Objective To investigate the role of PSMA4 in the prognosis,diagnosis and immune infiltration of lung adenocarcinoma(LUAD),and explore its underlying mechanism.Methods The expression profiles and clinical data of LUAD patients were sourced from the Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)database.The expression level of PSMA4 in LUAD tissues(n=539)and normal tissues(n=59)were compared using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test.The expression levels of PSMA4 in LUAD tissues and normal tissues were validated by analyzing the GSE40791 and GSE10072 LUAD datasets obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)database.In addition,tumor and adjacent non-cancerous tissues were collected from 10 LU AD undergoing lung biopsy by fiberoptic bronchoscopy in Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University from January to December 2023.The PSMA4 expression in above samples was further verified using RT-qPCR.RT-qPCR was performed to detect the expression of PSMA4 in lung cancer cells and normal lung epithelial cells.Functional enrichment analysis and immune cell infiltration analysis were conducted on the cells with high and low expression of PSMA4.Cox regression analysis and Kaplan-Meier(KM)survival analysis were used to determine the diagnostic and prognostic value of PSMA4 for LUAD,and a nomogram was constructed to predict the overall survival rate at different time points.Results The analysis of TCGA datasets,GSE40791,and GSE10072 LUAD data revealed that PSMA4 expression was significantly higher in LUAD tissues than in normal tissues(P＜0.01).RT-qPCR further confirmed that the expression of PSMA4 was obviously elevated in LUAD tissues and lung cancer cells than adjacent non-cancerous tissues and normal lung epithelial cells(P＜0.01).High PSMA4 expression could be regarded as a marker for LUAD diagnosis and poor prognosis,and was associated with reduced proportions of Tem cells,TFH cells,B cells,NK cells,Tcm cells,and mast cells in the tumor microenvironment.Conclusion PSMA4 presents significant diagnostic performance for LUAD,and is closely associated with the prognosis and immune infiltration of this malignancy.

Objective:To preliminarily investigate the applicability of a poliovirus pseudovirus-based neutralization assay in evaluating the immunogenicity of recombinant poliovirus vaccines and their in vivo potency in rats. Methods:Serum samples from rats immunized with recombinant poliovirus vaccines were tested using both the pseudovirus neutralization assay and the live-virus neutralization assay with Sabin strain. The consistency and correlation of the two methods were analyzed using the Kappa test and Spearman′s rank correlation.Results:For the neutralizing antibodies against typeⅠ, Ⅱ, and Ⅲ polioviruses, the Kappa values for consistency analysis of the two methods were 0.914, 1.000, and 0.751, respectively ( P<0.001), and the correlation coefficients ( R values) were 0.833, 0.927, and 0.859, respectively ( P<0.001). Conclusions:The test results of the two methods are consistent and show a good correlation, indicating that the pseudovirus neutralization assay can be applied to evaluating the immunogenicity of poliovirus vaccines and also can be used in rat potency tests.

BACKGROUND: Insufficient cerebral perfusion is suggested to play a role in the development of Alzheimer disease (AD). However, there is a lack of direct evidence indicating whether hypoperfusion causes or aggravates AD pathology. We investigated the effect of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion on AD-related pathology in humans. METHODS: We enrolled a group of cognitively normal patients (median age: 64 years) with unilateral chronic cerebral hypoperfusion. Regions of interest with the most pronounced hypoperfusion changes were chosen in the hypoperfused region and were then mirrored in the contralateral hemisphere to create a control region with normal perfusion. 11C-Pittsburgh compound-positron emission tomography standard uptake ratios and brain atrophy indices were calculated from the computed tomography images of each patient. RESULTS: The median age of the 10 participants, consisting of 4 males and 6 females, was 64 years (47-76 years). We found that there were no differences in standard uptake ratios of the cortex (volume of interest [VOI]: P = 0.721, region of interest [ROI]: P = 0.241) and grey/white ratio (VOI: P = 0.333, ROI: P = 0.445) and brain atrophy indices (Bicaudate, Bifrontal, Evans, Cella, Cella media, and Ventricular index, P > 0.05) between the hypoperfused regions and contralateral normally perfused regions in patients with unilateral chronic cerebral hypoperfusion. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that chronic hypoperfusion due to large vessel stenosis may not directly induce cerebral β-amyloid deposition and neurodegeneration in humans.
Aged ; Alzheimer Disease/pathology* ; Amyloid beta-Peptides/metabolism* ; Arteries ; Atrophy ; Brain/metabolism* ; Cerebral Cortex/metabolism* ; Cerebrovascular Circulation ; Constriction, Pathologic/pathology* ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Positron-Emission Tomography/methods*

