Chanling Gao suppresses colorectal cancer via PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway modulation and enhances quality of survival.

The Chinese medicine formula Chanling Gao (CLG) exhibits significant tumor inhibitory effects in colorectal cancer (CRC) nude mice. However, the detailed mechanisms remain elusive. CRC in situ nude mouse models were treated with CLG. Small animal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tracked tumor progression, and overall health metrics such as food and water intake, body weight, and survival were monitored. Posttreatment, tissues and blood were analyzed for indicators of tumor inhibition and systemic effects. Changes in vital organs were observed via stereoscope and hematoxylin-eosin staining. Immunohistochemistry quantified HIF-1α and P70S6K1 protein expression in xenografts. Double labeling was used to statistically analyze vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and CD31 neovascularization. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine the levels of VEGF, MMP-2, MMP-9, IL-6, and IL-10 in serum, tumors, and liver. Western blotting was used to assess the expression of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway-related factors TGF-ß1 and smad4 in liver tissues. CLG inhibited tumor growth, improved overall health metrics, and ameliorated abnormal blood cell counts in CRC nude mice. CLG significantly reduced tumor neovascularization and VEGF expression in tumors and blood. It also suppressed HIF-1α, EGFR, p-PI3K, Akt, p-Akt, and p-mTOR expression in tumors while enhancing PTEN oncogene expression. Systemic improvements were noted, with CLG limiting liver metastasis, reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-10 in liver tissues, decreasing MMP-2 in blood and MMP-2 and MMP-9 in tumors, and inhibiting TGF-ß1 expression in liver tissues. CLG can enhance survival quality and inhibit tumor growth in CRC nude mice, likely through the regulation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.

Genetic variants of cell cycle pathway genes are associated with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in the Chinese population.

Genetic alterations in the cell cycle pathway are common in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). We identified four novel HNSCC susceptibility loci (CDKN1C rs452338, CDK4 rs2072052, E2F2 rs3820028 and E2F2 rs2075993) through a two-stage matched case-control study. There was a combined effect among the four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), as the number of risk genotypes increased, the risk of HNSCC displayed an increasing trend (Ptrend < 0.001). And there were multiplicative interactions between rs452338 and rs2072052, rs2072052 and rs3820028, rs2072052 and rs2075993. Functional bioinformatics analysis and dual-luciferase reporter assay revealed that E2F2 rs2075993 T>C reduced the stability of E2F2 3'-UTR secondary structure and affected the binding of E2F2 to miR-940, which was up-regulated in HNSCC tumor tissues (P = 2.9e-8) and was correlated with poor overall survival of HNSCC (HR = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.02-1.90). In vitro assays, we discovered that the expression of miR-940 was regulated by METTL3, and miR-940 promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion, and inhibited the senescence and autophagy of tumor cells. In terms of mechanism, compared with rs2075993 allele T, we found that the protective variant rs2075993 allele C interfered with the translational inhibition of E2F2 by miR-940, resulting in increased expression of E2F2 protein, which further reduced the proliferation, migration, invasion, and increased the senescence of tumor cells.

Potential of thrombospondin-1 in treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome rat model: a preliminary study.

OBJECTIVE: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common gynecological endocrine disease in reproductive women, and the endocrine levels are also affected by diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) on PCOS rat model. METHODS: We established the PCOS rat model, the serum hormones including TSP-1 expression were determined and morphological characteristics were investigated to evaluate the model. These above endocrine and morphological features were investigated again to evaluate the effect of TSP-1 treatment. RESULTS: In the PCOS model group, the serum hormones change (higher luteinizing hormone, testosterone and estrogen) and decreased TSP-1 expression levels were found compared with the control group. Besides, the morphological characteristics of PCOS were also observed in the model group. After TSP-1 treatment, the higher TSP-1, ANGPT2, PDGFB and PDGFD expression levels, the lower LH and T levels, decreased vessel density as well as VEGFA and ANGPT1 expression levels were found compared with the control group, and the ovary morphological changes were also observed in the TSP-1 experimental group. CONCLUSIONS: TSP-1 delivery system might be an alternative therapy for PCOS treatment.

