OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the protective effect of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) against cisplatin-induced ovarian granulosa cell injury and investigate its possible mechanisms. METHODS: Human granulosa-like tumor cell line (KGN) were treated with 2.5 µg/mL cisplatin for 24 h, followed by treatment with 100, 500, and 1000 mg/L LBP, and the changes in cell viability, apoptosis, level of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), and cell ultrastructure were detected with CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry, ELISA and transmission electron microscopy. The cellular expressions of Bax, caspase-3, Bcl-2, and the PI3K/AKT pathway proteins were analyzed using Western blotting, and the expression of miR-23a was detected with RT-qPCR. KGN cell models with lentivirus-mediated miR-23a overexpression or knockdown were used to verify the therapeutic mechanism of LBP. RESULTS: Cisplatin treatment significantly inhibited cell viability, induced apoptosis, decreased AMH level, caused ultrastructural abnormalities, increased Bax and caspase-3 expression, and lowered Bcl-2 expression in KGN cells. Cisplatin also suppressed the activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and upregulated miR-23a expression in the cells. LBP intervention obviously alleviated cisplatin-induced injuries in KGN cells, and in particular, LBP treatment at the medium dose for 24 h significantly improved KGN cell viability, reduced apoptosis, enhanced their endocrine function, and ameliorated ultrastructural abnormalities. Mechanistically, medium-dose LBP obviously activated the PI3K/AKT pathway by downregulating miR-23a in cisplatin-treated cells, subsequently inhibiting Bax and caspase-3 while upregulating Bcl-2. Overexpression of miR-23a weakened while knockdown of miR-23a significantly enhanced the protective effects of LBP. CONCLUSIONS LBP alleviates cisplatin-induced apoptosis in KGN cells by inhibiting miR-23a expression and activating the PI3K/AKT pathway, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy for ovarian function preservation.
Humans ; Cisplatin/adverse effects* ; MicroRNAs/genetics* ; Female ; Granulosa Cells/cytology* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Down-Regulation ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Survival/drug effects*

Objective To evaluate the protective effect of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides(LBP)against cisplatin-induced ovarian granulosa cell injury and investigate its possible mechanisms.Methods Human granulosa-like tumor cell line(KGN)were treated with 2.5 μg/mL cisplatin for 24 h,followed by treatment with 100,500,and 1000 mg/L LBP,and the changes in cell viability,apoptosis,level of anti-Müllerian hormone(AMH),and cell ultrastructure were detected with CCK-8 assay,flow cytometry,ELISA and transmission electron microscopy.The cellular expressions of Bax,caspase-3,Bcl-2,and the PI3K/AKT pathway proteins were analyzed using Western blotting,and the expression of miR-23a was detected with RT-qPCR.KGN cell models with lentivirus-mediated miR-23a overexpression or knockdown were used to verify the therapeutic mechanism of LBP.Results Cisplatin treatment significantly inhibited cell viability,induced apoptosis,decreased AMH level,caused ultrastructural abnormalities,increased Bax and caspase-3 expression,and lowered Bcl-2 expression in KGN cells.Cisplatin also suppressed the activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and upregulated miR-23a expression in the cells.LBP intervention obviously alleviated cisplatin-induced injuries in KGN cells,and in particular,LBP treatment at the medium dose for 24 h significantly improved KGN cell viability,reduced apoptosis,enhanced their endocrine function,and ameliorated ultrastructural abnormalities.Mechanistically,medium-dose LBP obviously activated the PI3K/AKT pathway by downregulating miR-23a in cisplatin-treated cells,subsequently inhibiting Bax and caspase-3 while upregulating Bcl-2.Overexpression of miR-23a weakened while knockdown of miR-23a significantly enhanced the protective effects of LBP.Conclusion LBP alleviates cisplatin-induced apoptosis in KGN cells by inhibiting miR-23a expression and activating the PI3K/AKT pathway,suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy for ovarian function preservation.

Astrocytes and microglia engage in extensive and complex communication and mutual effect, which referrs to microglia-astrocyte crosstalk. Recent studies have highlighted that this crosstalk plays a pivotal role in neurodegenerative diseases, exerting either protective or detrimental effects. This review briefly introduces the molecular mechanism of microglia-astrocyte crosstalk and its research progress in Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Parkinson's disease, aiming to provide new research directions and therapeutic targets for clinical improvement of neurodegenerative diseases from perspective of microglia-astrocyte crosstalk.

