Antibiotic adjuvants offer a promising strategy for restoring antibiotic sensitivity, expanding antibacterial spectra, and reducing required dosages. Previously, compound 15 was identified as a potential adjuvant for Polymyxin B (PB) against multidrug-resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa DK2; however, its clinical utility was hindered by high cytotoxicity, uncertain in vivo efficacy, and an unclear synergetic mechanism. To address these challenges, we synthesized and evaluated a series of novel benzamide derivatives, with A22 emerging as a particularly promising candidate. A22 demonstrated potent synergistic activity to PB, minimal cytotoxicity, improved water solubility, and broad-spectrum synergism of polymyxins against various clinically isolated MDR Gram-negative strains. In vivo studies using Caenorhabditis elegans and mouse models further confirmed the efficacy of A22. Moreover, A22 effectively suppressed the development of PB resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa DK2. Mechanistic investigations revealed that A22 enhances polymyxins activity by inducing reactive oxygen species production, reducing ATP levels, increasing NOX activity, and inhibiting biofilm formation, leading to bacterial death. These findings position A22 as a highly promising candidate for the development of polymyxin adjuvants, offering a robust approach to combating MDR Gram-negative bacterial infections.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of quercetin on cuproptosis and L-type calcium currents in the myocardium of diabetic rats. METHODS: Forty SD rats were randomized into control group and diabetic model groups. The rat models of diabetes mellitus (DM) induced by high-fat and high-sugar diet combined with streptozotocin (STZ) injection were further divided into DM model group, quercetin treatment group, and empagliflozin treatment group (n=10). Blood glucose and body weight were measured every other week, and cardiac function of the rats was evaluated using echocardiography. HE staining, Sirius red staining, and wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) analysis were used to observe the changes in myocardial histomorphology, and serum copper levels and myocardial FDX1 expression were detected. In cultured rat cardiomyocyte H9c2 cells with high-glucose exposure, the effects of quercetin and elesclomol, alone or in combination, on intracellular CK-MB and LDH levels and FDX1 expression were assessed, and the changes in L-type calcium currents were analyzed using patch-clamp technique. RESULTS: The diabetic rats exhibited elevated blood glucose, reduced body weight, impaired left ventricular function, increased serum copper levels and myocardial FDX1 expression, decreased L-type calcium currents, and prolonged action potential duration. Quercetin and empagliflozin treatment significantly lowered blood glucose, improved body weight, and restored cardiac function of the diabetic rats, and compared with empagliflozin, quercetin more effectively reduced serum copper levels, downregulated FDX1 expression, and enhanced myocardial L-type calcium currents in diabetic rats. In H9c2 cells, high glucose exposure significantly increased myocardial expressions of FDX1, CK-MB and LDH, which were effectively lowered by quercetin treatment; Elesclomol further elevated FDX1, CK-MB and LDH levels in the exposed cells, and these changes were not significantly affected by the application of quercetin. CONCLUSIONS Quercetin ameliorates myocardial injury in diabetic rats possibly by suppressing myocardial cuproptosis signaling and restoring L-type calcium channel activity.
Animals ; Quercetin/pharmacology* ; Calcium Channels, L-Type/metabolism* ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/metabolism* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Myocytes, Cardiac/drug effects* ; Myocardium/pathology* ; Male

Given the increasing concern regarding antibacterial resistance, the antimicrobial properties of naphthoquinones have recently attracted significant attention. While 1,4-naphthoquinone and its derivatives have been extensively studied, the antibacterial properties of 5,8-dihydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives remain relatively unexplored. This study presents a comprehensive in vitro and in vivo analysis of the antibacterial activity of 35 naturally sourced and chemically synthesized derivatives of 5,8-dihydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone. Kirby-Bauer antibiotic testing identified three compounds with activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), with one compound (PNP-02) demonstrating activity comparable to vancomycin in minimum inhibitory concentration, minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), and time-kill assays. Microscopic and biochemical analyses revealed that PNP-02 adversely affects the cell wall and cell membrane of MRSA. Mechanistic investigations, including proteomic sequencing analyses, Western blotting, and RT-qPCR assays, indicated that PNP-02 compromises cell membrane integrity by inhibiting arginine biosynthesis and pyrimidine metabolism pathways, thereby increasing membrane permeability and inducing bacterial death. In an in vivo mouse model of skin wound healing, PNP-02 exhibited antibacterial efficacy similar to vancomycin. The compound demonstrated low toxicity to cultured human cells and in hemolysis assays and remained stable during serum incubation. These findings suggest that PNP-02 possesses promising bioactivity against MRSA and represents a potential novel antibacterial agent.
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/genetics* ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/chemistry* ; Naphthoquinones/administration & dosage* ; Animals ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Mice ; Humans ; Staphylococcal Infections/microbiology* ; Molecular Structure