[Simultaneous determination of 4 diterpenoids in Rabdosia japonica var.glaucocalyx by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS and cluster analysis].

A quick HPLC-ESI-MS/MS method was established for simultaneous determination of four major diterpenoids in Rabdosia japonica var.glaucocalyx, including glaucocalyxin A, oridonin, hebeirubesensin and enmenol. Analysis was performed on an Agilent ZORBAX SB-C18(4.6 mm×250 mm, 5 µm ) column eluted in a gradient program with methanol and water. The flow rate was 0.8 mL•min⁻¹. Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) scanning mode was performed in negative ion switching mode to apply for the quantitative determination. The calibration curves for the above four compounds were linear in corresponding injection amount. The average recoveries of the compounds ranged from 92.40% to 105.9%, with RSDs of 1.7%-6.5%. The method is simple, rapid, accurate with good repeatability, which can provide a reference for overcalling evaluation the quality of R. japonica var.glaucocalyx. The result of cluster analysis- showed that the quality of R. japonica glaucocalyx var. greatly varied between areas and parts.

[Karyotype analysis of three Lonicera species growth in Sichuan].

OBJECTIVE: To provide the genetic reference for development and application of Lonicera species growth in Sichuan. METHODS: Shoot apices cells from Lonicera japonica, Lonicera japonica var. chinensis and Lonicera similis (cultivars) were used to make the chromosomal preparation. Their karyotypes were analyzed and the relevant parameters of chromosomes were measured by improved chromosome preparation technique. RESULTS: The chromosome numbers of three Lonicera species were 2n = 2X = 18; their chromosome length was 30.747, 33.231 and 36.948 microm; Their karyotype formula was 2n = 2X = 18 = 2m + 7sm, 2n = 2X = 18 = 8m + 8sm + 2st and 2n = 2X = 18 = 8sm + 10m; Their As. k was 64.013%, 64.380% and 61.949%; And their karyotypes belonged to 2B, 2B and 2A type, respectively. CONCLUSION: These three Lonicera species can be of the germplasm resources for widely cultivating since they have high degree genetic evolution.

Updated global epidemiology atlas of human prion diseases.

Introduction: Human prion disease (PrD), a group of fatal and transmissible neurodegenerative diseases, consists of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), kuru, fatal familial insomnia (FFI), Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker disease (GSS), and variably protease-sensitive prionopathy (VPSPr). The emergence of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in cattle and variant CJD (vCJD) has greatly threatened public health, both in humans and animals. Since the 1990's, dozens of countries and territories have conducted PrD surveillance programs. Methods: In this study, the case numbers and alternative trends of different types of PrD globally and in various countries or territories from 1993 to 2020 were collected and analyzed based on the data from the websites of the international and national PrD surveillance programs, as well as from relevant publications. Results: The total numbers of the reported PrD and sporadic CJD (sCJD) cases in 34 countries with accessible annual case numbers were 27,872 and 24,623, respectively. The top seven countries in PrD cases were the USA (n = 5,156), France (n = 3,276), Germany (n = 3,212), Italy (n = 2,995), China (n = 2,662), the UK (n = 2,521), Spain (n = 1,657), and Canada (n = 1,311). The annual PrD case numbers and mortalities, either globally or in the countries, showed an increased trend in the past 27 years. Genetic PrD cases accounted for 10.83% of all reported PrD cases; however, the trend varied largely among the different countries and territories. There have been 485 iatrogenic CJD (iCJD) cases and 232 vCJD cases reported worldwide. Discussion: The majority of the countries with PrD surveillance programs were high- and upper-middle-income countries. However, most low- and lower-middle-income countries in the world did not conduct PrD surveillance or even report PrD cases, indicating that the number of human PrD cases worldwide is markedly undervalued. Active international PrD surveillance for both humans and animals is still vital to eliminate the threat of prion disease from a public health perspective.

