Objective To understand the status of body image disturbance and its influencing factors in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), so as to provide a scientific basis for the clinical management of AS. Methods A total of 353 AS patients admitted from January 2022 to December 2024 were selected as research subjects. Chinese version of Body Image Disturbance Questionnaire (BIDQ) was used to investigate the body image disturbance in AS patients. Single factor analysis was performed by t test and analysis of variance, and multiple factors were analyzed by multivariate linear regression. Results The total score of BIDQ in 342 AS patients was (25.01±4.22). Multivariate linear regression analysis results showed that self-paid medical expense, nighttime VAS score and negative emotion PANAS score could positively predict body image disturbance in AS patients (standardized regression coefficient=0.413, 0.413, 0.460, P<0.05), and PSSS score, positive emotion PANAS score and exercise management CDSSM score could negatively predict body image disturbance (standardized regression coefficient=-0.245, -0.134, -0.247, P<0.05). Conclusion The body image disturbance in AS patients is worthy of clinical attention. Nighttime pain, negative emotion and self-paid medical treatment can increase the risk of body image disturbance. Positive emotion, social support and high self-management level of exercise behavior can reduce the formation of body image disturbance, which can provide new ideas for clinical management of AS patients.

Mutations in the IARS1 gene are rare in clinical practice， and up to now， only ten cases with detailed clinical and genetic data have been recorded in the literature. This article reports a case of growth retardation， intellectual developmental disorder， hypotonia， and hepatopathy （GRIDHH） associated with single heterozygous mutations in the IARS1 gene and summarizes the clinical and genetic features of GRIDHH， thereby expanding the genetic spectrum of GRIDHH.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism by which modified Shengjiangsan （MSJS） improves diabetic kidney disease （DKD） by activating mitochondrial autophagy. MethodsSixty SPF-grade male Sprague-Dawley rats aged 7-8 weeks were selected. A DKD model was established using a high-sugar， high-fat diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin （STZ）. After successful modeling， the rats were randomly divided into six groups： a normal control group， a model group， low-， medium-， and high-dose MSJS groups （7.7， 15.4， 30.8 g·kg^-1， respectively）， and an irbesartan group （0.384 g·kg^-1）. Each group received either normal saline or the corresponding drug by gavage once daily for 28 consecutive days. Blood glucose， body weight， and kidney weight were recorded. Serum creatinine （SCr） and blood urea nitrogen （BUN） levels were detected using an automatic blood analyzer. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to determine urinary microalbumin （mALB）， and serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， and interleukin-6 （IL-6）. Histopathological changes in renal tissues were observed using hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining， periodic acid-Schiff （PAS） staining， and transmission electron microscopy （TEM）. The expression levels of mitochondrial autophagy-related proteins in renal tissues were analyzed by Western blot. Immunofluorescence co-localization was employed to detect the co-expression of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 beta （LC3B） and cytochrome c oxidase subunit Ⅳ （COX Ⅳ）. ResultsCompared with the normal control group， the model group exhibited significant increases in renal index， blood glucose， and 24-hour urinary microalbumin （24 h mALB） （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The levels of serum SCr and BUN were significantly elevated （P<0.01）， and the serum levels of TNF-α， IL-1β， and IL-6 were markedly upregulated （P<0.01）. Histopathological examination revealed glomerular hypertrophy， mesangial expansion and increased deposition， podocyte foot process flattening and fusion， a decreased number of autophagosomes accompanied by mitochondrial swelling， vacuolar degeneration of renal tubular epithelial cells， and inflammatory cell infiltration in the renal interstitium. The expression levels of autophagy-related proteins LC3B， PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 （PINK1）， and E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase （Parkin） were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while expression of the selective autophagy adaptor protein p62 was significantly increased （P<0.01）. Immunofluorescence signal intensity and LC3B-COX Ⅳ co-expression were both diminished. Compared with the model group， the MSJS treatment groups and the irbesartan group showed significant