Esculetin, a natural dihydroxy coumarin derived from the Chinese herbal medicine Cortex Fraxini, has demonstrated significant pharmacological activities, including anticancer properties. Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of regulated cell death, has garnered considerable attention due to its lethal effect on tumor cells. However, the exact role of ferroptosis in esculetin-mediated anti-hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) effects remains poorly understood. This study investigated the impact of esculetin on HCC cells both in vitro and in vivo. The findings indicate that esculetin effectively inhibited the growth of HCC cells. Importantly, esculetin promoted the accumulation of intracellular Fe²⁺, leading to an increase in ROS production through the Fenton reaction. This event subsequently induced lipid peroxidation (LPO) and triggered ferroptosis within the HCC cells. The occurrence of ferroptosis was confirmed by the elevation of malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, the depletion of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity, and the disruption of mitochondrial morphology. Notably, the inhibitor of ferroptosis, ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1), attenuated the anti-tumor effect of esculetin in HCC cells. Furthermore, the findings revealed that esculetin inhibited the Nrf2-xCT/GPx4 axis signaling in HCC cells. Overexpression of Nrf2 upregulated the expression of downstream SLC7A11 and GPX4, consequently alleviating esculetin-induced ferroptosis. In conclusion, this study suggests that esculetin exerts an anti-HCC effect by inhibiting the activity of the Nrf2-xCT/GPx4 axis, thereby triggering ferroptosis in HCC cells. These findings may contribute to the potential clinical use of esculetin as a candidate for HCC treatment.
Umbelliferones/administration & dosage* ; Ferroptosis/drug effects* ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/physiopathology* ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/genetics* ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms/physiopathology* ; Phospholipid Hydroperoxide Glutathione Peroxidase/genetics* ; Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Mice ; Amino Acid Transport System y+/genetics* ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Male ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Lipid Peroxidation/drug effects* ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Mice, Nude

ObjectiveTo study the regulatory effect of the partial sequence within the 3’ untranslated region （3’UTR） of slit guidance ligand 1 （Slit1） （Slit1-3’UTR） on the fibrotic phenotypes of cardiac fibroblasts （CFs） and its potential mechanism. MethodsThe adenovirus vector was used to overexpress the 1526nt sequence of Slit1-3’UTR in ICR neonatal mouse CFs （mCFs）. The expression of fibrosis-related genes in mCFs， such as collagen type 1 alpha1（COL1A1）， collagen type 3 alpha3 （COL3A1） and alpha smooth muscle actin （α-SMA） were detected by Western blot assay. The effect of Slit1-3’UTR 1526nt on the proliferation and migration of mCFs was assessed by EdU staining and Trans-well assays. Angiotensin Ⅱ （Ang Ⅱ） was used to treat mCFs， and the impact of Slit1-3’UTR 1526nt on the fibrotic phenotypes of Ang Ⅱ-induced mCFs was evaluated. After overexpression of Slit1-3’UTR 1526nt， miR-34a-5p mimic was transfected into mCFs， followed by actinomycin D treatment to detect the mRNA stability of Slit1-3’UTR 1526nt， and the levels of miR-34a-5p and its target gene SIRT1（si-SIRT1） in mCFs were determined. The effects of miR-34a-5p and small interfering RNA targeting SIRT1 on the Slit1-3’UTR 1526nt-mediated regulation of fibrotic phenotypes were also determined. ResultsAdenovirus-mediated overexpression of Slit 1-3’UTR 1526nt was achieved in mCFs. Overexpression of Slit 1-3’UTR 1526nt markedly inhibited the expression of the fibrosis-related genes， proliferation and migration of mCFs and fibrotic phenotypes of Ang Ⅱ. The results of actinomycin D assay showed that miR-34a-5p inhibited the stability of Slit1-3’UTR 1526nt in mCFs， while the level of miR-34a-5p was reduced in mCFs with overexpression of Slit1-3’UTR 1526nt. Transfection of miR-34a-5p promoted the fibrotic phenotypes， and reversed the inhibitory effect of Slit1-3’UTR 1526nt on the fibrotic phenotypes of mCFs. Overexpression of Slit1-3’UTR 1526nt significantly increased the level of miR-34a-5p target gene SIRT1 in mCFs. Transfection of miR-34a-5p and si-SIRT1 consistently reversed the inhibitory effects of Slit1-3’UTR 1526nt on the fibrotic phenotypes of mCFs. ConclusionSlit1-3’UTR1526nt inhibits the fibrotic phenotypes of mCFs by binding to miR-34a-5p and increasing the expression of its target gene of SIRT1.

