ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Huanglian Jiedutang （HLJDT） on cognitive function in mice with ischemic stroke （IS） and to elucidate whether its neuroprotective effects are mediated by inhibition of the nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） signaling pathway and subsequent suppression of NF-κB-regulated neuronal apoptosis. MethodsAn IS model was established using middle cerebral artery occlusion （MCAO）. Sixty C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to five groups （n =12 per group）， i.e.， sham operation， model， HLJDT low-dose （3.9 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， HLJDT high-dose （7.8 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， and Ginkgo biloba extract （GBE， 31.2 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）. Post-operatively， neurological deficit scores （Longa score）， cerebral infarct volume assessed by 2，3，5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride （TTC） staining， and brain water content were evaluated. Learning and memory were assessed using new object recognition （NOR） and fear conditioning （FC） tests. Hippocampal pathology was examined via hematoxylin and eosin （HE） staining. Immunofluorescence detected expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein （GFAP， astrocyte marker）， cellular oncogene Fos （c-Fos， neuronal activation marker）， and glutamate decarboxylase 65 （GAD65）. Western blot measured nuclear factor-κB inhibitor protein α （IκBα）， phosphorylated IκBα （p-IκBα）， NF-κB p65， phosphorylated NF-κB p65 （p-NF-κB p65）， ionic calcium binding adapter molecule 1 （Iba-1）， tumor necrosis factor （TNF）-α， interleukin （IL）-1β， and apoptosis-related proteins， such as cleaved cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease 3 （Caspase-3）， B-cell lymphoma 2 （Bcl-2）， and Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax）. Real-time quantitative PCR （Real-time PCR） was used to assess mRNA levels of Iba-1， TNF-α， IL-1β， NF-κB p65， cleaved Caspase-3， Bax， and Bcl-2. ResultsCompared with the sham group， the model group exhibited significantly increased neurological deficit scores， brain water content， and cerebral infarct volume （P<0.01）. Hippocampal CA1 neurons were disorganized， showing nuclear pyknosis and karyolysis. NOR exploration time and FC freezing time were significantly reduced （P<0.01）. GFAP and c-Fos expression were increased， while GAD65 expression was decreased （P<0.01）. Cleaved Caspase-3 and Bax were upregulated， Bcl-2 was downregulated， and the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio was elevated （P<0.01）. Expression levels of p-IκBα， p-NF-κB p65， IL-1β， TNF-α， and Iba-1 were significantly increased （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， HLJDT high-dose， low-dose， and GBE groups showed significant improvements in all parameters （P<0.01）. Among them， the HLJDT high-dose group showed the most pronounced neuronal structural recovery and superior performance in NOR and FC tests （P<0.01）. In this group， GFAP and c-Fos decreased， GAD65 increased （P<0.01）， apoptosis-related protein expression was reversed， and NF-κB signaling and related inflammatory factor expression were suppressed （P<0.01）. ConclusionHLJDT ameliorates cognitive dysfunction in mice after IS， potentially by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway， thereby reducing neuroinflammation and hippocampal neuronal apoptosis.

Diabetic cataract, a prevalent ocular complication of diabetes mellitus, arises from a complex interplay of pathological mechanisms, with oxidative stress and glycation stress playing central roles. Autophagy, a critical cellular self-protection mechanism, sustains intracellular homeostasis by selectively degrading damaged organelles and misfolded proteins, thereby counteracting the detrimental effects of oxidative and glycation stress under hyperglycemic conditions. Emerging evidence indicates a synergistic interaction between glycation stress and oxidative stress, which may exacerbate autophagic dysfunction and accelerate the onset and progression of diabetic cataract. However, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying this relationship remain incompletely understood. This review systematically examines the regulatory role of autophagy inthe pathogenesis of diabetic cataract, with a particular focus on how autophagic impairment influences disease progression under the combined effects of glycation and oxidative stress. By elucidating these mechanisms, the paper aims to provide novel insights into molecular diagnostic approaches and targeted therapeutic strategies for diabetic cataract.

