Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neurotoxicity (CIPN) is a severe dose-limiting adverse event of chemotherapy. Presently, the mechanism underlying the induction of CIPN remains unclear, and no effective treatment is available. In this study, through metabolomics analyses, we found that nab-paclitaxel therapy markedly increased serum serotonin [5-hydroxtryptamine (5-HT)] levels in both cancer patients and mice compared to the respective controls. Furthermore, nab-paclitaxel-treated enterochromaffin (EC) cells showed increased 5-HT synthesis, and serotonin-treated Schwann cells showed damage, as indicated by the activation of CREB3L3/MMP3/FAS signaling. Venlafaxine, an inhibitor of serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake, was found to protect against nerve injury by suppressing the activation of CREB3L3/MMP3/FAS signaling in Schwann cells. Remarkably, venlafaxine was found to significantly alleviate nab-paclitaxel-induced CIPN in patients without affecting the clinical efficacy of chemotherapy. In summary, our study reveals that EC cell-derived 5-HT plays a critical role in nab-paclitaxel-related neurotoxic lesions, and venlafaxine co-administration represents a novel approach to treating chronic cumulative neurotoxicity commonly reported in nab-paclitaxel-based chemotherapy.
Paclitaxel/toxicity* ; Animals ; Albumins/adverse effects* ; Serotonin/metabolism* ; Mice ; Humans ; Male ; Female ; Venlafaxine Hydrochloride/therapeutic use* ; Neurotoxicity Syndromes/metabolism* ; Middle Aged ; Schwann Cells/metabolism* ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases/drug therapy* ; Antineoplastic Agents

Lumbar disc (LD) herniation and aging are prevalent conditions that can result in substantial morbidity. This study aimed to clarify the mechanisms connecting the LD aging and herniation, particularly focusing on cellular senescence and molecular alterations in the nucleus pulposus (NP). We performed a detailed analysis of NP samples from a diverse cohort, including individuals of varying ages and those with diagnosed LD herniation. Our methodology combined histological assessments with single-nucleus RNA sequencing to identify phenotypic and molecular changes related to NP aging and herniation. We discovered that cellular senescence and a decrease in nucleus pulposus progenitor cells (NPPCs) are central to both processes. Additionally, we found an age-related increase in NFAT1 expression that promotes NPPC senescence and contributes to both aging and herniation of LD. This research offers fresh insights into LD aging and its associated pathologies, potentially guiding the development of new therapeutic strategies to target the root causes of LD herniation and aging.
Intervertebral Disc Displacement/metabolism* ; Humans ; Aging/pathology* ; Nucleus Pulposus/pathology* ; Male ; Female ; Transcriptome ; Middle Aged ; Lumbar Vertebrae/pathology* ; Adult ; Cellular Senescence ; Stem Cells/pathology* ; Aged ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration/metabolism*

Background::Liver cancer is largely resistant to chemotherapy. This study aimed to identify the effective chemotherapeutics for β-catenin-activated liver cancer which is caused by gain-of-function mutation of catenin beta 1 ( CTNNB1), the most frequently altered proto-oncogene in hepatic neoplasms. Methods::Constitutive β-catenin-activated mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) were established by deleting exon 3 ( β-cateninΔ(ex3)/+ ), the most common mutation site in CTNNB1 gene. A screening of 12 widely used chemotherapy drugs was conducted for the ones that selectively inhibited β-cateninΔ(ex3)/+ but not for wild-type MEFs. Untargeted metabolomics was carried out to examine the alterations of metabolites in nucleotide synthesis. The efficacy and selectivity of methotrexate (MTX) on β-catenin-activated human liver cancer cells were determined in vitro. Immuno-deficient nude mice subcutaneously inoculated with β-catenin wild-type or mutant liver cancer cells and hepatitis B virus ( HBV); β-cateninlox(ex3)/+ mice were used, respectively, to evaluate the efficacy of MTX in the treatment of β-catenin mutant liver cancer. Results::MTX was identified and validated as a preferential agent against the proliferation and tumor formation of β-catenin-activated cells. Boosted nucleotide synthesis was the major metabolic aberration in β-catenin-active cells, and this alteration was also the target of MTX. Moreover, MTX abrogated hepatocarcinogenesis of HBV; β-cateninlox(ex3)/+ mice, which stimulated concurrent Ctnnb1-activated mutation and HBV infection in liver cancer. Conclusion::MTX is a promising chemotherapeutic agent for β-catenin hyperactive liver cancer. Since repurposing MTX has the advantages of lower risk, shorter timelines, and less investment in drug discovery and development, a clinical trial is warranted to test its efficacy in the treatment of β-catenin mutant liver cancer.

