The Effect of Physical Activity on Body Constitution and Psychological Health in Older Adults: Evidence From an Analysis of a Biobank Research Database.

This study aims to describe the relationship between physical activity, suboptimal health status based on traditional Chinese medicine, and psychological health in older people in Taiwan. A total of 4,497 older individuals were selected from the Taiwan Biobank Research Database. Suboptimal health status was assessed using a body constitution questionnaire to measure yang deficiency, yin deficiency, and stasis. The results showed that older adults involved in physical activity had a lower likelihood of yang/yin deficiency and stasis constitutions than physically inactive people. Participants with yang deficiency or stasis constitutions had a higher likelihood of poor psychological health, whereas those with yin deficiency had a greater likelihood of depression. People involved in physical activity had a lower likelihood of depression than physically inactive people. Compared with male older adults, females had a lower percentage of physical activity habits, poorer body constitutions, and poorer psychological health.

Using Text Mining and Data Visualization Approaches for Investigating Mental Illness from the Perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Background and Objectives. Anxiety and depressive disorders are the most prevalent mental disorders, and due to the COVID-19 pandemic, more people are suffering from anxiety and depressive disorders, and a considerable fraction of COVID-19 survivors have a variety of persistent neuropsychiatric problems after the initial infection. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a different perspective on mental disorders from Western biomedicine. Effective management of mental disorders has become an increasing concern in recent decades due to the high social and economic costs involved. This study attempts to express and ontologize the relationships between different mental disorders and physical organs from the perspective of TCM, so as to bridge the gap between the unique terminology used in TCM and a medical professional. Materials and Methods. Natural language processing (NLP) is introduced to quantify the importance of different mental disorder descriptions relative to the five depots and two palaces, stomach and gallbladder, through the classical medical text Huangdi Neijing and construct a mental disorder ontology based on the TCM classic text. Results. The results demonstrate that our proposed framework integrates NLP and data visualization, enabling clinicians to gain insights into mental health, in addition to biomedicine. According to the results of the relationship analysis of mental disorders, depots, palaces, and symptoms, the organ/depot most related to mental disorders is the heart, and the two most important emotion factors associated with mental disorders are anger and worry & think. The mental disorders described in TCM are related to more than one organ (depot/palace). Conclusion. This study complements recent research delving into co-relations or interactions between mental status and other organs and systems.

Nodular fasciitis of the breast: the report of three cases.

BACKGROUND: Nodular Fasciitis is a benign fibroblastic proliferation in soft tissues, which mostly occurs in the upper extremities, trunk, head and neck region. It is rarely reported to occur in the breast. CASE PRESENTATION: Herein, we present sonograms of nodular fasciitis in the breast at different durations in three cases. In Case 1, we provided the longest follow-up time in all literatures. In Case 2 and Case 3, we provided the automated breast ultrasound finding of breast nodular fasciitis for the first time. CONCLUSION: Nodular Fasciitis shows clinical features and ultrasonography findings are similar to those of breast cancer. For superficially located breast lesions with a single and rapid growth, nodular fasciitis may be considered in the differential diagnosis of benign entities resembling malignant tumors on breast imaging.

Investigating early progression of Hodgkin lymphoma in a two-center analysis.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The early progression of disease (POD) of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) leads to a poor prognosis. To identify risk factors for early POD, this retrospective two-center cohort analysis was conducted. METHODS: Medical records of HL patients between 1998 and 2020 from two referral centers were reviewed. RESULTS: Two-hundred and sixty-nine patients were analyzed. The distribution of early vs. advanced stages was 51.1 vs. 48.9%, respectively. The 5-year progression free survival (PFS) was 63%, and the overall survival (OS) was 87% with a median follow-up of 52.0 months. The complete remission (CR) rate was 85.7%. Disease progression or relapsed disease occurred in 33.9% (n = 85) of patients while 17.0% of this cohort had early POD within 12 months of induction therapy. Patients with early POD had a worse median OS than those without (p < 0.001). Failure to achieve post-induction CR and high international prognostic score (IPS, 3-7) were independent risk factors for early POD. Compared with chemotherapy alone, consolidative radiotherapy after induction chemotherapy was associated with a lower risk of early POD (21.3% vs. 6.2%, p = 0.006). CONCLUSION: High IPS was an independent risk factor for early POD, which was less observed in those with consolidative radiotherapy.

