Background Carbendazim (CBZ), a widely used benzimidazole fungicide, has raised increasing concerns regarding the health risks associated with its residues. However, the toxic effects and associated mechanisms of CBZ on the skeletal system have not been reported. Objective To elucidate the effects of carbendazim on osteogenic differentiation and its underlying mechanisms. Methods MC3T3-E1 mouse pre-osteoblastic cells were treated with 1, 10, and 100 μmol·L⁻¹ CBZ for 24 h to examine cell viability, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, bone nodule formation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity. Transcriptomics was used to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in osteoblasts exposed to CBZ. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were employed to analyze the potential biological pathways of DEGs. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot were used to validate changes in gene and protein expression. Results Exposure to 10 and 100 μmol·L⁻¹ CBZ significantly reduced osteoblast viability, ALP activity, bone nodule formation, and NOS activity, while increasing intracellular ROS levels. CBZ at 100 μmol·L⁻¹ concentration significantly elevated MDA level (P < 0.05). The transcriptomic analysis revealed that 1 μmol·L⁻¹ CBZ treatment resulted in 385 significantly DEGs. The KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that CBZ significantly affects hormone regulation pathways (including parathyroid hormone, growth hormone, dopamine, and oxytocin), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase G (cGMP-PKG) signaling pathways, focal adhesion and adherens junction, as well as the NOD-like receptor signaling pathway and the mRNA surveillance (NMD) pathway. The results of GSEA showed that CBZ significantly inhibited the bile acid metabolism and the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in osteoblasts. The validation results demonstrated that CBZ significantly suppressed the mRNA expression of Wnt3a and β-catenin, as well as the protein expression of Runx2 and Osterix in the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Conclusion CBZ exposure exhibits potential skeletal toxicity, and its mechanism is through promoting oxidative stress, interfering with the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in osteogenic differentiation, thereby inhibiting the bone formation function of osteoblasts.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of metformin on the immune functions of immature dendritic cells （imDCs） and the underlying mechanisms. MethodsMouse bone marrow-derived imDCs were treated with different concentrations of metformin. The working concentration and treatment time of metformin in this study were determined based on the results of cell apoptosis and cell viability assays. The effects of metformin on the phagocytic capacity of imDCs was evaluated using an antigen endocytosis assay. The expression of cluster of differentiation 205 （CD205）， the polymerization of filamentous actin （F-actin）， and the underlying regulatory mechanisms were investigated through flow cytometry， laser confocal fluorescence microscopy， and Western blot. ResultsThe working concentrations of metformin were 1， 2， 4 mmol/L for 24 h determined by the apoptosis and cell viability assays.Metformin significantly suppressed the phagocytic capacity of imDCs， down-regulated the expression of the mannose receptor CD205 on the cell surface， which was closely associated with phagocytic function； metformin inhibited the RhoA-ROCK1-LIMK1-Cofilin signaling pathway， which inhibited the polymerization of F-actin and disturbed its dynamic remodeling of imDCs. ConclusionMetformin can inhibit the expression of CD205 and disrupt the remodeling of F-actin， thereby suppressing the antigen-capturing capacity of imDCs.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to provide a scientific basis for the safety management of drinking water by assessing the contamination levels of 21 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in water samples collected from the Yangtze River Delta region. MethodsSolid-phase extraction coupled with ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) was employed to determine 21 PFASs in 6 source water samples, 20 treated water samples, and 60 tap water samples collected from 5 administrative districts in the Yangtze River Delta region across four seasons in 2023. The Kruskal-Wallis H test was used to compare differences in PFAS concentrations among the three types of water samples, followed by post hoc pairwise comparisons with Bonferroni correction. Removal efficiencies of target compounds were also calculated. ResultsAmong the 86 samples, 14 PFASs were detected, with 7 compounds detected in 100% of samples. The total concentrations of PFASs in source water, treated water, and tap water ranged from 63.85 to 190.54 ng·L^-¹, 55.75 to 774.36 ng·L^-¹, and 40.72 to 689.80 ng·L^-¹, respectively. The compounds with the highest median concentrations were perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) (40.19, 15.20, and 14.05 ng·L^-¹), perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) (29.69, 32.62, and 34.24 ng·L^-¹), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) (17.65, 39.45, and 36.83 ng·L^-¹), and potassium perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS) (16.99, 24.38, and 23.89 ng·L^-¹). Notably, concentrations of PFOA (7.71‒71.63 ng·L^-¹) and PFOS (-¹) in tap water were below the regulatory limits specified in GB 5749‒2022 Standards for Drinking Water Quality (PFOA: 0.000 08 mg·L^-1, PFOS: 0.000 04 mg·L^-1). Significant seasonal variations in PFAS concentrations were observed, with total PFAS levels in March being higher than those in September and November (adjusted P<0.001, and P=0.006), and levels in May being higher than those in September (adjusted P=0.037). The removal efficiencies of PFASs in the water treatment plants ranged from -14% to 34%. ConclusionPFAS contamination is widespread in source water, treated water, and tap water in the Yangtze River Delta region, and concentrations of PFOA and PFOS in all tested water samples comply with the Chinese national standards for drinking water quality (GB 5749‒2022). The use of PFASs should be continuously regulated to ensure water safety.

