OBJECTIVE To investigate the mechanism of Shenling baizhu san （SLBZS） in ameliorating ulcerative colitis （UC）. METHODS Mice were randomly divided into normal group， model group， and low-， medium-， high-dose SLBZS groups （3， 6， 12 g/kg）， with 10 mice in each group. Except for the normal group， mice in other groups were given free access to 3% dextran sulfate sodium solution for 7 days to establish UC models. Simultaneously， mice in each group were intragastrically administered corresponding medicinal liquid or double-distilled water once a day for consecutive 7 days. After the last administration， the histopathological morphology of colon tissues was observed； the serum levels of inflammatory factors including tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β） and IL-18 were detected； the total bile acid contents in liver， gallbladder and colon tissues were determined； the expression level of NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing protein 3 （NLRP3） in colon tissues was tested. The expression levels of flora metabolism-related proteins [G protein-coupled receptor 41（GPR41），GPR43，farnesoid X receptor （FXR）， G protein-coupled bile acid receptor 1 （TGR5）， flavin-containing monooxygenase 3 （FMO3）， cytochrome P450 family 27 subfamily A member 1 （CYP27A1）， CYP7A1] in liver or colon tissues， as well as the proteins related to Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）/nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB）/NLRP3 inflammatory axis [TLR4， NF-κB， phosphorylated NF-κB （p-NF-κB）， myeloid differentiation factor 88 （MyD88）， NLRP3， apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD （ASC）， caspase-1] in colon tissues were measured. RESULTS Compared with the model group， the colon tissue injury and inflammatory cell infiltration were alleviated in medium- and high-dose SLBZS groups. The serum levels of TNF-α， IL-1β and IL-18， total bile acid contents in liver and colon tissues， as well as the protein expression levels of FMO3 and CYP7A1 in liver tissues， TLR4， p-NF-κB， NF-κB， MyD88， NLRP3， ASC and caspase-1 in colon tissues were significantly decreased （P＜0.05）. Meanwhile， the total bile acid content in gallbladder， the protein expression levels of GPR41 and GPR43 in colon tissues， along with CYP27A1， FXR and TGR5 in liver tissues were significantly increased （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS SLBZS may relieve colonic inflammatory injury and ameliorate UC by regulating the expression of flora metabolism-related proteins and inhibiting the abnormal activation of TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammatory axis.