Objective To investigate the role and mechanism of RNA-Specific adenosine deaminase 3 (Adar3) in regulating macrophage polarization during Coxsackievirus B3(CVB3)-induced viral myocarditis (VM). Methods Bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM) from mice were cultured in vitro and induced into M1/M2 macrophages using interferon-gamma (IFN-γ)/lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or interleukin 4 (IL-4), respectively. The mRNA expression levels of Adar1, Adar2, and Adar3 in each group of cells were assessed by real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR). Specific siRNAs targeting the Adar3 gene were designed, synthesized, and transiently transfected into M2 macrophages. The mRNA levels of M2 polarization-related marker genes-including arginase 1 (Arg1), chitinase 3-like molecule 3 (YM1/Chi3l3), and resistin-like molecule alpha (RELMα/FIZZ1)-were detected by qRT-PCR. RNA sequencing was performed to analyze the signaling pathways affected by Adar3. The expression levels of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway were further validated using qRT-PCR and Western blot. The adeno-associated virus overexpressing Adar3 was designed, synthesized, and injected into mice via tail vein. Three weeks later, a myocarditis mouse model was established. After an additional week, the phenotype and function of cardiac macrophages, as well as multiple indicators of VM (including echocardiography, body weight, histopathology and serology) were examined. Additionally, the protein levels of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway were assessed. Results Compared to M0-type macrophages, the expression level of Adar3 was significantly increased in M2-type macrophages. After transfection of Adar3 siRNA, the mRNA levels of Arg1, YM1 and FIZZ1 in M2 macrophages were downregulated. RNA sequencing revealed 149 upregulated genes and 349 downregulated genes. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis and subsequent validation experiments indicated that Adar3 modulated the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. In vivo experiments demonstrated that Adar3 overexpression alleviated the cardiac dysfunction of VM mice. The proportion of M1 macrophages in the heart decreased, while the proportion of M2 macrophages increased. At the same time, the Adar3 overexpression activated the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Conclusion Adar3 promotes macrophage polarization toward the M2 phenotype by activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, thereby alleviating VM.
Animals ; Adenosine Deaminase/metabolism* ; Macrophages/immunology* ; Wnt Signaling Pathway/genetics* ; Myocarditis/immunology* ; Mice ; Coxsackievirus Infections/metabolism* ; Male ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Enterovirus B, Human/physiology* ; beta Catenin/genetics*

Most cancers are currently incurable, partly due to abnormal post-translational modifications (PTMs). In this study, we initially used multiple myeloma (MM) as a working model and found that SUMOylation activating enzyme subunit 1 (SAE1) promotes the malignancy of MM. Through proteome microarray analysis, SAE1 was identified as a potential target for bioactive colcemid or its derivative colchicine. Elevated levels of SAE1 were associated with poor clinical survival and increased MM proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, SAE1 directly SUMOylated and upregulated the total protein expression of p27, leading to LLPS-mediated nuclear export of p27. Our study also demonstrated the involvement of SAE1 in other types of cancer cells, and provided the first monomer crystal structure of SAE1 and its key binding model with colchicine. Colchicine also showed promising results in the Patient-Derived Tumor Xenograft (PDX) model. Furthermore, a controlled clinical trial with 56 MM patients demonstrated the clinical efficacy of colchicine. Our findings reveal a novel mechanism by which tumor cells evade p27-induced cellular growth arrest through p27 SUMOylation-mediated nuclear export. SAE1 may serve as a promising therapeutic target, and colchicine may be a potential treatment option for multiple types of cancer in clinical settings.

Objective:To investigate the clinical features and prognostic factors of pediatric patients with acute hyperleukocytic leukemia (AHL).Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted. The clinical data of 99 pediatric patients diagnosed with AHL who admitted to the Affiliated Huai'an No.1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University between May 2015 and November 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The enrolled children were grouped based on the following factors including gender, age, initial white blood cell count (WBC), initial lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), whether tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) occurred, immunophenotype, fusion gene, whether complete remission (CR) was achieved on the 19th day (D19) after transplantation, and whether CR was achieved on the 46th day (D46) after transplantation. All the patients were treated with the chemotherapy regimen of Shanghai Children's Medical Center - Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia - 2015 (SCMC-ALL-2015). Flow cytometry was used to monitor the minimal residual disease (MRD); fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was used to screen out the mutant genes. The median follow-up time was 47 months. The Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis, and the log-rank test was used for intergroup comparisons. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to screen out the the prognostic factors.Results:Among 99 AHL patients, there were 65 males and 35 females; the median age was 7.71 (3.32, 11.20) years. At the initial diagnosis, 48 cases had WBC≤100×10 9/L, and 51 cases had WBC>100×10 9/L; 36 cases had LDH ≤ 2 000 U/L, and 63 cases had LDH > 2 000 U/L; 3 cases had TLS, 5 cases had MLL::AF4 positive, 7 cases had BCR::ABL positive, 7 cases had E2APBX1 positive, and 10 cases had TEL::AML1 positive; 28 cases were acute T-cell lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), and 71 cases were acute B-cell lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). At D19, 74 cases achieved bone marrow CR; at D46, 82 cases achieved bone marrow CR; 3-year and 5-year OS rates were 74.5% and 71.3%, respectively. During the follow-up, 14 cases relapsed and 15 died, including 12 dying of relapse, 2 dying of infection and 1 case dying of pulmonary graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). There were statistically significant differences in the 3-year OS rate in patients with different age, initial WBC, initial LDH, immunophenotyping, whether bone marrow CR at D19 was achieved, whether MRD at D19 occurred, whether bone marrow CR at D46 was achieved, whether MRD at D46 occurred, the presence of TLS, MLL::AF4 positive and TEL::AML1 positive (all P < 0.05). Furthermore, multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that LDH(>2 000 U/L), MLL::AF4 positive, T immunophenotyping, relapse, not achieving bone marrow CR at D19, not achieving bone marrow CR at D46, and MRD positive at D46 were independent risk factors influencing 3-year OS rate (all P < 0.05). Conclusions:Pediatric patients with AHL have high tumor burden at early stage, and TLS may cause death. Patients treated with the SCMC-ALL-2015 protocol can achieve favorable therapeutic effects and prognosis. LDH, MLL::AF4, immunophenotyping and relapse are prognostic factors.

