Validation of the Chinese version of the Fear of Birth Scale among pregnant women

AIM

Adapt Fear of Birth Scale (FOBS) for the Chinese context, evaluate psychometric properties and determine optimal cutoff point for pregnant women in 3rd trimester.

DESIGN

This is a descriptive cross-sectional study. Cultural guidelines informed the development of the Chinese version of FOBS (FOBS-C) incorporating validation on translation, equivalence index, content validity index, and cognitive debriefing. Thirty pregnant women took a test-retest survey and another 1019 took three cross-sectional surveys. Convergent validation of the FOBS-C involved comparison with Childbirth Attitudes Questionnaire (CAQ), Wijma Delivery Expectancy Questionnaire (WDEQ-A), Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), and physiological indicators. Cutoff points for FOBS-C were identified using receiver operating characteristic analysis against medical indicators.

FINDINGS

FOBS-C demonstrated high translation equivalence (0.833-1), content validity (0.800-0.933), internal consistency (0.897), and test-retest reliability (0.860). Convergent validity was supported by statistically significant correlations between FOBS scores, heart rate, skin conductance changes, as well as scores from WDEQ-A, CAQ, EPDS, and GAD-7. Known-group validity was observed with different medical indicators. FOBS-C cutoff points indicating severe fear of childbirth were identified as 65, 68, 71, and 56, respectively, against WDEQ-A ≥ 85, CAQ ≥ 52, preference for C-section birth, and preference for analgesia, demonstrating known-group validity. A cutoff point of 65 showed the FOBS-C's strongest known-group validity.

CONCLUSION

The FOBS-C exhibits robust psychometric properties, making it a valid screening tool for identifying severe fear of birth. Establishing a cutoff point at 65 facilitates effective screening.

Biosafety and biosecurity: treading China's synbio tightrope

Our second piece dissects China's intricate balancing act in synthetic biology (synbio), analyzing its adept maneuvering between fostering innovation and imposing strict regulations. The priority is enhancing biosecurity, biosafety, and public trust, crucial for sustainable gene editing advancements and preventing potential misuse of synthetic viruses.

Intellectual property and funding: fueling Chinese synbio

As China emerges as a synthetic biology (synbio) global leader, it faces distinct science-society challenges. Our series offers a snapshot of China's synbio state, emphasizing the intersection and its policy implications. The debut piece elucidates the intellectual property rights (IPR)-funding interplay in China's expanding synbio territory, underlining its key role in driving innovation and commercialization.

Influence of Imbibition Fracturing Fluid on the Original Water and Methane Occurrence in Actual Coalbed Methane Reservoirs Using the Integrated Device of Displacement and Low-Field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

The original water in the coal rock pores plays a controlling role in the occurrence of gas. Furthermore, during the hydraulic fracturing process, pressurized fracturing fluid with a higher pressure than the original pore pressure in the fractures drives the fracturing fluid to infiltrate into the coal rock pores, thereby altering the occurrence pattern of gas and water in the original pores. However, due to the limitations of the indoor simulation device, a systematic conclusion on the impact of the original pore water and imbibition fracturing fluid on coalbed methane reservoirs has not yet been formed. In this paper, an integrated device combining displacement and low-field nuclear magnetic resonance was employed using underground cylindrical coal rock samples as experimental subjects. Experimental conditions were maintained at a temperature of 30 °C, a confining pressure of 23 MPa, and an approximate reservoir pressure of 15 MPa. The initial water saturation levels were altered to 0, 27.88, and 42.18% to replicate the conditions of a coalbed methane reservoir at a depth of approximately 1200 m. Fracturing fluid with a pressure of 18 MPa was injected into the experimental samples to simulate the impact of the fracturing fluid on the original reservoir during hydraulic fracturing. This allowed for a realistic assessment of the influence of initial water saturation and fracturing fluid absorption on the coalbed methane recovery rate in the reservoir. The experimental results indicate that the imbibition process promotes the desorption of adsorbed gas, and the desorption amount of adsorbed gas increases with the increase in the original water saturation. This will result in an increase in the gas pressure within the pore system. The conditions of this experiment, in comparison to the previous ones, more closely resemble real reservoir conditions. This enables a realistic assessment of how the presence of the original water content and the absorption of the fracturing fluid affect gas occurrence within the reservoir.

Genomics refined: AI-powered perspectives on structural analysis

Understanding protein function by deciphering 3D structure has distinct limitations. A recent study by Huang et al. used AlphaFold2, an artificial intelligence (AI) protein-folding prediction model, to predict and classify deaminase proteins based on structural similarities, highlighting the untapped potential of AI in functional genomics and protein engineering.

Meckel's diverticulum mimicking acute appendicitis in children: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

The aims of this study were to summarize the clinical presentation and histological results of 20 cases of complicated Meckel diverticulum (MD) who were presumed to have acute appendicitis before surgery, as well as to improve the diagnosis and treatment of complicated MD in children.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the records of 20 complicated MD admitted to our institution who were preoperatively diagnosed with acute appendicitis from January 2012 to January 2019. Patients were divided into the perforated MD group and the Meckel's diverticulitis group. Patient demographics, clinical manifestations, laboratory data, auxiliary examinations, surgical methods, and the result of heterotopic tissue were recorded.

RESULTS

A total of 20 cases of complicated MD (perforated or diverticulitis) were identified. Children were aged from 3 to 13 years, with a mean age of 7.75 years (median 7.75; range, 1-13 years). Perforated Meckel's diverticulum occurred in 5 of 20 (25%) cases. For perforated MD versus diverticulitis, no significant differences were found between age, time to intervention, length of hospital stay, and distance from the ileo-cecal valve. Heterotopic tissue was confirmed on histopathology in 75% of all patients, including 10 cases of gastric mucosa, 3 cases of coexistent gastric mucosa and pancreatic tissue, and 2 cases of pancreatic tissue. All patients underwent diverticulectomy or partial ileal resection under laparoscopy or laparotomy; two cases combined with appendectomy owing to slight inflammation of the appendix.

