Atomized inhalation of Icaritin reduces airway inflammation and remodeling in asthmatic mice.

BACKGROUND: Asthma is a disease characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness and airway inflammation. Icaritin (ICT) is a plant hormone with various pharmacological activities such as anti-inflammatory, immune regulation, and anti-tumor. This study mainly explored the effects of nebulized inhalation of ICT on airway inflammation and airway remodeling in asthmatic mice. METHOD: Different groups of ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma mice with acute and chronic airway inflammation received ICT. Asthmatic mice received budesonide (BDND) aerosol inhalation as a positive control, while normal control and asthma model mice received the same volume of saline. Following finishing of the study, analyses were conducted on behavioral tests, biochemical indices, and histological structures of lung tissues. RESULTS: Aerosol inhalation of ICT can notably reduce inflammatory cells infiltration around the airways and pulmonary vessels, and suppressed goblet cell hyperplasia in asthmatic mice. Long-term inhalation of ICT can decrease airway collagen deposition and airway smooth muscle hyperplasia, and alleviate airway hyperresponsiveness, mirroring the effects observed with hormone employed in clinical practice. CONCLUSION: Nebulized inhalation of ICT can effectively inhibit airway inflammation in asthmatic mice, improve airway remodeling, and reduce airway hyperresponsiveness, with effects similar to those of hormones. It may serve as a potential candidate used as a hormone replacement asthma treatment.

Clinic Analysis and Effective Improvement Tips for Poor Eyebrow Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Follicular unit hair transplantation has greatly elevated the results of eyebrow restoration. However, unnatural and unbeautiful-looking results are still often seen after the surgery. OBJECTIVES: This study focused on poor eyebrow transplantation, discussed its possible reasons, and offered refined proposals. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on 100 patients who were dissatisfied with the results of eyebrow grafting and came to our department from 2011 to 2021. Demographic characteristics, primary disease, and clinical data were objectively summarized and analyzed for these patients. RESULTS: The patients' medical charts and photographs were analyzed and summarized into the following outcomes: Thirty-six patients (36%) had sparse eyebrows. Forty-one patients (41%) had eyebrows with inhomogeneous density and disordered growth direction. Eleven patients (11%) did not have single-hair grafting. Seven reconstructed eyebrows (7%) had a poor connection with the remaining eyebrows. Five new eyebrows (5%) had inconsistent hair characteristics with the original eyebrows. Lower hair survival rates, insufficient understanding of naturally beautiful eyebrows, and inadequate communication with patients were the main reasons for poor outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Good reconstructed eyebrows should have a high hair survival rate, and hair growth direction and characteristics should also be consistent with the natural eyebrow to achieve ideal surgical effects. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Floral Response to Heat: A Study of Color and Biochemical Adaptations in Purple Chrysanthemums.

Chrysanthemums are among the world's most popular cut flowers, with their color being a key ornamental feature. The formation of these colors can be influenced by high temperatures. However, the regulatory mechanisms that control the fading of chrysanthemum flower color under high-temperature stress remain unclear. This study investigates the impact of high temperatures on the color and biochemical responses of purple chrysanthemums. Four purple chrysanthemum varieties were exposed to both normal and elevated temperature conditions. High-temperature stress elicited distinct responses among the purple chrysanthemum varieties. 'Zi Feng Che' and 'Chrystal Regal' maintained color stability, whereas 'Zi Hong Tuo Gui' and 'Zi lian' exhibited significant color fading, particularly during early bloom stages. This fading was associated with decreased enzymatic activities, specifically of chalcone isomerase (CHI), dihydroflavonol 4-reductase (DFR), and anthocyanidin synthase (ANS), indicating a critical period of color development under heat stress. Additionally, the color fading of 'Zi Lian' was closely related to the increased activity of the peroxidase (POD) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO). Conversely, a reduction in ß-glucosidase (ßG) activity may contribute significantly to the color steadfastness of 'Zi Feng Che'. The genes Cse_sc027584.1_g010.1 (PPO) and Cse_sc031727.1_g010.1 (POD) might contribute to the degradation of anthocyanins in the petals of 'Zi Hong Tuo Gui' and 'Zi Lian' under high-temperature conditions, while simultaneously maintaining the stability of anthocyanins in 'Zi Feng Che' and 'Chrystal Regal' at the early bloom floral stage. The findings of this research provide new insights into the physiological and biochemical mechanisms by which chrysanthemum flower color responds to high-temperature stress.

Whole genome sequencing of HER2-positive metastatic extramammary Paget's disease: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD) is a rare cancer that occurs within the epithelium of the skin, arising predominantly in areas with high apocrine gland concentration such as the vulva, scrotum, penis and perianal regions. Here, we aim to integrate clinicopathological data with genomic analysis of aggressive, rapidly-progressing de novo metastatic EMPD responding to HER2-directed treatment in combination with other agents, to attain a more comprehensive understanding of the disease landscape. METHODS: Immunohistochemical staining on the scrotal wall tumor and bone marrow metastasis demonstrated HER2 overexpression. Whole genome sequencing of the tumor and matched blood was performed. RESULTS: Notable copy number gains (log2FC > 0.9) on chromosomes 7 and 8 were detected (n = 81), with 92.6% of these unique genes specifically located on chromosome 8. Prominent cancer-associated genes include ZNF703, HOOK3, DDHD2, LSM1, NSD3, ADAM9, BRF2, KAT6A and FGFR1. Interestingly, ERBB2 gene did not exhibit high copy number gain (log2FC = 0.4) although 90% of tumor cells stained HER2-positive. Enrichment in pathways associated with transforming growth factor-beta (TGFß) (FDR = 0.0376, Enrichment Ratio = 8.12) and fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR1) signaling (FDR = 0.0082, Enrichment Ratio = 2.3) was detected. Amplicon structure analysis revealed that this was a simple-linear amplification event. CONCLUSION: Whole genome sequencing revealed the underlying copy number variation landscape in HER2-positive metastatic EMPD. The presence of alternative signalling pathways and genetic variants suggests potential interactions with HER2 signalling, which possibly contributed to the HER2 overexpression and observed response to HER2-directed therapy combined with other agents in a comprehensive treatment regimen.

Repurposing fluphenazine as an autophagy modulator for treating liver cancer.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignant tumor of the digestive system with a low early diagnosis rate. Owing to the side effects, tolerance, and patient contraindications of existing therapies, effective drug treatments for HCC remain a major clinical challenge. However, using approved or investigational drugs not initially intended for cancer therapy is a promising strategy for resolving this problem because their safety have been tested in clinic. Therefore, this study evaluated differentially expressed genes between liver cancer and normal tissues in a cohort of patients with HCC from The Cancer Genome Atlas and applied them to query a connectivity map to identify candidate anti-HCC drugs. As a result, fluphenazine was identified as a candidate for anti-HCC therapy in vitro and in vivo. Fluphenazine suppressed HCC cell proliferation and migration and induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, possibly owing to disrupted lysosomal function, blocking autophagy flux. Additionally, in vivo studies demonstrated that fluphenazine suppresses HCC subcutaneous xenografts growth without causing severe side effects. Strikingly, fluphenazine could be used as an analgesic to alleviate oxaliplatin-induced pain as well as pain related anxiety-like behavior. Therefore, fluphenazine could be a novel liver cancer treatment candidate.