OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of dihydroartemisinin (DHA) combined with doxorubicin (DOX) on proliferation and apoptosis of triple-negative breast cancer cells and explore the underlying molecular mechanism. METHODS: MDA-MB-231 cells were treated with 50, 100 or 150 μmol/L DHA, 0.5 μmol/L DOX, or with 50 μmol/L DHA combined with 0.5 μmol/L DOX. The changes in proliferation and survival of the treated cells were examined with MTT assay and colony-forming assay, and cell apoptosis was analyzed with flow cytometry. Western blotting was performed to detect the changes in protein expression levels of PCNA, cleaved PARP, Bcl-2, Bax, STAT3, p-STAT3, HIF-1α and survivin. RESULTS: The IC₅₀ of DHA was 131.37±29.87 μmol/L in MDA-MB-231 cells. The cells with the combined treatment with DHA and DOX showed significant suppression of cell proliferation. Treatment with DHA alone induced apoptosis of MDA-MB-231 cells in a dose-dependent manner, but the combined treatment produced a much stronger apoptosis-inducing effect than both DHA and DOX alone. DHA at 150 μmol/L significantly inhibited clone formation of MDA-MB-231 cells, markedly reduced cellular expression levels of PCNA, p-STAT3, HIF-1α and survivin proteins, and obviously increased the expression level of cleaved PARP protein and the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, and the combined treatment further reduced the expression level of p-STAT3 protein and increased the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. CONCLUSIONS DHA combined with DOX produces significantly enhanced effects for inhibiting cell proliferation and inducing apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 cells possibly as result of DHA-mediated negative regulation of the STAT3/HIF-1α pathway.
Humans ; STAT3 Transcription Factor/metabolism* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/metabolism* ; Doxorubicin/pharmacology* ; Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Artemisinins/pharmacology* ; Female ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Survivin

Objective:To investigate the nutritional risk status of children in PICU and analyze its influencing factors.Methods:From July 2021 to February 2023,all children aged 1 to 18 years admitted to PICU of Beijing Children's Hospital were investigated by using the pediatric Yorkhill Malnutrition Scoring tool(PYMS)and the clinical data questionnaire.Results:A total of 492 children in PICU were enrolled.The first nutritional risk screening results showed that there were 32 cases of no/low nutritional risk(6.5%),76 cases of medium risk(15.4%),and 384 cases of high risk(78.1%).The incidence of medium/high nutritional risk was as high as 93.5%.The PYMS score of nutritional risk in PICU was(2.61±1.42).The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that weight,fever time before admission,white blood cells,body mass index,primary diagnosis,father's education,and diet before illness were the main influencing factors of nutritional risk of children in PICU(P<0.05).Conclusion:Children in PICU are in a state of high nutritional risk.It is suggested that children in PICU should carry out nutritional screening in a standardized manner,identify children with high nutritional risk and its influencing factors early.To actively conduct nutritional assessment and nutritional intervention could improve the clinical outcome of children in PICU.

