OBJECTIVE To investigate the potential mechanism by which Juanxiao decoction improves bronchial asthma （hereinafter referred to as “asthma”） based on the nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing receptor 3 （NLRP3） inflammasome signaling pathway. METHODS Female SD rats were randomly assigned to normal group， model group and Juanxiao decoction low-， medium- and high-dose groups （0.36， 0.72 and 1.44 g/kg， calculated based on crude drug weight）， as well as positive control group （Dexamethasone acetate tablets， 0.2 mg/kg）， with 10 rats in each group. Except for the normal group， asthma models were established in the remaining groups via intraperitoneal injection of ovalbumin combined with aluminum hydroxide， followed by nebulized inhalation of ovalbumin. On day 14 of the experiment， rats in each group received intragastric administration of the corresponding solution or normal saline， once a day， for 7 consecutive days. Following the final administration， the following parameters were measured in each group： lung function indexes （forced vital capacity， forced expiratory volume in 0.3 second， peak expiratory flow）， serum levels of inflammatory markers （interleukin-1β， interleukin- 18）， and the percentages of inflammatory cells （lymphocytes， eosinophils， neutrophils） in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Histopathological changes in lung tissue were observed， and the protein and mRNA expressions of nuclear factor-kappa B （NF- κB）， NLRP3 and caspase-1 in lung tissue were detected. RESULTS Compared with the normal group， pathological changes such as alveolar wall thickening and inflammatory cell infiltration were observed in rats in the model group. All pulmonary function indicators were significantly reduced in rats in the model group and the administration groups. The levels of inflammatory markers， the percentages of inflammatory cells， and the protein and mRNA expressions of NF-κB， NLRP3 and caspase-1 were significantly elevated or up-regulated （P＜0.05）. Compared with the model group， pathological changes in rats in each dosage group of Juanxiao decoction were significantly alleviated， and all quantitative indicators showed dose-dependent improvements （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Juanxiao decoction can reduce airway inflammatory responses in asthmatic rats， alleviate lung function impairment， and improve pathological changes such as inflammatory cell infiltration. Those effects may be related to the inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway.

Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cells have reshaped the treatment landscape of hematological malignancies, offering a potentially curative option for patients. Despite these major milestones in the field of immuno-oncology, growing experience with CAR-T cells has also highlighted several limitations of this strategy. The production process of CAR-T cells is complex, time-consuming, and costly, thus leading to poor drug accessibility. The potential carcinogenic risk of viral transfection systems remains a matter of controversy. Treatment-related side effects, such as cytokine release syndrome, can be life-threatening. And the biggest challenge is the inadequate efficacy related to poor infiltration and retention of CAR-T cells in tumor tissues and impaired T cell activation caused by the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). Innovative strategies are urgently needed to address these problems, and nanomedicine offers good solutions to these challenges. In this review, we provide a comprehensive summary of recent advancements in the application of nanomaterials to enhance CAR-T cell therapy. We examine the role of innovative nanoparticle-based delivery systems in the production of CAR-T cells, with a particular focus on polymeric delivery systems and lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). Furthermore, we explore various strategies for delivering immune stimulators, which significantly enhance the efficacy of CAR-T cells by modulating T cell viability and functionality or by reprogramming the immunosuppressive TME. In addition, we discuss several novel therapeutic approaches aimed at mitigating the adverse effects associated with CAR-T therapies. Finally, we offer an integrated perspective on the future challenges and opportunities facing CAR-T therapies.
Humans ; Nanomedicine/methods* ; Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/metabolism* ; Immunotherapy, Adoptive/methods* ; T-Lymphocytes/immunology* ; Nanoparticles/chemistry* ; Animals