Population pharmacokinetics and dosing optimization of unbound teicoplanin in Chinese adult patients.

Objectives: To develop a population pharmacokinetic (PopPK) model describing unbound teicoplanin concentrations in Chinese adult patients and perform Monte Carlo simulations to optimize the dosing regimens. Methods: The raw data for PopPK analysis in this study were collected from Chinese adult patients. A PopPK model of unbound teicoplanin was developed and Monte Carlo simulations were used to optimize the dosing regimens. The trough concentrations of unbound teicoplanin were targeted at 0.75 mg/L and 1.13 mg/L for most infection induced by Gram-positive bacteria and endocarditis or severe infections, respectively. Results: A total of 103 teicoplanin unbound concentrations were collected from 72 Chinese adult patients. A one-compartment pharmacokinetic model with first-order elimination was established. The typical values of clearance and the volume of distribution were 11.7 L/h and 811 L, respectively. The clearance and volume of distribution of unbound teicoplanin were positively correlated with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and serum albumin concentrations, respectively. Dosing simulation results showed that standard dosing regimens were unable to meet the treatment needs of all patients, and the dosing regimen need optimize based on eGFR and serum albumin concentrations. The high eGFR and serum albumin concentration were associated with reduced probability of achieving target unbound trough concentrations. Conclusion: We successfully characterized the pharmacokinetics of unbound teicoplanin in Chinese adult patients. Importantly, we further highlight the importance of guiding dosing through unbound drugs. To achieve safe and effective treatment, the dosing regimens need to be adjusted according to eGFR and serum albumin concentrations.

NLRP3 Susceptible Gene Polymorphisms in Patients with Primary Gouty Arthritis and Hyperuricemia.

Polymorphisms have been identified to predispose to primary gouty arthritis (GA) and hyperuricemia (HUA). Here, we accessed the five polymorphisms of rs10754558, rs35829419, rs3738448, rs3806268, and rs7525979 in NLRP3 on GA and HUA susceptibility. We collected 1198 samples (314 GA, 377 HUA, and 507 controls) for this case-control study. Our data detected that the rs3806268 (GA vs. AA: OR = 0.65, p = 0.012) was significantly associated with the susceptibility to GA. The rs3738448 (TT vs. GG: OR = 2.05, p = 0.024) and rs7525979 (TT vs. CC: OR = 1.96, p = 0.037) were significantly associated with the susceptibility to HUA. The rs3806268 AG genotype presented decreased risk of GA among the hypertension (OR = 0.54, p = 0.0093), smoking (OR = 0.59, p = 0.018), and no obesity (OR = 0.60, p = 0.0097) subjects compared to the GG genotype group. The rs3738448 TT genotype demonstrated increased risk of HUA among the hypertension (OR = 4.10, p = 0.0056) and no drinking population (OR = 3.56, p = 0.016) compared to the GG genotype group. The rs7525979 TT genotype demonstrated increased risk of HUA among the hypertension (OR = 4.01, p = 0.0064) and no drinking population (OR = 3.24, p = 0.034) compared to the CC genotype group. Furthermore, a significant haplotype effect of rs10754558/C-rs35829419/C-rs3738448/G-rs3806268/A-rs7525979/C was found (OR = 1.60, p = 0.0046) compared with GCGAC haplotype. Bioinformatics analyses indicated that rs3738448, rs3806268, and rs7525979 might influence the gene regulation, while the T-allele of rs3738448 increased the stability of NLRP3-mRNA. Collectively, our case-control study confirms NLRP3 polymorphisms might participate in regulating immune and inflammation responses in GA and HUA.

Gut Microbiome-Based Diagnostic Model to Predict Diabetes Mellitus.

