BACKGROUND Early screening,preoperative staging,and diagnosis of lymph node metastasis are crucial for improving the prognosis of gastric cancer(GC).AIM To evaluate the diagnostic value of combined multidetector compu...BACKGROUND Early screening,preoperative staging,and diagnosis of lymph node metastasis are crucial for improving the prognosis of gastric cancer(GC).AIM To evaluate the diagnostic value of combined multidetector computed tomography(MDCT)and gastrointestinal endoscopy for GC screening,preoperative staging,and lymph node metastasis detection,thereby providing a reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment.METHODS In this retrospective study clinical and imaging data of 134 patients with suspected GC who were admitted between January 2023 and October 2024 were initially reviewed.According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria,102 patients were finally enrolled in the analysis.All enrolled patients had undergone both MDCT and gastrointestinal endoscopy examinations prior to surgical intervention.Preoperative clinical staging and lymph node metastasis findings were compared with pathological results.RESULTS The combined use of MDCT and gastrointestinal endoscopy demonstrated a sensitivity of 98.53%,specificity of 97.06%,accuracy of 98.04%,positive predictive value of 98.53%,and negative predictive value of 97.06%for diagnosing GC.These factors were all significantly higher than those of MDCT or endoscopy alone(P<0.05).The accuracy rates of the combined approach for detecting clinical T and N stages were 97.06%and 92.65%,respectively,outperforming MDCT alone(86.76% and 79.41%)and endoscopy alone(85.29% and 70.59%)(P<0.05).Among 68 patients with confirmed GC,50(73.53%)were pathologically diagnosed with lymph node metastasis.The accuracy for detecting lymph node metastasis was 66.00%with endoscopy,76.00%with MDCT,and 92.00% with the combined approach,all with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).CONCLUSION The combined application of MDCT and gastrointestinal endoscopy enhanced diagnostic accuracy for GC,provided greater consistency in preoperative staging,and improved the detection of lymph node metastasis,thereby demonstrating significant clinical utility.展开更多
Slit-Robo GTPase-activating protein 2(SRGAP2) plays important roles in axon guidance, neuronal migration, synapse formation, and nerve regeneration. However, the role of SRGAP2 in neuroretinal degenerative disease rem...Slit-Robo GTPase-activating protein 2(SRGAP2) plays important roles in axon guidance, neuronal migration, synapse formation, and nerve regeneration. However, the role of SRGAP2 in neuroretinal degenerative disease remains unclear. In this study, we found that SRGAP2 protein was first expressed in the retina of normal mice at the embryonic stage and was mainly located in the mature retinal ganglion cell layer and the inner nuclear layer. SRGAP2 protein in the retina and optic nerve increased after optic nerve crush. Then, we established a heterozygous knockout(Srgap2+/–) mouse model of optic nerve crush and found that Srgap2 suppression increased retinal ganglion cell survival, lowered intraocular pressure, inhibited glial cell activation, and partially restored retinal function. In vitro experiments showed that Srgap2 suppression activated the mammalian target of rapamycin signaling pathway. RNA sequencing results showed that the expression of small heat shock protein genes(Cryaa, Cryba4, and Crygs) related to optic nerve injury were upregulated in the retina of Srgap2+/– mice. These results suggest that Srgap2 suppression reduced the robust activation of glial cells, activated the mammalian target of rapamycin signaling pathway related to nerve protein, increased the expression of small heat shock protein genes, inhibited the degeneration of retinal ganglion cells, and partially restored optic nerve function.展开更多
BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer(CRC)is the third most common cancer globally,causing over 900000 deaths annually.Risk factors include aging,diet,obesity,sedentary lifestyle,tobacco use,genetic predisposition,and inflamma...BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer(CRC)is the third most common cancer globally,causing over 900000 deaths annually.Risk factors include aging,diet,obesity,sedentary lifestyle,tobacco use,genetic predisposition,and inflammatory bowel disease.Despite current treatments,survival rates for advanced CRC remain low,highlighting the need for better therapeutic strategies.AIM To evaluate both the clinical significance and the pathological implications of the Kinesin family member 14(KIF14)expression within CRC specimens.Additionally,this study aims to investigate the interaction between nitidine chloride(NC)and KIF14,considering their potential as therapeutic targets.METHODS The expression of the KIF14 protein in CRC was analyzed using immunohistochemical staining.The integration of multicenter high-throughput data facilitated the calculation of the standardized mean difference(SMD)for KIF14 mRNA levels.The assessment of clinical and pathological impact was enhanced by analyzing combined receiver operating characteristic curves,along with measures of sensitivity,specificity,and likelihood ratios.Additionally,clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats knockout screening for cell growth and single-cell sequencing were employed to validate the significance of KIF14 expression in CRC.Survival analysis established the prognostic value of KIF14 in CRC.The molecular mechanism of NC against CRC was elucidated through whole-genome sequencing and enrichment analysis,and molecular docking was utilized to explore the targeting affinity between NC and KIF14.RESULTS KIF14 was highly expressed in 208 CRC patients.Data from 17 platforms involving 2436 CRC samples and 1320 noncancerous colorectal tissue controls indicated that KIF14 expression was significantly higher in CRC samples,with an SMD of 1.92(95%CI:1.49-2.35).The area under the curve was 0.94(95%CI:0.92-0.96),with a sensitivity of 0.85(95%CI:0.78-0.90)and a specificity of 0.90(95%CI:0.85-0.93).The positive and negative likelihood ratios were 8.38(95%CI:5.39-13.02)and 0.17(95%CI:0.11-0.26),respectively.At the single-cell level,significant overexpression of KIF14 was observed in CRC cells(P<0.001),with 35 CRC cell lines dependent on KIF14 for growth.The K-M plots demonstrated that KIF14 possesses prognostic value in CRC patients within the GSE71187 and GSE103679 datasets(P<0.05).Binding energy calculations indicated that KIF14 is a potential target for NC(binding energy:10.3 kcal/mol).CONCLUSION KIF14 promotes the growth of CRC cells and acts as an oncogenic factor,potentially serving as a therapeutic target for NC in the treatment of CRC.展开更多