BACKGROUND: Stroke is the leading cause of death and long-term disability worldwide, including China. This study aimed to provide timely updates on stroke burden and stroke-related risk factors to help improve population-based prevention and control strategies. METHODS: Based on the Global Burden of Disease study 2021, incidence rate, prevalence rate, mortality rate, and disability-adjusted life-year (DALY) rate were used to estimate stroke burden trend from 1990 to 2021. RESULTS: In 2021, China had 4.1 million incident stroke cases, 26.3 million prevalent stroke cases, 2.6 million stroke related deaths, and 53.2 million stroke related DALYs, compared to 11.9 million incident stroke cases, 93.8 million prevalent stroke cases, 7.3 million stroke related deaths, and 160.5 million stroke-related DALYs worldwide. In 2021, the top six risk factors contributing to stroke burden were high blood pressure, air pollution, tobacco consumption, dietary risk factors, high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high fasting plasma glucose, both in China and worldwide. From 1990 to 2021, China had significant increases of incidence rate, prevalence rate, mortality rate, and DALY rate for stroke, with estimates of 100.6 (95% uncertainty intervals [UI]: 87.2, 114.1)%, 102.9 (95% UI: 95.5, 110.9)%, 40.0 (95% UI: 14.9, 72.3)% and 15.7 (95% UI: -4.6, 41.2)%, respectively, while global incidence rate, prevalence rate, mortality rate and DALY rate for total stroke showed relatively moderate increases or even decreases, with estimates of 15.0 (95% UI: 12.1,18.0)%, 25.8 (95% UI: 23.7, 28.0)%, -2.6 (95% UI: -10.6, 5.5)%, and -10.7 (95% UI: -17.7, -3.6)%, respectively. CONCLUSION Stroke remains a huge disease burden worldwide and in China, and compared to the worldwide China has a significantly higher burden of stroke.
Humans ; Stroke/etiology* ; China/epidemiology* ; Risk Factors ; Global Burden of Disease ; Disability-Adjusted Life Years ; Prevalence ; Incidence ; Female ; Quality-Adjusted Life Years ; Male

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract, which increases the incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC). In the pathophysiology of IBD, ubiquitination/deubiquitination plays a critical regulatory function. Josephin domain containing 2 (JOSD2), a deubiquitinating enzyme, controls cell proliferation and carcinogenesis. However, its role in IBD remains unknown. Colitis mice model developed by dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) or colon tissues from individuals with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease showed a significant upregulation of JOSD2 expression in the macrophages. JOSD2 deficiency exacerbated the phenotypes of DSS-induced colitis by enhancing colon inflammation. DSS-challenged mice with myeloid-specific JOSD2 deletion developed severe colitis after bone marrow transplantation. Mechanistically, JOSD2 binds to the C-terminal of inosine-5'-monophosphate dehydrogenase 2 (IMPDH2) and preferentially cleaves K63-linked polyubiquitin chains at the K134 site, suppressing IMPDH2 activity and preventing activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and inflammation in macrophages. It was also shown that JOSD2 knockout significantly exacerbated increased azoxymethane (AOM)/DSS-induced CRC, and AAV6-mediated JOSD2 overexpression in macrophages prevented the development of colitis in mice. These outcomes reveal a novel role for JOSD2 in colitis through deubiquitinating IMPDH2, suggesting that targeting JOSD2 is a potential strategy for treating IBD.