Objective To investigate the expression of myelin transcription factor 1-like(MYT1L)during amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS)progression and its association with neuronal degeneration through bioinformatics analysis combined with in vivo and in vitro experiments.Methods Bioinformatics analysis of the GSE106803 dataset from the Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)database revealed significant down-regulation of MYT1L in spinal cords of ALS transgenic mice carrying the human superoxide dismutase 1 mutant gene(hSOD1G93A)compared to the wild-type(WT)mice.hSOD1G93A transgenic mice and their WT littermates were selected to analyze MYT1L mRNA and protein changes in spinal cord tissues at different disease stages using Real-time PCR and Western blotting.Double immunofluorescent staining was used to determine the distribution and cellular localization of MYT1L in the spinal cord of mice at the middle stage of the disease.An ALS cellular model was established using hSOD1G93A mutant NSC34 cells,with hSOD1WT NSC34 cells as controls.MYT1L expression and distribution were assessed in these cells via Real-time PCR,Western blotting,and immunofluorescent staining.Based on the GSE76220 dataset from the GEO database,differentially expressed genes(DEGs)between MYT1L high-and low-expression groups in lumbar spinal motor neurons of ALS patients were identified,followed by Gene Ontology(GO)functional enrichment analysis.MYT1L overexpression was induced in the ALS cellular model to evaluate alterations in cell viability and neurite outgrowth.Results In the GSE106803 dataset,MYT1L expression was significantly down-regulated in the spinal cord of ALS mice.Animal experiments confirmed progressive reductions in MYT1L mRNA and protein levels in spinal cord tissues of ALS mice during mid-and late-disease stages.Compared to the WT group,MYT1L expression decreased in motor neurons of the lumbar spinal cord gray matter anterior horn in ALS mice,while it increased in astrocytes.In vitro,hSOD1G93Amutant NSC34 cells exhibited significantly reduced MYT1L expression than controls,with MYT1L localized to both the cytoplasm and nucleus.DEGs between MYT1L high-and low-expression groups in lumbar spinal cord motor neurons of ALS patients(GSE76220 dataset)were enriched in synaptic-related functions through GO analysis.Overexpression of MYT1L in hSOD1G93A mutant NSC34 cells enhanced cell viability and promoted neurite outgrowth.Conclusion Aberrantly low expression of MYT1L is closely associated with ALS pathogenesis.Overexpression of MYT1L promotes neurite growth and exerts protective effects on ALS motor neurons,suggesting its therapeutic potential.

Objective To explore the mechanism by which the sanguis draconis flavones(SDF)regulates the reactive oxygen species(ROS)/thioredoxin-interacting protein(TXNIP)pathway to mediate cell pyroptosis and improve cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury(CIRI)in rats.Methods The experimental rats were randomly divided into the control group(Ctrl),the CIRI group,the low-dose SDF group(SDF-L),the high-dose SDF group(SDF-H),and the SDF-H+ROS/TXNIP pathway activator,trimethylamine oxide(TMAO)group(SDF-H+TMAO).Among them,except for the control group,the remaining rats all needed to establish the CIRI rat model by the modified suture method.Zea Longa scoring was performed on rats from each group.ELISA was used to detect the levels of serum inflammatory factors interleukin(IL)-1β,IL-18 and oxidative stress-related factors superoxide dismutase(SOD),malondialdehyde(MDA),glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px).Flow cytometry was used to measure the ROS levels.Cerebral edema was detected.Cerebral infarction was detected by 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride(TTC)staining.HE staining was used to detect the pathological changes of brain tissue.Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of pyrolytic effector protein dermolin D(GSDMD).Western blotting was used to detect the expression of proteins related to the ROS/TXNIP pathway.Results Compared with the control group,a large area of cerebral infarctions were observed in the brain tissue of the CIRI group,accompanied by mild hemorrhage and obvious infiltration of inflammatory cells.Neuronal cells underwent degeneration and necrosis,with sparse and disordered arrangement.The phenomena of nuclear condensation and nucleolus lysis were obvious.The Zea Longa score,cerebral infarction volume,brain tissue water content,levels of IL-1β,IL-18,ROS,MDA,and the expressions of GSDMD,TXNIP,nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3),apoptosis-related punctate protein(ASC),and Caspase-1 increased,while the activities of SOD and GSH-Px decreased(P＜0.05).Compared with the CIRI group,the pathological damage of brain tissues in the SDF-L group and the SDF-H group was significantly improved.The Zea Longa score,cerebral infarction volume,brain tissue water content,levels of IL-1β,IL-18,ROS,MDA,and the expressions of GSDMD,TXNIP,NLRP3,ASC,and Caspase-1 decreased.The activities of SOD and GSH-Px increased(P＜0.05);TMAO treatment partially reversed the improvement effect of SDF on CIRI in rats.Conclusion SDF ameliorates cerebral CIRI in rats by inhibiting ROS/TXNIP pathway-mediated pyroptosis.

