[Astragalus polysaccharide inhibits IDO1 expression in colon tumor microenvironment to increase intratumoral CD8~+ T cell infiltration].

This study aims to investigate the regulatory effects of Astragalus polysaccharide(APS) and APS combined with 5-fluorouracil(5-FU) on indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase(IDO1) in the colon tumor microenvironment. Sixty Balb/c mice were randomized into a blank group, a model group, an APS group, an APS + 5-FU group, an APS + low-dose 5-FU group, and a 5-FU group. A tumor model was established by subcutaneous transplantation with CT-26 mouse colon cancer cells in other groups except the blank group. After successful modeling, each group was treated with corresponding drugs for 7 days. The general condition, body weight, and tumor volume of the mice were observed and measured daily during the treatment period. The mice were sacrificed at the end of treatment, and the tumor suppression rate and spleen index of the mice were calculated. Western blot and fluorescence quantitative PCR were employed to determine the protein and mRNA levels, respectively, of IDO1 in the tumor tissue of mice. High performance liquid chromatography was employed to measure the levels of tryptophan(Trp) and kynurenine(Kyn) in the tumor tissue of mice. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was performed to observe the histological changes of the tumor tissue, and immunohistochemistry to detect the changes of CD4 and CD8 expression in the tumor tissue. Compared with that in the model group, the tumor volume of mice in each treatment group significantly reduced. The body weights of mice in APS + 5-FU group and 5-FU group significantly reduced from day 4 to day 7 of treatment. In addition, the APS + 5-FU group and 5-FU group showed significantly decreased spleen index. The protein and mRNA levels of IDO1 were significantly down-regulated in the APS, APS + 5-FU, and APS + low-dose 5-FU groups. The drug interventions significantly increased the Trp content and decreased the Kyn content. The APS + 5-FU group showed significantly reduced infiltration of CD4~+ T lymphocytes and increased infiltration of CD8~+ T lymphocytes. APS inhibited the expression of IDO1 in the colon tumor microenvironment to increase CD8~+ T lymphocyte infiltration, and the combination of APS with 5-FU demonstrated better effect.

Design of Ge1-xSnx-on-Si waveguide photodetectors featuring high-speed high-sensitivity photodetection in the C- to U-bands.

We present the design of Ge1-xSnx-on-Si waveguide photodetectors for the applications in the C- to U-bands. The GeSn photodetectors have been studied in respect to responsivity, dark current, and bandwidth, with light butt- or evanescent-coupled from an Si waveguide. With the introduction of 4.5% Sn into Ge, the GeSn waveguide PD with evanescent-coupling exhibits high responsivity of 1.25 A/W and 3 dB bandwidth of 123.1 GHz at 1.675 µm. Further increasing the Sn composition cannot improve the absorption in the U-band significantly but does lead to poorer thermal stability and higher dark current. This work suggests a promising avenue for future high-speed high-responsivity photodetection in the C- to U-bands.

Giant aneurysmal of the left sinus of Valsalva in adults.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the aneurysmal of the left sinus of Valsalva, and to improve the understanding of the disease and the level of diagnosis and treatment. METHOD: This article mainly reports a case of a huge aneurysmal of the left sinus of Valsalva patients treated with surgical treatment. RESULT: After surgery, the prognosis of the case was good. CONCLUSION: Aneurysmal of the left sinus of Valsalva has a low incidence, which is rare in clinical with no clinical specific symptoms leading to difficulty in early detection. The appropriate surgical method should be considered to the patient's condition, to prevent the tumor rupture and the death of patients.

