OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the protective effect of Bufei Yishen Formula (BYF) against cigarette smoke extract (CSE)-induced injuries in human bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells and explore the underlying mechanism. METHODS: BEAS-2B cells exposed to CSE were treated with normal rat serum, BYF-medicated rat serum at low or high doses, pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC, a NF-κB inhibitor), PDTC combined with high-dose BYF-medicated serum, or S-carbomethyloysteine (S-CMC, as the positive control). CCK-8 assay was used to determine the optimal concentration and treatment time of CSE, BYF-medicated serum and S-CMC. The treated cells were examined for inflammatory factor levels in the supernatant and cellular expressions of MUC5AC and MUC5B using ELISA, cell ultrastructural changes with transmission electron microscopy, and cell apoptosis rate using flow cytometry. The expression levels of TLR4/NF‑κB pathway-associated mRNAs and proteins were determined by qRT-PCR and Western blotting. RESULTS: CSE exposure significantly increased secretions of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α, mRNA and protein expressions of MUC5AC and MUC5B, and early and total apoptosis rates in BEAS-2B cells, where the presence of apoptotic bodies was detected. CSE also significantly enhanced the mRNA and protein expressions of TLR4, I-κB, and NF-κB and reduced mRNA and protein expressions of AQP5. Treatments of the CSE-exposed cells with BYF-medicated serum, PDTC and S-CMC all significantly lowered inflammatory factor levels, MUC5AC and MUC5B expressions, and early and total cell apoptosis rates, and partly reversed the changes in cellular ultrastructure and mRNA and protein expressions of the TLR4/NF-κB pathway, and the effects were the most conspicuous following the combined treatment with high-dose BYF-medicated serum and PDTC. CONCLUSIONS BYF can inhibit cell apoptosis, inflammation and mucus hypersecretion in CSE-induced BEAS-2B cells by inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.
Humans ; Epithelial Cells/cytology* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Bronchi/cytology* ; Smoke/adverse effects* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Mucin 5AC/metabolism* ; Cell Line ; Toll-Like Receptor 4/metabolism* ; Mucin-5B/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Nicotiana ; Rats ; Thiocarbamates/pharmacology* ; Animals

Current experimental and computational methods have limitations in accurately and efficiently classifying ion channels within vast protein spaces. Here we have developed a deep learning algorithm, GPT2 Ion Channel Classifier (GPT2-ICC), which effectively distinguishing ion channels from a test set containing approximately 239 times more non-ion-channel proteins. GPT2-ICC integrates representation learning with a large language model (LLM)-based classifier, enabling highly accurate identification of potential ion channels. Several potential ion channels were predicated from the unannotated human proteome, further demonstrating GPT2-ICC's generalization ability. This study marks a significant advancement in artificial-intelligence-driven ion channel research, highlighting the adaptability and effectiveness of combining representation learning with LLMs to address the challenges of imbalanced protein sequence data. Moreover, it provides a valuable computational tool for uncovering previously uncharacterized ion channels.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the protective effect of artesunate(Art)against apoptosis and mitophagy induced by NaF in osteocytes MLO-Y4,and to explore the molecular mechanism.METHODS MLO-Y4 cells were treated with NaF(2 mmol·L-1)for 48 h to establish an in vitro model of osteocytes injuries,and the cells were divided into the cell control group,NaF(2 mmol·L-1)group and NaF+Art 0.25,0.50 and 1.00 μmol·L-1 groups.The cells were pretreated for 2 h and NaF was added for 48 h.The cell survival of MLO-Y4 cells was detected by MTT assay.The cell viability of MLO-Y4 cells was measured by Calcein-AM staining.The lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)content in the supernatant was examined by the LDH detection kit.The level of intracellular reactive oxygen species(ROS)was examined by DCFH-DA staining.The malondialdehyde(MDA)content and superoxide dismutase(SOD)activity were detected by chemical colorimetry.Apoptosis was measured by Hoechst33342 staining and Annexin-V/PI staining.The level of mitochondrial membrane potential(MMP)was measured by JC-1 staining.The formation of autophagic vacuoles and morphological mitochondrial changes were observed via Lyso-tracker staining and Mito-Tracker staining.The ATP content was detected with the luciferase method.The expression of microtubule-associated protein light chain 3(LC-3)in mitochon-dria was examined by immunofluorescence staining.Protein expressions of LC-3,P62,E3 ubiquitin-ligase(Parkin)and PTEN-induced putative kinase 1(PINK1)were detected by Western blotting.RESULTS Compared with the cell control group,the cell survival rate and cell viability were significantly reduced in the NaF group(P<0.01),LDH content in the supernatant,the level of intracellular ROS,the MDA content,apoptosis rate and autophagic vesicle formation were remarkably increased(P<0.01),protein levels of Parkin and PINK1,and the conversion of LC-3Ⅱ from LC-3Ⅰ were markedly upregulated along with the elevation of LC-3 in damaged mitochondria(P<0.01),while P62 levels,SOD activity,MMP and ATP contents were reduced in NaF cells(P<0.05,P<0.01).Compared with NaF group,the cell viability and survival rate of MLO-Y4 cells in NaF+Art 0.25,0.50 and 1.00 μmol·L-1 groups were significantly increased(P<0.01);the content of LDH in supernatants was decreased obviously(P<0.01);the levels of intracellular ROS and MDA content were markedly reduced(P<0.05,P<0.01);the apoptosis rate and autophagic vesicle formation were remarkably decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01);protein levels of Parkin and PINK1,and the conversion of LC-3Ⅱ from LC-3Ⅰ were markedly down-regulated along with the accumulation of LC-3 in damaged mitochondria(P<0.01);MMP and ATP content were also reduced(P<0.05,P<0.01);while SOD activityand P62 levelwere significantly increased(P<0.05,P<0.01).CONCLU-SION Art has a protective effect against oxidative damage induced by NaF in MLO-Y4 cells,which might be related to the inhibition of apoptosis and mitophagy.

