Background: and Purpose Limited evidence exists on the effectiveness of endovascular treatment (EVT) for acute posterior circulation tandem lesion (PCTL). This study aimed to explore the role of extracranial vertebral artery (VA) stenting in patients with PCTL stroke undergoing EVT. Methods: Individual patient data were pooled from the BASILAR (EVT for Acute Basilar Artery Occlusion Study) and PERSIST (Posterior Circulation Ischemic Stroke) registries. Patients with PCTLs who underwent EVT were included in the present cohort and divided into the stenting and nonstenting groups based on the placement of extracranial VA stents. The primary efficacy outcome was the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores at 90 days and 1 year. Safety outcomes included 24-hour symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) and all-cause mortality at 90 days and 1 year post-surgery. Results: A combined dataset of 1,320 patients with posterior circulation artery occlusion, including 263 (19.9%) with tandem lesions, of whom 217 (median age, 65 years; 82.9% male) met the inclusion criteria for the analysis. The stenting group had 84 (38.7%) patients, while the non-stenting group had 133 (61.3%). After adjustment for the potential confounders, extracranial VA stenting was associated with favorable shifts in mRS scores at both 90 days (adjusted common odds ratio [OR], 2.30; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.23–4.28; P<0.01) and 1 year (adjusted OR [aOR], 2.04; 95% CI [1.05–3.97]; P=0.04), along with lower rate of mortality at both 90 days (aOR, 0.45; 95% CI [0.21–0.93]; P=0.01) and 1 year (aOR, 0.36; 95% CI [0.16–0.79]; P=0.01), with no significant difference in sICH incidence (aOR, 0.35; 95% CI [0.06–1.98]; P=0.24). Conclusion Extracranial VA stenting during EVT may improve functional outcomes and reduce mortality in patients with PCTL strokes.

Background/Aims: Transmembrane 4 L six family member 1 (TM4SF1) is highly expressed and contributes to the progression of various malignancies. However, how it modulates hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression and senescence remains to be elucidated. Methods: TM4SF1 expression in HCC samples was evaluated using immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. Cellular senescence was assessed through SA-β-gal activity assays and Western blot analysis. TM4SF1-related protein interactions were investigated using immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry, co-immunoprecipitation, bimolecular fluorescence complementation, and immunofluorescence. Tumor-infiltrating immune cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. The HCC mouse model was established via hydrodynamic tail vein injection. Results: TM4SF1 was highly expressed in human HCC samples and murine models. Knockdown of TM4SF1 suppressed HCC proliferation both in vitro and in vivo, inducing non-secretory senescence through upregulation of p16 and p21. TM4SF1 enhanced the interaction between AKT1 and PDPK1, thereby promoting AKT phosphorylation, which subsequently downregulated p16 and p21. Meanwhile, TM4SF1-mediated AKT phosphorylation enhanced PD-L1 expression while reducing major histocompatibility complex class I level on tumor cells, leading to impaired cytotoxic function of CD8+ T cells and an increased proportion of exhausted CD8+ T cells. In clinical HCC samples, elevated TM4SF1 expression was associated with resistance to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy. Targeting TM4SF1 via adeno-associated virus induced tumor senescence, reduced tumor burden and synergistically enhanced the efficacy of anti-PD-1 therapy. Conclusions Our results revealed that TM4SF1 regulated tumor cell senescence and immune evasion through the AKT pathway, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target in HCC, particularly in combination with first-line immunotherapy.

Background/Aims: Transmembrane 4 L six family member 1 (TM4SF1) is highly expressed and contributes to the progression of various malignancies. However, how it modulates hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression and senescence remains to be elucidated. Methods: TM4SF1 expression in HCC samples was evaluated using immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. Cellular senescence was assessed through SA-β-gal activity assays and Western blot analysis. TM4SF1-related protein interactions were investigated using immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry, co-immunoprecipitation, bimolecular fluorescence complementation, and immunofluorescence. Tumor-infiltrating immune cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. The HCC mouse model was established via hydrodynamic tail vein injection. Results: TM4SF1 was highly expressed in human HCC samples and murine models. Knockdown of TM4SF1 suppressed HCC proliferation both in vitro and in vivo, inducing non-secretory senescence through upregulation of p16 and p21. TM4SF1 enhanced the interaction between AKT1 and PDPK1, thereby promoting AKT phosphorylation, which subsequently downregulated p16 and p21. Meanwhile, TM4SF1-mediated AKT phosphorylation enhanced PD-L1 expression while reducing major histocompatibility complex class I level on tumor cells, leading to impaired cytotoxic function of CD8+ T cells and an increased proportion of exhausted CD8+ T cells. In clinical HCC samples, elevated TM4SF1 expression was associated with resistance to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy. Targeting TM4SF1 via adeno-associated virus induced tumor senescence, reduced tumor burden and synergistically enhanced the efficacy of anti-PD-1 therapy. Conclusions Our results revealed that TM4SF1 regulated tumor cell senescence and immune evasion through the AKT pathway, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target in HCC, particularly in combination with first-line immunotherapy.