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is one of the most prevalent and aggressive forms of liver cancer,with high morbidity and poor prognosis due to late diagnosis and limited treatment options.Despite advances in ...BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is one of the most prevalent and aggressive forms of liver cancer,with high morbidity and poor prognosis due to late diagnosis and limited treatment options.Despite advances in understanding its molecular mechanisms,effective biomarkers for early detection and targeted therapy remain scarce.Zinc finger protein 71(ZNF71),a zinc-finger protein,has been implicated in various cancers,yet its role in HCC remains largely unexplored.This gap in knowledge underscores the need for further investigation into the ZNF71 of potential as a diagnostic or therapeutic target in HCC.AIM To explore the expression levels,clinical relevance,and molecular mechanisms of ZNF71 in the progression of HCC.METHODS The study evaluated ZNF71 expression in 235 HCC specimens and 13 noncancerous liver tissue samples using immunohistochemistry.High-throughput datasets were employed to assess the differential expression of ZNF71 in HCC and its association with clinical and pathological features.The impact of ZNF71 on HCC cell line growth was examined through clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat knockout screens.Co-expressed genes were identified and analyzed for enrichment using LinkedOmics and Sangerbox 3.0,focusing on significant correlations(P<0.01,correlation coefficient≥0.3).Furthermore,the relationship between ZNF71 expression and immune cell infiltration was quantified using TIMER2.0.RESULTS ZNF71 showed higher expression in HCC tissues vs non-tumorous tissues,with a significant statistical difference(P<0.05).Data from the UALCAN platform indicated increased ZNF71 levels across early to mid-stage HCC,correlating with disease severity(P<0.05).High-throughput analysis presented a standardized mean difference in ZNF71 expression of 0.55(95%confidence interval[CI]:0.34-0.75).The efficiency of ZNF71 mRNA was evaluated,yielding an area under the curve of 0.78(95%CI:0.75-0.82),a sensitivity of 0.63(95%CI:0.53-0.72),and a specificity of 0.82(95%CI:0.73-0.89).Diagnostic likelihood ratios were positive at 3.61(95%CI:2.41-5.41)and negative at 0.45(95%CI:0.36-0.56).LinkedOmics analysis identified strong positive correlations of ZNF71 with genes such as ZNF470,ZNF256,and ZNF285.Pathway enrichment analyses highlighted associations with herpes simplex virus type 1 infection,the cell cycle,and DNA replication.Negative correlations involved metabolic pathways,peroxisomes,and fatty acid degradation.TIMER2.0 analysis demonstrated positive correlations of high ZNF71 expression with various immune cell types,including CD4^(+)T cells,B cells,regulatory T cells,monocytes,macrophages,and myeloid dendritic cells.CONCLUSION ZNF71 is significantly upregulated in HCC,correlating with the disease’s clinical and pathological stages.It appears to promote HCC progression through mechanisms involving the cell cycle and metabolism and is associated with immune cell infiltration.These findings suggest that ZNF71 could be a novel target for diagnosing and treating HCC.展开更多
During the hyperacute phase of intracerebral hemorrhage(ICH),the mass effect and blood components mechanically lead to brain damage and neurotoxicity.Our findings revealed that the mass effect and transferrin precipit...During the hyperacute phase of intracerebral hemorrhage(ICH),the mass effect and blood components mechanically lead to brain damage and neurotoxicity.Our findings revealed that the mass effect and transferrin precipitate neuronal oxidative stress and iron uptake,culminating in ferroptosis in neurons.M6A(N6-methyladenosine)modification,the most prevalent mRNA modification,plays a critical role in various cell death pathways.The Fto(fat mass and obesity-associated protein)demethylase has been implicated in numerous signaling pathways of neurological diseases by modulating m6A mRNA levels.Regulation of Fto protein levels in neurons effectively mitigated mass effect-induced neuronal ferroptosis.Applying nanopore direct RNA sequencing,we identified voltage-dependent anion channel 3(Vdac3)as a potential target associated with ferroptosis.Fto influenced neuronal ferroptosis by regulating the m6A methylation of Vdac3 mRNA.These findings elucidate the intricate interplay between Fto,Vdac3,m6A methylation,and ferroptosis in neurons during the hyperacute phase post-ICH and suggest novel therapeutic strategies for ICH.展开更多
Bone defects have serious economic and clinical impacts;however,despite improvements in bone defect management,the range of clinical outcomes remains limited.A variety of biomaterials have been used to treat complex b...Bone defects have serious economic and clinical impacts;however,despite improvements in bone defect management,the range of clinical outcomes remains limited.A variety of biomaterials have been used to treat complex bone defects.However,final bone repair outcomes may be adversely affected by poor osteogenic capacity and risk of infection.Consequently,therapeutic methods are required that reduce bacterial contamination and increase the use of osteogenic biomaterials.Herein,we report the preparation of poly(lactic acid-coglycolic acid)(PLGA)microspheres coloaded with magnesium(Mg^(2+))and gallium(Ga^(3+))ions(Mg-Ga@PLGA),which can fill irregular bone defects and show good biosafety.During in vitro testing,Mg-Ga@PLGA not only showed a synergistic effect on promoting osteogenic differentiation but also inhibited osteoclastic differentiation.Moreover,we found that Mg-Ga@PLGA demonstrated an antibacterial effect.During in vivo testing,Mg Ga@PLGA exhibited strong in situ osteogenic ability.In conclusion,Mg-Ga@PLGA has good potential for treating bone defects at risk of infection.展开更多
Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is a highly aggressive malignancy,largely driven by an immunosuppres-sive tumor microenvironment(TME)that facilitates tumor growth,immune escape,and resistance to therapy.Although immunoth...Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is a highly aggressive malignancy,largely driven by an immunosuppres-sive tumor microenvironment(TME)that facilitates tumor growth,immune escape,and resistance to therapy.Although immunotherapy—particularly immune checkpoint inhibitors(ICIs)—has transformed the therapeutic landscape by restoring T cell-mediated anti-tumor responses,their clinical benefit as monotherapy remains suboptimal.This limitation is primarily attributed to immunosuppressive components within the TME,including tumor-associated macrophages,regulatory T cells(Tregs),and myeloid-derived suppressor cells(MDSCs).To address these challenges,combination strategies have been explored,such as dual checkpoint blockade targeting programmed cell death protein 1(PD-1),programmed death-ligand 1(PD-L1),and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4(CTLA-4),as well as synergistic use of ICIs with anti-angiogenic agents or TME-targeted interventions.These approaches have shown encouraging potential in enhancing immune efficacy.This review outlines the complex crosstalk between the TME and immunotherapeutic responses in HCC,emphasizing how combination regimens may overcome immune resistance.Furthermore,we discuss the remaining hurdles,including therapeutic resistance and immune-related adverse events,and propose future directions involving TME-associated biomarkers and individualized treatment strategies to improve patient outcomes.展开更多
BACKGROUND The stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase(SCD)gene influences colorectal cancer(CRC)pathogenesis,with its expression linked to tumor cell survival and resistance,necessitating further investigation into its role i...BACKGROUND The stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase(SCD)gene influences colorectal cancer(CRC)pathogenesis,with its expression linked to tumor cell survival and resistance,necessitating further investigation into its role in CRC.AIM To explore the clinical and pathological significance of SCD expression in CRC tissues and to evaluate the affinity between nitidine chloride(NC)and SCD as a target.METHODS Multi-center high-throughput data related to CRC were integrated to calculate the standardized mean difference of SCD mRNA expression levels.Immunohistochemical staining results,Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats knockout screening results of cell growth,and single-cell sequencing were employed to verify the significance of SCD expression in CRC.The clinical and pathological significance of SCD was assessed using pooled receiver operating characteristic curves,sensitivity,specificity,and likelihood ratios.The molecular mechanism of NC against CRC was clarified using the SwissTarget Prediction and functional enrichment,and molecular docking techniques were utilized to explore the targeting affinity between NC and SCD.RESULTS Data from 18 platforms,including 2482 CRC samples and 1334 non-cancerous colorectal tissue controls.SCD expression was significantly upregulated in CRC,with a standardized mean difference of 2.05[95%confidence interval(CI):1.69-2.41].The area under the pooled receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.95(95%CI:0.92-0.96),with a sensitivity of 0.86(95%CI:0.81-0.90)and a specificity of 0.90(95%CI:0.87-0.93).Positive and negative likelihood ratios were 9.02(95%CI:6.49-12.51)and 0.15(95%CI:0.10-0.22),respectively.High SCD protein expression was noted in 208 CRC patients,significantly associated with vascular invasion(P<0.001).At the singlecell level,SCD was significantly overexpressed in CRC cells(P<0.001).A total of 33 CRC cell lines depended on SCD for growth.The potential mechanism of NC against CRC might involve modulation of the cell cycle,positioning SCD as a potential target for NC.CONCLUSION SCD promotes CRC cell growth and thus acts as an oncogenic factor,making it a potential therapeutic target for NC in CRC treatment.展开更多
BACKGROUND In recent years,many studies have shown that proteasome 26S subunit non-ATPase 6(PSMD6)plays an important role in the occurrence and development of malignant tumours.Unfortunately,there are no reports on th...BACKGROUND In recent years,many studies have shown that proteasome 26S subunit non-ATPase 6(PSMD6)plays an important role in the occurrence and development of malignant tumours.Unfortunately,there are no reports on the evaluation of the potential role of PSMD6 in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).AIM To comprehensively evaluate the overexpression pattern and clinical significance of PSMD6 in HCC tissues.METHODS This study integrated PSMD6 mRNA expression profiles from 4672 HCC and 3667 non-HCC tissues,along with immunohistochemical scores from 383 HCC and adjacent tissues,to assess PSMD6 overexpression in HCC.Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats knockout technology evaluated PSMD6’s essential role in HCC cell growth.Functional enrichment analysis explored the molecular mechanism of PSMD6 abnormalities in HCC.Drug sensitivity analysis and molecular docking analysed the effect of abnormal expression of PSMD6 on the drug sensitivity of HCC cells.RESULTS The results of 41 external and two internal datasets showed that PSMD6 mRNA(SMD=0.26,95%CI:0.09-0.42,P<0.05)and protein(SMD=2.85,95%CI:1.19-4.50,P<0.05)were significantly overexpressed in HCC tissues.The integrated analysis results showed that PSMD6 had a significant overexpression pattern in HCC tissues(SMD=0.40,95%CI:0.15-0.66,P<0.05).PSMD6 knockout inhibited HCC cell growth(chronos scores<-1).Functional enrichment implicated ribosome biogenesis and RNA splicing.Significant enrichment of signalling pathways such as RNA degradation,ribosomes,and chemical carcinogenesis—reactive oxygen species.Drug sensitivity analysis and a molecular docking model showed that high expression of PSMD6 was associated with the tolerance of HCC cells to drugs such as ML323,sepantronium bromide,and GDC0810.Overexpressed PSMD6 effectively distinguished HCC tissues(AUC=0.75,95%CI:0.71-0.79).CONCLUSION This study was the first to discover that PSMD6 was overexpressed in HCC tissues.PSMD6 is essential for the growth of HCC cells and may be involved in ribosome biogenesis and RNA splicing.展开更多
