Background: Renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) increases the rates of acute kidney failure, delayed graft function, and early mortality after kidney transplantation. The pathophysiology involved includes oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and immune-mediated injury. The anti-oxidation, anti-apoptosis, and anti-inflammation properties of baicalin, a flavonoid glycoside isolated from Scutellaria baicalensis, have been verified. This study therefore assessed the effects of baicalin against renal IRI in rats. Methods: Baicalin was intraperitoneally injected 30 min before renal ischemia. Serum and kidneys were harvested 24 h after reperfusion. Renal function and histological changes were assessed. Markers of oxidative stress, the Toll-like receptor (TLR)2 and TLR4 signaling pathway, mitochondrial stress, and cell apoptosis were also evaluated. Results: Baicalin treatment decreased oxidative stress and histological injury, and improved kidney function, as well as inhibiting proinflammatory responses and tubular apoptosis. Baicalin pretreatment also reduced the expression of TLR2, TLR4, MyD88, p-NF-κB, and p-IκB proteins, as well as decreasing caspase-3 activity and increasing the Bcl-2/Bax ratio. Conclusions: Baicalin may attenuate renal ischemia-reperfusion injury by inhibiting proinflammatory responses and mitochondria-mediated apoptosis. These effects are associated with the TLR2/4 signaling pathway and mitochondrial stress.

Increased glycolysis is a hallmark of tumor, which can provide tumor cells with energy and building blocks to promote cell proliferation. Recent studies have shown that not only the expression of glycolytic genes but also their subcellular localization undergoes a variety of changes to promote development of different types of tumors. In this study, we performed a comprehensive analysis of glycolysis and gluconeogenesis genes based on data from TCGA to identify those with significant tumor-promoting potential across 14 types of tumors. This analysis not only confirms genes that are known to be involved in tumorigenesis, but also reveals a significant correlation of triosephosphate isomerase 1 (TPI1) with poor prognosis, especially in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). TPI1 is a glycolytic enzyme that interconverts dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP) to glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate (GAP). We confirm the upregulation of TPI1 expression in clinical LUAD samples and an inverse correlation with the overall patient survival. Knocking down of TPI1 in lung cancer cells significantly reduced cell migration, colony formation, and xenograft tumor growth. Surprisingly, we found that the oncogenic function of TPI1 depends on its translocation to cell nucleus rather than its catalytic activity. Significant accumulation of TPI1 in cell nucleus was observed in LUAD tumor tissues compared with the cytoplasm localization in adjacent normal tissues. Moreover, nuclear translocation of TPI1 is induced by extracellular stress (such as chemotherapy agents and peroxide), which facilitates the chemoresistance of cancer cells. Our study uncovers a novel function of the glycolytic enzyme TPI1 in the LUAD.

Renal ischemia-reperfusion injury plays a key role in renal transplantation and greatly affects the outcome of allograft. Our previous study proved that Baicalin, a flavonoid glycoside isolated from Scutellaria baicalensis, protects kidney from ischemia-reperfusion injury. This study aimed to study the underlying mechanism in vitro. Human renal proximal tubular epithelial cell line HK-2 cells were stimulated by H₂O₂ with and without Baicalin pretreatment. The cell viability, apoptosis and oxidative stress level were measured. The expression of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress hallmarks, such as binding immunoglobulin protein (BiP) and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), were analyzed by western blot and real-time PCR. NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) expression was also measured. In the H₂O₂ group, cell viability decreased and cell apoptosis increased. Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and Glutathione/Oxidized Glutathione (GSH/GSSG) analysis revealed increased oxidative stress. ER stress and Nrf2 signaling also increased. Baicalin pretreatment ameliorated H₂O₂-induced cytotoxicity, reduced oxidative stress and ER stress and further activated the anti-oxidative Nrf2 signaling pathway. The inducer of ER stress and the inhibitor of Nrf2 abrogated the protective effects, while the inhibitor of ER stress and the inducer of Nrf2 did not improve the outcome. This study revealed that Baicalin pretreatment serves a protective role against H₂O₂-induced cytotoxicity in HK-2 cells, where the inhibition of ER stress and the activation of downstream Nrf2 signaling are involved.

Objective: We aimed to explore the prognostic implication for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) based on the expression profiles of circadian clock-related genes (CCRGs), and describe the changes of immune infiltration and cell functions of related to the circadian rhythm.

Backgrounds: Unilateral Video-Assisted Thorascopic Surgery (VATS) is a traditional minimally invasive transthoracic approach for the surgical resection of a subxiphoid goiter. Recently, the subxiphoid approach was recommended for an anterior mediastinal mass. This study aims to investigate the feasibility and efficacy of a modified subxiphoid VATS for the resection of a retrosternal goiter as an alternative transthoracic approach.Methods: We retrospectively collected all patients who underwent subxiphoid VATS for the resection of a retrosternal goiter from June 2017 to June 2021 in the Zhongshan Hospital or the Zhongshan Hospital Xiamen branch. Ten patients were found. Patient characteristics, perioperative data, and surgical information were collected and further analyzed.Results: In our study, all 10 patients underwent a thoracoscopic subxiphoid resection of a retrosternal goiter. The mean age was 49.4 years, and all were female. The majority of patients (70%) were asymptomatic. All patients were assessed by CT imaging before surgery. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 4.9 days. The drainage tube was removed 3 days after operation, and the average drainage volume was 73.1 ml. Postoperative pain was mild, with an average pain grade of 2.4 (measured on a scale from 0 to 10, with lower scores indicating less pain). There were no conversions or perioperative complications in these 10 patients.Conclusions: Most retrosternal goiters can be completely resected through the modified subxiphoid approach after an adequate preoperative evaluation and careful intraoperative management. This thoracoscopic subxiphoid approach is feasible and safe for retrosternal goiter resection.