Objective To investigate the role and regulatory mechanism of LINC00657 in the progression of cervical cancer. Methods Bioinformatics analysis predicted potential binding sites between LINC00657 and miR-30a-5p and between miR-30a-5p and Skp2. These sites were verified by using RNA immunoprecipitation and dual-luciferase reporter experiments. LINC00657, miR-30a-5p, and Skp2 mRNA expression levels in cervical cancer tissues and cell lines were assessed by utilizing RT-qPCR. Western blot analysis was employed to examine the protein levels of Skp2 in cells and subcutaneous xenograft tumor models in nude mice. Immunohistochemistry was applied to analyze Skp2 expression in animal tissues. The cellular processes of cervical cancer cell lines were evaluated through CCK-8, scratch, and Transwell assays. Results LINC00657 and Skp2 presented binding sites for miR-30a-5p. In cervical cancer, LINC00657 and Skp2 showed high expression levels (P<0.05), whereas miR-30a-5p displayed low expression (P<0.05). Functional experiments demonstrated that linc00657 upregulates Skp2 expression, a process that is dependent on its sequestration of miR-30a-5p. Conclusion LINC00657 promoted the malignant progression of cervical cancer by upregulating Skp2 expression through specifically sequestering miR-30a-5p, thereby relieving its inhibitory effect on the target gene Skp2.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of automatic pressure-controlled pressure cupping in patients with lumbar disc herniation, and compare it with traditional cupping. METHODS: A total of 100 patients diagnosed with lumbar disc herniation from January 2022 to August 2024 were selected and divided into two groups:the automatic pressure-controlled pressure cupping group (controlled pressure cupping group) and the traditional cupping group (control group), 50 cases in each group. In the controlled pressure cupping group, there were 18 males and 32 females, with an age of (51.98±12.69) years;in the control group, there were 16 males and 34 females, with an age of (51.32±12.05) years. The visual analogue scale(VAS), comfort score, and lumbar range of motion were observed before treatment and after the 1st, 3rd, and 7th treatments to evaluate the efficacy and safety. RESULTS: All patients completed the treatment intervention, with complete follow-up data collected. No adverse reactions or complications occurred during treatment and follow-up. After the 3rd treatment, the VAS score of the controlled pressure cupping group was (2.38±0.49), which was lower than that of the control group (2.94±0.68), with a statistically significant difference (P<0.001). In the controlled pressure cupping group, the VAS scores after the 1st, 3rd, and 7th treatments were significantly better than those before treatment (P=0.026);in the control group, the VAS scores after the 3rd and 7th treatments were better than those before treatment, but the difference was not statistically significant(P=0.182). Repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) on VAS scores at different time points in both groups showed that there were statistically significant differences in inter-group, time, and interaction effects (P<0.05). After the 1st treatment, in the controlled pressure cupping group, 0 patients felt comfortable, 42 patients (84%) felt mild discomfort, and 8 patients (16%) felt moderate discomfort;in the control group, 0 patients felt comfortable, 28 patients (56%) felt mild discomfort, and 22 patients(44%) felt moderate discomfort;the difference between the two groups was statistically significant(P=0.005). After the 3rd treatment, in the controlled pressure cupping group, 30 patients(60%) felt comfortable, 20 patients (40%) felt mild discomfort, and 0 patients felt moderate discomfort; in the control group, 9 patients (18%) felt comfortable, 41 patients (82%) felt mild discomfort, and 0 patients felt moderate discomfort;the difference between the two groups was statistically significant(P<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in comfort between the two groups after the 7th treatment(P>0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in lumbar range of motion between the two groups before and after treatment(P>0.05);compared with before treatment, the lumbar range of motion of both groups after treatment was significantly improved, with statistically significant differences (P<0.001). CONCLUSION Automatic pressure-controlled pressure cupping can effectively relieve symptoms in patients with lumbar disc herniation, with excellent safety.
