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.

Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is characterized by high programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression and abundant infiltration of non-malignant lymphocytes, which renders patients potentially suitable candidates for immune checkpoint blockade therapies. Palate, lung, and nasal epithelium clone (PLUNC) inhibit the growth of NPC cells and enhance cellular apoptosis and differentiation. Currently, the relationship between PLUNC (as a tumor-suppressor) and PD-L1 in NPC is unclear. Methods: We collected clinical samples of NPC to verify the relationship between PLUNC and PD-L1. PLUNC plasmid was transfected into NPC cells, and the variation of PD-L1 was verified by western blot and immunofluorescence. In NPC cells, we verified the relationship of PD-L1, activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3), and β-catenin by western blot and immunofluorescence. Later, we further verified that PLUNC regulates PD-L1 through β-catenin. Finally, the effect of PLUNC on β-catenin was verified by co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP). Results: We found that PLUNC expression was lower in NPC tissues than in paracancer tissues. PD-L1 expression was opposite to that of PLUNC. Western blot and immunofluorescence showed that β-catenin could upregulate ATF3 and PD-L1, while PLUNC could downregulate ATF3/PD-L1 by inhibiting the expression of β-catenin. PLUNC inhibits the entry of β-catenin into the nucleus. Co-IP experiments demonstrated that PLUNC inhibited the interaction of DEAD-box helicase 17 (DDX17) and β-catenin. Conclusions PLUNC downregulates the expression of PD-L1 by inhibiting the interaction of DDX17/β-catenin in NPC.

Atherosclerosis is a complex pathological condition resulting from lipid deposition， chronic inflammatory responses， and fibrosis， with a prolonged disease course and multifactorial etiology. Based on the traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） theory of accumulation syndrome， atherosclerosis can be classified under this category， with its pathogenesis involving phlegm， blood stasis， deficiency， and accumulation. This paper proposed a stage-based intervention strategy using the four therapeutic principles of "attacking， supplementing， dispersing， dissipating"， and divided into six stages based on the pathological progression， including the stage of accumulation before formation， the stage of accumulation already formed， the stage of nucleus accumulation， the stage of nucleus accumulation decay， the stage of nucleus accumulation consolidation， and the stage of severe stenosis of nucleus. At different stages， the intervention focuses on reinforcing healthy qi and consolidating the root， tonifying the kidneys and spleen， dispersing and removing turbidity， removing phlegm stagnation， promoting qi circulation， dispersing accumulations and removing stasis， attacking accumulation and expelling stasis， directing the turbid downward and dispersing accumulation， and treatment would be adjusted based on specific symptoms， which provides a theoretical framework for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis with TCM.

Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is characterized by high programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression and abundant infiltration of non-malignant lymphocytes, which renders patients potentially suitable candidates for immune checkpoint blockade therapies. Palate, lung, and nasal epithelium clone (PLUNC) inhibit the growth of NPC cells and enhance cellular apoptosis and differentiation. Currently, the relationship between PLUNC (as a tumor-suppressor) and PD-L1 in NPC is unclear. Methods: We collected clinical samples of NPC to verify the relationship between PLUNC and PD-L1. PLUNC plasmid was transfected into NPC cells, and the variation of PD-L1 was verified by western blot and immunofluorescence. In NPC cells, we verified the relationship of PD-L1, activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3), and β-catenin by western blot and immunofluorescence. Later, we further verified that PLUNC regulates PD-L1 through β-catenin. Finally, the effect of PLUNC on β-catenin was verified by co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP). Results: We found that PLUNC expression was lower in NPC tissues than in paracancer tissues. PD-L1 expression was opposite to that of PLUNC. Western blot and immunofluorescence showed that β-catenin could upregulate ATF3 and PD-L1, while PLUNC could downregulate ATF3/PD-L1 by inhibiting the expression of β-catenin. PLUNC inhibits the entry of β-catenin into the nucleus. Co-IP experiments demonstrated that PLUNC inhibited the interaction of DEAD-box helicase 17 (DDX17) and β-catenin. Conclusions PLUNC downregulates the expression of PD-L1 by inhibiting the interaction of DDX17/β-catenin in NPC.

Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is characterized by high programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression and abundant infiltration of non-malignant lymphocytes, which renders patients potentially suitable candidates for immune checkpoint blockade therapies. Palate, lung, and nasal epithelium clone (PLUNC) inhibit the growth of NPC cells and enhance cellular apoptosis and differentiation. Currently, the relationship between PLUNC (as a tumor-suppressor) and PD-L1 in NPC is unclear. Methods: We collected clinical samples of NPC to verify the relationship between PLUNC and PD-L1. PLUNC plasmid was transfected into NPC cells, and the variation of PD-L1 was verified by western blot and immunofluorescence. In NPC cells, we verified the relationship of PD-L1, activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3), and β-catenin by western blot and immunofluorescence. Later, we further verified that PLUNC regulates PD-L1 through β-catenin. Finally, the effect of PLUNC on β-catenin was verified by co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP). Results: We found that PLUNC expression was lower in NPC tissues than in paracancer tissues. PD-L1 expression was opposite to that of PLUNC. Western blot and immunofluorescence showed that β-catenin could upregulate ATF3 and PD-L1, while PLUNC could downregulate ATF3/PD-L1 by inhibiting the expression of β-catenin. PLUNC inhibits the entry of β-catenin into the nucleus. Co-IP experiments demonstrated that PLUNC inhibited the interaction of DEAD-box helicase 17 (DDX17) and β-catenin. Conclusions PLUNC downregulates the expression of PD-L1 by inhibiting the interaction of DDX17/β-catenin in NPC.

Objective:To explore and analyze the predictive value of EuroSCORE Ⅱ and SYNTAX Ⅱ scores for clinical outcomes in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery.Methods:A total of 500 coronary artery disease (CAD) patients who underwent CABG in Shanxi Cardiovascular Hospital from April 2014 to July 2023 were selected as the study subjects, all patients were given EuroSCORE Ⅱand SYNTAX Ⅱ scores to evaluate the predictive value of EuroSCOREⅡfor perioperative mortality and SYNTAX Ⅱ for 4-year mortality. Univariate and multivariate Logistic analysis were employed to analyze the independent risk factors for perioperative and 4-year mortality.Results:There were 3 deaths during the perioperative period, with a mortality rate of 0.60%, the predicted mortality rate of EuroSCOREⅡwas 1.71%; there were 21 deaths at 4 years after surgery, with a mortality rate of 4.23% and the predicted mortality rate of SYNTAX Ⅱwas 9.02%. Logistic regression analysis showed that left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was the only independent protective factor for perioperative mortality, and advanced age was the only independent risk factor for 4-year postoperative mortality in patients ( P<0.05). The analysis of the working characteristic curve of the subjects found that the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve ( ROC) of EuroSCORE Ⅱ for perioperative mortality was 0.782, and the area under ROC curve of SYNTAX Ⅱfor postoperative 4-year mortality was 0.743. Conclusion:Both EuroSCORE Ⅱand SYNTAX Ⅱhave certain predictive value for perioperative mortality and postoperative 4-year mortality in patients undergoing CABG, respectively, but the predicted mortality rate is relatively higher.

Objective:The DNA aptamers of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), a marker of vasculitis, were screened and a visual detection method using unlabeled nucleic acid aptamer-gold nanoparticle (AuNP) probe was established.Method:Lp-PLA2 aptamers were screened through 8 cycles of incubation binding, ssDNA isolation, PCR amplification and single strand recovery by the magnetic bead fixation SELEX technique. The affinity and specificity of the aptamers were validated using surface plasmon resonance technology and flow cytometry, and the secondary structure of the aptamer and its three-dimensional molecular docking with the target protein were simulated by computer software. Subsequently, aptamer-AuNP complex was prepared, and the color change was caused by salt-induced condensation of the AuNP solution by target competitive binding. Then, the target concentration was detected by measuring the absorbance of the solution with a spectrophotometer. The linear relationship between the sample absorbance and concentration of Lp-PLA2 were established under the optimal determine conditions.Results:Three Lp-PLA2 aptamers B76-2, B76-4 and B76-5 with high affinity and strong specificity were obtained, and the dissociation constants were 1.07, 1.26 and 1.75 nmol/L, respectively. Then AuNP colorimetric sensing method based on B76-2 aptamer was successfully constructed. The linear range and detection limit of Lp-PLA2 were 20-500 ng/ml and 78 ng/ml, respectively, and the reaction time was 30 min, which could specifically distinguish the target from other thrombotic markers such as thrombin and myeloperoxidase.Conclusion:A simple, rapid and specific visual detection method for visually detecting Lp-PLA2 was established by using aptamer-AuNP colorimetric assay.