Purpose To explore the expression level of let-7b-5p in glioma and its effects and potential mecha-nisms on U251 cell growth.Methods The expression of let-7b-5p in glioma was detected using qRT-PCR.Data from the CGGA database were analyzed to examine the relationship between the let-7b-5p expression levels,WHO grade and overall survival rates of glioma patients.Transient transfection was used to downregulate the expression of let-7b-5p and IGF1R in U251 cells.The role and potential mechanism of let-7b-5p in the U251 cell were evaluated using qRT-PCR,CCK8 assays,clone formation assays,Western blotting,and double luciferase reporter assays.Results The expres-sion of let-7b-5p in glioma cells(A172:3.64±0.64,V251:4.56±0.52,U87-MG:3.31±0.50)and tissues(2.18±0.22)was significantly higher than that in astrocytes(HMC3:1.00±0.21,P＜0.05 or P＜0.01)and nor-mal brain tissues(1.01±0.19,P＜0.05).Let-7b-5p expression was negatively correlated with WHO grades but pos-itively correlated with survival rates in primary and recurrent glioma patients(P＜0.000 1 and P=0.028,respective-ly).Knockdown of let-7b-5p in U251 cells significantly promoted the growth of glioma cells(CCK8:knockdown group 126.00±12.09 vs miR-NC group 90.93±5.13,P＜0.05)and activated PI3K/AKT signal pathway.Suppressing IGF1R expression in U251 cells reversed the effects of let-7b-5p knockdown on glioma cell growth[CCK8:let-7b-5p knockdown+IGF1R knockdown group(92.08±6.14)vs let-7b-5p knockdown+sh-NC group(116.67.08±8.50)]and PI3K/AKT signal pathway activation.Conclusion Let-7b-5p functions as a tumor suppressor gene in glioma.It may regulate glioma cell growth by targeting IGF1R and modulating PI3K/AKT signal pathway.

Objective:To investigate the predictive value of refeeding syndrome (RFS) and its influencing factors for 30-day intensive care unit (ICU) readmission in critically ill patients.Methods:A prospective cohort study was conducted. Critically ill patients admitted to the department of critical care medicine, department of respiratory and critical care medicine, and department of neurology at Tianjin Medical University General Hospital from January to April in 2025 were enrolled. Patients were assessed for RFS according to the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) criteria. General information within 24 hours of ICU admission was collected via the electronic medical record system. Treatment details and 30-day ICU readmission status were dynamically recorded. Participants were divided into readmission and non-readmission groups based on whether ICU readmission occurred within 30 days. Intergroup comparisons were performed to identify differences. Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between RFS and its influencing factors with 30-day ICU readmission. Receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC curve) was plotted to evaluate the predictive performance of risk factors.Results:A total of 196 critically ill patients were enrolled, among whom 25 (12.76%) were readmitted to ICU within 30 days and 171 (87.24%) were not. Significant differences were observed in the readmission group compared with the non-readmission group, including significantly higher rates of nasogastric decompression, higher acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ (APACHEⅡ) score, a higher incidence of RFS, and a longer duration of nasogastric decompression. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that RFS was an independent risk factor for 30-day ICU readmission [odds ratio ( OR) = 5.756, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was 1.603-20.670, P = 0.007]. APACHEⅡ score showed a positive correlation trend with 30-day ICU readmission ( OR = 1.057, 95% CI was 0.991-1.127, P = 0.092). ROC curve analysis showed that the combined prediction model incorporating RFS and APACHEⅡ score had an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.766 (95% CI was 0.668-0.864), with a sensitivity of 88.0% and a specificity of 62.0%, which was significantly superior to a single indicator (the AUC of RFS and APACHEⅡ score was 0.639 and 0.624, respectively). Conclusions:RFS significantly increases the risk of 30-day ICU readmission in critically ill patients. A combined model incorporating RFS and APACHEⅡ score demonstrates good predictive efficacy for 30-day ICU readmission in critically ill patients.

