Clinics最新文献

Background: Gastric Cancer (GC) was the third highest mortality rate among malignant tumors. Currently, no specific treatment is utilized to prevent the progression of GC. The detailed mechanism of GC was still elusive and this study aimed to clarify the mechanism of GC occurrence and development.

Method: This study was performed to clarify the molecular mechanisms of CST1 promoting GC development through activating AKT. The normal gastric tissue cells and GC cell was obtained, followed by transfection with oe-CST1 or sh-CST1, and their apoptosis and viability were evaluated. Finally, Western blot, Flow cytometry assay, Transwell assay, and Scratch assay were used to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of CST1 promoting GC development through activating the AKT pathway.

Results: Research outcomes show a significant elevation in CST1 and AKT protein as well as mRNA quantities in both the model and CST1-activator cohorts in relation to the control. Conversely, these proteins and mRNA concentrations were notably decreased in the presence of the CST1 inhibitor when compared to the model group, a difference that was statistically significant as evidenced by the p-value.

Conclusion: CST1 can promote the gastric cancer process by targeting the AKT pathway.

Objective: To investigate the value of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS) combined with Procalcitonin (PCT) in differentiating Tuberculous Lymph Nodes (TLN) from Metastatic Lymph Nodes (MLN).

Methods: This prospective cohort study included 207 consecutive patients diagnosed with CTL. All patients underwent routine ultrasound and CEUS prior to pathology or laboratory confirmation. Serum indicators were measured by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Predictive modeling was performed by multifactorial logistic regression. Evaluate the diagnostic and calibration performance of the predictive model by drawing Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves and calibration curves, and using Area Under the Curve (AUC) and Hosmer-Lemeshow (H-L) tests.

Results: The diagnosis of MLN was confirmed pathologically or laboratory in 102 of 207 patients (49.27 %), and 50.8 % were confirmed to be TLN. According to imaging findings of CEUS, TLN was more commonly associated with enhanced concentric performance in the arterial phase (67.65 % vs. 40.95 %) and heterogeneous enhancement pattern in lymph nodes (70.59 % vs. 52.38 %). Peak Intensity (PI) of lesions was higher in patients with MLN. Increased age-enhanced concentric performance in the arterial phase, increased PI, and serum PCT greater than 5.39 ng/mL were independent risk factors for MLN. The prediction model of serum PCT combined with CEUS had a higher diagnostic value for MLN. The H-L test indicated a satisfactory model fit (all p > 0.05), and the calibration curve closely approximates the ideal diagonal.

Conclusion: CEUS combined with serum PCT has better clinical application value in the differential diagnosis of TLN and MLN.

Objective: Based on Toll Like Receptor 4 (TLR4)/Nuclear Factor-κB (NF-κB) Exploring the effects of Licochalcone A (LCA) on the proliferation, invasion, and drug resistance of glioma cells through signaling pathways.

Methods: Cultivate human glioma cell line U251 in vitro, induce drug-resistant cell line U251/TMZ with Temozolomide (TMZ), and validate the results. Different concentrations of licorice chalcone A were used to treat U251 cells and U251/TMZ cells, and were named as control group, low-dose group, medium-dose group, and high-dose group, respectively. CCK-8 assay, cell adhesion assay, and Transwell assay were used to detect cell survival rate, cell adhesion rate, number of migrating cells, and number of invading cells, respectively.

Results: The cell survival rate, cell adhesion rate, number of migrating and invading cells in the high-dose group were lower than those in the medium-dose group and lower than those in the control group. High-dose group TLR4, NF-κB mRNA and protein levels were lower than those in the medium dose group and lower than those in the control group (p < 0.05). Compared with the si-NC group, the si-TLR4 group showed a decrease in cell survival rate and adhesion rate, as well as a decrease in the number of migrating and invading cells, the levels of CyclinD1 and N-cadherin proteins decreased, while the levels of E-cadherin protein increased (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: LCA could inhibit the proliferation and metastasis of glioma cells and reverse drug resistance, possibly by inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Background: Sevoflurane (Sev) is an inhalational anesthetic for surgical procedures where it can trigger cognitive dysfunction and neuronal apoptosis. Gyosaponin (GpS) was studied for its effects on brain morphology and cognitive behaviors in Sev-anesthetized rats.

Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were induced by 3 % Sev anesthesia, and 25 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg GpS were injected into the rats by tail vein. The in vitro model of Sev anesthesia was constructed by treating primary rat hippocampal neurons with 4.1 % Sev in the presence of GpS (5, 10, and 20 μM). The neuroprotective effects of GpS against Sev-induced cognitive deficits in rats were evaluated using the open field and Morris water maze tests. The apoptosis of hippocampal neurons was observed using HE staining and TUNEL assay. Apoptosis-related proteins and proteins related to the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway were determined via Western blot. Also, pro-inflammatory factors were measured via ELISA.

