[Effects of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor γ on Modulating Angiopoietin-Like Protein 4 Synthesis in Caco-2 Cells Exposed to Clostridium butyricum]

Angiopoietin-like protein 4 (ANGPTL4) is considered to be one of the important circulating mediators linking intestinal microorganisms and host lipid metabolism. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor у (PPARγ) on modulating ANGPTL4 synthesis in Caco-2 cells exposed to Clostridium butyricum. The viability of Caco-2 cells and the expression of PPARγ and ANGPTL4 in Caco-2 cells were detected after the Caco-2 cells were co-cultured with C. butyricum at the concentration of 1 x 10^(6), 1 x 10^(7) and 1 x 10^(8) CFU/mL. The results showed that cell viability was enhanced by C. butyricum. Besides, PPARγ and ANGPTL4 expression and secretion in Caco-2 cells was significantly increased by 1 x 10^(7) and 1 x 10^(8) CFU/mL of C. butyricum. Furthermore, the effects of PPARγ on modulating ANGPTL4 synthesis in Caco-2 cells regulated by 1 x 10^(8) CFU/mL of C. butyricum was also be expounded in PPARγ activation/inhibition model based on Caco-2 cells and via ChIP technique. It was found that C. butyricum promoted the binding of PPARγ to the PPAR binding site (chr19: 8362157-8362357, located upstream of the transcriptional start site of angptl4) of the angptl4 gene in Caco-2 cells. However, the PPARγ was not the only way for C. butyricum to stimulate ANGPTL4 production. Taken together, PPARγ played a role in the regulation of ANGPTL4 synthesis by C. butyricum in Caco-2 cells.

Molecular cloning, expression analysis and functional characterization of chicken cytochrome P450 27A1: A novel mitochondrial vitamin D3 25-hydroxylase

Vitamin D₃ is hydroxylated by cytochrome P450 (CYP) before exerting biological effects. The chicken CYP involved in vitamin D₃ 25-hydroxylation has yet to be cloned, and little is known about its functional characteristics, tissue distribution, and cellular expression. We identified a novel, full-length CYP27A1 gene cloned from chicken hepatocyte cDNA that encodes a putative protein of 518 amino acids. Swiss modeling revealed that chicken CYP27A1 has a classic open-fold form. Multisequence homology alignment determined that CYP27A1 contains conserved motifs for substrate recognition and binding. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis in 2-mo-old Partridge Shank broilers demonstrated that CYP27A1 mRNA levels were highest in the liver, followed by the thigh muscles, the breast muscles, and kidneys. The transcripts of CYP27A1 in breast muscles were significantly higher in males than in females. A subcellular localization analysis demonstrated that CYP27A1 was mainly expressed in the mitochondria. In vitro enzyme assays suggested that recombinant CYP27A1 hydroxylates vitamin D₃ at the C-25 position to form 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ (25(OH)D₃). The K_m and V_max values for CYP27A1-dependent vitamin D₃ 25-hydroxylation were estimated to be 4.929 μM and 0.389 mol min^-1 mg^-1 protein, respectively. In summary, these results suggest that CYP27A1 encodes a mitochondrial CYP that plays an important physiologic role in the 25-hydroxylation of vitamin D₃ in chickens, providing novel insights into vitamin D₃ metabolism in this species.

[Risk factors for residual cancer or lymph node metastasis after endoscopic noncurable resection of early colorectal cancer]

