Objective To analyze the clinical features of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with heart failure (HF) in Nanjing and explore the influencing factors. Methods A total of 773 COPD inpatients were selected from January 2021 to January 2024 in Nanjing Combined Hospital of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing Qixia District Hospital, Nanjing Lishui District People's Hospital, Nanjing Pukou District Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Nanjing First Hospital., and were divided into 2 groups according to the presence or absence of combined HF. The general data and medical records of the two groups were compared, the clinical characteristics of COPD patients with HF were summarized, and the influencing factors of COPD patients with HF were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression. Results Among the 242 patients (31.31%) with COPD had HF, chronic paroxysmal dyspnea was the most common first symptom, 169 patients (69.83%) had left heart failure, 63 patients (30.17%) were diagnosed as right heart failure or global heart failure , 17 patients (7.02%) had myocardial infarction. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of HF was 1.678 times and 1.691times higher in COPD groups ≥ 50 years old and male COPD groups than in < 50 years old and female groups, respectively; the risk of HF was 1.491 times higher in COPD groups engaged in physical work than in physical work groups; the risk of HF was 1.447 times and 1.580 times higher in COPD groups with hypertension and coronary heart disease than in COPD groups without hypertension and coronary heart disease, respectively; the risk of HF was 1.859 times higher in COPD groups smoking>400 vial/year than in COPD groups≤400 vial/ year; the risk of HF was 1.757 times higher in COPD groups with acute exacerbation frequency≥2 times/year than in COPD groups<2 times/year; the above differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion Attention should be paid to elderly, male and heavy physical work group of COPD patients. Active treatment of hypertension and coronary heart disease, effective tobacco control and reduction of the frequency of acute exacerbation are effective ways to reduce the risk of HF in COPD patients in Nanjing.

AIM:To investigate the regulatory effects of proanthocyanidins on autophagy and apoptosis in the retinas of guinea pigs with form-deprivation myopia via the AMPK/Wnt/β-catenin pathway.METHODS:Fifty guinea pigs were randomly divided into a normal control group, a myopia model group, and low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose proanthocyanidins groups(25, 50 and 100 mg/kg). Refractive power and axial length of right eye were measured using a retinoscope and A-scan ultrasound. Retinal pathological changes were observed via HE staining. Immunohistochemistry assessed p-AMPK and p-mTOR expression in the retina. Immunofluorescence detected p62 and LC3 expression. TUNEL staining evaluated retinal cell apoptosis. Western blot examined expression of proteins related to the AMPK/Wnt/β-catenin pathway and autophagy(p62, Beclin1, LC3-II/LC3-I), and apoptosis-related proteins(Bax, Bcl-2, Cleaved-Caspase3, Caspase3)in the retina.RESULTS:Compared with the control group, the myopia model group showed significantly reduced refractive power and significantly increased axial length(both P<0.05); retinal cell arrangement became sparse and retinal thickness thinned. The p-AMPK levels in the retina were significantly reduced, while p-mTOR levels were significantly increased(both P<0.05), indicating suppression of the AMPK-Wnt/β-catenin pathway. The p62 levels were significantly elevated and LC3 levels were significantly reduced(both P<0.05), suggesting inhibition of autophagy. Bax and Cleaved-Caspase3 were significantly increased, while Bcl-2 was significantly decreased, indicating significantly increased apoptosis(both P<0.05). Compared with the myopia model group, all proanthocyanidins dose groups significantly inhibited refractive error reduction and axial length growth(both P<0.05), restored retinal cell alignment and thickness, activated the AMPK/Wnt/β-catenin pathway, significantly increased p-AMPK expression, and suppressed p-mTOR expression(all P<0.05); significantly suppressed p62 expression, increased Beclin1 and LC3-II/LC3-I expression(both P<0.05), and activated retinal autophagy; significantly suppressed Bax and Cleaved-Caspase3 expression, increased Bcl-2 expression(both P<0.05), and inhibited retinal cell apoptosis.CONCLUSION:Proanthocyanidins enhance retinal autophagy by activating the AMPK/Wnt/β-catenin pathway, thereby inhibiting retinal apoptosis and preventing or alleviating the onset of myopia.

