OBJECTIVE To investigate the induction of apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells by polyphyllin 9 （PP9） through the regulation of the Fas/Fas ligand （FasL） signaling pathway， and its inhibitory effect on the growth of transplanted tumor in nude mice. METHODS Based on the screening of cell lines and intervention conditions， HepG2 cells were selected as the experimental subject to investigate the effects of 2 μmol/L and 4 μmol/L PP9 treatment on cell colony formation activity， apoptosis rate， as well as the protein expressions of Fas， FasL， cleaved caspase-8 and cleaved caspase-3. Additionally， Fas inhibitor KR- 33493 was introduced to investigate the underlying mechanism of PP9’s anti-hepatocellular carcinoma activity. Using HepG2 cell tumor-bearing nude mice model as the object， and 5-fluorouracil （20 mg/kg） as the positive control， the effects of 10 mg/kg PP9 on tumor volume， tumor mass， and the protein expressions of the nuclear proliferation-associated antigen Ki-67 and cleaved caspase-3 in tumor-bearing nude mice were investigated. RESULTS Compared with the control group， 2， 4 μmol/L PP9 significantly decreased the number of clones and the clone formation rate of cells， but significantly increased the apoptosis rate， the protein expressions of Fas， FasL， cleaved caspase-8 and cleaved caspase-3 （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. However， the combination of Fas inhibitor KR-33493 could significantly reverse the effect of PP9 on the up-regulation of proteins related to the Fas/FasL signaling pathway （P＜0.01）. Compared with the control group， the tumor volume （on day 27）， mass and protein expression of Ki- 67 in nude mice of the PP9 group were significantly decreased， while the protein expression of cleaved caspase-3 was significantly increased （P＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS PP9 can induce apoptosis of HepG2 cells by activating the Fas/FasL signaling pathway. Meanwhile， PP9 can also effectively inhibit the growth of transplanted tumors in nude mice.

Macroautophagy (referred to as autophagy hereafter) is a major intracellular lysosomal degradation pathway that is responsible for the degradation of misfolded/damaged proteins and organelles. Previous studies showed that autophagy protects against acetaminophen (APAP)-induced injury (AILI) via selective removal of damaged mitochondria and APAP protein adducts. The lysosome is a critical organelle sitting at the end stage of autophagy for autophagic degradation via fusion with autophagosomes. In the present study, we showed that transcription factor EB (TFEB), a master transcription factor for lysosomal biogenesis, was impaired by APAP resulting in decreased lysosomal biogenesis in mouse livers. Genetic loss-of and gain-of function of hepatic TFEB exacerbated or protected against AILI, respectively. Mechanistically, overexpression of TFEB increased clearance of APAP protein adducts and mitochondria biogenesis as well as SQSTM1/p62-dependent non-canonical nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) activation to protect against AILI. We also performed an unbiased cell-based imaging high-throughput chemical screening on TFEB and identified a group of TFEB agonists. Among these agonists, salinomycin, an anticoccidial and antibacterial agent, activated TFEB and protected against AILI in mice. In conclusion, genetic and pharmacological activating TFEB may be a promising approach for protecting against AILI.

Objective To investigate the role of lncSIL in transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1)-induced alveo-lar epithelial interstitial transformation(EMT)and its related signaling pathways.Methods Western blot was used to detect the effect of lncSIL silencing on the expression of E-cadherin(E-cad),alpha-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)and Collagen I(Col I)in the process of EMT induced by TGF-β1.LncSIL interacting proteins were ana-lyzed by RNA pulldown.Western blot was used to detect the effect of overexpression or silencing of lncSIL on the expression of its target gene enhancer of zeste homolog 2(EZH2)and its downstream factors P21 and cyclin-de-pendent kinase 6(CDK6).Flow cytometry was used to analyze the effect of lncSIL on cell cycle progression.Re-sults After lncSIL silencing,the expression of α-SMA and Col I increased,the expression of E-cad decreased.RNA pulldown assay showed that EZH2 was the target protein that interacted with lncSIL,and the expression of EZH2 increased after silencing lncSIL,the expression of EZH2 downstream gene P21 decreased,CDK6 increased.Flow cytometry showed that the number of cells in S phase significantly increased.When lncSIL was overexpressed,the expression of EZH2 and CDK6 was down-regulated,the expression of P21 was up-regulated,and the number of S phase cells significantly decreased.Conclusion LncSIL inhibits TGF-β1-induced alveolar epithelial cell mesen-chymal transition by negatively regulating EZH2/P21/CDK6 signaling pathway to inhibit cell cycle progression.

