AIM: To investigate the potential inhibitory effect of pterostilbene on the endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition(EndMT)induced by high glucose conditions in human retinal microvascular endothelial cells(HRMECs).METHODS: The optimal concentration of pterostilbene for treating HRMECs was determined using the CCK-8 assay, with 12.5 and 25 μmol/L concentrations selected for subsequent experiments. Four experimental groups were established: control group, high glucose group, high glucose combined with 12.5 μmol/L pterostilbene treatment group, and high glucose combined with 25 μmol/L pterostilbene treatment group. The expression levels of HDAC7 and EndMT-associated markers were detected via Western blot analysis. Cell migration ability was assessed using Transwell migration assays and scratch wound healing tests, while vasculogenic capability was evaluated through tube formation assays.RESULTS: The CCK-8 assay revealed that pterostilbene at a concentration of 22.07 μmol/L inhibited 50% of cell viability in HRMECs. Western blot analysis demonstrated that compared with the control group, the expression levels of HDAC7, ZEB1, Vimentin, and Snail were significantly upregulated in HRMECs cultured in high glucose(all P<0.01), while the expressions of VE-cadherin and CD31 were significantly reduced(all P<0.01). Compared to the high glucose group, the treatment with 12.5 and 25 μmol/L pterostilbene significantly reduced the expression of HDAC7, ZEB1, Vimentin, and Snail under high glucose conditions(all P<0.01). Notably, 25 μmol/L pterostilbene enhanced the expression of VE-cadherin and CD31(all P<0.01). Scratch wound healing tests revealed that HRMECs treated with high glucose exhibited a significantly increased cell migration rate compared to the control group(P<0.05), while the application of 25 μmol/L pterostilbene significantly suppressed HRMECs migration under high glucose conditions(P<0.01). Transwell migration assays demonstrated that the cell migration rate in the high glucose group was significantly higher than that in the control group(P<0.01), with cell migration rate markedly reduced following treatment with both of 12.5 and 25 μmol/L pterostilbene(all P<0.01). The tube formation assay revealed that the ability of HRMECs to form tubular structures was significantly enhanced under high glucose conditions(P<0.01), and both 12.5 and 25 μmol/L of pterostilbene effectively inhibited this effect(all P<0.01).CONCLUSION: Pterostilbene can inhibit HDAC7 expression, suppress EndMT-mediated migration of HRMECs, and impair tube formation under high-glucose conditions.

AIM: To investigate the potential inhibitory effect of pterostilbene on the endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition(EndMT)induced by high glucose conditions in human retinal microvascular endothelial cells(HRMECs).METHODS: The optimal concentration of pterostilbene for treating HRMECs was determined using the CCK-8 assay, with 12.5 and 25 μmol/L concentrations selected for subsequent experiments. Four experimental groups were established: control group, high glucose group, high glucose combined with 12.5 μmol/L pterostilbene treatment group, and high glucose combined with 25 μmol/L pterostilbene treatment group. The expression levels of HDAC7 and EndMT-associated markers were detected via Western blot analysis. Cell migration ability was assessed using Transwell migration assays and scratch wound healing tests, while vasculogenic capability was evaluated through tube formation assays.RESULTS: The CCK-8 assay revealed that pterostilbene at a concentration of 22.07 μmol/L inhibited 50% of cell viability in HRMECs. Western blot analysis demonstrated that compared with the control group, the expression levels of HDAC7, ZEB1, Vimentin, and Snail were significantly upregulated in HRMECs cultured in high glucose(all P<0.01), while the expressions of VE-cadherin and CD31 were significantly reduced(all P<0.01). Compared to the high glucose group, the treatment with 12.5 and 25 μmol/L pterostilbene significantly reduced the expression of HDAC7, ZEB1, Vimentin, and Snail under high glucose conditions(all P<0.01). Notably, 25 μmol/L pterostilbene enhanced the expression of VE-cadherin and CD31(all P<0.01). Scratch wound healing tests revealed that HRMECs treated with high glucose exhibited a significantly increased cell migration rate compared to the control group(P<0.05), while the application of 25 μmol/L pterostilbene significantly suppressed HRMECs migration under high glucose conditions(P<0.01). Transwell migration assays demonstrated that the cell migration rate in the high glucose group was significantly higher than that in the control group(P<0.01), with cell migration rate markedly reduced following treatment with both of 12.5 and 25 μmol/L pterostilbene(all P<0.01). The tube formation assay revealed that the ability of HRMECs to form tubular structures was significantly enhanced under high glucose conditions(P<0.01), and both 12.5 and 25 μmol/L of pterostilbene effectively inhibited this effect(all P<0.01).CONCLUSION: Pterostilbene can inhibit HDAC7 expression, suppress EndMT-mediated migration of HRMECs, and impair tube formation under high-glucose conditions.

