ObjectiveThis paper aims to analyze the damage degree of muscle tone in rats with spasticity of cerebral apoplexy （SCA） and the expression of Nestin and β-catenin in the M1 region of the cerebral cortex， thereby investigating the action mechanism of different doses of Shaoyao Gancaotang on rats with SCA. MethodsThe rats were randomly divided into a blank group， a model group， a positive control group （baclofen， 5.25 mg·kg^-1）， and low， medium， and high-dose groups of Shaoyao Gancaotang （2.1， 4.2， 8.4 g·kg^-1）， with nine rats in each group. A rat model with SCA was established by using a modified phrenic nerve block combined with intraventricular injection of anhydrous ethanol. Following behavioral scoring to confirm model validity， drug interventions were conducted. Neurological deficits and muscle tone were evaluated by behavioral assessments. The open field test was used to measure locomotor distance. Transmission electron microscopy was employed to examine the synaptic structures. Skeletal muscle adenosine triphosphate （ATP）ase staining was used to analyze myofibrillar changes. Hematoxylin and eosin （HE） staining was used to observe the histomorphological changes. Immunohistochemistry， Real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）， and Western blot were employed to detect mRNA levels and protein expressions of Nestin and β-catenin in the M1 region of the cerebral cortex. ResultsCompared with the blank group， rats in the model group exhibited significantly increased neurological deficit scores （P<0.01）， markedly elevated muscle tone scores （P<0.01）， substantially reduced locomotor distance （P<0.01）， prominent structural swelling and blurring， severe destruction of cerebral cortical cells， a significant increase in the proportion of skeletal muscle ATPase type Ⅰ fibers （P<0.01）， a significant decrease in mRNA levels and protein expression of Nestin （P<0.01）， and a significant increase in mRNA levels and protein expression of β-catenin （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the Shaoyao Gancaotang group exhibited reduced neurological deficit scores and muscle tone scores in rats with SCA （P<0.01） and increased locomotor distance （P<0.01）. Transmission electron microscopy revealed clearer and more intact synaptic structures in the rats from the Shaoyao Gancaotang group， with increased vesicle numbers and improved morphology. HE staining revealed intact neuronal cell structures with regular arrangement and reduced vacuolated cells in the rats from Shaoyao Gancaotang. ATPase staining result indicated a decreased proportion of type Ⅰ muscle fibers in the rats from the Shaoyao Gancaotang group （P<0.01）. Real-time PCR results demonstrated increased mRNA expressions of Nestin and β-catenin in the rats from the Shaoyao Gancaotang group （P<0.01）. Immunohistochemistry and western blot analyses indicated elevated protein expressions of Nestin and β-catenin in rats with SCA from the Shaoyao Gancaotang group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionShaoyao Gancaotang may improve neurological function impairment and limb spasticity in model rats with SCA by regulating the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells in the cerebral cortex M1 region.

Guided by molecular networking, nine novel curvularin derivatives (1-9) and 16 known analogs (10-25) were isolated from the hydrothermal vent sediment fungus Penicillium sp. HL-50. Notably, compounds 5-7 represented a hybrid of curvularin and purine. The structures and absolute configurations of compounds 1-9 were elucidated via nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations, ¹³C NMR calculation, modified Mosher's method, and chemical derivatization. Investigation of anti-inflammatory activities revealed that compounds 7-9, 11, 12, 14, 15, and 18 exhibited significant suppressive effects against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in murine macrophage RAW264.7 cells, with IC₅₀ values ranging from 0.44 to 4.40 μmol·L^-1. Furthermore, these bioactive compounds were found to suppress the expression of inflammation-related proteins, including inducible NO synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), NLR family pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3), and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB). Additional studies demonstrated that the novel compound 7 possessed potent anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting the transcription of inflammation-related genes, downregulating the expression of inflammation-related proteins, and inhibiting the release of inflammatory cytokines, indicating its potential application in the treatment of inflammatory diseases.
Penicillium/chemistry* ; Mice ; Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/isolation & purification* ; RAW 264.7 Cells ; Nitric Oxide/metabolism* ; Hydrothermal Vents/microbiology* ; Macrophages/immunology* ; Molecular Structure ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II/immunology* ; Cyclooxygenase 2/immunology* ; Geologic Sediments/microbiology* ; NF-kappa B/immunology* ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/immunology*