Objective: Risk factors related to residual cancer or lymph node metastasis after endoscopic non-curative resection of early colorectal cancer were analyzed to predict the risk of residual cancer or lymph node metastasis, optimize the indications of radical surgical surgery, and avoid excessive additional surgical operations. Methods: Clinical data of 81 patients who received endoscopic treatment for early colorectal cancer in the Department of Endoscopy, Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from 2009 to 2019 and received additional radical surgical surgery after endoscopic resection with pathological indication of non-curative resection were collected to analyze the relationship between various factors and the risk of residual cancer or lymph node metastasis after endoscopic resection. Results: Of the 81 patients, 17 (21.0%) were positive for residual cancer or lymph node metastasis, while 64 (79.0%) were negative. Among 17 patients with residual cancer or positive lymph node metastasis, 3 patients had only residual cancer (2 patients with positive vertical cutting edge). 11 patients had only lymph node metastasis, and 3 patients had both residual cancer and lymph node metastasis. Lesion location, poorly differentiated cancer, depth of submucosal invasion ≥2 000 μm, venous invasion were associated with residual cancer or lymph node metastasis after endoscopic (P<0.05). Logistic multivariate regression analysis showed that poorly differentiated cancer (OR=5.513, 95% CI: 1.423, 21.352, P=0.013) was an independent risk factor for residual cancer or lymph node metastasis after endoscopic non-curative resection of early colorectal cancer. Conclusions: For early colorectal cancer after endoscopic non-curable resection, residual cancer or lymph node metastasis is associated with poorly differentiated cancer, depth of submucosal invasion ≥2 000 μm, venous invasion and the lesions are located in the descending colon, transverse colon, ascending colon and cecum with the postoperative mucosal pathology result. For early colorectal cancer, poorly differentiated cancer is an independent risk factor for residual cancer or lymph node metastasis after endoscopic non-curative resection, which is suggested that radical surgery should be added after endoscopic treatment.

Exchange bias effect in polycrystalline Bi0.5Sr0.5Fe0.5Cr0.5O3 bulk

Bulk Bi_0.5Sr_0.5Fe_0.5Cr_0.5O₃ (BSFCO) is a new compound comprising the R3c structure. The structural, magnetic property and exchange bias (EB) details are investigated. The material was in the super-paramagnetic (SP) state at room temperature. Exchange bias usually occurs at the boundary between different magnetic states after field cooling (H_FC) acts on the sample. Here the result shows that changing H_FC from 1 to 6 T reduces the H_EB value by 16% at 2 K at the same time. Meanwhile, H_EB diminishes as the ferromagnetic layer thickness increases. The variation of (the thickness of ferromagnetic layer) t_FM with the change of H_FC leads to the tuning of H_EB by H_FC in BSFCO bulk. These effects are obviously different from the phenomenon seen in other oxide types.

[Clinical and gene mutation characteristics of patients with hereditary ellipsocytosis: nine cases report and literature review]

Objective: To report gene mutations in nine patients with hereditary elliptocytosis (HE) and analyze the characteristics of pathogenic gene mutations in HE. Methods: The clinical and gene mutations of nine patients clinically diagnosed with HE at Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital from June 2018 to February 2022 were reported and verified by next-generation sequencing to analyze the relationship between gene mutations and clinical phenotypes. Results: Erythrocyte membrane protein gene mutations were detected among nine patients with HE, including six with SPTA1 mutation, one with SPTB mutation, one with EPB41 mutation, and one with chromosome 20 copy deletion. A total of 11 gene mutation sites were involved, including 6 known mutations and 5 novel mutations. The five novel mutations included SPTA1: c.1247A>C (p. K416T) in exon 9, c.1891delG (p. A631fs*17) in exon 15, E6-E12 Del; SPTB: c.154C>T (p. R52W) ; and EPB41: c.1636A>G (p. I546V) . Three of the six patients with the SPTA1 mutation were SPTA1 exon 9 mutation. Conclusion: SPTA1 is the most common mutant gene in patients with HE.

[Three-dimensional pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling for evaluation of cerebral hemodynamic changes after revascularization in adult patients with moyamoya disease]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate cerebral hemodynamic changes using three-dimensional pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling (3D-pCASL) and its association with the changes of neurological symptoms in adult patients with moyamoya disease after revascularization.

