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Background: The advances in deep learning-based pathological image analysis have invoked tremendous insights into cancer prognostication. Still, lack of interpretability remains a significant barrier to clinical application. Methods: We established an integrative prognostic neural network for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA), towards a comprehensive evaluation of both architectural and fine-grained information from whole-slide images. Then, leveraging on multi-modal data, we conducted extensive interrogative approaches to the models, to extract and visualize the morphological features that most correlated with clinical outcome and underlying molecular alterations. Results: The models were developed and optimized on 373 iCCA patients from our center and demonstrated consistent accuracy and robustness on both internal (n = 213) and external (n = 168) cohorts. The occlusion sensitivity map revealed that the distribution of tertiary lymphoid structures, the geometric traits of the invasive margin, the relative composition of tumor parenchyma and stroma, the extent of necrosis, the presence of the disseminated foci, and the tumor-adjacent micro-vessels were the determining architectural features that impacted on prognosis. Quantifiable morphological vector extracted by CellProfiler demonstrated that tumor nuclei from high-risk patients exhibited significant larger size, more distorted shape, with less prominent nuclear envelope and textural contrast. The multi-omics data (n = 187) further revealed key molecular alterations left morphological imprints that could be attended by the network, including glycolysis, hypoxia, apical junction, mTORC1 signaling, and immune infiltration. Conclusions: We proposed an interpretable deep-learning framework to gain insights into the biological behavior of iCCA. Most of the significant morphological prognosticators perceived by the network are comprehensible to human minds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS) has brought significant physical, psychological and economic burdens on the patients and their families due to its early onset, diagnostic and therapeutic challenges and increased recurrence risk., Aim: To explore the current research status and emerging hotspots of PJS., Methods: Studies on PJS published during 1994-2023 were gathered based on Web of Science Core Collection. Additionally, a case of PJS-induced intestinal intussusception, successfully treated with endoscopic methods despite three laparotomies, was highlighted. Comprehensive bibliometric and visual analysis were conducted with VOSviewer, R and CiteSpace., Results: Altogether 1760 studies were identified, indicating a steady increase in the publication number. The United States had the highest influence, whereas the University of Helsinki emerged as the leading institution, and Aaltonen LA from the University of Helsinki was the most prolific author. Cancer Research, Oncogene and Endoscopy were the top three journals based on H-index. Keyword burst direction analysis revealed that "cancer risk", "management", "surveillance" and "familial pancreatic cancer" were the potential hotspots for investigation. Additionally, "early detection", "capsule endoscopy", "clinical management", "double-balloon endoscopy", "familial pancreatic cancer" and "molecular genetic basis" were identified as the key clusters of co-cited references. Endoscopic polypectomy remained effective on resolving intestinal intussusception in patients who underwent three previous laparotomies., Conclusion: In the last three decades, global publications related to PJS show a steadily increasing trend in number. Endoscopic management is currently a research hotspot., Competing Interests: Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (©The Author(s) 2024. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective To investigate the effects of pterostilbene on human colon cancer LoVo cells and study the regulatory mechanism of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in the process of pterostilbene acting on LoVo cells. Methods LoVo cells were treated with different concentrations (5,10,20,40,60,80,100 μmol/L) of pterostilbene.Cell viability,migration,invasion,and apoptosis were examined by CCK-8,scratch,Transwell,and TUNEL assays,respectively.The mitochondrial membrane potential was measured by the mitochondrial membrane potential assay kit with JC-1.The reactive oxygen species level was measured by 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate.The protein levels of Nrf2,phosphorylated Nrf2,heme oxygenase 1,and apoptotic proteins (Bcl2 and Bax) were determined by Western blotting.In addition,cell viability,Nrf2 expression,and apoptosis rate were determined after co-application of the Nrf2-specific agonist sulforaphane. Results Compared with the control group,40,60,80,100 μmol/L pterostilbene reduced the viability of LoVo cells ( P =0.014, P <0.001, P <0.001, P <0.001).Pterostilbene at 5,10,20 μmol/L did not show effects on cell viability but inhibited cell migration ( P =0.008, P <0.001, P <0.001) and invasion (all P <0.001).Pterostilbene at 40,60,80 μmol/L increased apoptosis ( P =0.014, P <0.001, P <0.001),promoted mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization ( P =0.026, P <0.001, P <0.001) and reactive oxygen species accumulation (all P <0.001),and down-regulated the expression of phosphorylated Nrf2 ( P =0.030, P <0.001, P <0.001),heme oxygenase 1 ( P =0.015, P <0.001, P <0.001),and Bcl2 ( P =0.039, P <0.001, P <0.001) in LoVo cells.Pterostilbene at 60,80 μmol/L down-regulated Nrf2 expression ( P =0.001, P <0.001) and up-regulated Bax expression (both P <0.001).The application of sulforaphane reversed the effects of pterostilbene on cell viability ( P <0.001),apoptosis ( P <0.001),and Nrf2 expression ( P =0.022). Conclusion Pterostilbene is a compound that can effectively inhibit colon cancer cells by inhibiting the Nrf2 pathway.

