BACKGROUND:Macrophage polarization plays a key role in chronic inflammatory joint diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.Cerium dioxide(CeO2)nanoparticles have a wide range of biomedical applications such as modulating the local inflammatory microenvironment of tissues.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the role of CeO2 nanoparticles on macrophage polarization and inflammatory factor expression,as well as inflammatory modulation in a co-culture system of macrophages and fibroblasts.METHODS:(1)CeO2 nanoparticles were dispersed and observed morphologically by transmission electron microscopy.(2)Human leukemia monocytes(THP-1)were induced to differentiate and establish the M1 macrophage pro-inflammatory cell model of rheumatoid arthritis.The cells were divided into M0 group(undifferentiated macrophages),M1 group(successful macrophage modeling),CeO2 nanoparticle treatment group(M1 group with CeO2 nanoparticle treatment),and dexamethasone control group(M1 group with dexamethasone treatment)and incubated for 48 hours.The effects of CeO2 nanoparticles on the expression of inflammatory factors(endogenous nitric oxide synthase,CD86,CD80)in M1 macrophages and M1 macrophage phenotype(CD80,CD206)were detected by RT-qPCR,western blot assay,and flow cytometry.(3)A co-culture system of macrophages and fibroblasts was established,and CeO2 nanoparticles acted on the upper macrophages.The regulation of CeO2 nanoparticles on the expression of inflammatory factors(interleukin-6,tumor necrosis factor-α,cyclooxygenase-2,and endogenous nitric oxide synthase)of fibroblasts in the co-culture system was observed at the mRNA and protein levels.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Transmission electron microscopy showed that the diameter of CeO2 nanoparticles was(19.5±2.0)nm.(2)Compared with the M0 group,the mRNA of endogenous nitric oxide synthase and CD86,and the protein expression of endogenous nitric oxide synthase and CD80 in the M1 group were upregulated.Compared with the M1 group,the mRNA expression of endogenous nitric oxide synthase and CD86,and the protein expression of endogenous nitric oxide synthase and CD80 in the CeO2 nanoparticle treatment group were downregulated.Flow cytometry showed that 20 nm CeO2 nanoparticles downregulated the number of M1 macrophages.(3)Compared with the M1 group,20 nm CeO2 nanoparticles downregulated the mRNA and protein expression of inflammatory factors(tumor necrosis factor α,interleukin 6,cyclooxygenase 2,and endogenous nitric oxide synthase)in the co-culture system HFL1 cells.(4)The results showed that 20 nm CeO2 nanoparticles can alleviate inflammation in the co-culture system by inhibiting the expression of pro-inflammatory factors in M1 macrophages,providing a new idea for the treatment of inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.

BACKGROUND:Macrophage polarization plays a key role in chronic inflammatory joint diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.Cerium dioxide(CeO2)nanoparticles have a wide range of biomedical applications such as modulating the local inflammatory microenvironment of tissues.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the role of CeO2 nanoparticles on macrophage polarization and inflammatory factor expression,as well as inflammatory modulation in a co-culture system of macrophages and fibroblasts.METHODS:(1)CeO2 nanoparticles were dispersed and observed morphologically by transmission electron microscopy.(2)Human leukemia monocytes(THP-1)were induced to differentiate and establish the M1 macrophage pro-inflammatory cell model of rheumatoid arthritis.The cells were divided into M0 group(undifferentiated macrophages),M1 group(successful macrophage modeling),CeO2 nanoparticle treatment group(M1 group with CeO2 nanoparticle treatment),and dexamethasone control group(M1 group with dexamethasone treatment)and incubated for 48 hours.The effects of CeO2 nanoparticles on the expression of inflammatory factors(endogenous nitric oxide synthase,CD86,CD80)in M1 macrophages and M1 macrophage phenotype(CD80,CD206)were detected by RT-qPCR,western blot assay,and flow cytometry.(3)A co-culture system of macrophages and fibroblasts was established,and CeO2 nanoparticles acted on the upper macrophages.The regulation of CeO2 nanoparticles on the expression of inflammatory factors(interleukin-6,tumor necrosis factor-α,cyclooxygenase-2,and endogenous nitric oxide synthase)of fibroblasts in the co-culture system was observed at the mRNA and protein levels.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Transmission electron microscopy showed that the diameter of CeO2 nanoparticles was(19.5±2.0)nm.