Intracellular overexpression of cytoglobin (Cygb) has been shown to reduce extracellular matrix deposition and promote liver fibrosis recovery, but its mechanism is not yet clear. This study constructed and expressed a fusion protein (TAT-Cygb) of cell penetrating peptide TAT and Cygb, to investigate the effect of fusion protein TAT-Cygb on regulating hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) ferroptosis. Cultured human hepatic stellate cells line (LX2) were treated with TAT-Cygb and erastin in vitro, respectively. The effects of ferroptosis phenotype in LX2 cells induced by TAT-Cygb, including cell viability, cell morphology, iron ion (Fe²⁺) content, lipid peroxidation product levels, and antioxidant system indicators, were investigated using trypan blue staining, transmission electron microscopy, Prussian blue staining, and reagent kits detection. After co-treatment with TAT-Cygb and ferrostain-1, the levels of Fe²⁺, reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) and glutathione (GSH) were measured by reagent kits. The protein expression levels of alpha smooth actin (α-SMA), collagen I and fibronectin were detected by Western blot, and the protein expression level of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and desmin relevant to fibrosis were observed by immunofluorescence. The results showed that TAT-Cygb could significantly reduce the viability of LX2 cells and trigger events relevant to ferroptosis, including promoting intracellular Fe²⁺ accumulation, and inducing mitochondrial morphological changes, and intensifying lipid peroxidation products accumulation, and decreasing the level of antioxidant indexes, which played a similar role as erastin; Fer-1 significantly weakened the increase in Fe²⁺, ROS, MDA, 4-HNE levels induced by TAT-Cygb, as well as the decrease in NADPH and GSH levels, while also weakening the TAT-Cygb-induced over-expression levels of α-SMA, collagen I and fibronectin, and TAT-Cygb-induced under-expression levels of EGFR and desmin. This cellular level study indicated that TAT-Cygb can induce ferroptosis of activated HSCs. This study revealed the potential mechanism of TAT-Cygb anti-liver fibrosis, and provided the experimental basis for further research on the molecular mechanism of TAT-Cygb realizing biological function by regulating the ferroptosis pathway.

Objective For more focused prevention and management,this investigation examines the risk factors for multidrug resistant organisms(MDRO)infections in intensive care unit(ICU)patients.Methods Case-control studies and cohort studies of risk factors for MDRO infection in ICU patients were searched in the Embase,Website of Science,Cochrane Library,PubMed,CNKI,WanFang,and VIP databases from their start to October 26,2022.The Meta-analysis was carried out with RevMan 5.3.Results A total of 32 papers were included,with 10 985 cases studied,with the quality of the literature rated as moderate to high.The results of Meta-analysis of this study showed that gender[OR=1.21,95% CI=(1.08,1.36),P=0.002],ICU length of stay[WMD=5.36,95% CI=(3.99,6.73),P<0.000 01],total length of stay[WMD=8.96,95% CI=(6.51,11.41),P<0.000 01],hypertension[OR=1.33,95% CI=(1.10,1.60),P=0.003],abnormal renal function[OR=1.69,95% CI=(1.33,2.16),P<0.000 01],hypoproteinemia[OR=1.87,95% CI=(1.51,2.32),P<0.000 01],mechanical ventilation[OR=2.26,95% CI=(1.18,4.33),P=0.01],duration of mechanical ventilation[WMD=8.83,95% CI=(2.52,15.14),P=0.006],arteriovenous placement[OR=1.46,95% CI=(1.23,1.72),P<0.000 1],placement of urinary catheter[OR=1.71,95% CI=(1.25,2.36),P<0.000 01],gastrointestinal tube placement[OR=0.10,95% CI=(0.03,0.18),P=0.008],antimicrobial drug type≥3[OR=4.27,95% CI=(2.06,8.85),P<0.000 01],use of carbapenem antibiotics[OR=4.09,95% CI=(300,5.58),P<0.000 01],the use of the third-generation cephalosporin[OR=1.63,95% CI=(1.15,2.33),P=0.007],the use of quinolone antibacterials[OR=1.86,95% CI=(1.42,2.44),P<0.000 01],the use of aminoglycoside antibiotics[OR=1.99,95% CI=(1.49,2.67),P<0.000 01],use of piperacillin-tazobactam[OR=2.94,95% CI=(1.56,5.54),P=0.000 9],use of glycopeptide antibiotics[OR=3.78,95% CI=(2.48,5.78),P<0.000 01],use of sedatives[OR=3.25,95% CI=(2.06,5.14),P<0.000 01],and use of acid suppressants[OR=1.51,95% CI=(1.06,2.16),P=0.02]are risk factors for MDRO infection in ICU patients.Conclusion MDRO infections in ICU patients are associated with gender,duration of ICU stay,chronic lung disease,total length of stay,hypertension,abnormal renal function,hypoproteinemia,mechanical ventilation,duration of mechanical ventilation,arteriovenous placement,placement of urinary catheters,gastrointestinal placement,type of antimicrobial drugs≥3,use of carbapenem antibiotics,use of third-generation cephalosporin,use of quinolone antibacterials,use of aminoglycoside antibiotics,use of piperacillin-tazobactam,use of glycopeptide antibiotics,use of sedatives,use of acid suppressants,and other factors.Targeted controls of different factors such as underlying diseases,comorbidities,invasive procedures performed,and the use of antimicrobial medications and other therapeutic pharmaceuticals could limit the risk of infection in MDRO in ICU patients.

