BACKGROUND: Preclinical studies have indicated that Angong Niuhuang Pills (ANP) reduce cerebral infarct and edema volumes. This study aimed to investigate whether ANP safely reduces cerebral infarct and edema volumes in patients with moderate to severe acute ischemic stroke. METHODS: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial included patients with acute ischemic stroke with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores ranging from 10 to 20 in 17 centers in China between April 2021 and July 2022. Patients were allocated within 36 h after onset via block randomization to receive ANP or placebo (3 g/day for 5 days). The primary outcomes were changes in cerebral infarct and edema volumes after 14 days of treatment. The primary safety outcome was severe adverse events (SAEs) for 90 days. RESULTS: There were 57 and 60 patients finally included in the ANP and placebo groups, respectively for modified intention-to-treat analysis. The median age was 66.0 years, and the median NIHSS score at baseline was 12.0. The changes in cerebral infarct volume at day 14 were 0.3 mL and 0.4 mL in the ANP and placebo groups, respectively (median difference: -7.1 mL; interquartile range [IQR]: -18.3 to 2.3 mL, P = 0.30). The changes in cerebral edema volume of the ANP and placebo groups on day 14 were 11.4 mL and 4.0 mL, respectively ( median difference: 3.0 mL, IQR: -1.3 to 9.9 mL, P = 0.15). The rates of SAE within 90 days were similar in the ANP (3/57, 5%) and placebo (7/60, 12%) groups ( P = 0.36). Changes in serum mercury and arsenic concentrations were comparable. In patients with large artery atherosclerosis, ANP reduced the cerebral infarct volume at 14 days (median difference: -12.3 mL; IQR: -27.7 to -0.3 mL, P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: ANP showed a similar safety profile to placebo and non-significant tendency to reduce cerebral infarct volume in patients with moderate-to-severe stroke. Further studies are warranted to assess the efficacy of ANP in reducing cerebral infarcts and improving clinical prognosis. TRAIL REGISTRATION Clinicaltrials.gov , No. NCT04475328.
Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Double-Blind Method ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Ischemic Stroke/drug therapy* ; Pilot Projects ; Stroke/drug therapy* ; Treatment Outcome

Homo- or heterodimeric compounds that affect dimeric protein function through interaction between monomeric moieties and protein subunits can serve as valuable sources of potent and selective drug candidates. Here, we screened an in-house dimeric natural product collection, and panepocyclinol A (PecA) emerged as a selective and potent STAT3 inhibitor with profound anti-tumor efficacy. Through cross-linking C712/C718 residues in separate STAT3 monomers with two distinct Michael receptors, PecA inhibits STAT3 DNA binding affinity and transcription activity. Molecular dynamics simulation reveals the key conformation changes of STAT3 dimers upon the di-covalent binding with PecA that abolishes its DNA interactions. Furthermore, PecA exhibits high efficacy against anaplastic large T cell lymphoma in vitro and in vivo, especially those with constitutively activated STAT3 or STAT3^Y640F. In summary, our study describes a distinct and effective di-covalent modification for the dimeric compound PecA to disrupt STAT3 function.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive decline and memory loss, with few effective treatments currently available. The multifactorial nature of AD, shaped by genetic, environmental, and biological factors, complicates both research and clinical management. Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and multi-omics technologies provide new opportunities to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of AD and identify early biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis. AI-driven approaches such as machine learning, deep learning, and network-based models have enabled the integration of large-scale genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, metabolomic, and microbiomic datasets. These efforts have facilitated the discovery of novel molecular signatures and therapeutic targets. Methods including deep belief networks and joint deep semi-non-negative matrix factorization have contributed to improvements in disease classification and patient stratification. However, ongoing challenges remain. These include data heterogeneity, limited interpretability of complex models, a lack of large and diverse datasets, and insufficient clinical validation. The absence of standardized multi-omics data processing methods further restricts progress. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in AI-driven multi-omics research in AD, highlighting achievements in early diagnosis and biomarker discovery while discussing limitations and future directions needed to advance these approaches toward clinical application.