Background/Aims: Transmembrane 4 L six family member 1 (TM4SF1) is highly expressed and contributes to the progression of various malignancies. However, how it modulates hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression and senescence remains to be elucidated. Methods: TM4SF1 expression in HCC samples was evaluated using immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. Cellular senescence was assessed through SA-β-gal activity assays and Western blot analysis. TM4SF1-related protein interactions were investigated using immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry, co-immunoprecipitation, bimolecular fluorescence complementation, and immunofluorescence. Tumor-infiltrating immune cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. The HCC mouse model was established via hydrodynamic tail vein injection. Results: TM4SF1 was highly expressed in human HCC samples and murine models. Knockdown of TM4SF1 suppressed HCC proliferation both in vitro and in vivo, inducing non-secretory senescence through upregulation of p16 and p21. TM4SF1 enhanced the interaction between AKT1 and PDPK1, thereby promoting AKT phosphorylation, which subsequently downregulated p16 and p21. Meanwhile, TM4SF1-mediated AKT phosphorylation enhanced PD-L1 expression while reducing major histocompatibility complex class I level on tumor cells, leading to impaired cytotoxic function of CD8+ T cells and an increased proportion of exhausted CD8+ T cells. In clinical HCC samples, elevated TM4SF1 expression was associated with resistance to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy. Targeting TM4SF1 via adeno-associated virus induced tumor senescence, reduced tumor burden and synergistically enhanced the efficacy of anti-PD-1 therapy. Conclusions Our results revealed that TM4SF1 regulated tumor cell senescence and immune evasion through the AKT pathway, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target in HCC, particularly in combination with first-line immunotherapy.

Background: and Purpose Limited evidence exists on the effectiveness of endovascular treatment (EVT) for acute posterior circulation tandem lesion (PCTL). This study aimed to explore the role of extracranial vertebral artery (VA) stenting in patients with PCTL stroke undergoing EVT. Methods: Individual patient data were pooled from the BASILAR (EVT for Acute Basilar Artery Occlusion Study) and PERSIST (Posterior Circulation Ischemic Stroke) registries. Patients with PCTLs who underwent EVT were included in the present cohort and divided into the stenting and nonstenting groups based on the placement of extracranial VA stents. The primary efficacy outcome was the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores at 90 days and 1 year. Safety outcomes included 24-hour symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) and all-cause mortality at 90 days and 1 year post-surgery. Results: A combined dataset of 1,320 patients with posterior circulation artery occlusion, including 263 (19.9%) with tandem lesions, of whom 217 (median age, 65 years; 82.9% male) met the inclusion criteria for the analysis. The stenting group had 84 (38.7%) patients, while the non-stenting group had 133 (61.3%). After adjustment for the potential confounders, extracranial VA stenting was associated with favorable shifts in mRS scores at both 90 days (adjusted common odds ratio [OR], 2.30; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.23–4.28; P<0.01) and 1 year (adjusted OR [aOR], 2.04; 95% CI [1.05–3.97]; P=0.04), along with lower rate of mortality at both 90 days (aOR, 0.45; 95% CI [0.21–0.93]; P=0.01) and 1 year (aOR, 0.36; 95% CI [0.16–0.79]; P=0.01), with no significant difference in sICH incidence (aOR, 0.35; 95% CI [0.06–1.98]; P=0.24). Conclusion Extracranial VA stenting during EVT may improve functional outcomes and reduce mortality in patients with PCTL strokes.