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of filiform needle combined with fire needles for cervical radiculopathy(CR)due to wind-cold obstructing the meridians. Methods:A total of 60 patients with CR due to wind-cold obstructing the meridians were randomized into an observation group and a control group,with 30 cases in each group.The control group was treated with filiform needle treatment,and the observation group was treated with additional fire needle point-pricking treatment.The visual analog scale(VAS)and 20-point scale of CR developed by Yasuhisa TANAKA(YT-20)were scored before treatment and after 1,2,3,and 4 weeks of treatments.The tenderness threshold was measured.The local skin temperature was measured by an infrared thermal imager.A safety evaluation was performed after treatment. Results:After treatment,the VAS score in the observation group at each time point was lower than that in the control group(P<0.05).The YT-20 score,tenderness threshold,and local skin temperature in the observation group were all higher than those in the control group(P<0.05).The VAS score in the observation group at each time point after treatment was lower than that before treatment(P<0.05),and the YT-20 score,tenderness threshold,and local skin temperature at each time point were higher than those before treatment(P<0.05).After 3 and 4 weeks of treatments,the VAS score in the control group was lower than that before treatment(P<0.05),and the YT-20 score,tenderness threshold,and local skin temperature were higher than those before treatment(P<0.05).The group factor effects of VAS and YT-20 scores,tenderness threshold,and local skin temperature between the two groups were statistically significant(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the time effect and the interaction effect between time and group(P>0.05). Conclusion:Filiform needle combined with fire needle or applied alone both can relieve neck pain in patients with CR due to wind-cold obstructing the meridians,and improve the temperature of the neck.The combination of filiform needle and fire needle works more quickly and has better efficacy.

【Objective】 To investigate the development of adaptability in children aged 2 - 6, and to explore its influencing factors, so as to provide reference for promoting the development of adaptability in young children. 【Methods】 Data were from the National Nutrition and Health Systematic Survey for Children in China, and 3 319 children aged 2 - 6 and their parents from 28 sites across 14 provinces were recruited in this study.The Development Scale for Children Aged 0 - 6 years (WS/T 580-2017) was used to measure the developmental quotient of children′s adaptive ability, and a survey questionnaire was used to collect relevant information about children and their parents. 【Results】 Among 3 319 children aged 2 - 6, the proportion of slightly low or low level of adaptability, moderate adaptability development, good and excellent adaptability development was 7.68%,66.25% and 26.06%, respectively.The proportion of children aged 5 - 6 with good and excellent adaptability was lower in 3-year-old and 4-year-old groups (χ²=59.29, P<0.05).Multiple stepwise linear regression showed that children′s gender (β=0.06), gestational age of birth (β=-0.05), only child (β=-0.04), left-behind child (β=-0.04), the main caregiver (β=-0.06), and the education level of parents (β=0.09, 0.10), whether parents actively pay attention to children′s emotions (β=-0.06) and whether children play with homemade toys (β=-0.04) were the influencing factors of children′s adaptive development quotient.Girls, full-term children, only children, non-left-behind children, children with parents as main caregivers, parents with a high level of education, parents who often take the initiative to pay attention to children′s emotions, and children who play with homemade toys had a higher level of adaptability development quotient. 【Conclusions】 The development level of adaptability in children aged 2 - 6 in China is mostly above the average level and is related to multiple factors.Targeted intervention work can be carried out on relevant factors in order to promote the development of children′s adaptability.

