ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism by which Buyang Huanwutang regulates the glutathione peroxidase 4 （GPX4）-acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 （ACSL4） axis to inhibit ferroptosis and promote neurological functional recovery after spinal cord injury （SCI）. MethodsNinety rats were randomly divided into five groups： sham operation group， model group， low-dose Buyang Huanwutang group （12.5 g·kg^-1）， high-dose Buyang Huanwutang group （25 g·kg^-1）， and Buyang Huanwutang + inhibitor group （25 g·kg^-1 + 5 g·kg^-1 RSL3）. The SCI model was established by using the allen method. Tissue was collected on the 7th and 28th days after operation. Motor function was assessed by using the Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan （BBB） scale. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE）， Nissl， and Luxol fast blue （LFB） staining were performed to observe spinal cord histopathology. Transmission electron microscopy was used to examine mitochondrial ultrastructure. Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the number of NeuN-positive cells and the fluorescence intensity of myelin basic protein （MBP）， GPX4， and ACSL4. Real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to analyze the mRNA expression of GPX4 and ACSL4. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was performed to measure the levels of reactive oxygen species （ROS）， malondialdehyde （MDA）， glutathione （GSH）， and superoxide dismutase （SOD）. Colorimetric assays were used to determine the iron content in spinal cord tissue. ResultsCompared to the sham operation group， the model group exhibited significantly reduced BBB scores （P<0.01）， severe pathological damage in spinal cord tissue， and marked mitochondrial ultrastructural disruption. In addition， the model group showed a decrease in the number of NeuN-positive cells （P<0.01）， reduced fluorescence intensity of MBP and GPX4 （P<0.01）， lower levels of GSH and SOD （P<0.01）， and downregulated mRNA expression of GPX4 （P<0.01）. Moreover， compared to the sham operation group， the model group had elevated levels of ROS， MDA， and tissue iron content （P<0.01）， along with increased fluorescence intensity and mRNA expression of ACSL4 （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group and Buyang Huanwutang + inhibitor group， the Buyang Huanwutang group showed significantly improved BBB scores （P<0.05， P<0.01） and exhibited less severe spinal cord tissue damage， reduced edema and inflammatory cell infiltration， increased neuronal survival， and more intact myelin structures. Additionally， mitochondrial ultrastructure was significantly improved in the Buyang Huanwutang group. Compared to the model group and Buyang Huanwutang + inhibitor group， the Buyang Huanwutang group significantly increased the number of NeuN-positive cells and the fluorescence intensity of MBP （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Furthermore， Buyang Huanwutang significantly increased the fluorescence intensity and mRNA expression of GPX4 （P<0.01） and decreased the fluorescence intensity and mRNA expression of ACSL4 （P<0.01） compared to the model group and Buyang Huanwutang + inhibitor group. Finally， the Buyang Huanwutang group significantly decreased ROS， MDA， and tissue iron content （P<0.01） and significantly increased GSH and SOD levels （P<0.01） compared to the model group and Buyang Huanwutang + inhibitor group. ConclusionBuyang Huanwutang inhibits ferroptosis through the GPX4/ACSL4 axis， reduces secondary neuronal and myelin injury and oxidative stress， and ultimately promotes the recovery of neurological function.

Sigma-1 receptor (σ ₁R) has become a focus point of drug discovery for central nervous system (CNS) diseases. A series of novel 1-phenylethan-1-one O-(2-aminoethyl) oxime derivatives were synthesized. In vitro biological evaluation led to the identification of 1a, 14a, 15d and 16d as the most high-affinity (K _i < 4 nmol/L) and selective σ ₁R agonists. Among these, 15d, the most metabolically stable derivative exhibited high selectivity for σ ₁R in relation to σ ₂R and 52 other human targets. In addition to low CYP450 inhibition and induction, 15d also exhibited high brain permeability and excellent oral bioavailability. Importantly, 15d demonstrated effective antipsychotic potency, particularly for alleviating negative symptoms and improving cognitive impairment in experimental animal models, both of which are major challenges for schizophrenia treatment. Moreover, 15d produced no significant extrapyramidal symptoms, exhibiting superior pharmacological profiles in relation to current antipsychotic drugs. Mechanistically, 15d inhibited GSK3β and enhanced prefrontal BDNF expression and excitatory synaptic transmission in pyramidal neurons. Collectively, these in vivo proof-of-concept findings provide substantial experimental evidence to demonstrate that modulating σ ₁R represents a potential new therapeutic approach for schizophrenia. The novel chemical entity along with its favorable drug-like and pharmacological profile of 15d renders it a promising candidate for treating schizophrenia.

