Rhomboid domain containing 1 promotes the growth of non-small cell lung cancer through the activation of EGFR and regulation of the BIK-mediated apoptosis.

RHBDD1 overexpression is found in various malignancies, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and it is correlated with NSCLC patients' poor overall survival. This study aims to explore the function of RHBDD1 in regulating the progression of NSCLC and its potential molecular basis. qPCR, immunohistochemistry, and/or western blotting were used to evaluate the expression of RHBDD1 in NSCLC tissues and cell lines. RHBDD1 knockdown and overexpression were performed, CCK-8 assay and cell clone formation were applied to study the function of RHBDD1 in cell proliferation in vitro. Flow cytometry and immunofluorescence tests were employed to determine the regulation of apoptosis, cell cycle, and endoplasmic reticulum stress by RHBDD1. As a result, RHBDD1 was found significantly upregulated in NSCLC tissues and cells and associated with pathological tumor staging. RHBDD1 knockdown inhibited the proliferation of NSCLC cells both in vitro and in vivo, promoted their apoptosis, caused cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase, characterized with reduced CDK2, suppressed TGF-α secretion, and inhibited the EGFR/Raf/MEK/ERK signaling pathway. In contrast, RHBDD1 overexpression showed the opposite effects. These effects of the manipulated expression of RHBDD1 on NSCLC were restored by EGFR or MEK inhibitor. Additionally, RHBDD1 knockdown and overexpression resulted in decreased and increased BIK cleavage, respectively, but the effects could be blocked by a proteasome inhibitor. In conclusion, our research shows that RHBDD1 promotes the progression of NSCLC through enhancement of proliferation and induction of apoptosis by regulating the EGFR/Raf/MEK/ERK signaling pathway and the level of BIK protein level.

The Role of the Intestinal Flora and Its Derivatives in Neurocognitive Disorders: A Narrative Review from Surgical Perspective.

Perioperative neurocognitive dysfunction is a significant concern for population health, impacting postoperative recovery and increasing the financial burden on patients. With an increasing number of surgical procedures being performed, the prevention and management of perioperative neurocognitive dysfunction have garnered significant attention. While factors such as age, lifestyle, genetics, and education are known to influence the development of cognitive dysfunction, recent research has highlighted the role of the gut microbiota in neurological health. An increased abundance of pro-inflammatory gut microbiota can trigger and worsen neuroinflammation, neuronal cell damage, and impaired cellular autophagy. Moreover, the inflammation-promoting gut microbiota can disrupt immune function, impair neuroautophagy, and affect the production and circulation of extracellular vesicles and neurotransmitters. These factors collectively play a role in the onset and advancement of cognitive impairment. This narrative review delves into the molecular mechanisms through which gut microbiota and their derivatives contribute to cognitive impairment, focusing on the impact of anesthesia surgery, changes in gut microbial populations, and perioperative cognitive impairment associations. The study suggests that alterations in the abundance of various bacterial species and their metabolites pre- and post-surgery may be linked to postoperative cognitive impairment. Furthermore, the potential of probiotics or prebiotics in addressing cognitive impairment is discussed, offering a promising avenue for investigating the treatment of perioperative neurocognitive disorders.

[Research on the autofluorescence spectroscopy in rats doing medium-intensity exercise].

The laser-inducted fluorescence spectrum technology (LIF) was used for the first time to study the autofluorescence spectral characteristics of the heart, kidney, liver, fat, foreleg muscle, hind leg soleus muscle and musculus gastrocnemius of the rat performing motion exercises. The wavelength of the excitation light used during the measurement was in the range of 250-650 nm and the emission wavelength was 300-700 nm. When comparing the three-dimensional fluorescence spectra of the control group with those of the four groups of different motion states, a specific fluorescence peak related to the motion and located in the area where the excitation wavelength was (340 +/- 10) nm and the emission wavelength was (460 +/- 10) nm was found mainly in the spectra of the soleus muscle. From this fluorescence peak, it is possible to determine that its corresponding fluorescent substance is NADH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide reduced). When comparing the fluorescence spectra of the four groups of different motion modes, it was found that the motion mode has a conspicuous relativity with the peak intensity. The results show that the energy metabolism of the soleus muscle of the rat in motion is stronger than that of the foreleg, soleus muscle and other visceras, and the autofluorescence spectral characteristics of NADH form one of the effective indexes for determining the muscular metabolism degree.

A modified Cox maze IV procedure: a simpler technique for the surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effectiveness of a simplified surgical treatment method for atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS: Between September 2012 and October 2013, 120 patients (mean age, 52.3 ± 8.8 years) underwent valve surgery and concomitant bipolar radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of AF. Patients were randomized to a Cox maze IV procedure (CMP-IV) group (n = 60) or a modified CMP-IV (MCMP-IV) group (n = 60). Freedom from AF was defined as freedom from any left atrial arrhythmia lasting <30 s and no requirement of antiarrhythmic drugs after 6 months. Data were recorded at postoperative follow-up examinations, which were scheduled at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months, and annually thereafter. RESULTS: No ablation-related complications occurred in either group. The mean ablation time was longer in the CMP-IV group than in the MCMP-IV group (18.5 ± 1.7 vs 16.6 ± 1.6 min, P < 0.001). The mean follow-up time was 32.4 ± 3.6 months (range, 26-39 months). Freedom from AF tended to be higher, but not significantly so, among the MCMP-IV group than among the CMP-IV group over the entire follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: The MCMP-IV is an effective surgical procedure for the treatment of AF. In certain patients, such as those with anatomic variations of the pulmonary veins, the MCMP-IV is simpler than the CMP-IV. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION ID: ChiCTR-TRC-12002742.

