Objective:To select the differential prognostic lactic acid metabolism-related genes(LRGs)of the head and neck squamous cell carcinoma(HNSCC)to construct the LRGs prognostic model of HNSCC,and to clarify the potential mechanism.Methods:The HNSCC gene expression and clinical data were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)and Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)Databases,the LRGs were identified through GeneCards Database,and R software was used to screen out the LRGs of HNSCC;univariate Cox regression analysis was used to identify prognosis-related genes;two different subtypes were identified based on the prognostis-related LRGs;Kaplan-Meier(K-M)curve analysis was used to compare the prognosis of the patients between two groups;CIBERSORT algorithm was used to perform the immuno-correlation analysis between two groups;multivariate Cox regression analysis and LASSO regression analysis were used to construct the prognostic model;receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC)and K-M survival curve were used to assess the relationship between LRGs and survival and prognosis of the HNSCC patients.The prognostic model was validated by GSE27020,GSE41613,and GSE65858 datasets.The experiment were grouped based on risk score,and immune-related analysis and tumor score analysis were performed.Results:The TCGA Database differential analysis results showed that 1 196 LRGs were identified from HNSCC samples;univariate Cox regression analysis selected 27 differentially expressed genes(DEGs)associated with the prognosis of the HNSCC patients.Two different LRGs subtypes(Group 1 and Group 2)were identified according to the prognosis-related genes.The K-M survival curves results showed that the overall survival(OS)of the patients in Group 2 was significantly higher than that in Group 1,and the immune cell expression amount of the patients in Group 2 was also higher than that in group 1.The multivariate Cox regression and LASSO regression analysis results screened out 9 LRGs,including hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase 1(HPRT1),amyloid precursor protein(APP),glycogen phosphorylase L(PYGL),urokinase-type plasminogen activator(PLAU),cannabinoid receptor 2(CNR2),stanniocalcin 2(STC2),nucleotide binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 1(NLRP1),integrin-linked kinase(ILK),and forkhead box B1(FOXB1);the prognostic model was constructed.The K-M and ROC curve results indicated that the expression levels of above 9 genes were associated with the survival and prognosis of the HNSCC patients,providing good 1-year,2-year,and 3-year survival prediction effect,and the area under ROC curve(AUC)values were all greater than 0.650.Furthermore,the predictive ability of the prognosis model was validated in GSE27020,GSE41613,and GSE65858 datasets.The patients classified based on the risk scores had distinguishable immune statuses.Conclusion:The differentially expressed LRGs of HNSCC screened by bioinformatics methods are related to the survival and prognosis of the HNSCC patients;the prognostic model constructed by 9 LRGs can predict the survival status and treatment response of the HNSCC patients.

OBJECTIVE To study the protective effect and possible mechanism of soybean isoflavones against threatened miscarriage rats. METHODS Female mice were selected to promote estrus and mate with male mice. After pregnancy， they were randomly divided into normal group （purified water， i.g.， n＝10）， model group （purified water， i.g.， n＝9）， positive control drug group （progesterone 4 mg/kg， i.m.， n＝9）， low-， medium- and high-dose soybean isoflavone groups （25， 50 and 100 mg/kg， i.g.， n＝10）. Except for the normal group， the rest were given mifepristone+misoprostol on the 8th day of pregnancy to establish threatened miscarriage model， and then given purified water or drugs， once a day， on days 1-7 and 9-12 of pregnancy， respectively. At 14 days of pregnancy， the rates of fetal protection were counted. Serum levels of β-human chorionic gonadotrophin （β-HCG） and progesterone （P） in rats were detected. Pathological and morphological changes in rat placenta and decidua tissues were observed， and the apoptosis indexes of cells were detected； mRNA and protein expressions of factor of apoptosis related （Fas）， factor of apoptosis related ligand （FasL）， proliferating cell nuclear antigen （PCNA） and heparin binding epidermal growth factor （HB-EGF） were determined in placenta tissues， and mRNA and protein expressions of Fas， PCNA and HB-EGF in decidua tissues were detected. RESULTS In the model group， the placental tissues of rats were hyperemia and dilatation， with fewer and irregular blood vessels； severe stromal edema，inflammatory cell infiltration and iron-choledrin depositionwere observed. Compared with model group， the fetal survival rates， serum levels of β-HCG and P， the expressions of PCNA and HB-EGF mRNA and proteins in the placenta and decidua tissue of soybean isoflavone groups increased significantly （P＜ 0.05）， while pathological changes were improved significantly； cell apoptosis index in the placenta and decidua tissue， the expressions of Fas， FasL mRNA and proteins in the placenta and Fas mRNA and protein in the decidua tissue decreased significantly （P＜0.05）. The effect of soybean isoflavones was dose-dependent （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Soybean isoflavone has protective effect on threatened miscarriage， the mechanism of which is related to down-regulating the expressions of Fas and FasL mRNA and protein at the maternal-fetal interface， and up-regulating the expressions of mRNA and protein of PCNA and HB- EGF.