Image 1.

Negative logarithm of the acid dissociation constant (pK _a) significantly influences the absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) properties of molecules and is a crucial indicator in drug research. Given the rapid and accurate characteristics of computational methods, their role in predicting drug properties is increasingly important. Although many pK _a prediction models currently exist, they often focus on enhancing model precision while neglecting interpretability. In this study, we present GraFpK _a, a pK _a prediction model using graph neural networks (GNNs) and molecular fingerprints. The results show that our acidic and basic models achieved mean absolute errors (MAEs) of 0.621 and 0.402, respectively, on the test set, demonstrating good predictive performance. Notably, to improve interpretability, GraFpK _a also incorporates Integrated Gradients (IGs), providing a clearer visual description of the atoms significantly affecting the pK _a values. The high reliability and interpretability of GraFpK _a ensure accurate pK _a predictions while also facilitating a deeper understanding of the relationship between molecular structure and pK _a values, making it a valuable tool in the field of pK _a prediction.

Objective: To explore the effects of Buyang Huanwu decoction (BYHWD) on vascular neogenesis and hemorheological parameters following cervical spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods: An acute cervical SCI model was established using 84 female Sprague–Dawley rats. Functional recovery of the rats was evaluated using the forelimb locomotor scale score, forelimb grip strength test, and Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan score. The animals were subsequently euthanized at days 7 and 28 postoperatively. The gross morphology, neuronal survival, and myelin sheath in the injured area were evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin (HE), Nissl, and luxol fast blue (LFB) staining, respectively. Immunofluorescence staining was used to observe CD31 expression 7 days post-injury. Furthermore, the expression of CD31, neuronal nuclear protein (NeuN), and myelin basic protein (MBP) were evaluated 28 days post-injury. Additionally, vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and VEGF receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) expression was evaluated using western blotting. Whole-blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, and red blood cell aggregation were measured using a hemorheometer. Results: From postoperative days 3–28, motor function in the BYHWD group began to recover considerably compared to the SCI group. BYHWD effectively restored spinal cord histopathology. In addition, the number of NeuN-positive cells, and fluorescence intensity of CD31at 7 and 28 days and MBP significantly increased in the BYHWD group compared with the SCI group (all P < .05). Moreover, this decoction significantly upregulated the expression of VEGFA and VEGFR-2 (all P < .05). BYHWD improved the hemorheology results (i.e., except erythrocyte aggregation index in the low-dose group), revealing statistically significant differences compared with the SCI group (all P < .05). Conclusion BYHWD effectively promoted angiogenesis, improved hemorheological parameters, and protected neurons and myelin sheaths, ultimately promoting the recovery of neurological function after cervical SCI in rats. These findings suggest that BYHWD promotes vascular neogenesis through the VEGFA/VEGFR-2 pathway.