Objective:To investigate the practical value of pancreatic duct bind with supporting tube combined with single-needle suture for pancreaticojejunostomy in laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (LPD).Methods:The clinical data of 65 patients with pancreatic head or periampullary tumors who underwent LPD at the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University between January 2021 and June 2024 were retrospectively analysed. Among them, 31 were male and 34 were female, aged (57.7±13.3) years. The patients were divided into two groups based on the method of pancreaticojejunostomy: 22 patients who underwent pancreatic duct bind with supporting tube single-needle suture pancreaticojejunos-tomy were included in the study group, 43 patients who underwent traditional pancreatic duct-to-mucosa pancreaticojejunostomy were included in the control group. The clinical data of the patients, including gender, age, operation time, pancreaticojejunostomy time, and postoperative complications, etc. were recorded.Results:Compared with the control group, the pancreaticojejunostomy time [(25.3±2.4) min vs. (47.0±3.9) min] and operation time [(425.2±52.1) min vs. (453.7±30.8) min] of the study group were both shortened, and the differences were statistically significant (both P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the postoperative complication rate between the study group and the control group [18.2% (4/22) vs. 34.9% (15/43), P=0.161]. The incidence of clinically relevant pancreatic fistula in the study group was lower than that in the control group [4.5% (1/22) vs. 30.2% (13/43)], and the difference was statistically significant ( P=0.024). Conclusion:Pancreatic duct bind with supporting tube combined with single-needle suture pancreaticojejunostomy is safe and effective in LPD. Compared with traditional pancreatic duct-to-mucosa pancreaticojejunostomy, pancreatic duct bind with supporting tube combined with single-needle suture pancreaticojejunostomy has advantages in terms of clinically relevant pancreatic fistula rate, operation time, and pancreaticojejunostomy time.

Objective To design and synthesize derivatives of oleanolic acid and ursolic acid, and investigate their anti-hepatitis C virus （HCV） activity along with that of common triterpenoid acids. To explore the structure-activity relationship and provide a reference for the research of anti-HCV drugs derived from natural products through obtaining compounds with higher activity. Methods Oleanolic acid and ursolic acid were directly reacted with corresponding amines using PyBOP as a condensing agent in the presence of DIEA. Alternatively, the target compounds were prepared through PCC oxidation followed by the Baeyer-Villiger reaction catalyzed by m-CPBA. In vitro anti-HCV activity was tested using the HCVcc infection model. Molecular docking was performed by Autodock software to investigate the interaction between the active compounds and HCV NS5B. Results Oleanolic acid, glycyrrhetinic acid, ursolic acid, and asiatic acid all exhibited certain anti-HCV effects. Specifically, oleanolic acid derivatives OA2-OA4, OA6, and OA7, as well as ursolic acid derivatives UA1 and UA2, demonstrated superior anti-HCV activity compared to their parent compounds. Preliminary structure-activity relationship analysis revealed that introducing a bulky group to 28-COOH of oleanolic acid and ursolic acid enhanced their activity. Molecular docking results demonstrated that the active compounds could stably bind to HCV NS5B, thereby exhibiting antiviral activity. Conclusion Pentacyclic triterpenoids possessed anti-HCV effects, and their derivatives coud be synthesized to obtain more active compounds. The anti-HCV mechanism of these compounds may be associated with their inhibition of NS5B.