CONCLUSIONS

The most common presentation of symptomatic MD is painless rectal bleeding; however, it can present symptoms of acute abdomen mimicking acute appendicitis. The key point of diverticulectomy is to remove the ectopic mucosa completely.

Inadvertent perioperative hypothermia and surgical site infections after liver resection

BACKGROUND

In the overall surgical population, inadvertent perioperative hypothermia has been associated with an increased incidence of surgical site infection (SSI). However, recent clinical trials did not validate this notion. This study aimed to investigate the potential correlation between inadvertent perioperative hypothermia and SSIs following liver resection.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included all consecutive patients who underwent liver resection between January 2019 and December 2021 at the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine. Perioperative temperature managements were implemented for all patients included in the analysis. Estimated propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to reduce the baseline imbalances between the normothermia and hypothermia groups. Before and after PSM, univariate analyses were performed to evaluate the correlation between hypothermia and SSI. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to determine whether hypothermia was an independent risk factor for postoperative transfusion and major complications. Subgroup analyses were performed for diabetes mellitus, age > 65 years, and major liver resection.

RESULTS

Among 4000 patients, 2206 had hypothermia (55.2%), of which 150 developed SSI (6.8%). PSM yielded 1434 individuals in each group. After PSM, the hypothermia and normothermia groups demonstrated similar incidence rates of SSI (6.3% vs. 7.0%, P = 0.453), postoperative transfusion (13.3% vs. 13.7%, P = 0.743), and major complications (9.0% vs. 10.1%, P = 0.309). Univariate regression analysis revealed no significant effects of hypothermia on the incidence of SSI in the group with the highest hypothermia exposure [odds ratio (OR) = 1.25, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.84-1.87, P = 0.266], the group with moderate exposure (OR = 1.00, 95% CI: 0.65-1.53, P = 0.999), or the group with the lowest exposure (OR = 1.11, 95% CI: 0.73-1.65, P = 0.628). The subgroup analysis revealed similar results. Regarding liver function, patients in the hypothermia group demonstrated lower γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (37 vs. 43 U/L, P = 0.001) and alkaline phosphatase (69 vs. 72 U/L, P = 0.016). However, patients in the hypothermia group exhibited prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (29.2 vs. 28.6 s, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

In our study of patients undergoing liver resection, we found no significant association between mild perioperative hypothermia and SSI. It might be due to the perioperative temperature managements, especially active warming measures, which limited the impact of perioperative hypothermia on the occurrence of SSI.

Clinical features and prognostic factors for malignant parotid tumors in children and adolescents: A population-based study

PURPOSE

We performed a population-based cohort study to investigate the clinical characteristics and survival rates of primary malignant parotid tumors (MPT) in children and adolescents.

METHODS

The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database was used to identify all pediatric and adolescent patients with MPT who were diagnosed between 2000 and 2018. Based on a number of parameters, survival curves were produced using Kaplane-Meier estimates. The log-rank test was used to compare survival curves. The influence of each component on overall survival (OS) was examined using a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model.

RESULTS

There were 352 identified pediatric and adolescent patients with MPT. At diagnosis, the age ranged from 1.0 to 19 years, with a median of 15 years. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MC) (46.5 %) was the most common histological subtype, followed by acinar cell carcinoma (ACC) (36.4 %) and others (17.1 %) such as adenoid cystic carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. All patients had overall survival rates of 98.8 %, 95.6 %, and 94.6 % at 1-year, 3-year and 5-year, respectively. The results of the Cox proportional hazard regression showed that tumor grade, SEER stage, radiotherapy, and treatment regimens were significant independent predictors of overall survival.

CONCLUSIONS

In pediatric and adolescent MPT, tumor grade, SEER stage, adjuvant radiation, and treatment regimens were found to be important independent predictors of survival. More research is required to validate the role of adjuvant radiation.

Periodic Mechanical Stress Inhibits the Development of Osteoarthritis via Regulating ATF3-Akt Axis

Purpose

The development of osteoarthritis (OA) has been linked to mechanical factors. Studies suggest that periodic mechanical stress (PMS) may be a factor contributing to cartilage repair and the onset of OA. Therefore, this study was designed to explore the effects and underlying mechanisms of PMS on OA development.

Patients and Methods

Firstly, surgery and interleukin (IL)-1β were used for the establishment of rat/cell models of OA, respectively. Subsequently, activating transcription factor (ATF) 3 expression was knocked down in OA rats, and OA chondrocytes were treated with different heights (0, 1, 2, 4, 8 cm) of PMS or si-ATF. Safranin O staining was used to observe the histological changes in the rat knee joint, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to detect levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-6, and IL-8 in vivo and in vitro. Further, the expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins in the rat knee joint was assessed immunohistochemistry. Flow cytometry was used to evaluate chondrocyte apoptosis. Lastly, Western blot was performed to detect the expression of related proteins of the protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway and ECM.

Results

The OA rat model was successfully constructed. Further experiments indicated that the knockdown of ATF3 not only alleviated joint swelling, pain, inflammatory response and pathological damage, but also promoted ECM synthesis and the phosphorylation of Akt in OA rats. In vitro experiments showed that PMS (4 cm) effectively inhibited cell apoptosis, decreased the levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8, promoted ECM synthesis, and activated the Akt signaling pathway in osteoarthritic chondrocytes. However, ATF3 overexpression reversed the positive effects of PMS on osteoarthritic chondrocytes.

Conclusion

PMS can effectively inhibit the development of OA, and its protective effects may be attributed to the down-regulation of ATF3 expression and activation of the Akt signaling pathway.

Clinical characteristics and prognostic factors for primary pediatric and adolescent Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas of the gastrointestinal tract: a population-based study

PURPOSE

To investigate the clinical features and survival outcomes of primary gastrointestinal non-Hodgkin lymphomas (PGINHL) in pediatric and adolescent population, we conducted a population-based cohort study.

