Retrospective study revealed integration of CNV-seq and karyotype analysis is an effective strategy for prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal abnormalities.

Fetal chromosomal abnormalities are the main cause of adverse pregnancy outcomes and are the focus of invasive prenatal diagnosis. Recent studies have demonstrated that various techniques have distinct advantages. Achieving high-resolution and effective prenatal chromosomal abnormality diagnosis requires a multi-technology integration strategy. Based on retrospective samples from a single center, we propose that integrating CNV-seq and karyotype analysis is an effective strategy for prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal abnormalities. In this study, 13.80% of the pregnant women (347/2514) were found to have likely pathogenic or pathogenic fetal chromosomal abnormalities using this integrated approach. Among these cases, 53.89% (187/347) had consistent chromosomal abnormalities detected by both CNV-seq and karyotyping analysis, while 19.02% (66/347) and 27.09% (94/347) of cases were diagnosed solely by CNV-seq or karyotyping, respectively. Fetal chromosomal abnormalities were identified in 18.39% of samples with abnormal ultrasound, which was significantly higher than the percentage found in samples with normal ultrasound (p < 0.001). Samples with multiple ultrasound abnormalities and single-indicator ultrasound abnormalities such as nasal bone dysplasia, renal dysplasia, or echogenic fetal bowel also had higher rates of chromosomal abnormalities (p < 0.05) compared to normal samples. Analyzing samples with Trio family data (N = 521) revealed that about 94% of variants of uncertain significance were inherited from parents and were non-pathogenic. Overall, integrating CNV-seq and karyotype analysis is an effective strategy for prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal abnormalities. This study provides valuable insights for correlating prenatal screening indicators with chromosomal abnormalities.

[Retracted] Effects of Grb2­associated binding protein 2­specific siRNA on the migration and invasion of MG­63 osteosarcoma cells.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.3892/ol.2017.7375.].

Clinical Analysis of Superficial Temporal Artery-Middle Cerebral Artery Bypass Combined with Brain-Temporal Muscle Sticking in the Treatment of Chronic Internal Carotid Artery Occlusion.

Objective: NHISS score, MMSE scale, craniocerebral CTA or DSA, and craniocerebral magnetic resonance 3D-ASL were used to evaluate the efficacy and safety of superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery (STA-MCA) shunt combined with cranial-muscular-merging (EMS) in the treatment of symptomatic chronic internal carotid artery occlusion. Methods: The purpose of this study was to retrospectively analyze the clinical data of 15 patients with symptomatic chronic internal carotid artery occlusion who received STA-MCA shunt combined with EMS treatment at Weifang Brain Hospital and Weifang Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital from July 2016 to December 2020. The patients' neurological and cognitive functions were evaluated by NHISS score and MMSE examination before surgery and 6 months after surgery. Adverse reactions after surgery were observed, and preoperative and postoperative cerebral hemodynamics, the patency of the shunt anastomosis, and the compensation of collateral circulation were evaluated by cranial CTA or DSA and cranial MRI 3D-ASL. Results: All 15 patients underwent successful surgery. One patient experienced transient mild cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome postoperatively. Six months after surgery, the NHISS score was significantly improved compared with that before surgery (P = .0001), and the MMSE score was also significantly improved compared with before surgery (P = .0124). No adverse events of poor scalp healing, intracranial infection, subcutaneous fluid accumulation, subdural hematoma, or cerebral hemorrhage were observed postoperatively. Imaging examination showed that the shunt vessels were unobstructed, the middle cerebral artery was dilated, collateral circulation in the surgical area was increased, and cerebral blood flow increased. Conclusion: STA-MCA shunt combined with EMS treatment is safe and effective for symptomatic chronic internal carotid artery occlusion. It has the potential to improve cerebral blood flow and reduce clinical symptoms.

miR-149-5p mitigates tumor necrosis factor-α-induced chondrocyte apoptosis by inhibiting TRADD.

