased (P<0.05). No significant difference was detected within the range from 10^-5 to 10^-4 mmol/L 5-HT. Notably, SERT expression in the BHD-H group assessed by RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence staining were significantly lower than that in the model group (all P<0.01); while 5-HT4R expression remained unchanged. CONCLUSION BHD may increase LES contractility by inhibiting SERT expression in LES tissue.
Animals ; Gastroesophageal Reflux/physiopathology* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Network Pharmacology ; Male ; Serotonin/metabolism* ; Rats ; Disease Models, Animal ; Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins/metabolism* ; Esophagus/drug effects*

Objective:To summarize the clinical characteristics and surgical outcomes of endolymphatic sac tumor（ELST）, and improve the experience of diagnosis and treatment of this disease. Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of patients with ELST who underwent surgical treatment by the Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 2015 to December 2024.The clinical and image features, perioperative management, surgical methods and follow-up results of the disease were summarized. Results:Of the 6 cases, 4 were male and 2 were female. The primary clinical characteristics were hearing loss（6 cases）, tinnitus（5 cases）, dizziness（2 cases）, facial paralysis（1 case）, and headache（1 case）. CT and MRI of temporal bone were performed in all cases. The manifestation of CT was a space occupying lesion centered on the region of endolymphatic sac, accompanied by bone destruction and intertumoral calcification. MRI showed tumor center isosignal and peripheral hypersignal in T1 and T2 sequences in 3 cases, and mixed hypersignal in T1 and T2 sequences in 3 cases. Enhancement was observed in all cases on the enhanced scan. 5 cases underwent DSA examination and showed the tumors were supplied by the occipital artery（2 cases）, posterior auricular artery（4 cases）, and the bunch of internal carotid artery（1 case）. Embolization of the feeding artery was performed in 3 patients. Five patients underwent tumor resection. Translabyrinthine approach were performed in 4 cases, and middle cranial fossa approach was performed in 1 case. All cases followed up for 24 to 70 months with no distant metastases or death. Two patients experienced twice recurrences and were treated with surgical operation. The tumors were found to be closely related to the internal auditory canal or dura during the surgery. Conclusion:The clinical manifestations of ELST are not typical, and hearing loss is the most common clinical symptom. CT and MRI exhibit typical imaging characteristics. ELST has a risk of recurrence, and the tumor should be carefully managed when invade to the internal auditory canal and dura to reduce postoperative recurrence.
Humans ; Endolymphatic Sac/surgery* ; Male ; Female ; Retrospective Studies ; Ear Neoplasms/diagnosis* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome

Objective:To investigate the causal relationship between intestinal flora and benign biliary diseases by genome-wide Mendelian randomization.Methods:This is a retrospective observational study. The data from the genome-wide association study of the gut microbiota from 18 340 samples from the MiBioGen consortium were selected as the exposure group,and the data from the genome-wide association study of biliary tract diseases were obtained from the FinnGen consortium R8 as the outcome group. There were 1 491 cases of primary sclerosing cholangitis,32 894 cases of cholelithiasis,3 770 cases of acalculous cholecystitis,and 34 461 cases of cholecystitis. Single nucleotide polymorphisms were screened as instrumental variables,and the Mendelian randomization method was used to infer the causal relationship between exposures and outcomes. The inverse variance weighting method (IVW) was used as the main basis, supplemented by heterogeneity,pleiotropy and sensitivity tests.Results:Coprococcus 2 was associated with a reduced risk of cholelithiasis (IVW OR=0.88,95% CI:0.80 to 0.97, P=0.012) and cholecystitis (IVW OR=0.88,95% CI:0.80 to 0.97, P=0.011). Coprococcus 3 was associated with cholelithiasis (IVW OR=1.15,95% CI:1.02 to 1.30, P=0.019) and acalculous cholecystitis(IVW OR=1.48, 95% CI: 1.08 to 2.04, P=0.016) and cholecystitis (IVW OR=1.17, 95% CI: 1.02 to 1.33, P=0.020). Peptococcus was associated with an increased risk of cholelithiasis (IVW OR=1.08, 95% CI:1.02 to 1.13, P=0.005) and cholecystitis (IVW CI=1.07, 95% CI:1.02 to 1.13, P=0.010). Clostridiumsensustricto 1 was associated with an increased risk of cholelithiasis (IVW OR=1.16,95% CI:1.02 to 1.31, P=0.020) and cholecystitis (IVW OR=1.16, 95% CI:1.03 to 1.30, P=0.015). Eubacterium hallii was associated with an increased risk of primary sclerosing cholangitis (IVW OR=1.43, 95% CI: 1.03 to 1.99, P=0.033). Eubacterium ruminantium (IVW OR=0.87, 95% CI: 0.76 to 1.00, P=0.043) and Methanobrevibacter (IVW OR=0.81, 95% CI: 0.68 to 0.98, P=0.027) were associated with a reduced risk of acalculous cholecystitis. Conclusions:Eight intestinal bacterial genera maybe play pathogenic roles in benign biliary diseases. Eubacterium hallii can increase the risk of primary sclerosing cholangitis. Peptococcus and Clostridiumsensustricto 1 can increase the risk of cholelithiasis and generalized cholecystitis. Coprococcus 3 have multiple correlations with biliary stones and inflammation.

