Objective To explore the clinical characteristics and treatment scheme of patients with spinal infection caused by Prevotella intermedia(P.intermedia).Methods Clinical diagnosis and treatment processes of a patient with spinal infection caused by P.intermedia admitted to the spinal surgery department of a hospital were summa-rized,and relevant literature was retrieved from database for reviewing.Results The patient,a 50 year old male,was admitted to the hospital due to"lumbago pain complicated with pain in double lower extremities for 2 months".The lesion tissue was taken for metagenomic next-generation sequencing(mNGS)detection,which detected P.in-termedia,and the patient was diagnosed with P.intermedia spondylitis.After treatments with open lesion clea-rance,tube rinsing+autologous bone transplantation fusion internal fixation,intravenous drip of ceftriaxone sodium and metronidazole,as well as metronidazole rinsing,infection was under control.A total of 16 available papers were retrieved,together with this case,a total of 17 patients were included,with 7 males and 10 females.The main risk factors were diabetes and history of corticosteroid use(35.3％).The most common invasion sites were lumbar ver-tebra(n=12)and thoracic vertebra(n=6).13 cases were positive for pathogen culture,3 cases were positive for molecular detection,and 1 case was positive for staining microscopy.17 patients received anti-anaerobic bacteria treatment,with 14 cases receiving combined surgical treatment.One case died,with a mortality of 5.9％;5 cases had partial neurological impairment,with a disability rate of 29.4％.The survival rate of patients who received treatment of anti-anaerobic bacteria combined with surgery was 92.8％,3 patients only with anti-anaerobic bacteria treatment but without surgery were all cured.Conclusion P.intermedia is an opportunistic pathogeanic bacteria which often causes infection in immunocomprised individuals and is prone to be misdiagnosed.It is recommended to perform mNGS detection to identify the pathogen as early as possible and seize the opportunity for treatment to reduce mortality.

Acute liver injury (ALI) is one of the common severe diseases in clinic, which is characterized by redox imbalance and inflammatory storm. Untimely treatment can easily lead to liver failure and even death. Rosmarinic acid (RA) has been proved to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity, but it is not clear how to protect ALI through antioxidation and inhibition of inflammation. Therefore, this study explored the therapeutic effect and molecular mechanism of RA on ALI through in vitro and in vivo experiments. In the mouse ALI model, the effects of RA on liver function and inflammatory indexes were studied, the pathological changes of liver were observed by HE, the effect of RA on reactive oxygen species in liver was detected by fluorescence method, and the level of F4/80 in liver tissue was detected by immunohistochemical method. The levels of thioredoxin interacting protein (TXNIP), NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) and cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-1 (CASPASE-1) in liver tissue were measured by Western blot. All animal welfare and experimental procedures follow the rules of the Animal Ethics Committee of Southwest Minzu University. In vitro, human hepatoma cell line HepG2 was used to establish the model of oxidative damage induced by H₂O₂. The cell viability was detected by CCK-8 method. The level of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in the supernatant was detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), the activity of lactatede hydrogenase (LDH) was detected by LDH kit, and the level of ROS was detected by fluorescence probe DCFH-DA labeling. The mRNA expression of Txnip, Nlrp3, Caspase 1, Il1β was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qPCR), and the protein levels of nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2 (NRF2), TXNIP, NLRP3 and CASPASE-1 were measured by Western blot. The results showed that compared with the model group, the degree of liver swelling, tissue injury, liver function index in RA group were significantly lower than those in model group. And RA significantly attenuated the increases of ROS in liver tissue. The expression levels of TXNIP, NLRP3 and CASPASE-1 in liver tissue were significantly lower than those in model group. Additionally, RA inhibited the expressions of F4/80 and IL-1β. In vitro experiment, compared with model group, RA effectively inhibited the secretion of IL-1β and LDH. The level of ROS also decreased significantly. RA inhibited the mRNA expressions of Txnip, Caspase 1, Il1β. Furthermore, RA significantly increased the expression level of NRF2 protein in nucleus, and decreased the expression level of TXNIP and NLRP3 protein. Specifically, with the addition of ML385, the effect of RA on NRF2, TXNIP, NLRP3, CASPASE-1 protein expression was reversed. Collectively, these findings suggested that RA may inhibit the production of ROS by promoting NRF2 nuclear transfer, and then reduce the activation of NLRP3 inflammatory bodies by TXNIP, reduce cell death and inflammatory response to prevent the liver injury.

