Objective:To investigate the metabolism-related proteins and their presence in the plasma of female androgenetic alopecia (FAGA) patients.Methods:From March 2021 to March 2023, FAGA patients aged 18-50 (FAGA group) and healthy women (HC group) were recruited from the Dermatology Outpatient Department of Huashan Hospital. 3 ml of peripheral venous blood was collected from each participant and centrifuged to obtain plasma. Olink proteomics analysis was performed on the collected plasma, differentially expressed proteins were screened with R language, the diagnostic accuracy of the differentially expressed proteins was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Gene ontology (GO) analysis was performed on differentially expressed proteins. Immunofluorescence analysis on hair follicles in the parietal region of the FAGA group and the occipital region of the HC group was performed to validate the differentially expressed proteins identified. SPSS 25.0 software was used to analyze the data, with normal distribution metric data represented by Mean±SD. Student’s t-test was used to compare the basic information of two groups of subjects and the relative fluorescence intensity of differentially expressed proteins in hair follicles. Pearson correlation analysis was performed on plasma metabolism-related proteins and the basic information of subjects. P<0.05 indicates a statistically significant difference. Results:Sixty-one cases were included in the FAGA group, with an average age of (33.8±7.4) years and an onset age of (29.5±7.8) years. Among them, 38 cases were mild FAGA, 14 cases were moderate, and 9 cases were severe. Twenty-seven cases were included in the HC group, with an average age of (32.0±7.7) years. There was no statistically significant difference in the basic information (age, body mass index, testosterone, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, uric acid, and ferritin levels) between the two groups of subjects ( P>0.05). Compared to the HC group, the plasma of the FAGA group showed 26 significantly upregulated differentially expressed proteins ( P<0.05), with AHCY and NECTIN2 exhibiting the most significant differences (all P=0.003). The ROC curve evaluation revealed that the area under the curve for AHCY and NECTIN2 was greater than 0.7, indicating good diagnostic accuracy. The GO analysis revealed that the differentially expressed proteins were primarily enriched in the BAT3 complex (cellular component), ubiquitin-dependent ERAD pathway, natural killer cell activation (biological process), as well as ubiquitin protein ligase binding and ubiquitin-specific protease binding (molecular function). Pearson correlation analysis revealed that AHCY ( r=-0.23, P=0.010) and NECTIN2 ( r=-0.31, P=0.033) were negatively correlated with the severity of hair loss in FAGA patients. The results of hair follicle immunofluorescence analysis showed that the relative fluorescence intensity of AHCY and NECTIN2 in the FAGA group was higher than that in the HC group ( P<0.05). In other words, both AHCY and NECTIN2 were upregulated in the FAGA group. Conclusion:Metabolism-related proteins play an important role in FAGA. AHCY and NECTIN2 may serve as early diagnostic biomarkers for FAGA.

Objective:To investigate the metabolism-related proteins and their presence in the plasma of female androgenetic alopecia (FAGA) patients.Methods:From March 2021 to March 2023, FAGA patients aged 18-50 (FAGA group) and healthy women (HC group) were recruited from the Dermatology Outpatient Department of Huashan Hospital. 3 ml of peripheral venous blood was collected from each participant and centrifuged to obtain plasma. Olink proteomics analysis was performed on the collected plasma, differentially expressed proteins were screened with R language, the diagnostic accuracy of the differentially expressed proteins was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Gene ontology (GO) analysis was performed on differentially expressed proteins. Immunofluorescence analysis on hair follicles in the parietal region of the FAGA group and the occipital region of the HC group was performed to validate the differentially expressed proteins identified. SPSS 25.0 software was used to analyze the data, with normal distribution metric data represented by Mean±SD. Student’s t-test was used to compare the basic information of two groups of subjects and the relative fluorescence intensity of differentially expressed proteins in hair follicles. Pearson correlation analysis was performed on plasma metabolism-related proteins and the basic information of subjects. P<0.05 indicates a statistically significant difference. Results:Sixty-one cases were included in the FAGA group, with an average age of (33.8±7.4) years and an onset age of (29.5±7.8) years. Among them, 38 cases were mild FAGA, 14 cases were moderate, and 9 cases were severe. Twenty-seven cases were included in the HC group, with an average age of (32.0±7.7) years. There was no statistically significant difference in the basic information (age, body mass index, testosterone, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, uric acid, and ferritin levels) between the two groups of subjects ( P>0.05). Compared to the HC group, the plasma of the FAGA group showed 26 significantly upregulated differentially expressed proteins ( P<0.05), with AHCY and NECTIN2 exhibiting the most significant differences (all P=0.003). The ROC curve evaluation revealed that the area under the curve for AHCY and NECTIN2 was greater than 0.7, indicating good diagnostic accuracy. The GO analysis revealed that the differentially expressed proteins were primarily enriched in the BAT3 complex (cellular component), ubiquitin-dependent ERAD pathway, natural killer cell activation (biological process), as well as ubiquitin protein ligase binding and ubiquitin-specific protease binding (molecular function). Pearson correlation analysis revealed that AHCY ( r=-0.23, P=0.010) and NECTIN2 ( r=-0.31, P=0.033) were negatively correlated with the severity of hair loss in FAGA patients. The results of hair follicle immunofluorescence analysis showed that the relative fluorescence intensity of AHCY and NECTIN2 in the FAGA group was higher than that in the HC group ( P<0.05). In other words, both AHCY and NECTIN2 were upregulated in the FAGA group. Conclusion:Metabolism-related proteins play an important role in FAGA. AHCY and NECTIN2 may serve as early diagnostic biomarkers for FAGA.

