Berberine increases the killing effect of pirarubicin on HCC cells by inhibiting ATG4B-autophagy pathway.

Pirarubicin (THP) is a new generation of cell cycle non-specific anthracycline-based anticancer drug. In the clinic, THP and THP combination therapies have been shown to be effective in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) without serious side effects. However, drug resistance limits its therapeutic efficacy. Berberine (BBR), an isoquinoline alkaloid, has been shown to possess antitumour properties against various malignancies. However, the synergistic effect of BBR and THP in the treatment of HCC is unknown. In the present study, we demonstrated for the first time that BBR sensitized HCC cells to THP, including enhancing THP-induced growth inhibition and apoptosis of HCC cells. Moreover, we found that BBR sensitized THP by reducing the expression of autophagy-related 4B (ATG4B). Mechanistically, the inhibition of HIF1α-mediated ATG4B transcription by BBR ultimately led to attenuation of THP-induced cytoprotective autophagy, accompanied by enhanced growth inhibition and apoptosis in THP-treated HCC cells. Tumor-bearing experiments in nude mice showed that the combination treatment with BBR and THP significantly suppressed the growth of HCC xenografts. These results reveal that BBR is able to strengthen the killing effect of THP on HCC cells by repressing the ATG4B-autophagy pathway, which may provide novel insights into the improvement of chemotherapeutic efficacy of THP, and may be conducive to the further clinical application of THP in HCC treatment.

CircPHKB decreases the sensitivity of liver cancer cells to sorafenib via miR-1234-3p/CYP2W1 axis.

Sorafenib is currently the first-line treatment for patients with advanced liver cancer, but its therapeutic efficacy declines significantly after a few months of treatment. Therefore, it is of great importance to investigate the regulatory mechanisms of sorafenib sensitivity in liver cancer cells. In this study, we provided initial evidence demonstrating that circPHKB, a novel circRNA markedly overexpressed in sorafenib-treated liver cancer cells, attenuated the sensitivity of liver cancer cells to sorafenib. Mechanically, circPHKB sequestered miR-1234-3p, resulting in the up-regulation of cytochrome P450 family 2 subfamily W member 1 (CYP2W1), thereby reducing the killing effect of sorafenib on liver cancer cells. Moreover, knockdown of circPHKB sensitized liver cancer cells to sorafenib in vivo. The findings reveal a novel circPHKB/miR-1234-3p/CYP2W1 pathway that decreases the sensitivity of liver cancer cells to sorafenib, suggesting that circPHKB and the axis may serve as promising targets to improve the therapeutic efficacy of sorafenib against liver cancer.

Metal ions-anchored bacterial outer membrane vesicles for enhanced ferroptosis induction and immune stimulation in targeted antitumor therapy.

The activation of ferroptosis presents a versatile strategy for enhancing the antitumor immune responses in cancer therapy. However, developing ferroptosis inducers that combine high biocompatibility and therapeutic efficiency remains challenging. In this study, we propose a novel approach using biological nanoparticles derived from outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) of Escherichia coli for tumor treatment, aiming to activate ferroptosis and stimulate the immune responses. Specifically, we functionalize the OMVs by anchoring them with ferrous ions via electrostatic interactions and loading them with the STING agonist-4, followed by tumor-targeting DSPE-PEG-FA decoration, henceforth referred to as OMV/SaFeFA. The anchoring of ferrous ions endows the OMVs with peroxidase-like activity, capable of inducing cellular lipid peroxidation by catalyzing H2O2 to •OH. Furthermore, OMV/SaFeFA exhibits pH-responsive release of ferrous ions and the agonist, along with tumor-targeting capabilities, enabling tumor-specific therapy while minimizing side effects. Notably, the concurrent activation of the STING pathway and ferroptosis elicits robust antitumor responses in colon tumor-bearing mouse models, leading to exceptional therapeutic efficacy and prolonged survival. Importantly, no acute toxicity was observed in mice receiving OMV/SaFeFA treatments, underscoring its potential for future tumor therapy and clinical translation.

Arsenic trioxide replacing or reducing chemotherapy in consolidation therapy for acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL2012 trial).