Objective To comprehensively understand the dynamic transcriptional landscape during infection through investigating the temporal molecular changes in macrophages RAW 264.7 upon infection with Salmonella typhimurium SL1344.Methods Macrophages RAW 264.7 were infected with Salmonella typhimurium SL1344,and cell samples were collected at 0 h,8 h,and 16 h for RNA-sequencing(RNA-seq).Upstream and downstream analyses of the transcriptome data including differential gene expression,clustering,functional annotation,and mo-lecular network studies were conducted to elucidate the signaling pathways changes in macrophages.Results Infec-ted macrophages exhibited significant morphological and transcriptional changes.Differential gene analysis identified significant upregulation and downregulation patterns.Clustering revealed six gene clusters involving various signaling pathways,such as immune response,membrane transport,and lipid catabolic process.Conclusions Macrophages dynamically respond to Salmonella typhimurium infection,displaying distinct temporal gene expression patterns.The coordinated activation of immune response,membrane transport,and lipid catabolic process pathways implies a multifaceted cellular adaptation to external infections,providing essential insights into the molecular mechanisms of macrophage response to Salmonella typhimurium infection.

Objective To explore the effect of virtual reality(VR)technology on relieving intraoperative pain in patients receiving transcatheter hepatic artery chemoembolization(TACE).Methods A total of 76 patients,who received TACE from June 2023 to January 2024,were enrolled in this study.Using random number table method,the patients were divided into control group(n=38)and study group(n=38).Intraoperative routine nursing was carried out for the patients of the control group,while on the basis of routine nursing additional VR technology was adopted to relieve the intraoperative pain for the patients of the study group.The degree of intraoperative pain,anxiety symptoms,incidence of intraoperative adverse reactions and patient satisfaction with nursing were compared between the two groups.Results The degree of intraoperative pain in the study group was lower than that in the control group,but the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant(P＞0.05).The analgesic effect of VR was much obvious in patients aged≤55 years and in patients with vascular invasion of liver cancer(P＜0.05).The anxiety score in the study group was lower than that in the control group,the patient satisfaction score in the study group was higher than that in the control group,and the differences between the two groups were statistically significant(both P＜0.05).No statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions existed between the two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion Immersive VR technology can effectively reduce the degree of intraoperative pain in patients receiving TACE,especially in patients aged ≤55 years.Besides,VR technology can also reduce the anxiety degree of patients,and improve the degree of intraoperative patient satisfaction with nursing.

