ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism by which Tangbikang granules improve diabetic peripheral neuropathy based on ferroptosis mediated by the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 （AMPK/Nrf2） signaling pathway. MethodsA diabetes model was established using spontaneous male Zucker diabetic fatty （ZDF） rats. After successful modeling， the rats were divided into a normal group， a model group， high-， medium-， and low-dose Tangbikang granules groups， and a metformin hydrochloride group. The high-， medium-， and low-dose Tangbikang granules groups were administered by gavage at doses of 2.5， 1.25， 0.625 g·kg^-1， respectively. The metformin hydrochloride group received 0.135 g·kg^-1 by gavage， while the remaining groups received an equal volume of deionized water. Administration continued for 12 weeks. Blood glucose levels were measured after administration， and at 4， 8， 12 weeks. Following the 12-week intervention， the thermal pain threshold and the sciatic nerve conduction velocity （SNCV） were measured. The levels of malondialdehyde （MDA）， superoxide dismutase （SOD）， and adenosine triphosphate （ATP） in the sciatic nerve were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Morphological changes in the sciatic nerve were observed using hematoxylin and eosin （HE） staining， and the ultrastructural changes were examined using transmission electron microscopy. The levels of glutathione peroxidase 4 （GPx4） were detected using immunofluorescence （IF） assay. The protein expression levels of p-AMPK， Nrf2， GPx4， and acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 （ACSL4） were detected using Western blot. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group had significantly higher blood glucose levels after administration and at weeks 4， 8 and 12 （P<0.01）. The thermal pain threshold was significantly prolonged （P<0.01）， and the SNCV was significantly slowed down （P<0.01）. The SOD and ATP levels significantly decreased （P<0.01）， while the MDA levels significantly increased （P<0.01）. Pathologically， the sciatic nerve fibers in the model group showed a dispersed structure， disordered and sparse arrangement， axonal atrophy， irregular myelin sheath halo， increased and swollen Schwann cell nuclei， obvious endoneurial fibrosis， and collagen hyperplasia. Immunofluorescence assay revealed fragmented red fluorescence and significantly reduced expression of GPx4 （P<0.01）. Western blot analysis showed significantly decreased protein expression levels of p-AMPK， Nrf2， and GPx4 （P<0.01）， and significantly increased expression of ACSL4 （P<0.01） in the model group. Compared with the model group， fasting blood glucose level decreased significantly in the high-dose Tangbikang granules group at weeks 4 and 12 （P<0.05）. The thermal pain threshold was significantly shortened in the high- and medium-dose Tangbikang granules groups （P<0.01）. The SNCV was significantly accelerated in the high- and medium-dose Tangbikang granules groups （P<0.01）. The SOD levels were significantly elevated in the high-dose Tangbikang granules group （P<0.01）. The MDA levels significantly decreased in all Tangbikang granules groups （P<0.01）. Both the metformin hydrochloride group and the high-dose Tangbikang granules group exhibited relatively orderly and densely arranged sciatic nerve fibers with more regular myelin sheath halos. The GPx4 expression significantly increased in both the metformin hydrochloride group and all Tangbikang granules groups （P<0.01）. The protein expression levels of p-AMPK， Nrf2， and GPx4 were significantly increased （P<0.01）， while ACSL4 protein expression significantly decreased （P<0.01）. ConclusionTangbikang granules may improve peripheral neuropathy by suppressing ferroptosis through the regulation of the AMPK/Nrf2 signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo explore the role of cucurbitacin B （CuB） in inducing ferroptosis in 4T1 cells and its mechanism. MethodsThe effects of CuB（0.2， 0.4， 0.8 μmol·L^-1）on the proliferation ability of 4T1 cells in vitro were detected using the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium （MTT） assay. The clonogenic ability of 4T1 cells was detected by the plate cloning assay， and the levels of lactate dehydrogenase （LDH） in 4T1 cells were detected by the use of a kit. The mitochondrial membrane potential and reactive oxygen species （ROS） levels in 4T1 cells were detected by flow cytometry， and the mitochondrial ultrastructure of 4T1 cells was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The western blot was used to detect the expression of ferroptosis-related protein p53 in 4T1 cells， solute carrier family 7 member 11 （SCL7A11）， glutathione peroxidase 4 （GPX4）， long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase 4 （ACSL4）， transferrin receptor protein 1 （TFR1）， and ferritin heavy chain 1 （FTH1）. ResultsCompared with that in the blank group， the survival rate of 4T1 cells in CuB groups was significantly decreased （P<0.05）， and the number of cell clones in CuB groups was significantly reduced （P<0.01）. In addition， compared with that in the blank group， the leakage of LDH in cells in CuB groups was significantly increased （P<0.01）， and the mitochondrial membrane potential of cells in CuB groups decreased significantly （P<0.01）. Cellular ROS levels were significantly elevated in CuB groups （P<0.01）. The mitochondria of cells in CuB groups were obviously wrinkled， and the mitochondrial cristae were reduced or even disappeared. Compared with that in the blank group， the protein expression of p53， ACSL4， and TFR1 were significantly up-regulated in CuB groups （P<0.05）， and that of SLC7A11， GPX4， and FTH1 were significantly down-regulated （P<0.05）. ConclusionCuB may inhibit SLC7A11 and GPX4 expression by up-regulating the expression of p53， which in turn regulates the p53/SLC7A11/GPX4 signaling pathway axis and accelerates the generation of lipid peroxidation substrate by up-regulating the expression of ACSL4. It up-regulates TFR1 expression to promote cellular uptake of Fe³⁺ and down-regulates the expression of FTH1 to reduce the ability of iron storage， resulting in an elevated free Fe²⁺ level. It catalyzes the Fenton reaction， generates excess ROS， imbalances the antioxidant system and iron metabolism， and then induces ferroptosis in 4T1 cells.