Humans ; Female ; Male ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement/physiopathology* ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Lumbar Vertebrae/physiopathology* ; Cupping Therapy/methods* ; Pressure ; Aged ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the potential causal relationship between gut microbiota and food allergy (FA) using two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) methods. METHODS: Data from genome-wide association studies on gut microbiota and FA were utilized. MR analysis was conducted employing inverse variance weighting, MR-Egger regression, and weighted median methods to assess the causal relationship between gut microbiota and FA. Cochrane's Q test was used to evaluate heterogeneity of instrumental variables, MR-PRESSO analysis was conducted to test for outliers and pleiotropy, and MR-Egger regression was employed to assess horizontal pleiotropy. The "leave-one-out" method was used to evaluate the impact of removing individual single nucleotide polymorphisms on the causal relationship. RESULTS: Inverse variance weighting analysis revealed that the phylum Verrucomicrobia, family Verrucomicrobiaceae, order Verrucomicrobiales, genus Ruminococcaceae UCG013, and genus Akkermansia were negatively associated with FA (P<0.05). Sensitivity analyses confirmed the reliability of the findings, indicating no heterogeneity or pleiotropy present. CONCLUSIONS There is a causal relationship between gut microbiota and FA, with Verrucomicrobia, Verrucomicrobiaceae, Verrucomicrobiales, Ruminococcaceae UCG013, and Akkermansia potentially reducing the risk of developing FA. These findings provide potential targets for the treatment and prevention of FA; however, further research is needed to explore the specific mechanisms by which the microbiota influence FA.
Humans ; Mendelian Randomization Analysis ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Food Hypersensitivity/microbiology* ; Genome-Wide Association Study ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to explore the correlation among serum hepcidin, ferritin, and q-Dioxn MRI with upgrading, upstaging and biochemical recurrence in prostate cancer (PCa) patients. METHODS: A total of 103 PCa patients diagnosed by biopsy were selected for this study. All patients underwent q-Dixon MRI prior to biopsy for T2* value measurement. Then serum hepcidin and ferritin were measured before receiving radical prostatectomy. Pathological grading and staging were conducted both preoperatively and postoperatively. The correlations among hepcidin, ferritin, T2* values, and postoperative upgrading, upstaging, biochemical recurrence were subsequently analyzed. RESULTS: The hepcidin level of PCa patients was measured at (123.51 ± 23.03) ng/mL, while the ferritin level was recorded at (239.80 ± 79.59) ng/mL, and the T2* value was (41.07 ± 6.37) ms. A total of 49 and 36 cases were observed with upgrading and upstaging in postoperative pathology, respectively. The median follow-up duration was 28.0 months (6.0－38.0 months), during which biochemical recurrence was observed in 12 cases. For upgrading, hepcidin and ferritin demonstrated the predictive efficacy, with areas under the ROC curve of 0.777 and 0.642, respectively, whereas T2* values did not show sufficient predictive power. For upstaging, hepcidin, ferritin, and T2* exhibited predictive efficacy, with areas under the ROC curve of 0.806, 0.696, and 0.655, respectively. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis indicated that hepcidin served as an independent risk factor for both upgrading (OR 1.055, 95%CI 1.027－1.085, P<0.001) and upstaging (OR 1.094, 95%CI 1.040－1.152, P<0.001). Cox regression analysis showed that hepcidin (95%CI 1.000－1.052, P = 0.049) was a significant risk factor for predicting biochemical recurrence. CONCLUSION Hepcidin could serve as a predictor for pathological upgrading, upstaging and biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy, which provides a novel potential index for risk stratification and prognostic evaluation of PCa patients.
Humans ; Male ; Prostatic Neoplasms/diagnosis* ; Hepcidins/blood* ; Ferritins/blood* ; Middle Aged ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods* ; Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Neoplasm Staging

OBJECTIVE: To explore and verify the effect and potential mechanism of Brucea javanica Seed Oil Emulsion Injection (YDZI) and Shengmai Injection (SMI) on peripheral microcirculation dysfunction in treatment of gastric cancer (GC). METHODS: The potential mechanisms of YDZI and SMI were explored through network pharmacology and verified by cellular and clinical experiments. Human microvascular endothelial cells (HMECs) were cultured for quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot analysis, and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured for tube formation assay. Twenty healthy volunteers and 97 patients with GC were enrolled. Patients were divided into surgical resection, surgical resection with chemotherapy, and surgical resection with chemotherapy combining YDZI and SMI groups. Forearm skin blood perfusion was measured and recorded by laser speckle contrast imaging coupled with post-occlusive reactive hyperemia. Cutaneous vascular conductance and microvascular reactivity parameters were calculated and compared across the groups. RESULTS: After network pharmacology analysis, 4 ingredients, 82 active compounds, and 92 related genes in YDZI and SMI were screened out. β-Sitosterol, an active ingredient and intersection compound of YDZI and SMI, upregulated the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2, P<0.01), downregulated the expression of caspase 9 (CASP9) and estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1, P<0.01) in HMECs under oxaliplatin stimulation, and promoted tube formation through VEGFA. Chemotherapy significantly impaired the microvascular reactivity in GC patients, whereas YDZI and SMI ameliorated this injury (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS YDZI and SMI ameliorated peripheral microvascular reactivity in GC patients. β-Sitosterol may improve peripheral microcirculation by regulating VEGFA, PTGS2, ESR1, and CASP9.