Mongolian medicine external treatment,which called five kinds of treatment in ancient time,is a kind of exter-nal treatment including fire moxibustion,poultice,soaking and other therapies.The therapy was gradually developed and per-fected in the course of Mongolian people's long-term struggle against diseases,which has characteristics of small trauma and suitable for long-term application.In this paper,the research progress of external treatment of orthopedic diseases in Mongolian medicine in recent years was summarized,and it was concluded that external treatment of orthopedic diseases in Mongolian medicine had distinct characteristics and accurate efficacy.However,there are still deficiencies in the standardization of clini-cal operation and the study of the mechanism of therapeutic action,which need further research and improvement.

Objective To investigate the effects of pulsed radiofrequency(PRF)with intercostal nerve block on analgesia analgesia effect,cognitive function and postoperative delirium in elderly patients undergoing thoracoscopic lung surgery.Methods Ninety elderly patients undergoing thoracoscopic lung surgery in our hospital were randomly divided into the control group(intercostal nerve block with local anesthetic drugs)and the PRF group(PRF with intercostal nerve block).The pain score,analgesic effect,cognitive function,postoperative delirium and neurological dysfunction of the two groups were compared.Results The pain scores of resting and coughing state 48 hours and 72 hours after surgery in the PRF group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).The number of analgesic pump compression and proportion of supplemental analgesia within 72 hours after surgery and perioperative sufentanil dosage in the PRF group were significantly less than those in the control group(P<0.05).The cognitive function scores 48 hours and 72 hours after surgery in the PRF group were significantly higher than those in the control group(P<0.05).The incidence of delirium 72 hours after surgery in the PRF group was significantly lower than that in the control group(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the incidence of intercostal nerve dysfunction 1 month,2 months and 3 months after surgery between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion PRF with intercostal nerve block can effectively relieve pain after elderly thoracoscopic lung surgery,reduce postoperative opioid consumption,improve postoperative cognitive function,and decrease postoperative delirium incidence without affecting the intercostal nerve function,which is safe and reliable.

Objective:To explore the effects of RNF113A on the proliferation,migration,in-vasion,apoptosis,and autophagy of hepatocellular carcinoma cells.Methods:Hep3B cells were divided into control group and RNF113A overexpression group(RNF113A-OE),HepG2 was divided into control group and RNF113A knockdown group(si-RNF113A),CCK-8 assay was used to detect changes in cell viability,clone formation assay was used to detect changes in cell proliferation abili-ty,Transwell assay was used to detect changes in cell invasion ability,wound healing assay was used to detect changes in cell migration ability,and flow cytometry was used to detect changes in cell apoptosis ability,Western blot experiments were used to detect changes in protein expression of autophagy related genes and AMPK signaling pathway related genes.Results:Compared with the control group,the proliferation,cloning,invasion,and migration abilities of Hep3B cells in the RNF113A-OE group were improved,while apoptosis and autophagy abilities were decreased,and the AMPK signaling pathway was inhibited;In the si-RNF113A group,the proliferation,cloning,in-vasion,and migration abilities of HepG2 cells were significantly reduced,while apoptosis and au-tophagy abilities were increased,and the activation of the AMPK signaling pathway was promoted.Conclusion:RNF113A promotes the proliferation,cloning,invasion,and migration of hepatocel-lular carcinoma cells,and inhibited apoptosis and autophagy by inhibiting the AMPK signaling path-way.

