ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Huayu Mingmu prescription on retinal angiogenesis and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin （PI3K/Akt/mTOR）-hypoxia inducible factor-1α/vascular endothelial growth factor A （HIF-1α/VEGFA） signaling pathway in diabetic retinopathy （DR） rats. MethodsSixty-four SPF-grade male SD rats were used in the study. Eleven rats were randomly selected as the normal group， while the remaining 53 rats were fed a high-sugar， high-fat diet combined with low-dose streptozotocin （STZ） intraperitoneal injection to establish a type 2 diabetes mellitus （T2DM） rat model. DR model evaluation was performed after 12 weeks of diabetes. The rats were then divided into model， low-dose， medium-dose， and high-dose groups of Huayu Mingmu prescription （9.29， 18.57， 37.14 g·kg^-1）， and a calcium dobesilate group （0.16 g·kg^-1）， with 10 rats in each group. The rats were orally administered the corresponding doses of Huayu Mingmu prescription and calcium dobesilate. The normal and model groups received equal volumes of physiological saline via gavage for 8 consecutive weeks. Retinal vascular changes were observed through fundus photography， and pathological changes in retinal tissue were evaluated using hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Retinal microvascular pathological changes were examined through retinal vascular network preparation and periodic acid-Schiff （PAS） staining. Immunofluorescence （IF） was used to detect the expression of VEGFA and angiopoietin-2 （Ang-2） in retinal tissue. Western blot was employed to detect the protein expression of PI3K， Akt， mTOR， HIF-1α， VEGFA， and VEGFR2 in retinal tissue. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to assess the mRNA expression of PI3K， Akt， mTOR， HIF-1α， VEGFA， and VEGFR2 in retinal tissue. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group exhibited significant pathological changes in retinal tissue， including the appearance of acellular capillaries， as well as significant endothelial cell （E） proliferation and pericyte （P） loss （P<0.01）. The E/P was significantly elevated （P<0.01）. Protein and mRNA expression levels of PI3K， Akt， mTOR， HIF-1α， VEGFA， and VEGFR2 in retinal tissue were significantly increased （P<0.01）， and the expression of Ang-2 protein was significantly elevated （P<0.01）. In contrast， retinal tissue in the treatment groups showed alleviated pathological changes， with reduced endothelial cell proliferation and pericyte loss （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Among the treatment groups， the high-dose Huayu Mingmu prescription and the calcium dobesilate group exhibited a decreased E/P （P<0.01）. Protein and mRNA expression levels of PI3K， Akt， mTOR， HIF-1α， VEGFA， and VEGFR2 in retinal tissue were significantly reduced （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the expression of Ang-2 protein was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. ConclusionHuayu Mingmu prescription can intervene in retinal neovascularization in DR rats， delay the progression of DR， and its mechanism may be related to antagonizing the PI3K/Akt/mTOR-HIF-1α/VEGFA signaling pathway.

ObjectiveGliomas in the motor functional area can damage the corticospinal tract (CST), leading to motor dysfunction. Currently, there is a lack of unified methods for evaluating the extent of CST damage, especially in patients with high surgical risk where the minimum distance from the lesion to the CST is less than 10 mm. This study aims to further clarify the classification method and clinical significance of CST morphological changes in these patients. MethodsThis retrospective study analyzed 109 high-risk functional area glioma patients who underwent neurosurgical treatment with preoperative diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) imaging and intraoperative neurostimulation guidance between 2014 and 2024. All patients had a lesion-to-tract distance (LTD) of less than 10 mm between the CST and the lesion. Preoperative DTI evaluation of CST involvement-induced morphological changes were reviewed. Patients were divided into 3 groups: 17 cases (15.6%) with symmetric CST morphology compared to the healthy side (CST symmetry), 48 cases (44.0%) with significant CST morphology changes compared to the healthy side (CST deformation), and 44 cases (40.4%) with CST overlap with the tumor (CST overlap). Then we classified patients according to preoperative assessment of tumor-induced morphological changes, and analyze postoperative motor function for each category. ResultsPostoperative pathology showed a significantly higher proportion of high-grade gliomas (HGG) in the CST overlap group compared to the other two groups (P=0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that CST overlap was a predictor of HGG (P=0.000). The rate of total tumor resection in the CST deformation group and overlap group was lower than in the CST symmetric group (P=0.008). There was a total of 41 postoperative hemiplegic patients, with 4 cases (23.5%) in the CST symmetric group, 11 cases (22.9%) in the CST deformation group, and 26 cases (59.1%) in the CST overlap group. CST overlap with the tumor predicted postoperative hemiplegia (P=0.016). Two-way ANOVA analysis of the affected/healthy side and CST morphology groups showed significant main effects of CST grouping and healthy-affected side (P=0.017 and P=0.010), with no significant interaction (P=0.31). The fractional anisotropy (FA) value in the CST overlap group and the affected side was lower. A decrease in the FA value on the affected side predicted postoperative hemiplegia (sensitivity 69.2%, specificity 71.9%). ConclusionWe have established a method to predict postoperative hemiplegia in high-risk motor functional area glioma patients based on preoperative CST morphological changes. CST overlap leads to a decrease in CST FA values. This method can be used for precise patient management and aid in accurate preoperative surgical planning.

In hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD), the programmed cell death known as ferroptosis is significantly activated. Microglial cells demonstrate a high level of sensitivity to iron accumulation. Understanding how to regulate the dual role of microglia and transforming the microglial ferroptosis to a moderate and controllable process has considerable implications for the targeted treatment in HIBD. This paper serves as an overview of microglia-mediated ferroptosis in HIBD as a disease model. We discuss various aspects centered around microglia, including pathophysiological mechanisms, polarization and functions of microglia, molecular mechanisms of ferroptosis, signaling pathways, and therapeutic strategies. The review aims to provide a reference for studies of ferroptosis in microglia.
Microglia/physiology* ; Ferroptosis/physiology* ; Humans ; Animals ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain/pathology* ; Signal Transduction

Hearing loss is the most prevalent disabling disease. Cochlear implantation（CI） serves as the primary intervention for severe to profound hearing loss. This consensus systematically explores the value of genetic diagnosis in the pre-operative assessment and efficacy prognosis for CI. Drawing upon domestic and international research and clinical experience, it proposes an evidence-based medicine three-tiered prognostic classification system（Favorable, Marginal, Poor）. The consensus focuses on common hereditary non-syndromic hearing loss（such as that caused by mutations in genes like GJB2, SLC26A4, OTOF, LOXHD1） and syndromic hereditary hearing loss（such as Jervell & Lange-Nielsen syndrome and Waardenburg syndrome）, which are closely associated with congenital hearing loss, analyzing the impact of their pathological mechanisms on CI outcomes. The consensus provides recommendations based on multiple round of expert discussion and voting. It emphasizes that genetic diagnosis can optimize patient selection, predict prognosis, guide post-operative rehabilitation, offer stratified management strategies for patients with different genotypes, and advance the application of precision medicine in the field of CI.
Humans ; Cochlear Implantation ; Prognosis ; Hearing Loss/surgery* ; Consensus ; Connexin 26 ; Mutation ; Sulfate Transporters ; Connexins/genetics*

AIM: To observe the effects of Liuwei Dihuang Tang on the expression levels of ferritin, recombinant solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11), glutathione(GSH), and glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4)in retinal of aging model rats.METHODS: A total of 45 SD rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, and a traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)group, with 15 rats in each group. The blank group was intraperitoneally injected with physiological saline, while the model group and TCM group were intraperitoneally injected with D-galactose [500 mg/(kg·d)]. At the same time, the TCM group was orally administered with Liuwei Dihuang Tang [6.75 g/(kg·d)], while the blank group and model group were orally administered with equal volume of physiological saline for 8 consecutive wk. The expression levels of ferritin, SLC7A11, GSH, and GPX4 in the retinal tissues of rats in each group were detected.RESULTS: The expression of ferritin in the retinal tissue of the model group was increased compared to the blank group(P<0.05), while the expression of GSH, SLC7A11, and GPX4 was reduced(P<0.05). The expression of GSH, SLC7A11, and GPX4 in the retina tissue of rats in the TCM group was higher than that in the model group(P<0.05).CONCLUSIONS: Liuwei Dihuang Tang may exert a delaying effect on retinal aging by regulating the ferroptosis pathway.