Objective: To investigate the pyroptosis-inducing effects of celastrol on tumor cells and to explore the potential mechanisms involved, specifically focusing on the role of the caspase-3/gasdermin E (GSDME) signaling pathway and the impact of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and autophagy. Methods: Necrostatin-1 (Nec-1), lactate dehydrogenase release (LDH) assay, and Hoechst/propidium iodide (PI) double staining were employed to validate the mode of cell death. Western blot was used to detect the cleavage of GSDME and the expression of light chain 3 (LC3) and BIP. Results: Celastrol induced cell swelling with large bubbles, which is consistent with the pyroptotic phenotype. Moreover, treatment with celastrol induced GSDME cleavage, indicating the activation of GSDME-mediated pyroptosis. GSDME knockout via CRISPR/Cas9 blocked the pyroptotic morphology of celastrol in HeLa cells. In addition, cleavage of GSDME was attenuated by a specific caspase-3 inhibitor in celastrol-treated cells, suggesting that GSDME activation was induced by caspase-3. Mechanistically, celastrol induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and autophagy in HeLa cells, and other ER stress inducers produced effects consistent with those of celastrol. Conclusion These findings suggest that celastrol triggers caspase-3/GSDME-dependent pyroptosis via activation of ER stress, which may shed light on the potential antitumor clinical applications of celastrol.

Objective:To observe the therapeutic effect of compound Duzhong Jiangu granule on Kashin-Beck disease (KBD), and to provide a new alternative for the treatment of patients with KBD.Methods:According to the principle of random distribution, patients with KBD diagnosed clinically in Linyou County and Yongshou County of Shaanxi Province who meet the inclusion criteria were divided into a traditional Chinese medicine group and a Western medicine group, and they were treated with compound Duzhong Jiangu granule (Chinese medicine group) and ibuprofen sustained release capsule + 21 jinvita + chondroitin sulfate (Western medicine group), respectively, for a duration of one month. Questionnaire survey was conducted to collect the clinical data of all survey respondents before and after medication by using the Joint Dysfunction Index Scale and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) scales, for evaluation and analysis. The incidence of adverse reactions of the two groups were recorded.Results:A total of 218 KBD patients that met the inclusion criteria were selected, including 167 patients in the Chinese medicine group and 51 patients in the Western medicine group. There were 94 males and 73 females in the Chinese medicine group, aged (62.93 ± 6.72) years. In the Western medicine group, there were 18 males and 33 females, aged (63.29 ± 7.02) years. There was no statistically significant difference in age between the two groups ( Z = - 0.24, P = 0.813). After taking the compound Duzhong Jiangu granules for treatment of KBD patients in the traditional Chinese medicine group, there were significant changes in the number of patients with joint rest pain, joint movement pain, morning stiffness, maximum walking distance and lower limb mobility in the Joint Dysfunction Scale compared to before treatment. The difference between before and after medication was statistically significant (χ 2 = 37.93, 29.64, 50.40, 13.57, 25.25, P < 0.001). After 1 month of medication, there were 13 cases of significant effect, 64 cases of effectiveness, and 90 cases of ineffectiveness in the traditional Chinese medicine group, with a total effective rate of 46.11%. There were 0 cases of significant improvement, 13 cases of effectiveness, and 38 cases of ineffectiveness in the Western medicine group, with a total effective rate of 25.49%. The difference in total effective rates between the two groups was statistically significant (χ 2 = 8.62, P = 0.013). In addition, there was a statistically significant difference in the improvement of lower limb mobility (difficulty of daily activities) between the Chinese medicine group and the Western medicine group (χ 2 = 8.21, P = 0.017). After taking medication, the joint pain, stiffness, and difficulty of daily activities scores in the WOMAC scale of KBD patients in the Chinese medicine group and the Western medicine group were significantly reduced. The differences in scores before and after medication were statistically significant (Chinese medicine group, Z = - 7.60, - 7.74, - 9.75, P < 0.001; Western medicine group, Z = - 5.20, - 3.81, - 3.93, P < 0.001). There was a significant differences in the improvement degree of daily activity difficulty and total score between the Chinese medicine group and the Western medicine group ( Z = - 3.75, - 3.34, P < 0.01). During the medication period, the incidence of adverse reactions in the traditional Chinese medicine group was lower than that in the western medicine group (Chinese medicine group, 29.34%; Western medicine group, 45.09%, χ 2 = 4.38, P = 0.036). Conclusions:Compound Duzhong Jiangu granule has a good therapeutic effects on KBD, significantly improving joint dysfunction of patients. It has advantages in improving the activity ability of KBD patients and reducing the difficulty of daily activities, and has less adverse reactions else.