Objective:To explore the impacts of different frequencies of orthogonal image-guided verification on set-up error correction and the reference values of planning target volume (PTV) margins in postoperative radiotherapy for breast cancer, in order to provide recommendations of the verification frequency in clinical practice.Methods:A total of 80 breast cancer patients who received postoperative intensity-modulated radiotherapy for breast cancer at the Affiliated Union Hospital of Fujian Medical University from January 2021 to January 2022 were enrolled. Orthogonal image-guided verification was conducted before each radiation treatment to determine initial and residual set-up errors. The error data were statistically analyzed by categorizing patients into groups A, B, C, D, E, and F, based on assumed verification frequencies (daily, every 2, 3, 4, and 5 d, and no correction). The magnitude, distribution, and differences of set-up errors of various groups were analyzed, and the PTV margins were calculated using a reference formula.Results:The collected initial set-up errors of the 80 patients were (3.49±3.43), (2.87±2.88), and (2.75±2.35) mm, in x, y, and z directions, respectively. The residual set-up errors decreased gradually with increasing verification frequency. In the case of daily image-guided verification, the residual set-up errors in x, y, and z directions decreased to (1.63±0.90), (1.63±0.93), and (1.55±0.90)mm, respectively. The reference values of PTV margins calculated under different verification frequencies decreased with an increase in the verification frequency. Under daily verification, the reference values of PTV margins calculated based on set-up errors decreased from initial 6.60, 6.29, and 4.22 mm (without correction) to 1.27, 1.37, and 1.28 mm, respectively. Differences in the reference values under verification frequencies every 3, 4, and 5 d were less than 0.81 mm. Conclusions:Daily image-guided verification (including correction) can effectively reduce set-up errors in image-guided radiotherapy for breast cancer. The set-up errors differ under varying verification frequencies, with a higher frequency corresponding to better correction effects and smaller PTV margins required.

Objective:To explore the influence of human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) derived skin organoid-conditioned culture medium (SO-CM) on the function of human dermal fibroblasts (Fbs) induced by high glucose, with the aim of providing treatment ideas for diabetic wounds.Methods:This study was an experimental research. Human iPSCs were induced into skin organoids. Human iPSC-derived skin organoids and human dermal Fbs were seeded into skin organoid culture medium (SOM) and cultured for three days, respectively. Then the cell culture supernatants were collected as SO-CM and Fb-conditioned culture medium (Fb-CM), respectively. The content of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-10 (IL-10), IL-18, C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL-2), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and VEGF-β in SOM, Fb-CM, and SO-CM was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Human Fbs of passage 8 and 9 induced by high glucose were divided into SOM group, Fb-CM group, and SO-CM group according to the random number table method, and were cultured with SOM, Fb-CM, and SO-CM all containing glucose at final molarity of 35 mmol/L, respectively. After 24 hours of culture, the Ki67 positive ratio of cells was calculated after immunofluorescence staining, and the cell absorbance value was detected by using cell counting kit-8, representing cell proliferation activity. The cell scratch test was performed to calculate the cell migration rate at 13 hours after scratching. After 48 hours of culture, the expression of reactive oxygen species in cells was detected by fluorescent probe method, and the rate of β-galactosidase-positive staining of cells was detected by β-galactosidase staining kit, representing cellular senescence. The sample size was three.Results:There was no statistically significant difference in the content of TNF-α, PDGF, and TGF-β among the three culture media ( P>0.05). Compared with that in SOM, the content of IL-10 and EGF in Fb-CM and SO-CM was significantly decreased ( P<0.05), while the content of CCL-2 in FB-CM and VEGF in SO-CM was significantly increased ( P<0.05). After 24 hours of culture, the Ki67 positive ratio ((45.2±6.0)% and (57.4±4.0)%) and absorbance values (124±5 and 158±12) of cells in the Fb-CM group and the SO-CM group were significantly higher than those in the SOM group ((29.6±2.1)% and 100±6, P<0.05), and the Ki67 positive ratio and absorbance value of cells in the SO-CM group were significantly higher than those in the Fb-CM group ( P<0.05). At 13 hours after scratching, the cell migration rates in the Fb-CM group and the SO-CM group were significantly higher than that in the SOM group ( P<0.05). After 48 hours of culture, the level of reactive oxygen species in the SO-CM group was significantly higher than that in the SOM group and the Fb-CM group (with both P values <0.05). After 48 hours of culture, there was no statistically significant difference in the rate of β-galactosidase-positive staining of cells among the three groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:The SO-CM has high content of VEGF and can significantly promote the proliferation, migration, and expression of reactive oxygen species in human dermal Fbs induced by high glucose, but has no significant effect on cell senescence.

