Objective To explore the application of plasma 7 microRNA (miR7) testing in the differential diagnosis of very early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods This study is a multicenter real-world study. Patients with single hepatic lesion (maximum diameter≤2 cm) who underwent plasma miR7 testing at Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Anhui Provincial Hospital, and Peking University People’s Hospital between January 2019 and December 2024 were retrospectively enrolled. Patients were divided into very early-stage HCC group and non-HCC group, and the clinical pathological characteristics of the two groups were compared. The value of plasma miR7 levels, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), and des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin (DCP) in the differential diagnosis of very early-stage HCC was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and area under the curve (AUC). In patients with both negative AFP and DCP (AFP＜20 ng/mL, DCP＜40 mAU/mL), the diagnostic value of plasma miR7 for very early-stage HCC was analyzed. Results A total of 64 528 patients from 4 hospitals underwent miR7 testing, and 1 682 were finally included, of which 1 073 were diagnosed with very early-stage HCC and 609 were diagnosed with non-HCC. The positive rate of miR7 in HCC patients was significantly higher than that in non-HCC patients (67.9% vs 24.3%, P＜0.001). ROC curves showed that the AUCs for miR7, AFP, and DCP in distinguishing HCC patients from the non-HCC individuals were 0.718, 0.682, and 0.642, respectively. The sensitivities were 67.85%, 43.71%, and 44.45%, and the specificities were 75.70%, 92.78%, and 83.91%, respectively. The pairwise comparison of AUCs showed that the diagnostic efficacy of plasma miR7 detection was significantly better than that of AFP or DCP (P＜0.05). Although its specificity was slightly lower than AFP and DCP, the sensitivity was significantly higher. Among patients negative for both AFP and DCP, miR7 maintained an AUC of 0.728 for diagnosing very early-stage HCC, with 67.82% sensitivity and 77.73% specificity. Conclusions Plasma miR7 testing is a potential molecular marker with high sensitivity and specificity for the differential diagnosis of small hepatic nodules. In patients with very early-stage HCC lacking effective molecular markers (negative for both AFP and DCP), miR7 can serve as a novel and effective molecular marker to assist diagnosis.

Objective Based on the sampling test of national drugs,the quality of Huatan Pingchuan tablets was systematically evaluated,and the quality problems were analyzed to provide references and suggestions for the quality control of this variety and to improve its quality standard.Methods A total of 157 batches of samples were tested according to the statutory standard,and based on the testing results and prescription characteristics,microscopic identification and comprehensive analysis of its quality using thin-layer chromatography,high-performance liquid chromatography,and other methods were subsequently established or improved for the exploratory research.Results The established thin-layer chromatography identification for Radix Scutellariae,as well as the content determination methods for Radix Scutellariae,Syringae Cortex,and promethazine hydrochloride,are easy to operate and have good durability and specificity and can be applied to the quality control and evaluation of Huatan Pingchuan tablets.Conclusions The overall quality of the tablets is average;some enterprises should strengthen the quality control of raw medicinal materials(decoction pieces);individual enterprises have significant differences in the quality of samples from different batches,so they need to pay attention to the quality of raw materials and the stability of production processes;the inspection items of the current standards cannot fully reflect the key quality attributes of drugs,and standards improvement work needs to be carried out.

Objective Based on the sampling test of national drugs,the quality of Huatan Pingchuan tablets was systematically evaluated,and the quality problems were analyzed to provide references and suggestions for the quality control of this variety and to improve its quality standard.Methods A total of 157 batches of samples were tested according to the statutory standard,and based on the testing results and prescription characteristics,microscopic identification and comprehensive analysis of its quality using thin-layer chromatography,high-performance liquid chromatography,and other methods were subsequently established or improved for the exploratory research.Results The established thin-layer chromatography identification for Radix Scutellariae,as well as the content determination methods for Radix Scutellariae,Syringae Cortex,and promethazine hydrochloride,are easy to operate and have good durability and specificity and can be applied to the quality control and evaluation of Huatan Pingchuan tablets.Conclusions The overall quality of the tablets is average;some enterprises should strengthen the quality control of raw medicinal materials(decoction pieces);individual enterprises have significant differences in the quality of samples from different batches,so they need to pay attention to the quality of raw materials and the stability of production processes;the inspection items of the current standards cannot fully reflect the key quality attributes of drugs,and standards improvement work needs to be carried out.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of Zuojin Jiawei Formula combined with acupuncture and moxibustion in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) of liver-stomach stagnation heat type and its impact on brain-gut peptides. Methods A total of 160 patients with GERD of liver-stomach stagnation heat type who were diagnosed and treated at the outpatient department of spleen and stomach of Yangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from July 2021 to December 2022 were randomly divided into four groups: western medicine group, traditional Chinese medicine group, acupuncture group, and traditional Chinese medicine combined with acupuncture group, with 40 patients in each group. The western medicine group was treated with rabeprazole as the main drug, the traditional Chinese medicine group was treated with Zuojin Jiawei Formula alone, the traditional Chinese medicine combined with acupuncture group was treated with acupuncture at Zusanli, Zhongwan, Taichong, and Neiguan on the basis of Zuojin Jiawei Formula, and the acupuncture group was treated with acupuncture at Zusanli, Zhongwan, Taichong, and Neiguan alone. All four groups were treated for 8 weeks, and the clinical efficacy along with Reflux Disease Questionnaire score, main symptoms score of traditional Chinese medicine, esophageal mucosa score, and vasoactive intestinal peptide level before and after treatment were compared among the four groups. Results After treatment, the total effective rate of the traditional Chinese medicine combined with acupuncture group was higher than the other three groups, and the scores of main symptoms of traditional Chinese medicine, Reflux Disease Questionnaire score, esophageal mucosa score, and plasma vasoactive intestinal peptide levels were lower than the other three groups and before treatment(P < 0.05). Conclusion Zuojin Jiawei Formula combined with acupuncture can effectively alleviate the clinical symptoms of GERD, promote mucosal healing, and improve treatment outcomes.