The Effects of Lycium Barbarum Polysaccharide (LBP) in a Mouse Model of Cerulein-Induced Acute Pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND Acute pancreatitis is an inflammatory disease of the pancreas associated with high patient morbidity. Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP), a traditional Chinese medicine with an active component extracted from the goji berry, has previously been reported to have anti-inflammatory effects. This study aimed to investigate the effects of LBP in a mouse model of cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS Acute pancreatitis was induced by intraperitoneal injection of cerulein in C57BL/6 wild-type mice or nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (NRF2) gene knockout mice. LBP or normal saline was administrated by gavage once daily for one week before the induction of acute pancreatitis. At 12 hours after the first intraperitoneal injection of cerulein, the mice were euthanized. Blood and pancreatic tissue were sampled for histology and for the measurement of pro-inflammatory cytokines, serum amylase, and lipase. RESULTS In the untreated mouse model of cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis, amylase and lipase levels were increased, and these levels were reduced by LBP treatment when compared with vehicle treatment. In the untreated mouse model, histology of the pancreas showed edema and inflammation, which were reduced in the LBP-treated mice. In the untreated mouse model, increased levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were found, which were reduced in the LBP-treated mice. NRF2 gene knockout mice with cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis showed reduced anti-inflammatory effects of LBP treatment. LBP increased the expression of NRF2 and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). CONCLUSIONS In a mouse model of cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis, LBP reduced inflammation by upregulating NRF2 and HO-1.

[Chemical constituents from lipophilic parts of stems of Celastrus monospermus].

The chemical constituents from lipophilic parts of the stems of Celastrus monospermus were studied in this paper. The compounds were separated and purified by repeated column chromatographic methods including silica gel, ODS and Sephadex LH-20, and the structures of compounds were determined by spectral data analyses. Twenty six compounds were obtained and identified as 3-oxofriedelane(1), 3-oxofriedelan-28-al(2), 3,12-dioxofriedelane(3), 3ß-hydroxyolean-12-en(4), 3-oxo-28-hydroxyfriedelane(5), 3-oxo-29-hydroxyfriedelane(6), 3-oxo-11ß-hydroxyfriedel-ane(7), 3-oxo-16α-hydroxyfriedelane(8), 3,12-dioxo-28-hydroxyfriedelane(9), 1,3-dioxo-15α-hydroxyfriedelane(10), 3ß,6α-dihydroxyolean-12-en(11), 3-oxo-7α,26-dihydroxyfriedel-ane(12), oleanolic acid(13), 3,15-dioxofriedelane(14), 3α-friedelinol(15), 3,12-dioxofriedelan-28-al(16), 3-oxo-12α-hydroxyfriedelane(17), 3,15-dioxo-12α-hydroxyfriedelane(18), 3ß,11ß-dihydroxyolean-12-en(19), 1ß,3ß-dihydroxylupan-20(29)-en(20), 3-oxo-12α,28-dihydroxyfriedelane(21), 3ß,23-epoxyfriedelan-28-oic acid(22), salaquinone A(23), 2α,3ß-dihydroxyfriedelan-28-oic acid(24), 23-nor-6-oxodemethylpristimerol(25) and 3-oxo-friedelan-27,28-dioic acid(26). Among them, compounds 8, 10-15, 18-20, 22-26 were obtained from this plant for the first time, and compounds 8, 10, 12, 14-15, 18, 22-24, 26 were separated from the genus Celastrus for the first time.

Gender disparity in the associations of overweight/obesity with occupational activity, transport to/from work, leisure-time physical activity, and leisure-time spent sitting in working adults: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The associations of occupational activity (OA), commuting, leisure-time physical activity (LTPA), and sitting with overweight/obesity in working adults are controversial. This study explored these factors with the risk of overall and abdominal overweight/obesity in a Chinese working population and whether these associations differ by gender. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Data analysis was done among 6739 employed participants. Multivariate logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the studied associations. RESULTS: For male employees, those with heavy OA had a lower overall (OR 0.76; 95% CI, 0.62-0.93) and abdominal (OR 0.76; 95% CI, 0.62-0.93) overweight/obesity risk than those with light OA. Those with LTPA ≥150 min/week had a lower risk of overall (OR 0.73; 95% CI, 0.56-0.96) and abdominal (OR 0.70; 95% CI, 0.53-0.91) overweight/obesity than those with LTPA <150 min/week. Men with leisure-sitting time <2.5 h/day had a significantly lower risk of abdominal overweight/obesity than those sitting ≥4 h/day (OR 0.80; 95% CI, 0.65-0.99). And men who cycled to/from work had a lower risk of overall (OR 0.69; 95% CI, 0.53-0.90) and abdominal overweight/obesity (OR 0.71; 95% CI, 0.54-0.92) than passive transports. However, the above significant associations disappeared among female employees. CONCLUSIONS: Heavy OA, cycling to/from work, and LTPA were associated with lower risk of overall or abdominal overweight/obesity in male employees. Reducing leisure sitting time can also help male employees reduce the risk of abdominal overweight/obesity. More research on gender disparity in the risk of overweight and obesity should be done.