Objective To explore the effects of pretreatment with rehmannia glutinosa polysaccharide(RGP)and basic fibroblast growth factor(FGF-2)alone or in combination on the differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs)into cardiomyoid cells and the related mechanisms.Methods BMSCs pretreated with FGF-2 and RGP alone or in combination were cultured for 1,2,and 4 weeks.The expression levels of NKx2.5 and GATA-4 were detected by Real-time PCR.BMSCs pretreated with FGF-2 or RGP alone and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway inhibitor LY294002 were used to detect the expression levels of myocardial specific proteins and related pathway proteins by Western blotting.Results Compared with the blank control group,pretreatment with FGF-2 or RGP alone increased the expression rate of myocardial specific markers,and the effect of combined pretreatment with FGF-2 and RGP was more obvious(P＜0.05).Compared with pretreatment with FGF-2 or RGP alone,pretreatment with LY294002 combined with FGF-2 or RGP significantly down-regulated the expression of cardiac-specific proteins in BMSCs and inhibited the phosphorylation of Akt(P＜0.05).Conclusion Both FGF-2 and RGP can induce BMSCs to differentiate into cardiomyocyte-like cells by regulating PI3K/Akt signaling pathway,and the combination of FGF-2 and RGP has a better inductive effect.

Objective To investigate whether Angelica Sinensis and Astragalus capsules(AAC)regulates myocardial autophagy in heart failure rats via the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase(Akt)/mammalian target of sirolimus(mTOR)signaling pathway.Methods A rat model of heart failure was constructed by intraperitoneal 2.5 mg·kg-1 doxorubicin,and another 8 rats served as the control group.The modeling rats were randomly divided into model group,control group and experimental-L,-M,-H groups.Control group was given 30 mg·kg-1 3-methyladenine by intraperitoneal injection;experimental-L,-M,-H groups were given 150,300 and 450 mg·kg-1 AAC by gavage,respectively;blank and model groups were given the same quantity of sterile distilled water.Six groups were administered once daily for 6 weeks.The cardiac function was measured by ultrasound,and the expression levels of PI3K,Akt,mTOR,sequestosome 1(P62)and microtubule-associated light chain protein 3-Ⅱ/Ⅰ(LC3 Ⅱ/Ⅰ)in myocardial tissue were measured by Western blot.Results In the blank,model,control and experimental-H groups,the left ventricular ejection fraction values were(85.00±3.63)％,(56.75±4.83)％,(75.63±3.70)％and(72.75±4.23)％;the relative expression levels of PI3K were 1.00±0,0.28±0.05,0.64±0.08 and 0.74±0.16;phosphorylated Akt/Akt were 1.00±0,0.49±0.06,0.90±0.16 and 0.95±0.10;phosphorylated mTOR/mTOR values were 1.00±0,0.42±0.09,0.73±0.13 and 0.83±0.08;the relative expression levels of P62 proteins were 1.00±0,0.24±0.12,0.57±0.09 and 0.96±0.10;the relative expression levels of LC3 Ⅱ/Ⅰ proteins were 1.00±0,4.31±0.75,2.20±0.76 and 1.59±0.24,respectively.Compared to the model group,statistical significant were identified in the experimental-H and control groups(all P＜0.05).Conclusion AAC can regulate PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway,inhibit myocardial autophagy and improve cardiac function in rats with heart failure.