Sex reversal, representing extraordinary sexual plasticity during the life cycle, not only triggers reproduction in animals but also affects reproductive and endocrine system-related diseases and cancers in humans. Sex reversal has been broadly reported in animals; however, an integrated resource hub of sex reversal information is still lacking. Here, we constructed a comprehensive database named ASER (Animal Sex Reversal) by integrating sex reversal-related data of 18 species from teleostei to mammalia. We systematically collected 40,018 published papers and mined the sex reversal-associated genes (SRGs), including their regulatory networks, from 1611 core papers. We annotated homologous genes and computed conservation scores for whole genomes across the 18 species. Furthermore, we collected available RNA-seq datasets and investigated the expression dynamics of SRGs during sex reversal or sex determination processes. In addition, we manually annotated 550 in situ hybridization (ISH), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and im-munohistochemistry (IHC) images of SRGs from the literature and described their spatial expression in the gonads. Collectively, ASER provides a unique and integrated resource for researchers to query and reuse organized data to explore the mechanisms and applications of SRGs in animal breeding and human health. The ASER database is publicly available at http://aser.ihb.ac.cn/.

Objective To explore the status quo of uncertainty in illness in patients with borderline ovarian tumors (BOT) and its influencing factors. MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, totally 165 patients with BOT hospitalized in Ningbo Women & Children's Hospital from March 2018 to March 2019 were selected using purposive sampling and investigated with the demographic information questionnaire, the Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale for Adult (MUIS-A) and Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire (MCMQ). Totally 165 questionnaires were distributed, and 150 valid ones were collected, with a recovery rate of 90.9%. ResultsThe total uncertainty of illness score of the 150 patients with BOT ranged 48-107 and averaged (91.32±11.47). Their total score of coping modes was (45.27±5.32), among which the score of facing was (19.21±3.75), accounting for the highest score. There were statistically significant differences in uncertainty in illness scores between BOT patients with different age,marital status, educational background, place of residence, household income, medical payment and those who were familiar with their illness or not (P＜ 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that household income, medical payment, familiar with their own illness or not as well as facing, avoidance and submission were the factors affecting uncertainty in illness (P＜0.05). ConclusionsPatients with BOT show uncertainty of illness of different degrees, which is affected by multiple factors. Medical and nursing workers shall reduce patients' uncertainty in illness according to their actualities.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical effects on incomplete intestinal obstruction treated with the adjuvant therapy of acupuncture and moxibustion.

METHODSUsing the retrospective analysis, 80 patients of incomplete intestinal obstruction were divided into an observation group and a control group, 40 cases in each one. In the control group, the routine treatment was given, such as fasting, gastrointestinal decompression, parenteral nutrition, infection prevention with antibiotics and enema laxative. In the observation group, on the basis of the treatment as the control group, acupuncture was applied at bilateral Zusanli (ST 36), Shangjuxu (ST 37) and Xiajuxu (ST 39); moxibustion was used at left Yangchi (TE 4), Zhongwan (CV 12), Qihai (CV 6) and Guanyuan (CV 4). The treatment was given once a day, 30 min each time. The average days of treatment, the surgical transfer rate, the time to first flatus, the recovery time of defecation and the time of solid food intake were observed in the patients of the two groups.

RESULTSThe average days of treatment in the observation group was obviously less than that in the control group (<0.05). The surgical transfer rate in the observation group was obviously lower than that in the control group (<0.05). The time to first flatus, the recovery time of defecation and the time of solid food intake were all obviously earlier than those in the control group (all <0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe adjuvant therapy of acupuncture and moxibustion achieves the significant therapeutic effects on incomplete intestinal obstruction, shortens the treatment duration and reduces the surgical transfer rate and the patient's economic burden.

Hilar cholangiocarcinoma is the most common types of cholangiocarcinoma,it is difficult to perform operation owing to its anatomic characterstics.Currently,radical resection is the most important prognostic factors of hilar cholangiocarcinoma.In addition,lymph node metastasis and biomarkers such as CA19-9,hepatocyte growth factor receptor,interleukin-8,and so on,are also closely related to the prognosis of hilar cholangiocarcinoma.This paper will review the relevant researches of China and abroad to summarize important prognostic factors of hilar cholangiocarcinoma above-mentioned.