As all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide (ATO) are widely accepted in treating acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), deescalating toxicity becomes a research hotspot. Here, we evaluated whether chemotherapy could be replaced or reduced by ATO in APL patients at different risks. After achieving complete remission with ATRA-ATO-based induction therapy, patients were randomized (1:1) into ATO and non-ATO groups for consolidation: ATRA-ATO versus ATRA-anthracycline for low-/intermediate-risk patients, or ATRA-ATO-anthracycline versus ATRA-anthracycline-cytarabine for high-risk patients. The primary end point was to assess disease-free survival (DFS) at 3 y by a noninferiority margin of -5%; 855 patients were enrolled with a median follow-up of 54.9 mo, and 658 of 755 patients could be evaluated at 3 y. In the ATO group, 96.1% (319/332) achieved 3-y DFS, compared to 92.6% (302/326) in the non-ATO group. The difference was 3.45% (95% CI -0.07 to 6.97), confirming noninferiority (P < 0.001). Using the Kaplan-Meier method, the estimated 7-y DFS was 95.7% (95% CI 93.6 to 97.9) in ATO and 92.6% (95% CI 89.8 to 95.4) in non-ATO groups (P = 0.066). Concerning secondary end points, the 7-y cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR) was significantly lower in ATO (2.2% [95% CI 1.1 to 4.2]) than in non-ATO group (6.1% [95% CI 3.9 to 9.5], P = 0.011). In addition, grade 3 to 4 hematological toxicities were significantly reduced in the ATO group during consolidation. Hence, ATRA-ATO in both chemotherapy-replacing and -reducing settings in consolidation is not inferior to ATRA-chemotherapy (https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/, NCT01987297).

The Role of Oral Nitrate-Reducing Bacteria in the Prevention of Caries: A Review Related to Caries and Nitrate Metabolism.

Circulating nitrate is actively absorbed by salivary glands and secreted into the oral cavity, where it is reduced to nitrite by oral nitrate-reducing bacteria. This process has previously been considered harmful because nitrate and nitrite can promote the formation of potentially carcinogenic N-nitrosamines. However, recent studies have shown that nitrate may have other physiological functions, and it can serve as a precursor for the systemic production of nitric oxide (NO) and perform NO-like functions, such as promoting vasodilation, regulating metabolic diseases, alleviating senescence, and protecting the digestive system. Inside the oral cavity, NO is likely to inhibit sensitive species as part of the nonspecific oral immune system. Exogenous administration of nitrate can maintain a balance in the pH of saliva. Oral nitrate-reducing bacteria can control the progression of caries by metabolizing lactic acid and reducing its accumulation, which is beneficial to the homeostasis of the oral microecology. In the current manuscript, we reviewed nitrate-reducing bacteria and their nitrate-metabolizing functions during the development of caries. Furthermore, we listed the effects of probiotics and dietary modification, which may be a promising method to prevent the occurrence of caries. We believe that this review provides novel ideas for the prevention of caries and treatment in clinical settings.

Application of flipped classroom combined with virtual simulation platform in clinical biochemistry practical course.

BACKGROUND: The study explores an innovative teaching mode that integrates Icourse, DingTalk, and online experimental simulation platforms to provide online theoretical and experimental resources for clinical biochemistry practical courses. These platforms, combined with flipped classroom teaching, aim to increase student engagement and benefit in practical courses, ultimately improving the effectiveness of clinical biochemistry practical teaching. METHODS: In a prospective cohort study, we examined the impact of integrating the Icourse and DingTalk platforms to provide theoretical knowledge resources and clinical cases to 48 medical laboratory science students from the 2019 and 2020 grades. Students were assigned to the experimental group using an overall sampling method, and had access to relevant videos through Icourse before and during class. Using a flipped classroom approach, students actively participated in the design, analysis, and discussion of the experimental technique. For the experimental operation part, students participated in virtual simulation experiments and actual experiments. Overall, the study aimed to evaluate students' theoretical and operational performance after completing the practical course. To collect feedback, we distributed a questionnaire to students in the experimental group. For comparison, we included 42 students from the grades of 2017 and 2018 who received traditional instruction and were evaluated using standard textbooks as the control group. RESULTS: The experimental group scored significantly higher than the control group on both the theoretical and experimental operational tests (82.45 ± 3.76 vs. 76.36 ± 3.96, P = 0.0126; 92.03 ± 1.62 vs. 81.67 ± 4.19, P < 0.001). The survey revealed that the experimental group preferred the teaching mode that combined the flipped classroom with the virtual simulation platform. This mixed method effectively promoted understanding of basic knowledge (93.8%, 45/48), operative skills (89.6%, 43/48), learning interest (87.5%, 42/48), clinical thinking (85.4%, 41/48), self-learning ability (91.7%, 44/48), and overall satisfaction compared with traditional methods (P < 0.05). This study demonstrates that an innovative teaching approach significantly improves the quality of clinical biochemistry practical courses and promotes students' professional development and self-directed learning habits. CONCLUSION: Incorporating virtual simulation with flipped classrooms into clinical biochemistry practical teaching is an efficient and well-received alternative to traditional methods.

Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Flumatinib in Newly Diagnosed Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia.

The present study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of flumatinib in patients newly diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia in the chronic phase (CML-CP). A retrospective study was conducted using five patients newly diagnosed with CML-CP who received flumatinib (600 mg/day). Results of the present study demonstrated that all five patients with CML-CP that were treated with flumatinib achieved the optimal molecular response within three months. In addition, two patients experienced major molecular response (MMR), and one patient acquired undetectable molecular residual disease, which was maintained for more than one year. Moreover, one patient exhibited grade 3 hematological toxicity, two patients exhibited transient diarrhea, one patient exhibited vomiting and one patient exhibited a rash with pruritus. No second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor-specific adverse cardiovascular events occurred in any patients. In conclusion, flumatinib exhibits high efficacy and high early molecular response rate in patients newly diagnosed with CML-CP. The majority of patients obtained MMR within three months, and the adverse reactions experienced were mild and tolerable.

Dichloroacetate enhances the anti-tumor effect of sorafenib via modulating the ROS-JNK-Mcl-1 pathway in liver cancer cells.

Liver cancer is one of the most common and high recurrence malignancies. Besides radiotherapy and surgery, chemotherapy also plays an essential role in the treatment of liver cancer. Sorafenib and sorafenib-based combination therapies have been proven efficacy against tumors. However, previous clinical studies have indicated that some patients with liver cancer are resistant to sorafenib treatment and the existing strategies are not satisfactory in the clinic. Therefore, it is urgent to investigate strategies to improve the effectiveness of sorafenib for liver cancer and to explore effective drug combinations. In the present study, we found that dichloroacetate (DCA) could significantly enhance the anti-tumor effect of sorafenib on liver cancer cells, including reduced viability and dramatically promoted apoptosis in liver cancer cells. Moreover, compared to sorafenib alone, the combination of DCA and sorafenib markedly increased the degradation of anti-apoptotic protein Mcl-1 by enhancing its phosphorylation. Overexpression of Mcl-1 could significantly attenuate the synergetic effect of DCA and sorafenib on apoptosis induction in liver cancer cells. Furthermore, we found that the ROS-JNK pathway was obviously activated in the DCA combined sorafenib group. The levels of ROS and p-JNK were dramatically up-regulated in the two drug combination groups. Antioxidant NAC could alleviate the synergetic effects of DCA and sorafenib on ROS generation, JNK activation, Mcl-1 degradation, and cell apoptosis. Moreover, DCA and sorafenib's effects on Mcl-1 degradation and apoptosis could also be inhibited by JNK inhibitor 'SP'600125. Finally, the synergetic effects of DCA and sorafenib on tumor growth suppression, Mcl-1 degradation and induction of apoptosis were also validated in liver cancer xenograft in vivo. These findings indicate that DCA enhances the anti-tumor effect of sorafenib via the ROS-JNK-Mcl-1 pathway in liver cancer cells. This study may provide new insights to improve the chemotherapeutic effect of sorafenib, which may be beneficial for further clinical application of sorafenib in liver cancer treatment.

Logistic Regression Analysis of the Mechanism of Blunt Brain Injury Inference Based on CT Images.

