OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of galangin （GLA） on autophagy and apoptosis of chondrocytes in knee osteoarthritis （KOA） rats by regulating the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase （AMPK）/mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR）/UNC-51-like kinase 1 （ULK1） signaling pathway. METHODS KOA rat model was constructed and separated into model group， L-GLA， M-GLA， H-GLA groups [subcutaneous injection of 100， 200， 400 μg/kg GLA]， GLA+Compound C group [subcutaneous injection of 400 μg/kg GLA+0.2 mg/kg AMPK inhibitor Compound C]， with 10 rats in each group. Additionally， 10 normally fed rats were selected as the sham operation group. After the last medication， the degree of knee joint swelling of rats in each group was detected； the pathology of knee joints in KOA rats was observed. The serum expressions of matrix metalloproteinase 13 （MMP-13） and interleukin-1β （IL-1β） in KOA rats were detected； the autophagy of chondrocytes in KOA rats was observed； the chondrocyte apoptosis in KOA rats was detected； the phosphorylation of AMPK/mTOR/ULK1 pathway-related proteins in cartilage tissue of knee joint were detected in rats. RESULTS Compared with the sham operation group， the arrangement of articular chondrocytes in the model group was disordered， with nuclear pyknosis and severe fibrosis of the articular cartilage layer， accompanied by a large amount of inflammatory cell infiltration； the degree of joint swelling， the number of autophagic vacuoles and apoptosis rate of chondrocytes， serum levels of MMP-13 and IL-1β， and the phosphorylation of mTOR protein in cartilage tissue of knee joint were all increased significantly （P＜0.05）， while the phosphorylation of AMPK and ULK1 protein were all decreased significantly in cartilage tissue of knee joint （P＜0.05）. Compared with the model group， L- GLA， M-GLA， H-GLA groups showed significant improvement in joint cartilage injury and reduced infiltration of inflammatory cells in rats. The above quantitative indicators were significantly reversed in a dose-dependent manner，except the number of autophagic vacuoles increased significantly （P＜0.05）. Compared with the H-GLA group， the GLA+ Compound C group showed aggravated cartilage tissue of joint cartilage injury and inflammatory cell infiltration in rats， and the above quantitative indicators were reversed significantly （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS GLA can promote autophagy and inhibit apoptosis of chondrocytes in KOA rats， the mechanism of which may be associated with activating AMPK/mTOR/ULK1 signaling pathway.

Immobilized enzyme-based enzyme electrode biosensors, characterized by high sensitivity and efficiency, strong specificity, and compact size, demonstrate broad application prospects in life science research, disease diagnosis and monitoring, etc. Immobilization of enzyme is a critical step in determining the performance (stability, sensitivity, and reproducibility) of the biosensors. Random immobilization (physical adsorption, covalent cross-linking, etc.) can easily bring about problems, such as decreased enzyme activity and relatively unstable immobilization. Whereas, directional immobilization utilizing amino acid residue mutation, affinity peptide fusion, or nucleotide-specific binding to restrict the orientation of the enzymes provides new possibilities to solve the problems caused by random immobilization. In this paper, the principles, advantages and disadvantages and the application progress of enzyme electrode biosensors of different directional immobilization strategies for enzyme molecular sensing elements by specific amino acids (lysine, histidine, cysteine, unnatural amino acid) with functional groups introduced based on site-specific mutation, affinity peptides (gold binding peptides, carbon binding peptides, carbohydrate binding domains) fused through genetic engineering, and specific binding between nucleotides and target enzymes (proteins) were reviewed, and the application fields, advantages and limitations of various immobilized enzyme interface characterization techniques were discussed, hoping to provide theoretical and technical guidance for the creation of high-performance enzyme sensing elements and the manufacture of enzyme electrode sensors.

OBJECTIVE To optimize the simmering technology of Rheum palmatum from Menghe Medical School and compare the difference of chemical components before and after processing. METHODS Using appearance score， the contents of gallic acid， 5-hydroxymethylfurfural （5-HMF）， sennoside A+sennoside B， combined anthraquinone and free anthraquinone as indexes， analytic hierarchy process （AHP）-entropy weight method was used to calculate the comprehensive score of evaluation indicators； the orthogonal experiment was designed to optimize the processing technology of simmering R. palmatum with fire temperature， simmering time， paper layer number and paper wrapping time as factors； validation test was conducted. The changes in the contents of five anthraquinones （aloe-emodin， rhein， emodin， chrysophanol， physcion）， five anthraquinone glycosides （barbaloin， rheinoside， rhubarb glycoside， emodin glycoside， and emodin methyl ether glycoside）， two sennosides （sennoside A， sennoside B）， gallic acid and 5-HMF were compared between simmered R. palmatum prepared by optimized technology and R. palmatum. RESULTS The optimal processing conditions of R. palmatum was as follows: each 80 g R. palmatum was wrapped with a layer of wet paper for 0.5 h， simmered on high heat for 20 min and then simmered at 140 ℃， the total simmering time was 2.5 h. The average comprehensive score of 3 validation tests was 94.10 （RSD＜1.0%）. After simmering， the contents of five anthraquinones and two sennosides were decreased significantly， while those of 5 free anthraquinones and gallic acid were increased to different extents； a new component 5-HMF was formed. CONCLUSIONS This study successfully optimizes the simmering technology of R. palmatum. There is a significant difference in the chemical components before and after processing， which can explain that simmering technology slows down the relase of R. palmatum and beneficiate it.