The clinical usefulness of phase analysis in detecting coronary artery disease using dipyridamole thallium-201-gated myocardial perfusion imaging with a cadmium-zinc-telluride camera.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have demonstrated left ventricular mechanical dyssynchrony (LVMD) in patients with severe coronary artery disease (CAD) with ≥ 70% stenosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of stress/rest LVMD in the diagnosis of CAD with ≥ 50% stenosis using dipyridamole thallium-201 (Tl-201) myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) with a cadmium-zinc-telluride camera. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 476 patients without known CAD who underwent dipyridamole Tl-201 MPI and coronary angiography within 6 months were retrospectively reviewed. LVMD parameters including phase standard deviation and phase histogram bandwidth, phase skewness and phase kurtosis, as well as myocardial perfusion and myocardial stunning were assessed in post-stress and rest MPI. Relationships between the presence of CAD on coronary angiography and single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) parameters were evaluated. The presence of perfusion abnormalities was the best diagnostic tool in detecting CAD. Although less left ventricular synchrony was observed post-stress in the CAD group compared to the non-CAD group, no significant dyssynchrony was noted. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of phase analysis to help diagnose CAD in Tl-201-gated SPECT with dipyridamole stress may have limited value in patients with CAD with ≥ 50% stenosis.

Effect of lipid on surimi gelation properties of the three major Chinese carp.

BACKGROUND: Gel properties are important in determining the quality of surimi. In addition to myofibrillar proteins, lipids play an important role in the formation of surimi gel. Phospholipids (PL) are amphoteric lipids that cannot be removed through rinsing. Paradoxically, the addition of PL increases or decreases gel strength. This research aimed to investigate the effects of specific lipids on the gelation properties of surimi from three different carp. RESULTS: The hardness, chewiness, and gel strength of bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis: BC) surimi were higher, and the total lipid content was lower when compared with grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus: GC) and silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix: SC) surimi. Bighead carp surimi had lower levels of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylinositols (PI), and phosphatidylcholine (PC), and higher phosphatidylserine (PS) and sphingomyelin (SM) content. The gelation properties of surimi increased with increasing concentrations of SM and PS. Furthermore, increased levels of saturated fatty acids (SFAs) and decreased levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) increased gelation properties. Finally, higher hydrophobic interactions and more disulfide bonds were shown to increase gel network structure stability, resulting in improving gel strength in BC surimi. CONCLUSION: The textural characteristics and gel strength of surimi were dependent on the PL content, including total lipid levels and the types of fatty acids. This may account for previous conflicting reports on PL effects on gel strength. This study provides insight into how the texture of surimi can be improved and provides a starting point for further research. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Using Light Microscopy and Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry for Qualitative and Quantitative Control of a Combined Three-Herb Formulation in Different Preparations.

Artemisia capillaries Thunb, Gardenia jasminoides Ellis, and Rheum officinale Baill have been combined to treat jaundice for thousands of years. Studies have revealed that these herbs induce anti-hepatic fibrosis and anti-hepatic apoptosis and alleviate hepatic oxidative stress. This study aims to determine the quality and quantity of an herbal formulation (Chinese name: Yin-Chen-Hao-Tang) using physical and chemical examinations. Physical examination of Yin-Chen-Hao-Tang in pharmaceutical herbal products, raw fiber powders, and decoction preparations was performed using Congo red and iodine-potassium staining. A sensitive and validated method employing ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) was developed to simultaneously quantify the bioactive compounds scoparone, geniposide, and rhein in the Yin-Chen-Hao-Tang formulation in different preparations. Physical examination indicated that cellulose fibers with irregular round shapes were present in the pharmaceutical herbal products. The developed UHPLC-MS/MS method showed good linearity and was well validated. The quantification results revealed that the decoction preparations had the highest amounts of geniposide and rhein. Scoparone appeared in pharmaceutical herbal products from two manufacturers. This experiment provides a qualitative and quantitative method using physical and chemical examinations to test different preparations of herbal products. The results provide a reference for clinical herbal product preparations and further pharmacokinetic research.

Influence of emulsion composition and spray-drying conditions on microencapsulation of tilapia oil.

The influence of processing conditions on the microencapsulation of tilapia oil by spray drying was studied. Trehalose, gelatin, sucrose and xanthan were used as emulsion composition. The experimental parameters of spray drying such as inlet air temperature, solid content, drying air flow rate and atomizing pressure were optimized using a central composite design. Encapsulation efficiency and lipid oxidation were determined. Bulk density, powder morphology and particle size were also analyzed. Trehalose improved the glass transition temperature of wall material significantly and prevented the oxidation of the fish oil. Encapsulation efficiency reached a maximum of 90 % under optimum conditions with an inlet air temperature of 121 °C, a drying air flow rate of 0.65 m(3)/min and a spray pressure of 100 kPa.