Liver cancer imposes a substantial global disease burden.Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),as the primary pathological type of primary liver cancer,accounts for approximately 90％of all cases.As a minimally invasive treatment,thermal ablation causes minimal impact on liver function and trauma,serving as the first-line treatment option for early-stage HCC patients unsuit-able for surgical resection.However,clinical data indicate that 5-year recurrence rate of HCC pa-tients after thermal ablation treatment is as high as 50％～70％,and incomplete ablation remains a core factor leading to recurrence.Therefore,exploring and optimizing complete ablation strategies has become a critical direction for improving the efficacy of thermal ablation in HCC and enhanc-ing long-term survival rates of patients.This paper systematically reviews the current applications of thermal ablation in HCC treatment and focuses on discussing key technologies and strategies for achieving complete ablation,with the aim of providing theoretical foundations and technical refer-ences for improving the complete ablation rate of thermal ablation in clinical practice and formu-lating personalized diagnosis and treatment plans.

Objective To explore the angioarchitectural characteristics of brain arteriovenous malformations(AVM)associated with epilepsy.Methods Data of conventional MRI,whole brain time of flight MR angiography(TOF MRA)and digital subtraction angiography(DSA)of 70 cases of AVM were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were divided into epilepsy group(n=22)and non-epilepsy group(n=48)based on presence or absence of epileptic seizures,and clinical data,conventional imaging findings and angioarchitectural characteristics of AVM were compared between groups.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to identify independent risk factors of seizures associated with AVM.Results Significant differences of lesion's location,located in functional area or not,as well as of the length of draining vein were found between groups(allP＜0.05).Lesion located in functional area(OR[95％CI]=16.409[2.142,125.733],P=0.007)and longer draining vein length(OR[95％CI]=1.350[1.143,1.594],P＜0.001)were both independent risk factors of AVM related seizures.Conclusion Lesion located in functional area and longer draining vein length were both independent risk factors of AVM related seizures.The length of drainage vein was a simple and repeatable quantitative indicator for identifying AVM at high risk of epilepsy.

Objective The study aimed to investigate whether montelukast sodium could alleviate airway inflammatory responses in asthmatic mice by affecting the PHD2/HIF-1α pathway.Methods An allergic asthma model was established by ovalbumin(OVA)induction,and 18 female BALB/c mice were randomly divided into a control group(Con group),an asthma group(OVA group),and an asthma group with montelukast sodium intervention(30 mg/kg montelukast sodium by oral administration 1 h before OVA challenge,Mon group).HE staining was used to analyze the pathological changes in the lungs of mice.Blood cell analyzer and kits were used to determine the number of inflammatory cells and the levels of cytokines,the content of lactic acid and pyruvic acid in the lungs,respectively.RT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of HIF-1α,PHD2,E-cad and p120 in the lungs of mice.Results Compared with the Con group,there was a significant increase in the number of eosinophils,lymphocytes,neutrophils and monocytes,the levels of IL-5,IL-13,complement factor D(CFD)and contents of lactate and pyruvate in the lungs of mice in the OVA group.Lung HIF-1α,PHD2,p120 and E-cad mRNA levels were reduced,meanwhile HIF-1α and PHD2 protein expression were upregulated but E-cad and p120 protein expression were downregulated(all with P<0.05).After montelukast sodium intervention,the number of eosinophils and monocytes and CFD expression were significantly decreased in the lungs of Mon group,the contents of lactate and pyruvate were basically restored to normal,and the mRNA and protein expression of HIF-1α,PHD2,p120 and E-cad were effectively improved.Conclusion Montelukast sodium could alleviate the airway inflammatory responses in the lungs of asthmatic mice by regulating the PHD2/HIF-1α signaling pathway.