Objective:To investigate the effects of compound Duzhong Jiangu Granules on joint function and gut microbiota in patients with Kashin-Beck disease.Methods:A single group pre- and post-experimental design was conducted, the patients with Kashin-Beck disease were selected as the subjects in Xunyi County, Xianyang City, Shaanxi Province; and treated with oral administration of compound Duzhong Jiangu Granules (12 g/bag, 1 bag/time, 3 times/day) for a period of 1 month. The improvement of joint function was evaluated using the joint dysfunction index scoring method before and after treatment. Morning stool samples of patients were collected and the changes in gut microbiota were analyzed before and after treatment using 16S rDNA sequencing technology.Results:A total of 87 patients with Kashin-Beck disease were included, including 44 males and 43 females; the age was (60.38 ± 7.12) years old, and the body mass index was (23.67 ± 3.59) kg/m 2. The comprehensive scores of joint dysfunction index for patients with Kashin-Beck disease before and after treatment were (7.27 ± 2.05) and (5.86 ± 2.01) points, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant ( t = 5.88, P < 0.001). The sequencing results of gut microbiota showed that there were statistically significant differences in the alpha diversity (chao1, observed species index) and beta diversity of gut microbiota in patients with Kashin-Beck disease before and after treatment ( Z = - 5.08, - 5.03, R = 0.09, P < 0.001). In the distribution of gut microbiota, Firmicutes was the dominant phylum, with relative abundances of 50.21% and 52.09% before and after treatment, respectively; the Bifidobacterium was the dominant bacterial genus, with relative abundances of 16.83% and 18.81% before and after treatment, respectively. At the genus level, a total of 17 gut microbiota genera were screened out, among which the relative abundances of Hafnia-Obesumbacterium, Gammaproteobacteria_unclassified, Acinetobacter, Pantoea, Leuconostoc, and Akkermanisia were significantly higher than before treatment ( Z = - 2.40, - 2.24, - 2.06, - 3.59, - 2.24, - 2.11, P < 0.05). The relative abundances of Dubosiella, Selenomonas, Anaeroplasma, Lachnospiraceae_ NK4A136_group, Rikenella, Prevotella, Megasphaera, Lactobacillus, Prevotella-9, Phascolarctobacterium, and Desulfovibrio were significantly lower than before treatment ( Z = - 9.38, - 2.61, - 2.18, - 8.43, - 2.45, - 2.46, - 2.49, - 7.29, - 2.29, - 2.55, - 2.08, P < 0.05). Conclusions:Compound Duzhong Jiangu Granules can effectively improve the joint function of patients with Kashin-Beck disease, and alter the diversity and richness of the gut microbiota community. It may reduce clinical symptoms in patients by regulating the structure of gut microbiota.

Objective To describe the distribution characteristics of knee and ankle joint range of motion and muscle atrophy related indexes in patients with Kashin-Beck disease(KBD)in Shaanxi Province so as to explore the correlation of knee and ankle joint range of motion(ROM)with muscle atrophy indexes and provide reference for clinical characteristics analysis of KBD patients.Methods To investigate the registered KBD patients from KBD areas in Shaanxi Province,we measured the general demographic data of the patients were collected and the ROM of the knee joint(flexion and extension),the ankle joint(dorsiflexion and plantar flexion),and the muscle atrophy related indexes such as the upper arm circumference,thigh circumference,calf circumference and grip strength.According to the population characteristics,i.e.,gender,age,body mass index(BMI)and KBD grade,the median and quartile of joint ROM and muscle atrophy of KBD patients were reported,and then the differences in each index among different groups were analyzed.Partial correlation analysis was used to explore the correlation between indicators after controlling for variables such as gender,age and BMI.Results A total of 480 patients with KBD were investigated in this study,who consisted of 249(51.9％)males and 231(48.1％)females,with an average age of(63.10±7.32)years and an average BMI of(23.49±8.90)kg/m2.The knee flexion ROM,knee extension ROM,ankle dorsiflexion ROM and ankle plantar flexion ROM were[105.0(95.0,120.0)]°,[0.0(-15.0,0.0)]°,[5.0(0.0,15.0)]° and[20.0(15.0,30.0)]°,respectively,in KBD patients in Shaanxi Province.The left thigh circumference,right thigh circumference,left calf circumference,right calf circumference,and upper arm circumference were[43.0(40.0,47.0)]cm,[43.0(39.0,47.0)]cm,[29.0(27.0,32.0)]cm,[29.5(27.0,32.0)]cm,[27.0(25.0,30.0)]cm,respectively.The left hand grip strength and right hand grip strength were[13.4(9.5,18.4)]kg and[13.9(9.8,18.2)]kg,respectively.With the increase of age,the extension range of the left and right knee joints of KBD patients showed a decreasing trend(H=31.499,31.847;all P＜0.001).The range of motion of bilateral knee flexion was higher in the normal BMI group than in the overweight or obese group,with statistically significant differences(H=7.753,12.333;P=0.021,0.002).The knee flexion,thigh circumference,and calf circumference of the left and right sides showed a decreasing trend under different KBD grades(H=14.345,17.256,8.000,8.462,8.558,9.633;all P＜0.05).Correlation analysis showed that knee flexion ROM was positively correlated with thigh circumference,calf circumference,and grip strength in patients with KBD(all P＜0.05).There was a positive correlation between knee extension ROM and thigh circumference in patients with KBD(P＜0.01).Conclusion The impaired joint ROM and muscle atrophy are serious in KBD patients in Shaanxi Province,and there is a correlation between joint motion and muscle atrophy.

