Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological features and molecular genetic characteristics of esophageal carcinoma with ductal differentiation, and to summarize the experiences in its diagnosis and treatment.Methods:A total of 17 cases of esophageal carcinoma with ductal differentiation diagnosed in Ningbo Clinical Pathological Diagnosis Center, Ningbo, China from June 2011 to December 2022 were collected. The clinical information and pathological diagnosis was reviewed. The tumor histological features and immunohistochemical results were analyzed. The next-generation sequencing was performed to detect and analyze the gene mutations in tumor samples.Results:The 17 patients included in this study were 54-77 years old, with a median age of 66 years. There were 16 males and 1 female. Among them, 9 cases were mainly carcinoma with ductal differentiation. The squamous epithelium on the tumor′s surface was accompanied by high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia. The tumor and atypical squamous epithelium were transitional, and the focus was accompanied by various proportions of squamous cell carcinoma component (less than 10%). The other 8 cases were mostly squamous cell carcinoma, basaloid squamous cell carcinoma or sarcomatoid carcinoma with various degrees of tumor specific differentiation and focal area of carcinoma with ductal differentiation (less than 10%). The tumor cells in the area with ductal differentiation were mainly arranged in small tubes, while the tubes showed a double-layer structure, including the inner cells and outer cells of the lumen. Immunohistochemical results showed that the outer cells of the tumorous tubules expressed p63, p40, CK5/6 and CK34βE12, while the inner cells expressed CK7. Compared with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma reported in the literature, the frequency of gene mutations such as MYC ( P=0.002), TP63 ( P=0.002), CDKN1C ( P=0.002) and NFE2L2 ( P=0.045) was significantly lower in this group of cases. At the signaling pathway level, the mutation frequency of NOTCH signaling pathway ( P=0.041) was significantly higher, while the mutation frequencies of NRF2 pathway ( P=0.013) and PI3K pathway ( P=0.009) were significantly lower than that of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Conclusion:Esophageal carcinoma with ductal differentiation is a type of esophageal carcinoma with unique morphology, and its molecular changes are also significantly different from those of conventional esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease(MASLD)is the most prevalent chronic liver disease globally,with only one Food and Drug Administration(FDA)-approved drug for its treatment.Given MASLD's complex pathophysiology,ther-apies that simultaneously target multiple pathways are highly desirable.One promising approach is dual-modulation of the famesoid X receptor(FXR),which regulates lipid and bile acid metabolism.However,FXR agonists alone are insufficient due to their limited anti-inflammatory effects.This study aimed to dto identify natural products capable of both FXR activation and inflammation inhibition to provide a comprehensive therapeutic approach for MASLD.Potential FXR ligands from the Natural Product Library were predicted via virtual screening using the Protein Preparation Wizard module in Schrodinger(2018)for molecular docking.Direct binding and regulation of candidate compounds on FXR were analyzed using surface plasmon resonance(SPR)binding assay,reporter gene ana-lysis,and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).The anti-inflammatory properties of these compounds were eval-uated in AML12 cells treated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α).Dual-function compounds with FXR agonism and inflamma-tion inhibition were further identified in cells transfected with Fxr siRNA and treated with TNF-α.The effects of these dual-function compounds on lipid accumulation and inflammation were evaluated in cells treated with palmitic acid.Results revealed that 17 natural products were predicted via computational molecular docking as potential FXR agonists,with 15 exhibiting a strong affinity for FXR recombinant protein.Nine isoflavone compounds significantly enhanced FXR reporter luciferase activity and the mRNA expressions of Shp and Ostb.Structure-activity relationship analysis indicated that introducing isopropyl or methoxy groups at the C7 position or a methoxy group at the C6 position could enhance the agonistic efficacy of isoflavones.Three compounds(2,6,and 8)were identified as dual-function natural products functioning as FXR agonists and inflammatory inhibitors,while one compound(12)acted as an FXR agonist to inhibit inflammation.These natural products protected hepatocytes against palmitic acid-induced lipid accumulation and in-flammation.In conclusion,compounds 2,6,and 8(genistein,biochanin A,and 7-methoxyisoflavone,respectively)were identified as dual-function bioactive products that transactivate FXR and inhibit inflammation,serving as potential candidates or lead compounds for MASLD therapy.

