Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a chronic, progressive degenerative disease affecting both upper and lower motor neurons, primarily characterized by skeletal muscle weakness and atrophy. Notably, the same muscle group may exhibit asynchronous involvement. This study aims to investigate the involvement patterns of the orbicularis oculi (OOc) and orbicularis oris (OOr) in ALS patients, compare the findings with healthy controls (HCs) and myasthenia gravis (MG) patients, and explore the characteristics and clinical significance of facial muscle involvement in ALS.

The classic formula Fangji Fulingtang is from ZHANG Zhongjing's Synopsis of the Golden Chamber in the Eastern Han dynasty. It is composed of Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix， Astragali Radix， Cinnamomi Ramulus， Poria， and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma， with the effects of reinforcing Qi and invigorating spleen， warming Yang and promoting urination. By a review of ancient medical books， this paper summarizes the composition， original plants， processing， dosage， decocting methods， indications and other key information of Fangji Fulingtang， aiming to provide a literature basis for the research， development， and clinical application of preparations based on this formula. Synonyms of Fangji Fulingtang exist in ancient medical books， while the formula composition in the Synopsis of the Golden Chamber is more widespread and far-reaching. In this formula， Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix， Astragali Radix， Cinnamomi Ramulus， Poria， and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma are the dried root of Stephania tetrandra， the dried root of Astragalus embranaceus var. mongholicus， the dried shoot of Cinnamomum cassia， the dried sclerotium of Poria cocos， and the dried root and rhizome of Glycyrrhiza uralensis， respectively. Fangji Fulingtang is mainly produced into powder， with the dosage and decocting method used in the past dynasties basically following the original formula. Each bag is composed of Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix 13.80 g， Astragali Radix 13.80 g， Cinnamomi Ramulus 13.80 g， Poria 27.60 g， and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma 9.20 g. The raw materials are purified， decocted in water from 1 200 mL to 400 mL， and the decoction should be taken warm， 3 times a day. Fangji Fulingtang was originally designed for treating skin edema， and then it was used to treat impediment in the Qing dynasty. In modern times， it is mostly used to treat musculoskeletal and connective tissue diseases and circulatory system diseases， demonstrating definite effects on various types of edema and heart failure. This paper clarifies the inheritance of Fangji Fulingtang and reveals its key information （attached to the end of this paper）， aiming to provide a theoretical basis for the development of preparations based on this formula.

The classic formula Fangji Fulingtang is from ZHANG Zhongjing's Synopsis of the Golden Chamber in the Eastern Han dynasty. It is composed of Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix， Astragali Radix， Cinnamomi Ramulus， Poria， and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma， with the effects of reinforcing Qi and invigorating spleen， warming Yang and promoting urination. By a review of ancient medical books， this paper summarizes the composition， original plants， processing， dosage， decocting methods， indications and other key information of Fangji Fulingtang， aiming to provide a literature basis for the research， development， and clinical application of preparations based on this formula. Synonyms of Fangji Fulingtang exist in ancient medical books， while the formula composition in the Synopsis of the Golden Chamber is more widespread and far-reaching. In this formula， Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix， Astragali Radix， Cinnamomi Ramulus， Poria， and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma are the dried root of Stephania tetrandra， the dried root of Astragalus embranaceus var. mongholicus， the dried shoot of Cinnamomum cassia， the dried sclerotium of Poria cocos， and the dried root and rhizome of Glycyrrhiza uralensis， respectively. Fangji Fulingtang is mainly produced into powder， with the dosage and decocting method used in the past dynasties basically following the original formula. Each bag is composed of Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix 13.80 g， Astragali Radix 13.80 g， Cinnamomi Ramulus 13.80 g， Poria 27.60 g， and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma 9.20 g. The raw materials are purified， decocted in water from 1 200 mL to 400 mL， and the decoction should be taken warm， 3 times a day. Fangji Fulingtang was originally designed for treating skin edema， and then it was used to treat impediment in the Qing dynasty. In modern times， it is mostly used to treat musculoskeletal and connective tissue diseases and circulatory system diseases， demonstrating definite effects on various types of edema and heart failure. This paper clarifies the inheritance of Fangji Fulingtang and reveals its key information （attached to the end of this paper）， aiming to provide a theoretical basis for the development of preparations based on this formula.