METHODS

All pediatric and adolescent patients with PGINHL diagnosed between 2000 and 2019 were identified using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Kaplane-Meier estimations were used to generate survival curves based on various criteria. To compare survival curves, the log-rank test was applied. A multivariate Cox proportional hazards model was developed to investigate the effect of each component on overall survival.

RESULTS

A total of 334 pediatric and adolescent with PGINHL patients were identified. The median age at diagnosis was 12 years (range 1.0-19 years). Tumors were most commonly found in the small bowel (47.3%), followed by the large bowel (42.8%) and the stomach (9.9%). Overall, the most common histological subtype was Burkitt lymphoma (56.9%), followed by diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) (27.8%). Overall survival rates for all patients were 92.2% at 5- year and 91.6% at 10- year, respectively. The Cox proportional hazard regression revealed that only chemotherapy was an important independent predictor in this model. Patients with chemotherapy have a higher survival rate than those without.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study revealed that only chemotherapy was found to be the most important predictor of the OS in pediatric and adolescent PGINHL, providing critical information for therapeutic care.

Effect of Water on Effective Pore Structures for Medium-Rank Coal: Based on the Prefreezing Nitrogen Adsorption-Desorption Experiment

Water is ubiquitous in coal reservoirs, and its distribution can have a remarkable influence on the effective pore space of methane. This study conducted the combination experiments of moisture equilibrium and prefreezing nitrogen adsorption-desorption to explore the adsorption behavior of water in coal pores and thus to reveal the distribution characteristics of water in pores with different scales as well as the influence of water on pore structures. The results showed that the adsorption mechanism of water vapor undergoes a transition from monolayer to multilayer to condensation with the increase in relative humidity (RH). The occurrence characteristics of adsorbed water in coal pores are controlled by the RH and pore size. When the RH is increased from 0 to 98%, the nitrogen adsorption capacity, specific surface area, and effective pore volume of the samples were all decreased significantly due to the different adsorption modes of water, which is more significant in pores with d < 10 nm. Additionally, the relative pressure corresponding to the branching position of the nitrogen adsorption-desorption curve will be changed with the increase in moisture content. Based on this, it is calculated that the adsorbed water will change the smoothness of the pore wall and the complexity of the pore structure.

Ethics and engagement: steering China's synbio future

In the final article of the series, we delve into the crucial role of public engagement and ethical guidelines in shaping the trajectory of synthetic biology (synbio) within China's evolving scientific landscape. We discuss the interconnectedness of enhanced public discourse, stronger ethics, and responsible, transparent advancements in the field.

Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation versus dexamethasone for prophylaxis of postoperative nausea and vomiting in breast surgery: A non-inferiority randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation and dexamethasone can reduce postoperative nausea and/or vomiting. In this noninferiority study, we compared the effects of Neiguan acupoint (PC6) transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation with dexamethasone to prevent postoperative nausea and/or vomiting in female patients undergoing breast surgery.

METHODS

In total, 280 patients were randomized into the following 2 groups: transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (n = 140) and dexamethasone (n = 140). Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation was performed 0.5 hours before anesthesia induction, immediately after entering the post-anesthesia care unit, and every 3 hours after leaving the post-anesthesia care unit. In the postoperative ward, the anesthetist instructed the patient's family members to assist the patient with PC6 patient-controlled transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation. Patients in the dexamethasone group were given 8 mg dexamethasone (intravenously) at 0.5 hours before induction of anesthesia. The incidence of nausea, vomiting, need for rescue antiemetics, patient satisfaction score, and the feasibility results of PC6 patient-controlled transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation were recorded 24 hours after surgery.

RESULT

Within 0 to 24 hours after surgery, the incidence of postoperative nausea and/or vomiting in the transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation group was not inferior to the dexamethasone group (31.1% vs 27.9%, per protocol risk difference 3.2; 95% confidence interval -7.7 to 14.0). The results of the intention-to-treat analysis (30.7% vs 27.1%, risk difference 3.6; 95% confidence interval -7.0 to 14.2) agreed with the per protocol analysis. Patient satisfaction score in the transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation group was higher than that in the dexamethasone group (3.9 ± 0.1 vs 3.6 ± 0.1, P = .003). The scheme of preventing postoperative nausea and/or vomiting by PC6 patient-controlled transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation was feasible.

CONCLUSION

Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation was noninferior to dexamethasone in preventing postoperative nausea and/or vomiting within 24 hours after breast surgery. Neiguan acupoint patient-controlled transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation was feasible to prevent postoperative nausea and/or vomiting.

Enhanced degradation of emerging contaminants by percarbonate/Fe(II)-ZVI process: case study with nizatidine

Pharmaceuticals have recently emerged as a significant environmental concern due to the growth of population, expansion of industry, and the shift in modern lifestyles. Herein, we present a Fe(II)/percarbonate (SPC) process with dramatically enhanced efficiency by the introduction of zerovalent iron (ZVI). After the addition of ZVI, the removal rate of nizatidine (NZTD) went up from 71.7 to 84.2%. The removal rate of NZTD decreases with rising pH and speeds up with increasing temperature. It was found that under the condition of pH = 7 and T = 25 °C, the molar ratio of the optimal concentration of NZTD degradation in the system was [NZTD]₀:[SPC]₀:[Fe(II)]₀:[ZVI]₀ = 1:8:24:16, with a degradation rate of 99.8%. At the same time, target pollutants can also be successfully eliminated from actual water bodies. Moreover, we test for toxicity using luminescent bacteria, and the results demonstrate that the system is capable of effectively decreasing the toxicity of NZTD. The research findings can contribute to the clarification of the migration and transformation law of NZTD in the oxidation process, thereby providing a scientific basis and technical support for the removal of NZTD in the tertiary water treatment for a water source.

Clinicopathologic and prognostic factors for colorectal cancer in children and adolescents: a population-based study

PURPOSE

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is rarely found in children and adolescents. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively conduct a population-based cohort of pediatric patients with CRC.