BACKGROUND: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a prevalent type of cancer with a high mortality rate in its late stages. One of the major challenges in OSCC treatment is the resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors. Therefore, it is imperative to elucidate the mechanism underlying drug resistance and develop appropriate precision therapy strategies to enhance clinical efficacy. METHODS: To evaluate the efficacy of the combination of the Ca 2+ /calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CAMK2) inhibitor KN93 and EGFR inhibitors, we performed in vitro and in vivo experiments using two FAT atypical cadherin 1 ( FAT1 )-deficient (SCC9 and SCC25) and two FAT1 wild-type (SCC47 and HN12) OSCC cell lines. We assessed the effects of EGFR inhibitors (afatinib or cetuximab), KN93, or their combination on the malignant phenotype of OSCC in vivo and in vitro . The alterations in protein expression levels of members of the EGFR signaling pathway and SRY-box transcription factor 2 (SOX2) were analyzed. Changes in the yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) protein were characterized. Moreover, we analyzed mitochondrial dysfunction. Besides, the effects of combination therapy on mitochondrial dynamics were also evaluated. RESULTS: OSCC with FAT1 mutations exhibited resistance to EGFR inhibitors treatment. The combination of KN93 and EGFR inhibitors significantly inhibited the proliferation, survival, and migration of FAT1 -mutated OSCC cells and suppressed tumor growth in vivo . Mechanistically, combination therapy enhanced the therapeutic sensitivity of FAT1 -mutated OSCC cells to EGFR inhibitors by modulating the EGFR pathway and downregulated tumor stemness-related proteins. Furthermore, combination therapy induced reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction and disrupted mitochondrial dynamics, ultimately resulting in tumor suppression. CONCLUSION Combination therapy with EGFR inhibitors and KN93 could be a novel precision therapeutic strategy and a potential clinical solution for EGFR-resistant OSCC patients with FAT1 mutations.
Humans ; ErbB Receptors/metabolism* ; Mouth Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Animals ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/genetics* ; Cadherins/metabolism* ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/metabolism* ; Mice ; Mutation/genetics* ; Mice, Nude ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors/therapeutic use* ; Cetuximab/pharmacology* ; Afatinib/therapeutic use* ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects*

Research in photodynamic therapy (PDT) primarily focuses on enhancing light penetration depth, improving oxygen supply, and optimizing photosensitizer delivery. Notably, the delivery efficiency of the photosensitizer is crucial for therapeutic efficacy. Carboxyl-substituted phthalocyanines, as important photosensitizing molecules, possess unique chemical modification sites that enable direct targeted delivery or integration into diverse delivery systems. Their synthesis predominantly employs mixed- or cross-condensation, selective synthesis, and axial modification strategies to introduce carboxyl groups. However, their inherent hydrophobicity significantly hinders effective delivery. To address this limitation, modifications with peptides or quaternary ammonium salt derivatives may facilitate precise delivery to tumor cells and pathogens. With advances in nanotechnology, carboxyl-substituted phthalocyanines can serve as key photosensitizer modules, effectively integrated into nanomaterials such as biomacromolecules, inorganic metals, and polymers for both active and passive delivery. Recently, researchers have exploited the π-π stacking and other intermolecular forces among carboxyl-substituted phthalocyanine molecules to drive their self-assembly into nano-micelles, enabling carrier-free delivery or co-delivery with other therapeutic agents for synergistic effects. This review systematically outlines the synthesis strategies for carboxyl-substituted phthalo-cyanines. Taking mono-carboxyl-substituted zinc phthalocyanine as a model molecule, the performance of three delivery modalities were compared: single-molecule targeted delivery, nanocarrier-encapsulated delivery, and carrier-free self-assembled delivery, in terms of PDT efficacy, biocompatibility, and imaging-guided tracing capabilities, to provide a systematic technical framework for the rational design of novel modular photosensitizers and to advance the clinical translation of PDT in precision oncology and anti-infective therapy.