Objective:To investigate the effect of stress-induced protein Sestrin2 (SESN2) on necroptosis of mouse dendritic cell (DC) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) combined with zVAD, a panaspartate-specific cysteine protease (caspase) inhibitor.Methods:The DC2.4 cell line derived from the bone marrow of mouse in the 3rd to 10th generations was cultured. The cells were stimulated with LPS for 0 hour, 6 hours, 12 hours, and 24 hours, and grouped according to the stimulation time points. Western blotting was performed to determine the protein expression of SESN2 in each group. Overexpression empty lentivirus (NC), SESN2 gene overexpression RNA sequence lentivirus (SESN2 LV-RNA), small interfering empty lentivirus (NS), and SESN2 gene small interfering RNA sequence lentivirus (SESN2 siRNA) were transfected into DC2.4 cells. After 72 hours of transfection, cell fluorescence expression was observed under the inverted fluorescence microscope. Cells in each transfection group were stimulated with LPS for 24 hours. The blank control groups were set up and cultured with phosphate buffered saline (PBS) for 24 hours. Western blotting was performed to measure SESN2 protein expression. In the same groups as above, cells were stimulated with LPS+zVAD for 24 hours. The blank control groups were set up and cultured with PBS for 24 hours. Western blotting was used to determine the expression of mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL) and phosphorylated-MLKL (p-MLKL). The p-MLKL levels and the number of positive cells were observed using laser scanning confocal microscopy. The necroptotic cell ratios were assessed by both flow cytometry and Hoechst staining.Results:Compared to the LPS 0 hour group, the expression of SESN2 in the LPS 24 hours group showed a significant increase. Therefore, 24 hours was chosen as the subsequent stimulation time point. After successful lentivirus transduction and 24 hours of cultivation, the MLKL phosphorylation level in the SESN2 siRNA+LPS+zVAD group was significantly higher than that in the NS+LPS+zVAD group. The MLKL phosphorylation in the SESN2 LV-RNA+LPS+zVAD group was significantly lower than that in the NC+LPS+zVAD group. The MLKL phosphorylation levels in both the NS+LPS+zVAD group and the NC+LPS+zVAD group were obviously higher than those in the NS+PBS group and the NC+PBS group, respectively. Laser scanning confocal microscopy showed that the trends in quantity and fluorescence intensity of p-MLKL protein expressions were consistent with the above results. The results from flow cytometry analysis and Hoechst staining showed that the rates of cell necrotic apoptosis in SESN2 siRNA+LPS+zVAD group were significantly higher than those in NS+LPS+zVAD group [flow cytometry analysis: (30.800±1.153)% vs. (20.800±1.114)%, Hoechst staining: (75.267±0.451)% vs. (46.267±3.371)%, both P < 0.05], indicating that knocking down SESN2 further exacerbated the occurrence of necroptosis. The necrotic apoptosis rates in SESN2 LV-RNA+LPS+zVAD group were significantly lower than those in NC+LPS+zVAD group [flow cytometry analysis: (7.160±0.669)% vs. (19.240±2.322)%, Hoechst staining: (32.433±3.113)% vs. (48.567±4.128)%, both P < 0.05], indicating that overexpressing SESN2 reversed such response and markedly reduced the proportion of necroptotic cells compared to the corresponding empty vector group. Conclusion:SESN2 exhibits an inhibitory effect on necroptosis of DC in sepsis. Targeted SESN2 expression may regulate the process of DC-mediated immune response in sepsis.

Objective To explore the relationship between serum soluble semaphorin 4D(sSema4D),CXC chemokine ligand 12(CXCL12)levels and left ventricular diastolic function in young and middle-aged patients with essential hypertension.Methods A total of 148 young and middle-aged patients with essential hyperten-sion admitted to a hospital from November 2020 to November 2022 were selected as the study subjects,and were grouped into left ventricular diastolic dysfunction group(n=41)and normal left ventricular diastolic function group(n=107)according to their left ventricular diastolic function.The serum levels of sSema4D and CXCL12 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Pearson correlation analysis was applied to analyze the correlation between the serum levels of sSema4D and CXCL12 and the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter(LVEDD),left ventricular end-systolic diameter(LVESD),left ventricular septal thickness(IVST),left ventricular end-diastolic posterior wall thickness(LVPWT),left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),E peak/A peak(E/A)and maximum velocity of tricuspid regurgitation(TRVmax).The predictive value of ser-um sSema4D and CXCL12 levels in left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in young and middle-aged patients with essential hypertension was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Results There were significant differences in diastolic blood pressure and gender between the left ventricular diastolic dys-function group and the left ventricular diastolic function normal group(P＜0.05).Compared with the normal left ventricular diastolic function group,serum levels of sSema4D,CXCL12 in the left ventricular diastolic dys-function group were obviously increased,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).Compared with normal left ventricular diastolic function group,IVST and LVPWT in the left ventricular diastolic dys-function group were significantly increased,and E/A was significantly decreased,with statistical significance(P＜0.05).Pearson correlation analysis showed that serum sSema4D and CXCL12 levels were positively cor-related with LVEDD,IVST and LVPWT(P＜0.05),and negatively correlated with E/A(P＜0.05).ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve(AUC)of serum sSema4D and CXCL12 combined in pre-dicting left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in young and middle-aged patients with essential hypertension was 0.894(95％CI:0.833-0.939),which was significantly greater than that of sSema4D alone in predicting left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in young and middle-aged patients with essential hypertension(Z=3.142,P=0.002)and CXCL12 alone predicted the AUC of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in young and middle-aged patients with essential hypertension(Z=3.268,P=0.001).Conclusion Serum sSema4D and CXCL12 levels are associated with left ventricular diastolic function in young and middle-aged patients with essential hypertension.