Aim To explore the lipid-lowering effect of Dendrobium huoshanense C.Z.Tang et S.J.Cheng polysaccharides(DHP),on atherosclerotic mice and its regulatory effect on intestinal flora.Methods Twelve 8-week-old ApoE-/-mice were randomly di-vided into two groups:H-1 and H-2.Both groups were fed a high-fat diet(HFD).After eight weeks,the H-2 group received DHP(400 mg·kg-1·d-1)for six weeks,while the H-1 group received normal saline.Blood samples were collected at 0,4,8 and 14 weeks.Feces from the H-2 group were collected and labeled as B,E,F and D,and liver and kidney tissues were col-lected post-mortem at week 14.Blood indexes were de-tected using kits,and fecal flora was analyzed by met-agenomics.Results DHP significantly decreased blood lipid levels in mice(P＜0.05)without causing significant liver and kidney damage.Metagenomic a-nalysis showed that,compared with group B,the rela-tive abundance of Deferribacterota and Faecalibaculum increased in EF group,while the relative abundance of Bacteroidota,Prevotella and Lachnoclostridium de-creased(P＜0.05).Compared with EF group,the relative abundance of Bacteroidota,Prevotella and Lachnoclostridium increased in group D,while the rela-tive abundance of Deferribacterota,Bacillota,Oscilli-bacter and Faecalibaculum decreased(P＜0.05).Actinomycetota,Faecalibaculum rodentium and other bacteria increased with longer HFD feeding time(P＜0.05).Conversely,Parabacteroides and Lachnoclos-tridium decreased with increased HFD feeding time(P＜0.05).Conclusions The intestinal flora structure of mice changes significantly with the progression of atherosclerosis.DHP intervention shows a potential to improve microflora structure and lipid metabolism in mice.

Objective To investigate the infiltration of peripheral monocyte in the hippocampal CA3 area in neuralgia mice at different time points and explore the effects of the infiltration on neuralgia and the neuralgia-induced anxiety-like behavior in mice.Methods The healthy male C57 mice were randomly divided into four groups:sham,sciatic nerve branch selective injury(SNI)model(SNI),CCR2 inhibitor RS102895(SNI+RS102895)and microglial inhibitor minocycline(MC)(SNI+MC)groups.Both the sham and SNI groups were further divided into 7 days,14 days and 18 days groups,and the SNI+RS102895 and SNI+MC groups were sampled on the 18th day.Neuralgia was induced by SNI,and mechanical hyperalgesia was assessed by paw withdrawal threshold(PWTs)at different time points.Elevated plus maze(EPM)and open field test(OFT)were performed respectively two days and one day before sacrifice.Immunofluorescence was used to observe the expressions of leukocyte differentiation antigen 45(CD45)and the co-expression with microglial markers ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule-1(IBA-1),transmembrane protein 119(TMEM119),astrocyte marker glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP),and neuronal marker neuronal nuclei(NeuN)in the hippocampal CA3.The percentage of monocytes in the whole brain of 14 days SNI mice was determined by flow cytometry.Minocycline at 90 mg/(kg·d),RS 102895 at 5 mg/(kg·d)and saline were administered orally on the 5th to 16th day in the corresponding 18 days groups,and the effects of blocking monocyte infiltration on neuralgia and anxiety-like behavior and the expressions of CD45 and 1BA-1 in CA3 region of hippocampus were observed.Results On the first day after SNI,the PWTs of mice in the 7 days and 14 days groups decreased and continued until before sacrifice(P＜0.01).The CD45 expression did little in the 7 days sham group.Compared with the sham group at the same time point,the CD45 expression did not increase in 7 days SNI mice((P＞0.05)and increased significantly in 14 days SNI mice(P＜0.01),only slightly co-expressed with IBA-1 and TMEM119 and no co-expression with GFAP and NeuN,the percentage of monocytes in the whole brain increased significantly in 14 days SNI mice(P＜0.01).Inhibition of microglial activation or CCR2 expression reduced the expression of CD45 in the CA3 in SNI mice(P＜0.01),increased the PWTs(P＜0.01)and alleviated anxiety-like behavior in SNI mice(P＜0.01).Conclusion There was an infiltration of peripheral monocytes in the hippocampal CA3 region after 14 days of SNI-induced neuralgia,which might be involved in the maintenance of neuralgia and the development of neuralgia-induced anxiety-like behaviors.

