Objective To investigate the changes in eosinophil counts and the activation of microglial cells in the brain tissues of mice at different stages of Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection, and to examine the role of microglia in regulating the progression of angiostrongyliasis and unravel the possible molecular mechanisms. Methods Fifty BALB/c mice were randomly divided into the control group and the 7-d, 14-d, 21-day and 25-d infection groups, of 10 mice in each group. All mice in infection groups were infected with 30 stage III A. cantonensis larvae by gavage, and animals in the control group was given an equal amount of physiological saline. Five mice were collected from each of infection groups on days 7, 14, 21 d and 25 d post-infection, and 5 mice were collected from the control group on the day of oral gavage. The general and focal functional impairment was scored using the Clark scoring method to assess the degree of mouse neurological impairment. Five mice from each of infection groups were sacrificed on days 7, 14, 21 d and 25 d post-infection, and 5 mice from the control group were sacrificed on the day of oral gavage. Mouse brain tissues were sampled, and the pathological changes of brain tissues were dynamically observed using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. Immunofluorescence staining with eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) and ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1) was used to assess the degree of eosinophil infiltration and the counts of microglial cells in mouse brain tissues in each group, and the morphological parameters of microglial cells (skeleton analysis and fractal analysis) were quantified by using Image J software to determine the morphological changes of microglial cells. In addition, the expression of M1 microglia markers Fcγ receptor III (Fcgr3), Fcγ receptor IIb (Fcgr2b) and CD86 antigen (Cd86), M2 microglia markers Arginase 1 (Arg1), macrophage mannose receptor C-type 1 (Mrc1), chitinase-like 3 (Chil3), and phagocytosis genes myeloid cell triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (Trem2), CD68 antigen (Cd68), and apolipoprotein E (Apoe) was quantified using real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) assay in the mouse cerebral cortex of mice post-infection. Results A large number of A. cantonensis larvae were seen on the mouse meninges surface post-infection, and many neuronal nuclei were crumpled and deeply stained, with a large number of bleeding points in the meninges. The median Clark scores of mouse general functional impairment were 0 (interquartile range, 0), 0 (interquartile range, 0.5), 6 (interquartile range, 1.0), 14 (interquartile range, 8.5) points and 20 (interquartile range, 9.0) points in the control group and the 7-d, 14-d, 21-d and 25-d groups, respectively (H = 22.45, P < 0.01), and the median Clark scores of mouse focal functional impairment were 0 (interquartile range, 0), 2 (interquartile range, 2.5), 7 (interquartile range, 3.0), 18 (interquartile range, 5.0) points and 25 (interquartile range, 6.5) points in the control group and the 7-d, 14-d, 21-d and 25-d groups, respectively (H = 22.72, P < 0.01). The mean scores of mice general and focal functional impairment were all higher in the infection groups than in the control group (all P values < 0.05). Immunofluorescence staining showed a significant difference in the eosinophil counts in mouse brain tissues among the five groups (F = 40.05, P < 0.000 1), and the eosinophil counts were significantly higher in mouse brain tissues in the 14-d (3.08 ± 0.78) and 21-d infection groups (5.97 ± 1.37) than in the control group (1.00 ± 0.28) (both P values < 0.05). Semi-quantitative analysis of microglia immunofluorescence showed a significant difference in the counts of microglial cells among the five groups (F = 17.66, P < 0.000 1), and higher Iba1 levels were detected in mouse brain tissues in 14-d (5.75 ± 1.28), 21-d (6.23 ± 1.89) and 25-d infection groups (3.70 ± 1.30) than in the control group (1.00 ± 0.30) (all P values < 0.05). Skeleton and fractal analyses showed that the branch length [(162.04 ± 34.10) μm vs. (395.37 ± 64.11) μm; t = 5.566, P < 0.05] and fractal dimension of microglial cells (1.30 ± 0.01 vs. 1.41 ± 0.03; t = 5.266, P < 0.05) were reduced in mouse brain tissues in the 21-d infection group relative to the control group. In addition, there were significant differences among the 5 groups in terms of M1 and M2 microglia markers Fcgr3 (F = 48.34, P < 0.05), Fcgr2b (F = 55.46, P < 0.05), Cd86 (F = 24.44, P < 0.05), Arg1 (F = 31.18, P < 0.05), Mrc1 (F = 15.42, P < 0.05) and Chil3 (F = 24.41, P < 0.05), as well as phagocytosis markers Trem2 (F = 21.19, P < 0.05), Cd68 (F = 43.95, P < 0.05) and Apoe (F = 7.12, P < 0.05) in mice brain tissues. Conclusions A. cantonensis infections may induce severe pathological injuries in mouse brain tissues that are characterized by massive eosinophil infiltration and persistent activation of microglia cells, thereby resulting in progressive deterioration of neurological functions.