BACKGROUND:The mechanism of programmed death receptor-1(PD-1)effect on osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in high glucose environment remains unclear. OBJECTIVE:To explore the effect of PD-1 on osteogenic differentiation of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in high glucose environment and its regulatory mechanism. METHODS:Rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were randomly divided into normal glucose group(5.6 mmol/L),high glucose group(30 mmol/L),PD-1 overexpression group,PD-1 overexpression no-load group,PD-1 knockdown group,PD-1 knockdown no-load group,and PI3K/AKT pathway inhibitor group(PD-1 knockdown+5 μmol/L LY294002).Rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were cultured in high glucose to simulate the diabetic environment in vitro.The mRNA expression of PD-1 and ligand PD-L1 and the mRNA expression of osteogenic markers Runx2 and OSX in rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were detected by qRT-PCR.The osteogenic differentiation ability was observed by alkaline phosphatase staining and alizarin red staining.Cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8 assay.The protein expressions of PD-1,PD-L1,p-PI3K,and p-AKT were detected by western blot assay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The levels of PD-1 and PD-L1 were significantly increased in the high glucose environment in vitro,and the osteogenic differentiation ability of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells was inhibited in the high glucose environment.(2)Knockdown of PD-1 expression could promote osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells,increase cell proliferation activity,and activate the PI3K/AKT pathway.(3)After addition of PI3K/AKT pathway inhibitor LY294002,the ability of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells to differentiate into osteoblasts decreased.The results show that PD-1 is dependent on the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway to inhibit osteogenic differentiation of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells under high glucose environment.