ObjectiveTo explore the potential mechanism of Dingchuan Granule （定喘颗粒， DG） in the treatment of respiratory syncytial virus （RSV） pneumonia. MethodsA total of 60 male Sprague Dawley （SD） rats were randomly divided into control group， model group， ribavirin group， DG low-dose group， DG middle-dose group， and DG high-dose group， with 10 rats in each group. Except for the control group， rats were administrated with RSV via intranasal drip. After model establishment， the DG low-， middle-， and high-dose groups were administrated via oral gavage with DG at 3.47， 6.93， and 13.86 g/（kg·d） respectively， while the ribavirin group was administrated via oral gavage with ribavirin at 15.75 mg/（kg·d）. The drug was given once daily for one week. The rats in the control group and the model group were not given any drug， only subjected to the grasping action. Twenty-four hours after the last administration， the pathological changes of lung tissues were observed and scored using HE staining. The levels of serum inflammatory factors， including tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， and interleukin-6 （IL-6）， were detected by colorimetry. The protein levels of nuclear factor （erythroid derived 2）-like 2 （Nrf2）， Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 （Keap1）， heme oxygenase 1 （HO-1）， and NAD（P）H quinone dehydrogenase 1 （NQO1） in lung tissues were measured by Western Blot. The RSV load as well as the gene expression levels of Nrf2， Keap1， HO-1， and NQO1 in lung tissues were determined by qRT-PCR. The level of reactive oxygen species （ROS） in rat lung tissues was detected using chemiluminescence. The levels of glutathione （GSH） and malondialdehyde （MDA） in rat lung tissues were measured by a microassay. ResultsCompared with the control group， other groups had significant increases in pathological score of lung tissue， RSV load， levels of ROS， MDA， serum TNF-α， IL-1β， and IL-6； decrease in GSH level， increases in expression level of Keap1 protein and its mRNA in lung tissue， and significant decrease in levels of Nrf2， HO-1， expression level of NQO1 protein and its mRNA （P＜0.05）. Compared with the model group， all the above-mentioned indicators in the DG low-， middle-， and high-dose groups and the ribavirin group were improved to varying degree （P＜0.05）. The levels of serum TNF-α， IL-1β， and IL-6 in rats of DG dose groups showed a dose-dependent pattern， the DG high-dose group exhibiting the best effect （P＜0.05）. The DG high-dose group was superior to the DG low- and middle-dose groups in reducing the levels of ROS and MDA， and increasing the level of GSH in lung tissues （P＜0.05）. The DG high-dose group and the ribavirin group had better effect than the DG middle-dose group in reducing the RSV load （P＜0.05）. The DG high-dose group was superior to the ribavirin group in improving the protein levels of Nrf2， Keap1， HO-1， and NQO1 （P＜0.05）. ConclusionDG could inhibit oxidative stress by regulating the Nrf2/Keap1/HO-1/NQO1 signaling pathway to improve pulmonary inflammation and treat RSV pneumonia， with the DG high-dose group showing the best effect.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a common liver disease and may become the leading cause of severe liver disease in the future. The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study assesses MAFLD's impact in countries and regions worldwide, providing insights into its prevalence. METHODS: Prevalence data for MAFLD from 1990 to 2021 by country and region in all sex and age groups were collected from the Global Health Data Exchange. The categorization of countries and geographic areas by development was performed using the Sociodemographic Index (SDI). RESULTS: Between 1990 and 2021, the global crude prevalence rate of MAFLD increased from 10.6% to 16.1% (beta-coefficient: 0.2%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.2-0.2%, P  <0.001), and the age-standardized prevalence rate was increased from 12.1% to 15.0% (beta-coefficient: 0.1%, 95% CI: 0.1-0.1%, P  <0.001). In 2021, MAFLD was estimated to have affected 1.3 billion people worldwide. Significant uptrends were observed in all regions, super regions, and SDI categories. The fastest increase from 1990 to 2021 and the highest prevalence rate in 2021 were experienced by countries and territories with high-middle and middle SDI. An increase in the prevalence of MAFLD from 1990 to 2021 was demonstrated in all but six countries. CONCLUSIONS In 2021, the number of patients affected by MAFLD was doubled compared to 1990, and the prevalence rate increased by over 50%. The burden of MAFLD, as measured by prevalence, was more prominent in countries and territories with middle SDI and in those located in North African and Middle Eastern, possibly due to changes in lifestyle in these areas over the past 30 years.
Humans ; Global Burden of Disease ; Prevalence ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Global Health ; Fatty Liver/epidemiology* ; Aged

CRISPR/Cas9-based therapeutics face significant challenges in penetrating the dense microenvironment of solid tumors, resulting in insufficient gene editing and compromised treatment efficacy. Current nanostrategies, which mainly focus on the paracellular pathway attempted to improve gene editing performance, whereas their efficiency remains uneven in the heterogenous extracellular matrix. Here, the nanoCRISPR system is prepared with self-cascading mechanisms for gene editing-mediated robust apoptosis and transcellular penetration. NanoCRISPR unlocks its self-cascade capability within the matrix metallopeptidase 2-enriched tumor microenvironment, initiating the transcellular penetration. By facilitating cellular uptake, nanoCRISPR triggers robust apoptosis in edited malignancies, promoting further transcellular penetration and amplifying gene editing in neighboring tumor cells. Benefiting from self-cascade between robust apoptosis and transcellular penetration, nanoCRISPR demonstrates continuous gene transfection/tumor killing performance (transfection/apoptosis efficiency: 1st round: 85%/84.2%; 2nd round: 48%/27%) and homogeneous penetration. In xenograft tumor-bearing mice, nanoCRISPR treatment achieves remarkable anti-tumor efficacy (∼83%) and significant survival benefits with minimal toxicity. This strategy presents a promising paradigm emphasizing transcellular penetration to enhance the effectiveness of CRISPR-based antitumor therapeutics.

