Background Arsenic, cobalt, barium, and other individual metal exposure have been confirmed to be associated with the incidence of kidney stones. However, there are few studies on the association between mixed metal exposure and kidney stones, especially in occupational groups. Objective To investigate the association between mixed metal exposure and kidney stones in an occupational population from a metal smelting plant. Methods A questionnaire survey was conducted to collect sociodemographic characteristics, medical history, and lifestyle information of 1158 mixed metal-exposed workers in a metal smelting plant in Guangdong Province from July 2021 to January 2022. Midstream morning urine samples were collected from the workers, the concentrations of 18 metals including lithium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, arsenic, selenium, strontium, molybdenum, cadmium, cesium, barium, tungsten, titanium, and lead were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and the urinary mercury levels were measured by cold atomic absorption spectroscopy. Based on predetermined inclusion criteria, a total of 919 mixed metal-exposed workers were included in the study, including 117 workers in the kidney stone group and 802 workers in the non-kidney stone group. With a detection rate of urinary metals greater than 80% as entry criterion, 16 eligible metals were finally included for further analysis. Parametric or non-parametric methods were used to compare the differences between continuous or categorical variables of the non-kidney stone group and the kidney stone group. Logistic regression models were constructed to explore the association between individual metal exposures and kidney stones. Weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression models were used to evaluate the association between mixed metal exposure and kidney stones, as well as the weights of each metal on kidney stones. Then Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models were used to explore the overall effect of mixed metal exposure on renal calculi and the potential interactions between metals. Results We found that there were significant differences in sex, age, length of service, and body mass Index (BMI) between the non-kidney stone group and the kidney stone group (P<0.05). The urinary concentrations of molybdenum and barium in the kidney stone group were higher than those in the non-kidney stone group, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). The logistic regression models demonstrated that urinary cobalt, arsenic, molybdenum, and barium were positively correlated with the risk of kidney stones (P_trend<0.05). The WQS regression models showed that the mixed exposure to vanadium, cobalt, arsenic, molybdenum, and barium was positively associated with the risk of kidney stones (P<0.05). Among them, molybdenum, arsenic, and barium accounted for 0.391, 0.337, and 0.154, respectively. The BKMR results revealed a positive association between metal mixture exposure and the risk of kidney stones (P<0.05). When other metals were fixed at the 25th, 50th, or 75th percentile, arsenic, molybdenum, cobalt, and barium exhibited significant positive effects on the risk of kidney stones (P<0.05), while vanadium showed a significant negative effect (P<0.05). The interaction analysis demonstrated interactions between barium and cobalt, as well as between vanadium and cobalt (P<0.05). Conclusion In the occupational population of this smelter, occupational mixed metal exposure could increase the risk of kidney stones, and the main metals are molybdenum, arsenic, barium, and cobalt.

Objective:To summarize the clinical characteristics of patients with renal angiomyolipoma(RAML)combined with inferior vena cava(IVC)tumor thrombus,and to explore the feasibility of par-tial nephrectomy and thrombectomy in this series of patients.Methods:The clinical data of patients diagnosed with RAML combined with IVC tumor thrombus in the Department of Urology of the Peking University Third Hospital from April 2014 to March 2023 were retrospectively analyzed,and demographic and perioperative data of RAML patients with IVC tumor thrombus were recorded and collected from Elec-tronic Medical Record System,including age,gender,surgical methods,and follow-up time,etc.The clinical characteristics between classic angiomyolipoma(CAML)patients with IVC tumor thrombus and epithelioid angiomyolipoma(EAML)patients with IVC tumor thrombus were compared to determine the clinical characteristics of these patients.Results:A total of 11 patients were included in this study,in-cluding 7 patients with CAML with IVC tumor thrombus and 4 patients with EAML with IVC tumor thrombus.There were 9 females(9/11,81.8％)and 2 males(2/11,18.2％),with an average age of(44.0±17.1)years.9 patients(9/11,81.8％)experienced clinical symptoms,including local symp-toms including abdominal pain,hematuria,abdominal masses,and systemic symptoms including weight loss and fever;2 patients(2/11,18.2％)with RAML and IVC tumor thrombus did not show clinical symptoms,which were discovered by physical examination.Among the 11 patients,10 underwent radical nephrectomy with thrombectomy,of whom,3 underwent open surgery(3/10,30.0％),2 underwent laparoscopic surgery(2/10,20.0％),and 5 underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery(5/10,50.0％).In addition,1 patient underwent open partial nephrectomy and thrombectomy.The patients with EAML combined with I VC tumor thrombus had a higher proportion of systemic clinical symptoms(100％vs.0％,P=0.003),more intraoperative bleeding[400(240,3 050)mL vs.50(50,300)mL,P=0.036],and a higher proportion of tumor necrosis(75％vs.0％,P=0.024)compared to the patients with CAML combined with I VC tumor thrombus.However,there was no statistically significant difference in operation time[(415.8±201.2)min vs.(226.0±87.3)min,P=0.053]between the two groups.Conclusion:Compared with the patients with CAML and IVC tumor thrombus,the patients with EAML and IVC tumor thrombus had a higher rate of systemic symptoms and tumor necrosis.In addi-tion,in the selected patients with CAML with IVC tumor thrombus,partial nephrectomy and tumor thrombectomy could be performed to better preserve renal function.