Humans ; Microcirculation/drug effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Stomach Neoplasms/physiopathology* ; Emulsions ; Male ; Plant Oils/administration & dosage* ; Brucea/chemistry* ; Middle Aged ; Female ; Drug Combinations ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells/metabolism* ; Seeds/chemistry* ; Injections ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/metabolism* ; Aged ; Network Pharmacology

Objective:To discuss the promotive effect of nerve growth factor(NGF),which is highly expressed in the adipose-derived stem cell(ADSC)-induced Schwann-like cells(SCLCs),on the growth of dorsal root ganglion(DRG)cell processes in the rats,and to clarify its mechanism.Methods:The ADSCs were extracted from the epididymal adipose tissue of the SD rats,and their multidirectional differentiation potential was identified through osteogenic,adipogenic,and chondrogenic induction.The ADSCs were induced to differentiate into the SCLCs,and the expression levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP)and S100 calcium-binding protein β(S100β)protein in the ADSCs and SCLCs were detected by immunofluorescence staining and Western blotting methods.The DRG cells were isolated and cultured,and immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the βⅢ-tubulin expression in the DRG cells for identification.The SCLCs were co-cultured with the DRG cells(co-culture group),the single-culture DRG cells were regared as DRG group and toluidine blue staining was used to observe and measure the length of DRG cell processes under the optical microscope in co-culture group and DRG group.Small interfering RNA(siRNA)transfection was used to knock down NGF,and plasmid transfection was used to over-express NGF.Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)method was used to detect the NGF mRNA expression levels in the cells in various groups;enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)method was used to detect the NGF protein levels in the cell supernatants.The transfected SCLCs were co-cultured with DRG cells and divided into control group,siNC/vector group,NGF knockdown group(si-NGF group),and NGF over-expression group(oe-NGF group).The lengths of DRG cell processes in various groups were observed.Results:The primary ADSCs adhered within 24 h after seeding,with a small number of lipid droplets remaining.After 3 d of culture,the cells were mostly short spindle-shaped,fusiform,or polygonal,growing rapidly in a vortex pattern.After passaging,the cells exhibited a uniform morphology,appearing as long spindles arranged in a fish-school pattern.After 14 d of adipogenic induction,the cell morphology changed from spindle-shaped to flat-round,with translucent lipid droplets forming in the cytoplasm,which were stained red by Oil Red O.After 28 d of osteogenic induction,the cells appeared sand-like with blurred morphology,and calcified nodules were observed,which were stained red by Alizarin Red and deposited in the extracellular matrix.After 28 d of chondrogenic induction in a 3D culture system,millet-sized chondrogenic spheres formed.Frozen sections of the spheres were stained with Alcian Blue,and acidic mucopolysaccharides in the cartilage tissue were stained blue under the microscope.Under the fluorescence microscope,the third-passage purified ADSCs showed positive expression of CD29[fluorescein isothiocy anate(FITC)-labeled green fluorescence]and CD44(Cy3-labeled red fluorescence).The immunofluorescence staining results showed that GFAP was labeled with FITC(green fluorescence),and S100β was labeled with Cy3(red fluorescence).The Western blotting results showed that compared with ADSCs,the expression levels of S100β and GFAP proteins in the SCLCs were increased(P<0.05).The primary DRG cells began to adhere 6 h after conventional culture,and after 3 d,the cell bodies appeared round and bright,with two linear processes extending