METHODS

We prospectively collected the clinical and radiographic data of 40 adult patients with moyamoya disease diagnosed by digital subtraction angiography (DSA) or magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) undergoing unilateral superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery (STA-MCA) anastomosis. All the patients underwent 3D-pCASL examination before and after the surgery, and were followed up for 3 to 11 months after the operation. The region of interest (ROI) was located in the middle cerebral artery cortical territory covering the surgical side and ipsilateral cerebellar hemisphere. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) and relative CBF (rCBF) values were compared before and after the surgery, and the changes in cerebral hemodynamics were evaluated. The correlations were analyzed between preoperative rCBF and Suzuki stage and between the changes in postoperative neurological symptoms and rCBF.

RESULTS

The mean CBF of the patients increased significantly from 53.96±10.04 mL·100 g^-1·min^-1 to 58.90±13.57 mL·100 g^-1·min^-1 after the operation (t=-3.068, P=0.004); the mean rCBF also increased significantly after the operation (0.96 ± 0.14 vs 1.15 ± 0.18; t=-7.155, P < 0.001). The changes in postoperative neurological symptoms were significantly correlated with the changes in rCBF (P=0.017) and the type of disease onset (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

3D-pCASL is an valuable means for noninvasive monitoring of hemodynamic changes after revascularization in adult patients with moyamoya disease without the use of contrast agent.

[DTX2 overexpression promotes migration and invasion of colorectal cancer cells through the Notch2/Akt axis]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of changes in DTX2 expression level on migration and invasion of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells and explore the mechanism.

METHODS

Two CRC cell lines SW620 and LoVo were transfected with a specific shRNA targeting DTX2 (DTX2-shRNA) or a DTX2-overexpressing plasmid (pcDNA-DTX2), and the transfection efficiency was evaluated with RT-qPCR and Western blotting. Scratch and Transwell assays were used to assess the changes in migration and invasion ability of the transfected cells, and the cellular expression levels of Notch2, NICD, AKT, p-Akt and MMP-2/9 proteins were detected with Western blotting. The CRC cells were co-transfected with pcDNA-DTX2 and Notch2 siRNA to assess the effect of Notch2 knockdown on DTX2 overexpression-induced enhancement of cell migration and invasion.

RESULTS

The expression levels of DTX2 at both the mRNA and protein levels were significantly decreased in CRC cells transfected with DTX2- shRNA (P < 0.01) and increased in cells transfected with pcDNA-DTX2 (P < 0.01). Scratch and Transwell assays showed that the migration and invasion abilities of CRC cells were significantly lowered following DTX2 knockdown (P < 0.01) and were enhanced in cells with DTX2 overexpression (P < 0.01). The expression levels of Notch2, NICD, p-Akt and MMP-2 proteins decreased significantly in CRC cells with DTX2 knockdown (P < 0.05) and increased obviously in DTX2-overexpressing cells (P < 0.05). In both of the two CRC cell lines, transfection with Notch2 siRNA obviously reversed the effect of DTX2 overexpression in promoting cell migration and invasion (P < 0.01) and expressions of the related proteins.

CONCLUSION

DTX2 overexpression promotes migration and invasion of CRC cells through the Notch2/Akt axis, suggesting the potential of DTX2 as a new biological indicator of CRC.

[The effect of on-demand glucocorticoid strategy on the occurrence and outcome of p-ALG-associated serum sickness in aplastic anemia]

