As the core technology of processing， the stir-frying method of traditional Chinese medicine（TCM） realizes the regulation of efficacy of medicinal substances through the coordination of fire gradient and excipients. This study aims to systematically analyze the influence of different stir-frying degrees（stir-frying until yellow， stir-frying to brown， stir-frying to charcoal） and excipient types（solid excipients such as rice， wheat bran， soil， liquid excipients such as rice wine， vinegar， honey） on the physicochemical properties， efficacy and toxicity of TCM， summarizing their common regulatory mechanisms and characteristics. Then， the three-dimensional regulatory common mechanisms and five-dimensional regulatory specificity mechanisms of different stir-frying processes were obtained. The three-dimensional regulatory common mechanisms are as follows：①Thermal effects break down inherent barriers of medicinal materials and improve the dissolution of components. ②Inducing Maillard reaction， carbonization and other reactions of medicinal materials to promote the transformation of components. ③Combining the catalytic and harmonizing effects of excipients to achieve targeted enrichment of efficacious substances and precise control of toxic components. The five-dimensional regulatory specificity mechanisms manifest as：①The efficacy gradient pattern where stir-frying until yellow strengthens the spleen， stir-frying to brown aids digestion， and stir-frying to charcoal stops bleeding. ②According to the polarity difference and intrinsic properties， the liquid excipients form a directional synergistic mechanism of wine processing enhances ascending nature， ginger processing to warm and disperse， salt processing directs effects to the kidneys， vinegar processing targets the liver， honey processing imparts sweetness and moderation. ③Through porous structure and interfacial properties， solid excipients give the synergistic effect of rice processing for diarrhea relief， bran processing for stomach tonification， soil processing for warming the middle warmer， and clam powder/talcum powder/sand processing for texture optimization. ④Thermal effects induce decomposition/oxidation/polymerization and other reactions to reshape the material basis， directing changes in the efficacy. ⑤The targeted distribution of efficacy is regulated by component enrichment and meridian-guiding effect， and the meridian tropism is changed. The system， driven by thermal effect， excipient synergy and physicochemical reconstruction， integrates five-dimensional regulation of fire， solvent， interface， composition and distribution. It systematically explains the inherent law of efficacy-substance-process of traditional stir-frying， and provides theoretical basis and practical guidance for standardizing TCM processing and enhancing the efficacy.

Objective To explore the core genes related to the diagnosis and prognosis of gastric cancer(GC)based on Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)database and screen the molecular targets involved in the occurrence and development of GC.Methods GC microarray data GSE118916,GSE54129 and GSE79973 were downloaded from GEO database,and the differentially expressed genes(DEGs)were screened.Enrichment analysis of the signaling pathways and molecular functions were preformed and protein-protein interaction networks(PPI)were constructed to identify the hub genes,whose expression levels and diagnostic and prognostic values were verifies based on gastric adenocarcinoma data from TCGA.The expression levels of these core genes were also detected in different GC cell lines using qRT-PCR.Results Seventy-seven DEGs were identified,which encodes proteins located mainly in the extracellular matrix and basement membrane with activities of oxidoreductase and extracellular matrix receptor and ligand,involving the biological processes of digestion and hormone metabolism and the signaling pathways in retinol metabolism and gastric acid secretion.Nine hub genes were obtained,among which SPARC,TIMP1,THBS2,COL6A3 and THY1 were significantly up-regulated and TFF1,GKN1,TFF2 and PGC were significantly down-regulated in GC.The abnormal expressions of SPARC,TIMP1,THBS2,COL6A3,TFF2 and THY1 were significantly correlated with the survival time of GC patients.ROC curve analysis showed that aberrant expression of TIMP1,SPARC,THY1 and THBS2 had high diagnostic value for GC.High expressions of SPARC,TIMP1,THBS2 and COL6A3 were detected in GC tissues.In the GC cell lines,qRT-PCR revealed different expression patterns of these hub genes,but their expressions were largely consistent with those found in bioinformatics analyses.Conclusion SPARC,TIMP1,THBS2 and other DEGs are probably involved in GC occurrence and progression and may serve as potential candidate molecular markers for early diagnosis and prognostic evaluation of GC.