BACKGROUND The prevalence of colorectal cancer(CRC)in younger people is increasing.Despite advances in precision medicine,the challenges of drug resistance and high costs persist.Nitidine chloride(NC)has pharmacologic...BACKGROUND The prevalence of colorectal cancer(CRC)in younger people is increasing.Despite advances in precision medicine,the challenges of drug resistance and high costs persist.Nitidine chloride(NC)has pharmacological potential,and kinesin family member 20A(KIF20A)is overexpressed in various tumors;however,their interaction in CRC remains unexplored.AIM To investigate the KIF20A expression characteristics in CRC cells and determine whether it is a potential target gene for NC in inhibiting CRC treatment.METHODS Single-cell RNA sequencing(scRNA-seq),spatial transcriptomics,and mRNA expression profiling were used to analyze KIF20A expression in CRC cells.Immunohistochemical staining was used to verify KIF20A expression in 416 clinical samples(208 CRC tissue samples and 208 noncancerous control tissue samples).Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats(CRISPR)technology was used to evaluate the impact of knocking out KIF20A on CRC cell growth.Molecular docking was applied to analyze NC–KIF20A binding.Finally,RNA sequencing and functional enrichment analysis were performed to explore the mechanism of action of NC in CRC cells.RESULTS Treating HCT116 cells with NC was found to significantly downregulate KIF20A(P<0.05),and the molecular docking analysis revealed high-affinity binding between NC and KIF20A(binding energy=-9.6 kcal/mol).The scRNA-seq,spatial transcriptomics,and mRNA expression profiling results confirmed the significantly high expression of KIF20A in CRC tissues(standardized mean difference=1.33,95%confidence interval:0.885-1.77,summary receiver operating characteristic curve area=0.94).The immunohistochemical analysis of the clinical samples showed high KIF20A expression in the CRC tissues(P<0.05),with significant correlation between the level of expression and gender,tumor size,and tumor grade(P<0.05).Knocking out KIF20A significantly inhibited the growth of various CRC cell lines(CRISPR score<-0.3).The functional enrichment analysis indicated that NC may inhibit CRC by disrupting several biological processes,such as mitotic nuclear division,chromosome segregation,and microtubule binding.CONCLUSION Our results indicate that NC binds to KIF20A with high affinity and downregulates its expression in CRC cells,leading to reduced proliferation.Hence,NC has promise as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of CRC,and targeting KIF20A also has potential as a therapeutic strategy.Further KIF20A knockout studies are needed to confirm the binding specificity and mechanistic roles of NC in CRC.展开更多
BACKGROUND Although thymopoietin(TMPO)has been elucidated to be overexpressed in cancers,its underlying mechanisms are not yet fully understood.AIM To investigate the expression and clinical significance of TMPO in pa...BACKGROUND Although thymopoietin(TMPO)has been elucidated to be overexpressed in cancers,its underlying mechanisms are not yet fully understood.AIM To investigate the expression and clinical significance of TMPO in papillary thyroid carcinoma(PTC).METHODS Databases such as Gene Expression Omnibus,The Cancer Genome Atlas Proand summary receiver operating characteristic curves were plotted to evaluate diagnostic performance.A Gene Set Enrichment Analysis enrichment analysis was conducted to identify TMPO-related signaling pathways.A protein interaction network was constructed to identify hub genes.The impact of TMPO on PTC cell proliferation and the effects of its knockout were analyzed using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats(CRISPR)knockout screening and the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia database.RESULTS The TMPO protein was significantly overexpressed in PTC tissues,primarily localized in the cytoplasm and nuclear membrane.The mRNA level analysis showed mild overexpression of TMPO in PTC tissues,with a certain discriminatory value(area under the curve=0.66).TMPO may promote cancer through involvement in cell adhesion,focal adhesion,leukocyte migration,and multiple cancer-related signaling pathways.Additionally,CRISPR gene knockout experiments confirmed that TMPO knockout significantly inhibited the proliferation of PTC cell lines,indicating its important role in tumor growth.CONCLUSION TMPO is overexpressed in PTC and may serve as a therapeutic target and molecular biomarker for PTC.展开更多
文摘BACKGROUND Early screening,preoperative staging,and diagnosis of lymph node metastasis are crucial for improving the prognosis of gastric cancer(GC).AIM To evaluate the diagnostic value of combined multidetector computed tomography(MDCT)and gastrointestinal endoscopy for GC screening,preoperative staging,and lymph node metastasis detection,thereby providing a reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment.METHODS In this retrospective study clinical and imaging data of 134 patients with suspected GC who were admitted between January 2023 and October 2024 were initially reviewed.According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria,102 patients were finally enrolled in the analysis.All enrolled patients had undergone both MDCT and gastrointestinal endoscopy examinations prior to surgical intervention.Preoperative clinical staging and lymph node metastasis findings were compared with pathological results.RESULTS The combined use of MDCT and gastrointestinal endoscopy demonstrated a sensitivity of 98.53%,specificity of 97.06%,accuracy of 98.04%,positive predictive value of 98.53%,and negative predictive value of 97.06%for diagnosing GC.These factors were all significantly higher than those of MDCT or endoscopy alone(P<0.05).The accuracy rates of the combined approach for detecting clinical T and N stages were 97.06%and 92.65%,respectively,outperforming MDCT alone(86.76% and 79.41%)and endoscopy alone(85.29% and 70.59%)(P<0.05).Among 68 patients with confirmed GC,50(73.53%)were pathologically diagnosed with lymph node metastasis.The accuracy for detecting lymph node metastasis was 66.00%with endoscopy,76.00%with MDCT,and 92.00% with the combined approach,all with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).CONCLUSION The combined application of MDCT and gastrointestinal endoscopy enhanced diagnostic accuracy for GC,provided greater consistency in preoperative staging,and improved the detection of lymph node metastasis,thereby demonstrating significant clinical utility.