Surgical treatment is one of the most important forms of treatment in patients with gallbladder cancer. With the development of minimally invasive technology, the feasibility, safety and efficacy of minimally invasive approaches such as laparoscopic or robotic-assisted radical cholecystectomy for gallbladder cancer have received continuous attention.For patients with an early T‐stage (Tis or T1a), laparoscopic simple cholecystectomy is safe and economical, with a good prognosis for postoperative patients, and it has been widely accepted and performed. Radical resection of advanced gallbladder cancer requires resection of the gallbladder, its liver bed, and other neighboring invaded organs, as well as clearance of regional lymph nodes, which requires experienced gallbladder cancer treatment teams to strictly grasp the indications, select appropriate patients, and formulate a good surgical strategy to ensure the therapeutic effect. Meanwhile, robot-assisted radical resection for gallbladder cancer has been performed in a few centers and shows good clinical potential, but more high-quality studies are needed to further evaluate its value in gallbladder cancer treatment.

Objective:To investigate the causal relationship between intestinal flora and benign biliary diseases by genome-wide Mendelian randomization.Methods:This is a retrospective observational study. The data from the genome-wide association study of the gut microbiota from 18 340 samples from the MiBioGen consortium were selected as the exposure group,and the data from the genome-wide association study of biliary tract diseases were obtained from the FinnGen consortium R8 as the outcome group. There were 1 491 cases of primary sclerosing cholangitis,32 894 cases of cholelithiasis,3 770 cases of acalculous cholecystitis,and 34 461 cases of cholecystitis. Single nucleotide polymorphisms were screened as instrumental variables,and the Mendelian randomization method was used to infer the causal relationship between exposures and outcomes. The inverse variance weighting method (IVW) was used as the main basis, supplemented by heterogeneity,pleiotropy and sensitivity tests.Results:Coprococcus 2 was associated with a reduced risk of cholelithiasis (IVW OR=0.88,95% CI:0.80 to 0.97, P=0.012) and cholecystitis (IVW OR=0.88,95% CI:0.80 to 0.97, P=0.011). Coprococcus 3 was associated with cholelithiasis (IVW OR=1.15,95% CI:1.02 to 1.30, P=0.019) and acalculous cholecystitis(IVW OR=1.48, 95% CI: 1.08 to 2.04, P=0.016) and cholecystitis (IVW OR=1.17, 95% CI: 1.02 to 1.33, P=0.020). Peptococcus was associated with an increased risk of cholelithiasis (IVW OR=1.08, 95% CI:1.02 to 1.13, P=0.005) and cholecystitis (IVW CI=1.07, 95% CI:1.02 to 1.13, P=0.010). Clostridiumsensustricto 1 was associated with an increased risk of cholelithiasis (IVW OR=1.16,95% CI:1.02 to 1.31, P=0.020) and cholecystitis (IVW OR=1.16, 95% CI:1.03 to 1.30, P=0.015). Eubacterium hallii was associated with an increased risk of primary sclerosing cholangitis (IVW OR=1.43, 95% CI: 1.03 to 1.99, P=0.033). Eubacterium ruminantium (IVW OR=0.87, 95% CI: 0.76 to 1.00, P=0.043) and Methanobrevibacter (IVW OR=0.81, 95% CI: 0.68 to 0.98, P=0.027) were associated with a reduced risk of acalculous cholecystitis. Conclusions:Eight intestinal bacterial genera maybe play pathogenic roles in benign biliary diseases. Eubacterium hallii can increase the risk of primary sclerosing cholangitis. Peptococcus and Clostridiumsensustricto 1 can increase the risk of cholelithiasis and generalized cholecystitis. Coprococcus 3 have multiple correlations with biliary stones and inflammation.