New insights into subsurface imaging of carbon nanotubes in polymer composites via scanning electron microscopy.

Despite many studies of subsurface imaging of carbon nanotube (CNT)-polymer composites via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), significant controversy exists concerning the imaging depth and contrast mechanisms. We studied CNT-polyimide composites and, by three-dimensional reconstructions of captured stereo-pair images, determined that the maximum SEM imaging depth was typically hundreds of nanometers. The contrast mechanisms were investigated over a broad range of beam accelerating voltages from 0.3 to 30 kV, and ascribed to modulation by embedded CNTs of the effective secondary electron (SE) emission yield at the polymer surface. This modulation of the SE yield is due to non-uniform surface potential distribution resulting from current flows due to leakage and electron beam induced current. The importance of an external electric field on SEM subsurface imaging was also demonstrated. The insights gained from this study can be generally applied to SEM nondestructive subsurface imaging of conducting nanostructures embedded in dielectric matrices such as graphene-polymer composites, silicon-based single electron transistors, high resolution SEM overlay metrology or e-beam lithography, and have significant implications in nanotechnology.

Mitogenome-based phylogeny of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae).

Mosquitoes are of great medical significance as vectors of many deadly diseases. Mitogenomes have been widely used in phylogenetic studies, but mitogenome knowledge within the family Culicidae is limited, and Culicidae phylogeny is far from resolved. In this study, we surveyed the mitogenomes of 149 Culicidae species, including 7 newly sequenced species. Comparative analysis of 149 mosquito mitogenomes shows gene composition and order to be identical to that of an ancestral insect, and the AT bias, length variation, and codon usage are all consistent with that of other reported Dipteran mitogenomes. Phylogenetic analyses based on the DNA sequences of the 13 protein-coding genes from the 149 species robustly support the monophyly of the subfamily Anophelinae and the tribes Aedini, Culicini, Mansoniini, Sabethini, and Toxorhynchitini. To resolve ambiguous relationships between clades within the subfamily Culicinae, we performed topological tests and show that Aedini is a sister to Culicini and that Uranotaeniini is a sister to (Mansoniini + (Toxorhynchitini + Sabethini)). In addition, we estimated divergence times using a Bayesian relaxation clock based on the sequence data and 3 fossil calibration points. The results show mosquitoes diverged during the Early Jurassic with massive Culicinae radiations during the Cretaceous, coincident with the emergence of angiosperms and the burst of mammals and birds. Overall, this study, which uses the largest number of Culicidae mitogenomes sequenced to date, comprehensively reveals the mitogenome characteristics and mitogenome-based phylogeny and divergence times of Culicidae, providing information for further studies on the mitogenome, phylogeny, evolution, and taxonomic revision of Culicidae.

Development and Validation of a Prognostic Model for Postoperative Anastomotic Recurrence in Siewert II or III Adenocarcinomas Without Neoadjuvant Therapy in an East Asian Population.

PURPOSE: Anastomotic recurrence leads to poor prognosis in patients with Siewert II or III adenocarcinoma who undergo radical gastrectomy and do not receive neoadjuvant therapy. We aimed to establish a prognostic model to evaluate the risk of postoperative anastomotic recurrence in patients with Siewert II or III adenocarcinoma who did not receive neoadjuvant therapy. METHODS: We included 366 patients with Siewert II or III adenocarcinoma who were treated with radical gastrectomy without neoadjuvant therapy at Fujian Provincial Hospital (FPH) between 2012 and 2018 as the development cohort. Cox regression was used to verify prognostic factors for anastomotic recurrence, and a nomogram was established. The nomogram was externally validated using a combined cohort of two external centers. Patients were classified into high- or low-risk groups according to the diagnostic threshold and nomogram scores, and recurrence-related survival analysis was analyzed. RESULTS: The average age was 64.6 years, and 285 patients were male. All surgeries were successfully performed (185 open vs 181 laparoscopic). The 3-year anastomotic recurrence rate was significantly lower in the low-risk group (3.5% vs 18.8%, P < 0.001). The predictive performance was verified in the external validation cohort. This model better stratified patient survival than the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) TNM staging system. CONCLUSIONS: This novel nomogram with surgical margin, postoperative tumor node metastasis (pTNM) stage, and neural invasion as prognostic factors has a significant predictive performance for the risk of anastomotic recurrence after radical gastrectomy in patients with Siewert II or III adenocarcinoma.