Objective To explore the correlation of CPNE3 expression with long-term prognosis of patients with gastric cancer(GC)and the possible mechanism.Methods We retrospectively collected the data of 104 GC patients undergoing radical surgery in our hospital from February,2013 to October,2017.TCGA database and immunohistochemistry were used to analyze CPNE3 expression level in GC tissues and its effects on tumor progression and long-term prognosis of the patients.GO analysis was performed to predict the biological role of CPNE3 in GC.We also conducted cell experiments with MGC803 cells and observed the effects of CPNE3 knockdown,CPNE3 overexpression and LY294002(a PI3K/AKT inhibitor)treatment on cell apoptosis and cellular expressions of apoptotic proteins using flow cytometry and Western blotting.Results TCGA analysis and immunohistochemistry both showed high expressions of CPNE3 in GC(P<0.05).The patients with high CPNE3 expressions had a reduced 5-year survival(P<0.01),and a high CPNE3 expression,CEA level≥5 μg/L,CA19-9 level≥37 kU/L,T3-T4 stage,and N2-N3 stage were all independent risk factors for a lowered 5-year survival rate after surgery.The sensitivity and specificity of CPNE3 for predicting 5-year mortality was 79.59%and 74.55%,respectively(P<0.05).GO analysis predicted that CPNE3 negatively regulated GC cell apoptosis.In MGC803 cells,CPNE3 knockdown significantly increased cell apoptosis,enhanced Bax and Cleaved Caspase-3 expressions and decreased Bcl-2 expression,while CPNE3 overexpression produced the opposite results(P<0.05).The cellular expressions of p-PI3K and p-AKT were significantly decreased following CPNE3 knockdown and increased following CPNE3 overexpression(P<0.05).Treatment with LY294002 obviously attenuated the inhibitory effect of CPNE3 overexpression on apoptosis of MGC803 cells(P<0.05).Conclusion CPNE3 is highly expressed in GC tissues and affects the long-term prognosis of the patients possibly by inhibiting GC cell apoptosis through activation of PI3K/AKT signaling.

Objective To explore the correlation of CPNE3 expression with long-term prognosis of patients with gastric cancer(GC)and the possible mechanism.Methods We retrospectively collected the data of 104 GC patients undergoing radical surgery in our hospital from February,2013 to October,2017.TCGA database and immunohistochemistry were used to analyze CPNE3 expression level in GC tissues and its effects on tumor progression and long-term prognosis of the patients.GO analysis was performed to predict the biological role of CPNE3 in GC.We also conducted cell experiments with MGC803 cells and observed the effects of CPNE3 knockdown,CPNE3 overexpression and LY294002(a PI3K/AKT inhibitor)treatment on cell apoptosis and cellular expressions of apoptotic proteins using flow cytometry and Western blotting.Results TCGA analysis and immunohistochemistry both showed high expressions of CPNE3 in GC(P<0.05).The patients with high CPNE3 expressions had a reduced 5-year survival(P<0.01),and a high CPNE3 expression,CEA level≥5 μg/L,CA19-9 level≥37 kU/L,T3-T4 stage,and N2-N3 stage were all independent risk factors for a lowered 5-year survival rate after surgery.The sensitivity and specificity of CPNE3 for predicting 5-year mortality was 79.59%and 74.55%,respectively(P<0.05).GO analysis predicted that CPNE3 negatively regulated GC cell apoptosis.In MGC803 cells,CPNE3 knockdown significantly increased cell apoptosis,enhanced Bax and Cleaved Caspase-3 expressions and decreased Bcl-2 expression,while CPNE3 overexpression produced the opposite results(P<0.05).The cellular expressions of p-PI3K and p-AKT were significantly decreased following CPNE3 knockdown and increased following CPNE3 overexpression(P<0.05).Treatment with LY294002 obviously attenuated the inhibitory effect of CPNE3 overexpression on apoptosis of MGC803 cells(P<0.05).Conclusion CPNE3 is highly expressed in GC tissues and affects the long-term prognosis of the patients possibly by inhibiting GC cell apoptosis through activation of PI3K/AKT signaling.