ObjectiveTo explore the role of cucurbitacin B （CuB） in inducing ferroptosis in 4T1 cells and its mechanism. MethodsThe effects of CuB（0.2， 0.4， 0.8 μmol·L^-1）on the proliferation ability of 4T1 cells in vitro were detected using the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium （MTT） assay. The clonogenic ability of 4T1 cells was detected by the plate cloning assay， and the levels of lactate dehydrogenase （LDH） in 4T1 cells were detected by the use of a kit. The mitochondrial membrane potential and reactive oxygen species （ROS） levels in 4T1 cells were detected by flow cytometry， and the mitochondrial ultrastructure of 4T1 cells was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The western blot was used to detect the expression of ferroptosis-related protein p53 in 4T1 cells， solute carrier family 7 member 11 （SCL7A11）， glutathione peroxidase 4 （GPX4）， long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase 4 （ACSL4）， transferrin receptor protein 1 （TFR1）， and ferritin heavy chain 1 （FTH1）. ResultsCompared with that in the blank group， the survival rate of 4T1 cells in CuB groups was significantly decreased （P<0.05）， and the number of cell clones in CuB groups was significantly reduced （P<0.01）. In addition， compared with that in the blank group， the leakage of LDH in cells in CuB groups was significantly increased （P<0.01）， and the mitochondrial membrane potential of cells in CuB groups decreased significantly （P<0.01）. Cellular ROS levels were significantly elevated in CuB groups （P<0.01）. The mitochondria of cells in CuB groups were obviously wrinkled， and the mitochondrial cristae were reduced or even disappeared. Compared with that in the blank group， the protein expression of p53， ACSL4， and TFR1 were significantly up-regulated in CuB groups （P<0.05）， and that of SLC7A11， GPX4， and FTH1 were significantly down-regulated （P<0.05）. ConclusionCuB may inhibit SLC7A11 and GPX4 expression by up-regulating the expression of p53， which in turn regulates the p53/SLC7A11/GPX4 signaling pathway axis and accelerates the generation of lipid peroxidation substrate by up-regulating the expression of ACSL4. It up-regulates TFR1 expression to promote cellular uptake of Fe³⁺ and down-regulates the expression of FTH1 to reduce the ability of iron storage， resulting in an elevated free Fe²⁺ level. It catalyzes the Fenton reaction， generates excess ROS， imbalances the antioxidant system and iron metabolism， and then induces ferroptosis in 4T1 cells.

Objective: To study the impact of disaggregation on the quality of in vitro aggregated apheresis platelets. Methods: The apheresis platelets collected from Guangzhou Blood Center served as the study samples. The in vitro aggregated apheresis platelets after successful disaggregation were designated as the experimental group (referred to as the aggregation group), and apheresis platelets without in vitro aggregation during collection served as the control group. The product volume, platelet content, residual white blood cells, red blood cell contamination, pH value, CD62p expression rate, platelet morphology score and thromboelastography of both groups were respectively detected. Results: The routine quality control indicators such as product volume, platelet content, residual white blood cells, red blood cell contamination, and pH value of both groups all met the quality requirements. There were statistically significant differences in pH value (7.180 vs 7.071) between the two groups (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in product volume, platelet content, residual white blood cells, and red blood cell contamination between the two groups (P>0.05). The CD62p expression rate of the aggregation group was higher than that of the control group (42.386% vs 17.310%, P<0.05), while the cell morphology score of the aggregation group was lower than that of the control group (132.066 vs 141.166, P<0.05). No statistically significant differences were found in thromboelastography parameters (R-CK, K-CK, α angle, MA-CK, CI-CK) between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion: After the disaggregation of in vitro-aggregated apheresis platelets, the quality indicators met the national quality requirements. Although the expression rate of CD62p increased and the cell morphology score decreased, there were no statistically significant differences in the thromboelastography parameters between the two groups. This indicates that although some platelet activation occurred, it did not affect the hemostatic function of the platelets.