Integrated traditional herbal medicine for recurrent urinary tract infection treatment and follow-up: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) with pathogenic strain resistance leading to a high recurrence rate affect health quality and have become a high-priority issue due to the economic burden on the health care system. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to investigate the supportive benefits of traditional herbal medicines (THMs) for the treatment and prevention of recurrent UTIs through a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Systematic searches of databases, including PubMed/Medline, the Cochrane Library, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), were conducted to collect eligible studies for meta-analysis. The inclusion criteria were randomized controlled trials that investigated UTI recurrence using THM treatment. RESULTS: The results of 22 studies showed that THM treatment led to significantly fewer UTI events in the experimental group than in the control group (OR = 0.348; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.257 to 0.473; p < 0.001). Seventeen studies reported UTI events during the follow-up period, and the recurrence rate was lower in the experimental group than in the control group (OR, 0.326; 95% CI, 0.245-0.434; p < 0.01). Subgroup analysis further showed that compared to antibiotics alone, treatment with THM plus antibiotics significantly reduced UTI events in the acute phase (OR = 0.301; 95% CI = 0.201 to 0.431; p < 0.001) as well as in the follow-up period (OR = 0.347; 95% CI = 0.241 to 0.498; p < 0.001). However, THM treatment alone was not superior to antibiotics in the acute treatment phase (OR = 0.540; 95% CI = 0.250 to 1.166; p = 0.117) or in the follow-up period (OR = 0.464; 95% CI = 0.111 to 1.951; p = 0.295). Herbal ingredients for recurrent UTI events also showed benefits compared to placebo treatment in the acute phase (OR = 0.337; 95% CI = 0.158 to 0.717; p = 0.005) and during follow-up (OR = 0.238; 95% CI = 0.139 to 0.409; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: THM combined with antibiotics is helpful for people with acute UTIs and for reinfection prevention. THMs alone, although less effective for recurrent UTIs, could be considered a therapeutic alternative to antibiotics.

Red Yeast Rice and Statin Therapy in Patients with Hypercholesterolemia and the Comorbidities: A Retrospective Cohort Study on Lipid-Lowering Effects and Cardiovascular Outcomes.

Red yeast rice (RYR) is known for its lipid-lowering effects in patients with hypercholesterolemia; however, its comparative efficacy with statins and risk reduction remains uncertain. This retrospective study analyzed data from 337,104 patients with hyperlipidemia in the Chang Gung Research Database cohort, spanning from January 2016 to December 2021. Exclusion criteria were applied to ensure data completeness and compliance, including an age limit of [Formula: see text] years, absence of RYR or statin treatment, and a treatment duration of [Formula: see text] days. Propensity score matching was employed to minimize bias based on baseline factors, with one patient matching with four patients in the comparison group. The study encompassed a total of 5,984 adult hyperlipidemic patients, with 1,197 in the RYR group and 4,787 in the statin group. The patients were also stratified into statin ([Formula: see text]) or combined use ([Formula: see text]) groups for further comparison. Following one year of treatment, both the RYR and statin groups exhibited reductions in total cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Most biochemical parameters showed no significant differences, except for elevated glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase levels in the RYR group ([Formula: see text]) and increased glycohemoglobin levels in the statin group at the three-month mark ([Formula: see text]). In patients with comorbid diabetes, hypertension, kidney, or liver diseases, RYR and statins demonstrated comparable risks for emergency room (ER) visits, stroke, and myocardial infarction (MI). However, the combination of RYR and statins was associated with reduced stroke-related hospitalizations in patients with diabetes, hypertension, and kidney disease, as well as decreased MI-related hospitalizations in patients with hypertension and kidney disease (all [Formula: see text]). In conclusion, both RYR and statins effectively lower blood lipid levels and mitigate related complications. Combining these therapies may lead to fewer ER visits, reduced stroke frequency, and fewer MI hospitalizations in hypertensive and kidney disease patients, and they decreased all-cause mortality in the kidney disease population. Further research on combined therapy is warranted.

Psychometric evaluation of an adult post-COVID-19 symptom tool: a development and validation study.

