Objective To investigate the expression profile, prognostic value, gene co-expression network, and immunomodulatory role of BRF1 in a pan-cancer context, and to explore its biological functions and molecular regulatory mechanisms in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Methods The pan-cancer dataset from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) was utilized to analyze the differential expression of BRF1 in tumor versus normal tissues, its association with patient survival, pathway enrichment for co-expressed genes, and immune features (including immune checkpoints, cytokines, and immune cell infiltration). The expression profile of BRF1 in ESCC was validated using the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. In vitro, BRF1 was knocked down in ESCC cells using siRNA. Cell proliferation and migration were assessed by MTT and Transwell assays, respectively. The expression levels of proliferation- and migration-related proteins were detected by Western blotting. The correlation between BRF1 and ferroptosis was analyzed using TCGA data. Results BRF1 was significantly upregulated in over 20 types of cancer, and its high expression was associated with poor prognosis in patients with adrenocortical carcinoma and prostate adenocarcinoma. BRF1 was found to positively regulate the T-cell-mediated cell death pathway in esophageal adenocarcinoma and was associated with the circadian rhythm regulation pathway in pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The correlation of BRF1 with immune checkpoints, cytokine networks, and immune cell infiltration was found to be cancer type-specific. In vitro experiments demonstrated that knocking down BRF1 significantly inhibited the proliferation of ESCC cells, accompanied by the downregulation of the proliferation marker PCNA. Cell migration was also significantly impaired, with decreased expression of Vimentin and MMPs and increased expression of E-cadherin. Furthermore, the expression of BRF1 was positively correlated with that of ferroptosis-antagonizing genes, such as GPX4, HSPA5, and SLC7A11. Conclusion BRF1 plays complex roles in pan-cancer, participating in the regulation of tumorigenesis, progression, and immune infiltration. BRF1 promotes the proliferation and migration of ESCC cells, a mechanism potentially associated with the regulation of ferroptosis resistance. These findings suggest that BRF1 could be a potential therapeutic target for ESCC.

ObjectiveTo explore the possible mechanism of Tongbian Decoction （通便汤， TD） in treating slow transit constipation （STC）. MethodsTwenty-four SD rats were randomly divided into normal group， model group， TD group， and mosapride group， with 6 rats per group. Except for the normal group， STC models were established by intragastric administration of loperamide hydrochloride combined with normal saline. On the day following successful model establishment， rats in the TD group received 18.63 g·kg⁻¹ of TD by gavage， while those in the mosapride group received 1.605 mg·d⁻¹ of mosapride， and those in the normal group and the model group received 10 ml·kg⁻¹ of normal saline by gavage. All treatments were administered once daily for 7 consecutive days. Twenty-four hours after the last administration， fecal pellet number and fecal water content were measured. After intragastric administration of a 10% activated charcoal suspension， the small intestinal transit rate was calculated 30 minutes later. Serum levels of gastrin （GAS） and motilin （MTL） were measured by ELISA. Colonic histopathology was observed by HE staining， and mucus secretion by Alcian blue-periodic acid-Schiff （AB-PAS） staining. Ultrastructure of colon tissue was examined using transmission electron microscopy. Protein expression levels of C-kit， stem cell factor （SCF）， autophagy-related protein 5 （ATG5）， Beclin1， vesicle-associated membrane protein B （VAPB）， and protein tyrosine phosphatase interacting protein 51 （VAPB-PTPIP51） were measured by Western Blot， and the mRNA levels were detected by real-time PCR. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect SCF， C-kit， Beclin1， and ATG5 expression. The calcium content in colon tissue was determined by ELISA. ResultsCompared to the normal group， rats in the model group showed significantly reduced fecal pellet number， fecal water content， small intestinal transit rate， and serum GAS and MTL levels （P＜0.01）； the number of goblet cells decreased， and the mucosal and muscular layers of the colon became thinner； mRNA and protein expression levels of ATG5 and Beclin1 in colon tissue significantly increased， while calcium content decreased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）； and electron microscopy revealed vacuolar degeneration and increased autophagosomes in colonic cells. Compared to the model group， both TD group and mosapride group showed increased fecal pellet number， fecal water content， small intestinal transit rate， serum GAS and MTL levels， and colonic calcium content， along with decreased Beclin1 and ATG5 protein levels （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）； the mucosal thickness and goblet cell number increased significantly， and autophagosomes decreased； in the TD group， ATG5 and Beclin1 mRNA levels decreased； in the mosapride group， SCF， VAPB， and PTPIP51 mRNA levels increased， while Beclin1 mRNA decreased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared to the mosapride group， the TD group showed higher fecal pellet number， fecal water content， serum GAS levels， colonic calcium content， and C-kit expression， along with lower ATG5 and Beclin1 levels （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. ConclusionTD may improve constipation symptoms by upregulating the VAPB-PTPIP51 complex during mitochondria-endoplasmic reticulum interactions， reducing autophagy of interstitial cells of Cajal， and promoting intestinal motility.

