OBJECTIVE To investigate the immunotoxicity and potential mechanism of Carthamus tinctorius extract on RBL-2H3 cells via direct induction and induction by sensitized serum prepared with an overdose of the extract. METHODS For direct induction by C. tinctorius extract， RBL-2H3 cells were divided into normal control group （no treatment） and C. tinctorius extract group （10 mg/mL）. For induction by sensitized serum prepared with an overdose of C. tinctorius extract， rats were divided into normal control group （no treatment）， adjuvant-treated group （1 mL adjuvant）， C. tinctorius extract-induced sensitization group （2.04 g/mL）， and ovalbumin （OVA）-induced sensitization group （50 mg/mL）. Sensitization was performed once every other day for a total of 3 times. Morphological changes of RBL-2H3 cells were observed， the degranulated rate of cells was counted， and histamine content was determined； the release rate of β -hexosaminidase （ β -Hex） was calculated， the levels of interleukin-6 （IL-6） and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） and intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration were detected. RESULTS Under direct induction by C. tinctorius extract， compared with the normal control group， the volume of cells in the C. tinctorius extract group was significantly reduced and cell density decreased； the degranulation rate of cells， histamine content， β -Hex release rate， IL-6 and TNF-α levels， as well as intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration were all significantly increased （ P ＜0.01）. Under i nduction by sensitized serum prepared with an overdose of C. tinctorius extract， compared with the adjuvant-treated group， the above indicators in the C. tinctorius extract-induced sensitization group and the OVA-induced sensitization group showed consistent changes with those in the C. tinctorius extract group under direct induction， all being significantly elevated （ P ＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS C. tinctorius extract may affect degranulation of RBL-2H3 cells and promote Ca²⁺ influx accompanied by the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines through two approaches： direct induction and induction by sensitized serum prepared under overdose administration. Its mechanism may be related to the activation of the calcium signaling pathway and the regulation of inflammatory pathways under the synergistic effect of multiple components.

Background Manganese is an essential trace element for the human body and maintains normal development of many organs including the brain. However, long-term exposure to a high manganese environment or excessive manganese intake will lead to manganese poisoning and result in neurological diseases, and currently no effective treatment plan is available. Objective To develop an animal model for subchronic manganese exposure and assess the impact of Dendrobium nobile Lindl. alkaloids (DNLA) on manganese associated behavioral and hippocampal effects in rats. Methods Fifty male SPF SD rats were randomly allocated into a control group (0.9% normal saline by intraperitoneal injection), two experimental groups [7.5 mg·kg⁻¹ (low) or 15 mg·kg⁻¹ (high) of MnCl₂·4H₂O by intraperitoneal injection], and two DNLA antagonistic groups [15 mg·kg⁻¹ MnCl₂·4H₂O by intraperitoneal injection then either 20 mg·kg⁻¹ (low) or 40 mg·kg⁻¹ (high) DNLA by oral administration]. All groups of rats were adminaistered 5 d per wek, once a day, for consecutive 13 weeks. Following modeling, neurobehavioral assessments were conducted using open field, Morris water maze, and Y maze. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was utilized to measure manganese levels in the blood and brain tissues of the rats, and hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was employed to examine neuronal morphological changes in the hippocampal tissues of the rats. Results The neurobehavioral tests revealed that the manganese-exposed rats exhibited decreased total movement distance, prolonged central zone dwelling time, and reduced motor activity in the open field test, indicating tendencies toward depression and anxiety (P<0.05). In the Y-maze test, the mean exploration distance in the novel arm, the number of entries into the novel arm, and the time spent in the novel arm of the managanses-exposed rats were all reduced, while the latency period increased, suggesting impaired spatial exploration and learning-memory functions (P<0.05). In the Morris water maze navigation test, the escape latency was significantly longer in the manganese-exposed rats compared to the control group, and the number of platform crossings decreased in the spatial probe test, indicating a significant decline in spatial learning and memory (P<0.05). The ICP-MS analysis showed elevated manganese concentrations in the blood and hippocampus of the exposed rats (P<0.05), and the histopathological observation revealed hippocampal damage. Following the DNLA intervention, the manganese-exposed rats showed increased total movement distance and reduced central zone dwelling time in the open field test (P<0.05). In the Y-maze test, the mean exploration distance in the novel arm, the number of entries into the novel arm, and the time spent in the novel arm increased, while the latency period decreased, suggesting alleviation of anxiety and improved exploratory behavior (P<0.05). In the Morris water maze test, the escape latency gradually shortened, and both the number of platform crossings and the percentage of time spent in the target quadrant increased, indicating improved spatial learning and memory (P<0.05). Additionally, the manganese levels in the blood and hippocampus decreased (P<0.05), and the hippocampal pathological changes were partially restored. Conclusion DNLA demonstrates the ability to counteract multiple neurotoxic effects following the elevation of manganese levels in the blood and hippocampal tissues of rats induced by subchronic manganese exposure. Specifically, DNLA is shown to ameliorate the behavioral alterations observed in rats after manganese exposure, and mitigate the hippocampal damage in manganese-exposed rats.