Purpose To explore the expression level of let-7b-5p in glioma and its effects and potential mecha-nisms on U251 cell growth.Methods The expression of let-7b-5p in glioma was detected using qRT-PCR.Data from the CGGA database were analyzed to examine the relationship between the let-7b-5p expression levels,WHO grade and overall survival rates of glioma patients.Transient transfection was used to downregulate the expression of let-7b-5p and IGF1R in U251 cells.The role and potential mechanism of let-7b-5p in the U251 cell were evaluated using qRT-PCR,CCK8 assays,clone formation assays,Western blotting,and double luciferase reporter assays.Results The expres-sion of let-7b-5p in glioma cells(A172:3.64±0.64,V251:4.56±0.52,U87-MG:3.31±0.50)and tissues(2.18±0.22)was significantly higher than that in astrocytes(HMC3:1.00±0.21,P＜0.05 or P＜0.01)and nor-mal brain tissues(1.01±0.19,P＜0.05).Let-7b-5p expression was negatively correlated with WHO grades but pos-itively correlated with survival rates in primary and recurrent glioma patients(P＜0.000 1 and P=0.028,respective-ly).Knockdown of let-7b-5p in U251 cells significantly promoted the growth of glioma cells(CCK8:knockdown group 126.00±12.09 vs miR-NC group 90.93±5.13,P＜0.05)and activated PI3K/AKT signal pathway.Suppressing IGF1R expression in U251 cells reversed the effects of let-7b-5p knockdown on glioma cell growth[CCK8:let-7b-5p knockdown+IGF1R knockdown group(92.08±6.14)vs let-7b-5p knockdown+sh-NC group(116.67.08±8.50)]and PI3K/AKT signal pathway activation.Conclusion Let-7b-5p functions as a tumor suppressor gene in glioma.It may regulate glioma cell growth by targeting IGF1R and modulating PI3K/AKT signal pathway.

Objective:To investigate the predictive value of refeeding syndrome (RFS) and its influencing factors for 30-day intensive care unit (ICU) readmission in critically ill patients.Methods:A prospective cohort study was conducted. Critically ill patients admitted to the department of critical care medicine, department of respiratory and critical care medicine, and department of neurology at Tianjin Medical University General Hospital from January to April in 2025 were enrolled. Patients were assessed for RFS according to the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) criteria. General information within 24 hours of ICU admission was collected via the electronic medical record system. Treatment details and 30-day ICU readmission status were dynamically recorded. Participants were divided into readmission and non-readmission groups based on whether ICU readmission occurred within 30 days. Intergroup comparisons were performed to identify differences. Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between RFS and its influencing factors with 30-day ICU readmission. Receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC curve) was plotted to evaluate the predictive performance of risk factors.Results:A total of 196 critically ill patients were enrolled, among whom 25 (12.76%) were readmitted to ICU within 30 days and 171 (87.24%) were not. Significant differences were observed in the readmission group compared with the non-readmission group, including significantly higher rates of nasogastric decompression, higher acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ (APACHEⅡ) score, a higher incidence of RFS, and a longer duration of nasogastric decompression. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that RFS was an independent risk factor for 30-day ICU readmission [odds ratio ( OR) = 5.756, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was 1.603-20.670, P = 0.007]. APACHEⅡ score showed a positive correlation trend with 30-day ICU readmission ( OR = 1.057, 95% CI was 0.991-1.127, P = 0.092). ROC curve analysis showed that the combined prediction model incorporating RFS and APACHEⅡ score had an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.766 (95% CI was 0.668-0.864), with a sensitivity of 88.0% and a specificity of 62.0%, which was significantly superior to a single indicator (the AUC of RFS and APACHEⅡ score was 0.639 and 0.624, respectively). Conclusions:RFS significantly increases the risk of 30-day ICU readmission in critically ill patients. A combined model incorporating RFS and APACHEⅡ score demonstrates good predictive efficacy for 30-day ICU readmission in critically ill patients.