ObjectiveTo elucidate the correlation between alterations in digestion and absorption functions and hepatic deficiency states in aging rats based on the R-spondin1/Wnt3a signaling pathway， and reveal the intervention mechanism of Bugansan. MethodsForty-eight SPF-grade male SD rats were randomly assigned to six groups： blank control， model， low-， medium-， and high-dose （7.03， 14.06， 28.12 g·kg^-1， respectively） Bugansan， and vitamin E （suspension， 27 mg·kg^-1）， with 8 rats in each group. The rat model of aging was established by intraperitoneal injection of D-galactose （400 mg·kg^-1）， while the blank control group was injected with normal saline. Since the day of modeling， rats in intervention groups received corresponding agents by gavage， and those in blank control and model groups received an equal volume of normal saline （10 mL·kg^-1）. General biological features such as fur color， activity， body mass， water intake， and food intake were observed. Meanwhile， the content of malondialdehyde （MDA） and the activities of superoxide dismutase （SOD） and glutathione peroxidase （GSH-Px） in the serum were measured to assess aging. Grip strength and the content of total bile acids （TBA） and the activity of α-amylase （AMY） in the serum were measured to evaluate hepatic deficiency states. The activity of β-galactosidase （β-gal） in the duodenum was measured to evaluate intestinal senescence. The levels of glucagon-like peptide-1 （GLP-1）， vasoactive intestinal peptide （VIP）， and D-xylose in the serum were determined to assess digestion and absorption functions of the small intestine. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was conducted to observe pathological changes of the duodenum to assess the small intestine damage. Immunohistochemical staining was employed to visualize the expression of B-cell-specific Moloney murine leukemia virus integration site 1 （Bmi1） and leucine-rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled receptor 5 （Lgr5） in the duodenal tissue. Moreover， Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was utilized to quantify the mRNA levels of Ki67， Bmi1， and Lgr5 to assess proliferation and regeneration of the small intestine. Additionally， the mRNA levels of R-spondin1， Wnt3a， β-catenin， and glycogen synthase kinase-3β （GSK-3β） and the protein levels of R-spondin1， Wnt3a， β-catenin， and phosphorylated GSK-3β （p-GSK-3β） in the duodenum were determined by Real-time PCR and Western blot， respectively， to analyze the mechanisms of intestinal digestion and absorption dysfunction in aging rats and the regulatory characteristics of Bugansan. ResultsCompared with blank control group， the model group showed decreases in body mass， water intake， food intake， grip strength， activities of SOD， GSH-Px， and AMY in the serum and content of GLP-1， VIP and D-xylose in the serum （P<0.05）， increases in the content of MDA and TBA in the serum and β-gal activity in the duodenum （P<0.05）， reductions in villus length， villus width， crypt depth， and villi/crypt （V/C） value， down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of Ki67， Lgr5， Bmi1， R-spondin1， Wnt3a， β-catenin， and up-regulated level of GSK-3β， phosphorylation （p）-GSK-3β （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， Bugansan increased the body mass， water intake， food intake， grip strength， and activities of SOD， GSH-Px， and AMY and levels of GLP-1， VIP and D-xylose in the serum （P<0.05）， while decreasing the content of MDA and TBA in the serum and β-gal activity in the duodenum （P<0.05）. Furthermore， Bugansan increased the villus length， villus width， crypt depth， and V/C value， up-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of Ki67， Lgr5， Bmi1， R-spondin1， Wnt3a， β-catenin， and down-regulated the level of GSK-3β and p-GSK-3β （P<0.05）. ConclusionAging rats exhibit obvious impairments in digestion and absorption functions， accompanied by a state of hepatic deficiency. The traditional Chinese medicine approach of tonifying liver Qi effectively ameliorates aging-related changes by modulating the R-spondin1/Wnt3a signaling pathway to mitigate intestinal senescence and enhance digestion and absorption functions， ultimately contributing to the delay of aging.

