The NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, a high-molecular-weight protein complex in the cytoplasm, is composed of three core components: the sensor protein NLRP3, the adaptor protein apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase-recruitment domain (ASC) and the effector protein caspase-1. It plays a critical role in regulating host immune and inflammatory responses. Studies have shown that the NLRP3 inflammasome has increasingly become a focal point in tumor molecular biology field. A growing body of evidence indicates that the increased expression and activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome is closely associated with the pathogenesis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and the tumor microenvironment (TME). It may promote tumor proliferation, invasion, migration, and other biological behaviors through various regulatory mechanisms while influencing tumor immune evasion and therapy resistance, which holds promise as a prognostic biomarker for patients. This review explores the current effect and mechanism of the NLRP3 inflammasome and its signaling pathways in head and neck cancer, providing insights into clinical targeted drug development and molecular immunotherapy.
Humans ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/genetics* ; Inflammasomes/metabolism* ; Head and Neck Neoplasms/pathology* ; Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck/metabolism* ; Tumor Microenvironment ; Signal Transduction ; Animals

Objective To explore the chemical basis of Shenxianshengmai oral liquid.Method UHPLC-Q Exactive Focus MS/MS technology was used to identify the chemical components of Shenxianshengmai oral liquid.The chromatographic separation was performed on a Thermo Accucore aQ C18 column(150 mm×2.1 mm,2.6 μm)with mobile phase gradient elution of 0.1%formic acid aqueous solution(A)and methanol(B)for 0-13 min,5%-60%B;13-27 min,60%-95%B;27-30 min,95%B,the flow rate was 0.3 mL·min-1,and the column temperature was at 30℃.The mass spectrometry was performed by heating electrospray ionization(H-ESI)with positive and negative ion scanning modes.The scanning range was m/z 120-1800,and the collision energies were 30 eV,50 eV and 70 eV.Result A total of 160 components were identified,including 29 flavonoids,24 organic acids,21 alkaloids,19 terpenoids,15 phenylpropanoids,12 saponins and 40 other components.Six chemical constituents(rutin,psoralenoside,isopsoralenoside,psoralen,isopsoralen and bakuchiol)were confirmed by comparison with reference substances.Conclusion In this study,an UHPLC-Q Exactive Focus MS/MS method has been established for accurate,rapid and systematic identification of the constituents in Shenxian Shengmai oral liquid,which provides an important basis for clarifying the chemical basis and quality control.

Objective:To compare the real-world efficacy and safety profile of tenofovir amibufenamid (TMF) and tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) tablets in the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).Methods:This retrospective study included patients with chronic hepatitis B who received TMF and TAF antiviral treatment at the Infectious Disease Outpatient Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2021 to December 2023. The primary and secondary outcome was to study the patient HBV DNA conversion rate (<20 IU/ml), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) normalization rate, renal function, and lipid levels of patients at 48 weeks of treatment. The comparison of data between measurement data groups was differentiated using a t-test and Mann-Whitney U test. The inter-group comparison rate in count data was performed using the χ2 test or Fisher's exact probability. Results:A total of 440 cases were enrolled, including 220 in the TMF group (63 treatment-na?ve and 157 treatment-experienced) and 220 cases in the TAF group (61 treatment-na?ve and 159 treatment-experienced). In terms of efficacy, the HBV DNA seroconversion rates in the TMF group and TAF group were 90.5% and 85.2% ( P=0.372), respectively, while the ALT normalization rates were 92.1% and 88.5% ( P=0.505), respectively, at 48 weeks of treatment. The HBV DNA-negative conversion rate for the newly treated patients was 99.4% and 98.7%, respectively ( P=1.000), while the rates of ALT normalization were 94.9% and 92.3%, respectively ( P=0.863). In terms of safety profile, the serum creatinine level was lower in the TMF group than that in the TAF group at 48 weeks of treatment [TMF group 66.5 (56.3, 78.3) μmol/L, TAF group 70.6 (60.7, 77.8) μmol/L, Z=-2.282, P=0.022]. However, there was no statistically significant difference in other renal function and tubular function related indicators between the two groups of patients ( P>0.05). The serum high-density lipoprotein levels were higher in the TMF group than those in the TAF group [TMF 1.4 (1.1, 1.6) mmol/L vs. TAF group 1.3 (1.1, 1.6) mmol/L, Z=-2.204, P=0.027] at 48 weeks of treatment. However, there was no statistically significant difference in other blood lipid indicators between the two groups of patients ( P>0.05). Conclusion:There is no statistically significant difference in efficacy and safety profiles between TMF and TAF at 48 weeks in the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis B, and the overall safety profile is favorable.

Objective:To summarize the clinical and gene mutation characteristics of a child with Cowden syndrome and review the literature.Methods:The clinical data of a child with Cowden syndrome treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University in June 2020 were analyzed retrospectively.Taking " Cowden syndrome" , " PTEN gene" , " hamartoma polyps" , "child" , " Cowden syndrome and child" and " PTEN and child" as key words, literature was retrieved from Chinese databases (China National Knowledge Internet database and Wanfang database) and the PubMed database from the establishment of the database to March 2021. Results:A 13-year-old male had intermittent abdominal pain and abdominal distension for 5 months.Electron microscopic gastroenteroscopy showed multiple polyps, and focal lymphocyte aggregation and infiltration were found in tissue biopsy.Whole exon sequencing revealed a hemizygous mutation of c. 475 (exon5) A>T in PTEN gene, which led to the transformation of the 159 th amino acid from arginine to tryptophan.The prediction results of the tertiary structure of the protein indicated that the variation might affect the spatial structure of the protein and damage the protein function.According to the clinical characteristics, Cowden syndrome was diagnosed.The pedigree confirmed that the variation was inherited from the mother, who had a similar phenotype.No qualified Chinese report was retrieved.Among 41 English studies on PTEN gene mutation in children, there were only two reports related to pediatric Cowden syndrome.The hemizygous mutation of PTEN gene was not reported. Conclusions:The missense mutation of c. 475 (exon5) A>T in PTEN gene in this study is a novel cause of Cowden syndrome, and the case is the first case report in China.

Blood-brain barrier (BBB) damage after ischemia significantly influences stroke outcome. Compound LFHP-1c was previously discovered with neuroprotective role in stroke model, but its mechanism of action on protection of BBB disruption after stroke remains unknown. Here, we show that LFHP-1c, as a direct PGAM5 inhibitor, prevented BBB disruption after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) in rats. Mechanistically, LFHP-1c binding with endothelial PGAM5 not only inhibited the PGAM5 phosphatase activity, but also reduced the interaction of PGAM5 with NRF2, which facilitated nuclear translocation of NRF2 to prevent BBB disruption from ischemia. Furthermore, LFHP-1c administration by targeting PGAM5 shows a trend toward reduced infarct volume, brain edema and neurological deficits in nonhuman primate