Objective To explore the core genes related to the diagnosis and prognosis of gastric cancer(GC)based on Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)database and screen the molecular targets involved in the occurrence and development of GC.Methods GC microarray data GSE118916,GSE54129 and GSE79973 were downloaded from GEO database,and the differentially expressed genes(DEGs)were screened.Enrichment analysis of the signaling pathways and molecular functions were preformed and protein-protein interaction networks(PPI)were constructed to identify the hub genes,whose expression levels and diagnostic and prognostic values were verifies based on gastric adenocarcinoma data from TCGA.The expression levels of these core genes were also detected in different GC cell lines using qRT-PCR.Results Seventy-seven DEGs were identified,which encodes proteins located mainly in the extracellular matrix and basement membrane with activities of oxidoreductase and extracellular matrix receptor and ligand,involving the biological processes of digestion and hormone metabolism and the signaling pathways in retinol metabolism and gastric acid secretion.Nine hub genes were obtained,among which SPARC,TIMP1,THBS2,COL6A3 and THY1 were significantly up-regulated and TFF1,GKN1,TFF2 and PGC were significantly down-regulated in GC.The abnormal expressions of SPARC,TIMP1,THBS2,COL6A3,TFF2 and THY1 were significantly correlated with the survival time of GC patients.ROC curve analysis showed that aberrant expression of TIMP1,SPARC,THY1 and THBS2 had high diagnostic value for GC.High expressions of SPARC,TIMP1,THBS2 and COL6A3 were detected in GC tissues.In the GC cell lines,qRT-PCR revealed different expression patterns of these hub genes,but their expressions were largely consistent with those found in bioinformatics analyses.Conclusion SPARC,TIMP1,THBS2 and other DEGs are probably involved in GC occurrence and progression and may serve as potential candidate molecular markers for early diagnosis and prognostic evaluation of GC.

Objective To investigate the effects of terahertz(THz)radiation on mouse testicular tissue and its potential molecular mechanisms.Methods A total of 125 male C57BL/6J mice(6～8 weeks old)were randomly divided into control group and low-,medium-and high-radiation power groups.The mice of the latter 3 groups were exposed to THz radiation at a frequency of 2.5 T,with an average power density of 38,115,or 318 mW/cm2,for 5 or 10 min.The detection time was immediately or 24 h after exposure.HE staining was used to observe pathological damage.ELISA was employed to detect the expression of inflammatory factors in testicular tissue.RNA-seq was utilized to detect the global changes of gene expression.The differentially expressed genes(DEGs)were screened and bioinformatics was used to cluster them.The screened genes were further analyzed with RT-qPCR to determine the time-dependent and dose-dependent relationships of the expression with THz exposure.Finally,sperm quality was evaluated morphologically using a microscope.Results Three doses of THz radiation exposure did not cause significant pathological damages to mouse testicular tissue.TNF-α expression was increased immediately after exposure at average power density of 115 mW/cm2(P＜0.01),and the expression of IL-1β and TNF-α were both increased when the dose reached 318 mW/cm2(P＜0.01).However,all the 3 factors returned to normal levels in 24 h after exposure.RNA-seq results showed that THz radiation exposure caused abnormal expression of 56 genes.Cluster analysis indicated that these DEGs were mainly enriched in immune and inflammatory responses,enzyme activity,sperm development and capacitation functions.Then for 5 selected key genes,Crisp1,Adam7,Ltf,Rnase9,and Bsph1,the expression of Crisp1 and Rnase9 was decreased immediately after exposure to 115 mW/cm2 THz radiation,the dose of 318 mW/cm2 resulted in obvious changes in the expression of the 5 genes(P＜0.05),and their expression returned to normal levels in 24 h after exposure.Morphological observation displayed that exposure to all the 3 doses of THz had no influence on sperm quality.Conclusion THz radiation exposure causes temporary inflammatory response in testicular tissue and abnormal expression of sperm functions-related genes.However,these changes return to normal 24 h after exposure,and additionally,do not impair sperm quality.