reductions in renal index， blood glucose， and 24 h mALB （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The serum SCr and BUN levels decreased significantly （P<0.05） and TNF-α， IL-1β， and IL-6 levels were significantly downregulated （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Histopathological damage was alleviated， including reduced glomerular hypertrophy， decreased mesangial deposition， and attenuated podocyte foot process fusion. The number of autophagosomes increased， and mitochondrial swelling was improved. The expression levels of LC3B， PINK1， and Parkin in renal tissues were significantly upregulated， whereas p62 expression was significantly downregulated （P<0.05， P<0.01） in MSJS groups. Immunofluorescence signal intensity was enhanced， and LC3B-COX Ⅳ co-expression was increased. ConclusionMSJS alleviates the inflammatory response in DKD rats and exerts renal protective effects by regulating the PINK1/Parkin signaling pathway and activating mitochondrial autophagy.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism by which modified Shengjiangsan （MSJS） improves diabetic kidney disease （DKD） by activating mitochondrial autophagy. MethodsSixty SPF-grade male Sprague-Dawley rats aged 7-8 weeks were selected. A DKD model was established using a high-sugar， high-fat diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin （STZ）. After successful modeling， the rats were randomly divided into six groups： a normal control group， a model group， low-， medium-， and high-dose MSJS groups （7.7， 15.4， 30.8 g·kg^-1， respectively）， and an irbesartan group （0.384 g·kg^-1）. Each group received either normal saline or the corresponding drug by gavage once daily for 28 consecutive days. Blood glucose， body weight， and kidney weight were recorded. Serum creatinine （SCr） and blood urea nitrogen （BUN） levels were detected using an automatic blood analyzer. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to determine urinary microalbumin （mALB）， and serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， and interleukin-6 （IL-6）. Histopathological changes in renal tissues were observed using hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining， periodic acid-Schiff （PAS） staining， and transmission electron microscopy （TEM）. The expression levels of mitochondrial autophagy-related proteins in renal tissues were analyzed by Western blot. Immunofluorescence co-localization was employed to detect the co-expression of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 beta （LC3B） and cytochrome c oxidase subunit Ⅳ （COX Ⅳ）. ResultsCompared with the normal control group， the model group exhibited significant increases in renal index， blood glucose， and 24-hour urinary microalbumin （24 h mALB） （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The levels of serum SCr and BUN were significantly elevated （P<0.01）， and the serum levels of TNF-α， IL-1β， and IL-6 were markedly upregulated （P<0.01）. Histopathological examination revealed glomerular hypertrophy， mesangial expansion and increased deposition， podocyte foot process flattening and fusion， a decreased number of autophagosomes accompanied by mitochondrial swelling， vacuolar degeneration of renal tubular epithelial cells， and inflammatory cell infiltration in the renal interstitium. The expression levels of autophagy-related proteins LC3B， PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 （PINK1）， and E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase （Parkin） were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while expression of the selective autophagy adaptor protein p62 was significantly increased （P<0.01）. Immunofluorescence signal intensity and LC3B-COX Ⅳ co-expression were both diminished. Compared with the model group， the MSJS treatment groups and the irbesartan group showed significant reductions in renal index， blood glucose， and 24 h mALB （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The serum SCr and BUN levels decreased significantly （P<0.05） and TNF-α， IL-1β， and IL-6 levels were significantly downregulated （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Histopathological damage was alleviated， including reduced glomerular hypertrophy， decreased mesangial deposition， and attenuated podocyte foot process fusion. The number of autophagosomes increased， and mitochondrial swelling was improved. The expression levels of LC3B， PINK1， and Parkin in renal tissues were significantly upregulated， whereas p62 expression was significantly downregulated （P<0.05， P<0.01） in MSJS groups. Immunofluorescence signal intensity was enhanced， and LC3B-COX Ⅳ co-expression was increased. ConclusionMSJS alleviates the inflammatory response in DKD rats and exerts renal protective effects by regulating the PINK1/Parkin signaling pathway and activating mitochondrial autophagy.