Plant-derived natural products have long been a vital source for developing therapeutic drugs. Wedelolactone (WDL), a coumestan isolated from Eclipta prostrata, Wedelia calendulacea, Wedelia chinensis, and Sphagneticola trilobata, demonstrates a broad spectrum of therapeutic potential, including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, anti-myotoxic, antimicrobial, anti-diabetic, and tissue-protective activities. This review synthesizes information on the isolation, total synthesis, pharmacological activity, underlying mechanisms, and pharmacokinetic properties of WDL. Additionally, it offers insights into potential clinical applications and future drug discovery avenues utilizing WDL or its derivatives, either independently or in combination with other pharmaceuticals.
Coumarins/isolation & purification* ; Humans ; Animals ; Biological Products/chemical synthesis* ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Extracts/chemical synthesis* ; Wedelia/chemistry* ; Eclipta/chemistry*

Objective To explore the effect of pristimerin combined with cisplatin on proliferation and apoptosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells.Methods CCK-8 assay was used to examine the survival rate of HNE-1 and CNE-2Z cells following treatment for 24 h with different concentrations of pristimerin,cisplatin or their combination.The changes in colony formation ability,apoptosis,and intracellular reactive oxygen species(ROS)levels of the treated cells were analyzed using colony formation assay and flow cytometry.Western blotting was performed to detect the changes in protein expressions in the cells.The effects of pre-treatment with NAC on proliferation,apoptosis,and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway were observed in pristimerin-and/or cisplatin-treated cells.Results Both pristimerin and cisplatin significantly lowered the survival rate of HNE-1 and CNE-2Z cells(P<0.05).Compared with pristimerin or cisplatin alone,their combination more strongly inhibited survival and colony formation ability of the cells,increased cell apoptosis rate and intracellular ROS levels,upregulated the protein expressions of Bax,cleaved caspase-3,and cleaved PARP,and downregulated the protein expressions of Bcl-2,Mcl-1,PARP and p-PI3K and p-AKT(P<0.05).NAC pretreatment significantly attenuated proliferation inhibition and apoptosis-promoting effects of pristimerin combined with cisplatin,and partially restored the downregulated protein expressions of p-PI3K and p-AKT in HNE-1 and CNE-2Z cells with the combined treatment(P<0.05).Conclusion Pristimerin can enhance cisplatin-induced proliferation inhibition and apoptosis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells,the mechanism of which may involve ROS-mediated deactivation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the effect of dihydroartemisinin(DHA)for enhancing the inhibitory effect of cisplatin(DDP)on DDP-resistant nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line HNE1/DDP and explore the mechanism.Methods CCK-8 method was used to assess the survival rate of HNE1/DDP cells treated with DHA(0,5,10,20,40,80,and 160 μmol/L)and DDP(0,4,8,16,32,64,128 μmol/L)for 24 or 48 h,and the combination index of DHA and DDP was calculated using Compusyn software.HNE1/DDP cells treated with DHA,DDP,or their combination for 24 h were examined for cell viability,proliferation and colony formation ability using CCK-8,EdU and colony-forming assays.Flow cytometry was used to detect cell apoptosis and intracellular reactive oxygen species(ROS).The expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins cleaved PARP,cleaved caspase-9 and cleaved caspase-3 were detected by Western blotting.The effects of N-acetyl-cysteine(a ROS inhibitor)on proliferation and apoptosis of HNE1/DDP cells with combined treatment with DHA and DDP were analyzed.Results Different concentrations of DHA and DDP alone both significantly inhibited the viability of HNE1/DDP cells.The combination index of DHA(5 μmol/L)combined with DDP(8,16,32,64,128 μmol/L)were all below 1.Compared with DHA or DDP alone,their combined treatment more potently decreased the cell viability,colony-forming ability and the number of EdU-positive cells,and significantly increased the apoptotic rate,intracellular ROS level,and the expression levels of cleaved PARP,cleaved caspase-9 and cleaved caspase-3 in HNE1/DDP cells.N-acetyl-cysteine pretreatment obviously attenuated the inhibitory effect on proliferation and apoptosis-inducing effect of DHA combined with DDP in HNE1/DDP cells(P<0.01).Conclusion DHA enhances the growth-inhibitory and apoptosis-inducing effect of DDP on HNE1/DDP cells possibly by promoting accumulation of intracellular ROS.