ObjectiveTo explore the possible mechanism of Tongbian Decoction （通便汤， TD） in treating slow transit constipation （STC）. MethodsTwenty-four SD rats were randomly divided into normal group， model group， TD group， and mosapride group， with 6 rats per group. Except for the normal group， STC models were established by intragastric administration of loperamide hydrochloride combined with normal saline. On the day following successful model establishment， rats in the TD group received 18.63 g·kg⁻¹ of TD by gavage， while those in the mosapride group received 1.605 mg·d⁻¹ of mosapride， and those in the normal group and the model group received 10 ml·kg⁻¹ of normal saline by gavage. All treatments were administered once daily for 7 consecutive days. Twenty-four hours after the last administration， fecal pellet number and fecal water content were measured. After intragastric administration of a 10% activated charcoal suspension， the small intestinal transit rate was calculated 30 minutes later. Serum levels of gastrin （GAS） and motilin （MTL） were measured by ELISA. Colonic histopathology was observed by HE staining， and mucus secretion by Alcian blue-periodic acid-Schiff （AB-PAS） staining. Ultrastructure of colon tissue was examined using transmission electron microscopy. Protein expression levels of C-kit， stem cell factor （SCF）， autophagy-related protein 5 （ATG5）， Beclin1， vesicle-associated membrane protein B （VAPB）， and protein tyrosine phosphatase interacting protein 51 （VAPB-PTPIP51） were measured by Western Blot， and the mRNA levels were detected by real-time PCR. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect SCF， C-kit， Beclin1， and ATG5 expression. The calcium content in colon tissue was determined by ELISA. ResultsCompared to the normal group， rats in the model group showed significantly reduced fecal pellet number， fecal water content， small intestinal transit rate， and serum GAS and MTL levels （P＜0.01）； the number of goblet cells decreased， and the mucosal and muscular layers of the colon became thinner； mRNA and protein expression levels of ATG5 and Beclin1 in colon tissue significantly increased， while calcium content decreased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）； and electron microscopy revealed vacuolar degeneration and increased autophagosomes in colonic cells. Compared to the model group， both TD group and mosapride group showed increased fecal pellet number， fecal water content， small intestinal transit rate， serum GAS and MTL levels， and colonic calcium content， along with decreased Beclin1 and ATG5 protein levels （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）； the mucosal thickness and goblet cell number increased significantly， and autophagosomes decreased； in the TD group， ATG5 and Beclin1 mRNA levels decreased； in the mosapride group， SCF， VAPB， and PTPIP51 mRNA levels increased， while Beclin1 mRNA decreased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared to the mosapride group， the TD group showed higher fecal pellet number， fecal water content， serum GAS levels， colonic calcium content， and C-kit expression， along with lower ATG5 and Beclin1 levels （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. ConclusionTD may improve constipation symptoms by upregulating the VAPB-PTPIP51 complex during mitochondria-endoplasmic reticulum interactions， reducing autophagy of interstitial cells of Cajal， and promoting intestinal motility.

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a crucial renal replacement therapy for end-stage renal disease (ESRD), offering significant advantages as high flexibility, hemodynamic stability, and high cost-effectiveness. However, prolonged exposure to intra-abdominal dialysate may predispose to the mechanical complication of abdominal external hernia. Abdominal external hernia may lead to various adverse clinical outcomes. In severe cases, it can progress to incarceration or even rupture, ultimately necessitating discontinuation of the therapy. The authors systematically review PD-associated abdominal external hernias, including their clinical landscape, risk factors, surgical treatment strategies and prognostic determinants. They also assess the effects of hernia repair on residual renal function, aiming to provide references for clinical decision-making.

