OBJECTIVE: To investigate the characteristics of gut microbiota changes in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) undergoing induction chemotherapy and to explore the relationship between infectious complications and gut microbiota. METHODS: Fecal samples were collected from 37 newly diagnosed AML patients at four time points: before induction chemotherapy, during chemotherapy, during the neutropenic phase, and during the recovery phase. Metagenomic sequencing was used to analyze the dynamic changes in gut microbiota. Correlation analyses were conducted to assess the relationship between changes in gut microbiota and the occurrence of infectious complications. RESULTS: During chemotherapy, the gut microbiota α-diversity (Shannon index) of AML patients exhibited significant fluctuations. Specifically, the diversity decreased significantly during induction chemotherapy, further declined during the neutropenic phase (P < 0.05, compared to baseline), and gradually recovered during the recovery phase, though not fully returning to baseline levels.The abundances of beneficial bacteria, such as Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes, gradually decreased during chemotherapy, whereas the abundances of opportunistic pathogens, including Enterococcus, Klebsiella, and Escherichia coli, progressively increased.Analysis of the dynamic changes in gut microbiota of seven patients with bloodstream infections revealed that the bloodstream infection pathogens could be detected in the gut microbiota of the corresponding patients, with their abundance gradually increasing during the course of infection. This finding suggests that bloodstream infections may be associated with opportunistic pathogens originating from the gut microbiota.Compared to non-infected patients, the baseline samples of infected patients showed a significantly lower relative abundance of Bacteroidetes (P < 0.05). Regression analysis indicated that Bacteroidetes abundance is an independent predictive factor for infectious complications (P < 0.05, OR =13.143). CONCLUSION During induction chemotherapy in AML patients, gut microbiota α-diversity fluctuates significantly, and the abundance of opportunistic pathogens increase, which may be associated with bloodstream infections. Patients with lower baseline Bacteroidetes abundance are more prone to infections, and its abundance can serve as an independent predictor of infectious complications.
Humans ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/microbiology* ; Induction Chemotherapy ; Feces/microbiology* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged

Food-derived bioactive peptides (FBPs), particularly those with ten or fewer amino acid residues and a molecular weight below 1300 Da, have gained increasing attention for their safe, diverse structures and specific biological activities. The development of FBP-based functional foods and potential medications depends on understanding their structure‒activity relationships (SARs), stability, and bioavailability properties. In this review, we provide an in-depth overview of the roles of FBPs in treating various diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, liver diseases, and inflammatory bowel diseases, based on the literature from July 2017 to Mar. 2023. Subsequently, attention is directed toward elucidating the associations between the bioactivities and structural characteristics (e.g., molecular weight and the presence of specific amino acids within sequences and compositions) of FBPs. We also discuss in silico approaches for FBP screening and their limitations. Finally, we summarize recent advancements in formulation techniques to improve the bioavailability of FBPs in the food industry, thereby contributing to healthcare applications.
Humans ; Peptides/therapeutic use* ; Structure-Activity Relationship ; Functional Food ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/drug therapy* ; Biological Availability ; Alzheimer Disease/drug therapy* ; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases/drug therapy* ; Hypertension/drug therapy* ; Liver Diseases/drug therapy* ; Bioactive Peptides, Dietary

Peri-implant keratinized mucosa (PIKM) augmentation refers to surgical procedures aimed at increasing the width of PIKM. Consensus reports emphasize the necessity of maintaining a minimum width of PIKM to ensure long-term peri-implant health. Currently, several surgical techniques have been validated for their effectiveness in increasing PIKM. However, the selection and application of PIKM augmentation methods may present challenges for dental practitioners due to heterogeneity in surgical techniques, variations in clinical scenarios, and anatomical differences. Therefore, clear guidelines and considerations for PIKM augmentation are needed. This expert consensus focuses on the commonly employed surgical techniques for PIKM augmentation and the factors influencing their selection at second-stage surgery. It aims to establish a standardized framework for assessing, planning, and executing PIKM augmentation procedures, with the goal of offering evidence-based guidance to enhance the predictability and success of PIKM augmentation.
Humans ; Consensus ; Dental Implants ; Mouth Mucosa/surgery* ; Keratins

Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is a naturally occurring, low-toxicity, and hydrophilic bile acid (BA) in the human body that is converted by intestinal flora using primary BA. Solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) functions to uptake extracellular cystine in exchange for glutamate, and is highly expressed in a variety of human cancers. Retroperitoneal liposarcoma (RLPS) refers to liposarcoma originating from the retroperitoneal area. Lipidomics analysis revealed that UDCA was one of the most significantly downregulated metabolites in sera of RLPS patients compared with healthy subjects. The augmentation of UDCA concentration (≥25 μg/mL) demonstrated a suppressive effect on the proliferation of liposarcoma cells. [¹⁵N₂]-cystine and [¹³C₅]-glutamine isotope tracing revealed that UDCA impairs cystine uptake and glutathione (GSH) synthesis. Mechanistically, UDCA binds to the cystine transporter SLC7A11 to inhibit cystine uptake and impair GSH de novo synthesis, leading to reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and mitochondrial oxidative damage. Furthermore, UDCA can promote the anti-cancer effects of ferroptosis inducers (Erastin, RSL3), the murine double minute 2 (MDM2) inhibitors (Nutlin 3a, RG7112), cyclin dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) inhibitor (Abemaciclib), and glutaminase inhibitor (CB839). Together, UDCA functions as a cystine exchange factor that binds to SLC7A11 for antitumor activity, and SLC7A11 is not only a new transporter for BA but also a clinically applicable target for UDCA. More importantly, in combination with other antitumor chemotherapy or physiotherapy treatments, UDCA may provide effective and promising treatment strategies for RLPS or other types of tumors in a ROS-dependent manner.

Targeted covalent inhibitors, primarily targeting cysteine residues, have attracted great attention as potential drug candidates due to good potency and prolonged duration of action. However, their discovery is challenging. In this research, a database-assisted liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) strategy was developed to quickly discover potential cysteine-targeting compounds. First, compounds with potential reactive groups were selected and incubated with N-acetyl-cysteine in microsomes. And the precursor ions of possible cysteine-adducts were predicted based on covalent binding mechanisms to establish in-house database. Second, substrate-independent product ions produced from N-acetyl-cysteine moiety were selected. Third, multiple reaction monitoring scan was conducted to achieve sensitive screening for cysteine-targeting compounds. This strategy showed broad applicability, and covalent compounds with diverse structures were screened out, offering structural resources for covalent inhibitors development. Moreover, the screened compounds, norketamine and hydroxynorketamine, could modify synaptic transmission-related proteins in vivo, indicating their potential as covalent inhibitors. This experimental-based screening strategy provides a quick and reliable guidance for the design and discovery of covalent inhibitors.

OBJECTIVE: Cancer remains a significant global health challenge, necessitating the development of effective treatment approaches. Developing synergistic therapy can provide a highly promising strategy for anti-cancer treatment through combining the benefits of various mechanisms. METHODS: In this study, we developed a synergistic strategy for chemo-photothermal therapy by constructing nanocomposites using gold nanorods (GNRs) and tetrahedral framework nucleic acids (tFNA) loaded with the anti-tumor drug doxorubicin (DOX). RESULTS: Our in vitro studies have systematically clarified the anti-cancer behaviors of tFNA-DOX@GNR nanocomposites, characterized by their enhanced cellular uptake and proficient lysosomal escape capabilities. It was found that the key role of tFNA-DOX@GNR nanocomposites in tumor ablation is primarily due to their capacity to induce cytotoxicity in tumor cells via a photothermal effect, which generates instantaneous high temperatures. This mechanism introduces various responses in tumor cells, facilitated by the thermal effect and the integrated chemotherapeutic action of DOX. These reactions include the induction of endoplasmic reticulum stress, characterized by elevated reactive oxygen species levels, the promotion of apoptotic cell death, and the suppression of tumor cell proliferation. CONCLUSION This work exhibits the potential of synergistic therapy utilizing nanocomposites for cancer treatment and offers a promising avenue for future therapeutic strategies.
Doxorubicin/chemistry* ; Gold/chemistry* ; Nanotubes/chemistry* ; Humans ; Nanocomposites/chemistry* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Nucleic Acids/chemistry* ; Antibiotics, Antineoplastic/pharmacology* ; Antineoplastic Agents/administration & dosage*