AIM: To observe and analyze the effectiveness and safety of wearing corneal refractive therapy(CRT)and vision shaping treatment(VST)designed orthokeratology in controlling myopic progression in adolescents with low E-value corneal morphology.METHODS: This prospective study involved 100 cases(100 eyes)of adolescent myopia patients fitted with orthokeratology at our optometry clinic from January 2020 to December 2021. The data of right eye were collected for research, and they were divided into low myopia group(-1.00 to -3.00 D)and moderate myopia group(-3.25 to -5.00 D)according to spherical equivalent, with 50 cases in each group. Each group of patients was further randomly divided into the CRT group and the VST group, with 25 cases in each group. Uncorrected visual acuity, refractive error, axial length(AL), tear film break-up time(BUT), corneal endothelial cell density, corneal staining grading, lens decentration, and refractive power at 15°-30° were measured before and after wearing orthokeratology, with a follow-up duration of 1.5 a.RESULTS: The uncorrected visual acuity of CRT and VST subgroups in the low myopia group showed no statistical significance at any time point after wearing orthokeratology. However, in the moderate myopia group, CRT subgroup showed better uncorrected visual acuity than the VST subgroup, with significant differences at 1 d and 1 wk(t=-9.474, -12.067, both P<0.01); no significant differences were noted at other time points. After wearing lens for 6 mo and 1.5 a, the AL growth for the CRT subgroup in low and moderate myopia was less than the VST subgroup, with no statistically significant differences. There were no statistically significant differences in binocular BUT and corneal endothelial cell density after wearing lens for 6 mo and 1.5 a. Corneal injury was lower in the CRT subgroup than that in the VST subgroup, but the difference was not statistically significant(Z=-1.803, P=0.071). Lens decentration was significantly better in the CRT subgroup than in the VST subgroup(Z=-4.629, P<0.001). In the periphery of the retina at 15°-30°, there were no significant differences in the amount of myopic defocus between the two groups, while it was statistically significant at 1, 3, and 6 mo in the moderate myopia subgroup(t=-3.949, P=0.008; t=-5.833, P<0.001; t=-6.231, P<0.001), indicating that CRT subgroup could produce a greater amount of myopic defocus.CONCLUSION: For patients with low E-value corneal morphology, CRT, using the vector height at 8 mm on the cornea for fitting, is not limited to the corneal E-value. It shapes faster and improves uncorrected visual acuity after shaping, especially for moderate myopia, achieving better daytime vision. In terms of controlling myopia, CRT fitting elevates return zone depth(RZD), creating a small central optical zone to produce more peripheral myopic defocus. However, there was no significant difference between the two groups in controlling AL growth. Both groups showed minimal corneal damage, indicating consistent safety in myopia control.

Objective It constructs a new culture index system for high-quality development of public hospitals to provide scientific tool for evaluating the level of new culture construction of public hospitals and promoting high-quali-ty development.Methods A pool of indicators was established based on policy combing and literature research.Then,an indicator system was formed through Delphi expert consultation and demonstration,and weighting coefficients were assigned using the hierarchical analysis method.Results The indicator system of the new culture in public hospi-tals contains four primary indicators,eight secondary indicators and 23 specific entries.The four primary indicators are hospital culture system construction,strengthening the orientation of patients'needs,caring for medical staff and distinctive hospital culture.The effectiveness of implementation as an additional dimension contains two secondary indicators and eight specific entries.The weights of the primary indicators are balanced.Among the sec-ondary indicators,institutional planning(0.250),staff care(0.170),medical services(0.130),discipline branding(0.125)and professionalism(0.125)have higher weights.Conclusion The new culture index system for high-quality development of public hospitals is in line with Xi Jinping's cultural thought and the requirements of the new culture for high-quality development of public hospitals.It needs to pay attention to the planning of the cultural system,em-phasises the care of employees and the cultivation of professionalism,and focuses on the construction of medical services and disciplinary brands,so as to promote the construction of the new culture in public hospitals in line with the requirements of the national strategies.