Photochemotherapy/methods* ; Indoles/administration & dosage* ; Isoindoles ; Photosensitizing Agents/administration & dosage* ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Humans

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of moslosooflavone (MOS) for ameliorating dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice and the underlying molecular mechanism. METHODS: C57BL/6J mice with or without DSS exposure in the drinking water were both randomized into two groups for treatment with intraperitoneal injections with MOS (200 mg/kg) or normal saline for 7 days (n=6). Disease severity of the mice was assessed by observing changes in body weight, colon length, histopathology (HE staining), intestinal barrier function, and TUNEL staining. In the in vitro studies, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated mouse colon organoids were treated with MOS (120 μmol/L) for 24 h, and the changes in barrier dysfunction and inflammation were analyzed. Network pharmacology and Western blotting were employed to identify functional pathways and apoptotic protein regulation associated with the therapeutic effect of MOS on colitis. RESULTS: In the mouse models of DSS-indcued colitis, MOS treatment significantly reduced body weight loss, disease activity index (DAI) scores and colon shortening, ameliorated colonic histopathological changes and inflammation, and lowered pro-inflammatory cytokine levels (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IFN-γ). MOS effectively restored intestinal barrier integrity in the mice by reducing serum FITC-dextran and I-FABP concentrations while enhancing the tight junction proteins (ZO-1 and claudin-1). In the colon organoids, MOS significantly suppressed LPS-induced inflammatory responses and epithelial barrier disruption. Western blotting revealed that MOS downregulated C-caspase-3 and BAX and upregulated Bcl-2 expressions in both models. Mechanistically, MOS suppressed PI3K and AKT phosphorylation in both DSS-treated mouse colonic tissues and LPS-stimulated organoids. CONCLUSIONS MOS alleviates experimental colitis in mice by inhibiting intestinal epithelial apoptosis via inhibiting the PI3K/AKT pathway, thereby restoring intestinal barrier integrity and reducing inflammation.
Animals ; Dextran Sulfate ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Colitis/metabolism* ; Mice ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Intestinal Mucosa/metabolism* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism* ; Flavones/pharmacology* ; Male

OBJECTIVES: To explore the mechanism of Shenqi Buzhong (SQBZ) Formula for alleviating mitochondrial dysfunction in a rat model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in light of the AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α pathway. METHODS: Fifty male SD rat models of COPD, established by intratracheal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) instillation, exposure to cigarette smoke, and gavage of Senna leaf infusion, were randomized into 5 groups (n=10) for treatment with saline (model group), SQBZ Formula at low, moderate and high doses (3.08, 6.16 and 12.32 g/kg, respectively), or aminophylline (0.024 g/kg) by gavage for 4 weeks, with another 10 untreated rats as the control group. Pulmonary function of the rats were tested, and pathologies and ultrastructural changes of the lung tissues were examined using HE staining and transmission electron microscopy. The levels of SOD, ATP, MDA, and mitochondrial membrane potential in the lungs were detected using WST-1, colorimetric assay, TBA, and JC-1 methods. Flow cytometry was used to analyze ROS level in the lung tissues, and the protein expression levels of P-AMPKα, AMPKα, SIRTI, and PGC-1α were detected using Western blotting. RESULTS: The rat models of COPD showed significantly decreased lung function, severe histopathological injuries of the lungs, decreased pulmonary levels of SOD activity, ATP and mitochondrial membrane potential, increased levels of MDA and ROS, and decreased pulmonary expressions of P-AMPKα, SIRTI, and PGC-1α proteins. All these changes were significantly alleviated by treatment with SQBZ Formula and aminophylline, and the efficacy was comparable between high-dose SQBZ Formula group and aminophylline group. CONCLUSIONS SQBZ Formula ameliorates mitochondrial dysfunction in COPD rats possibly by activating the AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α pathway.