Background::Findings on the association of genetic factors and colorectal cancer (CRC) survival are limited and inconsistent, and revealing the mechanism underlying their prognostic roles is of great importance. This study aimed to explore the relationship between functional genetic variations and the prognosis of CRC and further reveal the possible mechanism.Methods::We first systematically performed expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) analysis using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset. Then, the Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to filter out the survival-related eQTL target genes of CRC patients in two public datasets (TCGA and GSE39582 dataset from the Gene Expression Omnibus database). The seven most potentially functional eQTL single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with six survival-related eQTL target genes were genotyped in 907 Chinese CRC patients with clinical prognosis data. The regulatory mechanism of the survival-related SNP was further confirmed by functional experiments.Results::The rs71630754 regulating the expression of endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 1 ( ERAP1) was significantly associated with the prognosis of CRC (additive model, hazard ratio [HR]: 1.43, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.08-1.88, P = 0.012). The results of dual-luciferase reporter assay and electrophoretic mobility shift assay showed that the A allele of the rs71630754 could increase the binding of transcription factor 3 (TCF3) and subsequently reduce the expression of ERAP1. The results of bioinformatic analysis showed that lower expression of ERAP1 could affect the tumor immune microenvironment and was significantly associated with severe survival outcomes. Conclusion::The rs71630754 could influence the prognosis of CRC patients by regulating the expression of the immune-related gene ERAP1. Trial Registration::No. NCT00454519 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/)

To achieve the goals of carbon peak and carbon neutrality (double carbon), China has been updating and developing low-carbon coal-fired power generation technology. While reducing carbon dioxide emissions, it has achieved a significant reduction in emissions of pollutants such as particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides. However, at the same time, with the relative increase in emissions of certain pollutants such as sulfur trioxide, ammonia, and volatile organic compounds, the types and proportions of pollutant emissions have changed. This study summarized the technological improvements in coal-fired power generation both domestically and internationally, as well as the types and proportions of pollutants emitted by different coal-fired power generation modes. It also reviewed the epidemiological research progress on the impact of pollutants emitted from coal-fired power generation on the cardiopulmonary health of the population, expounded environmental impact of different coal-fired power models, and analyzed the changes in population exposure load and cardiopulmonary health benefits of low-carbon coal-fired power generation emissions, aiming to provide references for achieving carbon reduction and emission reduction goals and protecting the health of the population.

Objective:To evaluate the relationship between preoperative serum bilirubin concentrations and postoperative delirium (POD) in the patients undergoing knee or hip replacement.Methods:Medical records from 413 patients undergoing knee or hip arthroplasty were selected from August 2020 to October 2023 at Qingdao Municipal Hospital using a nested case-control design based on the PNDABLE study cohort. The patients were divided into POD group ( n=77) and non-POD group ( n=336) according to whether POD occurred. Univariate analysis was used to analyze the influencing factors. Logistic regression was used to identify the risk factors for POD. The significance of mediation effect was tested. The receiver operating characteristic curve was drawn to evaluate the accuracy of risk factors in predicting POD. Results:There were significant differences in age, education time, ratio of diabetes history, Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale score, total bilirubin concentration, direct bilirubin concentration, indirect bilirubin concentration, Aβ 42 concentration, p-tau concentration, t-tau concentration, Aβ 42/p-tau ratio and Aβ 42/t-tau ratio between POD group and non-POD group ( P<0.05). The results of logistic regression analysis showed that preoperative serum total bilirubin, direct bilirubin and indirect bilirubin were risk factors for POD ( P<0.05). The results of mediation effects showed that the concentration of total tau protein in CSF partly mediated the relationship between high serum total bilirubin, direct bilirubin and indirect bilirubin concentrations and POD. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of total bilirubin, direct bilirubin and indirect bilirubin combined with CSF biomarker concentrations in predicting POD was 0.83 ( P<0.001). Conclusions:Preoperative elevated concentrations of total bilirubin, direct bilirubin and indirect bilirubin are risk factors for POD in the patients undergoing knee or hip replacement. CSF t-tau concentration has a partly mediating role in the association between serum total bilirubin, direct bilirubin and indirect bilirubin concentrations and the development of POD.

Objective To investigate the regulatory effect of small interfering RNA(siRNA)silencing zinc finger protein A20 on pyroptosis of rheumatoid arthritis(RA)fibroblast-like synoviocytes(HFLS-RA).Methods Hu-man FLS-RA cell line MH7A cells were cultivated,A20 siRNA silencing group was synthesized for knocking down the human A20 gene,and then specific A20 gene siRNA and siRNA-NC(negative control)were transfected into MH7A cells using liposome method.RT-qPCR was applied to detect the expression of NLRP3 and Caspase-1 mRNA in cells.The protein expression of NLRP3 and Caspase-1 was detected by Western blot,and IL-1β and IL-18 in cell culture medium were detected by ELISA method.Transmission electron microscopy(TEM)was used to detect pyroptosis.Results After A20 knockdown,the mRNA and expression of NLRP3 and Caspase-1 in MH7A cells in the siRNA-A20 group were significantly increased as compared with the siRNA-NC group(P＜0.01).The concentration of IL-1β and IL-18 in the cell culture supernatant of the siRNA-A20 group was sig-nificantly increased compared with the siRNA-NC group(P＜0.01).Compared with the siRNA-NC group,some cells in the siRNA-A20 group showed swollen and ruptured.The integrity of the cell membrane was also lost,and a large area of edema was present in the cell.In addition,a blurred depression of the local nuclear membrane was noted,while an increase in heterochromatin pyknosis was accompanied by their uneven distribution as well as their aggregation around the nuclear membrane.Conclusions Silencing of A20 gene with siRNA might promote NLRP3/Caspase-1 mediated pyroptosis in HFLS-RA,which lays an experimental foundation for new clinical treatment meth-ods of RA.