Objective To investigate the effects of Echinococcus multilocularis on the phenotypic transformations of glucose metabolism, polarization types and inflammatory responses in macrophages, so as to provide insights into elucidation of echinococcosis pathogenesis. Methods Bone marrow cells were isolated from C57BL/6J mice at ages of 6 to 8 weeks, and induced into bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) with mouse macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), which served as controls (BMDMs-M0). BMDMs-M0 induced M2 macrophages by interleukin-4 for 24 hours served as the IL-4 induction group, and BMDMs-M0 co-cultured with 2.4 ng/mL E. multilocularis cystic fluid (CF) served as the BMDM-CF co-culture group, while BMDMs-M0 co-cultured with E. multilocularis protoscolex (PSC) at a ratio of 500:1 served as the BMDM-PSC co-culture group. The types of polarization of BMDMs co-cultured with E. multilocularis CF and PSC were analyzed using flow cytometry, and the expression of macrophage markers, inflammatory factors, and glucose metabolism-related enzymes was quantified using fluorescent quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and Western blotting assays. Results There were significant differences among the four groups in terms of Arginase-1 (Arg1) (F = 1 457.00, P < 0.000 1), macrophages-derived C-C motif chemokine 22 (Ccl22) (F = 22 203.00, P < 0.000 1), resistin-like α (Retnla) (F = 151.90, P < 0.000 1), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) (F = 107.80, P < 0.001), hexokinase (HK) (F = 9 389.00, P < 0.000 1), pyruvate kinase (PK) (F = 641.40, P < 0.001), phosphofructokinase 1 (PFK1) (F = 43.97, P < 0.01), glucokinase (GK) (F = 432.50, P < 0.000 1), pyruvate dehydrogenase kinases1 (PDK1) (F = 737.30, P < 0.000 1), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) (F = 3 632.00, P < 0.000 1), glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) (F = 532.40, P < 0.000 1), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) (F = 460.00, P < 0.000 1), citrate synthase (CS) (F = 5 642.00, P < 0.01), glycogen synthase1 (GYS1) (F = 273.30, P < 0.000 1), IL-6 (F = 1 823.00, P < 0.000 1), IL-10 (F = 291.70, P < 0.000 1), IL-1β (F = 986.60, P < 0.000 1), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α (F = 334.80, P < 0.000 1) and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β mRNA expression (F = 163.30, P < 0.001). The proportion of M2 macrophages was significantly higher than that of M1 macrophages in the BMDM-PSC co-culture group [(22.87% ±1.48%) vs. (1.70% ±0.17%); t = 24.61, P < 0.001], and the proportion of M2 macrophages was significantly higher than that of M1 macrophages in the BMDM-CF co-culture group [(20.07% ±0.64%) vs. (1.93% ±0.25%); t = 45.73, P < 0.001]. The mRNA expression of M2 macrophages markers Arg1, Ccl22 and Retnla was significantly higher in the BMDM-CF and BMDM-PSC co-culture groups than in the control group (all P values < 0.01), and no significant difference was seen in the mRNA expression of the M1 macrophage marker iNOS among the three groups (P > 0.05), while qPCR assay quantified higher mRNA expression of key glycolytic enzymes HK, PK and PFK, as well as inflammatory factors IL-10, IL-1β, TNF-α and TGF-β in the BMDM-CF and BMDM-PSC co-culture groups than in the control group (all P values < 0.01). Western blotting assay determined higher HK, PK and PFK protein expression in the BMDM-PSC co-culture group than in the control group (all P values < 0.05), and qPCR quantified higher GLUT1, GAPDH and IL-6 mRNA expression in the BMDM-CF co-culture group than in the control group (all P values < 0.05), while higher HK, PK and PFK protein and mRNA expression (all P values < 0.01), as well as lower IL-6 and TNF-α and higher TGF-β mRNA expression (both P values < 0.05) was detected in the IL-4 induction group than in the control group. Glycolytic stress test showed no significant difference in the extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) of mouse BMDM among the control group, IL-4 induction group and BMDM-PSC co-culture group (F = 124.4, P < 0.05), and a higher ECAR was seen in the BMDM-PSC co-culture group and a lower ECAR was found in the IL-4 induction group than in the control group (both P values < 0.05). Conclusions Treatment of E. multilocularis CF or PSC mainly causes polarization of BMDM into M2 macrophages, and phenotypic transformation of glucose metabolism into high-energy and high-glycolytic metabolism, and affects inflammatory responses in BMDM.