Objective:To evaluate knee biomechanics of patients about 12 months after anterior cruciate ligament(ACL)reconstruction during cutting and determine the abnormal biomechanical characteristics.Methods:Sixteen males about 12 months after ACL reconstruction were recruited for this study.Three-dimensional kinematic and kinetic data were collected during cutting movement.Knee joint angles and moments were calculated.Paired t-tests were used to compare the differences in knee biomechanics be-tween the surgical leg and nonsurgical leg.Results:The peak posterior ground reaction force(surgical leg:0.380±0.071;nonsurgical leg:0.427±0.069,P=0.003)and vertical ground reaction force(surgical leg:1.996±0.202,nonsurgical leg:2.110±0.182,P=0.001)were significantly smaller in the surgical leg than in the nonsurgical leg.When compared with the uninjured leg,the surgical leg demonstrated a smaller knee flexion angle(surgical leg:38.3°±7.4°;nonsurgical leg:42.8°±7.9°,P＜0.001)and larger external rotation angle(surgical leg:10.3°±2.4°;nonsurgical leg:7.7°±2.1°,P=0.008).The surgical leg also demonstrated a smaller peak knee extension moment(surgical leg:0.092±0.031;nonsurgical leg:0.133±0.024,P＜0.001)and peak knee external rotation moment(surgical leg:0.005±0.004;nonsurgical leg:0.008±0.004,P=0.015)when com-pared with the nonsurgical leg.Conclusion:The individuals with ACL reconstruction mainly showed asymmetrical movements in the sagittal and horizontal planes.The surgical leg demonstrated a smaller peak knee flexion angle,knee extension moment,and knee external rotation moment,with greater knee external rotation angle.

Objective To investigate the clinical phenotypes and genotypes of children with congenital fibrinogen disorder(CFD).Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 16 children with CFD.Polymerase chain reaction was used to amplify all exons and flanking sequences of the FGA,FGB,and FGG genes,and sequencing was performed to analyze mutation characteristics.Results Among the 16 children,there were 9 boys(56%)and 7 girls(44%),with a median age of 4 years at the time of attending the hospital.Among these children,9(56%)attended the hospital due to bleeding events,and 7(44%)were diagnosed based on preoperative examination.The children with bleeding events had a significantly lower fibrinogen activity than those without bleeding events(P<0.05).Genetic testing was conducted on 12 children and revealed a total of 12 mutations,among which there were 4 novel mutations,i.e.,c.80T>C and c.1368delC in the FGA gene and c.1007T>A and C.1053C>A in the FGG gene.There were 2 cases of congenital afibrinogenemia caused by null mutations of the FGA gene,with relatively severe bleeding symptoms.There were 7 cases of congenital dysfibrinogenemia mainly caused by heterozygous missense mutations of the FGG and FGA genes,and their clinical phenotypes ranged from asymptomatic phenotype to varying degrees of bleeding.Conclusions The clinical phenotypes of children with CFD are heterogeneous,and the severity of bleeding is associated with the level of fibrinogen activity,but there is a weak association between clinical phenotype and genotype.