Objective To analyze the proteomic differences between mouse secondary oocytes,also known as metaphase Ⅱ oocytes(M Ⅱ),and the first polar bodies(PB1)using high-resolution single-cell proteomics,to identify key proteins regulating embryonic development,and to provide a molecular basis for optimizing in vitro oocyte maturation systems.Methods Paired samples of M Ⅱ(n=5)and PB1(n=5)were analyzed using high-resolution single-cell mass spectrometry(timsTOF HT).Quantitative proteomics and bioinformatics approaches were employed to conduct differential protein screening and functional enrichment.Results Using the timsTOF HT platform,we achieved the detection of over 3 000 proteins per single cell and identified 277 proteins specifically enriched in M Ⅱ.Gene Set Enrichment Analysis(GSEA)revealed that these M Ⅱ-specific proteins were significantly enriched in gene regulation and DNA damage repair pathways associated with mitochondrial energy metabolism.Cross-species GSEA comparison between human and mouse homologs demonstrated elevated expression of heat shock proteins,including Hsp90b1,Hspa5,etc.,in the mTORC1 pathway in M Ⅱ(P＜0.05).In addition,key factors regulating cumulus complex development,such as Calr,Aldoa,etc.,were significantly upregulated.Conclusion M Ⅱ strategically retains proteins essential for embryonic development through asymmetric division.The timsTOF HT platform demonstrated superior sensitivity in analyzing and identifying these proteins.According to the protein analysis results,the distribution of mTORC1 pathway proteins indicates that they play a key role in embryonic metabolism regulation.In particular,heat shock proteins facilitate protein folding and maintain endoplasmic reticulum homeostasis,thereby ensuring oocyte maturation and the embryonic developmental potential.

Objective To analyze the incidence,colonization pathways,and predictive factors of bacterial colonization of epidural analgesia catheters in patients with chronic pain.Methods A total of 150 patients with chronic pain who underwent continuous epidural catheterization(catheter in-dwelling time of 7 to 10 days)were selected as study subjects.Samples from three sites were collect-ed for bacterial culture.Clinical data of the patients were collected,and the positive rate of bacterial culture,characteristics of bacterial species distribution,and bacterial colonization pathways were ana-lyzed.The efficacy of predictive factors was assessed using the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Results The positive rates of bacterial culture in samples from the skin swabbing fluid around the puncture site,the subcutaneous segment of the catheter,and the catheter tip were 22.0％,7.3％,and 8.7％,respectively.Staphylococcus epidermidis was the predominant colonizing bacterial species.Spearman correlation coefficient analysis showed a significant correlation between the results of bacterial culture from the skin around the puncture site and catheter tip colonization(r=0.47,P＜0.01).ROC curve analysis revealed that the area under the curve of bacterial culture results from the skin around the puncture site in predicting catheter tip bacterial colonization was 0.843,with a sensitivity of 84.9％and a specificity of 84.6％.Conclusion Bacterial migra-tion along the catheter is the main pathway for catheter tip bacterial colonization,and the results of bacterial culture from the skin around the puncture site are an effective predictive factor for the risk of bacterial colonization.

AIM:To explore the clinical significance of stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1(SCD1)in colorectal can-cer and to evaluate the effects and mechanisms of diosgenin glucoside on the proliferation of colorectal cancer cells.METHODS:The expression of SCD1 in colorectal cancer tissues was assessed using qPCR and Western blot,and its cor-relation with clinical features was analyzed.The impact of diosgenin glucoside on the viability of SW620 and HCT116 cells was measured using the CCK-8 assay,and the proliferation was further investigated through cell cloning experiments.Ad-ditionally,the effects of diosgenin glucoside on apoptosis-related genes and SCD1 were evaluated by qPCR and Western blot.Molecular docking was employed to analyze the binding site and binding energy between diosgenin glucoside and SCD1.RESULTS:(1)Both SCD1 mRNA and protein were highly expressed in colorectal cancer tissues,with an 88%positive rate.And SCD1 mRNA expression correlated with cancer type and clinical stage.(2)Diosgenin glucoside de-creased the viability and cloning ability of SW620 and HCT116 cells in a dose-dependent manner.(3)Diosgenin gluco-side upregulated the mRNA and protein expression of pro-apoptotic proteins caspase-3 and Bax in a dose-dependent man-ner,while it downregulated the mRNA and protein expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2.(4)Diosgenin glucoside reduced the mRNA and protein expression of SCD1 in a dose-dependent manner and bound to SCD1 via hydrogen and con-jugated bonds with a binding energy of-7.7 kcal/mol.CONCLUSION:(1)SCD1 is closely associated with the type and clinical stage of colorectal cancer.(2)The reduction in viability and proliferation of colorectal cancer cells by diosgenin glucoside may be attributed to its binding to SCD1,which lowers its expression and promotes apoptosis.