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a genetically heterogeneous disease characterized by structural or functional abnormalities of motile cilia. It often presents clinically with recurrent respiratory infections, situs inversus, hydrocephalus, and infertility. Currently, there is no clinical treatment to directly restore ciliary motility in PCD patients.In recent years, researchers have explored gene therapy methods such as gene replacement, gene editing, and RNA replacement in vitro and in mouse models, offering potential new strategies for PCD treatment. This paper comprehensively reviews the current status of PCD gene therapy research, evaluates the potential of different gene therapies, and provides an outlook on the future treatment directions for this disease.

Objective: To analyze the mediating effects of self-efficacy and self-management behaviors on the relationship between depression symptoms and glycemic control among elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), so as to provide references for optimizing health management of elderly T2DM patients. Methods: T2DM patients aged ≥60 years from 8 community health service centers in Nanjing City were selected using a convenience sampling method. Basic information such as gender and age was collected through questionnaires. Depressive symptoms, self-efficacy, and self-management behaviors were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire, the Diabetes Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Diabetes Self-Management Behavior Scale, respectively. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was measured to evaluate glycemic control. A mediating effect model was constructed to analyze the mediating effects of self-efficacy and self-management behaviors on the relationship between depressive symptoms and glycemic control. Results: A total of 567 elderly T2DM patients were included, with a median age of 70.00 (interquartile range, 7.50) years. There were 248 males (43.74%) and 319 females (56.26%). The median scores of self-efficacy, self-management behaviors, depressive symptoms, and HbA1c were 3.89 (interquartile range, 0.78), 4.45 (interquartile range, 1.55), 4.00 (interquartile range, 6.00), and 6.80% (interquartile range, 1.40%), respectively. The mediating effect analysis showed that depressive symptoms indirectly affected glycemic control among elderly T2DM patients through the independent mediating effects of self-efficacy (β=0.028, 95%CI: 0.016-0.043) and self-management behaviors (β=0.009, 95%CI: 0.003-0.016), as well as the chain mediating effect of both (β=0.025, 95%CI: 0.017-0.035). The mediating effects of self-efficacy and self-management behaviors accounted for 36.66% and 11.35% of the total effect, respectively, while the chain mediating effect accounted for 32.15% of the total effect. Conclusion Self-efficacy and self-management behaviors play mediating roles in the relationship between depressive symptoms and glycemic control among elderly T2DM patients.