The prefrontal cortex (PFC) plays a pivotal role in orchestrating higher-order emotional and cognitive processes, a function that depends on the precise modulation of synaptic activity. Although pharmacological studies have demonstrated that dopamine signaling through dopamine D1 receptor (DRD1) in the PFC is essential for these functions, the cell-type-specific and molecular mechanisms underlying the neuromodulatory effects remain elusive. Using cell-type-specific knockout mice and patch-clamp recordings, we investigated the regulatory role of DRD1 on neurons and astrocytes in synaptic transmission and plasticity. Furthermore, we explored the mechanisms by which DRD1 on astrocytes regulate synaptic transmission and plasticity at the cellular level, as well as emotional and cognitive functions at the behavioral level, through two-photon imaging, microdialysis, high-performance liquid chromatography, transcriptome sequencing, and behavioral testing. We found that conditional knockout of the Drd1 in astrocytes (CKO^AST) increased glutamatergic synaptic transmission and long-term potentiation (LTP) in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), whereas Drd1 deletion in pyramidal neurons did not affect synaptic transmission. The elevated level of d-serine in the mPFC of CKO^AST mice increased glutamatergic transmission and LTP through NMDA receptors. In addition, CKO^AST mice exhibited abnormal emotional and cognitive function. Notably, these behavioral changes in CKO^AST mice could be reversed through the administration of d-serine degrease to the mPFC. These results highlight the critical role of the astrocytic DRD1 in modulating mPFC synaptic transmission and plasticity, as well as higher brain functions through d-serine, and may shed light on the treatment of mental disorders.

Radiation-induced thrombocytopenia (RIT) faces a perplexing challenge in the clinical treatment of cancer patients, and current therapeutic approaches are inadequate in the clinical settings. In this research, oxymatrine, a new molecule capable of healing RIT was screened out, and the underlying regulatory mechanism associated with magakaryocyte (MK) differentiation and thrombopoiesis was demonstrated. The capacity of oxymatrine to induce MK differentiation was verified in K-562 and Meg-01 cells in vitro. The ability to induce thrombopoiesis was subsequently demonstrated in Tg (cd41:enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP)) zebrafish and RIT model mice. In addition, we carried out network pharmacological prediction, drug affinity responsive target stability assay (DARTS) and cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) analyses to explore the potential targets of oxymatrine. Moreover, the pathway underlying the effects of oxymatrine was determined by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses, Western blot (WB), and immunofluorescence. Oxymatrine markedly promoted MK differentiation and maturation in vitro. Moreover, oxymatrine induced thrombopoiesis in Tg (cd41:eGFP) zebrafish and accelerated thrombopoiesis and platelet function recovery in RIT model mice. Mechanistically, oxymatrine directly binds to toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and further regulates the downstream pathway stimulator of interferon genes (STING)/nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB), which can be blocked by C29 and C-176, which are specific inhibitors of TLR2 and STING, respectively. Taken together, we demonstrated that oxymatrine, a novel TLR2 agonist, plays a critical role in accelerating MK differentiation and thrombopoiesis via the STING/NF-κB axis, suggesting that oxymatrine is a promising candidate for RIT therapy.

Purpose To design PCR combined probes u-sing TaqMan technology to detect the expression of major driver genes in a variety of soft tissue sarcomas at one time,and to dis-cuss whether the combined probes can better assist clinicopatho-logical diagnosis based on histological features and FISH results.Methods Our research group designed 32 pairs of fusion gene probes related to soft tissue sarcoma based on TaqMan tech-nique,involving 10 types of sarcoma.The histopathological specimens of 70 patients with common fusion gene soft tissue sarcoma in our hospital were examined by fusion gene combina-tion,and the histopathological specimens of 30 patients with oth-er soft tissue sarcoma without fusion gene were set as controls.Individual common sarcoma types were analyzed with FISH probe detection.At the same time,the detection performance of the combined probe was evaluated by various methods.Results The soft tissue sarcoma-related fusion gene probe designed by our research group was used to detect the confirmed soft tissue sarcomas,and the results showed that the highest sensitivity was 100％.Among the three types of tumors,protuberant dermatofi-brosarcoma,synovial sarcoma and mucinous liposarcoma were verified by FISH,and the coincidence rate of the two methods was high,with no statistical significance(P＞0.05).The re-sults of interlot and intralot reproducibility of protuberous derma-tofibrosarcoma,mucinous liposarcoma and synovial sarcoma were consistent.Three different concentration limits were used to de-tect the positive plasmid of all the fused gene RNA,and 25 cop-ies/μL was the lowest concentration limit.Conclusion Com-bined with the pathological diagnosis results,TaqMan technology can be used to design PCR combined probes for soft tissue sarco-ma,which have high sensitivity and high specificity and good methodological performance,and meet the needs of primary medical institutions for one-time and rapid auxiliary pathological diagnosis of common soft tissue sarcoma.It provides a rapid and reliable method for the detection of multiple fusion genes in clin-ical soft tissue sarcoma.