Objective: To investigate the effect of on-demand glucocorticoid strategy on the occurrence and outcome of porcine anti-lymphocyte globulin (p-ALG) -associated serum sickness in aplastic anemia (AA) . Methods: The data of AA patients who received in the Anemia Diagnosis and Treatment Center of Haematology Hospital, CAMS & PUMC from January 2019 to January 2022 were collected. Among them, 35 patients were enrolled in the on-demand group, with the glucocorticoid strategy adjusted based on the occurrence and severity of serum sickness; 105 patients were recruited in the usual group by matching the age and disease diagnosis according to 1∶3 ratio in patients who received a conventional glucocorticoid strategy in the same period. The incidences, clinical manifestations, treatment outcomes of serum sickness, and glucocorticoid dosage between the two groups were analyzed. Results: The incidences of serum sickness in the on-demand group and the usual group were 65.7% and 54.3% (P=0.237) , respectively. The median onset of serum sickness was the same [12 (9, 13) d vs the 12 (10, 13) d, P=0.552], and clinical symptoms and signs, primarily joint, and/or muscle pain, fever, and rash were similar. Severity grades were both dominated by Grades 1-2 (62.8% vs 51.4%) , with only a few Grade 3 (2.9% vs 2.9%) , and no Grades 4-5. No significant difference in the serum sickness distribution (P=0.530) . The median duration of serum sickness was the same [5 (3, 7) d vs 5 (3, 6) d, P=0.529], and all patients were completely cured after glucocorticoid therapy. In patients without serum sickness, the average dosage of prophylactic glucocorticoid per patient in the usual group was (469.48 ±193.57) mg (0 in the on-demand group) . When compared to the usual group, the average therapeutic glucocorticoid dosage per patient in the on-demand group was significantly lower [ (125.91±77.70) mg vs (653.90±285.56) mg, P<0.001]. Conclusions: In comparison to the usual glucocorticoid strategy, the on-demand treatment strategy could significantly reduce glucocorticoid dosage without increasing the incidence of serum sickness; in addition, the duration of serum sickness and the incidence of above Grade 2-serum sickness were similar.

[Metagenomic next-generation sequencing of plasma for the identification of bloodstream infectious pathogens in severe aplastic anemia]

Objective: To analyze the diagnostic value of cell-free plasma metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) pathogen identification for severe aplastic anemia (SAA) bloodstream infection. Methods: From February 2021 to February 2022, mNGS and conventional detection methods (blood culture, etc.) were used to detect 33 samples from 29 consecutive AA patients admitted to the Anemia Diagnosis and Treatment Center of the Hematology Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences to assess the diagnostic consistency of mNGS and conventional detection, as well as the impact on clinical treatment benefits and clinical accuracy. Results: ①Among the 33 samples evaluated by mNGS and conventional detection methods, 25 cases (75.76%) carried potential pathogenic microorganisms. A total of 72 pathogenic microorganisms were identified from all cases, of which 65 (90.28%) were detected only by mNGS. ②All 33 cases were evaluated for diagnostic consistency, of which 2 cases (6.06%) were Composite, 18 cases (54.55%) were mNGS only, 2 cases (6.06%) were Conventional method only, 1 case (3.03%) was both common compliances (mNGS/Conventional testing) , and 10 cases (30.3%) were completely non-conforming (None) . ③All 33 cases were evaluated for clinical treatment benefit. Among them, 8 cases (24.24%) received Initiation of targeted treatment, 1 case (3.03%) received Treatment de-escalation, 13 cases (39.39%) received Confirmation, and the remaining 11 cases (33.33%) received No clinical benefit. ④ The sensitivity of 80.77%, specificity of 70.00%, positive predictive value of 63.64%, negative predictive value of 84.85%, positive likelihood ratio of 2.692, and negative likelihood ratio of 0.275 distinguished mNGS from conventional detection methods (21/12 vs 5/28, P<0.001) . Conclusion: mNGS can not only contribute to accurately diagnosing bloodstream infection in patients with aplastic anemia, but can also help to guide accurate anti-infection treatment, and the clinical accuracy is high.

Prediction of lymph node metastasis in stage T1-2 rectal cancers with MRI-based deep learning

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to investigate whether a deep learning (DL) model based on preoperative MR images of primary tumors can predict lymph node metastasis (LNM) in patients with stage T1-2 rectal cancer.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, patients with stage T1-2 rectal cancer who underwent preoperative MRI between October 2013 and March 2021 were included and assigned to the training, validation, and test sets. Four two-dimensional and three-dimensional (3D) residual networks (ResNet18, ResNet50, ResNet101, and ResNet152) were trained and tested on T2-weighted images to identify patients with LNM. Three radiologists independently assessed LN status on MRI, and diagnostic outcomes were compared with the DL model. Predictive performance was assessed with AUC and compared using the Delong method.