Objective To explore the potential mechanism of action of paeoniflorin in diabetes mellitus,the related targets and pathways were preliminarily discussed,based on the network pharmacology and molecular docking technology.Methods Analyze the potential targets of paeoniflorin using the Swiss Target Prediction database.Genecards and OMIM databases yielded the genes of diabetes-related illnesses.After taking the intersection of the two,protein-protein interaction network(PPI)was established using STRING and Cytoscape programs to search for key genes with strong correlation and complete gene ontology(GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)enrichment analysis.Use AutoDockTools and Pymol programs to complete protein molecule docking validation.Results The pharmacologically-related study revealed 63 targets associated with paeoniflorin,4 758 genes related to diabetes,and 50 intersection targets.15 key genes including vascular endothelial growth factor A(VEGFA),epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR),V-Ha-ras harvey(HRAS),V-src sarcoma(SRC)and heat shock protein hs 90-alpha(HSP90AA1)were screened.RAs-associated protein 1,Ras,calcium and other signaling pathways were obtained by KEGG pathway analysis.Molecular docking results showed that paeoniflorin had good binding ability with key genes.Conclusion Paeoniflorin can treat diabetes through multiple targets and pathways,and this mechanism can provide a basis for the application of paeoniflorin in anti diabetes and drug research and development.

Objective To evaluate the molluscicidal effects and costs of spraying 20% suspension concentrate of pyricloben-zuron sulphate (SCPS) with drones against Pomacea canaliculata in paddy environments, so as to provide insights into the extensive applications of pyriclobenzuron against P. canaliculata. Methods On July 2022, a paddy field was selected from Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province as the study area, and 72 independent rectangular plots measuring 2 m × 1 m were allocated in the study area, with 1 m interval between each plot, and 20 P. canaliculata snails gently placed in each plot. The activity of 25% wettable powder of pyriclobenzuron sulphate (WPPS) by manual spraying at doses of 0.50, 1.00, 2.00 g/m² and 4.00 g/m² against P. canaliculata was tested in 54 plots, and manual spraying of 50% wettable powder of niclosamide ethanolamine salt (WPNES) at a dose of 0.10 g/m² served as a chemical control, while manual spraying of the same volume of clean water served as a blank control, with 9 plots in each group. The activity of SCPS against P. canaliculata was tested in the remaining 18 plots. Based on the molluscicidal tests of WPPS, the molluscicidal effect of SCPS by manual spraying at doses of 0.20, 0.30, 0.40 g/m² and 0.50 g/m² against P. canaliculata was evaluated, and manual spraying of WPNES at a dose of 0.10 g/m² served as a chemical control, while manual spraying of the same volume of clean water served as a blank control, with three plots in each group. On July 2023, 14 paddy fields with a mean living P. canaliculata density of > 5 snails/m² were selected from Yujiang District, Yingtan City, Jiangxi Province for molluscicidal tests. Based on the molluscicidal effect of pyriclobenzuron against P. canaliculata in plots, the molluscicidal effects of WPPS by manual spraying at doses of 0.25, 0.50 g/m² and 1.00 g/m² and manual applications of WPPS at dose of 0.25, 0.50, 1.00 g/m² and 2.00 g/m² mixed with soil were tested, and manual spraying of 0.10 g/m² WPNES served as a chemical control group, while manual spraying of the same volume of clean water served as a blank control, with one paddy field in each group. Based on the effect of pyriclobenzuron against P. canaliculata in plots, the activity of SCPS sprayed with drones at doses of 0.25 g/m² and 0.50 g/m² mixed in water at 2 kg/667 m² and 4 kg/667 m² was tested against P. canaliculata, and spraying of the same volume of clean water with drones served as a blank control. All P. canaliculata snails were captured 3 days and 7 days following chemical treatment in plots and paddy fields and identified for survival, and the mortality and corrected mortality of P. canaliculata snails were estimated. In addition, the areas of chemical treatment, amount of molluscicide use and labor costs of chemical treatment were estimated in molluscicidal tests in paddy fields, and the costs of chemical treatment for an area covering 667 m² by drones and manual applications were calculated. Results The mortality of P. canaliculata snails was all 100% in plots 3 days and 7 days following spraying WPPS at doses of 0.50, 1.00, 2.00 g/m² and 4.00 g/m², and the mortality rates of P. canaliculata snails were 66.67% to 100.00% 3 days post-treatment with SCPS at various doses (χ² = 277.897, P < 0.05) and 76.67% to 100.00% 7 days post-treatment (χ² = 274.206, P < 0.05). The mortality rates of P. canaliculata snails were 98.19% to 100.00% 3 days post-treatment with WPPS at various doses in paddy fields. There was a significant difference in the mortality of P. canaliculata snails among WPPS treatment groups and controls (χ² = 270.778, P < 0.05), and there were no significant differences between WPPS treatment groups and the chemical control group (all P values > 0.05), while there were significant differences in the mortality of P. canaliculata snails between WPPS treatment groups and the blank control group (all P values < 0.05). The mortality rates of P. canaliculata snails were 89.83% to 95.31% 3 days post-treatment with SCPS at various doses sprayed with drones, and there was a significant difference in the mortality of P. canaliculata snails among SCPS treatment groups and the blank control group (χ² = 1 132.892, P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the mortality of P. canaliculata snails among SCPS treatment groups or water mixture groups (all P values > 0.05), and there were significant differences in the mortality of P. canaliculata snails between SCPS treatment groups and the blank control group (all P values < 0.05). The mortality rates of P. canaliculata snails were 94.62% to 100.00% 7 days post-treatment with SCPS at various doses sprayed with drones, and there was a significant difference in the mortality of P. canaliculata snails among SCPS treatment groups and the blank control group (χ² = 1 266.932, P < 0.05), with the highest mortality found following spraying 0.50 g/m² SCPS mixed in 2 kg/667 m² water with drones (P < 0.05). The costs of P. canaliculata snail control by drones and manually were 35.85 Yuan/667 m² and 43.33 Yuan/667 m²; however, the snail control efficiency was 6.67 times higher by drones than by manual applications. Conclusions SCPS sprayed with drones is highly active against P. canaliculata snails in paddy fields. SCPS sprayed with drones is highly efficient and low in cost for P. canaliculata snail control in paddy fields, beaches and river courses.

AIM:To investigate the effects of adipose-derived stem cells(ADSCs)with overexpression or si-lencing of long noncoding RNA(lncRNA)SNHG8 on the viability,migration,angiogenesis,and the expression of vasoac-tive factors in human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs).METHODS:Identification of ADSCs derived from morbidly obese patients(O-ADSCs)was conducted using flow cytometry and induction of lipogenesis and osteogenesis.The expression of lncRNA SNHG8 in healthy human ADSCs(H-ADSCs)and O-ADSCs was detected by RT-qPCR.Tran-swell method was used to establish the indirect co-culture system of ADSCs and HUVECs for 48 h,and the cells were di-vided into O-ADSCs+HUVECs group,H-ADSCs+HUVECs group,and HUVECs alone group.The mRNA and protein ex-pression levels of angiotensin Ⅱ(Ang Ⅱ),endothelin-1(ET-1)and endothelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS)in HUVECs were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot.The lncRNA SNHG8 overexpression and silencing lentiviruses were con-structed and used to infect O-ADSCs.The indirect co-cultured ADSCs and HUVECs were divided into O-ADSCs-OE-SNHG8+ HUVECs group,O-ADSCs-OE-NC+HUVECs group,O-ADSCs-sh-SNHG8+HUVECs group,and O-ADSCs-sh-NC+HUVECs group.After co-culture for 48 h,the viability,migration and tubule formation of HUVECs were detected by CCK-8,scratch and angiogenesis assays,respectively.The mRNA and protein expression levels of Ang Ⅱ,ET-1 and eNOS in HU-VECs were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot,respectively.The nitrate reductase method was used to detect the con-tent of NO in HUVECs.RESULTS:(1)The cultured cells were identified as ADSCs.(2)Compared with H-ADSCs,ln-cRNA SNHG8 expression was significantly up-regulated in O-ADSCs(P<0.01).(3)Compared with H-ADSCs+HUVECs group and HUVECs group,the mRNA and protein expression levels of Ang Ⅱ and ET-1 in HUVECs in O-ADSCs+HU-VECs group were up-regulated(P<0.01).(4)Overexpression of lncRNA SNHG8 in O-ADSCs enhanced the viability,mi-gration and tube formation ability of HUVECs,up-regulated the mRNA and protein expression levels of Ang Ⅱ and ET-1,down-regulated the mRNA and protein expression levels of eNOS,and decreased the content of NO in HUVECs(P<0.05).However,silencing of lncRNA SNHG8 in O-ADSCs exerted opposite results(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:(1)The O-ADSCs can promote endothelial cell viability,migration and tubule formation through paracrine effects.(2)The O-ADSCs with overexpression of lncRNA SNHG8 promote the imbalance of diastolic and contractile factors secreted by endo-thelial cells,and induce the dysfunction of vascular endothelial cells.