Objective:To explore the predictive value of preoperative pelvic floor electromyography(EMG)parameters for the risk of urinary incontinence after prostate cancer surgery.Methods:This study retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 271 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy in the urology department of Peking University First Hospital from January 2020 to October 2022.The data included patient age,body mass index(BMI),international prostate symptom score(IPSS),prostate-specific antigen(PSA)levels,Gleason score,type of surgery,urethral reconstruction,lymph node dis-section,nerve preservation,catheterization duration,D'Amico risk classification,American Society of Anesthesiologists(ASA)score,Charlson comorbidity index,postoperative duration,prostate volume,and pelvic floor EMG parameters(pre-resting mean,fast muscle mean,and slow muscle mean scores).Independent risk factors affecting early postoperative urinary incontinence were identified through multiva-riate Logistic regression analysis.The predictive efficacy of pelvic floor EMG results was evaluated by cal-culating the area under the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve,and the optimal threshold for early postoperative urinary incontinence was determined based on the Youden index and clinical signifi-cance.Results:The study included 271 prostate cancer patients,with an 81.9％rate of voluntary urinary control post-surgery.The median score for fast pelvic floor muscles was 23.5(18.2,31.6),and for slow muscles,it was 12.5(9.6,17.3).Among the patients,179(66.1％)did not preserve nerves,and 110(40.6％)underwent urethral reconstruction.Advanced age and low fast muscle scores were identified as independent risk factors for urinary incontinence.Patients aged ≤60 had 5.482 times the voluntary urinary control rate compared with those aged ≥70(95％CI:1.532-19.617,P＜0.05).There was a significant correlation between fast muscle scores and urinary incontinence recovery(OR=1.209,95％CI:1.132-1.291,P＜0.05).When the optimal threshold for preoperative fast muscle score was set at 18.5,the ROC sensitivity and specificity were 80.6％and 61.2％,respectively.Con-clusion:Preoperative pelvic floor EMG parameters show good predictive accuracy and clinical applicabili-ty for the risk of urinary incontinence after prostate cancer surgery.These parameters can be used for ear-ly identification of urinary incontinence risk,with age and fast muscle scores being important predictors.

Objective:To investigate the value of implantable cardiac monitor (ICM) in the diagnosis and treatment of patients over 60 years old with unexplained syncope.Methods:This was a multi-center, prospective cohort study. Between June 2018 and April 2021, patients over the age of 60 with unexplained syncope at Beijing Hospital, Fuwai Hospital, Beijing Anzhen Hospital and Puren Hospital were enrolled. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on their decision to receive ICM implantation (implantation group and conventional follow-up group). The endpoint was the recurrence of syncope and cardiogenic syncope as determined by positive cardiac arrhythmia events recorded at the ICM or diagnosed during routine follow-up. Kaplan‐Meier survival analysis was used to compare the differences of cumulative diagnostic rate between the 2 groups. A multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to determine independent predictors of diagnosis of cardiogenic syncope in patients with unexplained syncope.Results:A total of 198 patients with unexplained syncope, aged (72.9±8.25) years, were followed for 558.0 (296.0,877.0) d, including 98 males (49.5%). There were 100 (50.5%) patients in the implantation group and 98 (49.5%) in the conventional follow-up group. Compared with conventional follow-up group, patients in the implantation group were older, more likely to have comorbidities, had a higher proportion of first degree atrioventricular block indicated by baseline electrocardiogram, and had a lower body mass index (all P<0.05). During the follow-up period, positive cardiac arrhythmia events were recorded in 58 (58.0%) patients in the ICM group. The diagnosis rate (42.0% (42/100) vs. 4.1% (4/98), P<0.001) and the intervention rate (37.0% (37/100) vs. 2.0% (2/98), P<0.001) of cardiogenic syncope in the implantation group were higher than those in the conventional follow-up group (all P<0.001). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the cumulative diagnostic rate of cardiogenic syncope was significantly higher in the implantation group than in the traditional follow-up group ( HR=11.66, 95% CI 6.49-20.98, log-rank P<0.001). Multivariate analysis indicated that ICM implantation, previous atrial fibrillation, diabetes mellitus or first degree atrioventricular block in baseline electrocardiogram were independent predictors for cardiogenic syncope (all P<0.05). Conclusions:ICM implantation improves the diagnosis and intervention rates in patients with unexplained syncope, and increases diagnostic efficiency in patients with unexplained syncope.