Objective To analyze the characteristics of HIV-1 pretreatment drug resistance(PDR)and molecular transmission networks in Yubei District,Chongqing,providing evidence for targeted interventions.Methods Using a cross-sectional design,plasma samples were collected from HIV/AIDS patients receiving antiretroviral therapy(ART)in Yubei District from January 2022 to December 2023.Pol gene fragments were extracted and amplified for HIV-1 genotyping and drug resistance analysis.Molecular transmission networks were constructed based on genetic distance calculations.Results Among 478 HIV-1 pol sequences,eight geno-types were identified:with CRF07_BC(60.4%,289/478),CRF08_BC(15.5%,74/478),CRF01_AE(11.7%,56/478),and CRF85_BC(5.9%,28/478).The overall PDR rate was 6.3%(30/478),with resistance to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors(NRTIs)and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors(NNRTIs)at 1.7%(8/478)and 5.2%(25/478),respectively.No protease inhibitor(PI)resistance was de-tected.The molecular network included 177 cases(37.0%network entry rate),forming 53 clusters with 198 connections.Cluster sizes ranged from 2 to 17 nodes,and 75.3%(149/198)of connections were associated with five subdistricts/towns:Shuanglonghu Street,Huixing Street,Luoqi Town,Gulu Town,and Baoshenghu Street.Conclusion HIV-1 genotypes in Yubei District exhibit diversity and complexity,with moderate PDR prevalence.Regional clustering of transmission networks suggests the need for enhanced molecular surveil-lance and targeted interventions based on analytical findings.

The core pathological hallmark of neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) is the aberrant aggregation and impaired clearance of pathological proteins. Valosin-containing protein (VCP) plays a pivotal role in maintaining intracellular protein homeostasis by regulating the ubiquitin-proteasome system and autophagy-lysosome pathway. Pathogenic mutations or dysfunction of VCP can trigger widespread protein clearance defects, leading to pathological protein aggregation and neuronal death, and consequently contributing to NDDs progression. This article reviews the molecular structure and functions of VCP, as well as the role of VCP mutations or dysfunction in pathogenesis of inclusion body myopathy with Paget's disease of bone and frontotemporal dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Huntington's disease, so as to provide new strategies and directions for NDDs treatment.