Introduction: Chondrocyte apoptosis as a prominent characteristic is usually accompanied by cartilage degeneration in osteoarthritis (OA). Herein, we aimed to determine the roles of miR-149-5p in tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-induced chondrocyte apoptosis. Material and methods: Human chondrocytes were cultured with TNF-α to establish an apoptosis cell model in vitro. After transfection with miR-149-5p mimics or co-expression with TRADD in chondrocytes, cell viability, apoptosis, inflammatory cytokines, mRNA and protein expression were measured using CCK8, Annexin V-FITC double staining, ELISA assays, RT-qPCR and western blotting, respectively. Results: TNF-α-induced chondrocyte apoptosis occurred in association with the inhibition of cell proliferation, the elevation of inflammatory cytokine levels and the activation of TRADD and caspase-3/8 signaling. The post-transcriptional regulatory mechanism suggested that TRADD was a direct target of miR-149-5p, and overexpression of miR-149-5p resulted in the down-regulation of TRADD protein expression in chondrocytes. In addition, miR-149-5p mimics had the ability to attenuate TNF-α-induced inflammation and apoptosis, while transfection with TRADD vector neutralized the protective effects of miR-149-5p on TNF-α-induced chondrocyte dysfunction. Conclusions: miR-149-5p inversely regulated TNF-α-mediated chondrocyte damage by inhibiting TRADD-modulated caspases signaling. The miR-149-5p/TRADD signaling pathway might be a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of OA.

PROS1 is a crucial gene in the macrophage efferocytosis of diabetic foot ulcers: a concerted analytical approach through the prisms of computer analysis.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) pose a serious long-term threat because of elevated mortality and disability risks. Research on its biomarkers is still, however, very limited. In this paper, we have effectively identified biomarkers linked with macrophage excretion in diabetic foot ulcers through the application of bioinformatics and machine learning methodologies. These findings were subsequently validated using external datasets and animal experiments. Such discoveries are anticipated to offer novel insights and approaches for the early diagnosis and treatment of DFU. METHODS: In this work, we used the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database's datasets GSE68183 and GSE80178 as the training dataset to build a gene model using machine learning methods. After that, we used the training and validation sets to validate the model (GSE134431). On the model genes, we performed enrichment analysis using both gene set variant analysis (GSVA) and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). Additionally, the model genes were subjected to immunological association and immune function analyses. RESULTS: In this study, PROS1 was identified as a potential key target associated with macrophage efflux in DFU by machine learning and bioinformatics approaches. Subsequently, the key biomarker status of PROS1 in DFU was also confirmed by external datasets. In addition, PROS1 also plays a key role in macrophage exudation in DFU. This gene may be associated with macrophage M1, CD4 memory T cells, naïve B cells, and macrophage M2, and affects IL-17, Rap1, hedgehog, and JAK-STAT signaling pathways. CONCLUSIONS: PROS1 was identified and validated as a biomarker for DFU. This finding has the potential to provide a target for macrophage clearance of DFU.

L-Carnitine in the Treatment of Psychiatric and Neurological Manifestations: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: L-carnitine (LC), a vital nutritional supplement, plays a crucial role in myocardial health and exhibits significant cardioprotective effects. LC, being the principal constituent of clinical-grade supplements, finds extensive application in the recovery and treatment of diverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disorders. However, controversies persist regarding the utilization of LC in nervous system diseases, with varying effects observed across numerous mental and neurological disorders. This article primarily aims to gather and analyze database information to comprehensively summarize the therapeutic potential of LC in patients suffering from nervous system diseases while providing valuable references for further research. METHODS: A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Web Of Science, Embase, Ovid Medline, Cochrane Library and Clinicaltrials.gov databases. The literature pertaining to the impact of LC supplementation on neurological or psychiatric disorders in patients was reviewed up until November 2023. No language or temporal restrictions were imposed on the search. RESULTS: A total of 1479 articles were retrieved, and after the removal of duplicates through both automated and manual exclusion processes, 962 articles remained. Subsequently, a meticulous re-screening led to the identification of 60 relevant articles. Among these, there were 12 publications focusing on hepatic encephalopathy (HE), while neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) and peripheral nervous system diseases (PNSDs) were represented by 9 and 6 articles, respectively. Additionally, stroke was addressed in five publications, whereas Raynaud's syndrome (RS) and cognitive disorder (CD) each had three dedicated studies. Furthermore, migraine, depression, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) each accounted for two publications. Lastly, one article was found for other symptoms under investigation. CONCLUSION: In summary, LC has demonstrated favorable therapeutic effects in the management of HE, Alzheimer's disease (AD), carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), CD, migraine, neurofibromatosis (NF), PNSDs, RS, and stroke. However, its efficacy appears to be relatively limited in conditions such as ALS, ataxia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), Down syndrome (DS), and sciatica.