Objective To explore the effects of paroxetine and sulpiride in the treatment of social phobia in young women and the effects on neurotransmitters and sleep structure.Methods 102 young female patients with social phobia in our hospital from February 2021 to February 2023 were selected and divided into 2 groups with 51 cases in each group by random number table method.The control group was treated with Paxil,and the study group was treated with Paxil + sulpiride for 3 months.Treatment effect,neurotransmitters[5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT),dopamine(DA),gamma-aminobutyric acid(GABA),myeloperoxidase(MPO)],sleep structure,social anxiety(LASA),social fear(SPS)and social Results The research group's overall effective rate of treatment is 88.24%,which is higher than the control group's 70.59%(P<0.05).1 month and 3 months after treatment,the research group's serum levels of DA and MPO are lower than those of the control group,while the levels of 5-HT and GABA are higher than those of the control group(P<0.05).1 month and 3 months after treatment,the research group's sleep transition frequency and the proportion of stage Ⅰ + stage Ⅱ are lower than those of the control group,while the proportion of stage Ⅲ + stage Ⅳ and REM stage are higher than those of the control group(P<0.05).1 month and 3 months after treatment,the research group's LASA,SPS,and SAFE scores are lower than those of the control group(P<0.05);The incidence of adverse events in the research group is 13.73%compared to 9.80%in the control group,with no statistically significant difference(P>0.05).Conclusion Paroxetine and sulpiride combined can improve the sleep structure of young women with social phobia,regulate serum neurotransmitter levels,alleviate social anxiety symptoms,improve social adaptability,and have a certain level of safety.