Objective To investigate the effects of kuwanon G(KG)on proliferation,apoptosis,migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells and the molecular mechanisms.Methods The effects of KG on proliferation and growth of gastric cancer cells were assessed with CCK-8 assay and cell clone formation assay,by observing tumor formation on the back of nude mice and using immunohistochemical analysis of Ki-67.The effect of KG on cell apoptosis was analyzed using Annexin V-FITC/PI apoptosis detection kit,Western blotting and TUNEL staining.The effects of KG on cell migration and invasion were detected using Transwell migration and invasion assay and Western blotting for matrix metalloproteinase(MMP).The role of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR)pathway in KG-mediated regulation of gastric cancer cell proliferation,migration,and invasion was verified by Western blotting and rescue assay.Results KG significantly inhibited proliferation and reduced clone formation ability of gastric cancer cells in a concentration-dependent manner(P<0.05).KG treatment also increased apoptosis,enhanced the expressions of cleaved caspase-3 and Bax,down-regulated Bcl-2,lowered migration and invasion capacities and inhibited the expression of MMP2 and MMP9 in gastric cancer cells(P<0.05).Mechanistic validation showed that KG inhibited the activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway,and IGF-1,an activator of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway,reversed the effects of KG on proliferation,migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells(P<0.05).Conclusion KG inhibits proliferation,migration and invasion and promotes apoptosis of gastric cancer cells at least in part by inhibiting the activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.

Objective To investigate the effects of kuwanon G(KG)on proliferation,apoptosis,migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells and the molecular mechanisms.Methods The effects of KG on proliferation and growth of gastric cancer cells were assessed with CCK-8 assay and cell clone formation assay,by observing tumor formation on the back of nude mice and using immunohistochemical analysis of Ki-67.The effect of KG on cell apoptosis was analyzed using Annexin V-FITC/PI apoptosis detection kit,Western blotting and TUNEL staining.The effects of KG on cell migration and invasion were detected using Transwell migration and invasion assay and Western blotting for matrix metalloproteinase(MMP).The role of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR)pathway in KG-mediated regulation of gastric cancer cell proliferation,migration,and invasion was verified by Western blotting and rescue assay.Results KG significantly inhibited proliferation and reduced clone formation ability of gastric cancer cells in a concentration-dependent manner(P<0.05).KG treatment also increased apoptosis,enhanced the expressions of cleaved caspase-3 and Bax,down-regulated Bcl-2,lowered migration and invasion capacities and inhibited the expression of MMP2 and MMP9 in gastric cancer cells(P<0.05).Mechanistic validation showed that KG inhibited the activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway,and IGF-1,an activator of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway,reversed the effects of KG on proliferation,migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells(P<0.05).Conclusion KG inhibits proliferation,migration and invasion and promotes apoptosis of gastric cancer cells at least in part by inhibiting the activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.

Background: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) leads to thinning of scalp hair and affects 60%~70% of the adult population worldwide. Developing more effective treatments and studying its mechanism are of great significance. Previous clinical studies have revealed that hair growth is stimulated by 650-nm red light. Objective: This study aimed to explore the effect and mechanism of 650-nm red light on the treatment of AGA by using ex vivo hair follicle culture. Methods: Human hair follicles were obtained from hair transplant patients with AGA. Hair follicles were cultured in Williams E medium and treated with or without 650-nm red light.Real-time RT-PCR and immunofluorescence staining were used to detect the expression level of genes and proteins in hair follicles, respectively. RNA-sequencing analysis was carried out to reveal the distinct gene signatures upon 650 nm treatment. Results: Low-level 650 nm red light promoted the proliferation of human hair follicles in the experimental cultured-tissue model. Consistently, 650 nm red light significantly delayed the transition of hair cycle from anagen to catagen in vitro. RNA-seq analysis and gene clustering for the differentially expressed genes suggests that leukocyte transendothelial migration, metabolism, adherens junction and other biological process maybe involved in stimulation of hair follicles by 650-nm red light treatment. Conclusion The effect of 650-nm red light on ex vivo hair follicles and the transcriptome set which implicates the role of red light in promoting hair growth and reversing of miniaturization process of AGA were identified.