Objective To provide some evidence for early empirical treatment of infections caused by Pseudanonas aeruginosa(PA)and establish a certain foundation for further studies on its resistance mechanisms.Analyzed the resistance rate of PA and the phenotype characteristics for seven years at this hospital.Methods Using Whonet 5.6 software,the drug sensitivity data of PA isolated and reported from clinical specimens at Kunming First People's Hospital from 2016 to 2022 were analyzed annually.Imipenem,meropenem,ceftazidime,and cefepime were the main observation objects,statisticaly analyze the resistance of other antibiotics under different drug resistance combinations of the above-mentioned drugs Results A total of 1 920 strains of PA were detected in 7 years,with polymyxins exhibiting the lowest resistance rate at 1%.The average resistance rates for Amikacin,Gentamicin and Tobramycin were 6.4%,8.6%and 5.1%,respectively.The resistance rates of Quinolones,Piperacillin/Tazobactam,Ceftazidime,and Cefepime were similar,ranging from 10%～20%.Imipenem and Meropenem did not show better sensitivity,with resistance rates of 21.3%and 18.4%,respectively.The resistance rates of major antibiotics have fluctuated over the past 7 years,mostly increasing from 2017 to reaching a peak in 2018 and then falling back.And then stabilized with the domestic average level.1 393 strains were sensitive to Imipenem,and the sensitivity rate of Meropenem in this part was 96.2%.1 451 strains were sensitive to Imipenem,and 89%of them were sensitive to Meropenem at the same time.369 strains were both resistant to Imipenem and Meropenem,and 33.1%of them were sensitive to Ceftazidime.The more resistant to β-lactam,the lower the sensitivity rate to Amikacin and Ciprofloxacin.Conclusion The overall drug sensitivity of PA in this hospital is relatively good.Should adhere to strict management of antibiotic use.Aminoglycosides can be the preferred drugs for empirical treatment,followed by Quinolones,and Carbapenems and Ceftazidime are also candidates.PA has diverse resistance mechanisms to β-lactam antimicrobials,and carbapenem-resistant strains can be mediated by different mechanisms or jointly.

The annexins(ANX)family is widely present in the cell membrane,cytoplasm or extracellular matrix.As key tumor regulatory molecules,annexins A(ANX A)family can promote or inhibit invasion and metastasis of breast cancer cells by influencing cell membrane and cytoskeleton formation and participating in signaling pathways.ANX A family also plays a role in the apoptosis of breast cancer cells by regulation of pro-apoptotic proteins and cell cycle independent kinases(CDKs)and related pathways.In addition,ANX A family can also promote therapeutic resistance to a large number of drugs.For instance,ANX A1 enhances triple-negative breast cancer resistance by in-ducing epithelial-mesenchymal transformation.ANX A4 induces resistance by forming ANX A4-Fhit complexes and secretion of exosomes containing ANX A6 promotes paclitaxel resistance in breast cancer cells in a YAP1-dependent manner.So ANX A family may be a new target for breast cancer treatment.

Objective To explore the phenotypic conversion of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the lungs of mice with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD)-affected mice. Methods A total of 20 newborn C57BL/6 mice were divided into air group and hyperoxia group, with 10 mice in each group. The BPD model was established by exposing the newborn mice to hyperoxia. Lung tissues from five mice in each group were collected on postnatal days 7 and 14, respectively. Histopathological changes of the lung tissues was detected by HE staining. The expression level of surfactant protein C (SP-C) in the lung tissues was examined by Western blot analysis. Flow cytometry was performed to assess the proportion of FOXP3⁺ Tregs and RORγt⁺FOXP3⁺ Tregs in CD4⁺ lymphocytes. The concentrations of interleukin-17A (IL-17A) and IL-6 in lung homogenate were measured by using ELISA. Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between FOXP3⁺Treg and the expression of SP-C and the correlation between RORγt⁺FOXP3⁺ Tregs and the content of IL-17A and IL-6. Results The hyperoxia group exhibited significantly decreased levels of SP-C and radical alveolar counts in comparison to the control group. The proportion of FOXP3⁺Tregs was reduced and that of RORγt⁺FOXP3⁺Tregs was increased. IL-17A and IL-6 concentrations were significantly increased. SP-C was positively correlated with the expression level of RORγt⁺FOXP3⁺ Tregs. RORγt⁺FOXP3⁺ Tregs and IL-17A and IL-6 concentrations were also positively correlated. Conclusion The number of FOXP3⁺ Tregs in lung tissue of BPD mice is decreased and converted to RORγt⁺ FOXP3⁺ Tregs, which may be involved in hyperoxy-induced lung injury.
Animals ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; Interleukin-17 ; Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 3 ; Hyperoxia ; Interleukin-6 ; Forkhead Transcription Factors ; Lung