(2)Compared with the M0 group,the mRNA of endogenous nitric oxide synthase and CD86,and the protein expression of endogenous nitric oxide synthase and CD80 in the M1 group were upregulated.Compared with the M1 group,the mRNA expression of endogenous nitric oxide synthase and CD86,and the protein expression of endogenous nitric oxide synthase and CD80 in the CeO2 nanoparticle treatment group were downregulated.Flow cytometry showed that 20 nm CeO2 nanoparticles downregulated the number of M1 macrophages.(3)Compared with the M1 group,20 nm CeO2 nanoparticles downregulated the mRNA and protein expression of inflammatory factors(tumor necrosis factor α,interleukin 6,cyclooxygenase 2,and endogenous nitric oxide synthase)in the co-culture system HFL1 cells.(4)The results showed that 20 nm CeO2 nanoparticles can alleviate inflammation in the co-culture system by inhibiting the expression of pro-inflammatory factors in M1 macrophages,providing a new idea for the treatment of inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective:To explore the intervention effect of Jianpifuwei granule(JPFWG)on gastric mucosal injury in rats with precancerous lesions of gastric cancer(PLGC)by regulating the IL-6/JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway and its mechanism.Methods:The PLGC model rats were established by MNNG combined with composite factors,and randomly divided into 6 groups(20 rats/group):the blank group(untreated),model group(treated with normal saline),Weimeisu group(0.05 g/mL Weimeisu),JPFWG low-dose group(JPFWG-L,0.088 g/mL),JPFWG medium-dose group(JPFWG-M,0.176 g/mL)and JPFWG high-dose group(JPFWG-H,0.351 g/mL).After being treated with Weimeisu and different doses of JPFWG for 12 weeks,the animals were anesthetized and sacrificed,and the gastric tissues were collected.The pathological changes of gastric mucosa were observed by H-E staining,and the expression levels of IL-6-mediated JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway factors(including IL-6,JAK and STAT3)and the mRNA and proteins of their downstream target genes c-Myc and cyclin D1 in gastric mucosal tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry,qPCR and WB.Results:Compared with that in the model group,the gastric mucosal inflammatory cell infiltration was reduced in the Weimeisu group and the low,medium,and high dose groups of JPFWG;pathological condition was improved,most obviously in the high dose group of JPFWG;The protein expressions of IL-6,JAK1 and STAT3 decreased significantly(P<0.05 or P<0.01).The expressions of mRNA and proteins of c-Myc and cyclin D1 in the gastric mucosal tissues of the rats in the Weimeisu group and JPFWG-H group decreased significantly(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Conclusion:JPFWG can improve the histopathological changes of gastric mucosa in rats with PLGC,and its mechanism may be down-regulating the expressions of c-Myc and cyclin D1 through regulating IL-6/JAK/STAT3 signal pathway,thus blocking inflammation-cancer transformation process.

Cardiovascular diseases （CVD），a group of common diseases in clinical practice，are witnessing a steady rise in both incidence and mortality rates，posing a challenge to public health. Gualou Xiebai Banxiatang，originating from Synopsis of the Golden Chamber （《金匮要略》），was initially used to treat severe cases of chest impediment. The formula consists of Trichosanthis Fructus，Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus，Pinelliae Rhizoma，and Baijiu. It has a wide range of clinical applications，with therapeutic effects including moving Qi to relieve depression，activating Yang to dissipate mass，and expelling phlegm to alleviate chest congestion. In recent years，clinical research has confirmed that Gualou Xiebai Banxiatang，with or without modification，used alone or in combination with Western medicine，has definite effects in the treatment of CVD such as hyperlipidemia，coronary atherosclerotic heart disease，hypertension，heart failure，and arrhythmia. It can alleviate disease symptoms and reduce the risk of re-hospitalization. Basic research indicates that the mechanisms of Gualou Xiebai Banxiatang include improving endothelial functions，exhibiting anti-inflammatory properties，countering oxidative stress，preventing apoptosis，inhibiting ventricular remodeling，regulating mitochondrial functions，improving hemorheology，and modulating autophagy and neurotransmitters. This article reviews relevant articles in recent years with focuses on the compatibility，clinical application，and mechanism of Gualou Xiebai Banxiatang. This review is expected to provide a theoretical basis for the mechanism research and clinical application of this formula in treating CVD and to offer ideas and reference for in-depth research.