Objective:To explore the effect of knee arthroscopic operation training simulation system in clinical teaching of traditional Chinese medicine osteomatology resident doctor standardized training students.Methods:A total of 40 trainees were selected in Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Tianjin University of Chinese Medicine from January 2023 to September 2023. The trainees were divided into an experimental group and a control group according to the random number table method, with 20 in each group. Trainees in the control group was taught by presentations and video demonstrations. Trainees in the experimental group was taught by knee arthroscopic operation training simulation system. Trainees in each group were taught by a same teacher for a total of 2 weeks, with 2 class hours per week. After the teaching, the results of the assessment of theoretical knowledge, the results of the questionnaire survey on the mastery of teaching content and the results of the questionnaire survey on the evaluation of teaching methods were recorded. Then compared the results between the two groups.Results:Compared with the control group, there was no significant difference in the initial theoretical assessment scores between the two groups ( P > 0.05). The improvement rate of the test group was higher than that of the control group, with statistical significance ( P < 0.05). In terms of the mastery of teaching content, the experimental group was higher than the control group in three aspects: whether the teaching method was beneficial to the study of knee anatomy, imaging and surgical procedure, the difference was statistically significant ( P < 0.05); whether the teaching method was beneficial to the study of the selection of surgical indications, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups ( P > 0.05). In the evaluation of teaching methods, there was no significant difference in the scores of teaching participation between the two groups ( P > 0.05), and the scores of the experimental group in six aspects of teaching interest, teaching effectiveness, teaching understanding, learning initiative, teaching course evaluation and course satisfaction were higher than those of the control group, with statistical significance ( P < 0.05). Conclusions:The application of knee arthroscopic operation training simulation operating system can significantly improve the theoretical achievements of traditional Chinese medicine bone injury training students, which is beneficial to master clinical teaching content and improve clinical teaching satisfaction.

Objective:To investigate the microsurgical efficacy of large primary intracranial solitary fibrous tumor and influencing factors for its prognoses.Methods:From January 2010 to December 2022, 47 patients with large primary intracranial solitary fibrous tumor admitted to and accepted microsurgery in Department of Neurosurgery, Wuhan Central Hospital and Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, were enrolled. The clinical data, microsurgical efficacy and follow-up results of these patients were retrospectively analyzed, and influencing factors for total resection and prognoses were determined.Results:Thirty-two patients had tumor within the supratentorial region and 15 in the mandibular region, including 24 with sinus involved tumor. According to 2021 WHO Classification of Tumors of the Central Nervous System, 5 patients (10.6%) had grading 1, 32 (68.1%) grading 2, and 10 (21.3%) grading 3. Total resection was achieved in 31 patients (66.0%) and subtotal resection in 16 patients (34.0%). Postoperative complications, such as intraoperative hemorrhage, distant epidural hematoma and subcutaneous effusion, occurred in 7 patients (14.9%) and they were cured after secondary hematoma removal or conservative treatment; residual limb mobility disorder occurred in 3 patients, visual impairment in 3, and postoperative seizures in 2. Adjuvant radiotherapy was performed in 13 patients (27.7%). Follow-up was performed for (69.1±29.6) months and 29 patients (61.7%) had recurrent tumors (6 with intracranial and extracranial metastases and 4 deaths). Mean progression-free survival was (57.5±25.1) months; the 1-, 3-, and 5-year progression-free survival rates were 95.7%, 87.2%, and 59.6%, respectively. Sinus involvement was the independent influencing factor for total tumor resection; and total resection was an independent protective factor for progression-free survival for large primary intracranial solitary fibrous tumor ( HR=4.291, 95% CI: 1.555-11.838, P=0.005). Conclusion:Patients with large primary intracranial solitary fibrous tumor have a high recurrent risk after surgery; and gross-total resection should be strived to prevent tumor recurrence.

Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent malignant tumors.Bone metastasis is a common complication during the entire course of breast cancer.The vicious cycle of"tumor-bone microenvironment"was easily formed,which led to the occurrence of bone-related events such as bone pain,pathological fractures,and hypercalcemia,etc.Studies have found that active ingredients of Tripterygium wilfordii exhibit the effect of anti-breast cancer and regulation of bone microenvironment,including inhibition of tumor cell proliferation and migration,inhibition of tumor angiogenesis,induction of autophagy in tumor cells,regulation of bone formation in osteoblast cell,inhibition of bone resorption in osteoclast cell,promoting the differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells into osteoblasts,and regulation of immune microenvironment,which may be helpful to inhibit breast cancer and bone metastasis.This article systematically reviewed the research progress on pharmacological effects of Tripterygium wilfordii in preventing breast cancer and bone metastasis,analyzed the limitations and application prospects of the current research.