Surgical treatment is one of the most important forms of treatment in patients with gallbladder cancer. With the development of minimally invasive technology, the feasibility, safety and efficacy of minimally invasive approaches such as laparoscopic or robotic-assisted radical cholecystectomy for gallbladder cancer have received continuous attention.For patients with an early T‐stage (Tis or T1a), laparoscopic simple cholecystectomy is safe and economical, with a good prognosis for postoperative patients, and it has been widely accepted and performed. Radical resection of advanced gallbladder cancer requires resection of the gallbladder, its liver bed, and other neighboring invaded organs, as well as clearance of regional lymph nodes, which requires experienced gallbladder cancer treatment teams to strictly grasp the indications, select appropriate patients, and formulate a good surgical strategy to ensure the therapeutic effect. Meanwhile, robot-assisted radical resection for gallbladder cancer has been performed in a few centers and shows good clinical potential, but more high-quality studies are needed to further evaluate its value in gallbladder cancer treatment.

Aim To explore the improvement effect of Bazi Bushen capsule on thymic degeneration in SAMP6 mice and the possible mechanism.Methods Twenty 12 week old male SAMP6 mice were randomly divided into the model group(SAMP6)and the Bazi Busheng capsule treatment group(SAMP6+BZBS).Ten SAMR1 mice were assigned to a homologous control group(SAMR1).The SAMP6+BZBS group was oral-ly administered Bazi Bushen capsule suspension(2.8 g·kg-1)daily,while the other two groups were orally administered an equal amount of distilled water.After nine weeks of administration,the morphology of the thymus in each group was observed and the thymus in-dex was calculated;HE staining was used to observe the structural changes of thymus tissue;SA-β-gal stai-ning was used to detect thymic aging;flow cytometry was used to detect the proportion of thymic CD3+T cells in each group;Western blot was used to detect the levels of p16,Bax,Bcl-2,and cleaved caspase-3 proteins in thymus;immunofluorescence was applied to detect the proportion of cortical thymic epithelial cells in each group;ELISA was employed to detect IL-7 lev-els in thymus.Results Compared with the SAMP6 group,the thymic index of the SAMP6+BZBS group significantly increased(P＜0.05);the disordered thy-mic structure was significantly improved;the positive proportion of SA-β-gal staining significantly decreased(P＜0.01);the proportion of CD3+T cells apparently increased(P＜0.05);the level of p16 protein signifi-cantly decreased(P＜0.05);the level of Bcl-2 pro-tein significantly increased(P＜0.05),while the lev-el of cleaved caspase-3 protein markedly decreased(P＜0.05);the proportion of cortical thymic epithelial cells evidently increased;the level of IL-7 significantly increased(P＜0.01).Conclusions Bazi Bushen capsule can delay thymic degeneration,inhibit cell ap-optosis in thymus and promote thymic cell development in SAMP6 mice,which may be related to increasing the proportion of cortical thymic epithelial cells and promoting IL-7 secretion.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the distribution and regulation of G-quadruplex(G4)in enzymes related to glycolysis.METHODS The sequences of the transcription start site(TSS)region upstream of 1500 bp to the 5'-Untranslated region in 200 enzymes and their subtypes in glycolysis were selected for bioinformatics analysis.Related enzymes in glycolysis containing putative G-quadru-plex-forming sequences(PQSs)were identified.Circular Dichroism and Native polyacrylamide gel elec-trophoresis were used to verify the formation of G4.The ExonucleaseⅠhydrolysis assay was used to validate the stability of the formed G4 under 0,0.5,2,8,16,and 32 min.A reporter gene plasmid was constructed by inserting specific fragments of the related enzymes before the luciferase expression sequence.The dual-luciferase reporter assay system validate the expression level of luciferase to assess the impact of G4 on promoter activity.Real-time quantitative PCR was performed to validate the transcriptional regulatory role of G4 by detecting the mRNA levels of luciferase.RESULTS ①Bioin-formatics analysis showed that out of the 200 glycolysis-related enzymes,12 contained PQSs.Based on the analysis of the length and structure of PQSs,aldolase A(ALDOA)and phosphoglycerate mutase 2(PGAM2)proved to be able to form stable G4.② ALDOA and PGAM2 had the maximum positive absorption peak at 260 nm and maximum negative absorption peak at 240 nm.Both of them could form a G4 at the same time.③After digestion with ExonucleaseⅠ,ALDOA and PGAM2 showed no significant hydrolysis and demonstrated the stability of G4 structures.However,both of them could be gradually hydrolyzed after mutations in their PQSs.④ After PQS mutation of ALDOA and PGAM2,the mRNA levels and expression of downstream luciferase of ALDOA were significantly increased(P<0.05,P<0.01),while PGAM2 was significantly decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01).CONCLUSION The gene sequences of glycolysis-related enzymes and their subtypes contain a large number of PQSs.ALDOA and PGAM2 can form stable G4 and perform transcriptional regulatory functions.