OBJECTIVE To study the effects of peripheral blood-derived exosomes （Exo） intervened by Naozhenning （NZN） on injury of neuron cells HT22 induced by microglia BV-2 cells. METHODS Wistar rats were selected to prepare peripheral blood- derived Exo intervened by NZN （66.83 g/kg）， referred to as NZN-Exo； peripheral blood-derived Exo intervened by normal saline and piracetam （PLXT， 1.62 g/kg） were prepared using the same method， denoted as KB-Exo and PLXT-Exo respectively， and all Exo were subsequently identified. Meanwhile， BV-2 cells were stimulated with 1 μg/mL lipopolysaccharide （LPS） to prepare LPS- stimulated supernatant， and non-LPS-stimulated supernatant was prepared following the same protocol. HT22 cells were divided into four groups: KB-Exo group （treated with non-LPS-stimulated supernatant+KB-Exo）， model group （treated with LPS-stimulated supernatant+KB-Exo）， PLXT-Exo group （treated with LPS-stimulated supernatant+PLXT-Exo）， and NZN-Exo group （treated with LPS-stimulated supernatant+NZN-Exo）， with the concentration of the corresponding Exo in all groups being 50 μg/mL. After 24 hours of culture， the proliferation of HT22 cells was detected by the CCK-8 assay and EdU assay； the apoptosis of HT22 cells was detected； the microstructure of HT22 cells was observed； the contents of interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， IL-10， nuclear factor-κB （NF- κB）， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in HT22 cells were measured， as well as the expression levels of TNF-α， NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 （NLRP3）， Caspase-1， B-cell lymphoma-2（ Bcl-2）， and Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax）. RESULTS KB-Exo， PLXT-Exo and NZN-Exo were successfully prepared， and all Exo exhibited typical cup-shaped contours and membrane-enclosed characteristics. Compared with KB-Exo group， model group showed significantly decreased cell proliferation rates （detected by CCK-8 and EdU）， intracellular IL-10 levels， and Bcl-2 protein expression levels （P＜0.05）； while the cell apoptosis rate， intracellular levels of IL-1β， TNF-α， and NF-κB， as well as the expression levels of NLRP3， TNF-α， Caspase-1， and Bax proteins were significantly increased （P＜0.05）. Additionally， in the model group， the cells showed volume swelling， incomplete cell membrane， nucleolar rupture， significant swelling and deformation of mitochondria， and severe vacuolization. Compared with model group， the above quantitative indicators in the PLXT-Exo group and NZN-Exo group were significantly reversed （P＜0.05）， with large and round cell nuclei， intact nuclear membranes， and reduced mitochondrial vacuolization. CONCLUSIONS Peripheral blood-derived Exo intervened by naozhenning can alleviate the injury of neuronal cells HT22 by inhibiting inflammatory responses and cell apoptosis.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of moxibustion at "Xinshu" (BL15) and "Feishu" (BL13) on myocardial transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1), ferroptosis suppressor protein 1 (FSP1), atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), and typeⅠcollagen myocardial collagen fibers (CollagenⅠ) in rats with chronic heart failure (CHF), and to explore the mechanism of moxibustion for ameliorating myocardial fibrosis and improving cardiac function in CHF. METHODS: Fifty SD rats were randomly divided into a normal group (n=10) and a modeling group (n=40). The CHF model was established in the modeling group by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery. After successful modeling, the rats were randomly divided into a model group (n=9), a moxibustion group (n=8), a rapamycin (RAPA) group (n=9), and a moxibustion+RAPA group (n=9). In the moxibustion group, moxibustion was delivered at bilateral "Feishu"(BL13) and "Xinshu" (BL15), 15 min at each point in each intervention, once daily, for 4 consecutive weeks. In the RAPA group, RAPA solution was administered intraperitoneally at a dose of 1 mg/kg, once daily for 4 consecutive weeks. In the moxibustion+RAPA group, RAPA solution was administered intraperitoneally after moxibustion. Ejection fraction (EF) and left ventricular fractional shortening (FS) were measured after modeling and intervention. After intervention, morphology of cardiac muscle was observed using HE staining and Masson's