基金supported by the Notional Natural Science Foundation of China,Nos.81770918 (to ZLC),31871383 (to TL)the Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province,No.LY16H120006 (to ZLC)the Departmental Funds from Wenzhou Medical University,No.89214018 (to ZLC)。
文摘Slit-Robo GTPase-activating protein 2(SRGAP2) plays important roles in axon guidance, neuronal migration, synapse formation, and nerve regeneration. However, the role of SRGAP2 in neuroretinal degenerative disease remains unclear. In this study, we found that SRGAP2 protein was first expressed in the retina of normal mice at the embryonic stage and was mainly located in the mature retinal ganglion cell layer and the inner nuclear layer. SRGAP2 protein in the retina and optic nerve increased after optic nerve crush. Then, we established a heterozygous knockout(Srgap2+/–) mouse model of optic nerve crush and found that Srgap2 suppression increased retinal ganglion cell survival, lowered intraocular pressure, inhibited glial cell activation, and partially restored retinal function. In vitro experiments showed that Srgap2 suppression activated the mammalian target of rapamycin signaling pathway. RNA sequencing results showed that the expression of small heat shock protein genes(Cryaa, Cryba4, and Crygs) related to optic nerve injury were upregulated in the retina of Srgap2+/– mice. These results suggest that Srgap2 suppression reduced the robust activation of glial cells, activated the mammalian target of rapamycin signaling pathway related to nerve protein, increased the expression of small heat shock protein genes, inhibited the degeneration of retinal ganglion cells, and partially restored optic nerve function.
基金Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province,No.ZR2020QH185Scientific Research Nurturing Fund of The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University&Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital,No.QYPY2020NSFC0803+2 种基金Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Health Commission Scientific Research Project,No.Z-A20220415Guangxi Medical University Teacher Teaching Ability Development Project,No.2022JFA02Guangxi Medical University Undergraduate Education and Teaching Reform Project,No.2023Y05.
文摘BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer(CRC)is the third most common cancer globally,causing over 900000 deaths annually.Risk factors include aging,diet,obesity,sedentary lifestyle,tobacco use,genetic predisposition,and inflammatory bowel disease.Despite current treatments,survival rates for advanced CRC remain low,highlighting the need for better therapeutic strategies.AIM To evaluate both the clinical significance and the pathological implications of the Kinesin family member 14(KIF14)expression within CRC specimens.Additionally,this study aims to investigate the interaction between nitidine chloride(NC)and KIF14,considering their potential as therapeutic targets.METHODS The expression of the KIF14 protein in CRC was analyzed using immunohistochemical staining.The integration of multicenter high-throughput data facilitated the calculation of the standardized mean difference(SMD)for KIF14 mRNA levels.The assessment of clinical and pathological impact was enhanced by analyzing combined receiver operating characteristic curves,along with measures of sensitivity,specificity,and likelihood ratios.Additionally,clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats knockout screening for cell growth and single-cell sequencing were employed to validate the significance of KIF14 expression in CRC.Survival analysis established the prognostic value of KIF14 in CRC.The molecular mechanism of NC against CRC was elucidated through whole-genome sequencing and enrichment analysis,and molecular docking was utilized to explore the targeting affinity between NC and KIF14.RESULTS KIF14 was highly expressed in 208 CRC patients.Data from 17 platforms involving 2436 CRC samples and 1320 noncancerous colorectal tissue controls indicated that KIF14 expression was significantly higher in CRC samples,with an SMD of 1.92(95%CI:1.49-2.35).The area under the curve was 0.94(95%CI:0.92-0.96),with a sensitivity of 0.85(95%CI:0.78-0.90)and a specificity of 0.90(95%CI:0.85-0.93).The positive and negative likelihood ratios were 8.38(95%CI:5.39-13.02)and 0.17(95%CI:0.11-0.26),respectively.At the single-cell level,significant overexpression of KIF14 was observed in CRC cells(P<0.001),with 35 CRC cell lines dependent on KIF14 for growth.The K-M plots demonstrated that KIF14 possesses prognostic value in CRC patients within the GSE71187 and GSE103679 datasets(P<0.05).Binding energy calculations indicated that KIF14 is a potential target for NC(binding energy:10.3 kcal/mol).CONCLUSION KIF14 promotes the growth of CRC cells and acts as an oncogenic factor,potentially serving as a therapeutic target for NC in the treatment of CRC.