Objective To evaluate the therapeutic effect of poloxamer hydrogel loaded with exosomes derived from human dental pulp stem cells genetically modified with human hepatocyte growth factor against radiation skin injuries.Methods Human dental pulp stem cells derived exosomes(DPSC-Exo)and hepatocyte growth factor modified DPSC-Exo(HGF-DPSC-Exo)were extracted via ultracentrifugation separation,identified in terms of particle size and morphology,and analyzed separately by means of nanoparticle tracking analysis and scanning electron microscopy(SEM),while exosome marker proteins were determined by Western blot.Then,the effect of exosomes on radiation-damaged skin cells was assessed.The poloxamer hydrogel was prepared and its safety was evaluated with CCK-8.A mouse model of injury combined with radiation injury was established,and the therapeutic effect of hydrogel loaded with exosomes was determined based on wound size,HE and Masson staining.Furthermore,the underlining therapeutic mechanism was explored with Tunnel assay,malondialdehyde content and peroxidase activity.Results The diameter exosomes ranged from 30 to 150 nm and their morphology was a disc-shaped vesicle under SEM.Moreover,CD9,CD63 and TSG101 were expressed.The results of cellular experiments showed that exosomes significantly promoted the proliferation and migration of radiation-damaged skin keratinocytes and fibroblasts,and reduced their apoptosis.HGF modification enhanced the healing effect of exosomes.Poloxamer hydrogel showed good temperature-sensitive properties and biocompatibility.The results of animal experiments showed that exosomes significantly accelerated the healing of radiation-combined injuries in mice,inhibited inflammatory infiltration and mitigated collagen deposition in the wound.Interestingly,the healing effect in the group treated with hydrogel loaded with exosomes was the best.The underlining mechanism was possibly related to promotion of cell proliferation and inhibition of apoptosis and oxidative stress.Conclusion A novel poloxamer hydrogel loaded HGF-DPSC-Exo has been prepared and its therapeutic effect against radiation combined injury has been proved,thus providing a new strategy for the treatment of radiation skin injury in clinic.

Objective To explore the effect and mechanism of berberine combined with curcumin on ath-erosclerosis(AS)by mediating M1 macrophages polarization.Methods M1-type macrophages were obtained from mouse mononuclear macrophages(RAW264.7)induced by lipopolysaccharide(LPS,100 ng/mL)and interferon(IFN)-γ(20 ng/mL).A cell model was established.The cells were divided into a control group,model group,berberine group,curcumin group and berberine plus curcumin group.Concentrations of berberine and curcumin were detected by CCK-8 assay.The expression levels of M1-type macrophage markers iNOS,TNF-α,CXCL9 and p-STAT6/STAT6 in macrophage supernatant were detected by ELISA.Levels of iNOS,TNF-α and CXCL9 mRNA were detected by RT-PCR.Levels of iNOS,STAT6 and p-STAT6 proteins in each group were detected by Western blot.After down-regulation of STAT6 level by siRNA technology,expression of p-STAT6 protein was detected by Western blot.Expression levels of iNOS,TNF-α,CXCL9 and p-STAT6 were detected by ELISA.Results In the polarization of M1 macrophages induced by LPS and IFN-γ,berberine(25 μmol/L)and curcumin(20 μmol/L)were the best concentrations as compared with other drug concentration groups,and neither alone nor combined use could significantly inhibit the viability of RAW264.7 cells(P<0.05).As compared with the normal group,iNOS,TNF-α and CXCL9 mRNA and protein levels were increased in the model group,while P-STAT6/STAT6 levels were decreased,with statistical differences(P<0.05).As compared with the model group,iNOS,TNF-α and CXCL9 mRNA and protein levels in the berberine group,curcumin group,and berberine plus curcumin group were decreased,while P-STAT6/STAT6 levels were increased,and the changes were more obvious in berberine plus curcumin group,with statistical difference(P<0.05).After transfection of STAT6 siRNA in M1 macrophages in the berberine plus curcumin group,P-STAT6 levels were down-regulated,while expressions of iNOS,TNF-α and CXCL9 were up-regulated,with statistical differences(P<0.05).Conclusions Both berberine and curcumin can inhibit the activity of M1-type macrophages and reduce inflammatory response.The action of berberine combined with curcumin is more advantageous than that of either drug alone,which may be the main mechanism of action through activation of STAT6.

There are more than 1 billion patients worldwide suffering from hepatobiliary diseases, yet there remains a scarcity of successful practices and frameworks in standardizing, inte-grating, and sharing disease data. In response to this challenge, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital affiliated to Tsinghua University, in collaboration with various medical and information technology institutions, has developed the 'Blockchain-Based Hepatobiliary Disease Data Extraction and Exchange' standard. This standard, known as the IEEE 3806-2023 standard, is establishing China′s first inter-national standard for the application of hepatobiliary disease data. The authors elucidate the origins, application scope, key contents, and clinical significance of this standard, with the aim of aiding medical establishments, pharmaceutical companies, and other stakeholders in comprehending the data extraction and exchange standard for hepatobiliary diseases, thereby facilitating its wider adop-tion and implementation.