METHODS

All pediatric patients with CRC diagnosed between 1975 and 2018 were identified using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. The demographics and clinical variables of the patients were summarized, and treatment outcomes and prognostic factors were examined. The study was presented in accordance with the STROBE reporting checklist.

RESULTS

A total of 284 CRC patients were identified. At 3- and 5-year follow-up, the overall survival rates were 63.1% and 52.6%, respectively. Patients with local disease had a significantly improved overall survival (OS) than patients with distant disease. At 3- and 5-year follow-up, the overall survival rates of adenocarcinoma (nos) and adenocarcinoma (polyp) were similar and significantly better than those of patients with mucinous adenocarcinoma and signet ring cell carcinoma (P < 0.001). In terms of treatment, patients who underwent surgery outlived non-surgery patients (3-year OS, 70.4% versus 26.6%, P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that SEER stage and histologic type were important independent predictors of outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Children and adolescents with CRC are likely to be in an advanced stage, have a worse histologic subtype, and have a poorly differentiated grade. Although surgical resection considerably increases survival for the majority of patients, pediatric patients with CRC have a poor prognosis. Considerable efforts are required to improve their survival outcomes.

Analysis of the Safety and Pregnancy Outcomes of Fertility-sparing Surgery in Ovarian Malignant Sex Cord-stromal Tumours: A Multicentre Retrospective Study

AIMS

To assess the difference in survival between fertility-sparing surgery (FSS) and radical surgery and explore pregnancy outcomes after FSS in stage I malignant sex cord-stromal tumours (MSCSTs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We carried out a multicentre retrospective cohort study on patients who were diagnosed with MSCSTs and the tumour was confined to one ovary. The patients were divided into FSS and radical surgery groups. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) was used to balance variables between the two groups. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to compare the difference in disease-free survival (DFS). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to find risk factors of DFS. Univariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess risk factors of pregnancy.

RESULTS

In total, 107 patients were included, of whom 54 (50.5%) women underwent FSS and 53 (49.5%) received radical surgery. After IPTW, a pseudo-population of 208 was determined and all of the covariates were well balanced. After a median follow-up time of 50 months (range 7-156 months), 10 patients experienced recurrence and two died. There was no significant difference in DFS between the two groups, both in unweighted (P = 0.969) or weighted cohorts (P = 0.792). In the weighted cohort, stage IC (P = 0.014), tumour diameter >8 cm (P = 0.003), incomplete staging surgery (P = 0.003) and no adjuvant chemotherapy (P < 0.001) were the four high-risk factors associated with a shorter DFS. Among 14 patients who had pregnancy desire, 11 (78.6%) women conceived successfully; the live birth rate was 76.9%. In univariate analysis, only adjuvant chemotherapy (P = 0.009) was associated with infertility.

CONCLUSIONS

On the premise of complete staging surgery, FSS is safe and feasible in early stage MSCSTs with satisfactory reproductive outcomes.

A Single Central Pattern Generator for the Control of a Locomotor Rolling Wave in Mollusc Aplysia

Locomotion in mollusc Aplysia is implemented by a pedal rolling wave, a type of axial locomotion. Well-studied examples of axial locomotion (pedal waves in Drosophila larvae and body waves in leech, lamprey, and fish) are generated in a segmented nervous system via activation of multiple coupled central pattern generators (CPGs). Pedal waves in molluscs, however, are generated by a single pedal ganglion, and it is unknown whether there are single or multiple CPGs that generate rhythmic activity and phase shifts between different body parts. During locomotion in intact Aplysia, bursting activity in the parapedal commissural nerve (PPCN) was found to occur during tail contraction. A cluster of 20 to 30 P1 root neurons (P1Ns) on the ventral surface of the pedal ganglion, active during the pedal wave, were identified. Computational cluster analysis revealed that there are 2 phases to the motor program: phase I (centered around 168°) and phase II (centered around 357°). PPCN activity occurs during phase II. The majority of P1Ns are motoneurons. Coactive P1Ns tend to be electrically coupled. Two classes of pedal interneurons (PIs) were characterized. Class 1 (PI1 and PI2) is active during phase I. Their axons make a loop within the pedal ganglion and contribute to locomotor pattern generation. They are electrically coupled to P1Ns that fire during phase I. Class 2 (PI3) is active during phase II and innervates the contralateral pedal ganglion. PI3 may contribute to bilateral coordination. Overall, our findings support the idea that Aplysia pedal waves are generated by a single CPG.

Laparoscopic versus Open Reduction of Intussusception in Infants and Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the efficacy and safety between laparoscopic reduction (LR) and open reduction (OR) of intussusception in infants and children. Literature searches were conducted to identify studies having compared LR and OR for children with intussusception failed to enema reduction. Parameters such as operative time, time to oral intake, length of hospital stay, overall postoperative complications, and recurrence were pooled and compared by meta-analysis. Among the 502 pediatric participants included in the 11 studies, 275 had received LR and 227 received OR. There were shorter length of hospital stays and time to oral intake with the LR approach compared with OR. However, no significant difference was found between LR and OR in the secondary outcome, such as the overall postoperative complications and recurrence. LR is a feasible, safe, and effective surgical procedure alternative to OR for pediatric intussusception. Compared with OR, LR has the advantage of shorter hospital stay and faster time to oral intake. Besides, the overall postoperative complications may be slightly lower in LR. We conclude that LR should be considered an acceptable option for children.

Effects of receiving position and shell material on in-band full-duplex underwater communications' self-interference signal

Despite the recent intensive research on adaptive algorithms for self-interference (SI) cancellation (SIC) in in-band full-duplex (IBFD) underwater acoustic communication (UWAC), there has been relatively little exploration of how the IBFD-UWAC modem shell affects the SI signal. This paper analyzes the effects of the shell material and the near-end receiver position on the SI signal. The analysis is done with a two-dimensional finite-element model in a free-field simulation environment, which combines the differential equation of motion and the time-dependent solver. The SI signal strength around the modem shell in the far-field conditions is obtained. The simulation and pool experiment results both show that (i) the strength of the received SI signal is lowest when the near-end receiver is on a line extending from the shell's geometric center perpendicularly to its central axis and (ii) a shell material with a high elastic coefficient is more conducive to suppressing the SI signal. A pool experiment showed that changing the spatial position of the near-end receiver and the shell material from aluminum to stainless steel enhanced the SIC performance of the IBFD-UWAC system by at least 12 and 4 dB, respectively.