Objective To evaluate the modified Aldrete scoring system(MASS)and the White's fast-track scoring system(WFTSS)in the context of enhanced recovery after surgery(ERAS)and to compare the effects of sevoflurane anesthesia maintenance with propofol intravenous anesthesia maintenance in the ERAS of patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy;to evaluate the MASS and WFTSS in the context of ERAS.Methods A total of 160 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy from January 2021 to October 2023 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University were randomly divided into sevoflurane group and propofol group,80 cases in each group.The sevoflurane group maintained on sevoflurane-remifentanil and propofol group on propofol-remifentanil.Patients ERAS were evaluated by WFTSS and MASS.Time to the recovery from anesthesia,number of patients meeting the ERAS,factors associated with non-ERAS compliance,and perioperative complications were recorded.Results The proportion of patients entering ERAS in both groups was higher in the MASS than in the WFTSS(P=0.031).In terms of extubation time,the sevoflurane group was significantly slower than propofol group(P=0.030).In terms of meeting ERAS criteria,the propofol group had significantly more patients than sevoflurane group(P=0.026),and the number of patients entering the recovery room was significantly less than in sevoflurane group(P=0.025).Regarding the factors affecting entry into ERAS,the number of cases in sevoflurane group was higher than in propofol group,with postoperative nausea being the only factor with statistical significance while others were not significantly different.Conclusion WFTSS provides a more comprehensive and effective assessment for ERAS at the time of leaving the operating room and can be considered as one of the discharge criteria for ERAS.It also concludes that compared with sevoflurane combined with remifentanil for anesthesia maintenance,the propofol combined with remifentanil maintenance can achieve the extubation requirements in the operating room more quickly and with fewer side effects.

Background and purpose:Metabolic reprogramming occurs during tumor progression,and 1-acylglycerol-3-phosphate O-acyltransferase(AGPAT),as a key enzyme in the de novo synthesis of triacylglycerol(TAG),is closely associated with tumor progression.However,one of the isoforms,AGPAT5,has been studied in cancer in a very limited way,and this study aimed to provide a new perspective on the role of AGPAT5 in hepatocellular carcinoma and its potential molecular mechanisms,providing novel ideas for the diagnosis and treatment strategies of liver cancer.Methods:AGPAT5 was knocked down in a variety of hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines using lentiviral infection,and the effects of AGPAT5 on the functions of hepatocellular carcinoma cell proliferation,migration and resistance to anoikis were detected in vitro by experiments such as Taipan blue counting,scratching,transwell and plate cloning.The wild-type or enzyme activity-deficient form of AGPAT5 was rescued to investigate whether AGPAT5,as a metabolic enzyme,plays a classical role in regulating the migration of hepatocellular carcinoma cells.We constructed a tail vein metastasis model in nude mice to validate the cellular phenotype in vitro from the in vivo level.Immunoprecipitation mass spectrum(IP-MS)identified proteins interacting with AGPAT5 and verified by co-immunoprecipitation(coIP).Protein post-translational modification identification was performed to analyze the potential modification sites of AGPAT5,and in vitro experiments were performed to explore the effects of the point mutation before and after the point mutation on the migration of hepatocellular carcinoma cells.CoIP was performed to explore the binding of AGPAT5 to the interacting protein before and after the mutation of the site.We determined its role in cell phenotype by knocking down interacting proteins.Rescue experiments were used to verify whether AGPAT5 exerts its effects through the interacting protein.We detected the expression levels of AGPAT5 and the interacting protein in wild-type hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines to examine their correlation.Results:Knockdown of AGPAT5 increased the tolerance to serum-free starvation and promoted hepatocellular carcinoma cell migration,but did not affect proliferation and anoikis.However,deletion of enzyme activity did not affect the inhibition of hepatocellular carcinoma cell migration by AGPAT5.Knockdown of AGPAT5 promoted lung and liver metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells in nude mice.AGPAT5 could interact with fibrillarin(FBL),and the interaction was strengthened under serum starvation conditions.Curbing FBL expression inhibited hepatocellular carcinoma cell migration,and the effect was similar to that of overexpression of AGPAT5.Inhibition of FBL expression weakened the promoting effect of AGPAT5 knockdown on hepatocellular carcinoma cell migration;In the hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines examined,AGPAT5 and FBL did not show any correlation at the protein level.The inhibitory effect of AGPAT5 on hepatocellular carcinoma cell migration was attenuated by the K201 site mutation,and the K201 site mutation attenuated the binding of AGPAT5 to FBL.Conclusion:Knockdown of AGPAT5 can significantly enhance the migratory ability of hepatocellular carcinoma cells.AGPAT5 can interact with FBL,and in the absence of serum starvation stimulation,AGPAT5 strengthen its binding to FBL through acetylation of the K201 site,thereby more effectively inhibiting FBL,consequently inhibiting the migration of hepatocellular carcinoma cells.But this inhibitory effect is not derived from the metabolic enzyme activity of AGPAT5,but driven by non-metabolic function.