AIM:Bone morphogenetic protein 7(BMP7)reduces the expression of Yes-related protein 1(YAP1)by down-regulating Ajuba level and decreasing extracellular matrix(ECM)deposition.This study aimed to inves-tigate the influence of these factors on modifying the degree of renal fibrosis in rats with diabetic nephropathy.METH-ODS:Eighteen Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were randomly divided into three groups:the normal control(NC)group,the diabetes mellitus(DM)group,and the DM group treated with BMP7 overexpressing adeno-associated virus(DM+rAAV-BMP7).Each group consisted of six rats.Diabetic kidney disease(DKD)was established in the DM and DM+rAAV-BMP7 groups by injecting 55 mg/kg streptozotocin(STZ)via the tail vein.NRK-52E cells were divided into three groups:the normal glucose(NG)group,the high glucose(HG)group,and the high glucose group treated with recombinant hu-man BMP7(HG+rhBMP7)group.Pathological changes in renal tissues were observed using hematoxylin and eosin(HE)and Sirius red staining.Immunohistochemical staining was performed to examine the expression sites of Ajuba and YAP1 in the renal cortex.Western blot analysis was conducted to determine the expression levels of BMP7,Ajuba,YAP1,colla-gen type Ⅲ(Col-Ⅲ),and fibronectin(FN)in the rat renal cortex and NRK-52E cells.RT-qPCR was used to measure the mRNA levels of Ajuba and YAP1 in the rat renal cortex.RESULTS:Biochemical indices revealed significantly ele-vated levels of blood glucose,serum creatinine,triglycerides,total cholesterol,and 24-hour urinary protein in the DM group compared to the NC group(P<0.05).In the DM+rAAV-BMP7 group,the levels of serum creatinine,24-hour uri-nary protein,triglycerides,and total cholesterol were lower than those in the DM group(P<0.05).Pathological staining demonstrated that the renal interstitium of the DM group exhibited inflammatory cell infiltration,fibrous tissue,collagen fi-ber deposition,disordered renal tubule arrangement,atrophy,and vacuolar degeneration,which were ameliorated in the DM+rAAV-BMP7 group.Immunohistochemistry revealed that Ajuba and YAP1 were mainly expressed in the cytoplasm and nucleus,with high expression in the cytoplasm of the DM group,which was significantly decreased in the DM+rAAV-BMP7 group.Western blot results indicated that the protein levels of FN,Col-Ⅲ,Ajuba,and YAP1 were up-regulated in the DM and the HG groups(P<0.05),but significantly down-regulated in the DM+rAAV-BMP7 group(P<0.05).RT-qP-CR results demonstrated that the mRNA levels of Ajuba and YAP1 were higher in the DM group and significantly lower in the DM+rAAV-BMP7 group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:The overexpression of BMP7 can ameliorate renal fibrosis in rats with DKD.This effect is likely mediated by the down-regulation of Ajuba,reduction of YAP1 expression,and subse-quent inhibition of ECM deposition.