Objective To investigate the effect of Biejiajian Pill(BJJP)on malignant biological behavior of hepatocellular carcinoma Hep3B cells and its regulatory mechanism.Methods A total of 72 healthy SD rats were randomly divided into blank control(BC)group,low(0.55 g/kg),medium(1.10 g/kg)and high(2.20 g/kg)BJJP experimental group,and drug-containing serum was prepared.Hep3B cells were divided into BC group,normal rat serum treatment(NC)group,low dose BJJP(LBJJP)group,medium dose BJJP(MBJJP)group and high dose BJJP(HBJJP)group,empty plasmid(pcDNA3.1)group,and CKLF-like MARVEL transmembrane domain containing 6(CMTM6)overexpression(pcDNA3.1-CMTM6)group,and the NC+pcDNA3.1 group,MBJJP+pcDNA3.1 group,NC+pcDNA3.1-CMTM6 group and MBJJP+pcDNA3.1-CMTM6 group.The proliferation of hepatoma Hep3B cells was detected by CCK-8.The migration and invasion of hepatoma Hep3B cells were detected by Transwell assay.The expression levels of proliferation-related proteins proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA),epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)related proteins(E-cadherin,N-cadherin and Vimentin),and CMTM6 proteins in hepatoma Hep3B cells were detected by Western blotting experiments.Results Compared with those in BC group,there were no significant differences in the proliferation,migration and invasion abilities of Hep3B cells,or the expression levels of PCNA,EMT related proteins(E-cadherin,N-cadherin and Vimentin)and CMTM6 protein in NC group(P＞0.05).Compared with NC group,LBJJP,MBJJP and HBJJP drug-containing serum inhibited the proliferation,migration and invasion of Hep3B cells,downregulated the protein expression of PCNA;MBJJP and HBJJP upregulated the protein expression of E-cadherin.The protein expressions of N-cadherin,Vimentin and CMTM6 were downregulated,with significant differences(P＜0.05).Compared with pcDNA3.1 group,the protein expression of CMTM6,cell proliferation,migration,invasion,PCNA protein expression,N-cadherin protein expression,and Vimentin protein expression in Hep3B cells in pcDNA3.1-CMTM6 group were significantly upregulated,while the protein expression of E-cadherin was significantly downregulated(P＜0.05).Compared with NC+pcDNA3.1 group,the proliferation,migration and invasion abilities of Hep3B cells in MBJJP+pcDNA3.1 group were decreased,the expression levels of PCNA,Vimentin and N-cadherin protein were decreased,while the expression level of E-cadherin protein was increased.Compared with NC+pcDNA3.1-CMTM6 group,MBJJP+pcDNA3.1-CMTM6 group had the same results in the proliferation,migration and invasion abilities of Hep3B cells and the protein expression levels of PCNA,Vimentin,N-cadherin and E-cadherin.The differences were statistically significant(all P＜0.05).Conclusion BJJP may inhibit the proliferation,migration,invasion and EMT of hepatoma Hep3B cells by regulating the expression of CMTM6.

Objective:To investigate factors influencing frequent episodes (≥ 4 episodes within 1 year) in children with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) in China.Methods:A national multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted. Patients under the age of 18 years diagnosed with moderate-to-severe AD were enrolled at dermatology clinics in 18 medical institutions across 12 provinces and municipalities in China between June 12 and August 8, 2023. At the time of the visit, their guardians completed a structured questionnaire covering demographic characteristics, clinical features of AD, personal and family history, factors associated with frequent episodes of moderate-to-severe AD, compliance with treatment, and disease awareness. Statistical analyses included t tests, one-way analysis of variance, rank-sum tests, and chi-square tests, with multiple-response analysis applied for multiple-choice questions. Results:A total of 965 valid questionnaires were collected, and 965 children with moderate-to-severe AD were included. Among them, there were 531 males and 434 females, 678 (70.3%) were aged 2 - < 12 years, 837 (86.7%) were from urban areas, the age at onset was 2.47 ± 3.03 years, and the median frequency of AD episodes in the past year was 4 times. These children were divided into 2 groups based on the median episode frequency: < 4-episode group (439 cases, 45.5%) and ≥ 4-episode group (526 cases, 54.5%). Compared with the < 4-episode group, children in the ≥ 4-episode group showed younger ages at onset (2.22 ± 2.98 years vs. 2.76 ± 3.06 years, P = 0.006) and higher proportions