Objective:To investigate the postoperative renal function and oncologic outcomes of cystic renal cell carcinoma with partial nephrectomy,and to compared the single-center data on surgical out-comes with the Surveillance,Epidemiology,and End Results(SEER)database.Methods:This was a retrospective study that included the patients with cystic renal cell carcinoma who underwent partial ne-phrectomy in the Department of Urology,Peking University Third Hospital(PUTH)from 2010 to 2023.The clinical data and depicting baseline characteristics were collected.Renal dynamic imaging and the Chinese Coefficients for Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration(C-CKD-EPI)formulae were used to calculate the estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR).The renal function curves over time were then plotted,and the patients were followed-up to record their survival status.Cases of cystic renal cell carcinoma in the SEER database between 2000 and 2020 were included,propensity score matching(PSM)was performed to balance the differences between SEER cohort and PUTH cohort,and the cancer-specific survival(CSS)curves for both groups were plotted and statistical differences were calcu-lated by the Kaplan-Meier method.Results:A total of 38 and 385 patients were included in the PUTH cohort and SEER cohort,respectively,and 31 and 72 patients were screened in each cohort after PSM.Of the baseline characteristics,only tumor size(P=0.042)was found to differ statistically between the two groups.There was no statistically significant difference between the two cohorts in terms of CSS after PSM(P=0.556).The median follow-up time in the SEER cohort was 112.5(65,152)months and a 10-year survival rate of 97.2％,while the PUTH cohort had a median follow-up of 57.0(20,1 172)months and a 10-year survival rate of 100.0％.There was no statistically significant difference between eGFR determined by preoperative renal dynamic imaging and the results of the C-CKD-EPI formulae based on creatinine estimation(P=0.073).There was a statistically significant difference in eGFR among the preoperative,short-term postoperative,and long-term postoperative(P＜0.001),which was characterized by the presence of a decline in renal function in the short-term postoperative period and the recovery of renal function in the long-term period.Conclusion:Partial nephrectomy for cystic renal cell carcinoma is safe and feasible with favorable renal function and oncologic outcomes.

Colorectal tumors often create an immunosuppressive microenvironment that prevents them from responding to immunotherapy.Cannabidiol(CBD)is a non-psychoactive natural active ingredient from the cannabis plant that has various pharmacological effects,including neuroprotective,antiemetic,anti-inflammatory,and antineoplastic activities.This study aimed to elucidate the specific anticancer mechanism of CBD by single-cell RNA sequencing(scRNA-seq)and single-cell ATAC sequencing(scATAC-seq)technologies.Here,we report that CBD inhibits colorectal cancer progression by modulating the suppressive tumor microenvironment(TME).Our single-cell transcriptome and ATAC sequencing results showed that CBD suppressed M2-like macrophages and promoted M1-like macrophages in tumors both in strength and quantity.Furthermore,CBD significantly enhanced the interaction between M1-like macrophages and tumor cells and restored the intrinsic anti-tumor properties of macrophages,thereby preventing tumor progression.Mechanistically,CBD altered the metabolic pattern of macro-phages and related anti-tumor signaling pathways.We found that CBD inhibited the alternative acti-vation of macrophages and shifted the metabolic process from oxidative phosphorylation and fatty acid oxidation to glycolysis by inhibiting the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-protein kinase B signaling pathway and related downstream target genes.Furthermore,CBD-mediated macrophage plasticity enhanced the response to anti-programmed cell death protein-1(PD-1)immunotherapy in xenografted mice.Taken together,we provide new insights into the anti-tumor effects of CBD.