Animals ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/drug therapy* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Sirtuin 1/metabolism* ; Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Male ; Rats ; AMP-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism* ; Mitochondria/metabolism* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Signal Transduction/drug effects*

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the role of SF3B3 in gastric cancer (GC) progression and prognosis and its possible mechanisms. METHODS: SF3B3 expression levels in pan-cancer and GC were analyzed using TIMER2.0, GEPIA, and UALCAN databases and validated using immunohistochemistry in GC tissues. Survival curves of GC patients were established using Kaplan-Meier Plotter and the data of a patient cohort our hospital. The independent risk factors for 5-year postoperative survival were identified using Cox regression, and their predictive values were evaluated using ROC analysis. SF3B3-associated biological processes were predicted by bioinformatics enrichment analyses. In GC HGC-27 cells, the effects of lentivirus-mediated SF3B3 knockdown and overexpression on cell proliferation and migration were investigated, and the changes in the key glycolytic proteins and extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) were detected. The influence of SF3B3 expression level on tumorigenesis and glycolytic protein expression in vivo were evaluated in a nude mouse xenograft model. RESULTS: High expression of SF3B3 in GC was associated with poor patient prognosis (P<0.05). The factors affecting 5-year survival outcomes following gastric oncological resection included high SF3B3 expression, a CEA level ≥5μg/L, a CA19-9 level ≥37 kU/L, tumor stage T3-4, and lymph node metastasis stage N2-3 (P<0.05). Bioinformatics analysis showed significant enrichment of SF3B3 in glycolysis. In HGC-27 cells, SF3B3 knockdown significantly inhibited while SF3B3 overexpression enhanced cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. SF3B3 knockdown obviously decreased the expressions of HK2, PKM2 and LDHA proteins and ECAR in HGC-27 cells, whereas SF3B3 overexpression produced the opposite effect. In nude mouse xenograft models, SF3B3 knockdown significantly reduced tumor mass and downregulated expression of HK2, PKM2 and LDHA proteins, and SF3B3 overexpression induced the opposite changes. CONCLUSIONS SF3B3 overexpression is associated with poor prognosis of GC patients and promotes GC cell proliferation, migration and invasion possibly by enhancing glycolysis.
Stomach Neoplasms/diagnosis* ; Humans ; Cell Proliferation ; Prognosis ; Animals ; Mice, Nude ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Mice ; Cell Movement ; Male ; Female

Insufficient alveolar bone thickness increases the risk of periodontal dehiscence and fenestration, especially in orthodontic tooth movement. Abaloparatide (ABL), a synthetic analog of human PTHrP (1-34) and a clinical medication for treating osteoporosis, has recently demonstrated its potential in enhancing craniofacial bone formation. Herein, we show that intraoral submucosal injection of ABL, when combined with mechanical force, promotes in situ alveolar bone thickening. The newly formed bone is primarily located outside the original compact bone, implying its origin from the periosteum. RNA sequencing of the alveolar bone tissue revealed that the focal adhesion (FA) pathway potentially mediates this bioprocess. Local injection of ABL alone enhances cell proliferation, collagen synthesis, and phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) in the alveolar periosteum; when ABL is combined with mechanical force, the FAK expression is upregulated, in line with the accomplishment of the ossification. In vitro, ABL enhances proliferation, migration, and FAK phosphorylation in periosteal stem cells. Furthermore, the pro-osteogenic effects of ABL on alveolar bone are entirely blocked when FAK activity is inhibited by a specific inhibitor. In summary, abaloparatide combined with mechanical force promotes alveolar bone formation via FAK-mediated periosteal osteogenesis. Thus, we have introduced a promising therapeutic approach for drug-induced in situ alveolar bone augmentation, which may prevent or repair the detrimental periodontal dehiscence, holding significant potential in dentistry.