Objective It constructs a new culture index system for high-quality development of public hospitals to provide scientific tool for evaluating the level of new culture construction of public hospitals and promoting high-quali-ty development.Methods A pool of indicators was established based on policy combing and literature research.Then,an indicator system was formed through Delphi expert consultation and demonstration,and weighting coefficients were assigned using the hierarchical analysis method.Results The indicator system of the new culture in public hospi-tals contains four primary indicators,eight secondary indicators and 23 specific entries.The four primary indicators are hospital culture system construction,strengthening the orientation of patients'needs,caring for medical staff and distinctive hospital culture.The effectiveness of implementation as an additional dimension contains two secondary indicators and eight specific entries.The weights of the primary indicators are balanced.Among the sec-ondary indicators,institutional planning(0.250),staff care(0.170),medical services(0.130),discipline branding(0.125)and professionalism(0.125)have higher weights.Conclusion The new culture index system for high-quality development of public hospitals is in line with Xi Jinping's cultural thought and the requirements of the new culture for high-quality development of public hospitals.It needs to pay attention to the planning of the cultural system,em-phasises the care of employees and the cultivation of professionalism,and focuses on the construction of medical services and disciplinary brands,so as to promote the construction of the new culture in public hospitals in line with the requirements of the national strategies.

Objective It constructs a new culture index system for high-quality development of public hospitals to provide scientific tool for evaluating the level of new culture construction of public hospitals and promoting high-quali-ty development.Methods A pool of indicators was established based on policy combing and literature research.Then,an indicator system was formed through Delphi expert consultation and demonstration,and weighting coefficients were assigned using the hierarchical analysis method.Results The indicator system of the new culture in public hospi-tals contains four primary indicators,eight secondary indicators and 23 specific entries.The four primary indicators are hospital culture system construction,strengthening the orientation of patients'needs,caring for medical staff and distinctive hospital culture.The effectiveness of implementation as an additional dimension contains two secondary indicators and eight specific entries.The weights of the primary indicators are balanced.Among the sec-ondary indicators,institutional planning(0.250),staff care(0.170),medical services(0.130),discipline branding(0.125)and professionalism(0.125)have higher weights.Conclusion The new culture index system for high-quality development of public hospitals is in line with Xi Jinping's cultural thought and the requirements of the new culture for high-quality development of public hospitals.It needs to pay attention to the planning of the cultural system,em-phasises the care of employees and the cultivation of professionalism,and focuses on the construction of medical services and disciplinary brands,so as to promote the construction of the new culture in public hospitals in line with the requirements of the national strategies.

Objective It constructs a new culture index system for high-quality development of public hospitals to provide scientific tool for evaluating the level of new culture construction of public hospitals and promoting high-quali-ty development.Methods A pool of indicators was established based on policy combing and literature research.Then,an indicator system was formed through Delphi expert consultation and demonstration,and weighting coefficients were assigned using the hierarchical analysis method.Results The indicator system of the new culture in public hospi-tals contains four primary indicators,eight secondary indicators and 23 specific entries.The four primary indicators are hospital culture system construction,strengthening the orientation of patients'needs,caring for medical staff and distinctive hospital culture.The effectiveness of implementation as an additional dimension contains two secondary indicators and eight specific entries.The weights of the primary indicators are balanced.Among the sec-ondary indicators,institutional planning(0.250),staff care(0.170),medical services(0.130),discipline branding(0.125)and professionalism(0.125)have higher weights.Conclusion The new culture index system for high-quality development of public hospitals is in line with Xi Jinping's cultural thought and the requirements of the new culture for high-quality development of public hospitals.It needs to pay attention to the planning of the cultural system,em-phasises the care of employees and the cultivation of professionalism,and focuses on the construction of medical services and disciplinary brands,so as to promote the construction of the new culture in public hospitals in line with the requirements of the national strategies.