OBJECTIVES: To study the correlation between CT imaging features of acceleration and deceleration brain injury and injury degree. METHODS: A total of 299 cases with acceleration and deceleration brain injury were collected and divided into acceleration brain injury group and deceleration brain injury group according to the injury mechanism. Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and Glasgow coma scale (GCS), combined with skull fracture, epidural hematoma (EDH), subdural hematoma (SDH) and brain contusion on the same and opposite sides of the stress point were selected as the screening indexes. χ2 test was used for primary screening, and binary logistic regression analysis was used for secondary screening. The indexes with the strongest correlation in acceleration and deceleration injury mechanism were selected. RESULTS: χ2 test showed that skull fracture and EDH on the same side of the stress point; EDH, SDH and brain contusion on the opposite of the stress point; SAH, GCS were correlated with acceleration and deceleration injury (P<0.05). According to binary logistic regression analysis, the odds ratio (OR) of EDH on the same side of the stress point was 2.697, the OR of brain contusion on the opposite of the stress point was 0.043 and the OR of GCS was 0.238, suggesting there was statistically significant (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: EDH on the same side of the stress point, brain contusion on the opposite of the stress point and GCS can be used as key indicators to distinguish acceleration and deceleration injury mechanism. In addition, skull fracture on the same side of the stress point, EDH and SDH on the opposite of the stress point and SAH were relatively weak indicators in distinguishing acceleration and deceleration injury mechanism.

Soleus H-Reflex Change in Poststroke Spasticity: Modulation due to Body Position.

Purpose: This study is aimed at exploring how soleus H-reflex change in poststroke patients with spasticity influenced by body position. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four stroke patients with spastic hemiplegia and twelve age-matched healthy controls were investigated. Maximal Hoffmann-reflex (Hmax) and motor potential (Mmax) were elicited at the popliteal fossa in both prone and standing positions, respectively, and the Hmax/Mmax ratio at each body position was determined. Compare changes in reflex behavior in both spastic and contralateral muscles of stroke survivors in prone and standing positions, and match healthy subjects in the same position. Results: In healthy subjects, Hmax and Hmax/Mmax ratios were significantly decreased in the standing position compared to the prone position (Hmax: p = 0.000, Hmax/Mmax: p = 0.016). However, Hmax/Mmax ratios were increased in standing position on both sides in poststroke patients with spasticity (unaffected side: p = 0.006, affected side: p = 0.095). The Hmax and Hmax/Mmax ratios were significantly more increased on the affected side than unaffected side irrespective of the position. Conclusions: The motor neuron excitability of both sides was not suppressed but instead upregulated in the standing position in subjects with spasticity, which may suggest that there was abnormal regulation of the Ia pathway on both sides.

Retrospective analysis of 769 cases of sudden cardiac death from 2006 to 2015: a forensic experience in China.

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a major health challenge. The records of 769 autopsy cases of SCD examined at Tongji Medicolegal Expertise Center from January 2006 to December 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. The mean age of the cases was 46 years, excluding 27 victims in whom the exact age could not be confirmed. The highest incidence of SCD occurred among the 40- to 60-year-old group (45.0%). Male preponderance was observed in SCD cases (male: female ratio: 5.0:1), and this preponderance was even higher (8.0:1) in the 10- to 20-year-old and 60- to 70-year-old groups. Death predominantly occurred in hospitals (37.4%) and outdoors (32.5%). The incidence of SCD did not differ significantly between the seasons. Coronary atherosclerotic disease (CAD) was the main cause of SCD (67.9%), followed by unexplained SCD (6.1%), myocarditis (5.7%), cardiomyopathy (4.7%), rupture of aortic dissection (3.9%), and cardiac conduction system disease (3.9%). In terms of the CAD cases, the mean age was 52.0 years and coronary artery stenosis exceeding 75% accounted for 73.6% of cases. The left anterior descending branch was involved with atherosclerosis in 92.0% of cases. In conclusion, detailed autopsy and forensic pathology examination is key to diagnosing SCD. Making an early diagnosis and performing early intervention of CAD may reduce the mortality of SCD. Additionally, the use of molecular genetic tests plus forensic pathology diagnosis will help further determine the underlying cause of death in individuals with SCD.

MiR-362-5p promotes the malignancy of chronic myelocytic leukaemia via down-regulation of GADD45α.

BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs (miR, miRNAs) play pivotal roles in numerous physiological and pathophysiological contexts. We investigated whether miR-362-5p act as an oncogene in chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) and aimed to understand its potential underlying mechanisms. METHODS: We compared the miR-362-5p expression levels between CML and non-CML cell lines, and between fresh blood samples from CML patients and normal healthy controls using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and Annexin V-FITC/PI analyses were used to measure the effects of miR-362-5p on proliferation and apoptosis, and Transwell assays were used to evaluate migration and invasion. A xenograft model was used to examine in vivo tumourigenicity. The potential target of miR-362-5p was confirmed by a luciferase reporter assay, qPCR and western blotting. Involvement of the JNK1/2 and P38 pathways was investigated by western blotting. RESULTS: miR-362-5p was up-regulated in CML cell lines and fresh blood samples from CML patients, and was associated with Growth arrest and DNA damage-inducible (GADD)45α down-regulation. Inhibition of miR-362-5p simultaneously repressed tumour growth and up-regulated GADD45α expression in a xenograft model. Consistently, the knockdown of GADD45α expression partially neutralized the effects of miR-362-5p inhibition. Furthermore study suggested that GADD45α mediated downstream the effects of miR-362-5p, which might indirectly regulates the activation of the JNK1/2 and P38 signalling pathways. CONCLUSION: miR-362-5p acts as an oncomiR that down-regulates GADD45α, which consequently activates the JNK1/2 and P38 signalling. This finding provides novel insights into CML leukaemogenesis and may help identify new diagnostic and therapeutic targets.

Elevated expression of IL-12 and IL-23 in patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia.

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an acquired autoimmune disorder. Both impaired platelet production and T-cell-mediated effects play a role in ITP. A T-helper1 (Th1) polarization of the immune response and up-regulation of Th17 cells have been demonstrated in ITP patients. Interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-23 produced by antigen presenting cells are essential for inducing and sustaining Th1 and Th17 effector cells via different pathways. However, less is known with regard to the levels of expression and synthesis of these two cytokines in patients with ITP. This was determined in this study in 46 patients with ITP as well as in 22 healthy controls. Our results showed that an increased expression of IL-12 p40, IL-12 p35, and IL-23 p19 mRNA was observed in bone marrow mononuclear cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with ITP compared with controls. Consequently, higher levels of IL-12 and IL-23 were also found in bone marrow plasma and peripheral blood plasma in patients with ITP than in controls. Afterwards, a markedly higher level of IL-12 and IL-23 in bone marrow plasma or peripheral blood plasma was found in patients with chronic ITP than in patients with acute ITP. Furthermore, the peripheral blood plasma levels of IL-12 and IL-23 were negative correlated with platelet counts in ITP patients. Therefore, the augmented expression of IL-12 and IL-23 in patients with ITP may play an important role in the pathogenesis of this disease.

Plasma Levels of Interleukin 12 Family Cytokines and Their Relevant Cytokines in Adult Patients with Chronic Immune Thrombocytopenia before and after High-Dose Dexamethasome Treatment.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the expression of interleukin 12 (IL-12) family cytokines (IL-12, IL-23, IL-27 and IL-35) and their relevant cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-17A and IL-10) in patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenia (cITP) as well as the effect of high-dose dexamethasone (HD-DXM) treatment on this expression. MATERIALS AND METHODS: DXM was administered orally at a dose of 40 mg per day for 4 consecutive days to 38 patients with cITP. We measured the plasma levels of IL-12p70, IL-23, IL-27, IFN-γ, IL-4 and IL-17A before and after treatment and also in 36 matched healthy controls, by means of FlowCytomix™ technology. The plasma levels of IL-10 and IL-35 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Significantly higher plasma levels of IL-12p70, IL-23, IL-27, IFN-γ and IL-17A were observed in cITP patients than in controls (p < 0.01), and after HD-DXM treatment, these levels decreased significantly (p < 0.01). However, significantly lower plasma levels of IL-4, IL-10 and IL-35 were observed in cITP patients than in controls (p < 0.01); after the HD-DXM treatment, these levels had increased significantly in the cITP patients (p < 0.01). Moreover, the cytokine levels of patients who attained a complete response returned to the levels of normal controls (p > 0.05) but were not corrected in the patients who had no response (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The patients with cITP had abnormal expression of the IL-12 family cytokines and their relevant cytokines levels, and HD-DXM treatment corrected the derangement of plasma cytokines. Measuring cytokine levels may help in the clinical assessment of cITP.