Human immunodeficiency virus-associated dementia complex with positive 14-3-3 protein in cerebrospinal fluid: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated dementia (HAD) is a subcortical form of dementia characterized by memory deficits and psychomotor slowing. However, HAD often presents with symptoms similar to those of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), particularly in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). CASE SUMMARY: We report the case of a 54-year-old male who exhibited cognitive dysfunction and secondary behavioral changes following HIV infection and suspected prion exposure. The patient was diagnosed with HIV during hospitalization and his cerebrospinal fluid tested positive for 14-3-3 proteins. His electroencephalogram showed a borderline-abnormal periodic triphasic wave pattern. Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging revealed moderate encephalatrophy and demyelination. Initially, symptomatic treatment and administration of amantadine were pursued for presumed CJD, but the patient's condition continued to deteriorate. By contrast, the patient's condition improved following anti-HIV therapy. This individual is also the only patient with this prognosis to have survived over 4 years. Thus, the diagnosis was revised to HAD. CONCLUSION: In the diagnostic process of rapidly progressive dementia, it is crucial to rule out as many potential causes as possible and to consider an autopsy to diminish diagnostic uncertainty. The 14-3-3 protein should not be regarded as the definitive marker for CJD. Comprehensive laboratory screening for infectious diseases is essential to enhance diagnostic precision, especially in AIDS patients with potential CJD. Ultimately, a trial of diagnostic treatment may be considered when additional testing is not feasible.

Association between metabolic syndrome severity score and cardiovascular disease: results from a longitudinal cohort study on Chinese adults.

Objective: This study aimed to quantify the severity of metabolic syndrome(MetS) and investigate its association with cardiovascular disease(CVD) risk on Chinese adults. Methods: 13,500 participants from the Zhejiang Adult Chronic Disease Study were followed up between 2010 and 2021. A continuous MetS severity score derived from the five components of MetS was used to quantify MetS severity, and the association between MetS severity and the risk of incident CVD was assessed using Cox proportional hazard and restricted cubic spline regression. Results: Both the presence and severity of MetS were strongly associated with CVD risk. MetS was related to an increased risk of CVD (hazard ratio(HR):1.700, 95% confidence interval(CI): 1.380-2.094). Compared with the hazard ratio for CVD in the lowest quartile of the MetS severity score, that in the second, third, and highest quartiles were 1.812 (1.329-2.470), 1.746 (1.265-2.410), and 2.817 (2.015-3.938), respectively. A linear and positive dose-response relationship was observed between the MetS severity and CVD risk (P for non-linearity = 0.437). Similar results were found in various sensitivity analyses. Conclusion: The MetS severity score was significantly associated with CVD risk. Assessing MetS severity and further ensuring intervention measures according to the different severities of MetS may be more useful in preventing CVD.