Objective:To investigate the protective effects of an anti-inflammatory mixture on acute lung injury (ALI) induced by sepsis in rats, as well as its possible mechanisms.Methods:A total of 40 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into the sham group, septic ALI model group (model group), 3-methyladenine (3-MA) control group, and anti-inflammatory mixture pretreatment group, with 10 rats in each group. Cecal ligation and perforation (CLP) was performed to reproduce a septic ALI model. The rats in the sham group only underwent opening and closing the abdomen without perforation and ligation. Both groups were given saline gavage and intraperitoneal injection for 3 consecutive days before surgery. The 3-MA control group was given intraperitoneal injection of saline and autophagy inhibitor 3-MA 15 mg/kg for 3 consecutive days before modeling. The anti-inflammatory mixture pretreatment group was given 8.8 mL/kg of anti-inflammatory mixture by gavage [the composition of anti-inflammatory mixture: rhubarb 15 g (after the next), coptis chinensis 15 g, baical skullcap root 12 g, magnoliae cortex 12 g, dahurian patrinia herb 30 g] and saline intraperitoneal injection for 3 consecutive days before modeling. The rats in each group were anesthetized 24 hours after surgery and died due to abdominal aortic blood collection. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the levels of serum inflammatory cytokines interleukins (IL-1β and IL-6). Lung tissue was taken and then the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected, and the levels of IL-1β and IL-6 were detected by ELISA. Lung wet/dry weight (W/D) ratio was measured. After hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, the histopathological changes of the lungs were observed under light microscopy. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of autophagy markers microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3-Ⅱ/Ⅰ (LC3-Ⅱ/Ⅰ) and Beclin-1 protein in lung tissue. Autophagosomes in lung tissue were observed with transmission electron microscopy.Results:Compared with the sham group, the rats in the model group exhibited severe destruction of lung tissue structure, with significant infiltration of inflammatory cells, the lung W/D ratio and the levels of IL-1β and IL-6 in serum and BALF were significantly increased, the expressions of LC3-Ⅱ/Ⅰ and Beclin-1 protein were down-regulated, the autophagosomes were more. The rats in the 3-MA control group exhibited more severe lung tissue injury as compared with the model group, the lung W/D ratio and the levels of inflammatory cytokines in serum and BALF were further increased, the expressions of LC3-Ⅱ/Ⅰ and Beclin-1 protein still showed a decrease tendency as compared with the sham group, and the autophagosomes were less than that in the model group. Compared with the model group, the anti-inflammatory mixture pretreatment group showed milder lung tissue injury with a minimal amount of inflammatory cell infiltration, the lung W/D ratio was significantly reduced (7.07±1.02 vs. 11.33±1.85, P < 0.05), the levels of IL-1β and IL-6 in both serum and BALF were significantly decreased [IL-1β (ng/L): 26.04±3.86 vs. 40.83±5.46 in serum, 17.75±2.02 vs. 26.86±4.32 in BALF; IL-6 (ng/L): 91.28±10.15 vs. 129.44±13.05 in serum, 76.06±7.51 vs. 120.91±7.47 in BALF, all P < 0.05], and the ratio of LC3-Ⅱ/Ⅰ and Beclin-1 protein expression were significantly increased [LC3-Ⅱ/Ⅰ ratio: 1.23±0.02 vs. 0.60±0.02, Beclin-1 protein (Beclin-1/GAPDH): 2.37±0.33 vs. 0.62±0.05, both P < 0.05]. Furthermore, an increase in the number of autophagosomes was observed. Conclusion:The anti-inflammatory mixture improves lung injury in rats with sepsis induced by CLP and reduce inflammation levels, potentially through upregulation of Beclin-1-mediated autophagy.

【Objective】 To explore the mutation type, clinical characteristics, molecular genetics and the two-hit type of a patient with familial Von Hippel Lindau (VHL) syndrome. 【Methods】 The data of the patient were collected. DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood and renal cell carcinoma sample. The VHL gene germline mutation site was detected with high throughput sequencing next generation sequencing (NGS). The two-hit site was identified with UCSCXena database, methylation-specific PCR (MSP) and microsatellite stability detection. 【Results】 The mutation site of the embryo line was located in c.500G>A R167Q mutation. The patient had single nucleotide polymorphism, but no clear loss of heterozygosity, methylation or system mutation. 【Conclusion】 The germline mutation in exon 3 is the basis for the clinical features of this familial renal cell carcinoma proband. The identification of the two-hit site is key to the occurrence of the disease, which is significant for the diagnosis and treatment. The use of the databases can guide the screening of mutations and methylation sites in familial renal cell carcinoma.

【Objective】 To investigate the effects of the loss of exon 1 of TFE3 on nuclear localization of chimeric TFE3 protein in TFE3 translocation renal cell carcinoma (TFE3 tRCC). 【Methods】 The localization of TFE3 protein in TFE3 tRCC and clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) were detected with immunochemistry. The exon retention of TFE3 gene in TFE3 tRCC was analyzed in databases and literatures. The plasmids containing TFE3 full-length and different-length of TFE3 exons which were constructed to pCDH-MCS-EGFP-Puro were transfected into HEK293T using Lipo Fiter^TM. The localization of EGFP protein in HEK293T cells were detected with confocal microscopy. The localization of TFE3 protein and truncated TFE3 protein were detected with Western blotting. The mRNA expression of the downstream genes of TFE3 protein were detected with q-PCR. 【Results】 Strong nuclear signal of TFE3 protein was observed in TFE3 tRCC, whereas TFE3 protein in ccRCC was mainly localized in cytoplasm. The results of fluorescence imaging and Western blotting showed that TFE3 full-length protein was expressed both in nucleus and cytoplasm, and the expression of truncated TFE3 protein was mainly localized in nucleus. The q-PCR analysis demonstrated that the deletion of exon 1 in TFE3 gene led to a higher transcriptional level of targeted genes of TFE3 protein. 【Conclusion】 The loss of exon 1 in TFE3 played a critical role in preventing TFE3 protein from entering the nucleus. In TFE3 tRCC, the loss of exon 1 in TFE3 gene leads to the nuclear localization of TFE3 fusion protein and activation of its downstream target genes. This mechanism promises to uncover the occurrence and development of TFE3 tRCC.