Objective:To explore the protective effects and mechanism of swertiamarin against ionizing radiation-induced lung injury.Methods:The human bronchial epithelial cells (Beas-2B) and human embryonic lung fibroblasts (HELF) were divided into control group, irradiation group, and irradiation + swertiamarin group, and the effect of swertiamarin on lung cells was detected after X-ray irradiation. Cells exposed to radiation were subjected to detections of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, cell proliferation, and the levels of DNA damage, reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid peroxides, and iron ions, as well as changes in the contents of ferroptosis-related protein SLC7A11 (xCT) and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4). Moreover, to verify the protective effects of swertiamarin against radiation-induced lung injury in vivo, a mouse model of radiation-induced lung injury was developed. Specifically, C57BL/6J male mice were divided into three groups mentioned above, with five mice in each group. After chest irradiation with 15 Gy X-rays, the lung tissues and serum of the mice were collected at 30 days. The pathological changes in the lung tissues, the level of oxidative stress in these tissues, and changes in the levels of γ-H2AX, GPX4, and inflammatory factors were observed. Results:Compared to the radiation group, the radiation plus swertiamarin group (130 μmol/l) exhibited significant increases in the proliferation rate and clone proliferation rate of cells (Beas-2B: t = 5.50-5.92, P < 0.05; HELF: t = 3.79-5.51, P < 0.05), significant decreases in the LDH release rate, ROS content, lipid peroxide level, and iron ion content of cells (Beas-2B: t=3.00-16.99, P<0.05; HELF: t=4.10-10.97, P<0.05), a significant decrease in the level of DNA damage to cells (Beas-2B: t = 5.69-8.27, P < 0.05; HELF: t = 3.44-14.77, P < 0.05), and increased expression of xCT and GPX4 proteins in cells (Beas-2B: t = 2.90-3.27, P < 0.05; HELF: t = 3.01-7.07, P < 0.05). The in vivo experiments suggested that compared to radiation alone, additional pre-treatment using swertiamarin significantly increased the GSH and GPX4 contents in lung tissues of the mice ( t = 2.31-2.65, P < 0.05), decreased the MDA and γ-H2AX contents in the tissues ( t = 2.71-4.19, P < 0.05), and lowered the levels of IL-6 and IL-1β in the serum of the mice ( t = 3.16-4.56, P < 0.05). Conclusions:Swertiamarin has protective effects against ionizing radiation-induced lung injury by lowering the levels of DNA damage and oxidative stress. The result of this study will provide philosophies for the development of new protective agents against radiation-induced lung injury.