Objective: To investigate the mechanism of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and cancer associated fibroblasts (CAF) jointly generate chemo-resistance in epithelial-ovarian cancer and their effect on prognosis. Methods: A total of 119 patients with high-grade ovarian serous cancer who received surgery in Cancer Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from September 2009 to October 2017 were collected. The clinico-pathological data and follow-up data were complete. Multivariate Cox regression model was used to analyze the prognostic factors. Ovarian cancer tissue chips of patients in our hospital were prepared. EnVision two-step method immunohistochemistry was used to detect the protein expression levels of STAT3, the specific markers of CAF activation, fibroblast activating protein (FAP), and type Ⅰ collagen (COL1A1) secreted by CAF. The relationship between the expression of STAT3, FAP, COL1A1 protein and drug resistance and prognosis of ovarian cancer patients was analyzed, and the correlation between the expression of three proteins was analyzed. These results were verified through the gene expression and prognostic information of human ovarian cancer tissues collected in the GSE26712 dataset of gene expression omnibus (GEO) database. Results: (1) Multivariate Cox regression model analysis showed that chemotherapy resistance was an independent risk factor for overall survival (OS) of ovarian cancer (P<0.001). (2) The expression levels of STAT3, FAP, and COL1A1 proteins in chemotherapy resistant patients were significantly higher than those in chemotherapy sensitive patients (all P<0.05). Patients with high expression of STAT3, FAP, and COL1A1 had significantly shorter OS than those with low expression (all P<0.05). According to the human ovarian cancer GSE26712 dataset of GEO database, patients with high expression of STAT3, FAP, and COL1A1 also showed shorter OS than patients with low expression (all P<0.05), the verification results were consistent with the detection results of ovarian cancer patients in our hospital. (3) Correlation analysis showed that the protein level of STAT3 was positively correlated with FAP and COL1A1 in our hospital's ovarian cancer tissue chips (r=0.47, P<0.001; r=0.30, P=0.006), the analysis of GEO database GSE26712 dataset showed that the expression of STAT3 gene and FAP, COL1A1 gene were also significantly positively correlated (r=0.31, P<0.001; r=0.52, P<0.001). Conclusion: STAT3 and CAF could promote chemotherapy resistance of ovarian cancer and lead to poor prognosis.
Female ; Humans ; Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts/pathology* ; Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial ; Ovarian Neoplasms/pathology* ; Prognosis ; STAT3 Transcription Factor/metabolism* ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm

Objective To investigate the immunomodulatory effect of mare's milk on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) mice. Methods Kunming mice were randomly divided into a blank group(0.8 mL/day saline by gavage) and a DSS modeling group. After modeling, the DSS modeling group was further divided into a control group (0.8 mL/day saline), a salazosulfapyridine (SASP) treated group(430 mg/(kg.d)) and a mare's milk group(0.8 mL/day), with 16 mice in each group. After 10 days of gavage administration, HE staining was performed to observe colonic inflammation, and the disease activity index (DAI) and colonic mucosal damage index (CMDI) were scored. ELISA was used to determine the levels of interleukin 1β (IL-1β), IL-6, and IL-10 in mouse colonic tissues, and flow cytometry was used to detect the percentages of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T lymphocytes in peripheral blood. Results Compared to the blank group, all indexes in mice of the control group indicated that DSS successfully induced UC. Compared to the control group, colon shortening in UC mice was attenuated in the mare's milk group; inflammation and ulcer formation in colonic tissues were inhibited; DAI and CMDI scores were lowere; IL-1β and IL-6 levels in mouse colonic tissues were significantly reduced; IL-10 levels were increased and the CD4⁺/CD8⁺ T cell ratio was reduced. Conclusion Mare's milk can inhibit the inflammation of DSS-induced UC mice through immune regulation.
Mice ; Animals ; Female ; Horses ; Colitis, Ulcerative/drug therapy* ; Interleukin-10 ; Dextran Sulfate ; Interleukin-6 ; Milk ; Signal Transduction ; Disease Models, Animal ; Inflammation ; Colon

Circular RNA (circRNA) is a single-stranded circular closed RNA molecule formed from linear RNA through reverse splicing. circRNAs are stable, highly conserved, and tissue-specific. circRNAs can regulate physiological and pathological processes through various mechanisms such as formation of competing endogenous RNA and interaction with binding proteins. It has been recently revealed that circRNAs can be translated into peptides and proteins to participate in the initiation and development of cancer. circRNAs are promising diagnostic and prognostic markers for human cancers as well as potential drug targets for cancer therapy. This review summarized the research progresses related to circRNA-encoded peptides and proteins in a variety of cancers. These peptides and proteins are translated through two different mechanisms that depend on internal ribosome entry site and m6A, respectively. We also summarized the potential use of circRNA-encoded peptides and proteins in the diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and mechanistic studies of various cancers.