Chemotherapy-induced alteration of SDF-1/CXCR4 expression in bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells from adolescents and young adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) in the marrow stroma provide a scaffold for hematopoiesis. Chemokine stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) and its receptor CXCR4 have been shown to affect the engraftment of hematopoietic stem cells. However, little is known about SDF-1/CXCR4's functions in regulating BM-MSCs in humans. As an initial step toward this issue, we have evaluated expression of SDF-1/CXCR4 in the BM-MSCs from a cohort of adolescents and young adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). We found a decrease of the CXCR4 level and an increase of the SDF-1 level in these MSCs of ALL. Moreover, cell migration appeared to be impaired in the MSCs of ALL. These changes were reversed by chemotherapy. Taken together, alteration of SDF-1/CXCR4 expression could be potentially developed as biomarkers for monitoring the effectiveness of chemotherapy.

Machine learning-based biomarker screening for acute myeloid leukemia prognosis and therapy from diverse cell-death patterns.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) exhibits pronounced heterogeneity and chemotherapy resistance. Aberrant programmed cell death (PCD) implicated in AML pathogenesis suggests PCD-related signatures could serve as biomarkers to predict clinical outcomes and drug response. We utilized 13 PCD pathways, including apoptosis, pyroptosis, ferroptosis, autophagy, necroptosis, cuproptosis, parthanatos, entotic cell death, netotic cell death, lysosome-dependent cell death, alkaliptosis, oxeiptosis, and disulfidptosis to develop predictive models based on 73 machine learning combinations from 10 algorithms. Bulk RNA-sequencing, single-cell RNA-sequencing transcriptomic data, and matched clinicopathological information were obtained from the TCGA-AML, Tyner, and GSE37642-GPL96 cohorts. These datasets were leveraged to construct and validate the models. Additionally, in vitro experiments were conducted to substantiate the bioinformatics findings. The machine learning approach established a 6-gene pan-programmed cell death-related genes index (PPCDI) signature. Validation in two external cohorts showed high PPCDI associated with worse prognosis in AML patients. Incorporating PPCDI with clinical variables, we constructed several robust prognostic nomograms that accurately predicted prognosis of AML patients. Multi-omics analysis integrating bulk and single-cell transcriptomics revealed correlations between PPCDI and immunological features, delineating the immune microenvironment landscape in AML. Patients with high PPCDI exhibited resistance to conventional chemotherapy like doxorubicin but retained sensitivity to dasatinib and methotrexate (FDA-approved drugs for other leukemias), suggesting the potential of PPCDI to guide personalized therapy selection in AML. In summary, we developed a novel PPCDI model through comprehensive analysis of diverse programmed cell death pathways. This PPCDI signature demonstrates great potential in predicting clinical prognosis and drug sensitivity phenotypes in AML patients.

Total Flavonoids Isolated from the Leaves of Eucommia ulmoides Augment Peak Bone Mass in Female Rats and Show no Side Effects in Other Organs.