BACKGROUND:Pulmonary pericytes are located at the concavity where pulmonary vessels are interconnected,which is closely related to the formation and stability of pulmonary vascularization.However,there are few studies on how pulmonary pericytes affect the activity of pulmonary vascular endothelial cells in the pathogenesis of broncho-pulmonary dysplasia. OBJECTIVE:To analyze the relationship between the quantity of subgroups of pulmonary pericytes and endothelial cells in different stages of broncho-pulmonary dysplasia and to explore the effects of PDGFR-β+NG2+α-SMA+ pericytes on the early tube-forming activity of pulmonary vascular endothelial cells. METHODS:(1)Animal experiment:Twelve newborn C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into normoxia and hyperoxia groups within 24 hours of birth,with six mice in each group.Mice in the hyperoxia group were exposed to an 85%O2 environment to build the mouse models of broncho-pulmonary dysplasia,while those in the normoxia group were fed in the same room air.The lung tissues of the mice in the two groups were taken at 7 and 14 days after birth.The pathological changes of the lung tissues were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining.Three subgroups of pulmonary pericytes were measured by flow cytometry:PDGFR-β+NG2+α-SMA-,PDGFR-β+NG2+α-SMA+,and PDGFR-β+NG2-α-SMA+ cells.(2)Cellular experiment:Passage 3 PDGFR-β+NG2+α-SMA+ pericytes were co-cultured with mouse pulmonary vascular endothelial cells(experimental group)at a ratio of 1:4.Mouse pulmonary vascular endothelial cells cultured alone were used as controls.The tube-forming difference between two groups was analyzed after 15 hours of co-culture. RESULT AND CONCLUSION:(1)Animal experiment:Hematoxylin-eosin staining revealed that on day 7,the lung tissue of mice in the normoxia group had regular structure,obvious alveolar structure,and uniform size,while the number of alveoli in the lung tissue of mice in the hyperoxia group was less and the morphology of alveoli was irregular.On day 14,the alveoli of mice in the normoxia group gradually developed and matured,the alveolar structure gradually became regular and uniform in size,and the alveolar density gradually increased.The lung tissue structure of mice in the hyperoxia group was relatively disordered and the alveolar formation was delayed with the size gradually increasing and the alveolar structure being simplified.Flow cytometry results indicated that the number of PDGFR-β+NG2-α-SMA+ and PDGFR-β+NG2+α-SMA+ pericytes was increased in the hypoxia group compared with the normoxia group(P＜0.01),while the number of PDGFR-β+NG2+α-SMA-pericytes and pulmonary vascular endothelial cells was decreased(P＜0.01,P＜0.04).(2)Cellular experiment:In the control group,the pulmonary vascular endothelial cells arranged in cords and extended around,and lumen-like structures formed in some areas.In the experimental group,PDGFR-β+NG2+α-SMA+ pericytes and their pseudopodia were not observed,the irregular grid structure of pulmonary vascular endothelial cells was significantly less than that of the control group,and the endothelial cells mainly clustered in clumps.To conclude,α-SMA+ pericyte subgroups are predominant in mice with broncho-pulmonary dysplasia.PDGFR-β+NG2+α-SMA+ pericytes can directly inhibit the tube-forming activity of pulmonary vascular endothelial cells,which may be involved in the process of abnormal vascularization in broncho-pulmonary dysplasia.