The objective of this study was aimed to develop and validate an instrument for post-COVID-19 symptoms in adults. Data were collected from adults with a previous COVID-19 diagnosis in Taiwan. We developed the initial instrument through systematic review and expert feedback. Its validity was tested using exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and criterion-related validity, while its reliability was tested using Cronbach's alpha. In total, 310 adults participated in this study. Examination of the EFA clearly classified a five-factor model with 24 items (Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin = 0.903; Bartlett's test of sphericity: X2 = 5242.956, df = 276, p < 0.01). The goodness of fit indices of the CFA were as follows: chi-square = 635.172 (p < 0.01), normed chi-square = 2.669, standardized root mean square residual = 0.077, root mean square error of approximation = 0.073, comparative fit index = 0.922, and Tuker and Lewis index = 0.910. The value of Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the total items was 0.941, and the values for the subscales ranged from 0.813 to 0.924. The instrument exhibited acceptable psychometric properties, proving it to be a valuable tool for evaluating post-COVID-19 symptoms in patients at hospitals.

Recombinase polymerase amplification combined with Pyrococcus furiosus Argonaute for fast Salmonella spp. testing in food safety.

Foodborne illness caused by Salmonella spp. is one of the most prevalent public health problems globally, which have brought immeasurable economic burden and social impact to countries around the world. Neither current nucleic acid amplification detection method nor standard culture method (2-3 days) are suitable for field detection in areas with a heavy burden of Salmonella spp. Here, we developed a highly sensitive and accurate assay for Salmonella spp. detection in less than 40 min. Specifically, the invA gene of Salmonella spp. was amplified by recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA), followed by Pyrococcus furiosus Argonaute (PfAgo)-based target sequence cleavage, which could be observed by a fluorescence reader or the naked eye. The assay offered the lowest detectable concentration of 1.05 × 101 colony forming units/mL (CFU/mL). This assay had strong specificity and high sensitivity for the detection of Salmonella spp. in field samples, which indicated the feasibility of this assay.

Integrated 4D label-free proteomics and data mining to elucidate the effects of thermal processing on crisp grass carp protein profiles.

The crisp grass carp (CGC; Ctenopharyngodon idellus C. et V.), known for its unique texture and flavour, is a culinary delicacy whose quality is significantly influenced by thermal processing. This study employed 4D label-free proteomics and data mining techniques to investigate the proteomic changes in CGC muscle tissue induced by various heating temperatures. CGC samples were subjected to a series of heat treatments at increasing temperatures from 20 °C to 90 °C. Proteins were extracted, digested, and analysed using high-resolution mass spectrometry. The proteomic data were then subjected to extensive bioinformatics analysis, including GO and KEGG pathway enrichment. We identified a total of 1085 proteins, 516 of which were shared across all the temperature treatments, indicating a core proteome responsible for CGC textural properties. Differential expression analysis revealed temperature-dependent changes, with significant alterations observed at 90 °C, suggesting denaturation or aggregation of proteins at higher temperatures. Functional enrichment analysis indicated that proteins involved in amino acid metabolism, glutathione metabolism, and nucleotide metabolism were particularly affected by heat. Textural analysis correlated these proteomic changes with alterations in CGC quality attributes, pinpointing 70 °C as the optimum temperature for maintaining the desired texture. A strong positive correlation between specific upregulated proteins was identified, such as the tubulin alpha chain and collagen alpha-1(IV) chain, and the improved textural properties of CGC during thermal processing, suggesting their potential as the potential biomarkers. This study offers a comprehensive proteomic view of the thermal stability and functionality of CGC proteins, delivering invaluable insights for both the culinary processing and scientific management of CGC. Our findings not only deepen the understanding of the molecular mechanisms underpinning the textural alterations in CGC during thermal processing but also furnish practical insights for the aquaculture industry. These insights could be leveraged to optimize cooking techniques, thereby enhancing the quality and consumer appeal of CGC products.

Mammography and Ultrasonography Manifestations of Sclerosing Lymphocytic Lobulitis of the Breast: A Series of Seven Case Reports.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to analyze mammography and ultrasonography (US) manifestations of sclerosing lymphocytic lobulitis (SLL) of the breast. METHODS: A total of 8 pathologically confirmed SLL lesions from seven women (with one patient having bilateral breast lesions) were included in the study. All patients underwent preoperative mammography and US examinations. The findings from both modalities were classified and compared to their corresponding clinical data. RESULTS: Four patients were diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. Mammography results revealed that seven lesions presented as focal asymmetry or asymmetry. Seven lesions were observed as non-mass lesions on US examination. The most commonly observed US lesion features were as follows: seven lesions had focal non-ductal hypoechoic areas (87.5%), seven lesions exhibited posterior shadowing (87.5%), all lesions showed no vascularity or vessels in the rim (100%), no lesion had calcifications (0%), five lesions had an elasticity score of 3 (100%), one lesion showed retraction on the coronal plane (20%), and one lesion displayed a skipping sign on the coronal plane (20%). Based on these US findings, seven lesions (87.5%) were classified as BI-RADS 4. CONCLUSION: The mammography findings for SLL are often nonspecific. However, the US features of SLL typically present as non-mass lesions. The absence of calcification and vascularity and no retraction on the coronal plane inside the lesion may help to differentiate this disease from the conventional forms of breast carcinoma.

