The angiogenic response is essential for the repair of ischemic brain tissue. Integrin α6 (Itga6) expression has been shown to increase under hypoxic conditions and is expressed exclusively in vascular structures; however, its role in post-ischemic angiogenesis remains poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrate that mice with endothelial cell-specific knockout of Itga6 exhibit reduced neovascularization, reduced pericyte coverage on microvessels, and accelerated breakdown of microvascular integrity in the peri-infarct area. In vitro, endothelial cells with ITGA6 knockdown display reduced proliferation, migration, and tube-formation. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that ITGA6 regulates post-stroke angiogenesis through the PI3K/Akt-eNOS-VEGFA axis. Importantly, the specific overexpression of Itga6 in endothelial cells significantly enhanced neovascularization and enhanced the integrity of microvessels, leading to improved functional recovery. Our results suggest that endothelial cell Itga6 plays a crucial role in key steps of post-stroke angiogenesis, and may represent a promising therapeutic target for promoting recovery after stroke.
Animals ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III/metabolism* ; Mice ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; Integrin alpha6/genetics* ; Endothelial Cells/metabolism* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism* ; Stroke/pathology* ; Vascular Remodeling/physiology* ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/metabolism* ; Mice, Knockout ; Signal Transduction/physiology* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Male ; Neovascularization, Physiologic/physiology*

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) rs1801133 and γ-glutamyl hydrolase (GGH) rs11545078 gene polymorphisms on plasma concentrations and toxicity following high-dose methotrexate (MTX) therapy in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). METHODS: Children with ALL treated at the Xuzhou Children's Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from January 2021 to April 2024 were selected for this study. Genotypes of MTHFR rs1801133 and GGH rs11545078 were determined using multiplex polymerase chain reaction. MTX plasma concentrations were measured by enzyme-multiplied immunoassay technique, and toxicity was graded according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5.0. The relationships between MTHFR rs1801133 and GGH rs11545078 genotypes and both MTX plasma concentrations and associated toxicities were analyzed. RESULTS: In the low-risk ALL group, the MTHFR rs1801133 genotype was associated with increased MTX plasma concentrations at 72 hours (P<0.05). In the intermediate- to high-risk group, the MTHFR rs1801133 genotype was associated with increased MTX plasma concentrations at 48 hours (P<0.05), and the GGH rs11545078 genotype was associated with increased MTX plasma concentrations at 48 hours (P<0.05). In the intermediate- to high-risk group, the MTHFR rs1801133 genotype was associated with the occurrence of reduced hemoglobin (P<0.05), and the GGH rs11545078 genotype was associated with the occurrence of thrombocytopenia (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Detection of MTHFR rs1801133 and GGH rs11545078 genotypes can be used to predict increased MTX plasma concentrations and the occurrence of toxic reactions in high-dose MTX treatment of ALL, enabling timely interventions to enhance safety.
Humans ; Methotrexate/toxicity* ; Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2)/genetics* ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/blood* ; Male ; Female ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; gamma-Glutamyl Hydrolase/genetics* ; Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic/adverse effects* ; Infant ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Adolescent ; Genotype ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

Arsenic is a semi-metal,and lipid-soluble arsenic compounds are one of the widespread forms in the environment and food chain,but there is a lack of standards for lipid-soluble arsenic compounds,which is one of the bottlenecks in the current analytical detection and toxicological studies of organic arsenic.In this study,four saturated arsenic-containing hydrocarbons,AsHC 318,AsHC 332,AsHC 346,and AsHC 374(The number is relative molecular mass),were successfully synthesized in three steps by using dimethylarsinic acid,potassium iodide,sodium hydroxide,and four brominated alkanes(1-Bromotetradecane,1-bromopentadecane,1-bromohexadecane,and 1-bromooctadecane)as raw materials.The structures of these four saturated arsenic-containing hydrocarbons were characterized by proton nuclear magnetic resonance(1H NMR)spectroscopy,13C nuclear magnetic resonance(13C NMR)spectroscopy,and high-resolution mass spectrometry(HR-MS).The yields of the method were 8%-10%,and the synthesized compounds could be used in subsequent toxicity evaluation experiments to assess the toxic effects and mechanisms of action of arsenic-containing hydrocarbons.This study provided an effective method for synthesis of arsenic-containing hydrocarbons,enriching the synthesis methods of arsenic-containing hydrocarbons,and provided raw materials for the subsequent toxicological studies of arsenic-containing hydrocarbons.