[Association between dyslipidemia and different subtypes of hypertension among Zhejiang population in 2010].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the association between dyslipidemia and different subtypes of hypertension among Zhejiang population. METHODS: From June to October in 2010, 19 113 local residents aged ≥ 18 years old were selected among 7571 families from fifteen counties in Zhejiang by four stage stratified-random sampling method. A self-designed questionnaire was adopted to collect information on demographic characteristics, physical activity and life style. At the same time, physical examinations including height, weight, blood pressure and blood lipids were carried out. RESULTS: A total of 19 113 participants completed the interviews, physical examinations and collected the blood samples.Excluding those who did not meet the criteria, 14 731 were finally enrolled in the study. The prevalence rates of isolated systolic hypertension (ISH), isolated diastolic hypertension (IDH), systolic and diastolic hypertension (SDH) were 7.16% (1055/14 731, standardized rate:5.46%), 4.60% (677/14 731, standardized rate:4.41%), 7.09% (1045/14 731, standardized rate:5.75%), respectively. Among normal blood pressure group, subjects with normal TC, high TC and abnormal TC were separately 10 571 (88.43%), 1173 (9.81%) and 210 (1.76%); subjects with normal HDL-C and low HDL-C were separately 6885 (57.60%) and 5069 (42.40%); subjects with normal TG, high TG, abnormal TG were separately 9952 (79.91%), 1213 (10.15%) and 1189(9.95%).In ISH group, subjects with normal TC, high TC and abnormal TC were separately 826 (78.29%), 188 (17.82%) and 41 (3.89%); subjects with normal HDL-C and low HDL-C were separately 666(63.13%) and 389 (36.87%); subjects with normal TG, high TG and abnormal TG were separately 737 (69.86%), 150 (14.22%) and 168 (15.92%). Multi factor analysis showed that high TG and abnormal TG were associated with ISH (OR (95%CI):1.43 (1.16-1.76), 1.65 (1.34-2.03) respectively). Among IDH group, subjects with normal TC, high TC, abnormal TC were separately 556(82.13%), 99(14.62%) and 22 (3.25%); subjects with normal HDL-C, low HDL-C were separately 335 (49.48%) and 342 (50.52%); subjects with normal TG, high TG, and abnormal TG separately were 402 (59.38%), 107 (15.81%) and 168 (24.82%). The multi factor analysis showed that high TG and abnormal TG could increase the risk of IDH (OR(95%CI):1.57 (1.24-1.98), 2.18 (1.76-2.70) respectively). Among SDH group, subjects with normal TC, high TC and abnormal TC were 817 (78.18%), 193 (18.47%) and 35 (3.35%); subjects with normal HDL-C and abnormal HDL-C were separately 599 (57.32%) and 446 (42.68%); subjects with normal TG, high TG, abnormal TG were separately 675 (64.59%), 164 (15.69%) and 206 (19.71%). The multi factor analysis showed that high TC, high TG and abnormal TG were also associated with the increased risk of SDH (OR (95%CI):1.38 (1.14-1.67), 1.43(1.18-1.75), 1.73 (1.43-2.10) respectively). CONCLUSION: Dyslipidemia is an important factor of different subtypes of hypertension among Zhejiang population, especially triglycerides. Dyslipidemia screening should be strengthened to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

TCM syndrome differentiation in colorectal cancer patients assisted by differences in gut microbiota: An exploratory study.

Objective: To explore the difference in gut microbiota between different traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) syndromes in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) and its internal relationship. Methods: From June 2020 to August 2021, 109 colorectal cancer patients with a clear pathological diagnosis who had not yet undergone surgery or chemotherapy were classified according to the TCM syndrome classification, and the feces samples of 109 patients with preoperative colorectal cancer were collected. 16s rRNA gene sequencing was used to determine gut microbiota diversity and abundance in CRC patients with different TCM syndrome, and LEfSe analysis was made to screen different TCM syndrome for differential representative microbiota. Results: 109 patients were divided into 5 syndromes by TCM syndrome classification, which were Liver and Kidney Yin Deficiency Syndrome (LKYDS, n = 19), Spleen Deficient Qi Stagnation Syndrome (SDQSS, n = 30), Stasis and Poison Obstruction Syndrome (SPOS, n = 17), Damp-Heat Syndrome (DHS, n = 30), Qi and Blood Deficiency Syndrome (QBDS, n = 13). Alpha diversity index showed significant differences among the five groups of TCM syndromes, with Shannon index being highest in the SDQSS group and lowest in the LKYDS (p = 0.003). ACE index being highest in the SDQSS group and lowest in the SPOS (p = 0.010). PD whole tree index being highest in the SDQSS group and lowest in the SPOS (p = 0.017). Similarly, beta diversity showed significant differences among the five groups of TCM syndromes, with principal coordinate analysis (PCo1 = 31.86 %, PCo2 = 5.62 %) showing separation and coincidence between the groups, and Adonis group differences showing coincidence between the QBDS-LKYDS (p = 0.702), QBDS-DHS (p = 0.133), and SDQSS-DHS (p = 0.260) groups. LEfSe analysis revealed that the representative microbiota of DHS patients was Dialister sp Marseille P5638 (LDA = 3.05, p＜0.001), the representative microbiota of SPOS patients was Oscillospirales (LDA = 4.78, p = 0.029), the representative microbiota of SDQSS patients was Selenomonadaceae (LDA = 3.94, p = 0.003), the representative microbiota of LKYDS patients was Dialister (LDA = 4.19, p = 0.001), and the representative microbiota of QBDS patients was Akkermansia muciniphila (LDA = 4.23, p = 0.006). Conclusions: There are significant differences in gut microbiota between different TCM syndromes in CRC patients. The five microbiota, Dialister sp Marseille P5638, Oscillospirales, Selenomonadaceae, Dialister, and Akkermansia muciniphila, may be differential markers of TCM syndrome in CRC and are expected to be one of the bases for accurate TCM syndrome differentiation of CRC.