BACKGROUND:U937 cells can be used as a cell model for studying the biological characteristics,signaling pathways,and therapeutic targets of acute myeloid leukemia.Although it has been reported that long non-coding RNA KIAA0125 is highly expressed in acute myeloid leukemia,its biological function in U937 cells remains unclear,and its mechanism of action in the occurrence and development of acute myeloid leukemia needs to be further clarified. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the expression level of long non-coding RNA KIAA0125 in peripheral blood of patients with acute myeloid leukemia and its effect on the proliferation and apoptosis of U937 cells. METHODS:RNA-sequencing was used to analyze the bone marrow monocyte samples from acute myeloid leukemia patients,and the differentially expressed gene long non-coding RNA KIAA0125 was screened.The expression of long non-coding RNA KIAA0125 in peripheral blood of patients with acute myeloid leukemia was detected by qRT-PCR.The relationship between long non-coding RNA KIAA0125 mRNA expression and prognosis in bone marrow cells of 173 acute myeloid leukemia patients and 70 healthy people was statistically analyzed by GEPIA database.Subsequently,recombinant lentivirus technology and CRISPR/Cas9-SAM technology were used to construct U937 cell lines with knockdown/overexpression of long non-coding RNA KIAA0125.qRT-PCR was used to detect the knockdown/overexpression efficiency of long non-coding RNA KIAA0125.Next,CCK-8 assay,flow cytometry,and western blot assay were used to detect the effects of knockdown/overexpression of long non-coding RNA KIAA0125 on the proliferation and apoptosis of U937 cells.Finally,western blot assay was used to detect the effect of knockdown/overexpressed long non-coding RNA KIAA0125 on Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway-related proteins. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The results of qRT-PCR showed that long non-coding RNA KIAA0125 was highly expressed in peripheral blood of acute myeloid leukemia patients.The results of GEPIA database showed that long non-coding RNA KIAA0125 was highly expressed in bone marrow cells of acute myeloid leukemia patients,and the high expression group had worse overall survival.(2)The knockdown efficiency of long non-coding RNA KIAA0125 in knockdown group was 70%,and the U937 cells that stably down-regulated long non-coding RNA KIAA0125 expression were successfully constructed.The expression of long non-coding RNA KIAA0125 in overexpression group was four times that of vector group,and stable U937 cells were successfully constructed.(3)Knockdown of long non-coding RNA KIAA0125 inhibited the proliferation of U937 cells and promoted their apoptosis.Overexpression of long non-coding RNA KIAA0125 promoted the proliferation of U937 cells but had no significant effect on the apoptosis of U937 cells.(4)Knockdown of long non-coding RNA KIAA0125 inhibited the activity of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway,while overexpression of long non-coding RNA KIAA0125 activated Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.These results confirm that long non-coding RNA KIAA0125 is highly expressed in acute myeloid leukemia peripheral blood.Long non-coding RNA KIAA0125 may affect the proliferation and apoptosis of U937 cells by regulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway,and may be a potential prognostic marker for acute myeloid leukemia.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of Naoxintong capsules on ischemia-reperfusion （I/R） injury in rats based on the changes of pericytes mediated by Ras homolog family member A （RHOA）/Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase 1 （ROCK1） pathway. MethodsNinety rats （15 rats for each group） were randomly divided into a sham operation group， a model group， a positive control group receiving Ginkgo biloba extract （21.6 mg·kg^-1）， and groups receiving Naoxintong capsules at low， medium， and high doses of 55， 110， and 220 mg·kg^-1 （NXT-L， NXT-M， and NXT-H groups）， respectively. Except for those in the sham operation group， all rats were subjected to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion （tMCAO） to establish the experiment model. Nerve function was assessed using a neurological function score. Cerebral blood flow was detected using a laser speckle contrast imager， and the cerebral infarction rate was calculated using 2，3，5-Triphenyl tetrazolium chloride （TTC） staining. Pathological changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and Nissl staining， while pericyte morphology was observed via transmission electron microscopy. Blood-brain barrier destruction was observed by Evans blue staining. Albumin and ischemia-modified albumin levels were measured using assay kits. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of RHOA， ROCK1， platelet-derived growth factor receptor β （PDGFRB）， α-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA）， tight junction protein （ZO-1）， matrix metalloproteinase-2 （MMP-2）， and matrix metalloproteinase-9 （MMP-9）. ResultsCompared with the sham operation group， the model group exhibited decreased neurological function scores， higher percentage reduction in blood flow， and increased cerebral infarction rates （P<0.01）. Additionally， cortical neuronal nucleus shrinkage， edema， a decreased number of Nissl bodies， reduced pericyte area， elevated albumin content in the cortex （P<0.05）， and increased ischemic modified albumin levels （P<0.01） were observed. The mRNA and protein expression levels of RHOA， ROCK1， PDGFRB， α-SMA， MMP-2， and MMP-9 were increased （P<0.01）， while those of ZO-1 were decreased. Compared with the model group， all treatment groups showed improved neurological function scores， lower percentage reduction in blood flow， reduced cerebral infarction rates （P<0.01）， alleviated cortical histological changes， increased number of Nissl bodies， expanded pericyte area， decreased albumin content in the cortex， and reduced ischemia-modified albumin levels （P<0.01）. The mRNA and protein expression levels of RHOA， ROCK1， PDGFRB， α-SMA， MMP-2， and MMP-9 were decreased （P<0.01）， while those of ZO-1 were increased. Among the treatment groups， the NXT-M group showed the most pronounced improvement in cerebral I/R injury. ConclusionNaoxintong capsules can restore cerebral blood supply， reduce microcirculation disturbance， and protect blood-brain barrier in rats with I/R injury. Its mechanism of action may be related to the inhibition of the RHOA/ROCK1 signaling pathway and reduced pericyte contraction.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of Naoxintong capsules on ischemia-reperfusion （I/R） injury in rats based on the changes of pericytes mediated by Ras homolog family member A （RHOA）/Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase 1 （ROCK1） pathway. MethodsNinety rats （15 rats for each group） were randomly divided into a sham operation group， a model group， a positive control group receiving Ginkgo biloba extract （21.6 mg·kg^-1）， and groups receiving Naoxintong capsules at low， medium， and high doses of 55， 110， and 220 mg·kg^-1 （NXT-L， NXT-M， and NXT-H groups）， respectively. Except for those in the sham operation group， all rats were subjected to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion （tMCAO） to establish the experiment model. Nerve function was assessed using a neurological function score. Cerebral blood flow was detected using a laser speckle contrast imager， and the cerebral infarction rate was calculated using 2，3，5-Triphenyl tetrazolium chloride （TTC） staining. Pathological changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and Nissl staining， while pericyte morphology was observed via transmission electron microscopy. Blood-brain barrier destruction was observed by Evans blue staining. Albumin and ischemia-modified albumin levels were measured using assay kits. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of RHOA， ROCK1， platelet-derived growth factor receptor β （PDGFRB）， α-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA）， tight junction protein （ZO-1）， matrix metalloproteinase-2 （MMP-2）， and matrix metalloproteinase-9 （MMP-9）. ResultsCompared with the sham operation group， the model group exhibited decreased neurological function scores， higher percentage reduction in blood flow， and increased cerebral infarction rates （P<0.01）. Additionally， cortical neuronal nucleus shrinkage， edema， a decreased number of Nissl bodies， reduced pericyte area， elevated albumin content in the cortex （P<0.05）， and increased ischemic modified albumin levels （P<0.01） were observed. The mRNA and protein expression levels of RHOA， ROCK1， PDGFRB， α-SMA， MMP-2， and MMP-9 were increased （P<0.01）， while those of ZO-1 were decreased. Compared with the model group， all treatment groups showed improved neurological function scores， lower percentage reduction in blood flow， reduced cerebral infarction rates （P<0.01）， alleviated cortical histological changes， increased number of Nissl bodies， expanded pericyte area， decreased albumin content in the cortex， and reduced ischemia-modified albumin levels （P<0.01）. The mRNA and protein expression levels of RHOA， ROCK1， PDGFRB， α-SMA， MMP-2， and MMP-9 were decreased （P<0.01）， while those of ZO-1 were increased. Among the treatment groups， the NXT-M group showed the most pronounced improvement in cerebral I/R injury. ConclusionNaoxintong capsules can restore cerebral blood supply， reduce microcirculation disturbance， and protect blood-brain barrier in rats with I/R injury. Its mechanism of action may be related to the inhibition of the RHOA/ROCK1 signaling pathway and reduced pericyte contraction.