Objective To explore the angioarchitectural characteristics of brain arteriovenous malformations(AVM)associated with epilepsy.Methods Data of conventional MRI,whole brain time of flight MR angiography(TOF MRA)and digital subtraction angiography(DSA)of 70 cases of AVM were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were divided into epilepsy group(n=22)and non-epilepsy group(n=48)based on presence or absence of epileptic seizures,and clinical data,conventional imaging findings and angioarchitectural characteristics of AVM were compared between groups.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to identify independent risk factors of seizures associated with AVM.Results Significant differences of lesion's location,located in functional area or not,as well as of the length of draining vein were found between groups(allP＜0.05).Lesion located in functional area(OR[95％CI]=16.409[2.142,125.733],P=0.007)and longer draining vein length(OR[95％CI]=1.350[1.143,1.594],P＜0.001)were both independent risk factors of AVM related seizures.Conclusion Lesion located in functional area and longer draining vein length were both independent risk factors of AVM related seizures.The length of drainage vein was a simple and repeatable quantitative indicator for identifying AVM at high risk of epilepsy.

Objective The study aimed to investigate whether montelukast sodium could alleviate airway inflammatory responses in asthmatic mice by affecting the PHD2/HIF-1α pathway.Methods An allergic asthma model was established by ovalbumin(OVA)induction,and 18 female BALB/c mice were randomly divided into a control group(Con group),an asthma group(OVA group),and an asthma group with montelukast sodium intervention(30 mg/kg montelukast sodium by oral administration 1 h before OVA challenge,Mon group).HE staining was used to analyze the pathological changes in the lungs of mice.Blood cell analyzer and kits were used to determine the number of inflammatory cells and the levels of cytokines,the content of lactic acid and pyruvic acid in the lungs,respectively.RT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of HIF-1α,PHD2,E-cad and p120 in the lungs of mice.Results Compared with the Con group,there was a significant increase in the number of eosinophils,lymphocytes,neutrophils and monocytes,the levels of IL-5,IL-13,complement factor D(CFD)and contents of lactate and pyruvate in the lungs of mice in the OVA group.Lung HIF-1α,PHD2,p120 and E-cad mRNA levels were reduced,meanwhile HIF-1α and PHD2 protein expression were upregulated but E-cad and p120 protein expression were downregulated(all with P<0.05).After montelukast sodium intervention,the number of eosinophils and monocytes and CFD expression were significantly decreased in the lungs of Mon group,the contents of lactate and pyruvate were basically restored to normal,and the mRNA and protein expression of HIF-1α,PHD2,p120 and E-cad were effectively improved.Conclusion Montelukast sodium could alleviate the airway inflammatory responses in the lungs of asthmatic mice by regulating the PHD2/HIF-1α signaling pathway.

Liver cancer imposes a substantial global disease burden.Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),as the primary pathological type of primary liver cancer,accounts for approximately 90％of all cases.As a minimally invasive treatment,thermal ablation causes minimal impact on liver function and trauma,serving as the first-line treatment option for early-stage HCC patients unsuit-able for surgical resection.However,clinical data indicate that 5-year recurrence rate of HCC pa-tients after thermal ablation treatment is as high as 50％～70％,and incomplete ablation remains a core factor leading to recurrence.Therefore,exploring and optimizing complete ablation strategies has become a critical direction for improving the efficacy of thermal ablation in HCC and enhanc-ing long-term survival rates of patients.This paper systematically reviews the current applications of thermal ablation in HCC treatment and focuses on discussing key technologies and strategies for achieving complete ablation,with the aim of providing theoretical foundations and technical refer-ences for improving the complete ablation rate of thermal ablation in clinical practice and formu-lating personalized diagnosis and treatment plans.