OBJECTIVES: To study the mechanism mediating the protective effect of asiaticoside (AS) against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) in rats. METHODS: Fifty SD rats were randomized into sham-operated group, MIRI model group and AS treatment group. AS treatment was administered at low, moderate and high doses by daily gavage for 2 weeks before MIRI modeling (n=10). Serum levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB), interleukin-18 (IL-18) and IL-1β, the volume of myocardial infarction and ischemia, and myocardial pathologies of the rats were determined or observed. The protein expression levels of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, GSDMD, GSDMD-N, IL-1β and IL-18 in the myocardial tissues were detected using Western blotting. The changes in the expression levels of these proteins were also detected in H9C2 cells with AS pretreatment prior to hypoxia-reoxygenation (H/R) injury. RESULTS: The rats models of MIRI exhibited significant myocardial infarction and ischemia with increased serum levels of LDH and CK-MB and myocardial expressions of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, GSDMD, GSDMD-N, IL-1β and IL-18. AS pretreatment effectively reduced myocardial infarction volume in the rat models and significantly reduced serum LDH and CK-MB levels and the protein levels in the myocardial tissue in a dose-dependent manner. In the H9C2 cell model of H/R injury, AS pretreatment significantly suppressed the elevation of the protein expressions of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, GSDMD, GSDMD-N, IL-1β and IL-18. Molecular docking studies showed that AS had a strong binding affinity with NLRP3. CONCLUSIONS Asiaticoside can alleviate MIRI in rats possibly by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis.
Animals ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury/metabolism* ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism* ; Pyroptosis/drug effects* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Inflammasomes/metabolism* ; Triterpenes/pharmacology* ; Interleukin-18/metabolism* ; Male ; Interleukin-1beta/metabolism* ; Caspase 1/metabolism*

Aim To evaluate the tyrosine nitration modification of specific proteins in vascular endothelial cells and its impact on mitochondria-mediated apoptosis.Methods Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were cultured in vitro and divided into three groups:control group(treatment with dimethyl sulfoxide),3-morphansulam(SIN-1)group,and SIN-1+Fe(Ⅲ)5,10,15,20-(tetraphenyl)porphyrin(FeTPP)group.After 24 h,the levels of hexokinase 1(HK1)nitration modification,mitochondrial membrane potential,reactive oxygen species(ROS)production,and endothelial cell proliferation and apoptosis were assessed.A human umbilical vein endothelial cell line knockout of HK1 was constructed using gene editing technology,and its proliferation and apoptosis levels were detected.Results After treatment of hu-man umbilical vein endothelial cells with peroxynitrite generator SIN-1,the level of HK1 protein nitration modification sig-nificantly increased(P＜0.01),reactive oxygen species production significantly increased,mitochondrial membrane poten-tial significantly decreased,endothelial cell proliferation ability significantly decreased,and endothelial cell apoptosis level significantly increased(all P＜0.01).Peroxynitrite decomposition catalyst FeTPP could reverse the above effect(P＜0.01).In addition,HK1 gene knockout also exhibited similar antioxidant effects,with a significant decrease in endothe-lial cell proliferation ability and a significant increase in apoptosis levels(P＜0.01).Conclusion Peroxynitrite can induce an increase in the level of nitration modification of HK1 in vascular endothelial cells,which may be achieved by pro-moting the production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species,thereby accelerating the process of endothelial cell apoptosis.

Improving the nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of Brassica napus is of significant importance for achieving the national goal of zero growth in chemical fertilizer application and ensuring the green development of the rapeseed industry. This study aims to explore the effects of the nitrate transporter gene BnaNRT1.5s on the nitrogen transport and NUE of B. napus, providing excellent genetic resources for the development of nitrogen-efficient B. napus varieties. The spatiotemporal expression of BnaA05.NRT1.5 as a key nitrogen responsive gene was profiled by qRT-PCR at different growth stages and for different tissue samples of B. napus 'Westar'. Subcellular localization was employed to examine its expression pattern in the cells. Additionally, CRISPR/Cas9 was used to create BnaNRT1.5s knockout lines, which were subjected to hydroponic experiments under high nitrogen (12.0 mmol/L) and low nitrogen (0.3 mmol/L) conditions. After the seedlings were cultivated for 21 days, root and shoot samples were collected for weighing, nitrogen content determination, xylem sap nitrate content assessment, and calculation of total nitrogen and NUE. The B. napus nitrate transporter BnaA05.NRT1.5 was localized to the cell membrane. During the seedling and early bolting stages, BnaA05.NRT1.5 was predominantly expressed in roots, while it was highly expressed in old leaves and mature silique skin during the reproductive stage. Compared with the wild type, the mutant BnaNRT1.5s showed significant increases in the dry weight and total nitrogen of seedlings under both high and low nitrogen conditions. Under low nitrogen conditions, NUE in the roots of BnaNRT1.5s significantly improved. Notably, under both high and low nitrogen conditions, the nitrate content in the shoots of BnaNRT1.5s decreased significantly, while that in the roots increased significantly, resulting in a significantly decreased shoot-to-root nitrate content ratio. BnaNRT1.5s is involved in regulating the transport of nitrate from the roots to the shoots, and its mutation enhances nitrogen absorption and utilization in B. napus seedlings, promoting seedling growth. This study not only provides references for understanding the physiological and molecular mechanisms by which BnaNRT1.5s regulates NUE but also offers valuable genetic resources for improving NUE in B. napus.
Brassica napus/genetics* ; Anion Transport Proteins/metabolism* ; Nitrogen/metabolism* ; Nitrate Transporters ; Plant Proteins/metabolism* ; Nitrates/metabolism* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Biological Transport