Objective To analyze the nonlinear relationship between hypothermic machine perfusion (HMP) parameters and delayed graft function (DGF) and optimize the construction of a predictive model for DGF. Methods The data of 923 recipients who underwent kidney transplantation from deceased donors were retrospectively analyzed. According to the occurrence of DGF, the recipients were divided into DGF group (n=823) and non-DGF group (n=100). Donor data, HMP parameters and recipient data were analyzed for both groups. The nonlinear relationship between HMP parameters and the occurrence of DGF was explored based on restricted cubic splines (RCS). Over-sampling, under-sampling and balanced sampling were used to address the imbalance in the proportion of DGF to construct logistic regression predictive models. The area under the curve (AUC) of each model was compared in the validation set, and a nomogram model was constructed. Results Donor BMI, cold ischemia time of the donor kidney, and HMP parameters (initial and final pressures, resistance, and perfusion time) were significantly different between the DGF and non-DGF groups (all P<0.05). The RCS analysis revealed a threshold-like nonlinear relationship between HMP parameters and the risk of DGF. Among the models constructed using different sampling methods, the balanced sampling model had the highest AUC. Using this model, a nomogram was constructed to stratify recipients based on risk scores. Recipients in the high-risk group had higher serum creatinine levels at 1, 6, and 12 months after kidney transplantation compared to those in the low-risk group (all P<0.05). Conclusions There is a nonlinear relationship between HMP parameters and the risk of DGF, and the threshold is helpful for organ quality assessment and monitoring of graft function after transplantation. The predictive model for DGF constructed on the base of balanced sampling algorithms helps perioperative decision-making and postoperative graft function monitoring of kidney transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) is extensively used in the treatment of various tumors. However, its clinical application is limited due to dose-dependent cardiotoxicity. Currently, few effective strategies exist to mitigate or eliminate DOX-induced cardiomyopathy (DIC). Although ferroptosis is implicated in DIC and its inhibition partially alleviates the condition, the direct targets of DOX in the progression of cardiotoxicity remain unclear. This study aimed to discover the direct targets of DOX in ferroptosis-mediated DIC. METHODS: A DOX pulldown assay was performed to identify proteins specifically binding to DOX in murine hearts, followed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to identify candidate proteins. A cardiac injury mouse model was established by DOX treatment. Based on this, multiple ferroptosis biomarkers were detected by flow cytometry, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, immunochemistry, etc. Besides, specific activator and inhibitor of signaling pathways were applied to illuminate molecular mechanisms. RESULTS: Glutathione S-transferase P1 (GSTP1) was identified as a DOX target. GSTP1 activity was inhibited in DOX-treated cardiomyocytes, while its overexpression significantly alleviated DIC. Moreover, GSTP1 overexpression inhibited acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4)-dependent ferroptosis. Mechanistically, GSTP1 overexpression suppressed c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation, thereby reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and inhibiting ferroptosis in DIC. CONCLUSIONS This study identifies the DOX/GSTP1/JNK axis as a critical pathway mediating ACSL4-dependent ferroptosis in DIC. GSTP1 is highlighted as a potential key mediator of ferroptosis and a promising therapeutic target for DIC.

Although enteric glial cell (EGC) abnormal activation is reported to be involved in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD), and inhibition of EGC gliosis alleviated gut and dopaminergic neuronal dysfunction was verified in our previous study, the potential role of gut microbiota on EGC function in PD still need to be addressed. In the present study, fecal microbiota transplantation revealed that EGC function was regulated by gut microbiota. By employing 16S rRNA and metabolomic analysis, we identified that 3-indolepropionic acid (IPA) was the most affected differential microbial metabolite that regulated EGC gliosis. The protective effects of IPA on PD were validated in rotenone-stimulated EGCs and rotenone (30 mg/kg i.g. for 4 weeks)-induced PD mice, as indicated by decreased inflammation, improved intestinal and brain barrier as well as dopaminergic neuronal function. Mechanistic study showed that IPA targeted pregnane X receptor (PXR) in EGCs, and inhibition of IL-13Rα1 involved cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction pathway, leading to inactivation of downstream JAK1-STAT6 pathway. Our data not only provided evidence that EGC gliosis was critical in spreading intestinal damage to brain, but also highlighted the potential role of microbial metabolite IPA in alleviating PD pathological damages through gut-brain axis.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) poses a severe global health challenge with high incidence and mortality rates. USP37 has been identified as the bona fide deubiquitinase of SND1, playing a critical role in stabilizing SND1, thereby augmenting its oncogenic potential. The interaction between USP37 and SND1 was confirmed through extensive proteomics, ubiquitinomics, and interactomics, underscoring their synergistic effects on CRC proliferation and metastasis. Additionally, CDK1 has emerged as a pivotal regulator of USP37, phosphorylating it at threonine 631 rather than serine 628, enhancing its deubiquitinase activity, and consequently stabilizing SND1 to drive CRC malignancy further. Histological analyses of human CRC samples linked the upregulation of CDK1 and USP37 with increased SND1 levels and poor patient prognosis. High-throughput virtual screening and subsequent experimental validation identified Dacarbazine as a pharmacological inhibitor of USP37, and its inhibition disrupted SND1 stability, hindering CRC cell proliferation and metastasis. This study reveals a novel and promising molecular mechanism driving CRC progression through the CDK1-USP37-SND1 axis, highlighting the clinical importance of targeting this pathway to improve patient outcomes.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2025.02.029.].