Objective:To evaluate the development of fetal cerebral sulci and gyrus and the blood perfusion in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM) by ultrasound.Methods:A total of 1 540 pregnant women with 28-34 weeks of pregnancy who underwent systematic screening in Henan Provincial People′s Hospital from January 2022 to October 2022 were prospectively selected, 100 pregnant women with GDM were selected as the GDM group. According to the effect of blood glucose control, the GDM group was divided into 2 groups: the satisfied control group (GDM group 1), and the dissatisfied control group (GDM group 2), with 50 cases in each group. At the same period, 50 healthy pregnant women at 28-34 weeks of gestation were enrolled as the control group. The differences of the sylvian fissure, parietooccipital sulci, calcarine sulci and cinguli sulci among the 3 groups were statistically analyzed. And the correlations between the deep of the brain cerebral sulci and gyrus and controlled blood glucose levels were evaluated. The umbilical artery pulsation index(UAPI), middle cerebral artery pulsation index(MCAPI) and ductus venosus pulsation index(DVPI) among the 3 groups were compared, and the differences in fetal blood perfusion among the 3 groups were evaluated.Results:There were no significant differences in the depths of the sylvian fissure, parietooccipital sulci, calcarine sulci and cinguli sulci between the control group and the GDM group 1 (all P>0.05), and they were larger than those of the GDM group 2 (all P<0.05). The depths of lateral fissure, parieto-occipital sulcus, cingulate sulcus and calcarine sulcus were negatively correlated with fasting blood glucose, 1 h and 2 h postprandial blood glucose (all P<0.05). There were no significant differences in MCAPI, UAPI and DVPI between the control group and GDM1 group (all P>0.05). The MCAPI in GDM 2 group was lower than that in the control group and GDM 1 group, and the UAPI and DVPI values were higher than those in the control group and GDM1 group(all P<0.05). Conclusions:The maturity of fetal cerebral sulci and gyrus in GDM pregnant women is related to the blood glucose control of pregnant women. The change of blood perfusion caused by persistent hyperglycemia in pregnant women and intrauterine hypoxia may cause the development retardation of cerebral sulci and gyrus.

Objective:To compare and explore the diagnostic performance of adding value of transabdominal and transvaginal contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) to Ovarian-Adnexal Reporting and Data System (O-RADS US) risk stratification and management system in differential diagnosis of adnexal masses.Methods:A total of 180 adnexal masses with solid components in 175 women were enrolled retrospectively between September 2021 and November 2022. All patients underwent routine Doppler ultrasound examinations and CEUS examinations. Among these masses, 107 masses underwent with transabdominal CEUS, 58 masses underwent with transvaginal CEUS, and 15 masses underwent both transvaginal and transabdominal CEUS. All patients were scheduled for surgery and pathological results served as the reference standard. Routine Doppler ultrasound and CEUS images and video were reviewed by a subspecialty radiologist using Vuebox software. The O-RADS US was downgraded or upgraded according to the CEUS characteristics of the masses. The diagnostic accuracy was assessed using ROC curve analysis. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was calculated to compare the diagnostic performance of adding value of transabdominal and transvaginal CEUS to O-RADS US.Results:The diagnostic performance of adding transabdominal and transvaginal CEUS to O-RADS US were both significantly higher than of O-RADS US alone (transabdominal CEUS: AUC 0.83 vs 0.76, P=0.018; transvaginal CEUS: AUC 0.92 vs 0.81, P=0.013). Combination of transvaginal CEUS and O-RADS US was superior to that of combination of transabdominal and O-RADS US in the differential diagnosis of adnexal masses ( P=0.047). When the maximal diameter of adnexal masses ≤40 mm, transabdominal combined with O-RADS US presented the lowest diagnostic performance, with an AUC of 0.73. Conclusions:Combination of transvaginal CEUS and O-RADS US was superior to that of combination of transabdominal and O-RADS US in assessing adnexal masses with solid components. When the maximal diameter of adnexal masses ≤40 mm, transvaginal CEUS examination was recommended.