Objective To screen antigen targets for immunotherapy by analyzing over-expressed genes, and to identify significant pathways and molecular mechanisms in esophageal cancer by using bioinformatic methods such as enrichment analysis, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, and survival analysis based on the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database.Methods By screening with highly expressed genes, we mainly analyzed proteins MUC13 and EPCAM with transmembrane domain and antigen epitope from TMHMM and IEDB websites. Significant genes and pathways associated with the pathogenesis of esophageal cancer were identified using enrichment analysis, PPI network, and survival analysis. Several software and platforms including Prism 8, R language, Cytoscape, DAVID, STRING, and GEPIA platform were used in the search and/or figure creation.Results Genes MUC13 and EPCAM were over-expressed with several antigen epitopes in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) tissue. Enrichment analysis revealed that the process of keratinization was focused and a series of genes were related with the development of esophageal cancer. Four genes including ALDH3A1, C2, SLC6A1,and ZBTB7C were screened with significant P value of survival curve.Conclusions Genes MUC13 and EPCAM may be promising antigen targets or biomarkers for esophageal cancer. Keratinization may greatly impact the pathogenesis of esophageal cancer. Genes ALDH3A1, C2, SLC6A1,and ZBTB7C may play important roles in the development of esophageal cancer.
Humans ; Esophageal Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma/metabolism* ; Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule/metabolism* ; Gene Expression Profiling/methods* ; Gene Regulatory Networks ; Gene Expression ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins

Objective: To investigate the expression of programmed death protein-ligand 1 (PD-L1) in liver cancer stem-like cells (LCSLC) and its effect on the characteristics of tumor stem cells and tumor biological function, to explore the upstream signaling pathway regulating PD-L1 expression in LCSLC and the downstream molecular mechanism of PD-L1 regulating stem cell characteristics, also tumor biological functions. Methods: HepG2 was cultured by sphere-formating method to obtain LCSLC. The expressions of CD133 and other stemness markers were detected by flow cytometry, western blot and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) were used to detect the expressions of stemness markers and PD-L1. The biological functions of the LCSLC were tested by cell function assays, to confirm that the LCSLC has the characteristics of tumor stem cells. LCSLC was treated with cell signaling pathway inhibitors to identify relevant upstream signaling pathways mediating PD-L1 expression changes. The expression of PD-L1 in LCSLC was down regulated by small interfering RNA (siRNA), the expression of stem cell markers, tumor biological functions of LCSLC, and the changes of cell signaling pathways were detected. Results: Compared with HepG2 cells, the expression rate of CD133 in LCSLC was upregulated [(92.78±6.91)% and (1.40±1.77)%, P<0.001], the expressions of CD133, Nanog, Oct4A and Snail in LCSLC were also higher than those in HepG2 cells (P<0.05), the number of sphere-formating cells increased on day 7 [(395.30±54.05) and (124.70±19.30), P=0.001], cell migration rate increased [(35.41±6.78)% and (10.89±4.34)%, P=0.006], the number of transmembrane cells increased [(75.77±10.85) and (20.00±7.94), P=0.002], the number of cloned cells increased [(120.00±29.51) and (62.67±16.77), P=0.043]. Cell cycle experiments showed that LCSLC had significantly more cells in the G(0)/G(1) phase than those in HepG2 [(54.89±3.27) and (32.36±1.50), P<0.001]. The tumor formation experiment of mice showed that the weight of transplanted tumor in LCSLC group was (1.32±0.17)g, the volume is (1 779.0±200.2) mm(3), were higher than those of HepG2 cell [(0.31±0.06)g and (645.6±154.9)mm(3), P<0.001]. The expression level of PD-L1 protein in LCSLC