Objective:To investigate the associations of onset age, diabetes duration, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels with ischemic stroke risk in type 2 diabetes patients.Methods:The participants were from Comprehensive Research on the Prevention and Control of the Diabetes in Jiangsu Province. The study used data from baseline survey from December 2013 to January 2014 and follow-up until December 31, 2021. After excluding the participants who had been diagnosed with stroke at baseline survey and those with incomplete information on onset age, diabetes duration, and HbA1c level, a total of 17 576 type 2 diabetes patients were included. Cox proportional hazard model was used to calculate the hazard ratio ( HR) and 95% CI of onset age, diabetes duration, and HbA1c level for ischemic stroke. Results:During the median follow-up time of 8.02 years, 2 622 ischemic stroke cases were registered. Multivariate Cox proportional risk regression model showed that a 5-year increase in type 2 diabetes onset age was significantly associated with a 5% decreased risk for ischemic stroke ( HR=0.95, 95% CI: 0.92-0.99). A 5-year increase in diabetes duration was associated with a 5% increased risk for ischemic stroke ( HR=1.05, 95% CI: 1.02-1.10). Higher HbA1c (per 1 standard deviation increase: HR=1.17, 95% CI: 1.13-1.21) was associated with an increased risk for ischemic stroke. Conclusion:The earlier onset age of diabetes, longer diabetes duration, and high levels of HbA1c are associated with an increased risk for ischemic stroke in type 2 diabetes patients.

Objective:To investigate the effects of stimulator of interferon gene (STING) on ferroptosis mediated by acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4) in mouse dendritic cells (DCs) under sepsis, providing a basis for improving the dysregulation of immune response in sepsis caused by factors such as wound infection.Methods:This study was an experimental research. The mouse DC line DC2.4 in the logarithmic growth phase (with passages 3-10) were divided into lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation 0 h (unstimulated) group, LPS stimulation 6 h group, LPS stimulation 12 h group, LPS stimulation 18 h group, and LPS stimulation 24 h group according to the random number table (the same grouping method below), which were cultured with 1 μg/mL LPS (the same concentration below) for the corresponding time. The protein expressions of phosphorylated STING (p-STING), STING, and ACSL4 in cells were determined by Western blotting. DC2.4 successfully transfected with lentivirus containing STING gene small interfering RNA (hereinafter referred to as siSTING) were divided into siSTING+phosphate buffer solution (PBS) group and siSTING+LPS group. DC2.4 successfully transfected with empty lentivirus were divided into empty vector+PBS group and empty vector+LPS group. After being stimulated with PBS or LPS and cultured for 24 hours, the protein expressions of p-STING, STING, and ACSL4 in cells were determined as above. Cell lipid peroxidation degrees were observed using the lipid peroxidation assay kit, and cell apoptosis rates were detected using flow cytometry. The sample numbers in the above cell experiments were all 3. Eighty male C57BL/6J mice aged 6 to 8 weeks were divided into sham surgery+normal saline (NS) group, cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)+NS group, sham surgery+C-176 group, and CLP+C-176 group, with 20 mice in each group. Mice in the two C-176 groups were intraperitoneally injected with C-176, while mice in the two NS groups were intraperitoneally injected with an equivalent volume of NS. One hour later, sham surgery was performed on the mice in the two sham surgery groups, and CLP surgery was performed on the mice in the two CLP groups to establish a sepsis model. At 24 h post-surgery, 10 mice from each group were sacrificed to extract spleen DCs, and protein expression, lipid peroxidation, and apoptosis rates were detected as above ( n=3). Hematoxylin-eosin staining was performed to observe pathological damage in the heart, liver, lung, and kidney tissue. The remaining 10 mice in each group were observed for survival within 7 days after surgery. Results:The protein expressions of p-STING, STING, and ACSL4, as well as the p-STING/STING ratio in DC2.4 in LPS stimulation 24 h group were significantly higher than those in LPS stimulation 0 h group ( P<0.05). After 24 h of culture, the protein expressions of p-STING, STING, and ACSL4 in DC2.4 in siSTING+LPS group and empty vector+PBS group were significantly lower than those in empty vector+LPS group ( P<0.05); the lipid peroxidation degrees of DC2.4 in siSTING+LPS group and empty vector+PBS group were weaker than those in empty vector+LPS group. The apoptosis rates of DC2.4 in empty vector+PBS group, empty vector+LPS group, siSTING+PBS group, and siSTING+LPS group were (15.7±3.0)%, (37.8±2.9)%, (13.1±2.1)%, and (20.6±1.8)%, respectively. The apoptosis rates of DC2.4 in empty vector+PBS group and siSTING+LPS group were significantly lower than that in empty vector+LPS group ( P<0.05). At 24 h post-surgery, the protein expressions of p-STING and ACSL4, and the p-STING/STING ratio in spleen DCs of mice in CLP+NS group were significantly higher than those in sham surgery+NS group and CLP+C-176 group ( P<0.05); the protein expression of STING in spleen DCs of mice in CLP+NS group was significantly higher than that in sham surgery+NS group ( P<0.05); the lipid peroxidation degrees of spleen DCs of mice in CLP+C-176 group and sham surgery+NS group were weaker than that in CLP+NS group. The apoptosis rates of spleen DCs of mice in sham surgery+NS group and CLP+C-176 group were significantly lower than that in CLP+NS group ( P<0.05), and the apoptosis rate of spleen DCs of mice in CLP+C-176 group was significantly higher than that in sham surgery+C-176 group ( P<0.05). Pathological tissue damage in the heart, liver, lung, and kidney of mice in CLP+NS group was significantly worse than that in sham surgery+NS group, while such damage in the above organs of mice in CLP+C-176 group was significantly alleviated compared with that in CLP+NS group. The survival ratio of mice in CLP+NS group within 7 days after surgery was significantly lower than that in sham surgery+NS group ( χ2=8.30, P<0.05). Conclusions:Under sepsis, STING activation in mouse DCs is significant, which enhances ACSL4-mediated ferroptosis. Inhibiting STING activation can significantly reduce ACSL4-mediated ferroptosis level in mouse DCs under sepsis, thereby improving the survival rate of septic mice.