Hyperlipidaemic rats were randomly divided into a model group,a total flavonoids from echinops latifolius tausch(TFET)high,medium and low dose group,and a positive control group;meanwhile,healthy rats were selected as a blank control group.The rats in each group were dosed with the corresponding concentrations of TFET,simvastatin and distilled water for 45 consecutive days,and were tested for relevant lipid biochemical indexes,antioxidant indexes and PPARα path-way-related gene expression.The results showed that high-dose TFET could reduce the concentra-tions of TC,TG and LDL-C and increase the concentration of HDL-C very significantly;medium-dose TFET could reduce the concentrations of TC and TG very significantly and reduce the con-centration of LDL-C significantly;and low-dose TFET could reduce the concentrations of TC and LDL-C significantly.High,medium and low doses of TFET can extremely significantly reduce in-crease SOD activity;high and medium doses of TFET can extremely significantly reduce MDA content;high dose of TFET can extremely significantly increase T-AOC activity.The high dose of TFET could extremely significantly increase the expression of PPARα,CYP7A1 and CPT-1 genes in rat liver;the medium dose of TFET could extremely significantly increase the expression of CYP7A1 and CPT-1 genes,and could significantly increase the expression of PPARα gene;the low dose of TFET could extremely significantly increase the expression of CYP7A1 gene,and signifi-cantly increase the CPT-1 gene expression.The results suggest that TFET has antioxidant and lip-id-lowering effects on hyperlipidaemic rats,and its mechanism may be related to the activation of PPARα and its downstream related genes to promote fatty acid β-oxidation.

Objective:To explore the feasibility of circulating tumor cell (CTC) dual-antibody enrichment and dual-antibody detection for epithelial-mesenchymal phenotypes in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and investigate the clinical diagnostic value of CTC typing in evaluating postoperative recurrence and prognosis of HCC.Methods:Of 89 HCC patients who underwent surgical treatment in Zhejiang Jinhua Guangfu Tumor Hospital from March 2020 to January 2024 were enrolled into this study, including 73 males and 16 females, aged (64.4±9.5) years old. The peripheral blood samples of patients were collected before operation. Epithelial CTC, mesenchymal CTC and hybrid epithelial-mesenchymal CTC in blood samples of patients with HCC were enriched and detected by EpCAM/CSV double capture antibodies and PanCK/CSV double detection antibodies. Kaplan-Meier analysis was employed to assess recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) rates. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression were used to analyze the effects of different types of CTC on postoperative RFS and OS.Results:The detection rates of total CTC, epithelial CTC, mesenchymal CTC and hybrid epithelial-mesenchymal CTC were 92.1% (82/89), 64.0% (57/89), 62.9% (56/89) and 55.1% (49/89), respectively. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that HCC patients with more mesenchymal CTC ( HR=2.408, 95% CI: 1.580-3.668) and hybrid epithelial-mesenchymal CTC ( HR=1.840, 95% CI: 1.004-3.371) in peripheral blood had higher postoperative recurrence risk (both P<0.05). Univariate Cox regression showed patients with more total CTC ( HR=1.426, 95% CI: 1.040-1.954, P=0.028) was associated with survival. Conclusion:The technique of epithelial-mesenchymal phenotypes analysis of circulating tumor cells based on dual-antibody capture and dual-antibody detection is feasible. The number of mesenchymal CTC and hybrid epithelial-mesenchymal CTC before operation is the influencing factor of postoperative recurrence in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Objective To investigate the intrinsic neural mechanism of aggressive behavior in CD 1 mice.Methods CD1 mice with aggressive behavior were screened out by resident intruder test.After the aggressive conditioned pair preference was further verified,the activated brain regions of the whole brain were labeled with c-Fos,and