Zhiqiang Cheng

Ectopic accumulation of fat can cause a variety of metabolic diseases, and the emerging non-alcoholic fatty pancreas disease (NAFPD) is increasingly being recognized by clinicians as a cause for concern. NAFPD is a disease caused by abnormal accumulation of adipose tissue in the pancreas, which is related to obesity. The main feature of NAFPD is death of acinar cells, which are then replaced by adipose cells. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms have not been fully explored. Obesity, aging, and metabolic syndrome are independent risk factors for the occurrence and development of NAFPD. Studies have shown that NAFPD leads to insulin resistance and pancreatic dysfunction, increases the risk of diabetes mellitus, worsens the severity of pancreatitis, and is significantly correlated with pancreatic cancer and postoperative pancreatic fistula. There is no standard treatment for NAFPD; exercise, a balanced diet, and lifestyle can help reduce pancreatic fat; however, other treatment modalities such as drugs and bariatric surgery are still being explored. The specific pathological mechanism of NAFPD remains unclear, and its potential association with various clinical diseases requires further study. This review summarizes the etiology, diagnosis, clinical consequences, and potential therapeutic strategies of NAFPD.

Background: Preventive colostomy is required for colorectal surgery, and the incidence of complications associated with ileostomy and colostomy remains controversial. This study aimed to compare the incidence of postoperative complications between ileostomy and colostomy procedures. Methods: Data analysis was conducted on 30 studies, and meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis (TSA) were performed on five studies. The basic indicators, such as stoma prolapse, leak, wound infection, ileus, and a series of other indicators, were compared. Results: No statistically significant differences were observed with complications other than stoma prolapse. Meta-analysis and TSA showed that the incidence of ileostomy prolapse was lower than that of colostomy prolapse, and the difference was statistically significant. Apart from the four complications listed above, the general data analysis showed differences in incidence between the two groups. The incidence of skin irritation, parastomal hernia, dehydration, pneumonia, and urinary tract infections was higher with ileostomy than with colostomy. In contrast, the incidence of parastomal fistula, stenosis, hemorrhage, and enterocutaneous fistula was higher with colostomy than with ileostomy. Conclusions: There were differences in the incidence of ileostomy and colostomy complications in the selected studies, with a low incidence of ileostomy prolapse. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42022303133.

Background Preventive colostomy is required for colorectal surgery, and the incidence of complications associated with ileostomy and colostomy remains controversial. This study aimed to compare the incidence of postoperative complications between ileostomy and colostomy procedures. Methods Data analysis was conducted on 30 studies, and meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis (TSA) were performed on five studies. The basic indicators, such as stoma prolapse, leak, wound infection, ileus, and a series of other indicators, were compared. Results No statistically significant differences were observed with complications other than stoma prolapse. Meta-analysis and TSA showed that the incidence of ileostomy prolapse was lower than that of colostomy prolapse, and the difference was statistically significant. Apart from the four complications listed above, the general data analysis showed differences in incidence between the two groups. The incidence of skin irritation, parastomal hernia, dehydration, pneumonia, and urinary tract infections was higher with ileostomy than with colostomy. In contrast, the incidence of parastomal fistula, stenosis, hemorrhage, and enterocutaneous fistula was higher with colostomy than with ileostomy. Conclusions There were differences in the incidence of ileostomy and colostomy complications in the selected studies, with a low incidence of ileostomy prolapse. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42022303133

The clinical significance of mutation in multiple pulmonary nodules is largely limited by single gene mutation-directed analysis and lack of validation of gene expression profiles. New analytic strategy is urgently needed for comprehensive understanding of genomic data in multiple pulmonary nodules. In this study, we performed whole exome sequencing in 16 multiple lung nodules and 5 adjacent normal tissues from 4 patients with multiple pulmonary nodules and decoded the mutation information from a perspective of cellular functions and signaling pathways. Mutated genes as well as mutation patterns shared in more than two lesions were identified and characterized. We found that the number of mutations or mutated genes and the extent of protein structural changes caused by different mutations is positively correlated with the degree of malignancy. Moreover, the mutated genes in the nodules are associated with the molecular functions or signaling pathways related to cell proliferation and survival. We showed a developing pattern of quantity (the number of mutations/mutated genes) and quality (the extent of protein structural changes) in multiple pulmonary nodules. The mutation and mutated genes in multiple pulmonary nodules are associated with cell proliferation and survival related signaling pathways. This study provides a new perspective for comprehension of genomic mutational data and might shed new light on deciphering molecular evolution of early stage lung adenocarcinoma.