Accurate analysis of metal nanoparticles(MNPs)in sediments is a prerequisite for assessing the ecological risks of MNPs in aquatic environmental sediments.In this study,an analytical method for quantitative detection of concentration and particle size distribution of silver-containing nanoparticles(Ag-NPs),zinc-containing nanoparticles(Zn-NPs),cerium-containing nanoparticles(Ce-NPs),and titanium-containing nanoparticles(Ti-NPs)in sediments was established based on ultrasonic extraction-single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(SP-ICP-MS).The effects of sample preparation conditions such as extraction solvent type,solid-liquid ratio,ultrasonic time,and settling time on the recovery of MNPs were investigated.The results showed that the extraction of MNPs from sediment by distilled water could effectively eliminate the high background signal interference introduced by the extractant under the conditions of solid-liquid ratio of 1∶400(g∶mL),ultrasonic extraction time of 1 h and settling time of 3 h.The detection limits for particle size of Ag-NPs,Zn-NPs,Ce-NPs and Ti-NPs in sediments were 31,35,26 and 85 nm,respectively,while the detection limits of particle concentrations were 1.21×104,1.90×104,5.26×107 and 1.48×107 particles/g,respectively.The spiking recoveries of Ag-NPs,Zn-NPs,Ce-NPs and Ti-NPs in sediments were 62.1％-108.7％,with relative standard deviations below 10％.This method could rapidly,accurately and simultaneously determine the concentration and particle size distribution of various MNPs in sediments,and was successfully applied to analysis of Ag-NPs,Zn-NPs,Ce-NPs,and Ti-NPs in authentic marine sediments.

At present,the drug substitutes represented by new psychoactive substances are gradually be-coming popular,leading to an increasing demand for identifying novel drugs with unknown structures in drug investigation.Nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR)spectroscopy is an important tool for ana-lyzing molecular structures.In the absence of standard substances,quantitative NMR(qNMR)can un-dertake the quantitative analysis of target substances in complex mixtures and has unique advantages in the research of new drugs and their precursor drugs.Due to the limitations of the site and mainte-nance costs,as well as relatively complex operation,high-field superconducting NMR is less com-monly applied in drug research.The desktop low-field NMR developed in recent years provides a new alternative solution.Due to the use of permanent magnets,its size is reduced,and the operation and maintenance costs are lowered.It has been widely used in various research fields.This article reviews the development of low-field NMR technology,summarizes the application of desktop low-field NMR in screening and identification of suspicious substances,rapid content determination,analysis of drug manufacturing processes and synthetic routes,and correlation traceability.It also looks forward to the prospects and development directions of this technology in drug research,aiming to provide a reference for researchers who work in analytical chemistry and drug research.