the types of neurons activated by the aggressive behavior were analyzed by double immunofluorescence labeling.Finally,the effects of activity of these neurons regulated by optogenetics on aggressive behavior were observed.Results The c-Fos screening revealed that about 82％of the CD1 mice showed aggressive behavior.After the occurrence of aggressive behavior,the main activation occured in the medial prefrontal cortex(mPFC),and the results of immunofluorescence double labeling showed that the c-Fos positive neurons in the mPFC were mainly glutamatergic neurons.Finally,glutamatergic neurons in the mPFC could be activated by optogenetics,and the activation inhibited the aggressive behavior of CD1 mice.In contrast,optogenetics could inhibit glutamatergic neurons in the mPFC and then promote the aggressive behavior of CD1 mice.Conclusion Glutamatergic neurons in the mPFC are an important component in the regulation of aggressive behavior in CD1 mice.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Tangbikang granules on oxidative stress of sciatic nerve in diabetic rats by regulating adenylate activated protein kinase/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α/mitochondrial Sirtuins 3 （AMPK/PGC-1α/SIRT3） signaling pathway. MethodThe spontaneous obesity type 2 diabetes model was established using ZDF rats. After modeling， they were randomly divided into high， medium， and low dose Tangbikang granule groups （2.5， 1.25， 0.625 g·kg^-1·d^-1） and lipoic acid group （0.026 8 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， and the normal group was set up. The rats were administered continuously for 12 weeks after modeling. The blood glucose of rats was detected before intervention and at 4， 8， 12 weeks after intervention. At the 12^th week， motor nerve conduction velocity （MNCV）， sensory nerve conduction velocity （SNCV）， nerve blood flow velocity， mechanical pain threshold， and thermal pain threshold were detected. The sciatic nerve was taken for hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining to observe the tissue morphology. The ultrastructure of the sciatic nerve was observed by transmission electron microscope. The expression levels of superoxide dismutase （SOD）， malondialdehyde （MDA）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in sciatic nerve were determined by enzyme-related immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The mRNA expressions of AMPKα， AMPKβ， PGC-1α， and SIRT3 in sciatic nerve were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. ResultCompared with the normal group， fasting blood glucose in the model group was increased at each time point （P<0.01）. The mechanical pain threshold was decreased （P<0.05）， and the incubation time of the hot plate was extended （P<0.01）. MNCV， SNCV， and nerve blood flow velocity decreased （P<0.05）. The expression level of SOD was decreased （P<0.01）. The expression levels of MDA， IL-1β， and TNF-α were increased （P<0.01）. The mRNA expression levels of AMPKα， AMPKβ， PGC-1α， and SIRT3 were decreased （P<0.01）. The structure of sciatic nerve fibers in the model group was loose， and the arrangement was disordered. The demyelination change was obvious. Compared with the model group， the fasting blood glucose of rats in the high dose Tangbikang granule group was decreased after the intervention of eight weeks and 12 weeks （P<0.01）. The mechanical pain threshold increased （P<0.05）. The incubation time of the hot plate was shortened （P<0.01）. MNCV， SNCV， and Flux increased （P<0.05）. The expression level of SOD was increased （P<0.01）. The expression levels of MDA， IL-1β， and TNF-α were decreased （P<0.01）. The mRNA expression levels of AMPKα， AMPKβ， PGC-1α， and SIRT3 were increased （P<0.01）. The sciatic nerve fibers in the high-dose Tangbikang granule group were tighter and more neatly arranged， with only a few demyelinating changes. The high， medium， and low dose Tangbikang granule groups showed a significant dose-effect trend. ConclusionTangbikang granules may improve sciatic nerve function in diabetic rats by regulating AMPK/PGC-1α/SIRT3 signaling pathway partly to inhibit oxidative stress.