Astrocytes and microglia engage in extensive and complex communication and mutual effect, which referrs to microglia-astrocyte crosstalk. Recent studies have highlighted that this crosstalk plays a pivotal role in neurodegenerative diseases, exerting either protective or detrimental effects. This review briefly introduces the molecular mechanism of microglia-astrocyte crosstalk and its research progress in Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Parkinson's disease, aiming to provide new research directions and therapeutic targets for clinical improvement of neurodegenerative diseases from perspective of microglia-astrocyte crosstalk.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of astragaloside Ⅳ(AST)on the injury of arterial endothelial tissue in rats with intracranial aneurysms(IA),and to explore its mechanism of action based on the nuclear factor κB(NF-κB)/nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing protein 3(NLRP3)signaling pathway.METHODS Rats were divided into Sham group(intragastric administration and intraperitoneal injection of the same volume of normal saline),IA group(intragastric administration and intraperitoneal injection of the same volume of normal saline),AST low-dose group(AST-L group,intragastric administration of 40 mg/kg AST),AST high-dose group(AST-H group,intragastric administration of 80 mg/kg AST),AST-H+HY-N2485 group[intragastric administration of 80 mg/kg AST and intraperitoneal injection of 25 mg/kg HY-N2485(activator of NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway)].They were given relevant medicine,once a day,for 8 consecutive weeks.After last medication,the levels of inflammatory factors[serum tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin-18(IL-18),IL-6]and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)and endothelin(ET)were detected;the morphology of IA was observed;the expressions of von Willebrand factor(vWF),vascular cell adhesion molecule-1(VCAM-1),endothelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS),and NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway related proteins in vascular tissue were also determined.RESULTS Compared with the Sham group,the basilar arterial ring of rats in the IA group had obvious protrusions,and the arterial vascular endothelial cells were significantly damaged.The levels of inflammatory factors,VEGF and ET in serum,as well as the expression levels of vWF,VCAM-1 and NLRP3 proteins and the phosphorylation level of NF-κB protein in vascular tissues were increased significantly(P＜0.05).Aneurysms and ruptures of the internal elastic layer were significantly increased(P＜0.05),while the expression level of eNOS protein was significantly decreased(P＜0.05).Compared with IA group,the morphology of IA and the levels of above indexes were all improved significantly in AST-L and AST-H groups(P＜0.05),and the improvement in the AST-H group was more significant than that in the AST-L group(P＜0.05);HY-N2485 could attenuate the improvement effect of AST on vascular endothelial tissue damage in IA rats(P＜0.05).CONCLUSIONS AST may inhibit the expression of inflammatory factors,alleviate inflammation and vascular endothelial tissue damage in IA rats by inhibiting NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway,thereby inhibiting the formation of IA.

Objective:To investigate and analysis of the occurrence and influencing factors of sarcopenia in elderly critically ill patients in the intensive care unit (ICU).Methods:A prospective cohort study was conducted. Elderly patients (aged ≥ 60 years) admitted to the ICU of Tianjin Medical University General Hospital from November 2023 to June 2024 were enrolled. Clinical records were collected, and conduct muscle mass and strength measurements, as well as upper arm circumference and calf circumference were measured. Appendicular skeletal muscle index (ASMI) of less than 7.0 kg/m 2 for males and less than 5.7 kg/m 2 for females was defined as reduced muscle mass, grip strength of less than 28 kg for males and less than 18 kg for females was defined as decreased muscle strength, patients meeting both low muscle mass and low muscle strength criteria were diagnosed with sarcopenia. According to the diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia, patients were divided into sarcopenia group and non-sarcopenia group. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was applied to identify risk factors for sarcopenia in the elderly and to develop a predictive model for the occurrence of sarcopenia. The predictive value of various risk factors for sarcopenia in elderly critically ill patients were evaluated by receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC curve). The Kaplan-Meier curve for the length of ICU stay of two groups patients were drawn. Results:Finally, 540 elderly critically ill patients were included, including 43 patients with sarcopenia, and the incidence of sarcopenia was 8.0%. Univariate analysis showed that there were significantly differences in body mass index (BMI), number of hospitalizations in the past year, the length of ICU stay, ventilation mode, duration of mechanical ventilation, pre-admission exercise habits, nutritional support methods, upper arm circumference, calf circumference, and albumin infusion between the sarcopenia group and the non-sarcopenia group. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that BMI [odds ratio ( OR) = 0.79, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was 0.67-0.93, P = 0.004], calf circumference ( OR = 0.64, 95% CI was 0.54-0.76, P < 0.001), and duration of mechanical ventilation ( OR = 1.06, 95% CI was 1.01-1.12, P = 0.034) were associated with an increased risk of sarcopenia in elderly critically ill patients. The ROC curve results showed that the area under the curve (AUC) and 95% CI of BMI, calf circumference, and duration of mechanical ventilation for predicting sarcopenia in elderly critically ill patients were 0.828 (0.767-0.888), 0.889 (0.844-0.933), and 0.397 (0.299-0.496), respectively, with cut-off values of 22.95 kg/m 2, 28.25 cm, and 50.50 days, respectively. The Kaplan-Meier curve showed that the cumulative survival rate of patients with sarcopenia was significantly lower than that of the non-sarcopenia group (Log-Rank test: χ 2 = 5.619, P = 0.018). Conclusion:Lower BMI, smaller calf circumference, and longer duration of mechanical ventilation are associated with an increased risk of sarcopenia in critically ill elderly patients.