[Corrigendum] Long non­coding RNA H19 regulates LASP1 expression in osteosarcoma by competitively binding to miR­29a­3p.

Following the publication of the above article, an interested reader drew to the authors' attention that, for the cell invasion assay experiments shown in Fig. 2D on p. 5, there appeared to be an overlapping section of data comparing between the Sao­2/Control and MG­63/siH19 panels, such that these data had been derived from the same original source where the panels were intended to portray the results from differently performed epxeriments. Upon examining their original data, the authors have realized that, in Fig. 2D, an inadvertent error was made in the copying and pasting of the two groups of pictures, resulting in the image belonging to the Saos­2 cell experiment being mistakenly pasted as the image for the MG­63 cell experiment. The authors carefully checked the original pictures and the experimental record, and found that the two groups of cells were close to the same morphology. The corrected version of Fig. 2, containing data from an alternatively performed experiment for Fig. 2D, is shown on the next page. Note that the error did not affect the overall conclusions reported in the paper. All the authors agree with the publication of this corrigendum, and are grateful to the Editor of Oncology Reports for allowing them the opportunity to publish this. They also apologize to the readership for any inconvenience caused. [Oncology Reports 46: 207, 2021; DOI: 10.3892/or.2021.8158].

Noncovalently particle-anchored cytokines with prolonged tumor retention safely elicit potent antitumor immunity.

Preclinical studies have shown that immunostimulatory cytokines elicit antitumor immune responses but their clinical use is limited by severe immune-related adverse events upon systemic administration. Here, we report a facile and versatile strategy for noncovalently anchoring potent Fc-fused cytokine molecules to the surface of size-discrete particles decorated with Fc-binding peptide for local administration. Following intratumoral injection, particle-anchored Fc cytokines exhibit size-dependent intratumoral retention. The 1-micrometer particle prolongs intratumoral retention of Fc cytokine for over a week and has minimal systemic exposure, thereby eliciting antitumor immunity while eliminating systemic toxicity caused by circulating cytokines. In addition, the combination of these particle-anchored cytokines with immune checkpoint blockade antibodies safely promotes tumor regression in various syngeneic tumor models and genetically engineered murine tumor models and elicits systemic antitumor immunity against tumor rechallenge. Our formulation strategy renders a safe and tumor-agnostic approach that uncouples cytokines' immunostimulatory properties from their systemic toxicities for potential clinical application.

Epidemiology of human papillomavirus infection in women from Xiamen, China, 2013 to 2023.