Objective To investigate the impact of high mobility group box 1(HMGB1)on hydrogen peroxide(H2O2)-induced DNA damage and senescence in lens epithelial cells(LECs)under oxidative stress conditions.Methods Fluorescent quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)technology was used to detect the mRNA expres-sion of HMGB1 in the anterior capsule tissue of patients with age-related cataract(ARC group)and epiretinal membrane(control group).Western blot analysis was employed to examine the changes in the protein expression of HMGB1 in the LEC line SRA01/04 after treatment with varying concentrations of H2O2(0,100,200,and 400 μmol·L-1).The optimal concentration was selected for subsequent establishment of a cellular oxidative damage model.The cultured SRA01/04 cells were divided into three groups:Control(untreated),HA(transfected with the control plasmid HA),and OE-HMGB1 groups(transfected with the HMGB1 plasmid).The mRNA and protein expression levels of HMGB1 were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot.The cultured SRA01/04 cells were divided into three groups:H2O2(treated with 400 μmol·L-1 H2O2),H2O2+HA(transfected with the control plasmid HA and simultaneously treated with 400 μmol·L-1 H2O2),and H2O2+OE-HMGB1 groups(transfected with the HMGB1 plasmid and simultaneously treated with 400 μmol·L-1 H2O2).Immunofluorescence was used to detect DNA oxidative damage in cells from each group.Western blot analysis was per-formed to assess the protein expression levels of phosphorylated histone H2A(γH2A),tumor protein p53(P53),cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A(P21),and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A(P16)in cells from each group.Additional-ly,senescence-associated-β-galactosidase(SA-β-gal)staining was conducted to detect senescent changes in cells from each group.Results RT-PCR results indicated that the relative mRNA expression level of HMGB1 in the anterior capsule tissue of the ARC group was significantly decreased,compared with that in the control group(P＜0.001).Furthermore,in the H2O2-induced oxidative damage model,the relative protein expression level of HMGB1 decreased with the increase of the concentration of H2O2.Both RT-PCR and Western blot analyses revealed that the mRNA and protein expression levels of HMGB1 were both significantly elevated in the OE-HMGB1 group,compared with those in the HA group(both P＜0.001).The immunofluorescence staining results demonstrated that the protein expression of γH2A and the fluorescence intensity in the H2O2+OE-HMGB1 group were significantly decreases,compared with those in H2O2 and H2O2+HA groups(all P＜0.001).SA-β-gal staining results showed that the H2O2+OE-HMGB1 group had significantly less cells stained by SA-β-gal than H2O2 and H2O2+HA(both P＜0.001).Additionally,Western blot analysis revealed that,compared with those in H2O2 and H2O2+HA groups,the relative expression levels of senescence-associated proteins P53,P21,and P16 were significantly decreased in the H2O2+OE-HMGB1 group(all P＜0.01).Conclusion HMGB1 inhibits the accumula-tion of damaging DNA and senescence in LECs by enhancing DNA damage repair capabilities.

Objective:To investigate the possible mechanism of Zaogong Erteng decoction (ZGETD) in the treatment of endometritis.Methods:Femal mice were injected 2.5 mg/mL lipopolysaccharide into uterine horn to induce endometritis model. After modelling, low-dose ZGETD, high-dose ZGETD or amoxicillin was given once a day for 7 d. The appearance of the uterus and pathological changes of uterine tissue were observed 7 d later, and the uterine index was calculated. The expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 in mouse uterine tissue was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO) in mouse uterine tissue was measured by redox reaction. The active ingredients of ZGETD and the target and signal pathway of treatment of endometritis were analyzed by network pharmacology. Western blotting and qRT-PCR were used to detect the expressions of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), P65, p-P65, interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) and p-IRF3 proteins and chemokines CXCL5 and CXCL8 in the mouse uterus, respectively. Terminal dUTP nick end labeling detected endometrial cell apoptosis and endometrial thickness was measured. After treatment, the female rats were mated with the male rats, and the mating rate, the pregnancy rate and the number of implantation sits in the injected uterine horn on day 8 of gestation were counted. Results:Both ZGETD and amoxicillin have atherapeutic effect on endometritis, but compared with low-dose ZGETD and amoxicillin, high-dose ZGETD can significantly alleviate the edema and congestion of uterine tissue and reduce the uterine index (all P=0.001). After treatment, the uterine cavity epithelium of mice was smooth and complete, the uterine gland structure was normal, and no bleeding area and inflammatory cell aggregation were observed. Compared with amoxicillin, high-dose ZGETD significantly decreased the expression of inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6) and MPO activity (all P<0.001). The expression of chemokines ( CXCL5 and CXCL8) was significantly reduced (all P<0.05). The signaling pathways TLR4, nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) and TNF related to the treatment of endometritis by ZGETD were screened by network pharmacology, and their action