Paridis Rhizoma possesses the functions of clearing heat and detoxifying， alleviating swelling and relieving pain， cooling the liver and calming the convulsion. Saponins are the main active components of Paridis Rhizoma. Studies have shown that total saponins in Paridis Rhizoma have obvious inhibitory effect on solid tumors such as breast cancer， lung cancer， gastric cancer， and liver cancer and non-solid tumors such as leukemia. The saponins may exert the anti-tumor effects by inhibiting the proliferation， migration， and invasion of tumor cells， regulating cell cycle， inducing apoptotic and non-apoptotic death pathways， and regulating metabolism and tumor microenvironment. Furthermore， total saponins in Paridis Rhizoma showed anti-inflammatory， antioxidant， antimicrobial， hemostatic， and uterus-contracting activities. At the same time， they may induce apoptosis of normal cells， inflammation and oxidative stress， and metabolic disorders. In recent years， the reports of liver injury， reproductive injury， gastrointestinal injury， hemolysis， and other adverse reactions caused by total saponins in Paridis Rhizoma have been increasing. Pharmacokinetic studies have shown that there are significant differences in the metabolism of total saponins in Paridis Rhizoma administrated in different ways. Injection has a fast clearance rate， while oral administration may have hepatoenteric circulation. Meanwhile， due to the low solubility and activation of P-glycoprotein （P-gp） molecular pump， the prototype absorption， intestinal permeability， and recovery rate of total saponins in Paridis Rhizoma are poor， which affects the bioavailability. The bioavailability can be improved to some extent by preparing new dosage forms or new drug delivery systems with advanced technology. This paper reviews the pharmacological effect， pharmacokinetics， and adverse reactions of Rhizoma Paridis total saponins by searching the China National Knowledge Infrastructure （CNKI）， VIP， and Web of Science with ''Rhizoma Paridis total saponins'' as the keywords， hoping to provide references for the research， development， and clinical application of such components.

Objective To investigate the expression of tissue signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)and serum STAT3 mRNA,IL-12p40 and IL-13R α 2 levels in children with congenital intestinal atresia and their correlation with prognosis.Methods From January 2020 to January 2023,100 cases of intestinal atresia lesion tissues,normal intestinal tissues and preoperative serum samples were collected from children with congenital intestinal atresia who underwent treatment in Hebei Children's Hospital.According to the Grosfeld typing criteria,these children were categorized into 39 cases of type Ⅰ,22 cases of type Ⅱ,30 cases of type Ⅲ and 9 cases of type Ⅳ.Based on the recovery situation at 6 months after surgery,these children were separated into a good prognosis group(n=78)and a poor prognosis group(n=22).Serum samples from 93 cases of healthy children undergoing medical examinations during the same period were regarded as control samples.Immunohistochemistry was applied to detect the positive expression and localization of STAT3 in tissues.Western blot was applied to detect the expression of STAT3 protein in tissues,and quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qPCR)was applied to detect the expression level of STAT3 mRNA in serum.Pearson correlation was applied to analyze the correlation between serum STAT3 and inflammatory factor levels in children with congenital intestinal atresia.Logistic regression was used to analyze the factors affecting the prognosis of children with congenital intestinal atresia.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was applied to analyze the predictive efficacy of serum STAT3 level on the prognosis of children with congenital intestinal atresia.Results Immunohistochemical results showed that STAT3 positive expression was mainly localized in the cytoplasm and nucleus.The positive expression rate in congenital intestinal atresia tissue(86％)was higher than that in normal intestinal tissue(18％),and the difference was significant(x2=92.628,P＜0.05).Western blot results showed that the relative expression level of STAT3 in congenital intestinal atresia tissue(1.59±0.21)was higher than that in normal intestinal tissue(0.81±0.12),and the difference was significant(t=30.567,P＜0.05).The results of qPCR showed that serum STAT3(2.13±0.56),IL-12p40(0.89±0.13 ng/ml),and IL-13R α 2 levels(6.42±1.86ng/ml)in the congenital intestinal atresia group were higher than those in the control groups(1.06±0.11,0.37±0.08ng/ml,1.35±0.41ng/ml),and the differences were significant(t=18.101,33.170,25.708,all P＜0.05).The levels of STAT3 and IL-12p40,IL-13R α 2 were gradually increased with the increase of the children's subtypes,and the differences were significant(F=52.666,160.300,25.82,all P＜0.05).Pearson correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between serum STAT3,IL-12p40,and IL-13R α 2 levels in children with congenital intestinal atresia(r=0.496,0.564,all P＜0.001).The expression level of serum STAT3 in poor prognosis group(3.01±0.75)was higher than that in good prognosis group(1.88±0.51),and the differences was statistically significant(t=8.212,P＜0.05).Logistic regression showed that STAT3,IL-12p40,IL-13R α 2,and low birth quality were all independent risk factors for poor prognosis in children with congenital intestinal atresia(all P＜0.05).The ROC curve showed that the area under the curve(AUC)for evaluating the prognosis of children with congenital intestinal atresia by serum STAT3 expression was 0.916,with a sensitivity of 81.82％and a specificity of 88.46％,respectively.When the serum STAT3 mRNA level was higher than 2.47,children with congenital intestinal atresia had a higher probability of poor prognosis.Conclusion The expression of STAT3 is increased in the tissues and serum of children with congenital intestinal atresia.Serum STAT3 may have a predictive value for the prognosis of affected children.