The aim of this study was to determine the diversity of intestinal microflora and its correlation with clinical parameters in diabetic patients and healthy subjects and to assess the importance of intestinal flora in patients with diabetes. Forty-four patients with diabetes were included. The control group included 47 healthy people. Their data, biochemical indicators and results from 16S rRNA sequencing of their fecal samples were collected. Compared with the healthy population, the intestinal flora of the diabetic patients was obviously abnormal. Within the diabetes group, the abundances of the genera Faecalibacterium, Prevotella, and Roseburia were higher, and the abundances of the genera Shigella and Bifidobacterium were lower. In the correlation analysis between bacteria and clinical indicators, it was found that the genera Veillonella and unclassified_Enterobacteriaceae were negatively related to blood glucose, while the genera Phascolarctobacterium, unidentified_Bacteroidales and Prevotella were significantly positively correlated with fasting blood glucose. Twelve microbial markers were detected in the random forest model, and the area under the curve (AUC) was 84.1%. This index was greater than the diagnostic effect of fasting blood glucose. This was also supported by the joint diagnostic model of microorganisms and clinical indicators. In addition, the intestinal flora significantly improved the diagnosis of diabetes. In conclusion, it can be concluded from these results that intestinal flora is essential for the occurrence and development of diabetes, which seems to be as important as blood glucose itself.Abbreviations: PCoA: principal coordinate analysis; NMDS: non econometric multidimensional scaling analysis; LEfSe: linear discriminant analysis effect size; LDA: linear discriminant analysis; POD: probability of disease; BMI: body mass index; DCA: decision curve analysis.

Protective Effect of Simplicillium sp. Ethyl Acetate Extract against High Glucose-Induced Oxidative Stress in HUVECs.

This study aimed at investigating the cytoprotective effect of an ethyl acetate extract of insect fungi against high glucose- (HG-) induced oxidative damage in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). An insect fungus strain termed CH180672 (CH) was found for protecting HUVECs from HG-induced damage. In this study, CH was identified as Simplicillium sp. based on a phylogenetic analysis of ITS-rDNA sequences. Ethyl acetate extract (EtOAc) of this strain (CH) was subjected to the following experiments. Cell viability was examined with the MTT method. To evaluate the protection of CH, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and the activities of antioxidant enzymes were measured and the expression of oxidation-associated proteins was assessed. In the current study, it has been found that CH can increase the survival rate of HUVECs induced by HG. Additionally, we found that HG-induced nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) signal decreased and increased the intracellular ROS and MDA generation in HUVECs. However, CH treatment strongly promoted the translocation of Nrf2 and its transregulation on HO-1 and ultimately inhibited the high level of ROS and MDA induced by HG. The regulatory ability of CH was similar to Nrf2 agonist bardoxolone, while the effect was abolished by ML385, suggesting that Nrf2 mediated the inhibition of CH on HG-induced oxidative stress in HUVECs. Taken together, CH can improve HG-induced oxidative damage of HUVECs, and its mechanism may be related to the regulation of the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.