Outcomes of tricuspid annuloplasty with and without prosthetic rings: a retrospective follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: The efficacies of tricuspid valve repair, risk factors for treatment failure and postoperative quality of life have not been thoroughly evaluated in patients with tricuspid insufficiency associated with rheumatic heart disease (RHD). We therefore reviewed our experience with ring and non-ring tricuspid annuloplasty for the treatment of functional tricuspid insufficiency (TI) in RHD. METHODS: This retrospective, follow-up study involved 74 RHD patients who underwent either non-ring annuloplasty (De Vega procedure; 34 patients, 45.95 %) or ring annuloplasty (40 patients, 54.05 %) along with concurrent mitral or/and aortic valve replacement. Operation time, cardiopulmonary bypass time, aortic clamping time, intensive care unit stay and extubation time were recorded. Echocardiographic findings and Short Form (SF)-36 scores were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: In hospital mortality and complications were similar in the two study groups (P = 0.6755). At 1 week, 1 month, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years and even longer after the operation, the Kaplan-Meier curve of freedom from mild and above recurrent TI showed significantly better efficacy in the ring annuloplasty group than the De Vega procedure group (log rank P = 0.0377). Risk factors for recurrent TI included high pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) and non-ring annuloplasty (PASP: hazard ratio = 1.52; non-ring: hazard ratio = 1.42). The mental component summary score at 1 year after the operation did not significantly differ between the two groups (P = 0.6446), but the physical component summary score was significantly better in the ring annuloplasty group (P = 0.0037). CONCLUSION: Compared with non-ring annuloplasty, ring annuloplasty was associated with improved survival, decreased TI recurrence and higher quality of life in RHD patients undergoing tricuspid valve repair combined with mitral and/or aortic valve replacement.

MicroRNAs as promising biomarkers for gastric cancer.

Despite promising developments of treatment, the overall outcome of gastric cancer (GC) remains poor. Current tumor markers are not ideal due to relatively low sensitivity and specificity. There is an urgent need for identifying more specific and more sensitive novel markers in the clinical management of GC. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding RNA molecules. Recently, miRNA studies have quickly moved from basic molecular research of cancer to areas of clinical application. On the basis of recent data, the present review mainly summarizes the potential role of miRNAs as molecular biomarkers for disease susceptibility, diagnosis, prognosis and drug-response prediction in GC. This review also highlights the miRNA expression profiles in GC and their relation to cancer classification and subtype stratification. Although there are still many challenges in the research field of tumor-related miRNAs, the small molecules will definitely improve the clinical management of GC in the future.

[Total phosphorus removal from eutrophic water in Baiyangdian Lake by Potamogeton crispus].

Taking the water, sediment, and Potamogeton crispus collected from Shihoudian, Wangjiazhai, and Xiaodian in Baiyangdian Lake area into laboratory, three simulated static systems were built to study the growth of P. crispus and its effect on the removal of total phosphorus from eutrophic water and sediment. Among the three systems, Shihoudian system had the best purification effect, with the removal efficiency of total phosphorus from water body being 87.9%, followed by Wangjiazhai system 47.4%, and Xiaodian system 76.9%. The largest total phosphorus removal efficiency per gram biomass in Shihoudian, Wangjiazhai, and Xiaodian systems was 2.2%, 0.9%, and 1.4%, and the largest total phosphorus adsorption rate of sediments was 9.1%, 7.4%, and 7.7%, respectively. The TP-t and v-t fitted equations of the three systems indicated that the total phosphorus concentration in water and the removal rate of the total phosphorus were negatively exponentially decreased with time.

[An expression element of a new controlling insulin growth factors binding protein-3(IGFBP-3)in senescent cells].

AIM: To study the influencing factors of the increased expression of the controlling insulin growth factors binding protein-3(IGFBP-3)in the senescent cells. METHODS: Northern blot was used to show of the differential expression of the IGFBP-3 gene in the young and senescent 2BS cells; The size of 2 kb human IGFBP-3 upstream sequence including the series of the 5'-UTR area was amplified by PCR, and four groups of IGFBP-3 promoter fragments of different lengths were obtained by enzyme digestion. The Effectene Transfection Reagent (Qiagen) kit was used to transfect the fragments into the young and senescent cells. The promoting activity of several groups of constructing gene fragments were evaluated. The area of the controlling transfection activity was determined. The enhancer element in the activity area was ascertained by superimposing the oligonucleotide gel blocking experiment. RESULTS: Compared with the young 2BS cells, the expression of the IGFBP-3 gene in the senescent 2BS cells was enhanced. There was a protein binding in the fragment site from site +59 to -58 of the IGFBP-3 enhancer. 5'-ccagcctgccaagcagcgtgccccggttgc-3' was the enhancer element of IGFBP-3. CONCLUSION: In the 30 bp fragment from site -37 to -8 of the IGFBP-3 gene upstream, there is a new IGFBP-3 enhancer element IEE, which plays a controlling role in the expression of IGFBP-3.