Objective:To compare the efficacy of intranasal nebulized remimazolam versus esketamine for preoperative sedation in pediatric patients.Methods:In this randomized double-blind controlled trial, 90 pediatric patients scheduled for elective surgery with general anesthesia at Fuyang People′s Hospital between October 2024 and January 2025, were divided into 3 groups ( n=30 each) using a simple randomization: remimazolam group (group R), esketamine group (group S) and normal saline group (group C). Group R received intranasal nebulization of remimazolam 1.5 mg/kg, group S received intranasal nebulization of esketamine 1 mg/kg, and group C received intranasal nebulization of normal saline 0.05 ml/kg. Primary outcome: The preoperative anxiety was assessed using the modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale before intranasal drug administration (baseline), at 10 and 20 min after administration, and before anesthesia induction. Secondary outcomes included sedation level (Ramsay Sedation Scale score), satisfaction with intranasal administration acceptance, parental separation anxiety and mask acceptance, development of emergence agitation, emergence time, time of recovery from anesthesia, and nausea and vomiting and increased secretions. Results:Compared to group C, the incidence of anxiety was significantly decreased at 10 and 20 min after intranasal nebulization and before anesthesia induction, the level of sedation was deepened (to light sedation), and the satisfaction with intranasal administration acceptance was decreased in group R ( P<0.017), the incidence of anxiety was significantly decreased before anesthesia induction, the level of sedation was deepened (to deep sedation), and the satisfaction with intranasal administration acceptance was increased in group S ( P<0.017), and the satisfaction with parental separation anxiety and mask acceptance and anesthesiologists′ satisfaction were significantly increased in R and S groups( P<0.017). Compared to group R, the incidence of anxiety was significantly increased at 10 min after intranasal nebulization (7 cases [23%] versus 20 cases [67%]), the level of sedation was lighter at 10 min after intranasal nebulization, the level of sedation was deeper, and the satisfaction with intranasal administration acceptance was increased in group S ( P<0.017). Compared to groups C and R, the emergence time and time of recovery from anesthesia were significantly prolonged in group S ( P<0.017). There was no significant difference in the incidence of emergence agitation, nausea and vomiting and increased secretions or in parental satisfaction among three groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Both intranasal nebulized remimazolam and esketamine can produce good preoperative sedation in pediatric patients. Compared to esketamine, remimazolam provides a more appropriate level of sedation with a faster onset and does not prolong the recovery from anesthesia, making it more suitable for preoperative sedation in minor procedures.

Objective To investigate the clinical effect of far lateral approach surgery under unilateral biportal endoscope(UBE)for lumbar foraminal stenosis.Methods From June 2021 to August 2022,39 patients with lumbar foraminal stenosis were treated with far lateral approach surgery under UBE in our department.The patients were placed at the standard prone position,and a longitudinal line was drawn about 2 cm from the lateral edge of the upper and lower pedicles.Transverse incisions were made at the two intersection points of the horizontal line at the midpoint of the lateral edge of the upper and lower pedicles.After inserting the gradually enlarged sleeves to expand the space,the enlargement of the intervertebral foramen and release of the nerve root were completed under the direct view of UBE.The Visual Analogue Scale(VAS)of leg pain and the Oswestry Disability Index(ODI)were compared before and after operation.The effectiveness was evaluated according to the modified MacNab criteria at 12 months after operation.Results The operations were successfully completed in all the 39 cases.The operation time was(105.5±14.8)min,and the blood loss was(26.7±8.8)ml.The tear of adventitial nerve root occurred in 1 case during operation,and there was no nerve injury symptom after operation.One case of suspected infection occurred after operation and recovered after conservative treatment.All the 39 patients got out of bed with waist circumference on the first day after operation.The intervertebral foramen height measured by sagittal CT at 3 d after operation was(1.62±0.26)cm,which was significantly higher than that before operation[(1.51±0.28)cm;t=-4.010,P=0.000].The intervertebral foramen width was significantly greater than preoperation[(1.24±0.17)cm vs.(0.96±0.15)cm;t=-14.811,P=0.000].The area of intervertebral foramen was significantly larger than preoperation[(1.40±0.19)cm2 vs.(1.05±0.22)cm2;t=-12.874,P=0.000].The VAS of leg pain at 1 d,and 1,3,and 6 months after operation were significantly lower than those before operation(all P=0.000),and the VAS scores gradually decreased with the increase of time.The ODI was significantly lower at 1,3,and 6 months after operation than that before operation(all P=0.000),and the ODI decreased gradually with the increase of time.According to the modified MacNab criteria,at 12 months after operation,33 cases were excellent,4 cases were good,and 2 cases were fair,with an excellent and good rate of 94.9％(37/39).Conclusions Far lateral approach surgery under UBE for lumbar foraminal stenosis has significant effect on the relief of lumbago and leg pain and the improvement of lumbar function.It has little damage to lumbar stability and does not need internal fixation,which is worthy of clinical application and promotion.