BACKGROUND: In animal experiments, ultrasound-mediated microbubbles can promote the homing of transplanted stem cells to the ischemic area, enhance angiogenesis and small arterial formation, improve local blood flow in the ischemic myocardium and restore myocardial contractility.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of ultrasound-mediated microbubbles on intravenously transplanted bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) homing and the therapeutic efficiency on ischemic stroke. METHODS: A middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model was induced by plug wire preparation. At 72 hours after MCAO, model rats were randomized into four groups: PBS group (n=15), BMSCs group (n=18), ultrasound+BMSCs group (n=18), ultrasound+microbubble+BMSCs group (n=18). Corresponding treatment was done in each group: 2 mL of PBS was injected via tail vein in the PBS group; about 3×106 BMSCs diluted by 2 mL of PBS were injected via tail vein slowly in the BMSCs group; after skull ultrasound radiation (1 MHz, 2 W/cm2) for 120 seconds, BMSCs were injected via tail vein slowly in the ultrasound+BMSCs group; the same process as the ultrasound+BMSCs group was done following intravenous injection of 0.1 mL/kg microbubbles in the ultrasound+microbubble+BMSCs group.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Forty-eight hours after BMSCs transplantation, the BMSCs homing rate in the brain was significantly higher in the ultrasound+microbubble+BMSCs group than the other two groups (P < 0.05). (2) Twenty-eight days after MCAO, nerve damage was significantly milder in the ultrasound+microbubble+BMSCs group than the other two groups (P < 0.05). (3) Seven days after transplantation, the water content in the brain tissue was significantly lower in the ultrasound+microbubble+BMSCs group than the other two groups (P < 0.05). (4) Seven days after transplantation, the cerebral infarction volume was significantly reduced in the ultrasound+microbubble+BMSCs group compared with the other two groups (P < 0.05). To conclude, ultrasound-mediated microbubbles can enhance the homing effect of intravenously transplanted BMSCs, reduce cerebral edema and cerebral infarction volume, improve the neurological function, and increase the therapeutic effect of BMSCs transplantation on ischemic stroke.

Objective To evaluate the effect of aescine sodium combined with albumin in the treatment of hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage after intracranial hematoma minimally invasive removal surgery.Methods 50 patients with hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage after intracranial hematoma minimally invasive removal surgery were randomly divided into the two groups:the treatment group was treated with aescine sodium and albumin,the control group was treated with the conventional medical drugs;The neural function defect scale,brain edema area of postoperative patients after 1d and 15d,clinical effects after 15d were observed.Results 15d after operation,in the treatment group,the brain edema area was (2.40 ± 0.32) cm2,neural function defect scale was (9.44 ± 2.25) points,which were better than (3.40 ±0.85) cm2 (t =4.721,P ＜0.01) and (15.65 ±3.04) points(t =3.625,P ＜0.01).The total effective rate of the treatment group was 88.9％,which was better than 69.6％ of the control group(x2 =13.58,P ＜0.01).Conclusion Aescine sodium combined with albumin can effectively reduce perihematomal brain edema area,improve nerve function defect and clinical effect in the patients with hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage after minimally invasive scavenging surgery.

BACKGROUNDRecent studies on bone have shown an endocrine role of the skeleton, which could be impaired in various human diseases, including osteoporosis, obesity, and diabetes-associated bone diseases. As a sensor and regulator of energy metabolism, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) may also play an important role in the regulation of bone metabolism. The current study aimed to establish the expression profiles and phosphorylation patterns of AMPK subunits in several mesenchymal cell types.

METHODSReverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for relative quantification, real-time PCR for absolute quantification, and Western blotting were used to investigate the gene expression profiles and phosphorylation patterns of AMPK subunits in several mesenchymal cell types, including primary human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and hFOB, Saos-2, C3H/10T1/2, MC3T3-E1, 3T3-L1, and C2C12 cells.

RESULTSAMPKα1 and AMPKβ1 mRNAs were abundantly expressed in all cell types. AMPKγ1 mRNA was abundantly expressed in C3H/10T1/2, MC3T3-E1, 3T3-L1, and C2C12 but not detected in human-derived cell types. AMPKγ2 mRNA was mildly expressed in all cell types. AMPKα1 protein was highly expressed in all cell types and AMPKα2 protein was highly expressed only in hFOB and Saos-2 cells. AMPKβ1 protein was abundantly expressed in all cell types except for Saos-2, in which AMPKβ2 protein overwhelmed AMPKβ1 expression. AMPKγ1 and AMPKγ2 proteins were expressed in C3H/10T1/2, MC3T3-E1, 3T3-L1, and C2C12 cells and only AMPKγ2 protein was expressed in hMSCs, hFOB and Saos-2 cells. AMPKα was phosphorylated at Thr172 and Ser485 and AMPKβ1 was phosphorylated at Ser108 and Ser182 in all cell types with a specific pattern in each cell type.

CONCLUSIONThe combination of AMPK α, β, and γ subunits and phosphorylation of AMPKα (Thr172 and Ser485) and AMPKβ1 (Ser108 and Ser182) showed a specific pattern in each cell type.

AMP-Activated Protein Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Cell Line ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; enzymology ; Mice ; Phosphorylation