Background: Cervical cancer is primarily caused by HPV infection. The epidemiology of HPV infection in specific areas is of great meaning of guide cervical cancer screening and formulating HPV vaccination strategies. Here, we evaluated the epidemiological characteristics of HPV infection in Xiamen population. Methods: In total, 159,049 cervical exfoliated cell samples collected from female outpatients in Women and Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen between January 2013 and July 2023 were analyzed. HPV DNA detection was performed using HPV genotyping kits (Hybribio Limited Corp, China). An analysis was conducted on the prevalence of HPV infection, taking into account factors such as age, year, and multiple patterns of HPV infection. The differences in prevalence among age groups and years were compared using χ2 test. Results: The overall prevalence of any 21 HPV genotypes was 18.4%, of which the high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) positive rate was 14.6%. The age-specific prevalence of HPV infection showed a bimodal distribution, with two distinct peaks, one at <25 years (31.2%) and the other at 60-64 years (32.9%). There was a downward trend in the prevalence of HPV infection over time, decreasing from 26.2% in 2013 to 14.5% in 2021, and then increasing to 19.0% in 2023. The five most prevent HR-HPV genotypes were HPV52 (4.0%), 58 (2.6%), 16 (2.5%), 51 (1.8%), and 39 (1.7%). Among the positive cases, 76.7% were detected with only one genotype and 23.3% with multiple genotypes. The most common co-infection was HPV52 + HPV58 (0.24%), followed by HPV16 + HPV52 (0.24%), HPV52 + HPV53 (0.21%), HPV52 + HPV81 (0.21%), HPV51 + HPV52 (0.19%), HPV16 + HPV58 (0.18%), and HPV39 + HPV52 (0.17%). Conclusion: The study provided the largest scale information on the recent epidemiological characteristics of HPV infection in Xiamen, and even in Fujian Province, China, which would support making the prevention and control strategies for cervical cancer in the region.

Therapy-induced senescent tumor cell-derived extracellular vesicles promote colorectal cancer progression through SERPINE1-mediated NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation.

BACKGROUND: Cellular senescence frequently occurs during anti-cancer treatment, and persistent senescent tumor cells (STCs) unfavorably promote tumor progression through paracrine secretion of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have recently emerged as a novel component of the SASP and primarily mediate the tumor-promoting effect of the SASP. Of note, the potential effect of EVs released from STCs on tumor progression remains largely unknown. METHODS: We collected tumor tissues from two cohorts of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients to examine the expression of p16, p21, and SERPINE1 before and after anti-cancer treatment. Cohort 1 included 22 patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) who received neoadjuvant therapy before surgical resection. Cohort 2 included 30 patients with metastatic CRC (mCRC) who received first-line irinotecan-contained treatment. CCK-8, transwell, wound-healing assay, and tumor xenograft experiments were carried out to determine the impacts of EVs released from STCs on CRC progression in vitro and in vivo. Quantitative proteomic analysis was applied to identify protein cargo inside EVs secreted from STCs. Immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometer identification were utilized to explore the binding partners of SERPINE1. The interaction of SERPINE1 with p65 was verified by co-immunoprecipitation, and their co-localization was confirmed by immunofluorescence. RESULTS: Chemotherapeutic agents and irradiation could potently induce senescence in CRC cells in vitro and in human CRC tissues. The more significant elevation of p16 and p21 expression in patients after anti-cancer treatment displayed shorter disease-free survival (DFS) for LARC or progression-free survival (PFS) for mCRC. We observed that compared to non-STCs, STCs released an increased number of EVs enriched in SERPINE1, which further promoted the progression of recipient cancer cells. Targeting SERPINE1 with a specific inhibitor, tiplaxtinin, markedly attenuated the tumor-promoting effect of STCs-derived EVs. Additionally, the patients with greater increment of SERPINE1 expression after anti-cancer treatment had shorter DFS for LARC or PFS for mCRC. Mechanistically, SERPINE1 bound to p65, promoting its nuclear translocation and subsequently activating the NF-κB signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS: We provide the in vivo evidence of the clinical prognostic implications of therapy-induced senescence. Our results revealed that STCs were responsible for CRC progression by producing large amounts of EVs enriched in SERPINE1. These findings further confirm the crucial role of therapy-induced senescence in tumor progression and offer a potential therapeutic strategy for CRC treatment.

Simulating the behavior of antioxidant to explore the mechanisms of oxidative stability in Pickering emulsion.