Objective:To explore the clinical characteristics of patients with porto-sinusoidal vascular disease (PSVD) complicated with esophageal and gastric varices, and to evaluate the effect of portal vein pressure (PVP) on esophageal and gastric varices bleeding and rebleeding after endoscopic treatment.Methods:Patients who were hospitalized in the Department of Gastroenterology of the Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University due to portal hypertension from July 2022 to October 2024, underwent liver biopsy for diagnosis of PSVD, and received direct PVP measurement were included. Their clinical manifestations, liver histopathological characteristics were analyzed, and the prognosis was followed up.Results:A total of 29 patients were included, and 19 patients had experienced rupture and bleeding of esophageal and gastric varices. Compared with the non-bleeding group, the hemoglobin level of patients in the bleeding group was lower and the international normalized ratio was higher (all P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in other laboratory examination indicators, complications of portal hypertension, combined diseases, etc. (all P>0.05). The pathology of liver biopsy suggests that dilation of the hepatic sinuses and abnormalities of the central vein are common pathological changes. The direct PVP of patients in the bleeding group was significantly higher than that in the non-bleeding group [28.0(24.5-31.0)mmHg vs 18.5(10.5-23.8)mmHg, P=0.011]. However, there was no statistically significant difference in the measured values of liver wedge pressure, free pressure and hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) between the two groups of patients (all P>0.05). Correlation analysis revealed that there was no significant correlation between HVPG and PVP ( R2=0.129 9, P=0.076 7). Grouped according to the median PVP value of 25 mmHg, the risk of esophageal and gastric variceal rupture and bleeding in the high PVP group (≥25 mmHg) was significantly higher than that in the low PVP group (<25 mmHg) (14/16 vs 5/13, P=0.016). The risk of rebleeding after endoscopic treatment in patients with high PVP (4/13) was higher than that in patients with low PVP (0/4). Conclusions:Patients with porto-sinusoidal vascular disease complicated with portal hypertension are often accompanied by rupture and bleeding of esophageal and gastric varices. HVPG cannot accurately reflect the portal vein pressure. The risk of rupture and bleeding of esophageal and gastric varices and rebleeding in patients with elevated portal vein pressure is significantly increased.

Objective:To analyze the application of Sengstaken-Blakemore tubes combined with endoscopic intervention on the prognosis of patients with acute esophageal and gastric variceal rupture and bleeding due to portal hypertension in liver cirrhosis, and to explore the impact of Sengstaken-Blakemore tubes combined with endoscopic intervention on the prognosis of patients.Methods:A retrospective study included patients with liver cirrhosis who visited the Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University from January 2023 to July 2024 due to acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding, had no response to drug treatment and unstable hemodynamics, and received the Sengstaken-Blakemore tubes compression hemostasis. According to whether endoscopic intervention was received or not, the patients were divided into the endoscopic intervention group and the non-endoscopic intervention group. The medication and subsequent treatment of the patients were analyzed, and the survival of the patients 28 days after bleeding was followed up. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox regression analysis were used to evaluate the effect of endoscopic intervention on the 28-day mortality rate of patients.Results:A total of 31 cases successfully had three-lumen two-cystic tubes indwelled. Among them, 8 cases further received endoscopic examination and intervention, and 23 cases did not receive endoscopic examination. During the 28-day follow-up after bleeding, a total of 20 cases died. The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the 28-day mortality rate in the endoscopic intervention group was significantly lower than that in the non-endoscopic intervention group (25.0% vs 78.3%, P=0.007). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that endoscopic intervention was an independent protective factor for 28-day mortality ( HR: 0.14, 95% CI: 0.03-0.63, P=0.01). In addition, the severity of bleeding and prothrombin time were also important factors affecting the prognosis of patients. Conclusions:The Sengstaken-Blakemore tubes, as an important hemostasis method for acute esophageal and gastric variceal rupture and bleeding, can buy time for subsequent endoscopic treatment, but the risk of complications is relatively high. Creating conditions for early endoscopic intervention as early as possible can significantly reduce the mortality rate of patients and improve the prognosis of patients with liver cirrhosis.