trichrome staining. Total iron content in myocardial tissue was detected using a colorimetric method. Western blot and qPCR were adopted to detect the protein and mRNA expression of TfR1, FSP1, ANP, and CollagenⅠ in myocardial tissue. RESULTS: Compared with the normal group, the EF and FS values decreased (P<0.01); necrosis, edema, degeneration, and arrangement disorder were presented in cardiomyocytes; inflammatory cells were obviously infiltrated, the structure of myocardial fibers was disarranged, the collagen fibers were obviously deposited and fibrosis increased (P<0.01); the total iron content and the protein and mRNA expression of TfR1, ANP, and CollagenⅠ in myocardial tissue were elevated (P<0.01), while the protein and mRNA expression of FSP1 were reduced (P<0.01) in the model group. Compared with the model group, the moxibustion group showed that EF and FS increased (P<0.01); myocardial cell morphology was improved, and myocardial fibrosis was alleviated (P<0.01); the total iron content and the protein and mRNA expression of TfR1, ANP, and CollagenⅠ in myocardial tissue decreased (P<0.01), while the protein and mRNA expression of FSP1 increased (P<0.01, P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the myocardial fibrosis was increased (P<0.05); the total iron content and the protein and mRNA expression of TfR1, ANP, CollagenⅠ in myocardial tissue were increased (P<0.01), while protein and mRNA expression of FSP1 decreased (P<0.01) in the RAPA group. When compared with the RAPA group and the moxibustion + RAPA group, EF and FS were elevated (P<0.01, P<0.05); myocardial cells were improved in morphology, the total iron content and the protein and mRNA expression of TfR1, ANP, and CollagenⅠ in myocardial tissue decreased (P<0.01), while protein and mRNA expression of FSP1 increased (P<0.01) in the moxibustion group. In comparison with the moxibustion + RAPA group, the RAPA group showed the decrease in EF and FS (P<0.01), the worsened myocardial fibrosis (P<0.01), the increase in the total iron content and the protein and mRNA expression of TfR1, ANP, and CollagenⅠ in myocardial tissue (P<0.01), and the decrease in the protein and mRNA expression of FSP1 (P<0.01). CONCLUSION Moxibustion at "Feishu" (BL13) and "Xinshu" (BL15) can slow down the process of myocardial fibrosis and improve cardiac function in CHF rats. The mechanism of moxibustion may be related to inhibiting ferroptosis through regulating autophagy.
Animals ; Rats ; Heart Failure/physiopathology* ; Moxibustion ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Male ; Receptors, Transferrin/genetics* ; Myocardium/metabolism* ; Acupuncture Points ; Humans ; Chronic Disease/therapy* ; Antigens, CD/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of moxibustion at "Feishu" (BL13) and "Xinshu" (BL15) on the circular RNA of exon 2-5 of the Pan3 gene (circPAN3), forkhead box O3 (FOXO3), and Bcl-2/adenovirus E1B19kDa-interacting protein 3 (BNIP3) in rats with chronic heart failure (CHF), and explore the potential mechanisms of moxibustion in alleviating myocardial fibrosis. METHODS: Ten rats of 60 male SPF-grade SD rats were randomly assigned into a normal group. The remaining rats underwent left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) ligation to establish the CHF model. Forty successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into a model group, a moxibustion group, a rapamycin (RAPA) group, and a moxibustion+RAPA group, with 10 rats in each group. The moxibustion group received mild moxibustion at bilateral "Feishu" (BL13) and "Xinshu" (BL15), 30 min per session. The RAPA group received intraperitoneal injection of the autophagy activator RAPA (1 mg/kg). The moxibustion+RAPA group first received RAPA injection, followed by mild moxibustion at bilateral "Feishu" (BL13) and "Xinshu" (BL15). All interventions were administered once daily for 4 consecutive weeks. After the intervention, cardiac ultrasound was used to measure ejection fraction (EF) and left ventricular fractional shortening (FS). Serum placental growth factor (PLGF) level was determined by ELISA. Myocardial tissue morphology and collagen volume were assessed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Masson's trichrome staining. The expression levels of circPAN3, FOXO3, and BNIP3 mRNA in myocardial