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of gastrodin for inhibiting microglia-mediated inflammation after hypoxic-ischemic brain damage(HIBD)in neonatal rats.Methods Thirty-nine 3-day-old SD rats were randomly divided into sham group,HIBD group and gastrodin treatment group.Western blotting was used to detect the expressions of TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-10 and TGF-β1 in the corpus callosum of the rats.The potential targets of gastrodin for treatment of HIBD were screened by network pharmacology analysis.The expressions of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway proteins following HIBD-induced microglial activation in the rats and in cultured microglial BV-2 cells with oxygen-glucose deprivation(OGD)were detected with Western blotting.The effects of LY294002(a specific inhibitor of the PI3K/AKT pathway)and gastrodin on TNF-α and TGF-β1 mRNA levels in BV-2 cells with OGD was detected with RT-qPCR.Results In the neonatal rats with HIBD,gastrodin treatment significantly decreased TNF-α and IL-1β expressions and enhanced IL-10 and TGF-β1 expressions in the ischemic corpus callosum.Network pharmacology analysis showed significant enrichment of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and a strong binding between gastrodin and PI3K.Gastrodin significantly promoted PI3K and AKT phosphorylation in neonatal rats with HIBD and in BV-2 cells exposed to OGD.In BV-2 cells with OGD,gastrodin obviously suppressed OGD-induced increase of TNF-α and reduction of TGF-β1 mRNA expressions,and this effect was strongly attenuated by LY294002 treatment.Conclusion Gastrodin can inhibit microglia-mediated inflammation in neonatal rats with HIBD by regulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the mechanism behind the protective effects of gastrodin against microglia-mediated inflammatory responses following hypoxic-ischemic brain damage(HIBD)in neonatal mice.Methods Thirty-six 10-day-old C57BL/6J mice were randomized into sham-operated group,HIBD(induced by ligation of the left common carotid artery followed by hypoxia for 40 min)group,and HIBD with gastrodin treatment groups(n=12).In gastrodin treatment group,100 mg/kg gastrodin was injected intraperitoneally 1 h before and at 2 and 12 h after hypoxia.After the treatments,the expressions of CCR5,AKT,p-AKT,and TNF-α and the co-expression of IBA1 and CCR5 in the corpus callosum of the mice were detected with Western blotting and immunofluorescence double staining.In a BV2 microglial cell model of oxygen-glucose deprivation(OGD),the effects of pretreatment with gastrodin and Maraviroc(an CCR5 antagonist)on protein expressions of CCR5,AKT,p-AKT,TNF-α and IL-1β were evaluated using Western blotting and immunofluorescence double staining.Results The neonatal mice with HIBD showed significantly increased expressions of CCR5 and TNF-α with lowered p-AKT expression in the brain tissues,and GAS treatment obviously reversed these changes.HIBD also significantly increased the co-expression of IBA1 and CCR5 in the corpus callosum of the mice,which was obviously lowered by gastrodin treatment.In BV2 cells,OGD significantly increased the expressions of CCR5,TNF-α,and IL-1β and decreased the expression of p-AKT,and these changes were inhibited by treatment with gastrodin,Maraviroc or their combination;the inhibitory effect of the combined treatment did not differ significantly from that of gastrodin or Maraviroc alone.Conclusion Gastrodin can produce neuroprotective effects in neonatal mice with HIBD by inhibiting inflammatory cytokine production and activate AKT phosphorylation via inhibiting CCR5.

