Radiation injury poses a serious threat to human health, causing complex and multifaceted damage to cells and tissues. Such injury can be caused by various factors, including nuclear accidents, medical radiation therapy, and space travel. Currently, finding effective treatment methods and drugs to mitigate the harmful effects of radiation injury on the human body is a crucial research direction. This study aimed to explore the protective effects and mechanisms of Licochalcone B (Lico B) on radiation-induced cell damage and radiation-induced mortality in mice.

HaCaT cells, THP-1 cells, and HAEC cells were irradiated with a 10 Gray (Gy) dose of X-rays, while RAW 264.7 cells were irradiated with a 10 Gy dose of γ-rays. The cells were pre-treated with Lico B for 2 h before irradiation, and samples were collected 2 h after irradiation. Cell proliferation viability, oxidative stress levels, DNA damage, expression levels of inflammatory factors, matrix metalloproteinases, guanylate cyclase, and iron death-related factors were measured. C57BL/6 mice were exposed to total-body irradiation with a dose of 8 Gy or a combined dose of 6 Gy + 8 Gy of γ-rays to induce radiation injury. Lico B was injected intraperitoneally one day before irradiation and then administered for two consecutive days, with continuous observation for 20 days.

Mechanistically, Lico B significantly improved antioxidant levels, reduced DNA damage, and lowered the expression of inflammatory factors in HaCaT, THP-1, HAEC, and RAW 264.7 cells. Therapeutically, Lico B increased cell proliferation capacity and significantly extended the survival time of irradiated mice, demonstrating a strong radioprotective effect.

Lico B exhibits significant radioprotective effects and may serve as a potential radioprotective agent.

HLA-G gene harbors certain polymorphic variations that can potentially impact its biological activity, and therefore, may confer a risk for recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). This study aimed to analyze whether HLA-G polymorphic variations (G*0103, G*0104, and G0105N) are related to the risk of RPL in women from Kashmir, North India.

A total of 200 women who suffered ≥2 RPLs and 240 healthy controls were recruited from the same geographical region. Additionally, 100 spouses of RPL affected women and 60 products of conception were evaluated. HLA-G genotyping was performed using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method.

The variant genotype 0103:0103 in exon 2 of HLA-G was not detected. The genotype 0104/0105 was detected in 100% of RPL patients, spouses, and controls. Exon 2 and variant genotypes G*0103 in exon 2 and G*0105 in exon 3 of HLA-G were absent in our population and thus did not contribute to the etiopathogenesis of RPL. In contrast, the exon 3 HLA-G variant G*0104N was significantly more frequent in RPL patients and their spouses compared to the control group (p<0.05). The presence of the HLA-G variant genotype G*0104N (exon 3) was detected in 13% of RPL patients and 7% of their male partners, indicating a significantly higher frequency than in controls and suggesting a substantial risk for RPL (p<0.05).

This study revealed that the higher frequency of the HLA-G*0104 allele in both partners strongly predicted a substantial risk for RPL in our population.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an idiopathic intestinal inflammatory condition affecting the ileum, colon, and rectum, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Clinical symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and even bloody stools. The intestinal barrier is the first line of defense between the intestinal tract and the external environment, and maintaining its stability is essential for intestinal health. On one hand, it enables the digestion and absorption of water and nutrients; on the other, it plays a crucial role in reducing the absorption of toxins and the invasion of pathogens. Damage to the intestinal barrier has become one of the most important factors in the onset and progression of IBD. However, there is currently no literature that systematically reviews the mechanisms of the intestinal barrier in the pathogenesis of IBD and the factors influencing it. In this paper, we aimed to systematically elaborate on the role of the intestinal barrier in IBD through the perspectives of oxidative stress, intestinal flora, and cellular autophagy. Our goal was to explore the mechanisms of the intestinal barrier in IBD more deeply and to provide new insights for the diagnosis and treatment of IBD. This article will summarize the composition of the intestinal barrier, the factors affecting it, and strategies to protect it.

Pancreatic cancer encompasses a heterogeneous group of malignancies, primarily divided into endocrine and exocrine types, with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma representing approximately 90% of cases. While the incidence of pancreatic cancer is relatively low, accounting for about 3% of all cancers in the United States, it has a disproportionately high mortality rate, responsible for around 7% of cancer-related deaths. In 2024, it is estimated that there will be 66,440 new diagnoses and 51,750 fatalities associated with this disease. The overall five-year survival rate remains alarmingly low at just 13%, primarily due to late-stage diagnosis; over 80% of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma patients present with unresectable tumors and metastases at the time of diagnosis. This review aims to highlight recent advancements in imaging and laboratory tests that are paving the way for innovative screening and diagnostic approaches. Some of the modalities discussed in detail include endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and its modifications, such as EUS elastography, EUS contrast-enhanced, and EUS Fine Needle Aspiration, as well as multi-detector computed tomography scans, magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emission tomography scans. Furthermore, laboratory tests, such as multi-marker analysis and circulating tumor DNA, alongside traditional markers like carcinoembryonic antigen, carbohydrate antigen 19-9, and carbohydrate antigen 125, are explored. The role of radiomics and proteomics in the early detection of pancreatic cancer is also discussed. These developments hold the promise of improving early detection, which is crucial for enhancing patient outcomes in pancreatic cancer. On the treatment front, conventional therapies, including platinum-based therapies and monoclonal antibodies, are reviewed, alongside innovative therapies such as immunotherapies, chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy, and cancer vaccines. It has been increasingly recognized that the intricate patho-mechanisms underlying tumorigenesis in pancreatic cancers necessitate a deeper understanding to facilitate targeted therapeutic strategies. We also explore various newer therapies currently in clinical trials, assessing their practicality and effectiveness in real-world settings.