AIM:To explore the efficacy of lenvatinib(Len)in enhancing the therapeutic effects of immune checkpoint inhibitor for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)and to delve into its immunomodulatory mechanisms within the tumor microenvironment.METHODS:The effects of various concentrations of Len on the migration of human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs)and the secretion of CXC chemokine ligand 10(CXCL10)were investigated,and the mechanism by which Len modulates CXCL10 secretion was validated.An orthotopic HCC model was established,and the mice bearing tumors were randomly allocated into 4 groups:PBS group,BMS-202(PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor)group,Len group,and Len/BMS-202 group.The progression of the orthotopic liver tumors was monitored with small animal in vivo im-aging techniques.On the 13th day after the treatment,mice were sacrificed and tumor tissues were harvested for analysis.Immunofluorescence was employed to identify apoptosis,vascular architecture,and hypoxic status within the tumor tis-sue.The expression levels of proliferation marker Ki67,transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β),and the infiltration de-grees of CD4+T cells and CD8+T cells in the tumor tissue were monitored with immunohistochemistry.The secretion of im-mune factors interferon-γ(IFN-γ),CXCL10 and TGF-α in the mouse serum was quantified with ELISA.Above all data were followed by statistical analysis.RESULTS:(1)Len could facilitate endothelial cell migration within a specific range and potentiated the response of tumor cells to IFN-γ by blocking fibroblast growth factor receptor(FGFR),thereby increasing the secretion of CXCL10 from the tumor cells.(2)Compared with PBS group,tumor growth was slower in all treatment groups,with Len/BMS-202 group showing the most significant inhibition of tumor growth in tumor-bearing mice(P<0.05).(3)Compared with PBS group and monotherapy groups,Len/BMS-202 significantly promoted tumor tissue apoptosis and inhibited tumor cell proliferation(P<0.05).(4)Compared with PBS group and BMS-202 group,both Len group and Len/BMS-202 group manifested a substantial enhancement in pericytes coverage rate(P<0.01),concomitantly showing a marked improvement in hypoxic conditions(P<0.01).(5)Compared with PBS group and monotherapy groups,Len/BMS-202 group showed a significant increase in the infiltration of CD4+T cells and CD8+T cells within the tumor(P<0.01),along with a marked decrease in the expression of TGF-β(P<0.01).(6)Compared with PBS group,all treatment groups collectively induced varying degrees of secretion of IFN-γ,CXCL10 and TGF-α in mouse serum(P<0.05),with Len/BMS-202 group demonstrating the most pronounced effects(P<0.01).CONCLUSION:Lenvatinib may augment the therapeutic efficacy of BMS-202 in HCC by facilitating tumor vascular normalization,alleviating hypoxic conditions,and enhancing the secretion of CXCL10,thereby synergistically activating the tumor immune microenvironment.