To analyze the disease burden, temporal trends, and attributable risk factors of early-onset female breast cancer (EOBC) in China and globally from 1990 to 2021.

Objective: Previous studies have discovered a correlation between cigarette smoking and cortical thickness and surface area, but the causal relationship remains unclear. The objective of this investigation is to scrutinize the causal association between them. Methods: To derive summary statistics from a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on cortical thickness, surface area, and four smoking behaviors: 1) age of initiation of regular smoking (AgeSmk); 2) smoking initiation (SmkInit); 3) smoking cessation (SmkCes); 4) cigarettes per day (CigDay). Linkage disequilibrium score regression (LDSC) was employed to examine genetic association analysis. Furthermore, for traits with significant genetic associations, Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses were conducted. Results: The LDSC analysis revealed nominal genetic correlations between AgeSmk and right precentral surface area, left caudal anterior cingulate surface area, left cuneus surface area, left inferior parietal surface area, and right caudal anterior cingulate thickness, as well as between CigDay and left caudal middle frontal surface area, between SmkCes and left entorhinal thickness, and between SmkInit and left rostral anterior cingulate surface area, right rostral anterior cingulate thickness, and right superior frontal thickness (rg=-0.36–0.29, p<0.05). MR analysis showed a unidirectional causal association between left caudal middle frontal surface area and CigDay (βIVW=0.056, pBonferroni=2×10-4). Conclusion Left caudal middle frontal surface area has the potential to serve as a significant predictor of smoking behavior.

Background: and Purpose Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) following endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is a severe complication associated with adverse functional outcomes and increased mortality rates. Currently, a reliable predictive model for sICH risk after EVT is lacking. Methods: This study used data from patients aged ≥20 years who underwent EVT for anterior circulation stroke from the nationwide Taiwan Registry of Endovascular Thrombectomy for Acute Ischemic Stroke (TREAT-AIS). A predictive model including factors associated with an increased risk of sICH after EVT was developed to differentiate between patients with and without sICH. This model was compared existing predictive models using nationwide registry data to evaluate its relative performance. Results: Of the 2,507 identified patients, 158 developed sICH after EVT. Factors such as diastolic blood pressure, Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score, platelet count, glucose level, collateral score, and successful reperfusion were associated with the risk of sICH after EVT. The TREAT-AIS score demonstrated acceptable predictive accuracy (area under the curve [AUC]=0.694), with higher scores being associated with an increased risk of sICH (odds ratio=2.01 per score increase, 95% confidence interval=1.64–2.45, P<0.001). The discriminatory capacity of the score was similar in patients with symptom onset beyond 6 hours (AUC=0.705). Compared to existing models, the TREAT-AIS score consistently exhibited superior predictive accuracy, although this difference was marginal. Conclusions The TREAT-AIS score outperformed existing models, and demonstrated an acceptable discriminatory capacity for distinguishing patients according to sICH risk levels. However, the differences between models were only marginal. Further research incorporating periprocedural and postprocedural factors is required to improve the predictive accuracy.