Objective To investigate the predictive value of extra pulmonary multiple factors including creatine kinase-isoenzyme MB (CK-MB) for the prognosis of patients with acute paraquat poisoning.Methods A retrospectively analysis were conducted on 641 patients who were treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University due to oral paraquat poisoning from October 2002 to April 2017.The observation end point was that the patients died from paraquat poisoning within 3 months after admission or were still alive within 3 months after paraquat poisoning.The patients' data were retrieved,including general information,the dose of poison,urinary paraquat concentration,arterial blood gas analysis,alanine transaminase (ALT),total bilirubin (TBIL),uric acid (UA),aspartate transaminase (AST),creatine kinase (CK),CK-MB,B type natriuretic peptide (BNP),lactic dehydrogenase (LDH),high sensitivity troponin T (hsTnT),C-reaction protein (CRP) and procaicitonin (PCT).According to the patient's prognosis within 3 months,the patients were divided into a survival group and a non-survival group.The above indicators were compared between the two groups and the diagnostic value of CK-MB for acute paraquat poisoning was analyzed according to the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve.Collect the last arterial blood gas analysis,and laboratory test results were analyzed by binary logistic regression analysis to determine the risk factors for death in patients with acute paraquat poisoning.Results Among the 641 patients with acute paraquat poisoning,315 (49.1％) patients survived and 326 (50.9％) died.Compared with the survival group,patients in the non-survival groupthere were older,had a shorter hospital stay,and had a higher oral paraquat dose and urinary paraquat concentration;Lac,TBIL,UA,AST,CK,CK-MB,BNP,LDH,CRP and PCT were higher,while blood gas analysis index were lower in the non-survival group (P＜0.05).Binary logistic regression analysis showed that the dose of paraquat,CK-MB and AST were closely related to the prognosis of patients with acute paraquat poisoning.The optimal cut-off value of ingestion dose,the first urinary paraquat concentration on admission and CK-MB in predicting the prognosis of patients with acute paraquat poisoning were 7 g (AUC=0.918,sensitivity 80.6％,specificity 87.5％,Yoden index 0.681,P＜0.01),5.16 μg/mL (AUC=0.879,sensitivity 93.8％,specificity 70.1％,Yoden index 0.639,P＜0.01),and 18.2 U/L (AUC=0.846,sensitivity 83.9％,specificity 71.9％,Yoden index 0.558,P＜0.01),respectively.Binary logistic regression analysis of the last biochemical indicators of paraquat poisoning showed that the dose of poison,the last CK-MB,the last SCr,urinary paraquat concentration,and the last blood Na+ were closely related to the prognosis of patients with acute paraquat poisoning.Among them,the last CK-MB＞18.05 U/L often indicated poor prognosis (AUC=0.808,sensitivity 79.7％,specificity 65.8％,Yoden index 0.455,P＜0.01).Conclusions In the treatment of patients with acute paraquat poisoning,there are significant differences in extra pulmonary factors such as heart,liver,kidney,electrolytes and inflammatory markers in patients with different prognosis,so the monitoring and follow-up should be improved,in addition to focusing on the presence and treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.In particular,CK-MB is an independent risk factor for the prognosis of acute paraquat poisoning.In the late stage of poisoning,CK-MB,SCr,and blood Na+ have a strong predictive value for the prognosis of the patients,and we should pay attention to the regular follow-up of the above mentioned laboratory items.

Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics of the recipients infected with cryptococcus neoformans after renal transplantation. Methods Clinical data of 9 patients infected with cryptococcus neoformans after renal transplantation were retrospectively analyzed, including the infection site, clinical manifestations, mycological, histopathological, imaging examination results, treatment process and clinical prognosis. Results Nine recipients were treated with routine triple immunosuppressive therapy of tacrolimus (FK506) + mycophenolate mofetil (MMF)+prednisone. The median time of onset was 6 years (1-13 years) after operation. Among them, 1 case was diagnosed with cryptococcal meningitis, 5 cases of cryptococcal meningitis complicated with cryptococcal pneumonia, 2 cases of cryptococcal pneumonia and 1 case of cutaneous cryptococcal infection. Cryptococcal pneumonia was clinically manifested as fever, cough, expectoration, shortness of breath and chest pain, etc. Chest CT demonstrated the signs of nodules and pleural effusion, etc. The diagnosis was mainly confirmed by lung biopsy and negative ink staining of the alveolar lavage fluid. Clinical manifestations of cryptococcal meningitis primarily included fever and paroxysmal headache accompanied by vomiting, which was mainly confirmed by blood culture and negative ink staining of the cerebrospinal fluid. Cutaneous cryptococcal infection was characterized by a mass in the right shoulder, which was confirmed by skin biopsy. All patients were given with standard antifungal therapy including amphotericin B and fluconazole, and immunosuppressive therapy at a reduced dosage. Among 9 recipients, 1 recipient died, and the other recipients obtained excellent clinical prognosis. Conclusions Cryptococcus neoformans infection dominantly occurs in the middle and late stage after renal transplantation presenting with non-specific clinical symptoms. Blood culture, lung biopsy and cerebrospinal fluid examination should be timely performed to validate the diagnosis of this disease. Standard anti-fungal therapy can reduce the mortality rate.

Objective To evaluate the inductive effect of interferon-γ(IFN-γ) combined with tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) on programmed necrosis of the human immortalized keratinocyte cell line HaCaT,and to explore its mechanisms.Methods In vitro cultured HaCaT cells were divided into several groups:negative control group receiving no treatment,IFN-γ group treated with 50 μg/L IFN-γ,TRAIL group treated with 4 μg/L TRAIL,and cytokine combination group treated with 50 μg/L IFN-γ and 4 μg/L TRAIL or zVAD combination group pretreated with 40 μmo/L zVAD for 1 hour followed by the treatment with 50 μg/L IFN-γand 4 μg/L TRAIL.After 48-hour treatment,the morphology of HaCaT cells were observed under a light microscope,methyl-thiazolyl-tetrazolium assay was performed to evaluate the inhibitory effect of the treatment on the proliferation of HaCaT cells,and double staining flow cytometry to detect the necrosis of HaCaT cells.Meanwhile,real-time fluorescence-based quantitative PCR (qPCR) was conducted to determine the mRNA expression of receptor interaction protein kinase 3 (RIP3) and mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL),Western blot analysis to determine the expression of RIP1,RIP3,MLKL proteins and their phosphorylated forms (pRIP1,pRIP3,pMLKL),immunofluorescent staining to observe the distribution of pRIP3 and pMLKL in HaCaT cells,and the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in HaCaT cells in the above groups was detected by the fluorescence probe DCFH-DA.Statistical analysis was carried out with SPSS 22 software by using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for comparing indices among different groups,and least significant difference (LSD)-t test for multiple comparisons.Results After 48-hour treatment,HaCaT cells in the cytokine combination group and zVAD combination group showed necrosis-like morphologic features.Methyl-thiazolyl-tetrazoliumassay revealed significant differences in the survival rate of HaCaT cells among the IFN-γgroup,TRAIL group,cytokine combination group,zVAD combination group and negative control group (73.16％ ± 5.71％,81.46％ ± 4.68％,72.18％ ± 2.93％,69.67％ ± 3.24％ and 100％,respectively;F =24.34,P ＜ 0.001).The necrosis rate of HaCaT cells was notably higher in the cytokine combination group and zVAD combination group (9.86％ ± 1.31％,10.33％ ± 2.16％,respectively) than in the negative control group (5.26％ ± 0.91％,t =4.61,5.07,respectively,both P ＜ 0.05).qPCR revealed that the mRNA expression of RIP3 and MLKL significantly increased in the cytokine combination group and zVAD combination group compared with the negative control group (tRIP3 =0.99,1.84,tMLKL =1.51,2.17,respectively,all P ＜ 0.05).Western blot analysis suggested that the protein expression of RIP1,RIP3,MLKL,pRIP1,pRIP3 and pMLKL significantly increased in the cytokine combination group compared with the negative control group (all P ＜ 0.05),and the zVAD combination group showed significantly decreased caspase 8 expression and increased expression of the above proteins compared with the cytokine combination group.Fluorescence microscopy showed that enhanced green dot-like or clump-like fluorescent spots (representing pRIP3) could be observed in the cytoplasm,and red fluorescent spots (representing pMLKL) could be seen on the cell membrane in the cytokine combination group.The average fluorescence intensity of ROS was significantly higher in the cytokine combination group than in the negative control group (t =702.00,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion IFN-γcombined with TRAIL can induce the programmed necrosis of HaCaT cells with increased level of ROS.