BACKGROUND: The effect of arteriosclerotic intracranial arterial vessel wall enhancement (IAVWE) on downstream collateral flow found in vessel wall imaging (VWI) is not clear. Regardless of the mechanism underlying IAVWE on VWI, damage to the patient's nervous system caused by IAVWE is likely achieved by affecting downstream cerebral blood flow. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of arteriosclerotic IAVWE on downstream collateral flow. METHODS: The present study recruited 63 consecutive patients at the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January 2021 to November 2021 with underlying atherosclerotic diseases and unilateral middle cerebral artery (MCA) M1-segment stenosis who underwent an magnetic resonance scan within 3 days of symptom onset. The patients were divided into 4 groups according to IAVWE and the stenosis ratio (Group 1, n = 17; Group 2, n = 19; Group 3, n = 13; Group 4, n = 14), and downstream collateral flow was analyzed using three-dimensional pseudocontinuous arterial spin labeling (3D-pCASL) and RAPID software. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores of the patients were also recorded. Two-factor multivariate analysis of variance using Pillai's trace was used as the main statistical method. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was found in baseline demographic characteristics among the groups. IAVWE, but not the stenosis ratio, had a statistically significant significance on the late-arriving retrograde flow proportion (LARFP), hypoperfusion intensity ratio (HIR), and NIHSS scores ( F = 20.941, P <0.001, Pillai's trace statistic = 0.567). The between-subject effects test showed that IAVWE had a significant effect on the three dependent variables: LARFP ( R2 = 0.088, F = 10.899, P = 0.002), HIR ( R2 = 0.234, F = 29.354, P <0.001), and NIHSS ( R2 = 114.339, F = 33.338, P <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Arteriosclerotic IAVWE significantly reduced downstream collateral flow and affected relevant neurological deficits. It was an independent factor affecting downstream collateral flow and NIHSS scores, which should be a focus of future studies. TRIAL REGISTRATION ChiCTR.org.cn, ChiCTR2100053661.
Humans ; Constriction, Pathologic/pathology* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods* ; Middle Cerebral Artery/pathology* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVE To establish a high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the detection of 10 related substances in 20(S)-protopanaxadiol bulk drug. METHODS Used an ACQUITY UPLC BEH C18 chromatographic column with ultrapure water(A)-acetonitrile(B) as mobile phase. The flow rate was 0.20-0.25 mL·min-1, the detection wavelength was set at 203 nm, the column temperature was maintained at 35℃, and the injection volume was 5 μL. RESULTS 20(S)-protopanaxadiol and various impurities had reached an effective separation with a good linear relationship; the sample recovery(n=9) was ranging from 94.8% to 102.2%. The RSD values were <2.0%; the intra-day and inter-day precision RSD values were<2.0%, with a good precision; the related substances C, F, H, and I were stable in solution with RSD values<2.0% in 48 h at the room temperature; while impurities A, B, D, E, G and J were unstable under the same condition with RSD>2.0%. CONCLUSION The method is simple, sensitive and accurate, which can simultaneously determine 10 related substances in API 20(S)-protopanaxadiol, which can effectively identify the relevant substances in API and provide reference for the improvement of its production process and quality control.

The incidence of each of the rare disease is very low. The complexity and diagnosis difficulty of the rare disease lead to the difficulties in the clinical research and development (R&D) of drugs for rare diseases. There is an urgent clinical need for the drug development of rare diseases in China. Encouraging R&D of new drugs, particularly the innovative drugs with China's own independent intellectural property is the basis for solving the predicament in drug shortage in China.. In order to further improve the efficiency of clinical R&D of drugs for rare diseases, the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) issued Technical Guidance for Clinical Research and Development of Drugs for Rare Diseases. This is the first guidance for rare diseases in China that is drafted from the standpoint of the clinical technology research and development.The guidance is the scientifitc thinking and framework for the drug developing enterprises to research and develop drugs for rare disease efficiently and appropriately by following drug developing protocols and relating to the special features of rare disease.This paper presents the concepts and rationale in the guidance for the appraisal of rare disease drug research and development.