Objective To investigate the impact of long non-coding RNA maternal expression gene 3(lncRNA MEG3)on hypoxia/reoxygenation(H/R)-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis by modulating the miR-202-5p/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)axis.Methods An H/R cell model was constructed and randomly separated into four groups:sh-NC(transfected with NC shRNA),sh-MEG3(transfected with lncRNA MEG3 shRNA),miR-NC(transfected with lncRNA MEG3 shRNA and NC miR),and in-miR-202-5p(transfected with lncRNA MEG3 shRNA and miR-202-5p inhibitor).In addition,the H/R group(nontransfected H/R model cells)and the AC 16 group(normal AC 16 cells)were set.Quantitative real-time PCR method was used to analyze the expression of lncRNA MEG3,miR-202-5p,and STAT3 in cells from each group.CCK-8 method was used to analyze cell viability.Flow cytometry was used to analyze apoptosis.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent,colorimetric,and probe assays were applied to detect the levels of inter-leukin-6(IL-6),tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α),malondialdehyde(MD A),glutathione peroxidases(GSH-Px),and reactive oxygen spe-cies(ROS).Western blotting was carried out to examine the expression of STAT3,Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax),B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2),caspase-3,and caspase-9.A dual luciferase assay was used to analyze the relationship between lncRNA MEG3 and miR-202-5p,as well as the relationship between miR-202-5p and STAT3.Results Compared with that in the AC 16 group,the expression of lncRNA MEG3 and STAT3 in cells in the H/R group increased,while the expression of miR-202-5p decreased(P＜0.05).Compared with that in the H/R group and sh-NC group,the expression of lncRNA MEG3 and STAT3 decreased in the sh-MEG3 group,while the expression of miR-202-5p increased(P＜0.05).Compared with that in the sh-MEG3 group and miR-NC group,the expression of lncRNA MEG3 and STAT3 increased in the in-miR-202-5p group,while the expression of miR-202-5p decreased(P＜0.05).Compared with that in the AC 16 group,the apoptosis rate,levels of IL-6,TNF-α,MDA,and ROS,and the expression of STAT3,Bax,cleaved caspase-3,and cleaved caspase-9 increased in the H/R group.In contrast,the cell viability,clone count,levels of superoxide dismutase(SOD)and GSH-Px,and the expression of Bcl-2 decreased(P＜0.05).Compared with that in the H/R group and sh-NC group,the cell viability,clone count,levels of SOD and GSH-Px,and the expression of Bcl-2 increased in the sh-MEG3 group.In contrast,the apoptosis rate,levels of IL-6,TNF-α,MDA,and ROS,and the expression of STAT3,Bax,cleaved caspase-3,and cleaved caspase-9 decreased(P＜0.05).Compared with that in the sh-MEG3 group and miR-NC group,the apoptosis rate,levels of IL-6,TNF-α,MDA,and ROS,and the expression of STAT3,Bax,cleaved caspase-3,and cleaved caspase-9 increased in the in-miR-202-5p group.In contrast,the cell viability,clone count,levels of SOD and GSH-Px,and the expression of Bcl-2 decreased(P＜0.05).There were multiple binding sites between lncRNA MEG3 and miR-202-5p,and between miR-202-5p and STAT3.The luciferase activity was lower in the WT-MEG3+miR-202-5p group than in the WT-MEG3+miR-NC group(P＜0.05).The luciferase activity was lower in the WT-STAT3+miR-202-5p group than in the WT-STAT3+miR-NC group(P＜0.05).Conclusion Knocking down lncRNA MEG3 can downregulate STAT3 by negatively regulating miR-202-5p,inhibiting H/R-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis.

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a crucial renal replacement therapy for end-stage renal disease (ESRD), offering significant advantages as high flexibility, hemodynamic stability, and high cost-effectiveness. However, prolonged exposure to intra-abdominal dialysate may predispose to the mechanical complication of abdominal external hernia. Abdominal external hernia may lead to various adverse clinical outcomes. In severe cases, it can progress to incarceration or even rupture, ultimately necessitating discontinuation of the therapy. The authors systematically review PD-associated abdominal external hernias, including their clinical landscape, risk factors, surgical treatment strategies and prognostic determinants. They also assess the effects of hernia repair on residual renal function, aiming to provide references for clinical decision-making.