Results: GpS diminished the Sev-triggered apoptosis in neurons and Cleaved caspase-3, BAX, TNF-α, IL-6, lessened oxidative stress damage, and stimulated the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. GpS therapy markedly enhanced learning and memory abilities in rats suffering from Sev-related cognitive impairments.

Conclusion: GpS ameliorates Sev-induced neurotoxicity and cognitive dysfunction by modulating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway and alleviating neuronal apoptosis and oxidative stress.

Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a common chronic respiratory disease with a long course and recurrent symptoms, seriously affecting patients' quality of life.

Objectives: This study aimed to explore the interventional value of eight-section brocade exercises in combination with comprehensive measures of the physical function status of patients with COPD.

Method: This is a retrospective study. A total of 94 COPD patients admitted to the studied hospital were divided into two groups according to different intervention methods. The control group was treated with comprehensive intervention, and the research group received eight-section brocade exercises combined with comprehensive intervention.

Results: After an intervention, the research group exhibited longer exercise endurance time (p < 0.05); the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) scores and quality of life scores in the research group were lower than those in the control group (p < 0.05); sleep quality scores of the research group being lower than those of the control group (p < 0.05); both groups experienced a decrease in adverse emotion scores, with the research group scoring lower than the control group (p < 0.05); the research group achieving better physical function status than the control group (p < 0.05); the nursing efficiency rate and satisfaction rate in the research group was higher than those in the control group (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: Eight-section brocade exercises can enhance the exercise endurance of and improve the lung function of COPD patients, which is of great significance for the recovery of patients' physical function.

Objective: To investigate the effect of Mometasone furoate (Elocon Cream) Nasal Spray (MFNS) treatment on hearing secretory Otitis Media (SOM) in younger children.

Methods: Seventy-six children with SOM (ages 5 to 10 years-old) were selected as study subjects and divided into two groups of 38 cases each using a randomized numerical table. The control group was given conventional treatment, and the observation group was treated with MFNS based on the control group. Both groups were treated for 12 weeks. The improvements in clinical symptoms and hearing were compared between the two groups at weeks 4, 8 and 12 of treatment, respectively.

Results: The total effective rate of treatment in the observation group was higher than that in the control group. The middle ear resonance frequency of the children in the observation group was higher than that of the control group at weeks 4, 8 and 12 of treatment, and the air-conduction hearing threshold was lower than that of the control group. The total effective rate of the observation group after 12-weeks of treatment was 92.11 %, which was significantly higher than that of the control group (73.68 %). In addition, the T-ETDQ score of the observation group was lower than that of the control group after treatment.

Conclusion: MFNS has clinical efficacy in the treatment of SOM in young children, which can improve clinical symptoms, promote the recovery of hearing and eustachian tube function, reduce the local inflammatory response, and improve immune function.

Background: The study was to investigate circRBM33 in septic acute lung injury (ALI).

Methods: Treatment of Murine Lung Epithelial-12 cells (MLE-12) cells was performed using 10 ng/mL Lipopolysaccharide (LPS). circRBM33, miR-15a-5p, and Enhancer of zeste homolog 1 (EZH1) were ascertained through RT-qPCR or Western blot analysis. The viability of MLE-12 cells was measured using the MTT assay, and their rate of apoptosis was ascertained through flow cytometry. B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), and Bcl-2-associated X (Bax) were determined using Western blot analysis. Oxidative stress levels were assessed with ELISA kits, and levels of malondialdehyde(MDA) content, Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) activity, and glutathione (GSH) were detected. Dual luciferase reporter gene and RIP assays verified the targeting link between miR-15a-5p and circRBM33 or EZH1. The role of circRBM33 in ALI in vivo was determined by performing cecum ligation-perforation (CLP) surgery. HE staining, W/D pulmonary edema, and histological damage scores were taken to assess the extent of lung tissue damage. ELISA was performed to determine proinflammatory factors in lung tissue and cells.

Results: CircRBM33 downregulation ameliorated ALI-induced edema, apoptotic, and inflammatory reactions in mouse lung tissues. In addition, apoptosis and inflammation mediated by LPS in MLE-12 cells were ameliorated by circRBM33 downregulation, whereas miR-15a-5p knockdown or EZH1 elevation eliminated the action of silencing circRBM33. circRBM33 mediated EZH1 expression by competitive adsorption of miR-15a-5p.

Conclusion: CircRBM33 improves ALI in septic mice by targeting the miR-15a-5p/EZH1 axis.