Objective To establish the reference interval of serum non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(n-HDL-C)in adults in Yan'an city of Shaanxi Province and analyze the influencing factors.Methods A total of 16 921 adults from 10 towns in Yan'an City of Shaanxi Province from January to September 2023 were selected by random sampling.Age,sex,smoking,drinking,exercise,hypertension,diabetes,dyslipidemia,chronic disease,residence,eating habits,marital status,education and monthly income were investigated.Height,weight,waist circumference and blood pressure were measured.Serum triglyceride(TG),total cholesterol(TCHO),high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C),Apolipoprotein A1(ApoA1),Apolipoprotein B(ApoB)and lipoprotein a[Lp(a)]levels were detected,and n-HDL-C levels were calculated:n-HDL-C(mmol/L)=TCHO(mmol/L)-HDL-C(mmol/L).The 95％reference interval(P25～P97 5)was calculated according to the percentile method recommended in WS/T402-2012 Health Industry Standard of the People's Republic of China.Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of serum n-HDL-C level.Results The serum n-HDL-C levels in both males and females were not normally distributed(S=2.119,2.091,all P＜0.001).There were significant differences in serum levels of n-HDL-C among males aged＞60 years old[2.98(2.50,3.37)mmol/L],18～30 years old[2.84(2.49,3.26)mmol/L],31～40 years old[2.98(2.62,3.42)mmol/L],41～50 years old[3.10(2.62,3.47)mmol/L]and 51～60 years old[3.05(2.64,3.46)mmol/L]contrast,and the differences were significant(H=3.618～5.680,all P＜0.05).There were significant differences in serum levels of n-HDL-C among women aged 51～60 years[3.08(2.71,3.44)mmol/L],18～30 years[2.64(2.29,3.07)mmol/L],31～40 years[2.67(2.31,3.08)mmol/L]and 41～50 years old[2.94(2.58,3.29)mmol/L]contrast(H=8.161～13.445,all P＜0.001).There were significant differences in serum n-HDL-C levels among patients aged＞60 years old[2.98(2.57,3.34)mmol/L],18～30 years old,31～40 years old and 41～50 years old contrast,and the differences were significant(H=7.985～14.018,all P＜0.001).The reference interval of serum n-HDL-C level in adult population was obtained by combining the age groups with no statistical significance:males aged 18～60 years old(1.97～3.97mmol/L),＞60 years old(1.86～3.91mmol/L);females aged 18～50 years(1.82～3.74 mmol/L),＞50 years old(1.94～3.88 mmol/L).A total of 16 921 adults were divided into normal n-HDL-C group and abnormal group,and the differences of serum TG(1.02±0.31 mmol/L vs 1.24±0.37mmol/L),TCHO(3.97±1.02 mmol/L vs 4.66±1.25 mmol/L),LDL-C(2.37±0.58mmol/L vs 2.59±0.67 mmol/L)levels and age(43.55±11.52 years vs 46.27±8.13 years)between the two groups were significant(t=2.041～3.151,all P＜0.05),in which the abnormal rate of serum n-HDL-C level was 42.50％.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that males,lack of exercise,overweight or obesity,dyslipidemia,urban residents,and high school education or above were the influential factors for serum n-HDL-C levels in adults in this region(all P＜0.05).Conclusion The reference interval of serum n-HDL-C level in adults in this area was preliminarily established.Males,lack of exercise,overweight or obesity,dyslipidemia,urban residents,and high school education or above were the influential factors of abnormal serum n-HDL-C levels in adults in this area.

Objective:To study the quality and stability of commercial ready-to-use tryptone soya agar(TSA)after storing at 2-25 ℃ for different storage duration under dark condition in order to discuss a determination method of validity period for medium.Methods:Three consecutive batches of ready-to-use TSA medium from two manufac-turers were selected and stored at 2-25 ℃ under dark conditions for 30,90 and 180 days,respectively.The appearance,pH,medium suitability and sterility of the medium were tested.Results:The results of appearance,pH,suitability and sterility of TSA medium from two manufacturers for each batch under different storage duration all met the requirements of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2020 Volume IV on the quality control of medium.Conclusion:The TSA medium from two manufacturers all met the requirements when stored for 180 days at 2-25 ℃ under dark condition,indicating that the validity period of TSA medium from two manufacturers can reach 180 days.

Objective:To understand the current situation of psychological crisis vulnerability among elderly individuals with multimorbidity and analyze the factors that influence it, to provide insights for improving their coping abilities.Methods:A cross-sectional survey design was conducted at Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from May 1 to November 30, 2022.The attitudes toward aging, sense of meaning of life, and vulnerability to psychological crisis were analysed among outpatients and inpatients.Statistical analysis was performed on the questionnaire results, and the influencing factors of vulnerability to psychological crisis in elderly patients with co-morbidities were analyzed using one-way linear regression and multivariate linear regression.Additionally, the correlation between aging attitudes, sense of meaning of life, and vulnerability to psychological crisis was examined using Pearson correlation analysis.Results:A total of 685 questionnaires were distributed, and 602 valid questionnaires were collected, resulting in a valid recovery rate of 87.9%.The total score for the sense of meaning of life in elderly co-morbid patients was(39.2±8.3), while the total score for aging attitudes was(80.2±13.5).The total score for psychological crisis vulnerability was(69.4±12.8), indicating a medium-high level of vulnerability.The results of multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the factors influencing psychological crisis vulnerability in elderly multimorbidity, in descending order, were residence status, economic situation, marital status, age, type of chronic disease, and hospitalization history in the past six months.Psychological crisis vulnerability in elderly multimorbidity showed a negative correlation with the sense of meaning of life and the attitude of aging( r=-0.315, -0.264, both P<0.01), while the attitude of aging exhibited a positive correlation with the sense of meaning of life( r=0.515, P<0.01). Conclusions:The vulnerability of elderly individuals with multimorbidity to psychological crises is influenced by several factors.Healthcare professionals should prioritize individuals who are elderly, residing in nursing institutions, widowed, financially disadvantaged, experiencing multiple illnesses, and not currently hospitalized.