Pleomorphic adenoma (PA) is the most common benign tumour in the salivary gland and has high morphological complexity. However, the origin and intratumoral heterogeneity of PA are largely unknown. Here, we constructed a comprehensive atlas of PA at single-cell resolution and showed that PA exhibited five tumour subpopulations, three recapitulating the epithelial states of the normal parotid gland, and two PA-specific epithelial cell (PASE) populations unique to tumours. Then, six subgroups of PASE cells were identified, which varied in epithelium, bone, immune, metabolism, stemness and cell cycle signatures. Moreover, we revealed that CD36⁺ myoepithelial cells were the tumour-initiating cells (TICs) in PA, and were dominated by the PI3K-AKT pathway. Targeting the PI3K-AKT pathway significantly inhibited CD36⁺ myoepithelial cell-derived tumour spheres and the growth of PA organoids. Our results provide new insights into the diversity and origin of PA, offering an important clinical implication for targeting the PI3K-AKT signalling pathway in PA treatment.
Humans ; Adenoma, Pleomorphic/genetics* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; Transcriptome ; Myoepithelioma

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that the incidence and severity of corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in patients with lung cancer are higher than those in healthy people. At present, the main anti-tumor treatments for lung cancer include surgery, immunotherapy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy and anti-angiogenesis therapy. While the effects of different anti-tumor treatments on the occurrence and severity of COVID-19 pneumonia are not uniform. Therefore, we aimed to describe clinical characteristics and antitumor therapy of patients with lung cancer and COVID-19 pneumonia, and examined risk factors for severity in this population. METHODS: From December 1, 2022 to February 15, 2023, a retrospective study was conducted in 217 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 and pathologically confirmed lung cancer in the Jinling Hospital. We collected data about patients' clinical features, antitumor treatment regimen within 6 months, and the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19. Risk factors for occurrence and severity of COVID-19 pneumonia were identified by univariable and multivariable Logistic regression models. RESULTS: (1) Among the 217 patients included, 51 (23.5%) developed COVID-19 pneumonia, of which 42 (82.4%) were classified as medium and 9 (17.6%) were classified as severe; (2) Univariate and multivariate analysis revealed overweight (OR=2.405, 95%CI: 1.095-5.286) and intrapulmonary focal radiotherapy (OR=2.977, 95%CI: 1.071-8.274) are risk factors for increasing occurrence of COVID-19 pneumonia, while other therapies are not; (3) Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) history (OR=7.600, 95%CI: 1.430-40.387) was more likely to develop severe pneumonia and anti-tumor therapies such as intrapulmonary focal radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy did not increase severity. CONCLUSIONS Intrapulmonary focal radiation therapy within 6 months increased the incidence of COVID-19 pneumonia, but did not increase the severity. However, there was no safety concern for chemotherapy, targeted therapy, surgery and immunotherapy.
Humans ; COVID-19 ; Retrospective Studies ; Lung Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Incidence ; Pneumonia/etiology*

Although somatic cells can be reprogrammed to pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) with pure chemicals, authentic pluripotency of chemically induced pluripotent stem cells (CiPSCs) has never been achieved through tetraploid complementation assay. Spontaneous reprogramming of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) was another non-transgenic way to obtain PSCs, but this process lacks mechanistic explanation. Here, we reconstructed the trajectory of mouse SSC reprogramming and developed a five-chemical combination, boosting the reprogramming efficiency by nearly 80- to 100-folds. More importantly, chemical induced germline-derived PSCs (5C-gPSCs), but not gPSCs and chemical induced pluripotent stem cells, had authentic pluripotency, as determined by tetraploid complementation. Mechanistically, SSCs traversed through an inverted pathway of in vivo germ cell development, exhibiting the expression signatures and DNA methylation dynamics from spermatogonia to primordial germ cells and further to epiblasts. Besides, SSC-specific imprinting control regions switched from biallelic methylated states to monoallelic methylated states by imprinting demethylation and then re-methylation on one of the two alleles in 5C-gPSCs, which was apparently distinct with the imprinting reprogramming in vivo as DNA methylation simultaneously occurred on both alleles. Our work sheds light on the unique regulatory network underpinning SSC reprogramming, providing insights to understand generic mechanisms for cell-fate decision and epigenetic-related disorders in regenerative medicine.
Male ; Mice ; Animals ; Cellular Reprogramming/genetics* ; Tetraploidy ; Pluripotent Stem Cells/metabolism* ; Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells/metabolism* ; DNA Methylation ; Spermatogonia/metabolism* ; Germ Cells/metabolism*