Objective:To corelate thromboelastography (TEG)-related parameters and D-dimer and fibrinogen levels with the severity of preeclampsia and pregnancy outcomes in patients with preeclampsia.Methods:A case-control study was conducted involving 92 patients with preeclampsia who received treatment at Northwest Women's and Children's Hospital between March 2022 and September 2023 (patient group) and 92 healthy pregnant women who underwent routine check-ups during the same period (control group). All participants underwent TEG tests, and D-dimer and fibrinogen levels were measured. Intergroup comparisons were performed, and patients were categorized based on the severity of their condition. TEG parameters and D-dimer and fibrinogen levels were compared among patients with varying severities of preeclampsia. TEG-related parameters were correlated with D-dimer and fibrinogen levels. Adverse pregnancy outcomes in the patient group were statistically analyzed, and risk factors for these adverse outcomes in women with preeclampsia were identified.Results:In the patient group, the R and K values were (3.06 ± 0.36) minutes and (1.21 ± 0.14) minutes, respectively, both of which were significantly lower than those in the control group [(5.44 ± 0.61) minutes, (1.79 ± 0.21) minutes, t = 32.22, 22.04, both P < 0.001]. The α angle, CI value, MA value, and D-dimer and fibrinogen levels in the patient group were (71.31 ± 7.63)°, (3.89 ± 0.41), (65.71 ± 7.01) mm, (2.22 ± 0.24) mg/L, and (4.51 ± 0.49) g/L, respectively, all of which were significantly higher than those in the control group [(64.85 ± 6.79)°, (2.19 ± 0.23), (58.96 ± 6.09) mm, (1.92 ± 0.21) mg/L, (3.75 ± 0.40) g/L, t = -6.06, -34.68, -6.97, -9.02, -11.52, all P < 0.001]. In the patient group, severe cases had significantly lower R and K values compared with mild cases, while the α angle, CI value, MA value, and D-dimer and fibrinogen levels were significantly higher in severe cases than in mild cases ( t = 11.06, 7.16, -8.01, -12.05, -3.91, -13.74, -8.269, all P < 0.001). In patients with preeclampsia, the R and K values were negatively correlated with D-dimer levels, and the R value was negatively correlated with fibrinogen level ( r = -0.504, -0.612, -0.493, all P < 0.05). In addition, the MA and CI values were positively correlated with D-dimer level, and the α angle was positively correlated with fibrinogen level ( r = 0.436, 0.534, 0.492, all P < 0.05). Among the participants, 41 women experienced adverse pregnancy outcomes. In patients with adverse pregnancy outcomes, the R and K values were (2.48 ± 0.25) minutes and (1.12 ± 0.14) minutes, which were significantly lower than those in patients without adverse pregnancy outcomes [(2.75 ± 0.29) minutes, (1.28 ± 0.13) minutes, t = 4.71, 5.67; both P < 0.001]. The α angle, CI value, MA value, and D-dimer and fibrinogen levels in patients with adverse pregnancy outcomes were (76.62 ± 8.01)°, (4.42 ± 0.46), (69.77 ± 7.06) mm, (2.57 ± 0.27) mg/L, and (4.97 ± 0.51) g/L, all of which were significantly higher than those in patients without adverse pregnancy outcomes [(67.04 ± 7.01)°, (3.46 ± 0.37), (62.45 ± 6.82) mm, (1.94 ± 0.21) mg/L, (4.14 ± 0.43) g/L, t = -6.11, -5.03, -11.09, -12.25, -8.46, all P < 0.001]. Logistic regression analysis indicated that R and K values were protective factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes ( OR < 1, P < 0.05), while MA value, α angle, CI value, and D-dimer and fibrinogen levels were independent risk factors ( OR > 1, P < 0.05). Conclusion:TEG-related parameters differ significantly between patients with preeclampsia and healthy pregnant women. These parameters are correlated with the severity of preeclampsia, as well as with D-dimer and fibrinogen levels. TEG-related parameters are risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes in patients with preeclampsia.

Objective To investigate the expression change of serum antioxidant markers in cranofacial herpes zoster and its relationship with clinical severity and postherpetic neuralgia(PHN).Methods Totally 109 cases of cranofacial herpes zoster(cranofacial group)and 169 cases of non-cranofacial herpes zoster(non-cranofacial grlup)hospitalized in the Department of Dermatology in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University and 200 cases of health check-ups without underlying diseases(healthy control group)from January 2022 to December 2023 were selected,and the serum antioxidant markers including uric acid(UA),total bilirubin(TBIL),and albumin(ALB)of the patients in the three groups group were compared.Meanwhile,the relationship between these markers and clinical severity and PHN of cranofacial herpes zoster was assessed.Results The serum levels of UA,TBIL and ALB in the cranofacial group and non-cranofacial were significantly lower than those in the healthy control group(P＜0.05).Serum UA,TBIL and ALB levels in cranofacial group were significantly lower than those in non-cranofacial group(P＜0.05),and were nega-tively correlated with disease severity(P＜0.05).Serum UA,TBIL and ALB levels in cranofacial group were independent influencing factors for the occurrence of PHN(P＜0.05),and had predictive value for PHN in cranofacial herpes zoster(P＜0.05).Conclusion Reactivation of cranofacial herpes zoster virus,acute nerve injury and PHN may all be related to the low antioxidant status of the body,and the antioxidant biomarkers UA,TBIL and ALB may be protective factors for herpes zoster,but more studies are needed to clarify the un-derlying mechanisms.