Objective:To investigate the clinical-epidemiological characteristics of connective tissue diseases (CTD) complicated with pulmonary hypertension in Shanxi province from 2018 to 2021.Methods:This was a cross-sectional study. Data of CTD patients with pulmonary hypertension from 2018 to 2021 were collected from the Shanxi Provincial Health Statistics Direct Reporting System based on inpatient medical records. The demographic and clinical data of patients with different CTD types were analyzed.Results:A total of 1 697 CTD patients with pulmonary hypertension were included, among whom there were 451 cases (26.58%) of Sj?gren′s syndrome, 392 cases (23.10%) of systemic lupus erythematosus, 289 cases(17.03%) of systemic sclerosis, 109 cases (6.42%) of mixed CTD, 69 cases (4.07%) of Takayasu arteritis, and 387 cases (22.80%) of other CTD. The majority of patients were female (1 410 (83.09%)), and 783 cases (46.14%) were aged between 41 and 65 years, and 6 cases (0.35%) were performed right heart catheterization. The prevalence of CTD with pulmonary hypertension increased from 0.06/10 4 in 2018 to 0.20/10 4 in 2021. There were significant differences in the severity of pulmonary hypertension, New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class, length of hospital stay, medical costs, and clinical outcomes among patients with different CTD subtypes (all P<0.001). Patients with systemic sclerosis had the highest proportion of NYHA functional class Ⅲ/Ⅳ(65.1%(188/289)), the longest length of hospital stays (13 (9, 18) days), the highest average medical costs (13 622.67 (8 636.38, 20 597.75) ￥(RMB)), and the lowest rate of improvement and discharge (51.90%(150/289)). Conclusions:Between 2018 and 2021, Shanxi province, where CTD is more common in Sj?gren′s syndrome, has a high proportion of women, a high proportion of people aged 41-65 years, and a low prevalence of right ventricular catheterization in patients with CTD complicated with pulmonary hypertension. The prevalence of CTD complicated with pulmonary hypertension shows a rising trend in Shanxi province from 2018 to 2021, while patients with systemic sclerosis exhibit the most severe cardiac impairment and poorer clinical outcomes compared to other subtypes.

Background::Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder impacting populations worldwide, although its clinical characteristics and patient demographics remain uncharacterized in China. The aim of this study was to investigate the demographics, comorbidities, aggravating factors, and treatments in AD patients across different age groups in China.Methods::This cross-sectional study included Chinese AD patients from 205 hospitals spanning 30 provinces. Patients completed dermatologist-led surveys of general medical history, comorbidities, AD-related aggravating factors, and medications. Two-level mixed-ordered logistic regression was used to evaluate aggravating factors.Results::Overall, 16,838 respondents were included in the final analysis (aged 30.9 ± 24.1 years). The proportion of severe AD was the highest in patients with AD onset at ≥60 years (26.73%). Allergic rhinitis and hypertension were the most common atopic and metabolism-related non-atopic comorbidities, respectively. AD severity was significantly associated with chronic urticaria, food allergies, and diabetes. Aggravating factors including foods, seasonal changes, and psychological factors were also linked to AD severity. The cross-sectional survey implied that severe AD may be related to the undertreatment of effective systemic or topical interventions.Conclusion::To enhance the management of AD, it is crucial to consider both aggravating factors and the increased utilization of systemic immunotherapy.Registration::ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05316805