Objective Based on Network pharmacology to explore the mechanism of Compound Danshen Dripping Pills in treating Psycho-cardiological disease.Methods To obtain the validated targets of the complete formulation of Compound Danshen Dripping Pills,data were sourced from databases including China National Knowledge Infrastructure,Wanfang,VIP,and PubMed.Additionally,genes associated with Psycho-cardiological disease were retrieved from the Genecards database.Utilizing the Digital Intelligence Traditional Chinese Medicine Innovation Platform,network proximity was calculated for the obtained targets and genes.The potential targets of Compound Danshen Dripping Pills in the treatment of Psycho-cardiological disease conduct enrichment analysis,trace the source of medicinal materials and effective components absorbed into the blood.Results Obtained 192 targets for the Compound Danshen Dripping Pills,1137 genes for Psycho-cardiological disease,and the network proximity calculation showed a significant correlation between the two(Z-score=-6.5282).The enrichment analysis of the 95 potential targets predominantly reveals their association with several key pathways,including AGE-RAGE signaling in diabetic complications,Lipid and atherosclerosis,fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis,the HIF-1 signaling pathway,TNF signaling.The traceability analysis indicates that 80 targets are associated with three distinct medicinal materials,10 targets are linked to two medicinal materials,and 5 targets are connected to a single medicinal material.95 targets are mainly related to 17 effective blood components such as salvianolic acid B,tanshinone ⅡA,and salvianolic acid A.The top 16 key genes were obtained by sorting the targets based on the Betweenness values corresponding to the blood components.The enrichment analysis of the key gene indicated that the treatment of Psycho-cardiological disease with Compound Danshen Dripping Pills is associated with the positive regulation of smooth muscle cell proliferation and the hypoxia response.Additionally,it is linked to the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications,fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis,the relaxin signaling pathway,lipid and atherosclerosis,and the TNF signaling pathway,etc.Conclusion The Compound Danshen Dripping Pills may improve Psycho-cardiological disease by regulating inflammatory response,oxidative stress,myocardial ischemia,neuroprotection,and neurotoxicity inhibition through components such as salvianolic acid B,tanshinone ⅡA,tanshinone Ⅰ,salvianolic acid A,protocatechuic acid,etc.

AIM:To observe the effect and mech-anism of cuttlebone extract regulating vascular en-dothelial growth factor(VEGF)/phosphatidylinosi-tol 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(AKT)pathway on refractory wounds in rats.METHODS:Cuttle-bone extract(CE)was obtained by water extraction of cuttlebone.Fifty SD rats were randomly divided into negative Control group,Model group,Cuttle-bone extract low-dose(CE(L))group,Cuttlebone extract high-dose(CE(H))group,and cuttlebone ex-tract high-dose+inhibitor(CE(H)+LY294002)group.After the refractory wound model was successfully established,0.02％furacillin solution or cuttlebone extract solution were applied to the wound area of rats in each group,and the treatment was adminis-tered once a day.After 14 days of treatment for re-fractory wounds,the changes in wound healing,angiogenesis,inflammation and expression of relat-ed regulatory proteins were quantitatively ana-lyzed by measuring skin ulcer wound area,patho-logical sections,immunofluorescence staining,Eli-sa,Western blot,RT-qPCR and other methods.RE-SULTS:Compared with Model group,CE(L)and CE(H)groups can increase the number of epithelial cells and collagen,and promote the healing of re-fractory wound in rats.Serum VEGF,skin tissue mi-crovascular density,P-PI3K,P-AKT,VEGF protein ex-pression and mRNA expression levels of PI3K,Akt,VEGF and eNOS were increased(P＜0.05),while se-rum TNF-α and IL-6 levels were decreased(P＜0.05).LY294002 could partially reverse the repair-ing effect of high dose cuttlebone extract on refrac-tory wound(P＜0.05).CONCLUSION:Cuttlebone ex-tract can regulate the VEGF/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway,inhibit the inflammatory response of re-fractory wounds in rats,induce angiogenesis and promote wound healing.