tissue were detected by real-time PCR, while FOXO3 and BNIP3 protein expression levels were analyzed by Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with the normal group, the model group exhibited myocardial cell disorder, severe fibrosis, and increased collagen volume (P<0.01), along with significantly decreased EF, FS, and circPAN3 mRNA expression in myocardial tissue (P<0.01), and the serum PLGF level, as well as FOXO3 and BNIP3 mRNA and protein expression in myocardial tissue were increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the moxibustion group showed reduced myocardial fibrosis, decreased collagen volume (P<0.01), increased EF, FS, and circPAN3 mRNA expression in myocardial tissue (P<0.01), and decreased serum PLGF level as well as FOXO3 and BNIP3 mRNA and protein expression in myocardial tissue (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the RAPA group showed further deterioration in these parameters (P<0.01). Compared with the RAPA group, the moxibustion+RAPA group exhibited alleviation of myocardial fibrosis, reduced collagen volume (P<0.01), increased EF, FS, and circPAN3 mRNA expression in myocardial tissue (P<0.01), and decreased serum PLGF level as well as FOXO3 and BNIP3 mRNA and protein expression in myocardial tissue (P<0.01). CONCLUSION Moxibustion could alleviate myocardial fibrosis in CHF rats, possibly through upregulation of myocardial circPAN3 expression, downregulation of FOXO3 and BNIP3 expression, and inhibition of excessive myocardial autophagy.
Animals ; Moxibustion ; Heart Failure/metabolism* ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Myocardium/pathology* ; RNA, Circular/metabolism* ; Membrane Proteins/metabolism* ; Forkhead Box Protein O3/metabolism* ; Acupuncture Points ; Humans ; Fibrosis/genetics* ; Chronic Disease/therapy* ; Mitochondrial Proteins

Lymph node metastasis (LNM) is a crucial risk factor influencing an unfavorable prognosis in specific cancers. Fundamental research illuminates our understanding of tumor behavior and identifies valuable therapeutic targets. Nevertheless, the exploration of fundamental theories and the validation of clinical therapies hinge on preclinical experiments. Preclinical models, in this context, serve as the conduit connecting fundamental theories to clinical outcomes. In vivo models established in animals offer a valuable platform for comprehensively observing interactions between tumor cells and organisms. Using various experimental animals, including mice, diverse methods, such as carcinogen-induced tumorigenesis, tumor cell line or human tumor transplantation, genetic engineering, and humanization, have been used effectively to construct numerous models for tumor LNM. Carcinogen-induced models simulate the entire process of tumorigenesis and metastasis. Transplantation models, using human tumor cell lines or patient-derived tumors, offer a research platform closely mirroring the histology and clinical behavior of human tumors. Genetically engineered models have been used to delve into the mechanisms of primary tumorigenesis within an intact microenvironment. Humanized models are used to overcome barriers between human and murine immune systems. Beyond mouse models, various other animal models have unique advantages and limitations, all contributing to exploring LNM. This review summarizes existing in vitro and animal preclinical models, identifies current bottlenecks in preclinical research, and offers an outlook on forthcoming preclinical models.
Animals ; Humans ; Mice ; Lymphatic Metastasis/pathology* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Cell Line, Tumor

Temporal lobe epilepsy(TLE)is the most common form of focal epilepsy in adults,characterized by spontaneous recurrent seizures,with most patients experiencing drug resistance and cognitive dysfunction.MicroRNAs(miRNAs)play a critical role in the pathological process of TLE through their regulation of post-transcriptional gene expression.The pathogenesis of TLE has not been fully elucidated,lacking effective clinical therapeutic targets and prognostic markers.This review sum-marized the expression changes of miRNAs in TLE and their research progress as potential biomarkers,aiming to provide new insights into the early diagnosis,prognosis evaluation,and pathogenic mecha-nisms of TLE.