The protective effect of curcumin on testicular tissue in a cryptorchid rat model

BACKGROUND

Cryptorchidism is the most common abnormality of male sexual development. For the protection of testicular functions, antioxidants have emerged as novel options. This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of curcumin (Cur), a strong antioxidant, on the Flutamide-induced cryptorchidism testicular tissue.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Pregnant rats were randomly allocated to 3 groups (n = 10, each): a control, a model, and a Cur-treated group (100 mg/kg/d). All offspring were delivered by days 21-22 of gestation and the male rats were sacrificed at postnatal birth days (PNDs) PND60. The testicles were separated and weighed, followed by TUNEL staining to detect germ cell apoptosis, an ELISA kit to measure SOD and MDA, and Western blot analysis to evaluate the expression of Bax, Bcl-2, and PCNA.

RESULTS

Curcumin administration ameliorated the histological appearance of the testis and greatly reduced the level of apoptosis in cryptorchidism rats' testicular cells. After curcumin treatment, the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was restored in the testis tissues of cryptorchidism rats. Curcumin therapy reduced Bax expression while increasing Bcl-2 expression, according to the molecular study. Curcumin therapy also reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and enhanced superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels in cryptorchidism rats' testis tissue.

CONCLUSIONS

It can be concluded that curcumin administration significantly reduced the germ cell apoptosis in rats with cryptorchidism, which provides new insight for antioxidant therapy in preserving testicular functions before or after surgery in cryptorchidism.

[Early warning of low maternal unconjugated estriol level by prenatal screening for fetus with X-linked ichthyosis]

Objective: To analyze the characteristic of prenatal serological screening in fetus with X-linked ichthyosis (XLI), and to explore the relationship between unconjugated estriol (uE₃) levels and XLI. Methods: A total of 56 fetuses with Xp22.31 microdeletion indicated by prenatal diagnosis and 70 fetuses diagnosed with trisomy 21 and 26 fetuses with trisomy 18 in Henan Provincial People's Hospital and Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical College from September 2016 to June 2021 were collected. The multiples of median (MoM) values of uE₃, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) during the second trimester of pregnancy were retrospectively analyzed. Prenatal diagnosis was made by amniotic fluid karyotype analysis and genome copy number variant analysis, parent genetic verification and pathogenicity analysis were performed, and maternal and infant outcomes were followed up. Results: Of 56 pregnant women with fetal Xp22.31 microdeletion, 43 underwent serological screening during the second trimester of pregnancy, of which 42 were abnormal (39 male fetuses and 3 female fetuses). The median uE₃ MoM value of 39 male fetuses [0.06 (0.00-0.21)] was lower than the normal value and significantly lower than that of fetuses with trisomy 21 [0.71 (0.26-1.27)] and fetuses with trisomy 18 [0.36 (0.15-0.84)], the difference was statistically significant (Z=99.96, P<0.001). While the MoM values of AFP and hCG were all within the normal range. Among the 56 fetuses carrying Xp22.31 microdeletion, 45 were male fetuses and 11 were female fetuses, and the deletion fragments all involved STS gene. Eighty-nine percent (50/56) were inherited from mother (49 cases) or father (1 case), and 11% (6/56) were de novo mutations. Follow-up showed 48 live births (38 males and 10 females) and 8 chose to terminate pregnancy (7 males and 1 female). Among the 38 male newborns, 37 presented with scaly skin changes from 1 to 3 months of age, and one had no clinical manifestations until 4 months after birth. Ten female newborns had no obvious clinical manifestations. Conclusions: The decrease levels of uE₃ MoM on maternal serological screening is closely related to the higher risk of XLI in male fetuses. For pregnant women with low uE₃ in serological screening or with family history of ichthyosis, in addition to chromosomal karyotype analysis, joint detection of genomic copy number variant analysis should be recommended.

[Electroacupuncture at "Zusanli"(ST36) protects intestinal mucosal immune barrier by suppre-ssing apoptosis of intestinal lymphocytes and regulating expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in sepsis rats]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at "Zusanli" (ST36) on apoptosis of intestinal T lymphocytes, translocation of intestinal bacteria and expression of intestinal Bcl-2 and Bax proteins and intestinal mucosal immune barrier in sepsis rats, so as to explore its underlying mechanism in relieving sepsis.

METHODS

SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation (n=6), model (n=15), non-meridian and non-acupoint (non-acupoint, n=15) and acupoint EA(n=15) groups by using random number table method. The sepsis model was established by using cecal ligation and perforation(CLP) method. EA (2 Hz, 2 mA) was applied to bilateral ST36 or non-acupoint for 30 min one hour after modeling, once every day for 3 days. The rats' general conditions and fatality rate in 3 days after modeling were recorded. The liver, spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes were taken for bacterial culture to detect the translocation rate of intestinal bacteria. The small intestinal tissue was taken for observing histopathological changes (Chiu's score: 0-5 points) after HE staining, and for determining the expression levels of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins using Western blot. The intestinal mucosa was sampled for detecting the apop-tosis (apoptotic index) of lymphocytes by using terminal deoxynucleoitidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay, and the counts of CD4+ and CD8+T cells using flow cytometry. The contents of IL-4 in the small intestine and that of secretory IgA (sIgA) in the small intestinal mucus were determined by using ELISA.