Objective To investigate the improvement effect and mechanism of Modified Kongsheng Zhenzhong Dan medicated serum on mitochondrial function of PC12 cells injured by oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion(OGD/R)based on the SIRT1/PGC-1α pathway.Methods PC12 cells were used to construct OGD/R cell model in vitro.Cell grouping:normal group(10%FBS),model group(10%FBS),10%drug-containing serum group,5%drug-containing serum group(5%drug-containing serum+5%blank serum),10%blank serum group(control group).CCK-8 method was used to detect the cell survival rate,and the appropriate oxygen glucose deprivation time(2,4,6,8 hours)was screened.MTT assay was used to detect cell activity;mitochondrial stress test(MST)was used to detect the oxygen consumption rate(OCR).Apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry(Annexin V-PE/7-AAD double staining).The protein expression levels of SIRT1 and PGC-1α in PC12 cells were detected by Western Blot.Results Compared with the normal group,the activity of PC12 cells decreased significantly after oxygen-glucose deprivation for 2,4,6 and 8 hours(P＜0.05),and 6 hours of oxygen-glucose deprivation was selected as the time of subsequent experimental modeling.Compared with the normal group,the cell activity of the model group was significantly decreased(P＜0.05).The OCR values of basic respiration value,maximum respiration value,proton leakage,ATP production and standby respiration ability were significantly decreased(P＜0.05).The apoptosis rate was significantly increased(P＜0.05).The protein expression levels of SIRT1 and PGC-1α in cells were significantly decreased(P＜0.05).Compared with the model group,the cell activity of the Modified Kongsheng Zhenzhong Dan 10%and 5%drug-containing serum groups was significantly increased(P＜0.05).The OCR values of basal respiration value,maximum respiration value,proton leakage,ATP production and spare breathing ability were significantly increased(P＜0.05).The apoptosis rate was significantly decreased(P＜0.05).The protein expression levels of SIRT1 and PGC-1α in cells were significantly increased(P＜0.05).Conclusion The Modified Kongsheng Zhenzhong Dan medicated serum can improve mitochondrial dysfunction,inhibit neuronal apoptosis and promote neuronal survival in OGD/R-injured PC12 cells.The mechanism may be related to the activation of SIRT1/PGC-1α signaling pathway.

Objective:To explore the application value of silent MR angiography (MRA) in imaging of brain arteriovenous malformation (BAVM) in children.Methods:A total of 20 children with BAVM confirmed by digital subtraction angiography (DSA) were retrospectively collected. All children were imaged by silent MRA and time-of-flight MRA (TOF MRA) in the same examination. The image quality of feeding artery, nidus and drainage vein of BAVM was evaluated using the four-point method. Wilcoxon rank-sum test was utilized to compare the image quality scores between silent MRA and TOF MRA. Weighted Kappa statistics used to evaluate the inter-modality agreement of silent MRA and TOF MRA with DSA in displaying of angioarchitecture characteristics and determination of Spetzler-Martin grading.Results:Among the 20 BAVMs, significant differences in image quality scores of the nidus (2.75±0.55 versus 2.20±0.70) and drainage vein (2.60±0.68 versus 2.20±0.77) were observed between silent MRA and TOF MRA ( Z=-3.05, P=0.002; Z=-2.13, P=0.033, respectively). The agreement between silent MRA and DSA was excellent in nidus size grading, deep venous drainage, associated aneurysm and SM grading (Kappa 0.91, 1.00, 0.83 and 0.93, respectively); The agreement between TOF MRA and DSA was fair to moderate (Kappa 0.46, 0.59, 0.35 and 0.47, respectively). Conclusions:Silent MRA showes better image quality compared to TOF MRA and improves the evaluation of angioarchitecture characteristics and Spetzler-Martin grading of BAVMs in children.