targets (TLR4, NF-κB and IRF3) were verified. Quercetin, fisetin and luteolin were found to be the most active ingredients acting on these targets. High-dose ZGETD significantly inhibited the activation of TLR4/NF-κB and TLR4/IRF3 pathways ( P<0.05), decreased endometrial cell apoptosis ( P<0.05), and increased endometrial thickness ( P<0.001), mating rate ( P<0.001), pregnancy rate ( P<0.001) and implantation site number of uterine horn on the injection side of LPS after treatment ( P=0.001). Conclusion:High-dose ZGETD has a significant therapeutic effect on endometritis, which may be closely related to the down-regulation of TLR4 signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the impact of high mobility group box 1(HMGB1)on hydrogen peroxide(H2O2)-induced DNA damage and senescence in lens epithelial cells(LECs)under oxidative stress conditions.Methods Fluorescent quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)technology was used to detect the mRNA expres-sion of HMGB1 in the anterior capsule tissue of patients with age-related cataract(ARC group)and epiretinal membrane(control group).Western blot analysis was employed to examine the changes in the protein expression of HMGB1 in the LEC line SRA01/04 after treatment with varying concentrations of H2O2(0,100,200,and 400 μmol·L-1).The optimal concentration was selected for subsequent establishment of a cellular oxidative damage model.The cultured SRA01/04 cells were divided into three groups:Control(untreated),HA(transfected with the control plasmid HA),and OE-HMGB1 groups(transfected with the HMGB1 plasmid).The mRNA and protein expression levels of HMGB1 were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot.The cultured SRA01/04 cells were divided into three groups:H2O2(treated with 400 μmol·L-1 H2O2),H2O2+HA(transfected with the control plasmid HA and simultaneously treated with 400 μmol·L-1 H2O2),and H2O2+OE-HMGB1 groups(transfected with the HMGB1 plasmid and simultaneously treated with 400 μmol·L-1 H2O2).Immunofluorescence was used to detect DNA oxidative damage in cells from each group.Western blot analysis was per-formed to assess the protein expression levels of phosphorylated histone H2A(γH2A),tumor protein p53(P53),cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A(P21),and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A(P16)in cells from each group.Additional-ly,senescence-associated-β-galactosidase(SA-β-gal)staining was conducted to detect senescent changes in cells from each group.Results RT-PCR results indicated that the relative mRNA expression level of HMGB1 in the anterior capsule tissue of the ARC group was significantly decreased,compared with that in the control group(P＜0.001).Furthermore,in the H2O2-induced oxidative damage model,the relative protein expression level of HMGB1 decreased with the increase of the concentration of H2O2.Both RT-PCR and Western blot analyses revealed that the mRNA and protein expression levels of HMGB1 were both significantly elevated in the OE-HMGB1 group,compared with those in the HA group(both P＜0.001).The immunofluorescence staining results demonstrated that the protein expression of γH2A and the fluorescence intensity in the H2O2+OE-HMGB1 group were significantly decreases,compared with those in H2O2 and H2O2+HA groups(all P＜0.001).SA-β-gal staining results showed that the H2O2+OE-HMGB1 group had significantly less cells stained by SA-β-gal than H2O2 and H2O2+HA(both P＜0.001).Additionally,Western blot analysis revealed that,compared with those in H2O2 and H2O2+HA groups,the relative expression levels of senescence-associated proteins P53,P21,and P16 were significantly decreased in the H2O2+OE-HMGB1 group(all P＜0.01).Conclusion HMGB1 inhibits the accumula-tion of damaging DNA and senescence in LECs by enhancing DNA damage repair capabilities.

Glaucoma refers to a group of heterogeneous eye diseases, which is characterized by the gradual loss of visual field caused by the progressive deepening of the optic disc, optic nerve atrophy and slow apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells and their axons, ultimately leading to blindness.The vision loss caused by glaucoma is irreversible and it is a heavy burden on families and society.Therefore, the importance of early diagnosis and prevention should be emphasized.Genetic factors play an important role in the pathogenesis of glaucoma.In recent years, studies have found that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) affect the occurrence and development of glaucoma by regulating the expression of glaucoma-related genes.For example, lncRNA ANRIL, lncRNA MALAT1, lncRNA GAS5 and lncRNA TUG1 can regulate the expression of related genes, and affect the survival of retinal ganglion cells by interfering with intraocular pressure, cell apoptosis, oxidative stress and other mechanisms.LncRNA ANRIL and LncRNA TGF-β2AS1 can regulate the expression of related genes in trabecular meshwork cells and affect the biological function of trabecular meshwork cells.LncRNA MEG3 and lncRNA FAM22B can regulate the expression of scar formation related genes and intervene in the process of filter passage scar formation after filtration.This article summarizes and comments on the characteristics of lncRNAs and the regulation mechanism of gene expression related to the occurrence and development of glaucoma, so as to provide new information for the prevention and treatment of glaucoma.