Objective:To investigate the application value of fecal Syndecan-2 (SDC2) gene methylated SDC2 (m SDC2) detection in colorectal cancer (CRC) screening among urban residents in Guangzhou City. Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted in Shitan Town, Zengcheng District, Guangzhou City from July to December 2022. A community-based screening program for CRC was conducted among residents aged 40-74 years old. m SDC2 detection was employed in the participants, and those with positive results should be recommended to receive colonoscopy examination. The positive rate of m SDC2 detection, colonoscopy compliance rate, detection rate of intestinal lesions and clinicopathological characteristics were observed. The relationship between cycle threshold (CT) value of m SDC2 and intestinal lesions was explored. Further, the cost-effectiveness of screening was evaluated. Results:A total of 8 189 fecal samples were collected from 8 877 participants with the recovery rate of 92.25%. 8 048 qualified samples were enrolled in this study, consisted of 3 182 males (39.54%) and 4 866 females (60.46%), with the average age of 56 years old (40-74 years). The positive rate of m SDC2 detection was 7.99% (643/8 048), and the compliance rate of colonoscopy was 73.10% (470/643). 20 cases (4.25%) of colorectal cancer, 109 cases (23.19%) of advanced adenoma, 145 cases (30.85%) of non-advanced adenoma, 79 cases (16.81%) of polyps were detected. The detection rate of intestinal lesions was 75.11% and indicated significant differences in gender and age. 20 CRCs included 15 of stage 0-I, 4 of stage Ⅱ-Ⅲ and 1 of unknown stage. The CT value of m SDC2 was negatively correlated with the proportion of advanced colorectal neoplasms ( χ2=16.063, P<0.001). The total cost of the screening was 4.339 5 million yuan, the screening benefit was 28.506 2 million yuan, and the benefit-cost ratio was 6.57. Conclusion:The CRC screening strategy of fecal m SDC2 detection combined with colonoscopy has high colonoscopy compliance and detection rate of intestinal lesions, which is conducive to the detection of early CRCs, and has good cost-effectiveness. This study suggests that this method may be applied to the general CRC screening in China and contribute to the prevention of CRC. The CT value of m SDC2 may have a certain suggestion on the malignant degree of intestinal tumors.

Objective:To investigate the application value of fecal Syndecan-2 (SDC2) gene methylated SDC2 (m SDC2) detection in colorectal cancer (CRC) screening among urban residents in Guangzhou City. Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted in Shitan Town, Zengcheng District, Guangzhou City from July to December 2022. A community-based screening program for CRC was conducted among residents aged 40-74 years old. m SDC2 detection was employed in the participants, and those with positive results should be recommended to receive colonoscopy examination. The positive rate of m SDC2 detection, colonoscopy compliance rate, detection rate of intestinal lesions and clinicopathological characteristics were observed. The relationship between cycle threshold (CT) value of m SDC2 and intestinal lesions was explored. Further, the cost-effectiveness of screening was evaluated. Results:A total of 8 189 fecal samples were collected from 8 877 participants with the recovery rate of 92.25%. 8 048 qualified samples were enrolled in this study, consisted of 3 182 males (39.54%) and 4 866 females (60.46%), with the average age of 56 years old (40-74 years). The positive rate of m SDC2 detection was 7.99% (643/8 048), and the compliance rate of colonoscopy was 73.10% (470/643). 20 cases (4.25%) of colorectal cancer, 109 cases (23.19%) of advanced adenoma, 145 cases (30.85%) of non-advanced adenoma, 79 cases (16.81%) of polyps were detected. The detection rate of intestinal lesions was 75.11% and indicated significant differences in gender and age. 20 CRCs included 15 of stage 0-I, 4 of stage Ⅱ-Ⅲ and 1 of unknown stage. The CT value of m SDC2 was negatively correlated with the proportion of advanced colorectal neoplasms ( χ2=16.063, P<0.001). The total cost of the screening was 4.339 5 million yuan, the screening benefit was 28.506 2 million yuan, and the benefit-cost ratio was 6.57. Conclusion:The CRC screening strategy of fecal m SDC2 detection combined with colonoscopy has high colonoscopy compliance and detection rate of intestinal lesions, which is conducive to the detection of early CRCs, and has good cost-effectiveness. This study suggests that this method may be applied to the general CRC screening in China and contribute to the prevention of CRC. The CT value of m SDC2 may have a certain suggestion on the malignant degree of intestinal tumors.