Objective:To investigate the distribution characteristics of virulence-related phenotypes/genotype, capsular serotype, drug resistance phenotypes, and sequence typing (ST) of Klebsiella pneumoniae in patients living in Zhongjiang county, improve clinical understanding, and provide evidence for the prevention and control of bacterial drug resistance and clinical rational drug use. Methods:The data of 135 strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from patients who received treatment in Zhongjiang County People's Hospital from July to December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Bacterial identification and drug sensitivity testing were performed using the WalkAway-40Plus automated microbiology system. Strains with a high viscosity phenotype were identified using wire drawing experiments. Hypervirulence-associated capsular serotype and virulence genes were verified by polymerase chain reaction. ST of Klebsiella pneumoniae strain was identified using multilocus sequence typing. Results:Strains with a high viscosity phenotype were identified in 50.4% of the 135 strains. 54.1%, 54.8%, and 54.1% of the strains were positive for virulence genes iucA, iroN, rmpA. The proportion of strains with capsular Serotype K1 or K2 was 11.9% and 15.6%, respectively. A total of 65 kinds of ST were identified, with ST23 and ST37 being the most common, accounting for 11.1% and 6.7%, respectively. The resistance rate of the strains to 16 kinds of antibiotics was 0.0%-25.2%, and the resistance rate to Carbapenem antibiotics, Amikacin, and Tigecycline was less than 1%. The positive rate of virulence gene of strains with a high viscosity phenotype was significantly higher than that of strains without a high viscosity phenotype ( P < 0.001), and its resistance rate to Cephalosporin was significantly lower in strains with a high viscosity phenotype than that in strains without a high viscosity phenotype ( P < 0.001). Conclusion:Klebsiella pneumoniae in Zhongjiang County is characterized by "high virulence and low drug resistance". It is necessary to continuously monitor the changes in the virulence and drug resistance of Klebsiella pneumoniae in Zhongjiang County, Sichuan Province, and be alert to the rapid dissemination of highly virulent strains.

Periodontal bone regeneration is a major challenge in the treatment of periodontitis. Currently the main obstacle is the difficulty of restoring the regenerative vitality of periodontal osteoblast lineages suppressed by inflammation, via conventional treatment. CD301b⁺ macrophages were recently identified as a subpopulation that is characteristic of a regenerative environment, but their role in periodontal bone repair has not been reported. The current study indicates that CD301b⁺ macrophages may be a constituent component of periodontal bone repair, and that they are devoted to bone formation in the resolving phase of periodontitis. Transcriptome sequencing suggested that CD301b⁺ macrophages could positively regulate osteogenesis-related processes. In vitro, CD301b⁺ macrophages could be induced by interleukin 4 (IL-4) unless proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) were present. Mechanistically, CD301b⁺ macrophages promoted osteoblast differentiation via insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1)/thymoma viral proto-oncogene 1 (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling. An osteogenic inducible nano-capsule (OINC) consisting of a gold nanocage loaded with IL-4 as the "core" and mouse neutrophil membrane as the "shell" was designed. When injected into periodontal tissue, OINCs first absorbed proinflammatory cytokines in inflamed periodontal tissue, then released IL-4 controlled by far-red irradiation. These events collectively promoted CD301b⁺ macrophage enrichment, which further boosted periodontal bone regeneration. The current study highlights the osteoinductive role of CD301b⁺ macrophages, and suggests a CD301b⁺ macrophage-targeted induction strategy based on biomimetic nano-capsules for improved therapeutic efficacy, which may also provide a potential therapeutic target and strategy for other inflammatory bone diseases.
Animals ; Mice ; Bone Regeneration ; Cytokines/metabolism* ; Interleukin-4/therapeutic use* ; Macrophages/physiology* ; Mammals ; Osteogenesis ; Periodontitis/drug therapy*