Intraoperative Diagnosis of Serosal Invasion in Gastric Cancer by Magnifying Endoscopy with Narrow-Band Imaging for Intraoperative Measurement Decision.

Purpose: To establish a precise diagnostic method for serosal invasion in gastric cancer (GC) during surgery using therapeutic measures, and facilitate quick decision-making. Methods: A total of 19 GC patients treated in the department of gastrointestinal surgery of Fujian Provincial Hospital between April 2019 and December 2020 were enrolled. An electronic gastroscopy with a magnifying endoscope with narrow-band imaging was used to photograph the serosal surface of the GC lesion site and the normal gastric wall around the lesion during surgery. The endoscopic diagnosis was confirmed on the basis of the microvascular phenotype of the serosal surface and validated by comparison with the pathological diagnosis. Results: Under the specific endoscopy, serosal invasion, including subserosal tissue invasion and serosal layer invasion, was diagnosed by observing the capillary morphology change, and capillary diameter and density increase. According to the pathological diagnosis, the accuracy of serosal invasion diagnosis was 94.7%, the sensitivity was 100%, the specificity was 75%, the positive predictive value was 93.8%, and the negative predictive value was 100%. To further distinguish the subserosal tissue invasion and serosal layer invasion, the magnifying endoscope with narrow-band imaging possessed a 78.9% accuracy by distinguishing irregular changes in microvessels. Conclusions: Magnifying endoscope with narrow-band imaging is less time-consuming than pathological diagnosis. Intraoperative diagnosis using microvascular observation can accurately detect serosal invasion. It is of value for the intraoperative diagnosis in GC patients.

Serum metabolomics analysis of biomarkers and metabolic pathways in patients with colorectal cancer associated with spleen-deficiency and qi-stagnation syndrome or damp-heat syndrome: a prospective cohort study.

Objective: To profile the serum metabolites and metabolic pathways in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients associated with spleen-deficiency and qi-stagnation syndrome (SDQSS) or damp-heat syndrome (DHS). Methods: From May 2020 to January 2021, CRC patients diagnosed with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes of SDQSS or DHS were enrolled. The clinicopathological data of the SDQSS and DHS groups were compared. The serum samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The variable importance in the projection >1, fold change ≥3 or ≤0.333, and P value ≤0.05 were used to identify differential metabolites between the two groups. Furthermore, areas under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve > 0.9 were applied to select biomarkers with good predictive performance. The enrichment metabolic pathways were searched through the database of Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes. Results: 60 CRC patients were included (30 SDQSS and 30 DHS). The level of alanine aminotransferase was marginally significantly higher in the DHS group than the SDQSS group (P = 0.051). The other baseline clinicopathological characteristics were all comparable between the two groups. 23 differential serum metabolites were identified, among which 16 were significantly up-regulated and 7 were significantly down-regulated in the SDQSS group compared with the DHS group. ROC curve analysis showed that (S)-3-methyl-2-oxopentanoic acid, neocembrene, 1-aminocyclopropanecarboxylic acid, 3-methyl-3-hydroxypentanedioate, and nicotine were symbolic differential metabolites with higher predictive power. The top five enrichment signalling pathways were valine, leucine and isoleucine biosynthesis; lysosome; nicotine addiction; fructose and mannose metabolism; and pertussis. Conclusion: Our study identifies the differential metabolites and characteristic metabolic pathways among CRC patients with SDQSS or DHS, offering the possibility of accurate and objective syndrome differentiation and TCM treatment for CRC patients.

