Therapeutic potential of Da Cheng Qi Decoction and its ingredients in regulating ferroptosis via the NOX2-GPX4 signaling pathway to alleviate and predict severe acute pancreatitis.

Objective: This study aimed to elucidate the protective effects of Da Cheng Qi Decoction (DCQD) on severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) by targeting ferroptosis in pancreatic acinar cells and to establish a predictive signature and nomogram for acute pancreatitis (AP) risk assessment.

Methods: We utilized microarray analysis to delineate gene expression patterns among 32 healthy controls and 87 AP patients stratified by severity. Employing SAP models and NOX2-deficient cells, we investigated the molecular underpinnings of ferroptosis.

Honokiol Prevents Intestinal Barrier Dysfunction in Mice with Severe Acute Pancreatitis and Inhibits JAK/STAT1 Pathway and Acetylation of HMGB1.

Objective: To investigate the effect of honokiol (HON) and the role of high-mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1) on the pathogenesis of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP).

Methods: Thirty mice were numbered according to weight, and randomly divided into 5 groups using a random number table, including control, SAP, SAP and normal saline (SAP+NS), SAP and ethyl pyruvate (SAP+EP), or SAP+HON groups, 6 mice in each group. Samples of pancreas, intestine, and blood were collected 12 h after SAP model induction for examination of pathologic changes, immune function alterations by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and Western blot.

SnoN residue (1-366) attenuates hypertrophic scars through resistance to transforming growth factor-β1-induced degradation.

Hypertrophic scars (HSs) are characterized by fibroblast hyperproliferation and excessive matrix deposition. During wound healing, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1/Smad signaling acts as a key regulator. As a transcriptional corepressor of TGF-β1/Smads, SnoN is expressed at low levels in many fibrotic diseases due to TGF-β1/Smad-induced degradation.

ASCL2 expression contributes to gastric tumor migration and invasion by downregulating miR223 and inducing EMT.

Achaete‑scute homolog 2 (ASCL2), a basic helix‑loop‑helix transcription factor, serves an essential role in the maintenance of adult intestinal stem cells and the growth of gastric cancer (GC). However, the function of ASCL2 in the metastasis of GC is poorly understood. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of ASCL2 expression on gastric tumor metastasis.

[Strategies of interventing complications in hemodialysis with classical prescriptions from clinical cases].

There are 400 thousand patients with long-term hemodialysis in China nowadays. Hemodialysis, as the most common alternative to renal replacement therapy, prolongs the life span of patients with end stage renal failure. However, there are still many complications of hemodialysis treatment.

Dachengqi Decoction Attenuates Intestinal Vascular Endothelial Injury in Severe Acute Pancreatitis in Vitro and in Vivo.

Background/aims: Dachengqi decoction (DCQD) is a well-known traditional Chinese herbal drug with strong anti-inflammatory effects. Angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) plays a vital role in maintaining the stability and integrity of the vascular wall and prevents vascular leakage due to inflammatory mediators. Our previous work found that DCQD protects against pancreatic injury in rats with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP).

Cantharidin Inhibits the Growth of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells by Suppressing Autophagy and Inducing Apoptosis in Vitro and in Vivo.

Background/aims: Cantharidin, a type of terpenoid secreted by the blister beetle Mylabris phalerata (Pallas), has attracted great attention in cancer therapy because of its potential anti-cancer activities. Here, we report the effects on apoptosis and autophagy in human triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell lines after treatment with cantharidin and attempt to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

Methods: MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 cells were treated with cantharidin and cell proliferation was examined using CCK-8 and clone formation assays.

Loss of the Opa interacting protein 5 inhibits breast cancer proliferation through miR-139-5p/NOTCH1 pathway.

Opa interacting protein 5 (OIP5) has been reported to be over-expressed in several kinds of human cancer. However, the biological function and clinical significance of OIP5 in human breast cancer remains unknown. In this study, we found that OIP5 was notably over-expressed in breast cancer tissues compared with their corresponding nontumorous tissues.

SHCBP1 is over-expressed in breast cancer and is important in the proliferation and apoptosis of the human malignant breast cancer cell line.

Background: SHC SH2-binding protein 1, a member of Src homolog and collagen homolog (Shc) family, has been recently identified in different contexts in unbiased screening assays. It has been reported to be over-expressed in several malignant cancers.

Methods: Immunohistochemistry of SHCBP1 on 128 breast cancer tissues and adjacent normal tissues were used to evaluate the prognostic significance of SHCBP1.

Early prediction of intestinal mucosal barrier function impairment by elevated serum procalcitonin in rats with severe acute pancreatitis.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate serum procalcitonin (PCT) levels as a prognostic indicator of intestinal barrier function impairment in rats with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP).

Methods: Thirty-six male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly grouped into SAP group (injected sodium taurocholate via biliopancreatic duct), Gln group (gavaged with glutamine after modeling), and control group. Blood, pancreatic, and terminal ileum tissues were obtained from the rats after 6 h of modeling.

Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein-Angiopoietin-1 Has a Protective Effect of Vascular Endothelial Barrier in Rat With Acute Necrotizing Pancreatitis.

Objective: To investigate the protective effect of angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) from capillary endothelial damage in rats with acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP).

Methods: 96 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly averaged and divided into control group, ANP group, Si-Ang-1 group, and COMP (cartilage oligomeric matrix protein)-Ang-1 group. Animals were killed at 6, 12, and 24 hours after molding.

Down-regulation of aquaporin 1 in rats with experimental acute necrotizing pancreatitis.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to investigate the expression of aquaporin 1 in capillary endothelial cells of rats with experimental acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP) and to explore its pathogenic role in capillary leak.

Methods: Sixty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control (n = 32) and ANP groups (n = 32). Eight rats in each group were killed at 3, 6, 12, and 18 hours after induction of experimental models.

[Update in the research of gene therapy for pancreatic carcinoma].

With the advances in immunology and molecular biology, new recognition in the pathogenesis, progression, and metastasis of carcinoma have been achieved. Studies on gene therapy for pancreatic carcinoma have been attempted in different ways, such as inhibiting oncogene, activating tumor suppressor gene, inducing apoptosis, applying gene directed enzyme prodrug therapy, and immune activation. New specific target genes and further development of gene technology may bring the break-through in this field.

Polymorphisms at cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase, apolipoproteins B and E and low density lipoprotein receptor genes in patients with gallbladder stone disease.

Aim: To investigate the relationship between gallbladder stone disease (GSD) and single nucleotide polymorphisms of cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase (CYP7A) gene promoter, apolipoprotein (APO) B gene exon 26, APOE gene exon 4 or microsatellite polymorphism of low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) gene exon 18.

Methods: Genotypes of CYP7A, APOB, APOE and LDLR genes were determined in 105 patients with GSD diagnosed by B-mode ultrasonography and 274 control subjects. Serum lipids were analyzed with HITACHI 7060 automatic biochemical analyzer.

[Significance of detection of K-ras gene mutations and CA19-9 in serum for diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma].

Background & Objective: The early diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma is difficult. The serum tumor markers such as CA19-9 have a relatively high sensitivity but with low specificity. The oncogene K-ras is frequently mutated in pancreatic carcinoma and with high specificity.