from them.Under fluorescence microscope,the cells positively expressed the neuron-specific marker βⅢ-tubulin,confirming that the isolated cells were DRG cells.Compared with the ADSCs,the NGF protein expression level in the SCLCs was increased(P<0.05).Compared with DRG group,the length of DRG cell processes in co-culture group was the highest when DRG cells and SCLCs were co-cultured at a 1∶2 ratio(P<0.05).The RT-qPCR results showed that compared with si-NC group,the expression levels of NGF mRNA in the cell supernatant in si-NGF-1,si-NGF-2,and si-NGF-3 groups were significantly decreased(P<0.05),with si-NGF-1 showing the highest knockdown efficiency,which was selected for subsequent experiments.The ELISA results showed that compared with si-NC group,the NGF levels in the cell supernatant of si-NGF-1,si-NGF-2,and si-NGF-3 groups were decreased(P<0.05).Compared with Vector group,the expression level of NGF mRNA and NGF protein level in the supernatant in oe-NGF group were increased(P<0.05).Compared with control group and siNC/vector group,the length of DRG cell processes in si-NGF group was decreased(P<0.05),while the length of DRG cell processes in oe-NGF group was increased(P<0.05).Conclusion:ADSCs can be directionally differentiated into SCLCs,and the differentiated cells highly express NGF.Knockdown or overexpression of NGF can affect the growth of DRG cell processes.

As a new generation of time-of-flight mass spectrometry,multiple-reflection time-of-flight mass spectrometry(MR-TOF-MS)has been increasingly applied in the fields such as nuclear physics,chemistry,and biology due to its ultra-high resolution and rapid analysis capabilities.However,the analytical performance of MR-TOF-MS largely depends on the ion bunch state entering the mass analyzer.In this study,a rectangular ion trap(RIT)was developed,designed and processed using printed circuit board technology,as an ion accumulating and focusing device for MR-TOF mass analyzer.Compared to traditional ion traps composed of two sets of planar electrodes,this RIT had higher voltage utilization efficiency,resulting in more efficient ion collection and focusing.The ions were cooled to a sufficiently small bunch for precise mass measurement with MR-TOF-MS mass spectrometry in only 1 ms of cooling time in the RIT,then orthogonally ejected to the MR-TOF mass spectrometer for mass analysis.Experimental results indicated that the working cycle,ion flux,and ion focusing state of the RIT fully met the requirements of the MR-TOF mass analyzer.When coupled with the MR-TOF mass analyzer,the RIT enabled MR-TOF-MS to achieve a mass resolution of 1.5×105.

Objective To investigate the incidence of functional bowel disease(FBD)and its relationship with depression,anxiety and sleep in navy submarine forces.Methods A questionnaire survey on the incidence of FBD was conducted on 364 naval soldiers who were enrolled according to Rome Ⅳ classification and diagnostic criteria.The risk factors of FBD were analyzed.The incidence of specific diseases of FBD was compared among soldiers with different jobs.The depression,anxiety,and sleep quality were investigated in FBD patients.Results In the 364 participants,132(36.3%)were diagnosed with FBD according to Roman Ⅳcriteria.Military rank and marital status might be risk factors for FBD.There was no significant difference in the overall incidence of FBD among the participants with various jobs(P>0.05).The incidence of functional constipation in the submariners was significantly higher than that in the land soldiers,while the incidence of functional diarrhea in the land soldiers was higher than that in the submariners(all P<0.05).The incidences of depression,anxiety and sleep disorder in the participants with FBD were higher than those in the participants without FBD.Conclusion There is a high incidence of FBD in submariners,which may be related to their psychological states.