was 1.88±0.52 and mRNA expression level was 2.53±0.62, both of which were higher than those of HepG2 cells (P<0.05). The expression levels of phosphorylation signal transduction and transcription activation factor 3 (p-STAT3) and p-Akt in LCSLC were higher than those in HepG2 cells (P<0.05). After the expression of p-STAT3 and p-Akt was down-regulated by inhibitor treatment, the expression of PD-L1 was also down-regulated (P<0.05). In contrast, the expression level of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2 (p-ERK1/2) in LCSLC was lower than that in HepG2 cells (P<0.01), there was no significant change in PD-L1 expression after down-regulated by inhibitor treatment (P>0.05). After the expression of PD-L1 was knockdown by siRNA, the expressions of CD133, Nanog, Oct4A and Snail in LCSLC were decreased compared with those of siRNA-negative control (NC) group (P<0.05). The number of sphere-formating cells decreased [(45.33±12.01) and (282.00±29.21), P<0.001], the cell migration rate was lower than that in siRNA-NC group [(20.86±2.74)% and (46.73±15.43)%, P=0.046], the number of transmembrane cells decreased [(39.67±1.53) and (102.70±11.59), P=0.001], the number of cloned cells decreased [(57.67±14.57) and (120.70±15.04), P=0.007], the number of cells in G(0)/G(1) phase decreased [(37.68±2.51) and (57.27±0.92), P<0.001], the number of cells in S phase was more than that in siRNA-NC group [(30.78±0.52) and (15.52±0.83), P<0.001]. Tumor formation in mice showed that the tumor weight of shRNA-PD-L1 group was (0.47±0.12)g, the volume is (761.3±221.4)mm(3), were lower than those of shRNA-NC group [(1.57±0.45)g and (1 829.0±218.3)mm(3), P<0.001]. Meanwhile, the expression levels of p-STAT3 and p-Akt in siRNA-PD-L1 group were decreased (P<0.05), while the expression levels of p-ERK1/2 and β-catenin did not change significantly (P>0.05). Conclusion: Elevated PD-L1 expression in CD133(+) LCSLC is crucial to maintain stemness and promotes the tumor biological function of LCSLC.
Humans ; Animals ; Mice ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; B7-H1 Antigen/metabolism* ; Ligands ; Liver Neoplasms/pathology* ; RNA, Small Interfering/metabolism* ; Neoplastic Stem Cells/physiology* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the effects of bis (2-butoxyethyl) phthalate (BBOP) on the onset of male puberty by affecting Leydig cell development in rats. METHODS: Thirty 35-day-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated to five groups mg/kg bw per day that were gavaged for 21 days with BBOP at 0, 10, 100, 250, or 500 mg/kg bw per day. The hormone profiles; Leydig cell morphological metrics; mRNA and protein levels; oxidative stress; and AKT, mTOR, ERK1/2, and GSK3β pathways were assessed. RESULTS: BBOP at 250 and/or 500 mg/kg bw per day decreased serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone levels mg/kg bw per day (P < 0.05). BBOP at 500 mg/kg bw per day decreased Leydig cell number mg/kg bw per day and downregulated Cyp11a1, Insl3, Hsd11b1, and Dhh in the testes, and Lhb and Fshb mRNAs in the pituitary gland (P < 0.05). The malondialdehyde content in the testis significantly increased, while Sod1 and Sod2 mRNAs were markedly down-regulated, by BBOP treatment at 250-500 mg/kg bw per day (P < 0.05). Furthermore, BBOP at 500 mg/kg bw per day decreased AKT1/AKT2, mTOR, and ERK1/2 phosphorylation, and GSK3β and SIRT1 levels mg/kg bw per day (P < 0.05). Finally, BBOP at 100 or 500 μmol/L induced ROS and apoptosis in Leydig cells after 24 h of treatment in vitro (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: BBOP delays puberty onset by increasing oxidative stress and apoptosis in Leydig cells in rats. UNLABELLED The graphical abstract is available on the website www.besjournal.com.
Rats ; Male ; Animals ; Leydig Cells/metabolism* ; Testosterone ; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta/pharmacology* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sexual Maturation ; Testis ; Oxidative Stress ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism* ; Apoptosis