Background: and Purpose Limited evidence exists on the effectiveness of endovascular treatment (EVT) for acute posterior circulation tandem lesion (PCTL). This study aimed to explore the role of extracranial vertebral artery (VA) stenting in patients with PCTL stroke undergoing EVT. Methods: Individual patient data were pooled from the BASILAR (EVT for Acute Basilar Artery Occlusion Study) and PERSIST (Posterior Circulation Ischemic Stroke) registries. Patients with PCTLs who underwent EVT were included in the present cohort and divided into the stenting and nonstenting groups based on the placement of extracranial VA stents. The primary efficacy outcome was the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores at 90 days and 1 year. Safety outcomes included 24-hour symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) and all-cause mortality at 90 days and 1 year post-surgery. Results: A combined dataset of 1,320 patients with posterior circulation artery occlusion, including 263 (19.9%) with tandem lesions, of whom 217 (median age, 65 years; 82.9% male) met the inclusion criteria for the analysis. The stenting group had 84 (38.7%) patients, while the non-stenting group had 133 (61.3%). After adjustment for the potential confounders, extracranial VA stenting was associated with favorable shifts in mRS scores at both 90 days (adjusted common odds ratio [OR], 2.30; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.23–4.28; P<0.01) and 1 year (adjusted OR [aOR], 2.04; 95% CI [1.05–3.97]; P=0.04), along with lower rate of mortality at both 90 days (aOR, 0.45; 95% CI [0.21–0.93]; P=0.01) and 1 year (aOR, 0.36; 95% CI [0.16–0.79]; P=0.01), with no significant difference in sICH incidence (aOR, 0.35; 95% CI [0.06–1.98]; P=0.24). Conclusion Extracranial VA stenting during EVT may improve functional outcomes and reduce mortality in patients with PCTL strokes.

Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the primary fibrogenic cells in the liver, and their activation plays a crucial role in the development and progression of hepatic fibrosis. Here, we report that retinoid X receptor-alpha (RXRα), a unique member of the nuclear receptor superfamily, is a key modulator of HSC activation and liver fibrosis. RXRα exerts its effects by modulating calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase β (CaMKKβ)-mediated activation of AMP-activated protein kinase-alpha (AMPKα). In addition, we demonstrate that K-80003, which binds RXRα by a unique mechanism, effectively suppresses HSC activation, proliferation, and migration, thereby inhibiting liver fibrosis in the CCl₄ and amylin liver NASH (AMLN) diet animal models. The effect is mediated by AMPKα activation, promoting mitophagy in HSCs. Mechanistically, K-80003 activates AMPKα by inducing RXRα to form condensates with CaMKKβ and AMPKα via a two-phase process. The formation of RXRα condensates is driven by its N-terminal intrinsic disorder region and requires phosphorylation by CaMKKβ. Our results reveal a crucial role of RXRα in liver fibrosis regulation through modulating mitochondrial activities in HSCs. Furthermore, they suggest that K-80003 and related RXRα modulators hold promise as therapeutic agents for fibrosis-related diseases.

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.

Objective:To explore the prognostic value of BRCA1-associated protein 1 (BAP1) expression loss in patients with malignant mesothelioma (MM) .Methods:A total of 82 MM patients from January 1998 to December 2017 in Zhejiang Province were selected to detect the expression of BAP1 protein by immunohistochemical analysis. Kaplan-Meier method was used to draw the survival curve, and multivariate Cox proportional risk model was used to analyze the factors affecting the survival rate.Results:Among 82 MM patients, 61 (74.4%) were female, aged (57±11) years. BAP1 protein expression was deficient in 39 patients (47.6%). The survival rate was correlated with the loss of BAP1 protein expression and age (χ 2=5.27, 5.66, P=0.022, 0.017). Subgroup analysis showed that loss of BAP1 protein expression was associated with better prognosis in MM patients <57 years of age, female, pleural MM, epithelial MM, and treated with drugs or surgery ( P<0.05). Multivariate model results showed that positive expression of BAP1 protein ( HR=3.75, 95% CI: 2.23-6.30, P<0.001) and age ≥57 years ( HR=1.66, 95% CI: 1.01-2.72, P=0.049) were risk factors for survival in patients with MM. Conclusion:Loss of BAP1 protein expression may be an independent prognostic factor in patients with MM, which is associated with longer survival.