基金Supported by Joint Project on Regional High Incidence Diseases Research of Guangxi Natural Science Foundation,No.2024GXNSFAA010057 and No.2024GXNSFAA010085Natural Science Foundation of Guangxi,China,No.2022GXNSFBA035657+2 种基金Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Health Commission Self-Financed Scientific Research Project,No.Z20210764Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine Scientific Research Project,No.GXZYA20230270 and No.GXZYA20240305Advanced Innovation Teams and Xinghu Scholars Program of Guangxi Medical University(2022).
文摘BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is one of the most prevalent and aggressive forms of liver cancer,with high morbidity and poor prognosis due to late diagnosis and limited treatment options.Despite advances in understanding its molecular mechanisms,effective biomarkers for early detection and targeted therapy remain scarce.Zinc finger protein 71(ZNF71),a zinc-finger protein,has been implicated in various cancers,yet its role in HCC remains largely unexplored.This gap in knowledge underscores the need for further investigation into the ZNF71 of potential as a diagnostic or therapeutic target in HCC.AIM To explore the expression levels,clinical relevance,and molecular mechanisms of ZNF71 in the progression of HCC.METHODS The study evaluated ZNF71 expression in 235 HCC specimens and 13 noncancerous liver tissue samples using immunohistochemistry.High-throughput datasets were employed to assess the differential expression of ZNF71 in HCC and its association with clinical and pathological features.The impact of ZNF71 on HCC cell line growth was examined through clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat knockout screens.Co-expressed genes were identified and analyzed for enrichment using LinkedOmics and Sangerbox 3.0,focusing on significant correlations(P<0.01,correlation coefficient≥0.3).Furthermore,the relationship between ZNF71 expression and immune cell infiltration was quantified using TIMER2.0.RESULTS ZNF71 showed higher expression in HCC tissues vs non-tumorous tissues,with a significant statistical difference(P<0.05).Data from the UALCAN platform indicated increased ZNF71 levels across early to mid-stage HCC,correlating with disease severity(P<0.05).High-throughput analysis presented a standardized mean difference in ZNF71 expression of 0.55(95%confidence interval[CI]:0.34-0.75).The efficiency of ZNF71 mRNA was evaluated,yielding an area under the curve of 0.78(95%CI:0.75-0.82),a sensitivity of 0.63(95%CI:0.53-0.72),and a specificity of 0.82(95%CI:0.73-0.89).Diagnostic likelihood ratios were positive at 3.61(95%CI:2.41-5.41)and negative at 0.45(95%CI:0.36-0.56).LinkedOmics analysis identified strong positive correlations of ZNF71 with genes such as ZNF470,ZNF256,and ZNF285.Pathway enrichment analyses highlighted associations with herpes simplex virus type 1 infection,the cell cycle,and DNA replication.Negative correlations involved metabolic pathways,peroxisomes,and fatty acid degradation.TIMER2.0 analysis demonstrated positive correlations of high ZNF71 expression with various immune cell types,including CD4^(+)T cells,B cells,regulatory T cells,monocytes,macrophages,and myeloid dendritic cells.CONCLUSION ZNF71 is significantly upregulated in HCC,correlating with the disease’s clinical and pathological stages.It appears to promote HCC progression through mechanisms involving the cell cycle and metabolism and is associated with immune cell infiltration.These findings suggest that ZNF71 could be a novel target for diagnosing and treating HCC.
基金supported by the National Key R&D Program of China(2022YFE0131000)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(82220108012,82271306,and 82071307)+1 种基金The Science and Education for Health Foundation of Suzhou for Youth(KJXW2023001)the Boxi Youth Natural Science Foundation(BXQN2023028).
文摘During the hyperacute phase of intracerebral hemorrhage(ICH),the mass effect and blood components mechanically lead to brain damage and neurotoxicity.Our findings revealed that the mass effect and transferrin precipitate neuronal oxidative stress and iron uptake,culminating in ferroptosis in neurons.M6A(N6-methyladenosine)modification,the most prevalent mRNA modification,plays a critical role in various cell death pathways.The Fto(fat mass and obesity-associated protein)demethylase has been implicated in numerous signaling pathways of neurological diseases by modulating m6A mRNA levels.Regulation of Fto protein levels in neurons effectively mitigated mass effect-induced neuronal ferroptosis.Applying nanopore direct RNA sequencing,we identified voltage-dependent anion channel 3(Vdac3)as a potential target associated with ferroptosis.Fto influenced neuronal ferroptosis by regulating the m6A methylation of Vdac3 mRNA.These findings elucidate the intricate interplay between Fto,Vdac3,m6A methylation,and ferroptosis in neurons during the hyperacute phase post-ICH and suggest novel therapeutic strategies for ICH.
基金supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.31971106,BWS21L013,and 21WS09002).