Background: Liver cancer is among the most common malignancy worldwide. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the principal histological subtype of liver cancer, is globally the third most common cause of cancer-related mortality. The high rates of recurrence and metastasis contribute to the poor prognosis of HCC patients. In recent years, increasing evidence has shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in the tumorigenesis, progression, and prognosis of HCC. Methods: To screen for key candidate miRNAs in HCC, three microarray datasets were downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). The sole common differentially expressed miRNA (DEmiR) observed in the above three datasets using a Venn diagram was microRNA-211-5p (miR-211-5p). The expression of miR-211-5p from HCC tissues was measured in several HCC cell lines. Additionally, using Kaplan–Meier plots, the potential prognostic value of miR-211-5p in HCC was analyzed. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and transwell assays examined the ability of miR-211-5p to induce cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in HCC cultures. The interaction of miR-211-5p and Acyl-CoA Synthetase Long Chain Family Member 4 (ACSL4) was assessed both theoretically and using a luciferase reporter assay. Finally, the ability of miR-211-5p to modulate tumorigenesis in HCC in vivo was assessed after establishing a xenograft model. Results: qRT-PCR demonstrated that the relative expression of miR-211-5p was considerably down-regulated in HCC tissues and cell lines compared with normal tissue. Kaplan–Meier plots indicated that HCC patients with decreased expression of miR-211-5p had poor overall survival. Upregulation of miR-211-5p in vitro consistently suppressed cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. In contrast, enhanced expression of ACSL4 promoted a malignant phenotype in HCC cells. Importantly, we discovered that ACSL4 was a direct downstream target of miR-211-5p in HCC, and that miR-211-5p suppressed the malignant phenotype by inhibition of ACSL4 expression. Furthermore, miR-211-5p overexpression impaired tumorigenesis and growth of HCC in vivo. Conclusions: Targeting miR-211-5p and the downstream gene ACSL4 will possibly provide novel insight and represents a promising approach to future therapy of HCC patients.

A series of new coumarin/1,2,4-oxadiazole hybrids were synthesized and evaluated for cholinesterase inhibitory and neuroprotective activities. Among them, enantiomers 5u and 5v showed potent hBChE inhibitory activity with IC₅₀ values of 8.17 and 9.56 μM, respectively, and also exhibited good selectivity for hBChE over hAChE by 9.49- and 7.58-fold, respectively. In addition, both compounds could protect SH-SY5Y cells against Aβ_25–35-induced neurotoxicity. The preliminary bioassay results provided a new chemotype for multifunctional anti-Alzheimer’s disease agents and continuing investigation into compounds 5u and 5v is warranted.

To explore the effect of microRNA-21 (miR-21) antisense oligonucleotide on the biological characteristics of human cervical squamous carcinoma cell lines SiHa in vivo and in vitro. Specific phosphorothioate antisense oligodeoxynucleotides targeting miR-21 were synthesized and transfected into cervical cancer cells in vitro. Expression of miR-21 in SiHa after transfection was detected by real-time RT-PCR. The cell proliferation was evaluated by MTT assay and colony formation experiment. The cell apoptosis was analyzed by annexin V-FITC/PI analysis. The inhibitory effect of miR-21 antisense oligonucleotide on tumor growth was evaluated by tumor growth curves and immunohistochemistry (MaxVision method). H-E staining was used to document morphological changes and fluorometric TUNEL assay was to detect the apoptotic activity. After the transfection of antisense miR-21, the expression of miR-21 decreased along with an obvious growth inhibition, compared with that of the control groups (P < 0.05). Colony formation of both cell lines was markedly inhibited with antisense miR-21 (55.6% ± 1.4%), as compared with that in the negative group (98.3% ± 2.0%, P < 0.05). Flow cytometry assay showed that antisense miR-21 expression significantly enhanced the cell apoptosis (6.7% ± 1.3% and 29.4% ± 1.7%, P < 0.05). The tumor-forming rates of miR-21 transfected group, and negative control groups were 3/8 and 6/8, respectively (P < 0.05). Ki-67 proliferative marker staining decreased significantly (42% vs 90%) in the transfected group compared with negative control groups. Extensive dead tumor cells were seen in the miR-21 transfected cells along with a marked increase of apoptosis (P < 0.05). Targeted antisense oligonucleotide miR-21 effectively suppresses the growth of cervical carcinoma SiHa cells both in vitro and in vivo through an induction of apoptosis.