Objective To investigate the impact of long non-coding RNA maternal expression gene 3(lncRNA MEG3)on hypoxia/reoxygenation(H/R)-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis by modulating the miR-202-5p/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)axis.Methods An H/R cell model was constructed and randomly separated into four groups:sh-NC(transfected with NC shRNA),sh-MEG3(transfected with lncRNA MEG3 shRNA),miR-NC(transfected with lncRNA MEG3 shRNA and NC miR),and in-miR-202-5p(transfected with lncRNA MEG3 shRNA and miR-202-5p inhibitor).In addition,the H/R group(nontransfected H/R model cells)and the AC 16 group(normal AC 16 cells)were set.Quantitative real-time PCR method was used to analyze the expression of lncRNA MEG3,miR-202-5p,and STAT3 in cells from each group.CCK-8 method was used to analyze cell viability.Flow cytometry was used to analyze apoptosis.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent,colorimetric,and probe assays were applied to detect the levels of inter-leukin-6(IL-6),tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α),malondialdehyde(MD A),glutathione peroxidases(GSH-Px),and reactive oxygen spe-cies(ROS).Western blotting was carried out to examine the expression of STAT3,Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax),B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2),caspase-3,and caspase-9.A dual luciferase assay was used to analyze the relationship between lncRNA MEG3 and miR-202-5p,as well as the relationship between miR-202-5p and STAT3.Results Compared with that in the AC 16 group,the expression of lncRNA MEG3 and STAT3 in cells in the H/R group increased,while the expression of miR-202-5p decreased(P＜0.05).Compared with that in the H/R group and sh-NC group,the expression of lncRNA MEG3 and STAT3 decreased in the sh-MEG3 group,while the expression of miR-202-5p increased(P＜0.05).Compared with that in the sh-MEG3 group and miR-NC group,the expression of lncRNA MEG3 and STAT3 increased in the in-miR-202-5p group,while the expression of miR-202-5p decreased(P＜0.05).Compared with that in the AC 16 group,the apoptosis rate,levels of IL-6,TNF-α,MDA,and ROS,and the expression of STAT3,Bax,cleaved caspase-3,and cleaved caspase-9 increased in the H/R group.In contrast,the cell viability,clone count,levels of superoxide dismutase(SOD)and GSH-Px,and the expression of Bcl-2 decreased(P＜0.05).Compared with that in the H/R group and sh-NC group,the cell viability,clone count,levels of SOD and GSH-Px,and the expression of Bcl-2 increased in the sh-MEG3 group.In contrast,the apoptosis rate,levels of IL-6,TNF-α,MDA,and ROS,and the expression of STAT3,Bax,cleaved caspase-3,and cleaved caspase-9 decreased(P＜0.05).Compared with that in the sh-MEG3 group and miR-NC group,the apoptosis rate,levels of IL-6,TNF-α,MDA,and ROS,and the expression of STAT3,Bax,cleaved caspase-3,and cleaved caspase-9 increased in the in-miR-202-5p group.In contrast,the cell viability,clone count,levels of SOD and GSH-Px,and the expression of Bcl-2 decreased(P＜0.05).There were multiple binding sites between lncRNA MEG3 and miR-202-5p,and between miR-202-5p and STAT3.The luciferase activity was lower in the WT-MEG3+miR-202-5p group than in the WT-MEG3+miR-NC group(P＜0.05).The luciferase activity was lower in the WT-STAT3+miR-202-5p group than in the WT-STAT3+miR-NC group(P＜0.05).Conclusion Knocking down lncRNA MEG3 can downregulate STAT3 by negatively regulating miR-202-5p,inhibiting H/R-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis.