This study explores effective strategies for bolstering emulsion oxidative stability via optimized interfacial distribution of varying hydrophobicity antioxidants (gallic acid, propyl gallate, octyl gallate) in zein nanoparticle (ZP) stabilized Pickering emulsions. Experimental and simulation methods revealed that antioxidant (AO) with higher hydrophobicity or loaded into ZP demonstrated stronger hydrogen bonding and van der Waals interactions with ZP. This increased interfacial loading of antioxidants resulted in improved oxidative stability in Pickering emulsions. The flow, distribution and orientation of AO, as revealed by dissipative dynamics simulations, highlighted the role of hydrophobic interactions during initial AO migration, influenced by varied alkyl chain lengths. Subsequent interface rearrangements arose from conservative force interactions between the AO's phenol hydroxyl ends and ZP. These findings inform effective interfacial engineering to optimize antioxidant efficiency, guiding practical applications in emulsion systems for improved oxidative stability.

Enhanced Chemoradiotherapy for MRSA-Infected Osteomyelitis Using Immunomodulatory Polymer-Reinforced Nanotherapeutics.

The eradication of osteomyelitis caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses a significant challenge due to its development of biofilm-induced antibiotic resistance and impaired innate immunity, which often leads to frequent surgical failure. Here, the design, synthesis, and performance of X-ray-activated polymer-reinforced nanotherapeutics that modulate the immunological properties of infectious microenvironments to enhance chemoradiotherapy against multidrug-resistant bacterial deep-tissue infections are reported. Upon X-ray radiation, the proposed polymer-reinforced nanotherapeutic generates reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species. To robustly eradicate MRSA biofilms at deep infection sites, these species can specifically bind to MRSA and penetrate biofilms for enhanced chemoradiotherapy treatment. X-ray-activated nanotherapeutics modulate the innate immunity of macrophages to prevent the recurrence of osteomyelitis. The remarkable anti-infection effects of these nanotherapeutics are validated using a rat osteomyelitis model. This study demonstrates the significant potential of a synergistic chemoradiotherapy and immunotherapy method for treating MRSA biofilm-infected osteomyelitis.

Red cell membrane-coating Prussian blue for combined photothermal and NO gas therapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Nitric oxide (NO) gas molecules have demonstrated remarkable anti-tumor effects and minimal susceptibility to drug resistance, establishing as a promising modality for effective tumor treatment. However, how to realize its stable and efficient delivery in vivo is still a challenge. In this study, we have developed a heat-responsive biomimetic nano erythrocyte (M/B@R) by loading a NO donor (BNN6) onto mesoporous Prussian blue (M-PB) and subsequently enveloping them with red blood cell membranes. The preserved integrity of the red blood cell membrane (RBCm) structure could ensure its excellent biosafety, prolong its circulation time within the bloodstream and then enhance the accumulation of BNN6 at tumor sites. When M/B@R is stimulated by near-infrared light (NIR-II, 808 nm) irradiation, the nanoparticle could generate significant heat for photothermal therapy (PTT) by the characteristic NIR absorption of M-PB and then NO could also be efficiently released. The generated NO further facilitates the formation of ONOO-, a highly toxic species to tumors, while also alleviating tumor hypoxia. Remarkably, M/B@R, with NIR as the excitation source, induces combined lethality through hyperthermia, DNA damage, and tumor hypoxia relief. This novel combination strategy provides a new avenue for PTT/NO-induced cancer therapy.

M7G modification of FTH1 and pri-miR-26a regulates ferroptosis and chemotherapy resistance in osteosarcoma.