文摘Bone defects have serious economic and clinical impacts;however,despite improvements in bone defect management,the range of clinical outcomes remains limited.A variety of biomaterials have been used to treat complex bone defects.However,final bone repair outcomes may be adversely affected by poor osteogenic capacity and risk of infection.Consequently,therapeutic methods are required that reduce bacterial contamination and increase the use of osteogenic biomaterials.Herein,we report the preparation of poly(lactic acid-coglycolic acid)(PLGA)microspheres coloaded with magnesium(Mg^(2+))and gallium(Ga^(3+))ions(Mg-Ga@PLGA),which can fill irregular bone defects and show good biosafety.During in vitro testing,Mg-Ga@PLGA not only showed a synergistic effect on promoting osteogenic differentiation but also inhibited osteoclastic differentiation.Moreover,we found that Mg-Ga@PLGA demonstrated an antibacterial effect.During in vivo testing,Mg Ga@PLGA exhibited strong in situ osteogenic ability.In conclusion,Mg-Ga@PLGA has good potential for treating bone defects at risk of infection.
基金supported by Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation(2024A1515012993)the Project of Hunan Provincial Health Commission(No.D202303078877).
文摘Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is a highly aggressive malignancy,largely driven by an immunosuppres-sive tumor microenvironment(TME)that facilitates tumor growth,immune escape,and resistance to therapy.Although immunotherapy—particularly immune checkpoint inhibitors(ICIs)—has transformed the therapeutic landscape by restoring T cell-mediated anti-tumor responses,their clinical benefit as monotherapy remains suboptimal.This limitation is primarily attributed to immunosuppressive components within the TME,including tumor-associated macrophages,regulatory T cells(Tregs),and myeloid-derived suppressor cells(MDSCs).To address these challenges,combination strategies have been explored,such as dual checkpoint blockade targeting programmed cell death protein 1(PD-1),programmed death-ligand 1(PD-L1),and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4(CTLA-4),as well as synergistic use of ICIs with anti-angiogenic agents or TME-targeted interventions.These approaches have shown encouraging potential in enhancing immune efficacy.This review outlines the complex crosstalk between the TME and immunotherapeutic responses in HCC,emphasizing how combination regimens may overcome immune resistance.Furthermore,we discuss the remaining hurdles,including therapeutic resistance and immune-related adverse events,and propose future directions involving TME-associated biomarkers and individualized treatment strategies to improve patient outcomes.
基金Supported by Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province,No.ZR2020QH185Scientific Research Nurturing Fund of the First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University&Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital,No.QYPY2020NSFC0803Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Health Commission Scientific Research Project,No.Z20210442.
文摘BACKGROUND The stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase(SCD)gene influences colorectal cancer(CRC)pathogenesis,with its expression linked to tumor cell survival and resistance,necessitating further investigation into its role in CRC.AIM To explore the clinical and pathological significance of SCD expression in CRC tissues and to evaluate the affinity between nitidine chloride(NC)and SCD as a target.METHODS Multi-center high-throughput data related to CRC were integrated to calculate the standardized mean difference of SCD mRNA expression levels.Immunohistochemical staining results,Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats knockout screening results of cell growth,and single-cell sequencing were employed to verify the significance of SCD expression in CRC.The clinical and pathological significance of SCD was assessed using pooled receiver operating characteristic curves,sensitivity,specificity,and likelihood ratios.The molecular mechanism of NC against CRC was clarified using the SwissTarget Prediction and functional enrichment,and molecular docking techniques were utilized to explore the targeting affinity between NC and SCD.RESULTS Data from 18 platforms,including 2482 CRC samples and 1334 non-cancerous colorectal tissue controls.SCD expression was significantly upregulated in CRC,with a standardized mean difference of 2.05[95%confidence interval(CI):1.69-2.41].The area under the pooled receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.95(95%CI:0.92-0.96),with a sensitivity of 0.86(95%CI:0.81-0.90)and a specificity of 0.90(95%CI:0.87-0.93).Positive and negative likelihood ratios were 9.02(95%CI:6.49-12.51)and 0.15(95%CI:0.10-0.22),respectively.High SCD protein expression was noted in 208 CRC patients,significantly associated with vascular invasion(P<0.001).At the singlecell level,SCD was significantly overexpressed in CRC cells(P<0.001).A total of 33 CRC cell lines depended on SCD for growth.The potential mechanism of NC against CRC might involve modulation of the cell cycle,positioning SCD as a potential target for NC.CONCLUSION SCD promotes CRC cell growth and thus acts as an oncogenic factor,making it a potential therapeutic target for NC in CRC treatment.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.82160762Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine Scientific Research Project,No.GXZYA20230267+2 种基金China Undergraduate Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program,No.S202410598060XChina Undergraduate Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program,No.X202410598360Future Academic Star of Guangxi Medical University,No.WLXSZX24074.