Sennoside A(SA),a typical prodrug,exerts its laxative effect only after its transformation into rhei-nanthrone catalyzed by gut microbial hydrolases and reductases.Hydrolases have been identified,but reductases remain unknown.By linking a photoreactive group to the SA scaffold,we synthesized a photoaffinity probe to covalently label SA reductases and identified SA reductases using activity-based protein profiling(ABPP).From lysates of an active strain,Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum(B.pseu-docatenulatum),397 proteins were enriched and subsequently identified using mass spectrometry(MS).Among these proteins,chromate reductase/nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide(NADH)phosphate(NADPH)-dependent flavin mononucleotide(FMN)reductase/oxygen-insensitive NADPH nitroreductase(nfrA)was identified as a potent SA reductase through further bioinformatic analysis and The Universal Protein Resource(UniProt)database screening.We also determined that recombinant nfrA could reduce SA.Our study contributes to further illuminating mechanisms of SA transformation to rheinanthrone and simultaneously offers an effective method to identify gut bacterial reductases.

Sennoside A (SA), a typical prodrug, exerts its laxative effect only after its transformation into rheinanthrone catalyzed by gut microbial hydrolases and reductases. Hydrolases have been identified, but reductases remain unknown. By linking a photoreactive group to the SA scaffold, we synthesized a photoaffinity probe to covalently label SA reductases and identified SA reductases using activity-based protein profiling (ABPP). From lysates of an active strain, Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum (B. pseudocatenulatum), 397 proteins were enriched and subsequently identified using mass spectrometry (MS). Among these proteins, chromate reductase/nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) phosphate (NADPH)-dependent flavin mononucleotide (FMN) reductase/oxygen-insensitive NADPH nitroreductase (nfrA) was identified as a potent SA reductase through further bioinformatic analysis and The Universal Protein Resource (UniProt) database screening. We also determined that recombinant nfrA could reduce SA. Our study contributes to further illuminating mechanisms of SA transformation to rheinanthrone and simultaneously offers an effective method to identify gut bacterial reductases.

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of Shenshi Jiangzhuo Formula(composed of Poria,Atractylodis Rhizoma,Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex,Pinelliae Rhizoma Praeparatum,Aurantii Fructus Immaturus,Arecae Semen,Talcum,Tetrapanacis Medulla,Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma,Paeoniae Radix Rubra,Rubiae Radix et Rhizoma,Broussonetiae Fructus,etc.)in treating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)with phlegm blended with stasis syndrome.Methods A total of 76 NAFLD patients with phlegm blended with stasis syndrome from the Seventh School of Clinical Medicine,Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine(Shenzhen Bao'an Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital)were enrolled between February 2024 and December 2024.The patients were randomly assigned(via random number table)to either the trial group(n=38,treated with Silibinin Meglumine Tablets plus Shenshi Jiangzhuo Formula)or the control group(n=38,treated with Silibinin Meglumine Tablets alone)for 8 weeks.The changes in liver controlled attenuation parameter(CAP),liver function markers[alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),gamma-glutamyl transferase(GGT)],lipid profiles[triglycerides(TG),total cholesterol(TC),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)],and traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome scores were observed before and after treatment.Clinical efficacy and safety were evaluated.Results(1)One case dropped out from each group during the study and 37 cases in each group were included for final statistics.(2)After 8 weeks of treatment,the overall response rate in the trial group was 94.59％(35/37),compared with 62.16％(23/37)in the control group.Intergroup comparison revealed that the trial group demonstrated significantly superior overall therapeutic efficacy(by rank-sum test)and overall response rate(by chi-square test)compared with the control group(P＜0.01).(3)Both groups showed improved CAP values after treatment,and the trial group demonstrated significantly greater improvement compared to the control group(P＜0.01).(4)Post-treatment improvements in alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),and gamma-glutamyl transferase(GGT)were improved in both groups(P＜0.01),with the trial group showing significantly superior improvements(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).(5)Triglycerides(TG),total cholesterol(TC),and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)were improved in both groups after treatment,and the trial group exhibited significantly better outcomes(P＜0.01).(6)Both groups presented reduced TCM syndrome scores after treatment,and the trial group showed greater reduction(P＜0.01).(7)No significant adverse recations were observed in both groups,showing high safety.Conclusion Integrative therapy with Shenshi Jiangzhuo Formula exerts certain effects in improving CAP values,liver function,lipid metabolism,and TCM symptoms in NAFLD patients with phlegm blended with stasis syndrome,demonstrating robust clinical value.