Objective To investigate the roles of inducible costimulatory molecules (ICOS) and related cytokines in the immune regulation of Echinococcus granulosus infections in mice. Methods Eighty BALB/c mice (weight 18–22 g) were divided into the control and infection groups, of 40 animals in each group. E. granulosus infection was modeled in mice by intraperitoneal injection of 10 000 protoscoleces per mouse. Serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and peripheral interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-10 levels were measured 2, 8, 30, 60, 180 days post-infection. Mouse liver specimens were excised for hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and immunostaining, and ICOS expression was quantified in mouse liver specimens using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) assay. Results There were no significant differences in serum ALT (F = 12.082, P < 0.05), AST (F = 6.347, P < 0.05) or ALP levels (F = 52.186, P < 0.05) in mice 2, 8, 30, 60 and 180 days post-infection with E. granulosus. The serum ALT levels were significantly higher in the infection group than in the control group 2 [(61.72 ± 9.89) vs. (50.65 ± 4.67)U/L, P < 0.05] and 30 days post-infection [(80.61 ± 23.71)vs.(67.75 ± 9.79)U/L, P < 0.05], and the serum ALT levels were significantly higher in the infection group than in the control group 2 [(181.06 ± 60.61) vs.(115.58 ± 17.66)U/L, P < 0.05] and 180 days post-infection [(137.84 ± 29.01) vs. (108.05 ± 10.33) U/L, P < 0.05], while greater serum ALP levels were measured in the infection group than in the control group 2 [(162.90 ± 21.04)vs.(64.54 ± 5.99)U/L, P < 0.05], 8[(176.36 ± 24.56) vs. (62.70 ± 9.21)U/L, P < 0.05] and 30 days post-infection [(138.86 ± 13.59) vs. (58.60 ± 5.28) U/L, P < 0.05]. A few inflammatory cells were seen in mouse liver in the infection group 30 days post-infection, and no apparent changes were found in the mouse hepatic structure 60 days post-infection. On day 180 post-infection, a large number of epithelium-like cells presented fibrotic growth in mouse liver in the cyst-infiltrating regions, with cuticula formation seen, and plenty of red cells were present in lesions and hepatocyte space. Positive ICOS expression was detected in mouse liver in the infection group, with ICOS-positive cells predominantly seen in the cytoplasm of the hepatocyte, and the ICOS expression increased over time. The relative ICOS mRNA expression was 2.732 ± 0.094 on day 180 post-infection, which was significantly greater than that on day 2 postinfection (0.746 ± 0.049). There were no significant differences in serum IL-4 or IL-10 levels at different time points after E. granulosus infections, while the serum IL-4 and IL-10 levels peaked in the infection group 180 days and 60 days post-infection, respectively. Higher serum IL-4 levels were measured in the infection group than in the control group 8 [(22.50 ± 3.24) vs. (5.82 ± 0.49) pg/mL, P < 0.05], 30 [(15.49 ± 4.73) vs. (5.10 ± 1.38) pg/mL, P < 0.05], 60 [(36.93 ± 6.14) vs. (4.13 ± 1.19) pg/mL, P < 0.05] and 180 days post-infection [(198.35 ± 0.70) vs. (4.19 ± 0.98) pg/mL, P < 0.05], and higher IL-10 levels were measured in the infection group than in the control group 2 [(4.84 ± 1.91) vs. (2.11 ± 1.03) pg/mL, P < 0.05], 8 [(44.72 ± 14.63) vs. (3.16 ± 0.60) pg/mL, P < 0.05], 30 [(25.47 ± 8.00) vs. (3.83 ± 1.87) pg/mL, P < 0.05], 60 [(187.16 ± 60.44) vs. (3.69 ± 1.05) pg/mL, P < 0.05] and 180 days post-infection [(85.40 ± 7.15) vs. (3.25 ± 0.93) pg/mL, P < 0.05]. Conclusions High ICOS expression is present in the liver of mice with E. granulosus infections. The positive ICOS expression and immune activation levels increase with the time of E. granulosus infections, leading to aggravation of hepatocyte injury caused by inflammation.

To explore the mechanism of β-carboline alkaloids inhibiting the migration and invasion of SGC-7901 cells and its correlation with FAK gene expression,CCK-8 method was used to determine the inhibitory rate of β-carboline alkaloids on the proliferation of gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells under different concentrations.The effect of β-carboline alkaloids on the migration and invasion of SGC-7901 cells was used by Transwell compartment.Detection of mRNA and protein expression of FAK genes were used by qRT-PCR and Western blot.Then si-FAK-1051 recombinant plasmid was transfected into SGC-7901 cells.FAK gene silencing effect was identified by qRT-PCR and Western blot technique again.Finally,the effects of FAK gene silencing on proliferation and migration of gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells were detected by CCK-8 kit and Transwell chamber assay respectively.With the increase of the concentration ofβ-carboline alkaloids,the inhibitory rate of SGC-7901 cells in human gastric cancer cells increased gradually,with IC5013.364 mg·L-1.The number of SGC-7901 cells of Transwell compartment in the positive experimental group(5-FU,5 mg·L-1) and the β-carboline alkaloids group decreased significantly(P<0.01) and the number of SGC-7901 cells in the β-carboline alkaloids group was significantly lower than that in the positive experimental group(P<0.01).Compared with the blank control group,the mRNA and protein expression level of FAK genes in the positive experimental group was significantly lower than that in the experimental group of β-carboline alkaloids(P<0.05).After transfection of si-FAK-1051 into gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells,the expression of mRNA and protein of FAK gene was significantly down regulated(P<0.05).SGC-7901 cell proliferation and cell migration ability also decreased significantly(P<0.05).β-carboline alkaloids are more effective than 5-FU in inhibiting migration and invasion of gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells,and the mechanism may be related to the inhibition of mRNA and protein expression of FAK gene by β-carboline alkaloids.
Alkaloids ; pharmacology ; Carbolines ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; Focal Adhesion Kinase 1 ; genetics ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Gene Silencing ; Humans ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Stomach Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology

Objective: To study the associations between variants of mTORC1 of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and colorectal cancer. Methods: In this hospital-based case-control study, at the First Affiliated Hospital, Xinjiang Medical University from 2000 to 2013, 665 primary colorectal cancer cases and 695 cancer-free controls were genotyped at 10 potentially functional single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) loci of mTORC1 (mTOR: rs1034528, rs2295080; Raptor: rs1062935, rs3751934; mLST8: rs3160, rs26865; DEPTOR: rs2271900, rs4871827; AKT1S1: rs2290774, rs2353005) to assess their associations with risk of colorectal cancer by Logistic regression analysis. Results: In single-locus analysis, found a significantly decreased risk of colorectal cancer associated with mLST8 rs26865 by recessive genetic model, especially in populations of ≤68 years of age (OR=0.64; 95%CI=0.43-0.96, P=0.031), female (OR=0.61; 95%CI=0.38-0.99, P=0.046), non-smoking (OR=0.55; 95%CI=0.35-0.87, P=0.010). mTOR rs1034528 CC genotypes were associated with higher risk of colorectal cancer in >68-year-old populations (OR=3.34; 95%CI=1.12-9.91, P=0.030). Raptor rs3751934 CA/AA genotypes were associated with lower colorectal cancer risk in population of body mass index(BMI)>25 kg/m² (OR=0.68; 95%CI=0.47-0.98, P=0.038); and AKT1S1 rs2290774 CC genotypes were associated with lower colorectal cancer risk in non-smoking population (OR=0.67; 95%CI=0.45-0.99, P=0.048). Furthermore, found that populations carrying more than two low-risk genotypes were associated with lower colorectal cancer risk, compared with that of populations carrying less than two low-risk genotypes (OR=0.74, 95%CI=0.58-0.95, P=0.017), especially in population of ≤68 years of age, male and BMI>25 kg/m^2, and non-smoking. Conclusions SNPs of mTORC1-related genes individually or jointly contribute to colorectal cancer susceptibility in Chinese. Further studies of larger cohorts are needed to validate the findings.

BACKGROUNDHelicobacter pylori (Hp) is a common and potentially curable cause of gastric mucosa lesion. This study investigated the relationship of Hp infection with histological changes in gastric mucosa and gastric cancer in Hp-positive patients compared with Hp-eradication patients followed up for ten years.

METHODSFrom an initial group of 1 006 adults, 552 Hp-positive subjects were randomly assigned to a treatment group (T; n = 276) or a placebo group (P; n = 276). In the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel trial, T group subjects received oral doses of omeprazole, amoxicillin and clarithromycin for 1 week; those in the P group received a placebo. One month after treatment ended, a 13C urea breath test was performed, and Hp was undetectable in 88.89% of the T group. All subjects were followed at 1, 5, 8, and 10 years after treatment, with endoscopy and biopsies for histological examination.

RESULTSGastric mucosa inflammation was significantly milder in the T group than that in the P group one year after Hp eradication and this persisted for 10 years. Glandular atrophy and intestinal metaplasia (IM) had deteriorated in both groups during ten years. However, the increased score of glandular atrophy at both the gastric antrum and corpus, and IM only at the gastric antrum, in the P group was more obvious than that in the T group. During the 10 years, 9 patients were diagnosed with gastric cancer (2 in the T group; 7 in the P group; P = 0.176). When mucosal atrophy was absent at the gastric antrum and corpus when entering the study, the incidence of gastric cancer in the P group (n = 6) was much higher than that in the T group (n = 0, P = 0.013).

CONCLUSIONSHp eradication may significantly diminish and help halt progression of gastric mucosal inflammation and delay the development of IM and atrophy gastritis. Hp eradication is helpful for reducing the risk for gastric cancer, especially in the early stage of Hp infection.

Adult ; Aged ; Amoxicillin ; therapeutic use ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; therapeutic use ; Clarithromycin ; therapeutic use ; Double-Blind Method ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastric Mucosa ; drug effects ; pathology ; Gastritis, Atrophic ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; Helicobacter Infections ; drug therapy ; Helicobacter pylori ; pathogenicity ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Omeprazole ; therapeutic use ; Stomach Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; prevention & control

Objective To study the clinical effects on patients with brain metastases from lung cancer combined with Elemene Injection and radiotherapy. Method 86 patients with brain metastases from lung cancer were randomly divided into control group and treatment group, 43 cases in each group. Control group was given conventional radiotherapy treatment, while treatment group combined Elemene Injection with radiotherapy. Results Compared with control group, treatment group’s disease control effect was obviously better. Survival rates after treatment for six months, one year, three years were higher than control group, and the number of adverse reactions were lower. Serum MMP-2 and MMP-9 levels were significantly greater. Radiotherapy plan time and total time in hospital for treatment were significantly shorter. Conclusion The combination of Elemene Injection with radiotherapy treatment for patients with brain metastases from lung cancer is very obvious.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relation of thyroid function with hashimoto thyroiditis (HT, an autoimmune disease of unknown etiology also known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis) in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) receiving treatment with pegylated-interferon-alpha (Peg-IFNa) based on the observation that HT is common among individuals undergoing IFN-based therapy.