Background Occupational exposure to lead, cadmium, or arsenic is a potential risk factor for blood pressure elevation. Current studies mainly focus on the relationship between a single metal and blood pressure. However, mixed metal exposure often exists in the actual working environment, and the interactive effects of polymetallic interactions on blood pressure and the dose-effect relationship remain unclear yet. Objective To explore the influence proportion of occupational exposure to lead, cadmium, or arsenic on blood pressure and their interactive effects. Methods From January to December 2021, workers from a smelter in southern China were selected. Demographic characteristics, height, weight, and blood pressure of workers were collected through questionnaire and physical examination. At the same time, their urine samples were collected and the levels of urinary lead, urinary cadmium, and urinary arsenic were detected by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and corrected by urinary creatinine (Cr). Linear regression and logistic regression were used to analyze the relationship between urinary lead, cadmium, and arsenic and blood pressure. Weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression was applied to evaluate the dose-effect relationship between urinary lead, cadmium, and arsenic exposures and blood pressure and the effect weight of each metal on blood pressure. Generalized linear regression and additive/multiplicative scaling were used to identify interactive effects of the three metals on blood pressure. Results A total of 1075 workers were included in this study, with a mean age of (44.68±5.11) years and mean working seniority of (24.66±5.23) years. There were 891 males (88.9%) and 184 were females (17.1%); 24.7% workers were drinkers and 45.7% workers were smokers; 302 workers (28.1%) reported hypertension and 37 of them were taking antihypertensive drugs. The P₅₀ (P₂₅, P₇₅) levels of urinary lead, urinary cadmium, and urinary arsenic were 6.11 (3.71, 11.08), 3.88 (2.68, 5.44), and 26.04 (19.99, 35.11) μg·g⁻¹, respectively. After adjusting for gender, age, working seniority, body mass index, smoking, drinking, and the usage of antihypertensive drugs, systolic and diastolic blood pressure increased by 0.772 and 0.418 mmHg respectively for 10% increase in lead, cadmium, and arsenic mixed exposure. Urinary cadmium, among the three single exposures, had the greatest effect on systolic and diastolic blood pressure, weight (w)=0.523 and 0.551 respectively. The interaction of urinary lead and urinary cadmium was positively correlated with the occurrence of hypertension, multiplicative interaction OR (OR_int)=1.88 (95%CI: 1.09, 3.63), attributable proportion due to interaction (AP)=1.19 (95%CI: 0.40, 8.18). Conclusion This study shows that mixed exposure to lead, cadmium, and arsenic has a positive relationship with blood pressure, in which cadmium plays a major role. Co-exposure to lead and cadmium has a positive interactive effect on hypertension development and systolic blood pressure elevation.

Metabolic syndrome is a clustering of metabolic disorder with unclear molecular mechanism. Increasing studies have found that the pathogenesis and progression of metabolic syndrome are closely related to inflammation. Here, we report celastrol, a traditional Chinese medicine, can improve high fat diet-induced metabolic syndrome through suppressing resistin-induced inflammation. Mechanistically, celastrol binds to adenylyl cyclase associated protein 1 (CAP1) and inhibits the interaction between CAP1 and resistin, which restrains the cyclic adenylate monophosphate (cAMP)-protein kinase A (PKA)-nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-

Tyrosine phosphatase SHP2 is a promising drug target in cancer immunotherapy due to its bidirectional role in both tumor growth promotion and T-cell inactivation. Its allosteric inhibitor SHP099 is known to inhibit cancer cell growth both and . However, whether SHP099-mediated SHP2 inhibition retards tumor growth anti-tumor immunity remains elusive. To address this, a CT-26 colon cancer xenograft model was established in mice since this cell line is insensitive to SHP099. Consequently, SHP099 minimally affected CT-26 tumor growth in immuno-deficient nude mice, but significantly decreased the tumor burden in CT-26 tumor-bearing mice with intact immune system. SHP099 augmented anti-tumor immunity, as shown by the elevated proportion of CD8IFN- T cells and the upregulation of cytotoxic T-cell related genes including , which decreased the tumor load. In addition, tumor growth in mice with SHP2-deficient T-cells was markedly slowed down because of enhanced anti-tumor responses. Finally, the combination of SHP099 and anti-PD-1 antibody showed a higher therapeutic efficacy than either monotherapy in controlling tumor growth in two colon cancer xenograft models, indicating that these agents complement each other. Our study suggests that SHP2 inhibitor SHP099 is a promising candidate drug for cancer immunotherapy.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of radical nephrectomy and inferior vena cava thrombectomy in the treatment of patients with Mayo Ⅲ tumor thrombus, and to introduce our experience and surgical technique.Methods: The clinical data of 8 patients with Mayo Ⅲ tumor thrombus from October 2014 to September 2016 were analyzed retrospectively.Of the 8 patients, 3 were male and 5 were female.The average age was (50.8±18.7) years (18 to 77 years).The average body mass index (BMI) was (22.7±4.4) kg/m2 (15.2 to 30.8 kg/m2).Imaging suggested the right renal tumor in all the 8 cases.The average tumor size was (7.9±2.5) cm.Open radical nephrectomy and inferior vena cava thrombectomy was conducted in 5 cases and laparoscopic surgery in 3 cases, and 1 case was converted to open surgery.Results: All the 8 surgeries were completed successfully with no death case.The average surgery time was (370.3±101.6) min, ranging from 272-567 min.The average vena cava blocked time was (41.0±12.1) min, ranging from 17-55 min.The blood loss volume was (1 181.3±915.7) mL, ranging from 200-3 000 mL.During the operation, 5 cases were infused with suspended red blood cells, the amount of blood transfusion was 800-2 000 mL.3 cases were infused of plasma with 400-1 000 mL.The average hospital stay was 9-23 d, with an average of (14.1±4.0) d.In the 8 patients, 4 cases underwent inferior vena cava wall resection because of invasion by tumor thrombus.Preoperative serum creatinine was 60-101 μmol/L, with an average of (76.4±15.3) μmol/L.Serum creatinine 1 week after the operation was 74-127 μmol/L, with an average of (100.8±21.1) μmol/L.Pathological diagnosis showed 6 cases of clear cell carcinoma, 1 case of papillary carcinoma type Ⅱ, and 1 case of Ewing''s sarcoma.Among the 8 patients, early postoperative complications occurred in 5 cases.Postoperative complications were graded as level Ⅱ, according to the Clavien classifications.The 8 cases were followed up for 2 to 24 months with an average of 11.3 months.There was 1 patient who suffered from lung metastasis.Conclusion: Our initial clinical results show that radical nephrectomy and inferior vena cava thrombectomy is safe and effective for patients with Mayo Ⅲ tumor thrombus.The wide extension of grade Ⅲ vein tumor thrombus leads to the difficulty of operation technique.Sufficient preoperative preparation, rich operative experience and skills can improve the safety of operation.