Objective:To summarize the clinical features of 14 cases with clinically and genetically diagnosed progressive pseudorheumatoid dysplasia(PPRD) and analyze the characteristics of joint lesions caused by PPRD to provide references for clinical diagnosis and treatment of PPRD.Methods:A retrospective analysis was made on the clinical data and genetic test data of 14 patients admitted to Children′s Hospital, Capital Institute of Pediatrics and cooperative units, from December 2017 to September 2023.An observational retrospective analysis was performed on hospitalization and follow-up data, and correlation factors were analyzed using the Kendall correlation test.Results:The 14 patients, including 6 males and 8 females, were all Chinese Han children.The average age of onset was 6.12 years(2-11 years), the average age of diagnosis was 10.61 years old(5-17 years old), and the average duration of the disease was 4.46 years(0.5-6.0 years) at diagnosis.The number of joint involvements ranged from 4 to 14, with an average of 9.20.There were 12 patients with claudication as the first symptom.All these 14 children had limited hip mobility and no obvious hip pain.The hip joint imaging indicated that space narrowing occurred in 11 cases, femoral neck shortening in 2 cases, femoral head displacement in 4 cases, and articular surface sclerosis, cystic degeneration or bone destruction in 8 cases.The joints of the four limbs were mainly manifested as enlargement of the proximal interphalangeal joints and metacarpophalangeal joints of both hands.The other joints were knees(11 cases), elbows(8 cases), wrists(7 cases) and ankles(5 cases) in the order of easy involvement, and the shoulder joint was less involved(1 case).The spine was mainly characterized by changes in the curvature, and limited movement was found in 8 cases.Thoracic and lumbar spines were mainly involved(13 cases), while cervical involvement was rare(1 case).The duration of the disease at diagnosis was positively correlated with the number of joint involvements and the number of joint mobility limitations( r=0.584, 0.671; P=0.007, 0.002).In this study, 8 children were misdiagnosed as juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and the longest misdiagnosis time was 6 years.All the 14 children had CCN6 gene mutations, including 10 complex heterozygous mutations and 4 homozygous mutations.Five children had c. 342T>G and c. 667T>G, 4 children had c. 589 + 2(IVS4)T>C, 3 children had c. 866dup, and 2 children had c. 136C>T and c. 624dupA. Conclusions:PPRD is characterized by multiple joint involvements, among which hip involvement is the most common.The lesions are serious and easily misdiagnosed as juvenile idiopathic arthritis.The number of affected joints increases gradually with the prolongation of the disease course.

Objective To prepare indocyanine green(ICG)-loaded platelet membrane biomimetic liposome(ICG-PLP)for tumor photothermal therapy,and to preliminarily evaluate its in vitro characteristics.Methods ICG-PLP was prepared by an ultrasound method,and its particle size and zeta potential were determined using a laser particle size analyzer.The encapsulation efficiency of ICG-PLP was detected by ultraviolet spectrophotometry.The photothermal properties of ICG-PLP were investigated under 808 nm near-infrared ray irradiation(2 W/cm2),and the retention of platelet membrane proteins was observed by sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.The uptake of ICG-PLP by mouse macrophage RAW264.7,human non-small cell lung cancer cell A549,mouse melanoma cell B16-F10,and mouse breast cancer cell 4T1 was observed by a laser confocal microscope.Furthermore,the phototoxicity of ICG-PLP was detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay,and the safety of ICG-PLP was preliminarily evaluated according to hemolysis rate and cytocompatibility.Besides,the in vivo retention time of ICG,ICG-loaded liposome and ICG-PLP in healthy SD rats was observed after tail vein injection.Results ICG-PLP was successfully prepared and its encapsulation efficiency,particle size,zeta potential,and the polydispersity index were(97.68±0.01)％,(109.77±0.76)nm,(-21.23±0.84)mV,and 0.22±0.01,respectively.ICG-PLP well retained the proteins on platelet membrane and showed good photothermal properties.Platelet membrane enhanced the uptake of biomimetic nanoparticles by tumor cells A549,B16-F10,and 4T1,and reduced the phagocytosis of biomimetic nanoparticles by macrophages.ICG-PLP exhibited a favorable photothermal therapy effect and could kill tumor cells.Additionally,ICG-PLP displayed a good safety.After intravenous administration,ICG-PLP prolonged the in vivo retention time of ICG in healthy SD rats.Conclusion ICG-PLP has been successfully constructed.It has a great potential in targeted drug delivery and tumor photothermal therapy.