Objective:To report the long-term outcomes of Chinese rectal cancer patients after adopting a Watch and Wait (W&W) strategy following neoadjuvant therapy (NAT).Methods:This multicenter, cross-sectional study was based on real-world data. The study cohort comprised rectal cancer patients who had achieved complete or near complete clinical responses (cCRs, near-cCRs) after NAT and were thereafter managed by a W&W approach, as well as a few patients who had achieved good responses after NAT and had then undergone local excision for confirmation of pathological complete response. All participants had been followed up for ≥2 years. Patients with distant metastases at baseline or who opted for observation while living with the tumor were excluded. Data of eligible patients were retrospectively collected from the Chinese Wait-and-Watch Data Collaboration Group database. These included baseline characteristics, type of NAT, pre-treatment imaging results, evaluation of post-NAT efficacy, salvage measures, and treatment outcomes. We herein report the long-term outcomes of Chinese rectal cancer patients after NAT and W&W and the differences between the cCR and near-cCR groups.Results:Clinical data of 318 rectal cancer patients who had undergone W&W for over 2 years and been followed up were collected from eight medical centers (Peking University Cancer Hospital, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Liaoning Cancer Hospital, the First Hospital of Jilin University, and Yunnan Cancer Hospital.) The participants comprised 221 men (69.4%) and 107 women (30.6%) of median age 60 (26-86) years. The median distance between tumor and anal verge was 3.4 (0-10.4) cm. Of these patients, 291 and 27 had achieved cCR or near-cCR, respectively, after NAT. The median duration of follow-up was 48.4 (10.2-110.3) months. The 5-year cumulative overall survival rate was 92.4% (95%CI: 86.8%-95.7%), 5-year cumulative disease-specific survival (CSS) rate 96.6% (95%CI: 92.2%-98.5%), 5-year cumulative organ-preserving disease-free survival rate 86.6% (95%CI: 81.0%-90.7%), and 5-year organ preservation rate 85.3% (95%CI: 80.3%-89.1%). The overall 5-year local recurrence and distant metastasis rates were 18.5% (95%CI: 14.9%-20.8%) and 8.2% (95%CI: 5.4%-12.5%), respectively. Most local recurrences (82.1%, 46/56) occurred within 2 years, and 91.0% (51/56) occurred within 3 years, the median time to recurrence being 11.7 (2.5-66.6) months. Most (91.1%, 51/56) local recurrences occurred within the intestinal lumen. Distant metastases developed in 23 patients; 60.9% (14/23) occurred within 2 years and 73.9% (17/23) within 3 years, the median time to distant metastasis being 21.9 (2.6-90.3) months. Common sites included lung (15/23, 65.2%), liver (6/23, 26.1%), and bone (7/23, 30.4%) The metastases involved single organs in 17 patients and multiple organs in six. There were no significant differences in overall, cumulative disease-specific, or organ-preserving disease-free survival or rate of metastases between the two groups (all P>0.05). The 5-year local recurrence rate was higher in the near-cCR than in the cCR group (41.6% vs. 16.4%, P<0.01), with a lower organ preservation rate (69.2% vs. 88.0%, P<0.001). The success rates of salvage after local recurrence and distant metastasis were 82.1% (46/56) and 13.0% (3/23), respectively. Conclusion:Rectal cancer patients who achieve cCR or near-cCR after NAT and undergo W&W have favorable oncological outcomes and a high rate of organ preservation. Local recurrence and distant metastasis during W&W follow certain patterns, with a relatively high salvage rate for local recurrence. Our findings highlight the importance of close follow-up and timely intervention during the W&W process.