Osteogenesis/drug effects* ; Periosteum/cytology* ; Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein/administration & dosage* ; Animals ; Focal Adhesion Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/metabolism* ; Alveolar Process/drug effects* ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Phosphorylation ; Rats ; Male ; Humans ; Focal Adhesion Kinase 1/metabolism* ; Cell Movement/drug effects*

OBJECTIVE:At present,there are many reports on the related factors associated with the incidence of cervical spine instability in patients with rheumatoid arthritis,but there are problems such as small sample size and many confounding factors,and the research results of various studies on the same related factors are also different.This article analyzed the factors related to cervical spine instability in patients with rheumatoid arthritis by means of a systematic review. METHODS:Articles related to cervical spine instability in patients with rheumatoid arthritis were collected by searching both Chinese and English databases until March 2023.The outcome of cervical spine instability in patients with rheumatoid arthritis was used as the grouping criterion to abstract basic information,baseline patient characteristics,laboratory-related tests,medication use,and other relevant risk factors.Meta-analysis was done using Stata 14.0 software. RESULTS:(1)Sixteen relevant studies,all of moderate or above quality,were included,including seven studies with case-control studies and nine with cross-sectional studies.The overall incidence of cervical spine instability in patients with rheumatoid arthritis was 43.08%.(2)Meta-analysis showed:Related risk factors included female(OR=0.60,95%CI:0.44-0.82,P=0.002);age at disease onset(SMD=-0.52,95%CI:-0.86 to-0.18,P=0.003);duration of disease(SMD=0.58,95%CI:0.14-1.02,P=0.01);body mass index(OR=0.74,95%CI:0.63-0.88,P=0.001);rheumatoid factors positive univariate analysis subgroup(OR=1.33,95%CI:1.02 to 1.72,P=0.04),C-reactive protein(SMD=0.26,95%CI:0.16-0.35,P=0.00),erythrocyte sedimentation rate(SMD=0.15,95%CI:0.002-0.29,P=0.047),anti-cyclic-citrullinated peptide antibodies(OR=1.73,95%CI:1.19-2.51,P=0.004),28-joint Disease Activity Score(SMD=0.20,95%CI:0.04-0.37,P=0.02),destruction of peripheral joints(OR=2.48,95%CI:1.60-3.85,P=0.00),and corticosteroids(OR=1.91,95%CI:1.54-2.37,P=0.00)were strongly associated with the development of rheumatoid arthritis-cervical spine instability.Female and corticosteroid use were independently associated with the occurrence of rheumatoid arthritis-cervical spine instability. CONCLUSION:Based on clinical evidence from 16 observational studies,the overall incidence of rheumatoid arthritis-cervical spine instability was 43.08%.However,the incidence of cervical spine instability in rheumatoid arthritis patients varied greatly among different studies.Gender(female)and the use of corticosteroids were confirmed as independent correlation factors for the onset of cervical spine instability in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.The results of this study still provide some guidance for early clinical recognition,diagnosis,and prevention of rheumatoid arthritis-cervical spine instability.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) has become an increasingly serious public health issue, characterized by high incidence and high disability rates. It often coexists with other mental health problems and physical diseases, with a significant negative impact on patients' quality of life. In clinical practice, MDD is considered a heterogeneous disease. The complexity of the pathological mechanisms and the variability in treatment responses lead to a lack of clear therapeutic targets, which complicates the treatment process. In recent years, with advancements in neuroscience, the crucial role of microglia in the pathogenesis of MDD has been revealed. As the main immune cells in the brain, microglia are not only involved in the regulation of neuroinflammation but also play important roles in neurogenesis and neuronal regulation in MDD. This article mainly discusses the role of microglia in the pathophysiological mechanisms of MDD, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for microglia as a potential target for the treatment of MDD.