The antidepressant activity and molecular mechanisms of Yueju Wan volatile oil were investigated. The Yueju Wan volatile oil was extracted by using supercritical CO_2. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS) combined with network pharmacology identified 28 chemical constituents in Yueju Wan volatile oil, primarily terpenes and lactones. A total of 123 overlapping targets were associated with depression, including core targets of interleukin-1β(IL-1β), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3), and caspase-3(CASP3). These targets were mainly involved in the prolactin, advanced glycation end products/receptor(AGE/RAGE), and phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B(PI3K/Akt) signaling pathways. A reserpine-induced depression mouse model was established to evaluate the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of Yueju Wan volatile oil. The effects of Yueju Wan volatile oil on depression-like behavior in mice were evaluated by analyzing body mass, body temperature index, tail suspension immobility time, forced swimming immobility time, and sucrose preference. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining revealed neuronal protection of Yueju Wan volatile oil in the brain of mice. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) and Western blot were employed to detect the protein expression of AGEs, IL-1β, phosphorylated PI3K(p-PI3K), Akt, phosphorylated Akt(p-Akt), nuclear factor κB(NF-κB), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF). Behavioral evaluation showed that Yueju Wan volatile oil could effectively control the decline of body mass and body temperature of depressed mice, reduce tail suspension and swimming immobility time, and enhance their preference for sucrose. Histopathological examination showed that Yueju Wan volatile oil could alleviate the neuronal damage in CA1 and dentate gyrus(DG) of the hippocampus of mice. ELISA and Western blot results showed that Yueju Wan volatile oil could significantly increase the protein expression levels of PI3K, Akt, and BDNF and significantly decrease the protein expression levels of AGEs, IL-1β, p-PI3K, p-Akt, and NF-κB in the hippocampus of mice. Furthermore, the p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt ratios were significantly decreased at medium and high doses. These findings suggest that the aromatherapy of Yueju Wan volatile oil can significantly improve reserpine-induced depression-like behavior in mice, which may be related to reducing the expression of neuronal membrane protein AGEs, reducing the phosphorylation levels of PI3K and Akt, inhibiting NF-κB entry into the nucleus, and alleviating the release of pro-inflammatory factors and nerve injury.
Animals ; Antidepressive Agents/chemistry* ; Mice ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/immunology* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/immunology* ; Oils, Volatile/chemistry* ; Male ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Depression/metabolism* ; Glycation End Products, Advanced/immunology* ; Humans

Objective: To retrospectively compare the impact of different intraoperative transfusion strategies for platelets and cryoprecipitate on perioperative blood usage and clinical outcomes in patients undergoing orthotopic heart transplant (OHT), thereby providing a reference for perioperative patient blood management. Methods: The clinical data of 65 patients who had undergone OHT at our hospital between 2020 and 2025 were retrospective collected. Patient demographics, underlying chronic conditions, and perioperative (preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative) laboratory blood test results were analyzed. The transfusion volumes of intraoperative red blood cells, plasma, platelets, and cryoprecipitate were examined. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were employed to identify factors associated with perioperative outcomes. Results: A total of 65 patients received allogeneic blood transfusion during the perioperative period. The ultilization of intraoperative platelets and cryoprecipitate was as follows: simultaneous transfusion of both platelets and cryoprecipitate (at a 1∶1 ratio) was administered in 42 patients (64.62%), platelets alone in 12 patients (18.46%), and cryoprecipitate alone in 11 patients (16.92%). Patients who received simultaneous transfusion of platelets and cryoprecipitate (1∶1) (n=42) had a shorter ICU length of stay (32.45±10.18 d), while those who received either platelets or cryoprecipitate alone (n=23) had a significantly longer ICU length of stay (68±15.97 d). Patients receiving simultaneous intraoperative transfusion of platelets and cryoprecipitate also required fewer units of allogeneic red blood cells intraoperatively (median=4 units) and had a lower mortality rate (16.7%) than those receiving either product alone (26.1%), with a statistically significant difference (P=0.023). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that the volume of cryoprecipitate transfused was an independent protective factor against postoperative allogeneic red blood cell transfusion (OR=0.344, 95% CI [0.177, 0.829], P=0.0159). Multivariate logistic regression also identified cryoprecipitate transfusion volume as an independent protective factor for ICU length of stay (OR=0.877, 95% CI [0.719, 0.986], P=0.0008), which was in line with the multivariate Cox regression results. Conclusion: In patients undergoing OHT, the intraoperative transfusion strategy for platelets and cryoprecipitate influences the volume of perioperative allogeneic red blood cell transfusion and patient mortality. Intraoperative cryoprecipitate transfusion volume is an independent protective factor against both postoperative allogeneic red blood cell transfusion and prolonged ICU length of stay. The establishment of a multidisciplinary collaborative blood management model, combined with the modification of perioperative blood utilization practices and the implementation of a comprehensive patient blood management strategy, can holistically ensure perioperative patient safety.