Objective:To explore the characteristics of endothelial function in children with incomplete Kawasaki disease (IKD) of different ages and its relationship with coronary artery lesion (CAL).Methods:A total of 200 children with IKD admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University from February 2020 to May 2022 were selected as the IKD group, and another 200 healthy children who underwent physical examinations during the same period were selected as the control group. According to the age of children with IKD, infants ( n=78) were classified as those under 1 year old, infants ( n=62) were classified as those between 1-3 years old, and preschool children ( n=60) were classified as those over 3-6 years old. The endothelial function characteristics of IKD children in different age groups and normal control group children were analyzed and compared. In addition, IKD patients were divided into CAL group ( n=110) and nCAL group ( n=90) based on whether CAL was merged. The age, carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), flow-mediated-dilation (FMD), carotid stiffness index (SI), nitroglycerin-mediated dilation (NMD), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), C-reactive protein (CRP), brachial artery endothelial dependent dilation function (EDD) and other clinical data were compared between the two groups. Cox proportional hazards model was used for univariate and multivariate analysis to identify the risk factors for CAL in IKD patients. A column chart prediction model was constructed and evaluated. Results:There were statistically significant differences in FMD, NMD, SI, IMT, reactive congestion index (RHI), and EDD between IKD patients and normal control group children (all P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences in FMD, NMD, SI, IMT, RHI, and EDD among three groups of IKD children of different ages (all P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences in the proportion of children aged ≤3 years, TNF-α, CRP, SI, IMT, EDD, FMD, and NMD between the nCAL and CAL groups (all P<0.05). Age ≤3 years, elevated levels of TNF-α, CRP, SI, IMT, and EDD, as well as decreased levels of FMD and NMD, were independent risk factors for CAL in children with IKD (all P<0.05). The column chart prediction model had high discrimination, and the area under the curve for predicting CAL occurrence in children with IKD was 0.868 and 0.830, respectively. Conclusions:There are significant differences in endothelial function among children with IKD of different ages, and endothelial function is closely related to the occurrence of CAL. When endothelial function is abnormal, CAL is more likely to occur.

Objective To explore the characteristics of TCM prescriptions for acute gouty arthritis based on data mining methods;To provide reference for clinical treatment.Methods The clinical literature on the TCM treatment of acute gouty arthritis was retrieved from CNKI,Wanfang Data,VIP and SinoMed.The obtained formulas were input into Excel 2019 to establish a database,and SPSS Modeler 18.0,SPSS Statistics 26.0 and Cytoscape 3.9.1 were used for frequency analysis,association rule analysis,clustering analysis and factor analysis.Results A total of 290 articles meeting the requirements were included,including 295 prescriptions,involving 218 kinds of Chinese materia medica,with a total frequency of 3 573 times.24 kinds of Chinese materia medica,including Coicis Semen,Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex,Atractylodis Rhizoma,Smilacis Glabrae Rhizoma,Dioscoreae Spongiosae Rhizoma,Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma,Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix were used frequently in the treatment of acute gouty arthritis.The commonly used drugs were heat-clearing drugs,moisture-clearing drugs,blood circulation-activating drugs for removing blood stasis,and wind-dampness drugs.The property was mainly cold,the taste was mainly bitter,and the meridians were mainly liver,stomach,spleen and kidney meridians.The analysis of high-frequency drug association rules obtained 22 drug combinations,among which the core drug pairs were Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex-Atractylodis Rhizoma,Coicis Semen-Atractylodis Rhizoma-Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex.Clustering analysis obtained 4 clustering methods,and factor analysis obtained 9 common factors.Conclusion The main treatment of acute gouty arthritis by TCM is clearing heat and dampness,removing blood stasis and clearing collaterals,tonifying liver and kidney,regulating spleen and stomach,which could provide reference for the clinical treatment of acute gouty arthritis.