RESULTS

In total, 611 patients were evaluated (444 training, 81 validation, and 86 test). The AUCs of the eight DL models ranged from 0.80 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.75, 0.85) to 0.89 (95% CI: 0.85, 0.92) in the training set and from 0.77 (95% CI: 0.62, 0.92) to 0.89 (95% CI: 0.76, 1.00) in the validation set. The ResNet101 model based on 3D network architecture achieved the best performance in predicting LNM in the test set, with an AUC of 0.79 (95% CI: 0.70, 0.89) that was significantly greater than that of the pooled readers (AUC, 0.54 [95% CI: 0.48, 0.60]; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The DL model based on preoperative MR images of primary tumors outperformed radiologists in predicting LNM in patients with stage T1-2 rectal cancer.

KEY POINTS

• Deep learning (DL) models with different network frameworks showed different diagnostic performance for predicting lymph node metastasis (LNM) in patients with stage T1-2 rectal cancer. • The ResNet101 model based on 3D network architecture achieved the best performance in predicting LNM in the test set. • The DL model based on preoperative MR images outperformed radiologists in predicting LNM in patients with stage T1-2 rectal cancer.

Integrated Analysis of DNA Methylation and Gene Expression in Porcine Placental Development

Proper placental development is crucial for the conceptus to grow and survive, because the placenta is responsible for transporting nutrients and oxygen from the pregnant female to the developing fetus. However, the processes of placental morphogenesis and fold formation remain to be fully elucidated. In this study, we used whole-genome bisulfite sequencing and RNA sequencing to produce a global map of DNA methylation and gene expression changes in placentas from Tibetan pig fetuses 21, 28, and 35 days post-coitus. Substantial changes in morphology and histological structures at the uterine-placental interface were revealed via hematoxylin-eosin staining. Transcriptome analysis identified 3959 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and revealed the key transcriptional properties in three stages. The DNA methylation level in the gene promoter was negatively correlated with gene expression. We identified a set of differentially methylated regions associated with placental developmental genes and transcription factors. The decrease in DNA methylation level in the promoter was associated with the transcriptional activation of 699 DEGs that were functionally enriched in cell adhesion and migration, extracellular matrix remodeling, and angiogenesis. Our analysis provides a valuable resource for understanding the mechanisms of DNA methylation in placental development. The methylation status of different genomic regions plays a key role in establishing transcriptional patterns from placental morphogenesis to fold formation.

A sex- and site-specific relationship between body mass index and osteoarthritis: evidence from observational and genetic analyses

OBJECTIVE

We primarily aimed to investigate whether there are phenotypic and genetic links underlying body mass index (BMI) and overall osteoarthritis (OA). We then intended to explore whether the relationships differ across sexes and sites.

METHOD

We first evaluated the phenotypic association between BMI and overall OA using data from the UK Biobank. We then investigated the genetic relationship leveraging summary statistics of the hitherto largest genome-wide association studies performed for BMI and overall OA. Finally, we repeated all analyses in a sex- (female, male) and site- (knee, hip, spine) specific manner.

RESULTS

Observational analysis suggested an increased hazard of diagnosed OA per 5 kg/m² increment in BMI (hazard ratio = 1.38, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.37-1.39). A positive overall genetic correlation was observed for BMI and OA (r_g = 0.43, P = 4.72 × 10^-133), corroborated by 11 significant local signals. Cross-trait meta-analysis identified 34 pleiotropic loci shared between BMI and OA, of which seven were novel. Transcriptome-wide association study revealed 29 shared gene-tissue pairs, targeting nervous, digestive, and exo/endocrine systems. Mendelian randomization demonstrated a robust BMI-OA causal relationship (odds ratio = 1.47, 95% CI = 1.42-1.52). A similar pattern of effects was observed in sex- and site-specific analyses, with BMI affecting OA comparably in both sexes and most strongly in the knee.