[Effect of Signal Transduction Pathway Gene Mutations on the One- course Induced Remission Rate and Analysis of Clinical Characteristics in Patients with CBF-AML].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of other gene mutations outside the fusion gene on the first complete remission (CR1) induced by one course of induction chemotherapy in patients with core binding factor-associated acute myeloid leukemia (CBF-AML). METHODS: DNA was extracted from bone marrow or peripheral blood samples of newly diagnosed CBF-AML patients admitted to the Hematology Department of the Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University from January 2015 to January 2019. Next-generation sequencing was used for detection of 34 kinds of hematologic malignancy-related gene mutations in patients with CBF-AML, the effect of related gene mutations on the first complete remission (CR1) rate in one course of induction chemotherapy was analyzed by combineation with clinical characteristics. RESULTS: 34 kinds of genes in bone marrow or peripheral blood of 43 patients were detected by high throughput sequencing and the gene mutations were detected in 16 out of 34 genes. The mutation rate of KIT gene was the highest (48.8%), followed by NRAS (16.3%), ASXL1 (16.3%), TET2 (11.6%), CSF3R (9.3%), FLT3 (9.3%), KRAS (7.0%). The detection rates of mutations in different functional genes were as follows: genes related with signal transduction pathway (KIT, FLT3, CSF3R, KRAS, NRAS, JAK2, CALR, SH2B3, CBL) had the highest mutation frequency (72.1% (31/43); epigenetic modification gene mutation frequency was 30.2% (13/43), including ASXL1, TET2, BCOR); transcriptional regulation gene mutation frequency was 7.0% (3/43), including ETV6, RUNX1, GATA2). Splicing factor related gene mutation frequency was 2.3% (1/43), including ZRSR2). The CR1 rate was 74.4% after one course of induction chemotherapy. At first diagnosis, patients with low expression of WT1 (the median value of WT1 was 788.9) were more likely to get CR1 (P=0.032) and the RFS of patients who got CR1 after one course of induction chemotherapy was significantly longer than that of patients without CR1 [7.6 (2.2-44.1) versus 5.8 (1-19.4), (P=0.048)]. The rate of CR1 in the signal transduction pathway gene mutation group was significantly lower than that in non-mutation group (64.5% vs 100%) (P=0.045), while the level of serum hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (HBDH) was significantly higher than that in non-mutation group [(418 (154-2702) vs 246 (110-1068)] (P=0.032). There was no difference in CD56 expression between the two groups (P=0.053), which was limited to the difference between (≥20%) expression and non-expression. (P=0.048). CONCLUSION: CBF-AML patients with signal transduction pathway gene mutation are often accompanied by high HBDH level and CD56 expression, moreover, the remission rate induced by one course of treatment is low.

Serum adenosine deaminase activity and coronary artery disease: a retrospective case-control study based on 9929 participants.

BACKGROUND: Adenosine deaminase (ADA) regulates purine metabolism through the conversion of adenosine to uric acid (UA). Adenosine and UA are closely associated with cardiovascular events, but the correlation between serum ADA activity and coronary artery disease (CAD) has not been defined. METHODS: We performed a hospital-based retrospective case-control study that included a total of 5212 patients with CAD and 4717 sex- and age-matched controls. The serum activity of ADA was determined by peroxidase assays in an automatic biochemistry analyzer. RESULTS: Serum ADA activity in the CAD group (10.08 ± 3.57 U/l) was significantly lower than that of the control group (11.71 ± 4.20 U/l, p < 0.001). After adjusting for conventional factors, serum ADA activity negatively correlated with the presence of CAD (odds ratio = 0.852, 95% confidence interval: 0.839-0.865, p < 0.001). Among the patients with CAD, serum ADA activity was lowest in patients with myocardial infarction (MI; 9.77 ± 3.80 U/l). Diabetes mellitus and hypertension increased the serum ADA activity in CAD patients. CONCLUSIONS: Serum ADA activity is significantly attenuated in patients with CAD, particularly in MI. We propose a mechanism by which the body maintains adenosine levels to protect the cardiovascular system in the event of CAD.

Serum Uric Acid as an Independent Risk Factor for the Presence and Severity of Early-Onset Coronary Artery Disease: A Case-Control Study.

Serum uric acid (UA) is the final product of purine metabolism in humans. The present study is aimed at identifying the potential association between serum UA and early-onset coronary artery disease (EOCAD). The study population consisted of 1093 EOCAD patients aged ≤50 years, and 1117 age- and sex-matched apparently healthy people served as controls. The concentrations of UA were measured by uricase method. The severity of CAD was evaluated by Gensini score. The mean serum level of UA was 5.843 ± 1.479 mg/dl in EOCAD patients and 5.433 ± 1.529 mg/dl in controls. Serum UA levels were significantly higher in the EOCAD group than those in the control group (P < 0.001) and was an independent risk factor for EOCAD (OR = 1.100, 95% CI: 1.022-1.185). The early-onset myocardial infarction patients with 3-vessel disease had higher serum UA levels than those with 1- or 2-vessel disease. The serum UA levels of EOCAD patients with acute coronary syndrome were significantly higher than those with chronic coronary artery disease. EOCAD patients with hyperuricemia had higher Gensini scores than those without hyperuricemia. In addition, the serum UA levels were affected by drinking (P < 0.01) and were positively correlated with serum creatinine (r = 0.323) and weight (r = 0.327). Our results show that serum UA was an independent risk factor for EOCAD. The serum UA levels were associated with the presence and severity of EOCAD and suggested that UA may be involved in the progression of EOCAD.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in dairy goats in Shaanxi Province, Northwestern China.