AIM:This study aimed to investigate the mechanism by which celoside I enhances mitophagy in a model of optic nerve injury through regulation of reactive oxygen species(ROS)-mediated c-Jun N-terminal kinase(JNK)/c-Jun signaling pathway.METHODS:Twenty-four New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into four groups:sham surgery,model,mecobalamin,and experimental group.Optic nerve injury was induced in the model,mecobala-min,and experimental groups,while the sham surgery group underwent a sham procedure.The mecobalamin group re-ceived mecobalamin,the experimental group received celoside I,and the sham surgery and model groups received saline.Interventions were administered daily for 28 d.Various techniques including endoscopy,hematoxylin-eosin(HE)stain-ing,TUNEL method,immunofluorescence staining and Western blot were used to assess fundus condition,retinal mor-phology,apoptosis,ROS expression,and protein levels in the retina.RESULTS:Fundus examination revealed im-proved blood flow in the mecobalamin and experimental groups compared to the model group.Retinal morphology showed enhanced retinal ganglion cells(RGCs)in the mecobalamin and experimental groups.Apoptosis index was lower in the mecobalamin group compared to the experimental group.Immunofluorescence staining indicated reduced ROS and P62 ex-pression and increased parkin and microtubule-associated protein light chain 3(LC3)expression in the experimental group compared to the mecobalamin group.Protein analysis showed decreased JNK,c-Jun,and P62 levels,and increased parkin and LC3 levels in the mecobalamin and experimental groups compared to the model group.CONCLUSION:Celo-side I reduces ROS expression,inhibits the JNK/c-Jun pathway,enhances mitophagy,reduces apoptosis,and protects RGCs in optic nerve injury models.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of gastrodin for inhibiting microglia-mediated inflammation after hypoxic-ischemic brain damage(HIBD)in neonatal rats.Methods Thirty-nine 3-day-old SD rats were randomly divided into sham group,HIBD group and gastrodin treatment group.Western blotting was used to detect the expressions of TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-10 and TGF-β1 in the corpus callosum of the rats.The potential targets of gastrodin for treatment of HIBD were screened by network pharmacology analysis.The expressions of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway proteins following HIBD-induced microglial activation in the rats and in cultured microglial BV-2 cells with oxygen-glucose deprivation(OGD)were detected with Western blotting.The effects of LY294002(a specific inhibitor of the PI3K/AKT pathway)and gastrodin on TNF-α and TGF-β1 mRNA levels in BV-2 cells with OGD was detected with RT-qPCR.Results In the neonatal rats with HIBD,gastrodin treatment significantly decreased TNF-α and IL-1β expressions and enhanced IL-10 and TGF-β1 expressions in the ischemic corpus callosum.Network pharmacology analysis showed significant enrichment of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and a strong binding between gastrodin and PI3K.Gastrodin significantly promoted PI3K and AKT phosphorylation in neonatal rats with HIBD and in BV-2 cells exposed to OGD.In BV-2 cells with OGD,gastrodin obviously suppressed OGD-induced increase of TNF-α and reduction of TGF-β1 mRNA expressions,and this effect was strongly attenuated by LY294002 treatment.Conclusion Gastrodin can inhibit microglia-mediated inflammation in neonatal rats with HIBD by regulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the mechanism behind the protective effects of gastrodin against microglia-mediated inflammatory responses following hypoxic-ischemic brain damage(HIBD)in neonatal mice.Methods Thirty-six 10-day-old C57BL/6J mice were randomized into sham-operated group,HIBD(induced by ligation of the left common carotid artery followed by hypoxia for 40 min)group,and HIBD with gastrodin treatment groups(n=12).In gastrodin treatment group,100 mg/kg gastrodin was injected intraperitoneally 1 h before and at 2 and 12 h after hypoxia.After the treatments,the expressions of CCR5,AKT,p-AKT,and TNF-α and the co-expression of IBA1 and CCR5 in the corpus callosum of the mice were detected with Western blotting and immunofluorescence double staining.In a BV2 microglial cell model of oxygen-glucose deprivation(OGD),the effects of pretreatment with gastrodin and Maraviroc(an CCR5 antagonist)on protein expressions of CCR5,AKT,p-AKT,TNF-α and IL-1β were evaluated using Western blotting and immunofluorescence double staining.Results The neonatal mice with HIBD showed significantly increased expressions of CCR5 and TNF-α with lowered p-AKT expression in the brain tissues,and GAS treatment obviously reversed these changes.HIBD also significantly increased the co-expression of IBA1 and CCR5 in the corpus callosum of the mice,which was obviously lowered by gastrodin treatment.In BV2 cells,OGD significantly increased the expressions of CCR5,TNF-α,and IL-1β and decreased the expression of p-AKT,and these changes were inhibited by treatment with gastrodin,Maraviroc or their combination;the inhibitory effect of the combined treatment did not differ significantly from that of gastrodin or Maraviroc alone.Conclusion Gastrodin can produce neuroprotective effects in neonatal mice with HIBD by inhibiting inflammatory cytokine production and activate AKT phosphorylation via inhibiting CCR5.