CONCLUSION

Our work demonstrates an intrinsic relationship underlying BMI and overall OA, reflected by a pronounced phenotypic association, significant biological pleiotropy, and a putative causal link. Stratified analysis further reveals that the effects are distinct across sites and comparable across sexes.

miR-199-3p suppresses cellular migration and viability and promotes progesterone production in goose ovarian follicles before selection through regulating ITGB8 and other ECM-related genes

1. The extracellular matrix (ECM) constitutes the basal lamina and the area between follicular cells. Remodelling the ECM is believed to be a key event in follicular development, especially during selection, and plays an important role in cell migration, survival, and steroidogenesis. miR-199-3p is differentially expressed in the goose granulosa layer during follicular selection and is reported to play a primary role in inhibiting cell migration and invasion. Nevertheless, the effect of miR-199-3p on ovarian follicles and its role in follicular cellular migration is not understood.2. In this study, qRT-PCR assays revealed that miR-199-3p was differentially expressed in the granulosa layer from goose ovarian follicles before and after follicular selection. Additionally, miR-199-3p overexpression in cultured granulosa cells (GCs) from goose pre-hierarchical follicles significantly suppressed cell viability and migration. It elevated the concentration of progesterone and the expression of key progesterone production genes. Furthermore, miR-199-3p overexpression in the GCs of goose pre-hierarchical follicles inhibited the expression of ECM-related genes (ITGB8, MMP9 and MMP15) yet promoted the expression of another two ECM-related genes (COL4A1 and LAMA1). Finally, dual-fluorescence reporter experiments on 293T cells established the direct targeting of ECM gene ITGB8 by miR-199-3p.3. In conclusion, miR-199-3p may participate in granulosa cell migration, viability, and steroidogenesis in goose ovarian follicles before selection by modulating ITGB8 and other ECM-related genes.

Value of pre-treatment 18F-FDG PET/CT radiomics in predicting the prognosis of stage III-IV colorectal cancer

Background and purpose

To investigate the value of radiomics features extracted from pre-treatment ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT in predicting the outcomes of stage III-IV colorectal cancer (CRC), which may assist in clinical management strategies and precise treatment of stage III-IV CRC.

Materials and methods

124 patients with pathologically confirmed stage III-IV CRC who underwent pre-treatment ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT scans were enrolled in this study. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator Cox regression (LASSO-Cox) was used to select radiomics features, and the radiomics scores (Rad-scores) were calculated to build radiomics models. The performance of radiomics models was represented by the concordance index (C-index) and compared with clinical models and complex model. The bootstrap resampling method was used to create validation sets. Additionally, nomograms were developed based on complex models.

Results

The C-indices of the radiomics model for predicting PFS and OS were 0.712 (95%CI: 0.680-0.744) and 0.758 (0.728-0.789), respectively. In the clinical model, these values were 0.690 (0.664-0.0.717) and 0.738 (0.709-0.767), respectively. However, in the complex model were 0.734 (0.705-0.762) and 0.780 (0.754-0.807), respectively. The Kaplan-Meier curves demonstrated that the radiomics model could effectively separate patients with stage III-IV stage CRC into high- and low-risk groups (p < 0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis confirmed the independent prognostic value of Rad-scores.

Conclusion

Pre-treatment ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT radiomics features can stratify the risk of patients with stage III-IV CRC and accurately predict their outcomes. These findings could be clinically valuable for precision treatment and management decisions in stage III-IV CRC.

Ultra-low-dose CT lung screening with artificial intelligence iterative reconstruction: evaluation via automatic nodule-detection software

AIM

To test the feasibility of ultra-low-dose (ULD) computed tomography (CT) combined with an artificial intelligence iterative reconstruction (AIIR) algorithm for screening pulmonary nodules using computer-assisted diagnosis (CAD).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A chest phantom with artificial pulmonary nodules was first scanned using the routine protocol and the ULD protocol (3.28 versus 0.18 mSv) to compare the image quality and to test the acceptability of the ULD CT protocol. Next, 147 lung-screening patients were enrolled prospectively, undergoing an additional ULD CT immediately after their routine CT examination for clinical validation. Images were reconstructed with filtered back-projection (FBP), hybrid iterative reconstruction (HIR), the AIIR, and were imported to the CAD software for preliminary nodule detection. Subjective image quality on the phantom was scored using a five-point scale and compared using the Mann-Whitney U-test. Nodule detection using CAD was evaluated for ULD HIR and AIIR images using the routine dose image as reference.