of patients with comorbid allergic diseases in both the children themselves (82.9% [436/526] vs. 69.7% [306/439], χ2 = 23.42, P < 0.001) and their relatives (66.0% [347/526] vs. 57.4% [252/439], χ2 = 7.46, P = 0.006). Children in the ≥ 4- episode group also had higher monthly usage of moisturizers (150 [30, 300] g vs. 60 [6, 200] g) and daily frequency of moisturizer use, greater disease awareness, but more severe fear of medication use (all P < 0.05). The region and the human development index level were both significantly associated with the episode frequency (both P < 0.001), with the highest proportion of children from South China in the ≥ 4- episode group (36.3%, 191/526). Children in the ≥ 4-episode group also had a longer duration of topical glucocorticoid use than those in the < 4-episode group ( Z = -2.21, P = 0.027). External triggers associated with AD episodes mainly included heat exposure (50.36%, 486/965), hot water bathing (40.73%, 393/965), seafood (23.52%, 227/965), and dust mites (33.37%, 322/965) . Conclusion:In children with moderate-to-severe AD in China, factors influencing frequent episodes may include residence in southern or economically developed regions, earlier age at onset, having a personal or family history of allergic diseases, and fear of medication use.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of preoperative anxiety on the consciousness and autonomic nervous activity during propofol anesthesia.Methods:This study was a secondary analysis of data from the clinical trial in a prospective single-arm study. One hundred and thirty patients, aged 18-65 yr, with a body mass index of 18.5-27.9 kg/m 2, of American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification I or Ⅱ, scheduled to receive propofol anesthesia, were selected from the Second People′s Hospital of Lianyungang. The six-item of the state anxiety inventory (SAI) of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory was used to assess the anxiety of patients 1 h before surgery. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to the cut-off value of 12: obvious anxiety symptom (SAI score >12) group (group A, n=49) and no obvious anxiety symptom (SAI score ≤12) group (group B, n=81). After admission to the operating room, the patient was required to hold a 50 ml syringe filled with water. Propofol was given by target-controlled infusion (TCI) with the target plasma concentration set at 5 μg/ml. When the effect-site concentration (Ce) of propofol increased to 3.5 μg/ml (all the patients lost consciousness), the closed-loop TCI was used to maintain BIS value between 45 and 55. The patients were monitored for 20 min after stopping the pump infusion (anesthesia recovery period). The disappearance time of verbal command, disappearance time of eyelash reflex, time of syringe dropping, recovery time of verbal command, recovery time of eyelash reflex, Ce at the recovery of verbal command, Ce at the recovery of eyelash reflex, Ce within the first 5 min of the closed-loop TCI, and consumption of propofol during anesthesia were recorded. The peripheral perfusion index, low frequency power and high frequency power of heart rate variability were recorded, and the ratio of low frequency power to high frequency power was calculated. Pearson correlation analysis was used to assess the correlation between preoperative SAI score and consciousness-related indicators, simulated Ce of propofol and consumption of propofol. Results:Compared with group B, the disappearance time of verbal command, disappearance time of eyelash reflex, and time of syringe dropping were significantly prolonged, the consumption of propofol, simulated Ce at recovery of verbal command and within the first 5 min of closed-loop TCI were increased, the peripheral perfusion index was decreased at each time point before administration and at 14-20 min of anesthesia recovery, and the low-frequency power was decreased during anesthesia maintenance in group A ( P<0.05). The SAI score was positively correlated with the disappearance time of verbal command ( r=0.220, P=0.012), time of syringe dropping ( r=0.206, P=0.029), consumption of propofol ( r=0.330, P<0.001), and the simulated Ce at the recovery of verbal command ( r=0.215, P=0.015) and simulated Ce at recovery of eyelash reflex ( r=0.207, P=0.022). Conclusions:Preoperative anxiety may lead to prolonged loss of consciousness and more marked inhibition of sympathetic nerve activity during propofol anesthesia.