RESULTS

After modeling, of the 15 rats in each of the 3 groups, 7, 7 and 2 in the model, non-acupoint and EA groups were dead in the first 3 days, with the fatality rate being 46.67% (7/15), 46.67% (7/15) and 13.33% (2/15), respectively (being obviously lower in the EA group than in the former two groups, P<0.05). Compared with the sham operation group, the incidence of intestinal bacterial translocation, apoptotic index, Chiu's score, and Bax expression were significantly increased (P<0.05), and the percentages of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺T cells, IL-4 and sIgA contents and Bcl-2 expression considerably decreased (P<0.05) in the model group. In comparison with the model group, modeling-induced increase of incidence of bacterial translocation, apoptotic index and Bax expression, and decrease of percentages of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺T cells, IL-4 and sIgA contents and Bcl-2 expression were reversed (P<0.05) in the EA group.

CONCLUSION

EA at ST36 can reduce death rate and intestinal bacteria translocation incidence in sepsis rats, which may be related to its functions in regulating the expression of intestinal Bcl-2 and Bax proteins and inhibiting the apoptosis of intestinal mucosal T lymphocytes, thereby protecting the immune barrier function of intestinal mucosa to reduce the intestinal permeability.

[Mechanism of circZNF609 targeting miR-153 to regulate the proliferation and apoptosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma]

Objective: To investigate the molecular mechanism of circZNF609 targeting miR-153 to regulate the proliferation and apoptosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Methods: Fifty cases of lymphoma tissue from patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma who were diagnosed and treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from July 2018 to December 2019 were collected. Thirty cases of normal lymph node tissues that were confirmed to be reactive hyperplasia by pathological diagnosis during the same period were selected as controls. Real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect the expression of circZNF609 in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma tissues and control hyperplasia lymph nodes. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma OCI-LY19 cells were divided into control group (blank control), si-con group (transfected with siRNA control), si-ZNF609 group (transfected with circZNF609 siRNA), and si-ZNF609+ Anti-NC group (co-transfected with circZNF609 siRNA and inhibitor control) and si-ZNF609+ Anti-miR-153 group (co-transfected with circZNF609 siRNA and miR-153 inhibitor). Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) was used to detected proliferation, flow cytometry was used to detect cell cycle and apoptosis. Western blot was used to detect the protein expressions of C-caspase-3, cyclin D1, p21. The luciferase reporter system was used to identifie the relationship between circZNF609 and miR-153. Results: The expression level of circZNF609 in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma tissue was (1.44±0.22), higher than (0.37±0.14) in the control tissues (P<0.001). The cell survival rate of the si-ZNF609 group was (51.74±6.39)%, lower than (100.00±10.23)% of the control group and the (99.64±11.67)% of the si-con group (P<0.001). The proportion of cells in the G(0)/G(1) phase was (63.25±4.11)%, higher than (48.62±4.32)% of the control group and (47.12±3.20)% of the si-con group (P<0.001), the apoptosis rate was (13.36±1.42)%, higher than (3.65±0.47)% of the control group and (3.84±0.62)% of the si-con group (P<0.05). The expression levels of C-caspase-3 and p21 protein were (0.85±0.09) and (0.90±0.08), higher than (0.38±0.04) and (0.65±0.07) in the control group and (0.39±0.05) and (0.66±0.05) in the si-con group (P<0.001). The expression level of cyclin D1 protein was (0.40±0.03), lower than (0.52±0.06) of the control group and (0.53±0.04) of the si-con group (all P<0.001). CircZNF609 and miR-153 are mutually targeted. The cell survival rate of the si-ZNF609+ Anti-miR-153 group was (169.92±13.25)%, higher than (100.00±9.68)% of the si-ZNF609+ Anti-NC group (P<0.001), the ratio of cells in G(0)/G(1) phase and apoptosis rate were (52.01±3.62)% and (8.20±0.87)%, respectively, lower than (64.51±5.17)% and (14.03±1.17)% in the si-ZNF609+ Anti-NC group (P<0.001). The protein expression levels of C-caspase-3 and p21 were (0.42±0.06) and (0.52±0.06), lower than (0.80±0.07) and (0.92±0.10) of the si-ZNF609+ Anti-NC group (P<0.001). The protein expression level of cyclin D1 was (0.68±0.07), higher than (0.39±0.04) in the si-ZNF609+ Anti-NC group (P<0.001). Conclusion: Down-regulation of circZNF609 inhibits the proliferation of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma OCI-LY19 cells and induces apoptosis by targeting miR-153.

[Mechanism of paeoniflorin inhibiting apoptosis of hippocampal neurons of rats induced by lead acetate]

Objective: To investigate the effect and underlying mechanism of paeoniflorin on hippocampal neuron apoptosis induced by lead acetate. Methods: In September 2020, primary hippocampal neuronal cells were isolated and cultured from fetal rats, and identified using cellular immunofluorescent. MTT assay was used to measure the cell viability to determine the concentration and time of lead acetate-induced hippocampal neuron apoptosis. MTT was also used to evaluate the effect of paeoniflorin concentration on the apoptosis of hippocampal neurons induced by lead acetate. According to the results, different concentrations of paeoniflorin were selected to intervene hippocampal neuron cells, after 24 h, lead acetate was added to the cells, meanwhile, blank and model groups were set up, the content of reactive oxygen species (ROS) , superoxide dismutase (SOD) , lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) , malondialdehyde (MDA) and Caspase-3 were measured. Extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) , phosphorylated ERK (p-ERK) , p38 mitogen -activated protein kinases (p38MAPK) , phosphorylated p38MAPK (p-p38MAPK) , c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and phosphorylated JNK (p-JNK) protein expression in hippocampal neuronal cells were determined by Western blotting. Results: The isolated and cultured hippocampal neurons were identified by immunofluorescence chemical staining and then treated with lead acetate, MTT results showed that lead acetate had the best toxicity effect when treated for 24 h at a concentration of 25 μmol/L. Paeoniflorin showed no cytotoxic effect on hippocampal neuronal cells when the concentrations below 80 μmol/L. Compared with the model group, the activity of hippocampal neuronal cells was significantly increased after treating with 20, 40 or 80 μmol/L paeoniflorin (P<0.05) . Compared with the blank group, the ROS activity, LDH release level, MDA content and caspase-3 content were significantly increased (P<0.01) , and the SOD activity was significantly decreased (P< 0.01) in the hippocampal neuronal cells of the model group. Compared with the model group, the ROS activity, LDH release level, MDA content and caspase-3 content were obviously decreased (P<0.05) , SOD activity was significantly increased (P <0.01) after hippocampal neuronal cells were treated with 40 or 80 μmol/L paeoniflorin. Relative to the model group, the ratio of p-ERK/ERK were significantly up-regulated (P<0.01) , while the ratios of p-p38MAPK/p38MAPK and p-JNK/JNK were significantly down-regulated after hippocampal neuronal cells were treated with 40 or 80 μmol/L paeoniflorin (P<0.05) . Conclusion: Paeoniflorin may down-regulate the expression of p-p38MAPK and p-JNK protein, up-regulate the expression of p-ERK protein, and inhibit the apoptosis of hippocampal neurons induced by lead acetate through the MAPK signaling pathway.