ObjectiveTo compare the annual and age trends of the age-standard incidence rate （ASIR） and the age-standard mortality rate （ASMR） of lung cancer in countries with different human development index （HDI） from 1990 to 2019. MethodsThe data were collected from the global burden of disease study and GLOBOCAN 2020. The average annual percentage change （AAPC） and age trends of ASIR and ASMR in lung cancer were analyzed by the Joinpoint regression model， and the comparison between the four groups was analyzed by Kruskale-Wallis analysis. ResultsIn 2020， the incidence and mortality of lung cancer gradually increased with age and HDI grade. From 1990 to 2019， the global ASIR and ASMR of lung cancer decreased， and the ASIR of lung cancer among male decreased， while the ASIR of lung cancer among female increased. The results showed that ASIR of lung cancer in female residents in countries with very high HDI increased significantly from 1996 to 2011， resulting in an overall upward trend in female ASIR， while the other groups showed a downward trend. It was found that ASIR and ASMR of lung cancer in China and India were on the rise， while ASIR and ASMR of lung cancer in Russia and the United States were on the decline. ConclusionAlthough very high/high HDI countries face a higher burden of lung cancer occurrence and death， the accumulation of lung cancer burden is completed in the transitioning period. Therefore， lung cancer prevention measures in countries in transition are critical for global lung cancer control.

Objective:To evaluate the gastric emptying in the patients with cholelithiasis and in the patients following cholecystectomy by ultrasonography.Methods:Thirty patients with cholelithiasis, 30 post-cholecystectomy patients and 30 healthy volunteers, of either sex, aged 18-64 yr, with body mass index of 18-30 kg/m 2, of American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification Ⅰor Ⅱ, were selected and divided into cholelithiasis group (group CH), post-cholecystectomy group (group PC) and healthy volunteer group (group HV). The indigestion scores of the enrolled subjects in the past 3 months were assessed; the subjects took a semi-solid test meal (300 kcal) in the fasting state, and the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the gastric sinus was measured using ultrasound at fasting (T 0) and 5, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120 min after the test meal was taken (T 1-7). The gastric emptying fraction at T 5, 6 was calculated. The gastric half-emptying time and remaining area of the gastric sinus at T 7 were also calculated. Results:Compared with group HV, dyspepsia scores were significantly increased within the past 3 months ( P<0.05), the CSA of the gastric sinus was increased at T 3-7, the gastric emptying fraction was decreased at T 5-6, the gastric half-emptying time was prolonged, and the remaining area of the gastric sinus was increased at T 7 in group CH and group PC ( P<0.05). Compared with group CH, the CSA of the gastric sinus was significantly increased at T 4-7, the gastric emptying fraction was decreased at T 5, 6, the gastric half-emptying time was prolonged, and the remaining area of the gastric sinus was increased at T 7 in group PC ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Gastric emptying time is longer in the patients with cholelithiasis and in the patients following cholecystectomy than in healthy subjects and is further prolonged after cholecystectomy in the patients.