BACKGROUND: Toxoplasma gondii is an important zoonotic pathogen causing significant human and animal health problems. Infection in dairy goats not only results in significant reproductive losses, but also represents an important source of human infection due to consumption of infected meat and milk. In the present study we report for the first time seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in Guanzhong and Saanen dairy goats in Shaanxi province, Northwestern China. RESULTS: Sera from 751 dairy goats from 9 farms in 6 counties were examined for T. gondii antibodies with an indirect haemagglutination (IHA) test. Antibodies to T. gondii were detected in 106 (14.1%) serum samples, with antibody titres ranging from 1:64 to 1:1024. Seropositive goats were found in all 9 farms and seroprevalences in Guanzhong (16.3%, 75/461) and Saanen (10.7%, 31/290) dairy goats were not statistically significantly different. All the factors (sex, age and location) reported in the present study affected prevalence of infection, and seroprevalence increased with age, suggesting postnatal acquisition of T. gondii infection. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present survey indicate that infection by T. gondii is widely prevalent in dairy goats in Shaanxi province, Northwestern China, and this has implications for prevention and control of toxoplasmosis in this province.

Effects of cadmium on respiratory burst, intracellular Ca2+ and DNA damage in the white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei.

Acute effects of heavy metal ions on shrimp have been an area of intense study worldwide. However, the molecular mechanism by which cadmium-induced injury occurs remains largely unclear, and methods for mitigating toxicity in vivo have rarely been reported. In this study, the changes in respiratory burst and intracellular free calcium in haemocytes of pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, after exposure to Cd(2+) (CdCl(2)) were examined using flow cytometry. Meanwhile, DNA damage and repair in haemocytes and hepatopancreas cells were studied using the comet assay. Respiratory burst generation, intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)]i) and DNA damage in haemocytes and hepatopancreas cells all exhibited a dose-dependent increase and a time-dependent change after treatment with Cd(2+) compared with controls. These results indicate that Cd can induce oxidative stress and DNA damage in the shrimp L. vannamei. Moreover, the results also demonstrate that these parameters can be used as sensitive indicators of exposure to this genotoxicant.

Oxidative stress, DNA damage and antioxidant enzyme gene expression in the Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei when exposed to acute pH stress.

The ROS production, the percentage of dead and damaged haemocytes, the DNA Olive Tail Moment (OTM) value and the gene expression of manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and thioredoxin (TRx), were studied in the Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, when exposed to acute pH stress. The increased ROS production in haemocytes and the increased OTM value in both the haemocytes and the hepatopancreas cells suggest that oxidative damage occurred in shrimp exposed to pH 5.6 and pH 9.3, with apoptosis, mainly being associated with excess Ca(2+)influx and changes in cell viability. Acid and alkaline pH-induced DNA damage was time dependent in the haemocytes and the hepatopancreas cells. The concentration of intracellular free calcium [Ca(2+)] (i) after different pH treatments increased significantly over time, reaching its highest concentration after 12 h, but decreasing gradually to normal levels after 24 h. The [Ca(2+)] (i) content in shrimp cells when exposed to pH 9.3 and pH 5.6 for 12 h had increased by 58%-81%, compared with exposure to pH 7.4 (control). In addition, the gene expression of cMnSOD, CAT, GPx and TRx in the hepatopancreas of L. vannamei was induced by acid and alkaline pH stress, although there were differences in the expression response with respect to the duration of induction and the different pH treatments (acid or alkaline). Our results show that acidic or alkaline-induced oxidative stress may cause DNA damage, and cooperatively activate expression of CAT, GPx and TRx mRNA. Calcium ions appear to be important in mediating shrimp responses to pH stress.