Yang Liu’s research while affiliated with Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine and other places

Hypoxia is a hallmark of the tumor microenvironment (TME), and it plays a crucial role in the occurrence and progression in vascular tumors. Under hypoxic conditions, hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α) is stabilized, inducing changes in the expression of various target genes involved in angiogenesis, metabolism, and cell survival. This includes the upregulation of pro-angiogenic factors like VEGF, which promotes the formation of dysfunctional blood vessels, contributing to the worsening of the hypoxic microenvironment. At the same time, hypoxia induces a metabolic shift toward glycolysis, even in the presence of oxygen, supporting tumor cell survival and proliferation by providing necessary energy and biosynthetic precursors. This review discusses the molecular mechanisms by which hypoxia regulates angiogenesis and metabolic reprogramming in vascular tumors, highlighting the intricate link between these processes, and explores potential therapeutic strategies to target these pathways in order to develop effective treatment strategies for patients.

Background Asthma is a common chronic inflammatory disease affecting children worldwide. While probiotics have been proposed as a potential therapy, their efficacy in pediatric asthma management remains controversial. Methods A systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) and clinicaltrials.gov was conducted to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from 2014 to 2024 evaluating probiotic interventions in children with asthma. Primary outcomes included asthma exacerbation rates and predicted FEV1%. The risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane guidelines. Results Out of 1,361 articles, eight RCTs involving 902 participants were included. Meta-analysis showed probiotics significantly reduced acute asthma episodes with risk ratio of 0.38 (95% CI: 0.26–0.56, p < 0.00001) and improved FEV1/FVC ratios (MD = 5.70, 95% CI: 1.93–9.47, p < 0.003) compared to the control group. Neither FEV1 levels nor school attendance showed significant changes. Conclusion Probiotic supplementation may reduce asthma exacerbations and improve pulmonary function in pediatric asthma. However, heterogeneity across studies suggests the need for further research to determine optimal strains, dosages, and treatment durations. This review establishes groundwork for research and practice by exploring microbial interventions in childhood airway disorders. Systematic Review Registration https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42024607569, identifier (CRD42024607569).

Background Pulmonary echinococcosis represents a significant health challenge, particularly in endemic regions, and is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Its nonspecific clinical presentation and radiological diversity often lead to misdiagnosis. Here, we report a case of pulmonary echinococcosis initially misdiagnosed as pulmonary tuberculosis. Case presentation We report a case of a 13-year-old girl from a region endemic for both echinococcosis and tuberculosis. She initially presented with recurrent cough, hemoptysis, night sweats, and a pulmonary cystic lesion and was diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis. However, her condition progressively deteriorated despite antituberculosis therapy. Ultimately, surgical intervention and histopathological examination confirmed pulmonary echinococcosis, and the patient achieved complete recovery after therapy. Conclusion For patients from regions endemic for both tuberculosis and echinococcosis who present with cough, hemoptysis, or pulmonary cystic or cavitary lesions, it is crucial to differentiate pulmonary echinococcosis from pulmonary tuberculosis. The final diagnosis should be supported by other microbiological-serological and/or histopathological tests.

The intestinal epithelium represents a critical interface between the host and external environment, serving as the second largest surface area in the human body after the lungs. This dynamic barrier is sustained by specialized epithelial cell types and their complex interactions with the gut microbiota. This review comprehensively examines the recent advances in understanding the bidirectional communication between intestinal epithelial cells and the microbiome. We briefly highlight the role of various intestinal epithelial cell types, such as Paneth cells, goblet cells, and enteroendocrine cells, in maintaining intestinal homeostasis and barrier function. Gut microbiota-derived metabolites, particularly short-chain fatty acids and bile acids, influence epithelial cell function and intestinal barrier integrity. Additionally, we highlight emerging evidence of the sophisticated cooperation between different epithelial cell types, with special emphasis on the interaction between tuft cells and Paneth cells in maintaining microbial balance. Understanding these complex interactions has important implications for developing targeted therapeutic strategies for various gastrointestinal disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease, metabolic disorders, and colorectal cancer.

Respiratory diseases are a leading cause of morbidity in children globally, with significant healthcare costs. The overuse of conventional treatments like antibiotics has raised concerns about antibiotic resistance and side effects. Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG), one of the most extensively studied probiotics, has gained attention as a potential adjunct therapies due to their ability to modulate the gut microbiota and immune responses. This review aims to assess the effectiveness of LGG in managing pediatric respiratory diseases, including respiratory tract infections (RTI), cystic fibrosis (CF), and asthma. Clinical trials suggest LGG can reduce the incidence and severity of RTI, improving CF symptoms, and enhancing quality of life in children. However, evidence for its benefits in asthma remains inconclusive. Its mechanisms include modulating immune responses, enhancing gut barrier function, and maintaining a microbial homeostasis via the gut-lung axis. Existing studies are often limited by small sample sizes, heterogeneity in intervention protocols, and short follow-up periods. Emerging technologies and novel formulations, hold promise for unraveling the complex interactions among LGG, the gut-lung axis, and respiratory health. These advancements could pave the way for personalized probiotic therapies, highlighting the potential of LGG as a cost-effective, adjunctive therapy for pediatric respiratory diseases. This review underscores the broader significance of integrating LGG into pediatric healthcare, while calling for future research to overcome current limitations, optimize clinical protocols, and explore innovative therapeutic strategies.