Comparison of the taste mechanisms of umami and bitter peptides from fermented mandarin fish (Chouguiyu) based on molecular docking and electronic tongue technology.

Unclear taste mechanisms of peptides limit rapid screening of taste peptides with high intensity. In this study, the taste mechanisms of umami and bitter peptides from Chouguiyu were compared. After molecular docking of core umami (NWDDMEK, WFKDEEF, EEEKPKF, DFDDIQK, and DGEKVDF) and bitter (VQDVLKL, VELLKLE, LVVDGVK, VVDLTVR, and VVDGVKL) peptides with T1R1/T1R3 and TASR14, respectively, salt bridges and conventional hydrogen bonds were the main interactions in all taste peptides, in which acidic amino acid residues contributed to the interaction with their receptors. The taste intensity of peptides after solid-phase synthesis was further verified using electronic tongue technology. Spearman correlation analysis showed that docking energy was an important factor for the intensity of taste peptides, while interaction energy and the distance between the binding unit (BU) and the stimulating unit (SU) were also responsible for the bitter intensity. This study provides a theoretical basis to screen novel taste peptides with high taste intensity in fermented foods.

A novel FCTF evaluation and prediction model for food efficacy based on association rule mining.

Introduction: Food-components-target-function (FCTF) is an evaluation and prediction model based on association rule mining (ARM) and network interaction analysis, which is an innovative exploration of interdisciplinary integration in the food field. Methods: Using the components as the basis, the targets and functions are comprehensively explored in various databases and platforms under the guidance of the ARM concept. The focused active components, key targets and preferred efficacy are then analyzed by different interaction calculations. The FCTF model is particularly suitable for preliminary studies of medicinal plants in remote and poor areas. Results: The FCTF model of the local medicinal food Laoxianghuang focuses on the efficacy of digestive system cancers and neurological diseases, with key targets ACE, PTGS2, CYP2C19 and corresponding active components citronellal, trans-nerolidol, linalool, geraniol, α-terpineol, cadinene and α-pinene. Discussion: Centuries of traditional experience point to the efficacy of Laoxianghuang in alleviating digestive disorders, and our established FCTF model of Laoxianghuang not only demonstrates this but also extends to its possible adjunctive efficacy in neurological diseases, which deserves later exploration. The FCTF model is based on the main line of components to target and efficacy and optimizes the research level from different dimensions and aspects of interaction analysis, hoping to make some contribution to the future development of the food discipline.

Determinants of health-seeking behavior toward Chinese or Western medicine in Taiwan: An analysis of biobank research database.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Health-seeking behavior has a direct impact on individual's health. A proper understanding of patients' demographics and health factors is essential in constructing high-quality health care services toward Chinese or Western medicine. The objective of this study was to understand the tendency among Taiwanese to opt for either Chinese or Western medicine when both services are available. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was based on the analysis of secondary data. A total of 13,151 individuals with an age of 30 years or more were selected from the Taiwan Biobank Research Database in Taiwan. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with health-seeking behaviors toward Chinese or Western medicine. RESULTS: Among all the participants, 50.8% showed a greater tendency to seek Western medicine treatment, while 10.4% showed a preference for Chinese medicine treatment. Main drivers for a Chinese medicine health-seeking behavior were women, hypotension, low income, normal HbA1c, normal total cholesterol, and yang deficiency. The preference for Western medicine treatment was associated mainly with men, an older age, a married status, lower income, a lower education, an abnormal cholesterol level, and the absence of stasis. CONCLUSION: Healthcare providers should understand the factors associated with health-seeking behavior and refer patients to their desired treatment.

Notch signaling pathway: architecture, disease, and therapeutics.