Depsides and depsidones have attracted attention for biosynthetic studies due to their broad biological activities and structural diversity. Previous structure‒activity relationships indicated that triple halogenated depsidones display the best anti-pathogenic activity. However, the gene cluster and the tailoring steps responsible for halogenated depsidone nornidulin ( 3) remain enigmatic. In this study, we disclosed the complete biosynthetic pathway of the halogenated depsidone through in vivo gene disruption, heterologous expression and in vitro biochemical experiments. We demonstrated an unusual depside skeleton biosynthesis process mediated by both highly-reducing polyketide synthase and non-reducing polyketide synthase, which is distinct from the common depside skeleton biosynthesis. This skeleton was subsequently modified by two in-cluster enzymes DepG and DepF for the ether bond formation and decarboxylation, respectively. In addition, the decarboxylase DepF exhibited substrate promiscuity for different scaffold substrates. Finally, and interestingly, we discovered a halogenase encoded remotely from the biosynthetic gene cluster, which catalyzes triple-halogenation to produce the active end product nornidulin ( 3). These discoveries provide new insights for further understanding the biosynthesis of depsidones and their derivatives.

Transglutaminase 2 (TGM2) is a ubiquitous multifunctional protein, which is related to the adhesion of different cells and tumor formation. Previous studies found that TGM2 is involved in the interaction between host cells and viruses, but the effect of TGM2 on the proliferation of influenza virus in cells has not been reported. To explore the effect of TGM2 during H1N1 subtype influenza virus infection, a stable MDCK cell line with TGM2 overexpression and a knockout cell line were constructed. The mRNA and protein expression levels of NP and NS1 as well as the virus titer were measured at 48 hours after pot-infection with H1N1 subtype influenza virus. The results showed that overexpression of TGM2 effectively inhibited the expression of NP and NS1 genes of H1N1 subtype influenza virus, while knockout of TGM2 up-regulated the expression of the NP and NS1 genes, and the expression of the NP at protein level was consistent with that at mRNA level. Virus proliferation curve showed that the titer of H1N1 subtype influenza virus decreased significantly upon TGM2 overexpression. On the contrary, the virus titer in TGM2 knockout cells reached the peak at 48 h, which further proved that TGM2 was involved in the inhibition of H1N1 subtype influenza virus proliferation in MDCK cells. By analyzing the expression of genes downstream of influenza virus response signaling pathway, we found that TGM2 may inhibit the proliferation of H1N1 subtype influenza virus by promoting the activation of JAK-STAT molecular pathway and inhibiting RIG-1 signaling pathway. The above findings are of great significance for revealing the mechanism underlying the interactions between host cells and virus and establishing a genetically engineering cell line for high-yield influenza vaccine production of influenza virus.
Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; Dogs ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype/genetics* ; Influenza, Human ; Madin Darby Canine Kidney Cells ; Protein Glutamine gamma Glutamyltransferase 2

In recent years, the clinical experts consensuses or guidelines of ankylosing spondylitis (AS)/spondyloarthritis (SpA) have been constantly updated, but to better understand and practice, patient self-participation management is one of the key points to improve the level of diagnosis and treatment. Through questionnaire survey of these patients, we screened out the most concerned issues, and established the AS/SpA patient practice guideline working group with multidisciplinary physicians and patients. Fifteen opinions, as the AS/SpA patient practice guidelines, are proposed in accordance with the relevant principles of the "WHO guidelines development manual" , and with the international normative process.

Objective To investigate the neuroimaging and pathological features of epithelioid glioblastoma (EGBM) to improve the diagnosis.Methods The clinical and pathological features of 4 E-GBM cases were analyzed retrospectively.Results E-GBMs occurred predominantly in young adults.MRI examination showed irregular solidcystic lesion with heterogeneous or ring enhancement in 4 cases.Histological examination revealed uniform population of epithelioid or rhabdoid cells with prominent nucleoli and mitotic activity as well as geographic necrosis..Immunohistochemical staining showed various positive signals of Vimentin and S-100 protein in 4 cases,positive signal of BRAF (VE1) in 3 cases and focal positive signal of GFAP in 1 case.However,IDH-1 was negative and 1p/19q codeletion was lack.All patients were followed-up for 2-6 months.One patient had tumor recurrence 3 months and one patient died of disease 6 months after surgical excision.Conclusion E-GBM has a poor outcome and is closely associated with pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma.MRI and epithelioid histological features are very important for the differential diagnosis.