RESULTS

Higher image quality was scored for AIIR than for FBP and HIR at ULD (p<0.001). As reported by CAD, 107 patients were presented with more than five nodules on routine dose images and were chosen to represent the challenging cases at an early stage of pulmonary disease. Among such, the performance of nodule detection by CAD on ULD HIR and AIIR images was 75.2% and 92.2% of the routine dose image, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Combined with AIIR, it was feasible to use an ULD CT protocol with 95% dose reduction for CAD-based screening of pulmonary nodules.

Mechanism of Qingre Huoxue Fang treatment on inhibiting angiogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis based on network pharmacology and in vitro experiments

This study aimed to explore the mechanism of Qingre Huoxue Fang (QRHXF) treatment on anti-angiogenesis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) based on network pharmacology and in vitro experiments. We used the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) and Therapeutic Target (TTD) database to extract the active components of QRHXF and potential targets for regulating angiogenesis. First, we used Cytoscape bioinformatics software to construct the network of QRHXF-angiogenesis and screened the potential targets. Then, we performed gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis on the potential core targets. In addition, enzyme-linked immune assay and Western blot were used for in vitro validation and to verify the effects of different concentrations of QRHXF on the expression levels of the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor type 1 (VEGFR-1) and VEGFR-2 cytokines and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3k) and Ak strain transforming (Akt) proteins in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). In results, we screened 179 core QRHXF antiangiogenic targets, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) cytokines. Enrichment analysis showed that the targets were enriched in 56 core signaling pathways, including PI3k and Akt. In vitro experiments showed that the migration distance and square, adhesion optical density (OD) values, and the number of branch points in tube formation significantly decreased in the QRHXF group compared with the induced group (P<0.01). Notably, the serum levels of VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 were lower compared with the induced group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). In addition, the expressions of PI3K and p-Akt proteins were decreased in the middle- and high doses groups (P<0.01). This study's results suggest that the downstream mechanism of QRHXF anti-angiogenesis might inhibit the PI3K-Akt signalling pathway and downregulate VEGF-1 and VEGF-2.

Mechanism of Qingre Huoxue Fang treatment on inhibiting angiogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis based on network pharmacology and in vitro experiments

This study aimed to explore the mechanism of Qingre Huoxue Fang (QRHXF) treatment on anti-angiogenesis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) based on network pharmacology and in vitro experiments. We used the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) and Therapeutic Target (TTD) database to extract the active components of QRHXF and potential targets for regulating angiogenesis. First, we used Cytoscape bioinformatics software to construct the network of QRHXF-angiogenesis and screened the potential targets. Then, we performed gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis on the potential core targets. In addition, enzyme-linked immune assay and Western blot were used for in vitro validation and to verify the effects of different concentrations of QRHXF on the expression levels of the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor type 1 (VEGFR-1) and VEGFR-2 cytokines and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3k) and Ak strain transforming (Akt) proteins in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). In results, we screened 179 core QRHXF antiangiogenic targets, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) cytokines. Enrichment analysis showed that the targets were enriched in 56 core signaling pathways, including PI3k and Akt. In vitro experiments showed that the migration distance and square, adhesion optical density (OD) values, and the number of branch points in tube formation significantly decreased in the QRHXF group compared with the induced group (P<0.01). Notably, the serum levels of VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 were lower compared with the induced group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). In addition, the expressions of PI3K and p-Akt proteins were decreased in the middle- and high doses groups (P<0.01). This study's results suggest that the downstream mechanism of QRHXF anti-angiogenesis might inhibit the PI3K-Akt signalling pathway and downregulate VEGF-1 and VEGF-2.