Objective To establish and evaluate a nomogram prediction model for spontaneous peritonitis in HBV-related primary liver cancer.Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 1298 patients with HBV-related primary liver cancer hospitalized in the Kunming Third People's Hospital from January 2012 to December 2022.General data and serological indicators were collected,and patients were divided into infection group(n=262)and control group(n=1036)based on the occurrence of spontaneous peritonitis.Univariate and LASSO regression analyses were used to screen variables,followed by binary logistic regression to analyze the influencing factors of spontaneous peritonitis in HBV-related primary liver cancer patients,leading to the establishment of a nomogram prediction model.Finally,the Hosmer-lemeshow(H-L)goodness of fit test,receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve,calibration curve,decision curve analysis(DCA)and clinical impact curve(CIC)were utilized to evaluate the fit degree,accuracy,calibration,and clinical practicability of the nomogram prediction model.Results Single factor analysis revealed significant differences between infection group and control group in portal vein cancer thrombus(PVTT),Child-Pugh grade,China Liver Cancer Staging(CNLC)stage,alcohol consumption history,smoking history,white blood cell count(WBC),neutrophil count(NE),hemoglobin(Hb),fibrinogen(FIB),abnormal prothrombin(PIVKA-Ⅱ),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),alanine aminotransferase(ALT),total protein(TP),prealbumin(PA),γ-glutamyltransferase(GGT),alkaline phosphatase(ALP),cholinesterase(CHE),total bile acid(TBA),total cholesterol(TC),low density lipoprotein(LDL),creatinine(Cr),HBV DNA,CD3+T cells count,CD4+T cells count,CD8+T cells count,CD4+T cells/CD8+T cells ratio,procalcitonin(PCT),serum amyloid A(SAA),interleukin-6(IL-6),high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP),alpha-fetoprotein(AFP),and IL-4(P＜0.05).LASSO regression analysis identified 5 variables:Child-Pugh grade,PVTT,WBC,CHE and hs-CRP.Binary logistic regression analysis indicated that Child-Pugh grade(Grade B:OR=5.780,95％CI 3.271-10.213,P＜0.001;Grade C:OR=14.818,95％CI 7.697-28.526,P＜0.001),PVTT(OR=2.893,95％CI 2.037-4.108,P＜0.001),WBC(OR=1.088,95％CI 1.031-1.148,P=0.002),and hs-CRP(OR=1.005,95％CI 1.001-1.010,P=0.026)were the independent risk factors of spontaneous peritonitis in HBV-related primary liver cancer patients.Using these 4 variables,a nomogram prediction model was constructed and evaluated.The P-value of the H-L goodness of fit test was 0.760.Moreover,the area under ROC curve(AUC)was 0.866,with a sensitivity of 0.870 and a specificity of 0.716.The average absolute error of the calibration curve is 0.022.DCA and CIC analyses demonstrated that the nomogram prediction model possessed some clinical utility.Conclusion The nomogram prediction model for spontaneous peritonitis in HBV-related primary liver cancer patients,constructed using Child-Pugh grade,PVTT,WBC and hs-CRP,exhibits a high fitting degree and accuracy,with the prediction probability highly consistent with the actual occurrence probability,and possesses certain clinical practicability.

Objective To evaluate the application of rabbit liver cancer model in teaching interventional medicine for graduate students.Methods A total of 10 first-year master graduate students majoring in Radiological Imaging(Interventional Medicine).who were studying at Zhengzhou University of China,were enrolled in this study.The rabbit liver cancer model was used as the experimental teaching materials.The teaching contents included the establishment of rabbit liver cancer model,the interventional operation of rabbit liver cancer,the method of scientific research and teaching,the evaluation of the teaching effect,and the survey of student satisfaction.Results Under the guidance of teaching tutor,the success rate of VX2 rabbit liver cancer modeling performed by the 10 master graduate students majoring in interventional medicine was 100％,and the mean operational quality assessment score was(11.5±2.0)points.During the operation of interventional surgery,the success rate of femoral artery puncture was also 100％,and the mean score for each interventional operation was(11.8±2.3)points.The students'experimental designs were evaluated by the expert group,the results were as follows:2 cases were rated as excellent,7 cases were rated as good,and one case was rated as moderate.The degree of students'satisfaction with experimental teaching method was high,the specific scores of each item are as follows:the understanding of the rabbit liver cancer model was(4.80±0.40)points,the command of interventional technology was(4.60±0.49)points,and the quality and practicability of teaching materials was(4.90±0.30)points.Conclusion This teaching method of using rabbit liver cancer model experiment can improve the animal experiment ability,interventional operation ability and scientific research innovation ability of graduate students.Animal model teaching method is an innovation of teaching mode for graduate students majoring in interventional medicine.