Age-Related Changes in the Composition of Intestinal Microbiota in Elderly Chinese Individuals

INTRODUCTION

Intestinal microbiota affects human health and aging. The composition of intestinal microbiota and inflammation indices in elderly Chinese, especially centenarians, is unclear.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to explore the relationships between intestinal microbiota and inflammation in healthy housebound elders in Shanghai, China.

METHODS

We enrolled 156 differently aged adults and assigned them into 4 groups: those aged 35-64 years were assigned into Group AD; 65-79 years into Group YO; 80-94 years into Group MO; and 95-102 years into Group VO.

RESULTS

The diversity of intestinal microbiota in Group VO was significantly reduced compared with that of the other 3 groups. Bacteroidetes abundance in Group VO was significantly lower than that in Groups AD, YO, or MO; Proteobacteria abundance showed the opposite trend. Akkermansia, Bifidobacterium, and Lactobacillus abundance in Group VO was significantly higher than that in the other 3 groups; Anaerostipes, Butyricicoccus, and Faecalibacterium abundance showed the opposite trend. Solobacterium abundance in Group VO was significantly lower than that in the other 3 groups; Campylobacter, Porphyromonas, Escherichia, and Pseudomonas abundance showed the opposite trend. Plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IL-6, and IL-8 in Group VO were significantly higher than those in Groups AD, YO, and MO, while those in Group MO were significantly higher than those in Groups AD and YO. IL-1β and IL-10 plasma levels were not significantly different among the 4 groups. Proteobacteria abundance was positively correlated with TNF-α and IL-8 levels, while Campylobacter abundance was positively correlated with those of TNF-α and IL-6. Anaerostipes and Faecalibacterium abundance was negatively correlated with TNF-α and IL-6 levels.

CONCLUSIONS

The diversity of intestinal microbiota in the oldest participants (centenarians) decreased significantly, with several beneficial bacterial strains showing increased or decreased abundance; harmful bacterial species showed a similar trend. Our oldest participants (centenarians) demonstrated significantly increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which may be related to inflammaging.

Melt electrowritten poly(caprolactone) lattices incorporated with silver nanoparticles for directional water transport antibacterial wound dressings

The composite dressing has excellent antibacterial ability and directional water transport effect, showing potential application in wound care.

Maternal smoking during pregnancy aggravated muscle phenotype in FHL1-/y offspring mice similar to congenital clubfoot through P2RX7-mediated pyroptosis

Congenital clubfoot (CCF) is a common birth defect. Maternal smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of CCF. In previous research, we found muscle phenotypes similar to CCF in four and a half LIM domain protein 1 (FHLI) offspring mice (FHL1-/y). However, the role of P2RX7-mediated pyroptosis in the effect of cigarette smoke (CS) on the skeletal muscle of FHL1-/y mice during pregnancy is unclear. In the present study, pregnant mice at 11 days of gestation were exposed to CS and male offspring of wild-type (WT) and FHL1-/y mice were divided into four groups (Control-WT, Control-KO, CS-WT, CS-KO). The histomorphology of lower limb muscles was examined using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. P2RX7, indicators of pyroptosis (NLRP3, ASC, cleaved-caspase 1, IL-1β), and cytoskeletal proteins (MYBPC2, LDB3) were also detected using immunoblotting. CS exposure during pregnancy aggravated the muscle phenotype similar to CCF in FHL1-/y offspring mice. FHL1 gene knockout (KO) or CS exposure during pregnancy each activated the expression of P2RX7, cell pyroptosis-related proteins (NLRP3, ASC, cleaved-caspase 1, IL-1β), a muscle injury marker (MYOD1), and cytoskeletal proteins (MYBPC2, LDB3); these two factors had an additive effect. The results showed maternal smoking during pregnancy aggravated muscle phenotype similar to CCF in FHL1-/y offspring mice through P2RX7-mediated pyroptosis.

Dilemma and solution of land scarcity, agro-production, and environmental risk for typical grain-producing areas in rapid urbanizing process in China

How to satisfy food production sustainably in the rapid urbanizing process is a vital problem for major grain-producing areas. Taking two national grain-producing regions in China, Shandong and Dongting Lake Region as examples, this study uses step-by-step prediction and a double-objective linear programming model to analyze the dilemma of land scarcity, food demand, and environmental load. It is found that food demand by 2030 will induce partial regional cropland deficiency and heterogeneous agro-environmental risk among cities. The double-objective linear programming model finds possible solutions in different scenarios: on the premise of keeping the current cropland area unchanged, the upper threshold of crop yield by 2030 will be 2539.06 × 10⁴ t in Dongting and 7175.13 × 104 t in Shandong, respectively. On the condition of guaranteeing food self-sufficiency and minimizing the environmental load, the lower threshold of arable land area should be 99.47 × 10⁴ ha in Dongting and 436.85 × 10⁴ ha in Shandong. Pollutant reduction will be realized by reallocation of agro-production task and optimized practices. The food carbon impact can be reduced by up to 1.27 kg CO₂ eq/kg. This study contributes to feasible pathways towards adequate agro-production, lessened land scarcity, and minimal environmental risk for rapid urbanizing cities in a sustainable way.