OBJECTIVE To establish a quantitative analysis of multi-components by single marker （QAMS） method for simultaneous determination of 10 ganoderic acids in Ganoderma lucidum. METHODS Using ganoderic acid A as internal reference， high-performance liquid chromatography （HPLC） method was adopted to calculate relative correction factors of the other 9 components， such as ganoderic acid B， ganoderic acid C2， ganoderic acid D， ganoderic acid F， ganoderic acid H， ganoderenic acid A， ganoderenic acid B， ganoderenic acid C， ganoderenic acid D； the contents of above ganoderic acids were calculated with relative correction factors， and compared with the results of external standard method. RESULTS The linear relationship of ganoderic acid A， ganoderic acid B， ganoderic acid C2， ganoderic acid D， ganoderic acid F， ganoderic acid H， ganoderenic acid A， ganoderenic acid B， ganoderenic acid C and ganoderenic acid D were 0.032-3.996， 0.040-4.971， 0.037-4.568， 0.028-3.558， 0.033-4.177， 0.044-5.440， 0.032-3.944， 0.040-4.994， 0.045-5.593 and 0.035-4.342 mg/mL （all R 2≥0.999 2）， respectively. RSDs of precision， stability （24 h） and reproducibility tests were all lower than 2%. Their average recovery rates were 99.43%， 100.25%， 98.50%， 99.88%， 100.59%， 99.64%， 98.50%， 99.40%， 99.64% and 99.76%， respectively （RSD＜2%， n＝6）. Relative correction factors of ganoderic acid B， ganoderic acid C2， ganoderic acid D， ganoderic acid F， ganoderic acid H， ganoderenic acid A， ganoderenic acid B， ganoderenic acid C and ganoderenic acid D were 1.788 5， 1.288 2， 1.126 4， 1.698 5， 0.885 4， 5.468 1， 4.210 9， 5.780 8， 4.290 3， respectively. Relative errors between the content obtained by QAMS method and external standard method for G. lucidum from different origins were within ±12%. CONCLUSIONS It is feasible that the contents of 10 ganoderic acids are determined simultaneously by QAMS method， using ganoderic acid A as internal reference. This method shows good precision and reproducibility and can be used for the quality control of G. lucidum.

Dental erosion is characterized by progressively destroyed teeth, which has no relation to bacteria but to chemicals. Some internal factors, such as gastroesophageal reflux induced by bulimia, anorexia, gastrointestinal diseases, or drugs, and external factors, such as diet, drugs, and occupational acid exposure, are considered promotive factors for this disease. This article presents a patient suffering from severe dental erosion in the whole dentition, especially in the maxillary teeth, due to gastroesophageal reflux induced by glucocorticoid therapy for optic neuritis. This article discusses the mechanism between optic neuritis glucocorticoid therapy and dental erosion.
Humans ; Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use* ; Tooth Erosion/therapy* ; Gastroesophageal Reflux/complications*