Objective:To observe the characteristics of multi-muscle surface electromyography (sEMG) network indices during static standing among hemiplegic stroke survivors, and to evaluate the value of the indices in assessing neuromuscular dysfunction.Methods:Ten male stroke survivors with hemiplegia were recruited into the hemiplegia group, and 10 age-matched healthy males were chosen as the control group. Both groups were required to perform 30s static standing tasks with their eyes open and closed. The sEMG signals from the bilateral gluteus maximus (GM), rectus femoris (RF) and biceps femoris (BF) muscles were synchronously collected. Linear time-frequency domain indices were then calculated from the sEMG signals, including the root mean square (RMS) and median frequency (MF). Network indices were extracted from the multiplex recurrence network and weighted networks were constructed from the sEMG signals, including the average interlayer mutual information (I), average edge overlap (ω), clustering coefficient (C), average shortest path length (L) and degree of centrality (DC).Results:With the eyes closed, the RMS values of the bilateral GMs of the hemiplegia group, as well as the values for the RF and BF on the unaffected side were significantly higher than the control group′s values. In the hemiplegia group, the RMS values of the RF and BF muscles on the unaffected side were significantly higher than on the affected side during standing with the eyes closed. For the RF muscles the RMS values on the unaffected side were, on average, significantly higher than with the eyes open. The MF of the GM muscles on the unaffected side in the hemiplegia group was significantly lower than the average MF values of the bilateral GM muscles in the control group with the eyes open or closed. With the eyes closed, the MF of the unaffected-side GM was significantly lower than that of the affected-side GM in the hemiplegia group. Compared with the control group, the hemiplegia group showed a significant increase in I and ω values, but a significant decrease in L values with the eyes open or closed. The DC values of the bilateral GM, RF and BF muscles in the hemiplegia group were significantly higher than among the control group with the eyes open, which was also true of the bilateral GM and RF muscles with the eyes closed. With the BF muscles it was true only of the unaffected side. In the hemiplegia group, the DC values of the unaffected-side GM with the eyes open or closed, and of the unaffected-side BF with the eyes closed.Conclusions:When standing still, hemiplegic stroke survivors exhibit increased overall synchronous muscle adjustment with involvement of unaffected-side muscles, especially the GM. sEMG network indices such as I, ω, L and DC can assess multi-muscle synchronous adaptability and the involvement of single muscles. sEMG network algorithms thus have potential as a new method for localizing and quantitatively assessing neuromuscular dysfunction among such patients.

Loss of protein homeostasis is a hallmark of cellular senescence, and ribosome pausing plays a crucial role in the collapse of proteostasis. However, our understanding of ribosome pausing in senescent cells remains limited. In this study, we utilized ribosome profiling and G-quadruplex RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing techniques to explore the impact of RNA G-quadruplex (rG4) on the translation efficiency in senescent cells. Our results revealed a reduction in the translation efficiency of rG4-rich genes in senescent cells and demonstrated that rG4 structures within coding sequence can impede translation both in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, we observed a significant increase in the abundance of rG4 structures in senescent cells, and the stabilization of the rG4 structures further exacerbated cellular senescence. Mechanistically, the RNA helicase DHX9 functions as a key regulator of rG4 abundance, and its reduced expression in senescent cells contributing to increased ribosome pausing. Additionally, we also observed an increased abundance of rG4, an imbalance in protein homeostasis, and reduced DHX9 expression in aged mice. In summary, our findings reveal a novel biological role for rG4 and DHX9 in the regulation of translation and proteostasis, which may have implications for delaying cellular senescence and the aging process.
G-Quadruplexes ; Cellular Senescence ; Ribosomes/genetics* ; Humans ; Animals ; Mice ; DEAD-box RNA Helicases/genetics* ; Protein Biosynthesis ; RNA/chemistry* ; Neoplasm Proteins

Objective To predict the potential distribution area of Halenia elliptica under current and future climate conditions;To provide a foundation for the sustainable utilization and cultivation of H.elliptica resources.Methods Based on 116 occurrence records and 36 environmental variables,this study employed correlation analysis and contribution rates to identify 10 key environmental factors of H.elliptica.The MaxEnt model,combined with Geographic Information Systems(GIS),was used to predict the potential suitable areas for H.elliptica under current and different future climate scenarios,and centroid shift analysis was performed using SDM_toolbox.Results The MaxEnt model predicted accurately,with an area under the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve of 0.968.Altitude,annual precipitation and mean temperature of the coldest season were identified as the primary influencing factors.The current suitable area for H.elliptica was approximately 176.04×104 km2.In the future climate conditions,the suitable habitat of H.elliptica will be moderately adjusted,especially in Sichuan and Xizang.Conclusion In the future,the suitable potential distribution areas for H.elliptica in China will increase,and there will be slight differences in the increment of different suitable potential distribution areas.This study can provide a basis for resource conservation and sustainable utilization,and highlight the importance of dynamic ecological monitoring in the context of global warming.