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the emergency infusion protocol for universal red blood cells by analyzing its clinical application in patients treated at our hospital's war trauma and emergency center. Methods: Data were collected from 133 patients who received universal red blood cell transfusion in the war trauma center of our hospital from January 2016 to December 2024. The basic information, universal red blood cell transfusion volume, compatible blood components, transfusion volume, blood routine (Hb, Hct), liver and kidney function (ALT, AST, TBil, DBil, creatinine, etc.) and coagulation function (PT, APTT, Fib, etc.) before and after transfusion were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Among the 133 patients who received a total of 374 units of universal red blood cells, the 24-hour survival rate was 62.4% (83/133). Spearman correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between shock index and universal red blood cell transfusion volume (r=0.283, P<0.05). Patients were stratified by universal red blood cell transfusion volume (≤ 3 U vs ≥ 4 U). The low volume group had less homotypic red blood cell transfusion volume and total transfusion volume at different time points, and the difference was statistically significant: within 2 h [2(2, 4)vs 4(3, 7), P=0.033<0.05], 0~24 h [6(4, 9) vs 8(6, 14), P=0.028<0.05], total transfusion volume [13(8, 20)vs 19(12, 35), P=0.021<0.05]. No acute hemolytic transfusion reaction occurred within 24 hours after transfusion of universal red blood cell. Conclusion: Universal red blood cells are safe for use in emergency treatment. Furthermore, the shock index combined with the volume of universal red blood cells transfused can predict subsequent transfusion requirements and enables the early reservation of compatible blood, thereby preventing delayed resuscitation.

Nonunion of osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVF), predominantly affecting the elderly, can lead to intractable pain, vertebral collapse, progressive kyphotic deformity, and neurological impairment, significantly compromising patients′ quality of life. There exists considerable debate on diagnosis and management of OVF, encompassing key issues such as clinical diagnosis and staging criteria for nonunion, surgical indications and procedure selection, and postoperative rehabilitation planning. Currently, there lacks standardized clinical guideline and expert consensus on the diagnosis and management of OVF nonunion in China. To address this gap, Minimally Invasive Surgery Group of Chinese Orthopedic Association, Osteoporosis Committee of Chinese Association of Orthopedic Surgeons, Prevention and Rehabilitation Committee for Osteoporosis of Chinese Association of Rehabilitation Medicine and Minimally Invasive Orthopedic Surgery Branch of China Association for Geriatric Care jointly organized domestic experts in spinal surgery, endocrinology, and rehabilitation to formulate the Clinical guideline for the diagnosis and treatment for nonunion of osteoporotic vertebral fractures ( version 2025), based on existing literature and clinical experience and adhering to principles of scientific rigor and practicality. The guideline provided 13 evidence-based recommendations encompassing diagnosis and treatment of OVF nonunion, aiming to standardize its clinical management.

For middle-aged and elderly patients with conditions such as spinal fractures and degenerative spinal diseases, spinal internal fixation is a core surgical procedure for reconstructing spinal stability, heavily relying on the biomechanical stability provided by pedicle screw systems. Whereas, these patients are often complicated by osteoporosis that can significantly compromise the stability of the bone-pedicle screw interface, leading to a marked increase in pedicle screw loosening and surgical failure rates. The bone cement-augmented pedicle screw technique, which involves injecting bone cement into the vertebral body or screw trajectory to optimize the mechanical properties of the bone-pedicle screw composite, has been proven to significantly enhance fixation strength and effectively prevent screw-related failures, thereby reducing the incidence of internal fixation failure in high-risk populations undergoing spinal fusion. However, the widespread clinical application of this technique has faced challenges such as inaccurate clinical decision-making (indication and contraindication selection), non-standardized operative practices, and insufficient awareness of complication prevention, resulting in considerable variability in clinical outcomes and even severe complications. To address this, Prof. Luo Fei from First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University initiated the project and the Chinese Association Orthopaedic Surgeons organized relevant experts to develop the Evidence-based clinical practice guideline for bone cement-augmented pedicle screw technique ( version 2025), based on current evidence. The guidelines put forward 8 recommendations regarding the clinical value, scope of application, and operational standards of the technique, aiming to provide evidence-based medical support and technical standardization for clinical decision-making.