Objective:To investigate whether IL-7-secreting oncolytic herpes simplex virus(HSV)could activate CD8+T cells and inhibit the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma.Methods:The expression of IL-7 was detected by Western blot.The in vitro cleavage of tumor cells by tumor oncolytic virus HSV and HSV-IL-7 were detected by crystal violet staining.The tumor inhibition ability of HSV-IL-7 and HSV were detected in subcutaneous transplanted tumor model.Levels of IL-7,IFN-γ and TNF-α in serum and tumor tissues were determined by ELISA.The infiltration of CD8+T cells in tumor tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry.Flow cytometry was used to detect Granzyme B secretion in CD8+T cells infiltrated by tumor.Results:Tumor cells infected with HSV-IL-7 expressed high level of IL-7.Both HSV and HSV-IL-7 can effectively lyse B16-F10,CT-26 and H22 tumor cell lines in a dose-dependent manner in vitro.HSV-IL-7 could significantly inhibit the growth of H22 hepatoma cells in vivo(P<0.01)and prolong the survival time of tumor-bearing mice(P<0.001).HSV-IL-7 could significantly increase the IL-7 content in tumor sites(P<0.000 1),and effectively increase the number of tumor infiltrating CD8+T cells(P<0.001).HSV-IL-7 significantly enhanced Granzyme B secretion of tumor-infiltrating CD8+T cells and IFN-γ and TNF-α in tumor tissues(P<0.000 1).Conclusion:HSV-IL-7 has well tumor inhibition activity in vivo and in vitro.It also can activate the anti-tumor activity of CD8+T cells in vivo by secreting IL-7,inhibit tumor growth and prolong the survival time of tumor-bearing mice.

ObjectiveTo analyze the characteristics of HIV-1 molecular network and pretreatment drug resistance genes in the middle-aged and elderly people aged ≥50 years in Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province, and to provide an evidence for the prevention and control of AIDS epidemic. MethodsA total of 332 samples from the newly reported and untreated AIDS patients aged ≥50 years in Huzhou City from January 2020 to December 2023 were collected, pol genes were amplified by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and nested polymerase chain reaction (nest⁃PCR). Phylogenetic trees analyzing the subtypes were constructed, and a molecular network with a gene distance threshold of 1.0% were constructed at the same time. Mutation sites of drug resistance-related genes were identified through the Data Analysis and Detection System of HIV-1 Resistance Gene Detection of Stanford University, USA. ResultsSequence samples of 308 patients were obtained, and9 genotypes were identified, including CRF07_BC in 172 cases (55.8%), CRF01_AE in 61 cases (19.8%), CRF08_BC in 43 cases (14.0%), CRF85_BC in 9 cases (2.9%), and CRF55_01B in 8 cases (2.6%), subtype B in 5 cases (1.6%), subtype C in 4 cases (1.3%), CRF67_01B in3 cases (1.0%), and unique recombination URF01_AE/07_BC in 3 cases (1.0%). When the gene distance threshold was 1.0%, 28 molecular clusters were formed, and 139 cases were connected to the network, with an access rate of 45.0%. The largest transmission cluster C1 contained 44 cases infected with CRF07_BC subtype, all of whom were heterosexually transmitted, and predominantly by males. A total of 30 patients were found to have low-grade or higher drug resistance mutations, and the pretreatment drug resistance rate was 9.7% (30/308). Among them, there were 5 cases (16.7%) of protease inhibitor (PI) related drug resistance mutations, and 26 cases (86.7%) of non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTI) related drug resistance mutations. ConclusionCRF07_BC is the subtype with the most clusters among the middle-aged and elderly infected patients aged ≥50 years in Huzhou City. Middle-aged and elderly transmission clusters are formed within the three counties of WX, NX and CX through related activities. Molecular network monitoring on newly reported cases aged ≥50 years in Huzhou City should be strengthened so that the new characteristics of epidemic changes can be detected in time, providing a scientific basis for adjusting AIDS prevention and control measures for the elderly.

Objective This study aimed to observe the outcomes of iRoot BP Plus full pulpotomy in primary molars with partial irreversible pulpitis retrospectively.Methods Collect 102 cases of primary molars with partial irreversible pulpitis undergoing iRoot BP Plus full pulpotomy from January 2019 to August 2023,with a follow-up period of 24-47 months.Based on the presence of irreversible pulpitis symptoms before surgery,the included cases will be divided into asymptomatic group(n=53)and symptomatic group(n=49).Observe the clinical and imaging success rates of both groups.Results Clinical success rates were 96.2%and 97.9%in asymptomatic and symptomatic groups,and ra-diographic success rates were 96.2%and 93.9%respec-tively.Conclusion iRoot BP Plus full pulpotomy can be used for the treatment of primary molars with partial irreversible pulpitis under an enhanced pulpotomy protocol.