A sensitive and efficient ultra-high performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS) approach was established. Based on the self-developed information library, the chemical components from Euodiae Fructus were systematically characterized and identified. The chromatographic separation conditions(e. g., stationary phase,mobile phase, column temperature, and elution gradient) and MS detection conditions(nozzle voltage, capillary voltage, fragmentor,and collision energy) were optimized. Ultimately, an HSS T3 column(2. 1 mm×100 mm, 1. 8 μm) maintained at 35 ℃ was used,and 0. 1% formic acid water-acetonitrile at the flow rate of 0. 4 m L·min~(-1) was used as the mobile phase. Electrospray ionization was adopted to collect the positive and negative ion mass spectrometry data in Auto MS/MS mode. According to the reference compound comparison, fragment ion information interpretation, literature, and retrieval in the self-developed information library, 92 compounds were characterized or derived from the decoction of Euodiae Fructus, including 33 alkaloids, 23 flavonoids, 12 terpenoids, 12phenylpropanoids, and 12 others. Among them, 17 compounds were identified by comparison with the reference compounds, and 11compounds were unreported from Euodiae Fructus. This study realizes the rapid characterization and identification of multi-class chemical components in the decoction of Euodiae Fructus and provides a reference for the studies regarding its effective substances and quality control.

According to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) belongs to the category of "Jing Long". Clinical management of BPH in TCM is root-aimed and kidney-targeted, in combination with the treatment of other viscera based on the syndrome differentiation of zang-fu organs. The neuro-endocrine-immune network of modern medicine is similar to the holistic concept of TCM. Based on the study of the neuro-endocrine-immune network, with kidney deficiency as the root of pathogenesis, and starting from the classification of viscera, this review elucidates the etiologic mechanisms of BHP from the perspective of Chinese and Western medicine and provides some reference for medication.

Intratumoral immune status influences tumor therapeutic response, but it remains largely unclear how the status determines therapies for patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Here, we examine the single-cell transcriptional and TCR profiles of 18 tumor tissues pre- and post- therapy of gemcitabine plus oxaliplatin, in combination with lenvatinib and anti-PD1 antibody for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. We find that high CD8 GZMB + and CD8 proliferating proportions and a low Macro CD5L + proportion predict good response to the therapy. In patients with a poor response, the CD8 GZMB + and CD8 proliferating proportions are increased, but the CD8 GZMK + proportion is decreased after the therapy. Transition of CD8 proliferating and CD8 GZMB + to CD8 GZMK + facilitates good response to the therapy, while Macro CD5L + -CD8 GZMB + crosstalk impairs the response by increasing CTLA4 in CD8 GZMB + . Anti-CTLA4 antibody reverses resistance of the therapy in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Our data provide a resource for predicting response of the combination therapy and highlight the importance of CD8 + T-cell status conversion and exhaustion induced by Macro CD5L + in influencing the response, suggesting future avenues for cancer treatment optimization., (© 2024. The Author(s).)