OP0090 CLASSIFICATION OF PATIENTS WITH RELAPSING POLYCHONDRITIS BASED ON SOMATIC MUTATIONS IN UBA1

Background:

Somatic mutations in ubiquitin activating enzyme 1 (UBA1) cause a newly defined syndrome known as VEXAS. [1] More than fifty percent of patients currently identified with VEXAS meet diagnostic criteria for relapsing polychondritis (RP).

Objectives:

To determine the prevalence VEXAS within a cohort of patients with RP, to compare their clinical, laboratory, and immunologic features and to develop a clinical algorithm to inform genetic screening for VEXAS among patients with RP.

Methods:

Exome and targeted sequencing of the UBA1 gene was performed in a prospective observational cohort of patients with RP. Clinical and immunological characteristics of patients with RP were compared based on presence or absence of UBA1 mutations. Random forest was used to derive a clinical algorithm to identify patients with UBA1 mutations. Immune populations were quantified by multipanel flow cytometry. Categorical and continuous variables were compared using the chi square or Kruskal-Wallis test. P<0.05 defined statistical significance.

Results:

Seven of 92 patients with RP (7.6%) were confirmed to have UBA1 mutations (VEXAS-RP). Six additional patients with VEXAS-RP from other cohorts were included for subsequent analyses. Patients with VEXAS-RP were all male, older at disease onset, and commonly had fever, ear chondritis, skin involvement, deep vein thrombosis, and pulmonary infiltrates. Patients with RP as compared with VEXAS-RP had a significantly higher prevalence of airway chondritis, costochondritis and tenosynovitis/arthralgias. (Table). Mortality was significantly greater in VEXAS-RP than RP (27% vs 2% p=0.01). Maximum ESR, CRP, and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) values were significantly greater in VEXAS-RP. Absolute monocyte, lymphocyte, and platelet counts were significantly lower in VEXAS-RP. A decision tree based on male sex, MCV>100 fl and Platelet count<200 K/ul classified between VEXAS-RP and RP with 100% sensitivity and 96% specificity.

Table 1.

Clinical Characteristics of patients with RP vs VEXAS-RP

All Patientsn=98RPn=85VEXAS-RPn=13p valueDemographic CharacteristicsRace, White n (%)90 (92)77 (91)13 (100)0.59Sex, Male n (%)26 (27)13 (15)13 (100)<0.0001Age, Symptom onset, years, Median (IQR)38 (30-47)37 (28-43)56 (54-64)<0.0001Clinical SymptomsFever n (%)33 (34)20 (24)13 (100)<0.0001Ear chondritis n (%)61 (62)48 (56)13 (100)0.0015Nose chondritis n (%)83 (85)71 (84)12 (92)0.68Airway chondritis n (%)37 (38)37 (44)0 (0)0.0015Tenosynovitis/arthalgias n (%)83 (85)77 (91)6 (46)0.0005Skin involvement n (%)33 (34)22 (2611 (85)<0.0001Laboratory ValuesESR, mm/hr, median (IQR)12 (6-22)11 (5-19)66.5 (42-110)<0.0001CRP, mg/L, median (IQR)2.9 (0.8-9.6)1.9 (0.6-6.3)17.7 (9.6-99.5)<0.0001Platelet count (k/uL)246(201-299)258 (227-312)145 (100-169)<0.0001MCV fL93.05 (90-98)92.2 (89-95)105 (102-115)<0.0001Absolute lymphocyte count1.6 (1.1-2.3)1.78(1.4-2.4)0.92 (0.5-1.2)<0.0001CT scan abnormalitiesPulmonary infiltrates n (%)16 (16.33)6 (7.06)10 (77)<0.0001ComplicationsDeath n (%)6 (6)3 (4)3 (23)0.029Unprovoked DVT12 (12)4 (5)8 (62)<0.0001

N number; IQR = interquartile range

Conclusion:

Mutations in UBA1 are causal for disease in a subset of patients with RP. These patients are defined by disease onset in the fifth decade of life or later, male sex, ear/nose chondritis and hematologic abnormalities. Early identification is important in VEXAS given the associated high mortality rate.

References:

[1]Beck DB, Ferrada MA, Sikora KA, Ombrello AK, Collins JC, Pei W, Balanda N, Ross DL, Ospina Cardona D, Wu Z et al: Somatic Mutations in UBA1 and Severe Adult-Onset Autoinflammatory Disease. N Engl J Med 2020, 383(27):2628-2638.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

A438079 affects colorectal cancer cell proliferation, migration, apoptosis, and pyroptosis by inhibiting the P2X7 receptor

BACKGROUND

Our previous study identified elevated expression of the P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, suggesting the receptor is a target for predicting poor disease prognosis. A438079 is a highly selective P2X7R antagonist, however, no studies have identified A438079 effects and mechanisms toward the biological behavior of CRC cells, and its therapeutic in vivo potential in CRC nude mice.

METHODS

The CRC cell lines, HCT-116 and SW620 were treated with 10 μM A438079, after which proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis were assessed. SW620 cell xenografted BALB/c nude male mice were randomly divided into control, 5-FU, and A438079 groups. Mouse weight and tumor dimensions were also measured every two days. Furthermore, the expression of apoptosis related indicators (P2X7R, Bcl-2, Bax, caspase9, cleaved caspase9, caspase3, and cleaved caspase3) and pyroptosis related indicators (NLRP3, ASC, cleaved caspase1, and interleukin (IL)-β) were investigated in vitro and in vivo.

RESULTS

A438079 inhibited HCT-116 and SW620 cell proliferation, invasion and migration, and inhibited the growth of CRC xenografts in nude mice. A438079 promoted apoptosis via the Bcl-2/caspase9/caspase3 pathway and inhibited pyroptosis through the NLRP3/caspase1 pathway by inhibiting P2X7R in vitro and in vivo.

CONCLUSIONS

We preliminarily confirmed the therapeutic potential of A438079 toward CRC, and we provide a sound theoretical basis for A438079 as a new drug for the clinical treatment of CRC.