Objective:To investigate the value of digital medical 3D technology versus traditional 2D technology in the diagnosis and treatment of solid abdominal tumors in children. Methods:A total of 80 children with solid abdominal tumors who received surgical treatment guided by digital medical 3D technology at Guigang People's Hospital from January 2018 to January 2022 were included in the observation group. An additional 80 children with solid abdominal tumors who received surgical treatment guided by traditional 2D technology at the same hospital from January 2014 to December 2017 were included in the control group. Clinical efficacy was compared between the two groups.Results:The surgical time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative exhaust time, postoperative hospital stay in the observation group were (111.8 ± 28.9) minutes, (26.8 ± 25.2) mL, (2.2 ± 1.2) days, (7.5 ± 1.4) days, respectively, which were significantly shorter or less than those in the control group [(193.1 ± 66.0) minutes, (86.2 ± 47.0) mL, (3.7 ± 0.9) days, (12.2 ± 3.5) days, t = 7.00, 6.88, 5.87, 7.53, all P < 0.05]. The complete surgical resection rate in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group [92.5% (74/80) vs. 81.3% (65/80), χ2 = 4.44, P < 0.05]. The incidence of complications in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group [6.3% (5/80) vs. 16.3% (13/80), χ2 = 4.00, P < 0.05]. Conclusion:The utilization of digital medical 3D technology in the surgical treatment of solid abdominal tumors in children can markedly decrease surgical time, reduce intraoperative blood loss, promote postoperative recovery, achieve a high surgical resection rate, and minimize postoperative complications.

Objective:To investigate effects of short-term cigarette smoke exposure combined with poly(I:C)stimulation on lung immune response and interferon expression in mice.Methods:BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 4 groups:control group,smoke group,poly(I:C)group and smoke combined poly(I:C)group.Total cell number and cell classification count of bronchoalveo-lar lavage fluid(BALF)were detected,and cell morphology was observed under ordinary light.Cytokines,chemokines,interferon and interferon stimulating genes expressions in lung tissues were detected by fluorescence quantitative PCR.Results:Compared with control group,total cell count,macrophage count and neutrophil count in smoke combined poly(I:C)group were significantly increased(P<0.05),and macrophage count was higher than that in poly(I:C)group.Macrophages of airway lavage fluid of mice in smoke combined with poly(I:C)group were larger in size,round or irregular in shape,and had more vacuoles in cytoplasm.Com-pared with control group,mRNA expressions of neutrophil chemokine CXCL1(P<0.05),CXCL2(P<0.01)and lymphocyte chemo-kine CCL2(P<0.01)in lung tissues of mice in smoke combined with poly(I:C)group were increased.IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α mRNA expressions were significantly increased(P<0.01),IFN-β(P<0.01),IFN-γ(P<0.05),MX2(P<0.01)and IP-10(P<0.01)expre-ssions in lung tissues were significantly increased,and compared with poly(I:C)group,mRNA expressions of CXCL2(P<0.05),TNF-α(P<0.01)and IFN-β(P<0.05)in lung tissues of mice in smoke combined with poly(I:C)group were significantly increased.Conclusion:Cigarette smoke combined with poly(I:C)induces lung inflammation and expressions of interferon and interferon stimu-lating genes in mice.Cigarette exposure also increases poly(I:C)-induced acute lung inflammation and type Ⅰ interferon expression in mice.

Objective: To examine the causal relationship between food intake and atherosclerosis using two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) approach, so as to provide the reference for the prevention of atherosclerosis. Methods: Data of 16 types of food (grains, vegetables, fruits, meats, etc.) and 4 types of atherosclerosis (coronary atherosclerosis, cerebral atherosclerosis, peripheral atherosclerosis and other atherosclerosis) was collected through IEU OpenGWAS database, with food data comprising approximately 500 000 subjects and 9 851 867 SNPs and atherosclerosis data comprising approximately 200 000 subjects and 16 380 447 SNPs. The causal relationship was analyzed using inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method with food as the exposure variable and atherosclerosis as the outcome variable. Sensitivity analysis was performed using funnel plots and leave-one-out. Results: Dried fruit intake was associated with decreased risks of peripheral atherosclerosis (OR=0.195, 95%CI: 0.082-0.466) and other atherosclerosis (OR=0.208, 95%CI: 0.095-0.452), and cheese intake was associated with decreased risk of peripheral atherosclerosis (OR=0.575, 95%CI: 0.380-0.870). Coffee intake was associated with increased risk of coronary atherosclerosis (OR=1.645, 95%CI: 1.099-2.462), and alcohol intake was associated with increased risk of other atherosclerosis (OR=1.269, 95%CI: 1.032-1.561). There was no statistically significant association between 16 types of food and cerebral atherosclerosis. No horizontal pleiotropy was found, no single SNP had significant impact on the overall estimated value, and the funnel plots did not show significant bias. Conclusion Dried fruit and cheese intake are protective factors for atherosclerosis, while coffee and alcohol intake are risk factors for atherosclerosis.