Objective:To study the effect of Compound Duzhong Jiangu Granules on joint function, quality of life and inflammatory factors in patients with Kashin-Beck disease.Methods:By group design, 135 patients with Kashin-Beck disease in Chongxin County, Pingliang City, Gansu Province, were selected and divided into intervention group (100 cases treated with Compound Duzhong Jiangu Granules, 12 g/bag, 1 bag/time, 3 times/day, treatment for 1 month) and control group (35 cases treated with ibuprofen, 0.3 g/capsule, 1 capsule/time, 2 times/day, treatment for 2 weeks) according to the randomized, single-blind principle. The changes of joint dysfunction index score, joint function improvement rate, total scores of Kashin-Beck disease quality of life (KBDQOL) and scores of each dimension were analyzed before treatment, 1 month and 3 months after treatment. The serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), nuclear factor κB (NFκB)-p65, inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS2), nitric oxide (NO), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay before treatment and 1 month after treatment.Results:The total scores of joint dysfunction index of the intervention group and the control group 1 month after treatment and 3 months after treatment were lower than those before treatment, but 3 months after treatment was higher than 1 month after treatment ( P < 0.001). One month after treatment, the total effective rates of joint function improvement in the intervention group and the control group were 68.00% (68/100) and 54.55% (18/33), respectively; 3 months after treatment, the total effective rates of the intervention group and the control group were 36.00% (36/100) and 39.39%(13/33), respectively. The total scores and scores of each dimension of KBDQOL were not significant for the main effect of the group ( P > 0.05), but significant for the main effect at the time point ( P < 0.05), and there was no interactive effect ( P > 0.05). There were significant differences in the scores of social support and mental status dimensions in the intervention group at different time points ( P < 0.001). And in the intervention group, the total score, the scores of physical function, activity limitation, economy and overall health dimensions were statistically significant between before treatment and 1 month after treatment, 1 month after treatment and 3 months after treatment( P < 0.05); however, there was no significant difference between before treatment and 3 months after treatment ( P > 0.05). One month after treatment, the serum PGE2 levels of both groups were decreased ( P < 0.05), and there was no difference in other inflammatory factors at different groups and time points ( P > 0.05). Conclusion:Compound Duzhong Jiangu Granules can effectively inhibit the inflammatory reaction of patients with Kashin-Beck disease, promote the improvement of joint function and improve the quality of life in various aspects.

Pulmonary mucinous adenocarcinoma is a subtype of lung adenocarcinoma, among which invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma (IMA) is the most common subtype and is easily misdiagnosed as pneumonia. Its etiology and pathogenesis are unclear and may be related to gene mutations and other factors. Due to its relative rarity and few related studies, guidelines do not provide advices on its treatment. KRAS mutations are common in IMA patients, and Sotorasib may be effective against KRAS G12C mutated IMA. NRG1 fusion is considered to be an important driver of IMA, and afatinib may be effective in treating IMA with NRG1 fusion/rearrangement. PD-L1 expression is very low in IMA patients, while B7-H3 expression is high, so B7-H3 may be a potential immunotherapeutic target.

Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics and possible pathogenesis of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) induced myocarditis, and to improve understanding of this new type of myocarditis.Methods:Two cases of ICI induced myocarditis with endomyocardial biopsy available for review were selected from the cases with immune-related adverse events treated by ICI in Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China from 2020 to 2022. The clinical data, histomorphological characteristics, PD-L1 expression of cardiomyocytes, and classification of inflammatory cells in two cases of ICI-induced myocarditis were analyzed. Relevant literature was reviewed.Results:Case 1 was a 64-year-old male diagnosed with gastric signet ring cell carcinoma. Case 2 was a 56-year-old male ad diagnosed with lung squamous cell carcinoma. Both patients developed acute myocarditis during PD-1 inhibitor treatment, and the disease progressed rapidly. Case 2 was more serious than case 1. Endomyocardial biopsy showed definite cardiomyocytic injury and prominent inflammatory infiltration in both cases, which met the full Dallas criteria for myocarditis. The degenerated and necrotic cardiomyocytes accounted for about 10% of the tissues in case 1 and 30% in case 2, respectively. In case 1, the inflammatory cells counted in the densest area were about 150/HPF, comprised of CD20 + cells (about 5/HPF), CD3 + cells (about 60/HPF), CD8 + cells (about 50/HPF) and CD68 + cells (about 70/HPF). In case 2, the inflammatory cells counted in the densest area were about 350/HPF, comprised of CD20 + cells (0/HPF), CD3 + cells (about 100/HPF), CD8 + cells (about 90/HPF) and CD68 + cells (about 200/HPF). In both cases, PD-L1 + cardiomyocytes aggregated in the inflammatory lesions, and the percentage was about 8% and 30% in case 1 and case 2, respectively. Conclusions:ICI-induced myocarditis is frequently acute onset, severe symptoms, and rapid progression. The histological morphology meets the full Dallas criteria for myocarditis. Expression of PD-L1 in cardiomyocytes can be detected in the inflammatory lesions. The inflammatory cells are comprised of CD8 + T lymphocytes and macrophages and the number of macrophages significantly exceeds that of lymphocytes. Combined with the pathological characteristics and the history of ICI treatment, the diagnosis of ICI-induced myocarditis can be made.

Adenosquamous carcinoma of the lung is a rare pathological type of non-small cell lung cancer. Adenosquamous carcinoma of the lung has a high degree of malignancy and poor clinical prognosis. Medical treatment plays an important role in patients who have lost the opportunity of operation or have recurrence and metastasis after operation. Platinum based chemotherapy is still the cornerstone of medical treatment. It is recommended that routine driver gene testing should be performed for patients with advanced lung adenosquamous carcinoma. For patients with sensitive driver genes, targeted therapy has a definite effect in some patients. Studies on markers related to immune checkpoint inhibitors suggest that patients with lung adenocarcinoma may benefit from immunotherapy, but there is still a lack of clinical practice data.

【Objective】 To study the major missing components of extracellular matrix in cartilage from Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) and osteoarthritis (OA). 【Methods】 The articular cartilage specimens discarded in clinical surgery were collected; paraffin sections were prepared; and HE staining, toluidine blue, and crocusin staining were used to semi-quantitatively analyze the differences in the content of extracellular matrix in cartilage from KBD and OA. 【Results】 The percentage of HE staining area in the normal group (NC group) (83.65±8.38)% was significantly higher than that in the primary osteoarthropathy group (OA group) (57.90±21.88)% and the KBD group (KBD group) (43.67±23.91)%. The stained area percentage of the OA group was higher than that of the KBD group (P=0.034). In the NC group (75.66±12.54)% of the saffron essence O stained area percentage was significantly higher than that of the OA group (53.81±10.48)% and the KBD group (62.07±14.66)%; the KBD group was higher than the OA group (P=0.011). No statistically significant difference in area percentage was found among the NC group, OA group and KBD group stained with toluidine blue (P>0.05). 【Conclusion】 The total loss of extracellular matrix of KBD cartilage tissue is more than that of OA cartilage. The loss of proteoglycan in OA articular cartilage is more serious than that in KBD cartilage, suggesting that the lost extracellular matrix of KBD cartilage tissue is mainly type 2 collagen.

Objective To evaluate the mitochondrial function of chondrocytes in Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) patients and its correlation with age.Methods Mitochondrial function was evaluated by analyzing the activities of respiratory chain enzyme complexes and citrate synthase (CS),intracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP)contents, changes in mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm),as well as the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) contents.Correlation of mitodhondrial function and age was analyzed with linear regression.Results Activities of complexes Ⅱ (P = 0.001 ),Ⅲ (P = 0.005 )and Ⅳ (P = 0.005 )were reduced in KBD articular chondrocytes compared with cells from normal controls.However,the mitochondrial mass was increased in KBD samples. Cultured KBD chondrocytes had reduced cellular ATP level (P = 0.001 )and mitochondrial membrane potential (P =0.001),but increased citrate synthase activity (P =0.04)and intracellular ROS level (P <0.001).We found no correlation between mitochondrial function and donor age either in normal or in KBD chondrocytes. Conclusion Mitochondrial function is altered in articular chondrocytes of KBD,and no correlation was found between mitochondrial function and donor age.