The NOTCH gene was identified approximately 110 years ago. Classical studies have revealed that NOTCH signaling is an evolutionarily conserved pathway. NOTCH receptors undergo three cleavages and translocate into the nucleus to regulate the transcription of target genes. NOTCH signaling deeply participates in the development and homeostasis of multiple tissues and organs, the aberration of which results in cancerous and noncancerous diseases. However, recent studies indicate that the outcomes of NOTCH signaling are changeable and highly dependent on context. In terms of cancers, NOTCH signaling can both promote and inhibit tumor development in various types of cancer. The overall performance of NOTCH-targeted therapies in clinical trials has failed to meet expectations. Additionally, NOTCH mutation has been proposed as a predictive biomarker for immune checkpoint blockade therapy in many cancers. Collectively, the NOTCH pathway needs to be integrally assessed with new perspectives to inspire discoveries and applications. In this review, we focus on both classical and the latest findings related to NOTCH signaling to illustrate the history, architecture, regulatory mechanisms, contributions to physiological development, related diseases, and therapeutic applications of the NOTCH pathway. The contributions of NOTCH signaling to the tumor immune microenvironment and cancer immunotherapy are also highlighted. We hope this review will help not only beginners but also experts to systematically and thoroughly understand the NOTCH signaling pathway.

SIX1 Predicts Poor Prognosis and Facilitates the Progression of Non-small Lung Cancer via Activating the Notch Signaling Pathway.

Background: Many transcription factors involved in embryonic development and reactivated in tumors are considered potential prognostic biomarkers and novel therapeutic targets in various cancers. Sine oculis homeobox homolog 1 (SIX1), a developmentally restricted transcriptional regulator, plays a critical role during tumor initiation and development. However, the prognostic value and biological function of SIX1 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remain unclear. Methods: Bioinformatic analyses were conducted to investigate the expression of SIX1 in cancer and adjacent normal tissues of NSCLC and further explore the correlations between SIX1 expression and clinical outcomes. Western blotting and RT-PCR analysis were performed to detect of SIX1 expression level in NSCLC cell lines and normal bronchial epithelial cell. EdU, CCK-8, clonal formation assay, wound healing and transwell assay were performed to explore the effects of gain- or loss-of-function of SIX1 on cellular proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was used to identify the potential signaling pathways involved in SIX1 mediated biological function and the correlation was confirmed by western blotting and RT-PCR analysis. In vivo experiment was conducted to further validate the tumor-promoting effects of SIX1. Results: Bioinformatic analysis indicated that SIX1 was markedly upregulated in NSCLC tissues of and positively correlated with poor prognosis of patients with NSCLC. Ectopic expression of SIX1 facilitated proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of NSCLC cells. On the contrary, knocking down SIX1 exhibited the opposite effects. Mechanistic studies suggested that SIX1 activated the Notch pathway to promote the malignant biological behaviors of NSCLC, which could be reversed by inhibiting the Notch signaling with γ-secretase inhibitor. Conclusions: SIX1 could facilitate multiple malignant biological behaviors by activating the Notch signaling pathway and function as a promising prognostic biomarker.

Sitagliptin Alleviates Radiation-Induced Intestinal Injury by Activating NRF2-Antioxidant Axis, Mitigating NLRP3 Inf--lammasome Activation, and Reversing Gut Microbiota Disorder.

Radiation-induced intestinal injury is a common and critical complication of radiotherapy for pelvic or abdominal tumors, with limited therapeutic strategies and effectiveness. Sitagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP4) inhibitor, has previously been reported to alleviate total body irradiation- (TBI-) induced damage of hematopoietic system in mice, but its effect on radiation-induced intestinal injury remains unclear. In this study, we confirmed that Sitagliptin could not only protect mice from death and weight loss caused by whole abdominal irradiation (WAI) but also improve the morphological structure of intestine and the regeneration ability of enterocytes. In addition, Sitagliptin significantly inhibited the production of radiation-induced proinflammatory cytokines and reduced the number of apoptotic intestinal epithelial cells and γ-H2AX expression. In vitro, we demonstrated that Sitagliptin protected HIEC-6 cells from ionizing radiation, resulting in increased cell viability and reduced DNA damage. Mechanistically, the radiation protection of Sitagliptin might be related to the upregulation of NRF2 level and the decrease of NLRP3 inflammasome activity. Importantly, Sitagliptin significantly restored radiation-induced changes in bacterial composition. In conclusion, our results suggested that Sitagliptin could reduce WAI-induced intestinal injury in mice, which may provide novel therapeutic strategy for radiation-induced intestinal injury.