Objective To analyze three-dimensional imaging characteristics and advantages for severe portal vein stenosis after liver transplantation, and to evaluate clinical efficacy of portal vein stent implantation. Methods Clinical data of 10 patients who received portal vein stent implantation for severe portal vein stenosis after liver transplantation were retrospectively analyzed. Imaging characteristics of severe portal vein stenosis, and advantages of three-dimensional reconstruction imaging and interventional treatment efficacy for severe portal vein stenosis were analyzed. Results Among 10 patients, 3 cases were diagnosed with centripetal stenosis, tortuosity angulation-induced stenosis in 2 cases, compression-induced stenosis in 2 cases, long-segment stenosis and/or vascular occlusion in 3 cases. Three-dimensional reconstruction images possessed advantages in accurate identification of stenosis, identification of stenosis types and measurement of stenosis length. All patients were successfully implanted with portal vein stents. After stent implantation, the diameter of the minimum diameter of portal vein was increased [(6.2±0.9) mm vs. (2.6±1.7) mm, P<0.05], the flow velocity at anastomotic site was decreased [(57±19) cm/s vs. (128±27) cm/s, P<0.05], and the flow velocity at the portal vein adjacent to the liver was increased [(41±6) cm/s vs. (18±6) cm/s, P<0.05]. One patient suffered from intrahepatic hematoma caused by interventional puncture, which was mitigated after conservative observation and treatment. The remaining patients did not experience relevant complications. Conclusions Three-dimensional visualization technique may visually display the location, characteristics and severity of stenosis, which is beneficial for clinicians to make treatment decisions and assist interventional procedures. Timely implantation of portal vein stent may effectively reverse pathological process and improve portal vein blood flow.

Objective To compare the efficacy of percutaneous transforaminal approach and translaminar approach in the treatment of L5/S1 disc herniation(LDH)under endoscopic discectomy.Methods Adopted a retro-spective case-control study,and selected 62 cases of patients with L5/S1 LDH who were treated with percutaneous endoscopic surgery in the spine surgery department of our hospital from June 2020 to December 2022,and the transforaminal approach was used.(TELD)in 32 cases(TELD group),and interlaminar approach(IELD)in 30 cases(IELD group).The observation indicators included intraoperative fluoroscopy times,operation time,hospitaliza-tion days,hospitalization expenses,leg pain VAS score,ODI score,modified MacNab curative effect evaluation and complications.Results All 62 patients successfully completed the operation and follow-up,and no serious complications occurred.There were statistically significant differences in operation time,fluoroscopy times,and hospitalization expenses between the two groups(P<0.001),but there was no significant difference in hospitaliza-tion days between the two groups(P>0.05).The lower extremity VAS scores at the last follow-up and the last follow-up were significantly improved compared with those before operation(P<0.001),and the ODI scores of the two groups were significantly improved at 2 days,1 month and at the last follow-up(P<0.001).At the same time point,there was no statistical difference(P>0.05);there was no significant difference in the excellent and good rate of surgery between the two groups(P>0.05).11 patients with high iliac crest in the TELD group successfully completed the surgery.Conclusions Both the endoscopic surgery through the intervertebral foramen and the inter-laminar approach can achieve satisfactory results in the treatment of L5/S1 LDH.However,local anesthesia through the intervertebral foramen approach reduces hospitalization costs,and patients with high iliac crest can successfully complete the surgery by selecting a suitable puncture path.The translaminar approach has fewer fluoroscopy times and shorter surgical time,but there is a higher risk of dura mater and nerve damage,which requires careful opera-tion for beginners.