METHODSOne-hundred-and-seven patients with chronic hepatitis C were enrolled for study between January 2008 and December 2010. Thyroid function was assessed by electrochemiluminescence assays to detect serum levels of anti-thyroid peroxidase (A-TPO) antibodies, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), and free thyroxine (FT4) prior to initiation of the IFN-based therapy. The treatment strategies (drugs, doses, schedules) were designed according to HT status (CHC with HT, or CHC without HT). Patients were monitored during the 24 weeks of treatment (including measuring serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), TSH, and FT4 every two to four weeks, and HCV RNA every four weeks) so that the IFNa dose could be adjusted and thyroid medications (levothyroxine sodium or methimazole) added as necessary. The response rate at end of treatment (week 24) was assessed.

RESULTSTwenty-one of the CHC patients were diagnosed with HT, and the incidence of thyroid dysfunction among the CHC patients with HT was 71.4% (15/21); among the CHC patients with no HT, the incidence of thyroid dysfunction was significantly lower (30.2% (26/86), X2 = 12.1995, P less than 0.01). In the CHC patients with HT, 90.5% (19/21) had serum levels of A-TPO antibodies that were more than or equal to 2-times higher than the normal value at the end of treatment. Of the 15 CHC patients with HT and thyroid dysfunction, 73.3% (11/15) continued to show thyroid dysfunction at the end of treatment. Hypothyroidism was the most common form of thyroid dysfunction observed (4/11), and all of those patients responded to levothyroxine sodium treatment. The virological response rates of the two groups (CHC with HT and CHC without HT) were not significantly different at any time point examined (treatment week 4, 12, and 24, P more than 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe incidence of thyroid dysfunction is significantly higher among CHC patients with HT than among CHC patients without HT. If suspected, these patients should be carefully monitored because the clinical symptoms of thyroid dysfunction are not obvious and the drug therapy should be carefully adjusted to minimize the thyroid dysfunction while maximizing the antiviral effect.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Hashimoto Disease ; complications ; drug therapy ; Hepatitis C, Chronic ; complications ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polyethylene Glycols ; therapeutic use ; Recombinant Proteins ; therapeutic use ; Ribavirin ; therapeutic use ; Young Adult

Objective To evaluate the risk factors for prognosis in liver cirrhotic patients with acute esophageal variceal bleeding (EVB). Methods Retrospective analysis was carried out in patients with liver cirrhosis,who were admitted to the hospital for EVB between January 2000 and December 2006 . All patients were follow-up to August 31st, 2009. The death of the patients was identified as the end of the study. The vital signs and results of laboratory tests were recorded when patients were admitted to the hospital. Child-Pugh score/grade, model for end stage liver disease (MELD) score and Rockall score were calculated. Results Ninty-five cases (66 males and 29 females) were enrolled in the study. Among them, 60 cases died and 35 cases survived for (42. 61±33.21) months (ranged from 2 days to 114 months). Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that age, male, Child-Pugh score/grade, MELD score, Rockall score, white blood cell counts and active hepatitis B were risk factors for death in liver cirrhotic patients with EVB (P＜0.05), while high level of hemoglobin and high hematocrit, endoscopic variceal sclerosis therapy or surgical treatment were protective factors (P＜0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that Child-Pugh grade (RR= 4. 997,95%CI:2. 787～8. 960, P＜0.01),Rockall score (RR= 1. 284,95%CI:1. 062～1. 553,P=0. 010), high counts of white blood cells (RR= 1. 072,95%CI: 1. 001 ～ 1. 148, P= 0. 046) were risk factors for prognosis of liver cirrhotic patients with EVB. Conclusion It is demonstrated that Child-Pugh grade,Rockall score and high counts of white blood cells are risk factors for prognosis of liver cirrhotic patients with EVB.