Objective To construct a predictive model for patients with verte-brobasilar dolichoectasia(VBD)complicated by posterior circulation acute cerebral infarction(ACI)based on the characteristics of verte-brobasilar artery magnetic resonance vascular wall imaging(MR-VWI),thereby providing a reference for clinical prevention.Methods A total of 102 patients with VBD complicated by posterior circulation ACI who were admitted to our hospital between March 2016 and January 2023 were selected as the concurrent group.An addi-tional 102 patients with VBD without concurrent posterior circulation ACI were selected as the non-concurrent group at a 1∶1 ratio.The MR-VWI characteristics(basilar artery[BA]diameter,BA length,vertebral artery[VA]intracranial segment length,BA deviation grade,and BA bifurcation height grade)and clinical data of the two groups were compared,and the factors influencing posterior circulation ACI in patients with VBD were analyzed.Based on the MR-VWI features and related influencing factors,a nomogram prediction model of pos-terior circulation ACI in patients with VBD was constructed,and the clinical significance of the nomogram prediction model was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)and calibration curves.Results A significant difference were observed in the D-dimer levels between the two groups(P＜0.05).BA diameter,BA length,and VA intracranial length were greater in the concurrent group than in the non-concurrent group.The proportion of BA bifurcation height grade ≥ 2 and BA deviation grade≥2 in the concurrent group was higher than that in the non-concurrent group(P＜0.05).BA diameter,BA length,BA bifurcation height classification,BA deviation classi-fication,and D-dimer level were all independent risk factors for posterior circulation ACI in patients with VBD(P＜0.05).The area under the curve of the posterior circulation ACI predicted using the nomogram model was 0.900(95％CI:0.858-0.943),and good calibration was noted.Conclusion BA diameter,BA length,BA bifurcation height classification,BA offset classification,and D-dimer level were inde-pendent influencing factors of posterior circulation ACI in patients with VBD.Based on these factors,a nomogram prediction model was constructed with high prediction efficiency and good calibration.

Objective:To compare the differences in postoperative upper airway morphology and sleep apnea improvement between low temperature plasma ablation(LTPA)and traditional adenoidectomy(TAC)for severe adenoid hypertrophy in children.Methods:A total of 80 children with severe adenoid hypertrophy combined with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome(OSAHS)admitted to our hospital from January 2021 to January 2024 were randomly divided into two groups:LTPA group and TAC group,each with 40 cases.The study compared the upper airway morphological parameters(nasopharyngeal transverse diameter,sagittal diameter,nasopharyngeal airway volume,etc.),degree of OSAHS symptom improvement(apnea-hypopnea index,lowest blood oxygen saturation,etc.),intraoperative bleeding volume,surgical time,postoperative pain score,and incidence of postoperative complications in both groups before surgery,one week after surgery,one month after surgery,and three months after surgery.Results:The intraoperative blood loss in the LTPA group was significantly less than that in the TAC group,and the operation time was shorter(P＜0.05).Follow-up at 1 week,1 month,and 3 months postoperatively showed that both groups had significant improvements in upper airway morphology parameters compared to preoperative conditions.The increase in transverse diameter,sagittal diameter,and nasopharyngeal airway volume in the LTPA group was greater than in the TAC group(P＜0.05).Both groups also showed significant improvements in sleep-related breathing disorders,with a greater reduction in apnea-hypopnea index in the LTPA group compared to the TAC group(P＜0.05).Postoperative pain scores were lower in the LTPA group than in the TAC group(P＜0.05).The incidence of postoperative complications such as bleeding and nasopharyngeal stenosis was significantly lower in the LTPA group than in the TAC group(P＜0.05).Conclusions:Compared with traditional adenoid curettage,low temperature plasma ablation has the advantages of less surgical trauma,less intraoperative bleeding,less postoperative pain,better recovery of upper airway morphology and more significant improvement of sleep apnea in children with severe adenoid hypertrophy,and can be used as the preferred surgical mode for treating severe adenoid hypertrophy.