Objective:To explore the spousal correlations of total cholesterol(TC),total triglyceride(TG),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C),and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),and to investigate the reasons behind these spousal correlations.Methods:Participants and data were from the baseline survey of family-based cohort studies in Fangshan,Beijing and Tulou,Fujian.The ori-gin of spousal correlations were explored from perspectives of convergence,assortative mating,social ho-mogamy.Pearson's correlation and generalized linear models(GLM)were used to estimate the spousal correlation.Convergence was assessed by Pearson's correlation between the phenotypic differences be-tween couples and the duration of marriage,with GLM used for further validation.Pearson's correlation of genetic risk scores(GRS)and couple-specific Mendelian randomization(MR)were calculated to assess the genetic correlation and possible causal relationships between spouses.Two-independent-sample t-tests were used to compare GRS consistency across subgroups divided by education attainment,couple-specific MR and Q statistics used to test assortative mating in subgroups and intergroup differences.Results:In the study,342 couples(287 couples from Fangshan and 55 couples from Fujian)were included,with the average age of(64.91±8.76)years.Spousal correlations of TC,TG,HDL-C,and LDL-C showed statistically significant associations both before and after adjusting for covariates,with effect sizes of 0.229(95％CI:0.125-0.327),0.257(95％CI:0.155-0.354),0.179(95％CI:0.074-0.280),and 0.181(95％CI:0.076-0.282).For convergence,for each additional year of marriage,ΔTC increased by 0.016 mmol/L(95％CI:0.001-0.033 mmol/L),and ΔLDL-C increased by 0.017 mmol/L(95％CI:0.002-0.031 mmol/L).For assortative mating,GRS correlations and results of couple specific MR didn't show any statistical significance.For social homogamy,no differences in GRS or assortative mating were found between subgroups stratified by education attainment.Conclusion:The blood lipid in participants exhibit spousal phenotypic correlations,however,no effects of convergence,assortative mating or social homogamy were observed.More independent studies with larger sample sizes are warranted to further validate these findings in the future.

Objective To analyse and explore whether there is a causal association without confounding factors between malignant haematological diseases and frailty based on a bidirectional Mendelian randomisation(MR)analysis,and to provide a theoretical basis for clinical management of the frailty associated with malignant haematological diseases.Methods In December 2023,the IEU OpenGWAS database(https://gwas.mrcieu.ac.uk/)was searched to acquire the datasets in genome-wide association studies(GWAS)derived from non-overlapping multi-ethnic populations based on Mendelian Randomisation(MR)analysis.The bidirectional causal association was verified utilising the two-sample MR approach.Single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)of the frailty index(FI)(n=175,226),haematological malignancies(n=212,453),multiple myeloma/malignant plasmacytoma(n=218,792),and follicular lymphoma(n=181,278)were used as the study instruments.Results The analysis with the statistic inverse variance weighted method(IVW)showed that haematological malignancies(OR=1.00,95%CI:0.98-1.00,P=0.797),multiple myeloma/malignant plasma cell tumours(OR=1.00,95%CI 0.99～1.01,P=0.982),and follicular lymphoma(OR=1.00,95%CI:0.99～1.01,P=0.314)were not causally associated with genetically predicted FI.Similarly,FI was not significantly or causally correlated with haematological malignancies(OR=0.89,95%CI:0.25～3.12,P=0.861),multiple myeloma/malignant plasma cell tumours(OR=0.52,95%CI:0.00～3.13,P=0.473),and follicular lymphoma(OR=1.06,95%CI:0.00～5.19,P=0.944).Conclusion No causal relationship between the malignant haematological diseases and frailty was found in this study.It suggests that other factors might exist to cause the malignant haematological frailty.

Plant-derived bioactive peptides have become a research hotspot in the fields of food and medicine due to their high source safety,easy absorption and utilization by the human body,and potential edible and medicinal value.Bioactive peptides can be classified into antihypertensive,hypoglycemic,hypolipidemic,anticancer,antioxidant,antimicrobial,and anti-inflammatory peptides according to their functions.Among these,antihypertensive,hypoglycemic,and hypolipidemic peptides are collectively referred to as cardiovascular active peptides,which can be used for the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular diseases and have an important role in the development of modem biomedicine.This review focused on the preparation methods,separation,purification,and identification techniques of bioactive peptides,as well as their mechanisms of action and applications in regulating cardiovascular diseases,aiming to provide a reference for further development and application of plant-derived cardiovascular peptides.