Background Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) are intended to offer appropriate recommendations for clinical practice based on the available evidence while acknowledging existing gaps and uncertainties. The quality of CPGs for gastric precancerous lesions (GPL), distribution of evidence quality, and strength of recommendations are unknown. Objective Systematically evaluate the quality of CPGs for GPL and identify areas for improvement in the development process. Methods PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and six online CPG repositories were systematically searched for CPGs related to GPL. Three researchers independently assessed the methodological quality of the included CPGs by using the AGREE II tool. The reporting and recommendation quality of the CPGs were evaluated using the RIGHT and AGREE-REX tools through consensus. Evidence-based CPGs were analyzed using the Grading of Recommendation Assessment, Development, and Evaluation system to determine the distribution of quality of evidence and strength of recommendations. Results A total of 4046 records were identified; nine CPGs met the eligibility criteria for this study. The mean overall score for the methodological quality of the CPGs was 46.22%. Among the six domains, the mean score for clarity of presentation was the highest (71.67%), while the mean score for applicability was the lowest (24.56%). Among the nine CPGs, only one was considered high quality. Regarding reporting quality, domains 1, 3, and 4 had mean reporting rates equal to or higher than 60%. The mean overall score for the recommendation quality was 19.11%. In total, 235 recommendations were identified through the screening process, of which 64.4% were classified as strong. However, only 17.5% of the strong recommendations were supported by high-quality evidence. Conclusion The overall quality of CPGs for GPL was poor, with uneven quality across domains. In addition, the consistency between the strength of recommendations and the quality of evidence was poor.

Background: The Wilms' tumor suppressor gene (WT1) is a critical regulator in kidney development and disease pathogenesis. With the identification of at least 36 isoforms in mammals, each potentially playing distinct roles, WT1's complexity is becoming increasingly apparent. The -KTS and +KTS isoforms, in particular, have been implicated in DNA and RNA regulation, respectively. This review consolidates recent insights into WT1's multifaceted role in renal morphogenesis and its implications in kidney diseases. Summary: Our review highlights WT1's expression during embryonic kidney development and its maintenance in postnatal kidney function. We discuss the association of WT1 mutations with genetic nephropathies like Denys-Drash and Frasier syndromes, emphasizing its genetic significance. Additionally, we explore the implications of WT1 expression alterations in glomerular diseases, such as IgA nephropathy and lupus nephritis, where its role extends beyond a mere biomarker to a potential therapeutic target. Key messages: The WT1 gene and its protein products are central to understanding kidney morphogenesis and the molecular basis of renal disorders. As our understanding of WT1's regulatory mechanisms expands, so does the potential for developing targeted therapies for kidney diseases. This review calls for further research to elucidate the precise functions of WT1 isoforms and to explore the upstream regulators of WT1 that could offer novel treatment strategies for kidney pathologies. The significance of WT1 in intricate signaling pathways governing kidney health and disease is underscored, highlighting the need for continued investigation into this pivotal gene.

Background CD3 + CD20 + T cells (TB cells) are a subset of lymphocytes in the human body that are associated with inflammation. They originate from T cells interacting with B cells, and their levels are abnormally elevated in individuals with immune disorders, as well as in some cancer patients. The interplay between tumor immunity and inflammation is intricate, yet the specific involvement of TB cells in local tumor immunity remains uncertain, with limited research on their subtypes. Methods Lung cancer surgical samples were stained using multi-color immunofluorescence to study the subtypes and distribution patterns of TB cells. Results TB cells were confirmed to exist in a scattered pattern within tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) in lung cancer tissues, with higher abundance in mature TLS. In subtype analysis, the CD4-CD8- double-negative TB cell subtype was predominant, comprising over 90% in samples with abundant TLS infiltration and over 60% in samples with poor infiltration. This was followed by the CD4 + CD8- and CD4-CD8 + single-positive TB cell subtypes, while the CD4 + CD8 + double-positive TB cell subtype was nearly absent. During the maturation of TLS, the proportion of B cells gradually increased, while the proportion of CD4-CD8- T cell subtype decreased. Conclusions TB cells extensively infiltrate the TLS regions in tumor tissues, with the double-negative subtype being predominant, potentially playing a crucial regulatory role in the local tumor immune microenvironment. This finding could facilitate the advancement of novel cancer treatment strategies.