文摘BACKGROUND In recent years,many studies have shown that proteasome 26S subunit non-ATPase 6(PSMD6)plays an important role in the occurrence and development of malignant tumours.Unfortunately,there are no reports on the evaluation of the potential role of PSMD6 in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).AIM To comprehensively evaluate the overexpression pattern and clinical significance of PSMD6 in HCC tissues.METHODS This study integrated PSMD6 mRNA expression profiles from 4672 HCC and 3667 non-HCC tissues,along with immunohistochemical scores from 383 HCC and adjacent tissues,to assess PSMD6 overexpression in HCC.Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats knockout technology evaluated PSMD6’s essential role in HCC cell growth.Functional enrichment analysis explored the molecular mechanism of PSMD6 abnormalities in HCC.Drug sensitivity analysis and molecular docking analysed the effect of abnormal expression of PSMD6 on the drug sensitivity of HCC cells.RESULTS The results of 41 external and two internal datasets showed that PSMD6 mRNA(SMD=0.26,95%CI:0.09-0.42,P<0.05)and protein(SMD=2.85,95%CI:1.19-4.50,P<0.05)were significantly overexpressed in HCC tissues.The integrated analysis results showed that PSMD6 had a significant overexpression pattern in HCC tissues(SMD=0.40,95%CI:0.15-0.66,P<0.05).PSMD6 knockout inhibited HCC cell growth(chronos scores<-1).Functional enrichment implicated ribosome biogenesis and RNA splicing.Significant enrichment of signalling pathways such as RNA degradation,ribosomes,and chemical carcinogenesis—reactive oxygen species.Drug sensitivity analysis and a molecular docking model showed that high expression of PSMD6 was associated with the tolerance of HCC cells to drugs such as ML323,sepantronium bromide,and GDC0810.Overexpressed PSMD6 effectively distinguished HCC tissues(AUC=0.75,95%CI:0.71-0.79).CONCLUSION This study was the first to discover that PSMD6 was overexpressed in HCC tissues.PSMD6 is essential for the growth of HCC cells and may be involved in ribosome biogenesis and RNA splicing.
基金Supported by the Promoting Project of Basic Capacity for Young and Middle-aged University Teachers in Guangxi,No.2025KY0164Youth Science Foundation of Guangxi Medical University,No.GXMUYSF202423Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Health Commission Scientific Research Project,No.Z-A20220415 and No.Z20210442.
文摘BACKGROUND The prevalence of colorectal cancer(CRC)in younger people is increasing.Despite advances in precision medicine,the challenges of drug resistance and high costs persist.Nitidine chloride(NC)has pharmacological potential,and kinesin family member 20A(KIF20A)is overexpressed in various tumors;however,their interaction in CRC remains unexplored.AIM To investigate the KIF20A expression characteristics in CRC cells and determine whether it is a potential target gene for NC in inhibiting CRC treatment.METHODS Single-cell RNA sequencing(scRNA-seq),spatial transcriptomics,and mRNA expression profiling were used to analyze KIF20A expression in CRC cells.Immunohistochemical staining was used to verify KIF20A expression in 416 clinical samples(208 CRC tissue samples and 208 noncancerous control tissue samples).Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats(CRISPR)technology was used to evaluate the impact of knocking out KIF20A on CRC cell growth.Molecular docking was applied to analyze NC–KIF20A binding.Finally,RNA sequencing and functional enrichment analysis were performed to explore the mechanism of action of NC in CRC cells.RESULTS Treating HCT116 cells with NC was found to significantly downregulate KIF20A(P<0.05),and the molecular docking analysis revealed high-affinity binding between NC and KIF20A(binding energy=-9.6 kcal/mol).The scRNA-seq,spatial transcriptomics,and mRNA expression profiling results confirmed the significantly high expression of KIF20A in CRC tissues(standardized mean difference=1.33,95%confidence interval:0.885-1.77,summary receiver operating characteristic curve area=0.94).The immunohistochemical analysis of the clinical samples showed high KIF20A expression in the CRC tissues(P<0.05),with significant correlation between the level of expression and gender,tumor size,and tumor grade(P<0.05).Knocking out KIF20A significantly inhibited the growth of various CRC cell lines(CRISPR score<-0.3).The functional enrichment analysis indicated that NC may inhibit CRC by disrupting several biological processes,such as mitotic nuclear division,chromosome segregation,and microtubule binding.CONCLUSION Our results indicate that NC binds to KIF20A with high affinity and downregulates its expression in CRC cells,leading to reduced proliferation.Hence,NC has promise as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of CRC,and targeting KIF20A also has potential as a therapeutic strategy.Further KIF20A knockout studies are needed to confirm the binding specificity and mechanistic roles of NC in CRC.
基金Supported by Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Health Commission Scientific Research Project,No.Z-A20220521Guangxi Higher Education Undergraduate Teaching Reform Project,No.2022JGA147The National College Students’Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program,No.202310598042.
文摘BACKGROUND Although thymopoietin(TMPO)has been elucidated to be overexpressed in cancers,its underlying mechanisms are not yet fully understood.AIM To investigate the expression and clinical significance of TMPO in papillary thyroid carcinoma(PTC).METHODS Databases such as Gene Expression Omnibus,The Cancer Genome Atlas Proand summary receiver operating characteristic curves were plotted to evaluate diagnostic performance.A Gene Set Enrichment Analysis enrichment analysis was conducted to identify TMPO-related signaling pathways.A protein interaction network was constructed to identify hub genes.The impact of TMPO on PTC cell proliferation and the effects of its knockout were analyzed using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats(CRISPR)knockout screening and the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia database.RESULTS The TMPO protein was significantly overexpressed in PTC tissues,primarily localized in the cytoplasm and nuclear membrane.The mRNA level analysis showed mild overexpression of TMPO in PTC tissues,with a certain discriminatory value(area under the curve=0.66).TMPO may promote cancer through involvement in cell adhesion,focal adhesion,leukocyte migration,and multiple cancer-related signaling pathways.Additionally,CRISPR gene knockout experiments confirmed that TMPO knockout significantly inhibited the proliferation of PTC cell lines,indicating its important role in tumor growth.CONCLUSION TMPO is overexpressed in PTC and may serve as a therapeutic target and molecular biomarker for PTC.