INTRODUCTION: Eucommia ulmoides is a unique monophyletic and tertiary relict in China and is listed as a national second-class precious protected tree species. Eucommia ulmoides, recognized as a traditional Chinese medicine, can tonify the liver and kidneys and strengthen bones and muscles. Modern pharmacological research has proved that Eucommia ulmoides has multiple osteoprotective effects, including prohibiting the occurrence of osteoporosis and arthritis and enhancing the healing of bone fractures and bone defects. AIM: To check its osteotropic effects, which may provide ideas for its potential use for the development of novel drugs to treat osteoporosis, this study evaluated the effect of total flavonoids from Eucommia ulmoides leaves (TFEL) on the acquisition of Peak Bone Mass (PBM) in young female rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: TFEL was isolated, and its purity was confirmed by using a UV spectrophotometer. TFEL with a purity of 85.09% was administered to 6-week-old female rats by oral gavage at a low (50), mid (100), or high (200 mg/kg/d) dose, and the control group was administrated only with the same volume of water. After 13 weeks of treatment, the rats were sacrificed, and serum, different organs, and limb bones (femurs and tibias) were harvested, and the bone turnover markers, organ index, Bone Mineral Density (BMD), biomechanical property, and microstructure parameters were assayed. Furthermore, molecular targets were screened, and network pharmacology analyses were conducted to reveal the potential mechanisms of action of TFEL. RESULTS: Oral administration of TFEL for 13 weeks decreased the serum level of bone resorption marker TRACP-5b. As revealed by micro-computer tomography analysis, it elevated BMD even at a low dose (50 mg/kg/d) and improved the microstructural parameters, which were also confirmed by H&E histological staining. However, TFEL showed no effects on body weights, organ index, and micromorphology in the uterus. In our network pharmacology study, an intersection analysis screened out 64 shared targets, with quercetin, kaempferol, naringenin, and apigenin regulating the greatest number of targets associated with osteoporosis. Flavonoids in Eucommia ulmoides inhibited the occurrence of osteoporosis potentially through targeting signaling pathways for calcium, VEGF, IL-17, and NF-κB. Furthermore, AKT1, EGFR, PTGS2, VEGFA, and CALM were found to be potentially important target genes for the osteoprotective effects of flavonoids in Eucommia ulmoides. CONCLUSION: The above results suggested that TFEL can be used to elevate the peak bone mass in adolescence in female individuals, which may prevent the occurrence of postmenopausal osteoporosis, and the good safety of TFEL also suggests that it can be used as a food additive for daily life to improve the bone health.

SFXN3 is a Prognostic Marker and Promotes the Growth of Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous disease with rapid progression and frequent mutations. Sideroflexin3 (SFXN3) has been shown to be involved in various neurodegenerative diseases. However, the role of SFXN3 in AML remains unclear. The level and prognostic value of SFXN3 were assessed in pan-cancer, especially AML, based on the data obtained from the TCGA database. The effect and mechanism of SFXN3 in AML were measured by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS), qRT-PCR, western blotting in vitro and in vivo. The correlation between SFXN3 and the infiltration of immune cells in AML was assessed via cibersort and ssGSEA analyses. SFXN3 is expressed at higher levels in AML, and high SFXN3 level is associated with decreased overall survival rate (OSR) in AML. Next, knockdown of SFXN3 results in enhanced cell apoptosis and dropped cell proliferation. Then, knockdown of SFXN3 caused a reduction in the expression of CyclinD1 (CCND1) and nuclear factor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B-cells 1 (NFKB1). Finally, SFXN3 may related to the immunosuppressive state of AML. Increased SFXN3 expression is detected in AML, which indicates a poor prognosis and may link to immunosuppressive state of AML. In addition, SFXN3 can inhibit AML cells apoptosis and promote cell proliferation via enhancing CCND1 and NFKB1 levels.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice toward leukemia in the general population and among family members of patients with leukemia: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Patients with leukemia rely on social and family support. This study aimed to explore the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) toward leukemia among family members of patients with leukemia and the general population in southeast China. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in September 2022 in southeast China (Anhui Province). The KAP scores and demographic data were assessed by questionnaire and analyzed by multivariable logistic regression and structural equation modeling. Results: A total of 760 valid questionnaires were collected, including 117 (15.39%) answered by family members of patients with leukemia. The mean knowledge (8.30 ± 2.79 vs. 8.72 ± 2.56, P = 0.103), attitude (52.17 ± 5.52 vs. 52.27 ± 5.53, P = 0.862), and practice (8.06 ± 2.00 vs. 8.18 ± 2.05, P = 0.547) scores were comparable among family members and the general population. Higher knowledge scores [OR = 1.18 (1.10, 1.27), P < 0.001] and higher attitude scores [OR = 1.05 (1.02, 1.09), P = 0.002] were independently associated with better practice scores. Being a family member of a patient with leukemia had no significant effect on the KAP scores. Conclusion: The participants demonstrated satisfactory knowledge, positive attitude, and appropriate practices toward leukemia, suggesting that access to information about leukemia to the general public might be sufficient in China. Health education might effectively improve knowledge, which could translate into improved attitude and practice.