Objective To investigate the effect of minocycline on the cognition and expressions of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), apoptosis related factor Bcl-2 and Bax in hippocampus of rats with Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
Methods The rat model was established by microinjection of Aβ25-35 into lateral ventricle. Thirty healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into three groups:control group, model group and minocycline treatment group. Normal saline 1 mL/(kg·d) was intraperitoneally injected in control group and model group. The minocycline treatment group was intraperitoneally injected with minocycline 50 mg/(kg · d) for 14 days. Morris water maze was used to detect the behaviors of animals. The expressions of BDNF, Bcl-2 and Bax in hippocampus were measured by Western blotting and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The apoptosis of neurons was detected by TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL). Results Minocycline greatly improved the behaviors of AD rats, up-regulated the expressions of BDNF and Bcl-2, and down-regulated the expression of Bax in hippocampus, and reduced cell apoptosis. Conclusion Minocycline plays a protective role in neural function by promoting the growth of neurons and inhibiting the neuronal apoptosis.

Objective To discuss the clinic characters of clear cell papillary renal cell carcinoma ( CCPRCC) and the efficacy of related laparoscopic surgery.Methods From October 2013 to December 2015, 4 cases were treated as CCPRCC including 3 male and 1 female.Their age ranged from 34 to 67 years old ( mean 53 years old) .The duration of illness ranged from 7 days to 3 months, which the average duration was 1.5 months.The location of tumor included left side in 2 cases and right side in other 2 cases.All tumors were found incidentally, without symptoms or positive sign.Ultrasound showed that 2 cases were solid, and the other 2 cases were cystic solid with low, high or mixed echo and rich blood flow signals.The tumors were enhanced in CT arterial phase, and calcification showed in one case.MRI showed heterogeneous signal.The mean size of tumor was 3.0 cm,ranging 2.3 to 4.5 cm.After preoperative examination, all cases underwent retroperitoneal laparoscopic partial nephrectomy.During the operation, 2 cases were confirmed as cystic solid tumors, and the other 2 cases were solid tumors.Renal artery and renal mass were dissociated , then the artery was blocked.The tumor was complete resected, and kidney was sutured. Results All surgery was performed successfully without conversion.The operation time was 137-191 min (average 157 min).The blood loss was 10-100 ml (average 45 ml) without blood transfusion.The warm ischemia time was 15-35 min ( mean 22 min) .The postoperative hospitalization time stay 6-8 d ( average 7 d).Pathologic report was CCPRCC, including 3 cases of WHO/ISUP grade 1, and 1 case of WHO/ISUP grade 2.2 cases were cystic solid tumor, and other 2 cases were solid tumor.Bland-appearing tubules and occasional small papillae, and uniform small nuclei are arranged in a linear manner away from the basal aspect of the tubules in microscope.Immunohistochemistry showed that CA IX, CK7, 34 E12 were positive, but CD10 , P504S and CD117 were negative.The mean duration of postoperative follow-up was 14 months, ranging 4 to 30 months.No recurrence was found in those patients.Patients were followed up for 4-30 months ( average 14 months) without recurrence or metastasis.Conclusions CCPRCC is a rare subtype of renal tumor, which mainly diagnosed by pathological diagnosis . Retroperitoneal laparoscopic partial nephrectomy is an effective method for the treatment with good prognosis.