Doxorubicin and platinum are widely used in the frontline treatment of osteosarcoma, but resistance to chemotherapy limits its curative effect. Here, we have identified that METTL1 mediated N7-Methyladenosine (m7G) low expressed in osteosarcoma tissues, plays a critical oncogenic role, and enhances osteosarcoma chemosensitivity in osteosarcoma. Mechanistically, AlkAniline-Seq data revealed that Ferritin heavy chain (FTH1), the main component of ferritin, which is crucial for iron homeostasis and the inhibition of lipid peroxidation, is one of the top 10 genes with the most significant change in m7G methylation sites mediated by METTL1 in human osteosarcoma cells. Interestingly, METTL1 significantly increased the expression of FTH1 at the mRNA level but was remarkably suppressed at the protein level. We then identified primary (pri)-miR-26a and pri-miR-98 in the Top 20 m7G-methylated pri-miRNAs with highly conserved species. Further results confirmed that METTL1 enhances cell ferroptosis by targeting FTH1 and primary (pri)-miR-26a, promoting their maturity by enhancing RNA stability dependent on m7G methylation. The increase of mature miR-26a-5p that resulted from METTL1 overexpression could further target FTH1 mRNA and eliminate FTH1 translation efficiency. Moreover, the reduction of FTH1 translation dramatically increases cell ferroptosis and promotes the sensitivity of osteosarcoma cells to chemotherapy drugs. Collectively, our study demonstrates the METTL1/pri-miR-26a/FTH1 axis signaling in osteosarcoma and highlights the functional importance of METTL1 and m7G methylation in the progression and chemotherapy resistance of osteosarcoma, suggesting that reprogramming RNA m7G methylation as a potential and promising strategy for osteosarcoma treatment.

Predictive value of suprasellar extension for intracranial infection after endoscopic transsphenoidal pituitary adenoma resection.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between suprasellar extension (SSE) and intracranial infection after endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach (EETA) for pituitary adenoma resection. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 94 patients with suprasellar extended pituitary adenoma admitted to the Department of Neurosurgery of the Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical College from January 2018 to December 2021. We measured the preoperative magnetic resonance sagittal SSE and collected clinical data and divided the patients into groups according to the presence of postoperative intracranial infection. The critical value for the SSE was calculated by using a working characteristic curve for the subjects. The risk factors for intracranial infection after EETA resection of pituitary adenomas were analyzed by multivariate regression analysis. RESULTS: Among the 94 patients, 12 cases (12.8%) were placed in the infection group and 82 cases (87.2%) in the non-infection group. The cut-off value for the SSE in the sagittal position was 15.6 mm, the sensitivity was 75%, the specificity was 87.8%, and the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.801. The coronary cut-off value for the SSE was 15.8 mm, the sensitivity was 66.7%, the specificity was 79.3%, and the AUC was 0.787. The SSE values in the sagittal and coronal positions were correlated with postoperative intracranial infection (P < 0.05). After univariate analysis, those with significant differences were included in the multivariate regression analysis. It was concluded that the extension distance of the tumor above the sella in the sagittal position was ≥ 15.6 mm, the tumor texture was hard, and the postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leakage were the independent risk factors for intracranial infection after EETA resection of suprasellar extended pituitary tumors (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The value of SSE on sagittal MRI can predict intracranial infection in patients with suprasellar extended pituitary adenoma after endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal resection. This finding recommends neurosurgeons pay more attention to the imaging characteristics of pituitary adenomas and select appropriate treatment plans in combination with the intraoperative conditions to reduce the incidence of intracranial infection.

CRTC2 activates the epithelial-mesenchymal transition of diabetic kidney disease through the CREB-Smad2/3 pathway.

BACKGROUND: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a key role in tubulointerstitial fibrosis, which is a hallmark of diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Our previous studies showed that CRTC2 can simultaneously regulate glucose metabolism and lipid metabolism. However, it is still unclear whether CRTC2 participates in the EMT process in DKD. METHODS: We used protein‒protein network (PPI) analysis to identify genes that were differentially expressed during DKD and EMT. Then, we constructed a diabetic mouse model by administering STZ plus a high-fat diet, and we used HK-2 cells that were verified to confirm the bioinformatics research results. The effects that were exerted by CRTC2 on epithelial-mesenchymal transition in diabetic kidney disease through the CREB-Smad2/3 signaling pathway were investigated in vivo and in vitro by real-time PCR, WB, IHC and double luciferase reporter gene experiments. RESULTS: First, bioinformatics research showed that CRTC2 may promote EMT in diabetic renal tubules through the CREB-Smad2/3 signaling pathway. Furthermore, the Western blotting and real-time PCR results showed that CRTC2 overexpression reduced the expression of E-cadherin in HK-2 cells. The CRTC2 and α-SMA levels were increased in STZ-treated mouse kidneys, and the E-cadherin level was reduced. The luciferase activity of α-SMA, which is the key protein in EMT, was sharply increased in response to the overexpression of CRTC2 and decreased after the silencing of CREB and Smad2/3. However, the expression of E-cadherin showed the opposite trends. In the real-time PCR experiment, the mRNA expression of α-SMA increased significantly when CRTC2 was overexpressed but partially decreased when CREB and Smad2/3 were silenced. However, E-cadherin expression showed the opposite result. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that CRTC2 activates the EMT process via the CREB-Smad2/3 signaling pathway in diabetic renal tubules.

