Aconite aqueous extract inhibits the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma through CCL2-dependent enhancement of natural killer cell infiltration / 中西医结合学报

OBJECTIVE@#Aconite is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine that has been found to inhibit the development of liver cancer; however, its exact molecular mechanisms in this process remain unclear. This study explores how aconite aqueous extract (AAE) inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).@*METHODS@#An in vivo mouse model of subcutaneous liver cancer was established. After AAE treatment, immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to determine the effect of AAE on natural killer (NK) cells. Subsequently, C57BL/6 mice were used to establish the subcutaneous tumor model, and a group of these mice were treated with anti-PK163 antibody to remove NK cells, which was verified by flow cytometry and IHC. The effect of AAE on the proliferation of HCC cells in vitro was determined using cell counting kit-8. The effect of AAE on chemokine production in HCC cells was measured using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The effect of AAE on the migration of NK cells was determined using a transwell assay. Finally, the molecular mechanism was investigated using the Western blotting method.@*RESULTS@#We demonstrated that the ability of AAE to induce overexpression of the cytokine C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) in HCC cells is fundamental to the infiltration of NK cells into the tumor bed. Mechanistically, we found that the upregulation of CCL2 was achieved by the activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase but not extracellular regulated protein kinase or p38.@*CONCLUSION@#Our findings suggest that AAE can be used as an effective immune adjuvant to enhance antitumor immunity by increasing NK cell infiltration into tumors, which could help to improve the efficacy of HCC treatments. Please cite this article as: Yang KD, Zhang X, Shao MC, Wang LN. Aconite aqueous extract inhibits the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma through CCL2-dependent enhancement of natural killer cell infiltration. J Integr Med. 2023; 21(6): 575-583.

Association between frailty and serum biomarkers in older adults / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective To investigate the relationship between frailty and serum biomarkers in the elderly. Methods A total of 371 elderly individuals aged 60 years and above with complete medical data were recruited during health examinations. Frailty phenotype assessment and comprehensive geriatric assessment were conducted.Serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6 ) ,high sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP) ,tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) ,homocysteine(Hcy) ,insulin-like growth factor-1(IGF-1) ,25-hydroxyvitamin D[25(OH)D] ,folic acid and vitamin B12(VitB12) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays ( ELISA ) and chemiluminescence immunoassays. Associations between frailty and the above factors were analyzed. Results Serum levels of IL-6 ,TNF-α ,Hcy and IGF-1 were significantly elevated along with progressive increase in frailty severity(all P＜0.05).There were a downward trend in serum 25(OH)D levels and an upward trend in serum hs-CRP ,folic acid and VitB12 levels as frailty severity increased ,but the changes did not amount to any statistical significance(all P＞0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that ,after adjusting for age ,gender ,body mass index (BMI)and some clinical aspects (hearing loss ,urinary incontinence ,pain ,malnutrition ,cognitive dysfunction ,decreased activities of daily living ,depression , insomnia ,and anemia) ,serum levels of IL-6(OR=1.012 ,95% CI=1.005-2.041 ,P=0.033) ,IGF-1 (OR= 1.017 ,95% CI = 1.011-1.118 ,P= 0.021)and Hcy (OR= 1.007 ,95% CI :1.002-1.073 ,P=0.047)were significantly associated with frailty status. Conclusions Serum levels of IL-6 ,Hcy and IGF-1 are related to frailty status and may be used as potential biomarkers for the assessment of frailty in older adults.

Analysis of the risk factors of cognitive impairment in post-intensive care syndrome patient / 中华危重病急救医学

Objective To investigate the risk factors of cognitive impairment in post-intensive care syndrome patient (PICS-CI).Methods A retrospective study was conducted. The patient who transferred from post-intensive care unit (ICU) to the general ward for more than 7 days, and with the age ≥ 18 years old in the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University from October 2015 to November 2016 were enrolled. The gender, age, marital status, education, occupation, salary, economic income, smoking, alcohol drinking, previous of history, mechanical ventilation, the length of ICU stay, sedative and delirium, and initial diagnosis were recorded. According to mini-mental state examination (MMSE), the patients were divided into cognitive impairment (CI) group and non-CI group. Univariate analysis was performed to identify the risk factors of PICS-CI, and variables with statistical difference were selected to do multivariate binary logistic regression analysis for the confirmable independence risk factors.Results 104 of the 290 patients developed CI, and the incidence was 35.86%. Univariate analysis showed that the gender, age, education, financial situation, smoking, alcohol drinking, previous of history, mechanical ventilation, the length of ICU stay, sedative and delirium, and initial diagnosis were recorded of ICU were main predictors of PICS-CI patients. It was shown by multivariate binary logistic regression analysis that the age > 60 years old [odds ratio (OR) = 7.523, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) = 2.572-37.851,P = 0.001], mechanical ventilation (OR = 8.773, 95%CI = 2.588-36.344,P < 0.001), sedation (OR = 9.376, 95%CI = 2.661-42.011,P = 0.002), and delirium (OR = 13.201, 95%CI = 2.502-41.433, P < 0.001) were PICS-CI independence risk factors.Conclusions Nurse staffs should strength care and attention on ICU transferred out patients. In order to minimize PICS impairment, special precaution should be implemented according to different aspects.

A novel mutation in TPRS1 gene caused tricho-rhino-phalangeal syndrome in a Chinese patient with severe osteoporosis / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

Tricho-rhino-phalangeal syndrome (TRPS) was first reported in 1966. Although mutation of TRPS1 gene is considered to be responsible for the syndromes in 2000, investigation of bone metabolism and changes of serum insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 level in this kind of patients is rare. Here, we report a patient with TRPS I (MIM 190350) presenting a novel mutation (1096insA) and abnormal changes of severe osteoporosis as well as low serum IGF-I level.

Effect of sleep recovery on the executive function of the brain: an ERP study / 军事医学科学院院刊

Objective To explore the effect of recovery sleep on the executive function after 36 h of total sleep deprivation by event related potential technology.Methods Thirteen healthy male college students participated in two trials. At the first trial normal sleep as control was investigated. At the second trial participants experienced 36 h of sleep deprivation and then accepted 8 h recovery sleep. In each trial six Go/Nogo tests were employed to test the executive control function and the ERP data were recorded. Results There was no statistical difference in behavior and ERP results at each time point as the subjects had normal sleep. After 36 h of sleep deprivation, the behavior results were statistically significant when compared to the baseline. The amplitude and latency of Nogo-N2, Nogo-P3 on Fz electrode, the amplitude and latency of Nogo-P3 on Cz electrode showed statistical significance when compared to the baseline. After 8 h recovery sleep, the average correct reaction time and the Go correct reaction rate had statistical significance compared to 36 h value. The amplitude of Nogo-N2 and Nogo-P3 had no statistical significance compared to the baseline.However,it was of statistical significance[(-6.80 3.95)vs(-3.37 2.63)μV,(10.63±6.62)vs(5.63±5.45)μV,(9.49±7.37)vs(6.08±6.56)μV] compared to 36 h value. The latency of the recovery value of Nogo-N2 and Nogo-P3 was statistically significant[(254.14±15.55)vs(243.08±13.97)ms(382.14±41.07)vs(349.17±30.36)ms,(369.86±26.48)vs(347.48±29.24)ms]compared to the baseline.Conclusion As the time of sleep deprivation is prolonged, the executive function is impaired and the executive function is not completely recovered after 8 h recovery sleep.