Chronic diseases have become an important public health problem for people under 70 years of age worldwide， while also causing a great economic burden. The establishment of clinical prediction models can help to predict the risk of a disease or the prognostic effect of a study subject in advance by means of index testing at the early stage of chronic diseases， and plays an increasingly important role in clinical practice. This study introduces clinical diagnostic prediction models and clinical prognostic prediction models， and reviews clinical data processing， clinical prediction model building， visualization methods and model evaluation from the perspective of the application of clinical prediction models， which contribute to the correct and reasonable use of prediction models in clinical research.

ObjectiveTo find the type of dietary structure that can effectively prevent or improve postprandial sleepiness in the Chinese population， and provide scientific basis and solutions for improving or avoiding postprandial sleepiness. MethodsIn this study， a six-day dietary intervention trial was conducted for 20 volunteers on four different diets （normal diet， high-fat diet， high-carbohydrate diet and healthy diet）. ResultsThe results showed that sleepiness increased after all four types of meals， but decreased after 30 minutes in the healthy balanced diet group； meanwhile， it increased for 60 minutes before it declined in the high-carbohydrate， high-fat， and normal diet （control） group. At 60 minutes after meal， the drowsiness of the healthy balanced diet group was the weakest， and that of the high carbohydrate diet groups was the strongest， while that of the normal diet group and the high fat diet group was intermediate （P<0.000 1）. Postprandial sleepiness was positively correlated with intake of carbohydrate and manganese， and negatively correlated with intake of protein， some mineral elements and vitamins. ConclusionThese results suggest that controlling carbohydrate and fat intake and appropriately increasing the intake of mineral elements and vitamins in a healthy and balanced diet can significantly improve and prevent postprandial sleepiness.

Objective:To analyze the effect of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) in the treatment of autogenous arteriovenous fistula (AVF) stenosis and influcing factors of restenosis/loss of function after PTA.Methods:The medical records of 104 patients with AVF stenosis treated by PTA in People′s Hospital of Huadu District from March 2019 to July 2020 and the 1-year follow-up were retrospectively analyzed. Kaplan-meier curves were used to analyze the primary patency rates at 3 months, 6 months and 1 year. COX regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of restenosis/loss of function after PTA.Results:The primary patency rates of AVF at 3, 6 and 12 months after PTA were 86.2%, 83.2% and 64.7%, respectively. Guide wire entry into the distal end of radial artery, the use of two balloons in stepwise mode, postoperative dilatation diameter, and dialysis blood flow after PTA were independent risk factors for restenosis/loss of fuction after PTA for AVF stenosis (all P<0.05). Conclusions:The guide wire into the distal end of the artery and passive use of more than two balloons are important factors affecting AVF restenosis/loss of function after PTA .

Objective To explore the expression and significance of serum DKK1 in patients with gastric cancer. Methods We selected 170 gastric cancer patients (gastric cancer group) and 170 subjects with non-gastric cancer during the same period (control group). ELISA was used to detect the DKK1 level. The ROC curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic performance, and we analyzed the relation between DKK1 level and age, gender, family history of gastric cancer, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, tumor size, TNM stage, infiltration depth, lymph node metastasis, liver metastasis, vascular invasion, perineural invasion. Results The serum DDK1 level in GC patients was higher than that in control group (P < 0.0001). ROC curve showed that the possible optimal cut-off value of DKK1 for gastric cancer patients was 167.8 pg/ml, AUC was 0.908, sensitivity was 80.59%, and specificity was 84.71%. There was no significant relation between the serum DKK1 level and age, gender, family history of gastric cancer, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, tumor size, liver metastasis, vascular invasion or distant metastasis (all P > 0.05). However, DKK1 level was significantly related with TNM stage, infiltration depth, lymph node metastasis and perineural invasion (all P < 0.05). Conclusion Serum DKK1 level is higher in gastric cancer patients than that of control group and related with the severity of lesions, which indicates that serum DKK1 may be a potential biomarker for gastric cancer screening.