Objective To explore the effect and mechanism of acupuncture at Zusanli(ST36)on inflammatory response in mice with mesenteric lymphadenitis based on the mitogen-activated protein ki-nase(MAPK)/nuclear factor-KB(NF-κB)signaling pathway.Methods Twelve male Kunming strain mice were randomly selected as blank control group,and mice with successfully established mes-enteric lymphadenitis models were randomly divided into model group and acupuncture at Zusanli group,with 12 mice in each group.Mice in the acupuncture at Zusanli group received electroacupunc-ture treatment at Zusanli for 4 days,while those in the blank control group and the model group re-ceived no treatment.Behavioral characteristics of mice in each group were observed.Hematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining was used to evaluate pathological changes in mesenteric lymph node tissues of mice.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was employed to detect the expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines[tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin-1 β(IL-1β),interleu-kin-6(IL-6)]in mouse serum.Western blot was used to detect the expression of autophagy-related proteins(Beclin1,LC3-Ⅱ,LC3-Ⅰ,p62)and MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway-related proteins(p38 MAPK,p-p38 MAPK,NF-κB p65,p-NF-κB p65)in mesenteric lymph node tissues of mice.Results Mice in the model group exhibited decreased food intake,lethargy,soft and loose stools,and occasional kyphosis.The behavioral characteristics of mice in the acupuncture at Zusanli group were improved compared with those in the model group.HE staining results showed pathological changes in mesenteric lymph node tissues of mice in the model group,while the pathological changes in the acupuncture at Zusanli group were improved compared with those in the model group.ELISA results showed that the levels of TNF-α,IL-1β,and IL-6 in serum of mice in the model group were higher than those in the blank control group,while those in the acupuncture at Zusanli group were lower than those in the model group(P＜0.05).Western blot results showed that the relative ex-pression of Beclin1 protein and the LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ in mesenteric lymph node tissues of mice in the model group were lower than those in the blank control group,while the relative expression of p62 protein and the ratios of p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK and p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 were higher than those in the blank control group(P＜0.05).In the acupuncture at Zusanli group,the relative ex-pression of Beclin1 protein and the LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ were higher than those in the model group,while the relative expression of p62 protein and p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK and p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 were lower than those in the model group(P＜0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture at Zusanli alleviates the inflammatory response in mice with mesenteric lymphadenitis by inhibiting the p38 MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Objective To explore the characteristics of coagulation and immune function and their clinical significance in children with severe adenovirus pneumonia(SAP).Methods A total of 122 children with SAP and 120 children with non-severe adenovirus pneumonia(NSAP)were enrolled and assigned to severe group and non-severe group.The severe group was further subdivided into good prognosis subgroup(n=105)and poor prognosis subgroup(n=17)according to prognosis.Addition-ally,120 healthy children undergoing physical examination during the same period were included as control group.Coagulation function indicators,including prothrombin time(PT),activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT),fibrinogen(FIB),and thrombin time(TT)were measured.Levels of immunoglobulin A(IgA),immunoglobulin G(IgG),and immunoglobulin M(IgM)were determined using the nephelometric immunoassay.Multivariate Cox regression analysis was conducted to explore the influencing factors of poor prognosis.Results Compared with the control group,children in both the non-severe and severe groups exhibited increased levels of white blood cells(WBC),neutrophils(N),C-reactive protein(CRP),erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR),interleukin-6(IL-6),procalci-tonin(PCT),FIB,and IgG,as well as decreased levels of B lymphocytes,natural killer(NK)cells,PT,APTT,IgA,and IgM(P＜0.05).Compared with the non-severe group,children in the severe group showed increased levels of WBC,N,CRP,ESR,IL-6,PCT,FIB,and IgG,as well as decreased levels of B lymphocytes,NK cells,PT,APTT,IgA,and IgM(P＜0.05).Compared with the good prognosis subgroup,the poor prognosis subgroup exhibited increased levels of CRP,IL-6,PCT,and IgG,as well as decreased levels of APTT,IgM,and IgA(P＜0.05).The results of multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that PCT,APTT,and IgM were influencing factors of poor prognosis in children with SAP(P＜0.05).Conclusion Children with SAP have decreased levels of PT,APTT,IgA,and IgM,as well as increased levels of FIB and IgG.Coagulation and im-mune function indicators are correlated with the prognosis of SAP.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the impact of prenatal fear stress on placental amino acid transport and emotion and cognition development in offspring rats. METHODS: Thirty pregnant Wistar rats were randomized equally into control and fear stress (induced using an observational foot shock model) groups. In each group, placental and serum samples were collected from 6 dams on gestational day 20, and the remaining rats delivered naturally and the offspring rats were raised under the same conditions until 8 weeks of age. Emotional and cognitive outcomes of the offspring rats were assessed with behavioral tests, and placental structure was examined using HE staining. Bioinformatics analysis was used to identify differentially expressed placental transporter genes under fear stress. The expressions of system A and system L amino acid transporters, along with other specialized transporters, were detected using qRT-PCR and Western blotting. Fetal serum amino acid concentrations were determined by HPLC. The correlations between fetal amino acid levels and behavioral outcomes of the offspring rats were analyzed. RESULTS: The dams with fear stress showed reduced open-field activity and increased freezing behavior with significantly decreased placental weight, fetal weight, and fetal-to-placental ratio. Bioinformatics analysis revealed 28 differentially expressed transporter genes involved mainly in amino acid transport. In the fear stress group, fetal serum amino acid levels were significantly lowered and Slc38a1, Slc43a1, Slc43a2, Slc7a8, Slc6a6, Slc1a1 and Slc6a9 mRNA and protein expressions were all downregulated. The offspring rats in fear stress group exhibited decreased novel object preference and spontaneous alternation with reduced open arm exploration and increased immobility in emotional tests. Lower early-life amino acid levels was found to correlate with impaired adult cognition. CONCLUSIONS Prenatal fear stress in rats impairs placental amino acid transporter expression and reduces fetal serum amino acid levels, potentially contributing to long-term cognitive deficits in the offspring rats.
Animals ; Female ; Pregnancy ; Placenta/metabolism* ; Fear ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Cognition ; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects ; Stress, Psychological ; Amino Acids/blood* ; Amino Acid Transport Systems/metabolism*

•A strategy for in situ metabolically synthesized active drug-based probes was proposed.•The potential purgative targets of SA were successfully hooked and identified.•The work provided a new insight for studying the direct targets of unstable active drugs.