Humans ; Internal Ribosome Entry Sites ; Neoplasms/genetics* ; Peptides, Cyclic ; RNA/genetics* ; RNA, Circular/genetics*

Objective:To investigate the correlation of isokinetic thigh muscle asymmetry with gait asymmetry at one year after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.Methods:A retrospective case series analysis was made on 25 patients treated by ACL reconstruction in Third Hospital of Peking University from January 2014 to January 2019. All the subjects were male, aged 17-47 years [(29.4±5.2)years]. Standard rehabilitation treatment procedures were conducted after surgery. The isokinetic muscle strength of the thigh was collected at one year after operation to evaluate knee extensor and flexor concentric strength at 60°/s, 180°/s and 300°/s, and knee extensor and flexor eccentric strength at 60°/s. The maximum concentric and eccentric strength of the knee extensor and flexor were analysed between the injured and intact side. The three-dimensional motion information and ground reaction force was collected during the stance phase of gait, and knee kinematic and kinetic parameters were calculated by inverse dynamics analysis, including the peak flexion moment, peak extension moment, first and second peak adduction moment, peak external and internal rotation moment, peak flexion angle, peak extension angle during the terminal stance phase, flexion angle at heel strike, peak abduction angle, and peak external rotation angle during terminal stance phase. Spearman correlation analysis was used to study the correlation between limb symmetry index (LSI) of isokinetic muscle strength and LSI of gait parameters.Results:One year after ACL reconstruction, the maximum concentric strength of the knee extensor and flexor at 60°/s, 180°/s and 300°/s and maximum eccentric strength of the knee flexor and extensor at 60°/s on the injured side were significantly lower than those on the normal side (all P<0.01). Compared with the intact side, the peak knee extension moment on the injured side was significantly lower during the stance phase of gait ( P<0.01), and the extension angle was insufficient during the terminal stance phase ( P<0.01). There were no significant differences between the injured and intact side in terms of peak flexion moment, first and second peak adduction moment, peak external and internal rotation moment, peak flexion angle, flexion angle at heel strike, peak abduction angle, and peak external rotation angle during terminal stance phase (all P>0.05). One year after ACL reconstruction, Spearman correlation analysis during gait stance phase showed that the LSI of 60°/s concentric strength of the isokinetic knee extensor was significantly related to LSI of peak internal rotation moment ( R=0.42, P<0.05), the LSI of 180°/s concentric strength of the isokinetic knee extensor was significantly related to LSI of peak flexion moment ( R=0.45, P<0.05), the LSI of 180°/s concentric strength of the isokinetic knee flexor was significantly correlated with LSI of peak flexion angle ( R=0.46, P<0.05), the LSI of 300°/s concentric strength of the isokinetic knee extensor was significantly correlated with LSI of peak knee flexion angle ( R=0.42, P<0.05), and the LSI of 60°/s eccentric strength of the isokinetic flexor was significantly correlated with LSI of peak knee flexion angle ( R=0.54, P<0.01). Conclusions:For patients following ACL reconstruction at one year postoperatively, a significant correlation of isokinetic thigh extensor strength asymmetry with peak knee flexion and rotation moment and peak knee flexion angle, and that of isokinetic thigh flexor strength asymmetry with peak knee flexion angle are observed during the stance phase of gait, which suggests that patients with ACL reconstruction still need systematic rehabilitation training one year postoperatively to improve muscle strength and motor function so as to reduce the risk of ACL reinjury and secondary injury.