Crosstalk between PML and p53 in response to TGF-ß1: A new mechanism of cardiac fibroblast activation.

Cardiac fibrosis is a common pathological cardiac remodeling in a variety of heart diseases, characterized by the activation of cardiac fibroblasts. Our previous study uncovered that promyelocytic leukemia protein (PML)-associated SUMO processes is a new regulator of cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure. The present study aimed to explore the role of PML in cardiac fibroblasts activation. Here we found that PML is significantly upregulated in cardiac fibrotic tissue and activated cardiac fibroblasts treated with transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1). Gain- and loss-of-function experiments showed that PML impacted cardiac fibroblasts activation after TGF-ß1 treatment. Further study demonstrated that p53 acts as the transcriptional regulator of PML, and participated in TGF-ß1 induced the increase of PML expression and PML nuclear bodies (PML-NBs) formation. Knockdown or pharmacological inhibition of p53 produced inhibitory effects on the activation of cardiac fibroblasts. We further found that PML also may stabilize p53 through inhibiting its ubiquitin-mediated proteasomal degradation in cardiac fibroblasts. Collectively, this study suggests that PML crosstalk with p53 regulates cardiac fibroblasts activation, which provides a novel therapeutic strategy for cardiac fibrosis.

Atypical Biliary Adenofibroma of the Liver: Related Treatment and Performance.

Biliary adenofibroma is an extremely rare benign liver tumor, but it may be a precancerous lesion of cholangiocarcinoma. So far, only 29 cases have been reported in the literature. A 30-year-old woman was admitted to our department for upper abdomen mass. The computed tomography scan showed a huge cystic and partly substantial mass between the left lobe of the liver and the descending duodenum, which was considered to be an exophytic tumor derived from the left lobe of the liver. Laparoscopic liver segment IVb resection and cholecystectomy were performed. Microscopic examination showed that the tumor was composed of glandular cavities of varying sizes and fibrous interstitium. The glandular cavity was covered with cubic or columnar epithelium without atypia. Some of the mesenchymal cells are myofibroblast-like and spindle-shaped with red-stained cytoplasm. The mesenchymal cells in some areas proliferate densely with moderate atypia. It was considered to be an atypical biliary adenofibroma with focal necrosis and active cell proliferation which may have malignant transformation potential. There was no recurrence and metastasis at a 6-month follow-up. Biliary adenofibroma is a rare benign tumor derived from the bile duct, but it may progress to malignancy and develop distant metastasis. It is difficult to distinguish it from other liver tumors through imaging examination and the gold standard of diagnosis is histopathological examination. Close clinical follow-up is recommended.

[Effects of mixed-tocopherols and eicosapentaenoic acid on oxidized LDL-induced oxidative damage and inflammatory cytokine secretion in human umbilical vein endothelial cells].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the influence of either alone or combined mixed-tocopherols combined with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and α-Tocopherol use on oxidized LDL (oxLDL) induced 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHDG) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) secretion by human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and to explore the potential mechanism. METHOD: Cultured HUVECs in vitro were incubated with oxLDL, oxLDL + α-tocopherol, oxLDL + mixed-tocopherols, oxLDL + EPA, oxLDL + α-tocopherol + EPA, oxLDL + mixed-tocopherols + EPA for 24 hours, respectively. Secretion of 8-OHDG and IL-6 were detected by cell enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expressions of superoxide dismutase (SOD), protein kinase C-δ (PKC-δ), phosphorylated PKC-δ (p-PKC-δ) were analyzed by Western blot. RESULTS: 8-OHDG and IL-6 secretion of HUVECs was significantly increased significantly after incubated with oxLDL for 24 hours which could be significantly attenuated in the presence of tocopherols and EPA (alone or in combination, all P < 0.05) while the strongest inhibition effects were seen with combined use of mixed-tocopherols and EPA. Moreover, combination of mixed-tocopherols and EPA could also significantly increase SOD activity and decrease PKC activity (all P < 0.05). However, the protein expression of SOD and PKC-was similar among groups. CONCLUSION: Combined mixed-tocopherols + EPA use enhanced the inhibiting effects on the secretion of 8-OHDG and IL-6 in oxLDL stimulated HUVECs which might be linked with increased SOD activity and reduced p-PKC activity.