A study related to the treatment of gastric cancer with Xiang-Sha-Liu-Jun-Zi-Tang based on network analysis.

Purpose: Xiang-Sha-Liu-Jun-Zi-Tang(XSLJZT) is a common formula for the treatment of Gastric Cancer(GC) and is widely used in clinical practice, however, there is a lack of investigation into its mechanism. Methods: We collected and organized drug and disease targets, constructed the "XSLJZT-Active Ingredient-Target" visualization network, and performed GO and KEGG functional enrichment analysis of crossover genes, followed by molecular docking of active ingredients and core targets. The best docked monomers were combined with weighted gene co-expression network analysis(WGCNA) and macroscopically analyzed by GO and KEGG enrichment techniques. The results of cluster gene difference analysis, ROC evaluation, and CIBERSORT immune infiltration analysis were evaluated and finally supported by cellular experiments. Results: The main components of XSLJZT are quercetin, stigmasterol, and naringenin, effectively treat GC by targeting STAT3, TP53 and MAPK3, which are involved in IL-17, TNF and HIF-1 signaling pathways. The results of molecular docking showed that quercetin bound better to the core targets. We performed an in-depth analysis of this monomer and found that quercetin acts on the core targets of TP53, MMP9, TIMP1 and MYC, and is involved in two key signaling pathways, TNF and IL-17, thus effectively treating GC. The experimental results are consistent with our analysis that quercetin inhibits the proliferation of GC cells and promotes apoptosis, and TP53, MYC and TIMP1 are the quercetin targets for the treatment of GC. Conclusion: The present study tentatively suggests that quercetin, the main active ingredient in XSLJZT, can exert a therapeutic effect on GC by targeting TIMP1.

Prevalence and genotype distribution of HPV infection among women in Xiamen, China.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of HPV and genotype distribution among female populations in Xiamen, Fujian Province, China, which can be conducive for local governments to formulate cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccine strategies. Methods: Cervical swabs were collected from 47,926 participants aged 16-92 years at the Women and Children's Hospital, Xiamen University, from November 2019 to June 2020. HPV DNA was extracted and detected using conventional PCR, followed by HPV subtype-specific hybridisation. HPV infection rates based on different groups were compared using the χ2 test. HPV prevalence and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated using SPSS 19.0. Results: The overall HPV prevalence among the 47,926 cervical swabs that were analysed was 15.13%, of which single, double, and multiple infections accounted for 76.83, 16.70 and 6.47%, respectively. The age-specific prevalence of HPV infection presented a "U" curve with a HPV prevalence peak observed in women aged <20 years. The gynaecology clinic group had significantly higher HPV positive rates than the health examination group (p < 0.001). The five most common HR-HPV subtypes in Xiamen were HPV52, 58, 16, 51, and 39 (2.69, 1.63, 1.23, 1.05, and 0.98%, respectively). The five most common LR-HPV subtypes were HPV54, 61, 81, 70, 34, and 84 (0.92, 0.86, 0.71, 0.45 and 0.35%, respectively). Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that the 9-valent HPV vaccine is recommended for regular immunisation in Xiamen. It is necessary for elderly women to participate in HPV screening to decrease the morbidity and mortality of cervical cancer.