Objective: To compare bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and dual energy X ray absorptiometry (DXA) for measuring body mineral content (BMC) of children and adolescents, and to provide a basis for BIA to accurately measure BMC in children and adolescents. Methods: By using the convenience sampling method, among 1 469 children and adolescents aged 7-17 were recruited in Guangzhou from April to May 2019, the BMC was measured by DXA and BIA. The intraclass correlation coefficient ( ICC ) and Bland Altman analysis were used to evaluate the agreement between BIA and DXA. Bland Altman analysis was performed on log transformed data. The BMC was categorized into age and specific tertiles, and the agreement between methods was evaluated based on the kappa coefficients. Treating the BMC with DXA as the dependent variable, a prediction model was constructed for correcting the BIA measure. Results: The ICC s were 0.93 and 0.94 for boys and girls, respectively. In Bland Altman analysis, the limits of agreements for the BIA to DXA ratio were wide in boys and girls, ranging from 0.27-0.76 and 0.17-0.72, respectively. The kappa coefficients for categorized BMC levels were 0.57 and 0.45 for boys and girls, respectively, showing a fair to good degree of agreement. When sub grouped by BMI, the kappa coefficients for all BMI groups of boys and overweight girls were all >0.75 , with an excellent agreement. The prediction models for boys and girls were as follows: BMC DXA =-0.51+0.44× BMC BIA + 0.06× Age +0.02× BMI ; and BMC DXA =-0.55+0.43× BMC BIA +0.06× Age +0.02× BMI , respectively. The R 2 for models of boys and girls were 0.87 and 0.87, respectively. Conclusion The agreement between BIA and DXA was poor for measuring BMC, but acceptable when evaluating the categorized BMC levels, suggesting the BIA may be applied in assessment of the BMC levels when compared to the age and gender specific population. Additionally, the prediction model for correcting BMC by BIA fis well to the measurement by DXA.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze characteristics and related factors of the plantar pressure during the level walking and single leg standing in the chronic ankle instability (CAI) individuals. METHODS: From April 2019, 75 CAI individuals and 40 healthy individuals were enrolled in this study. Both of the static and dynamic plantar pressure were measured during six times level walking and three times single leg standing testing. The data including peak force, time to peak force in various foot contact areas and the time to boundary (TTB) and velocity of center of pressure (COP) were measured and compared between the affected side and the unaffected side and between the CAI cases and the healthy individuals. The correlations between the plantar pressure and the gender, Beighton score, affected side and body mass index (BMI) were analyzed. RESULTS: The characteristics of plantar pressure distribution in the CAI individuals included: (1) During the level walking, the affected side showed the similar pressure contribution as the unaffected side (P>0.05). While compared with healthy individuals, there was a significantly higher peak force in the 5th metatarsal area (t=-3.86, P=0.03) of the affected side, lower peak force in the 1st (t=2.99, P=0.02), 2nd metatarsal head areas (t=2.09, P=0.01) of the affected side, medial hindfoot areas of both sides (affected, t=2.33, P=0.01; unaffected, t=3.74, P=0.02) and toes areass of both sides (affected, t=2.23, P=0.01; unaffected, t=3.28, P=0.02) and a delay to peak force in the 4th metatarsal head area (t=3.33, P=0.01) of the affected side. (2) During the single leg standing, the CAI individuals showed significantly worse balance control in the anterior/posterior direction (P < 0.05) and lateral/medial direction (P < 0.05) compared with the healthy controls, and the affected side had more severe balance control deficit in the lateral/medial direction (P < 0.05). (3) The women (P < 0.05) and the individuals with higher Beighton scores (P < 0.05) showed worse balance control deficit in the lateral/medial direction. CONCLUSION CAI individuals showed significantly a more lateral shifted plantar distribution during the level walking compared with the healthy individuals and the tendency was worse on the affected sides, and showed worse balance control in the anterior/posterior direction and lateral/medial direction during the single leg standing. The women and those with generalized ligament laxity showed significantly worse balance control.
Ankle ; Ankle Joint ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Foot ; Humans ; Joint Instability