Objective:To evaluate the role of spinal Annexin A3 (ANXA3) in neuropathic pain in mice.Methods:Sixty-four SPF healthy adult male C57BL/6 mice, weighing 22-26 g, aged 8-10 weeks, were divided into 4 groups ( n=16 each) by the random number table method: sham operation group (group S), chronic constriction injury (CCI) group, CCI+ negative control adeno-associated virus AAV-NC group (group CCI+ N) and CCI+ adeno-associated virus AAV-shANXA3 group (group CCI+ sh). The neuropathic pain was induced by CCI of the sciatic nerve in anesthetized animals. The AAV-shANXA3 and AAV-NC (5 μl) were intrathecally injected at 14 days before developing the model in CCI+ N group and CCI+ sh group. The mechanical paw withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal paw withdrawal latency (TWL) were measured at 1 day before developing the model and at 7, 14 and 21 days after developing the model. All the mice were sacrificed after the last measurement of pain threshold, the L 4-6 segments of the spinal cord were removed for determination of the expression of ANXA3, phosphorylated nuclear factor-kappa B (p-NF-κB) and ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule-1 (Iba-1)(by Western blot), expression of ANXA3 mRNA (by real-time polymerase chain reaction), microglial activation (using the immunofluorescence staining), and contents of pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) and IL-6 and anti-inflammatory cytokines transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) and IL-10 (using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). Results:Compared with group S, the MWT was significantly decreased and TWL was shortened after developing the model, the expression of ANXA3 protein and mRNA, p-NF-κB and Iba-1 in spinal cord was up-regulated, the contents of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 were increased, the contents of TGF-β and IL-10 were decreased ( P<0.05), the activation of microglia in the spinal cord was significantly increased, and the cell body was enlarged in group CCI. There was no significant difference in each parameter between group CCI and group CCI+ N ( P>0.05). Compared with CCI+ N group, the MWT was significantly increased on days 14 and 21 after developing the model, the TWL was prolonged on day 21 after developing the model, the expression of ANXA3 protein and mRNA, p-NF-κB and Iba-1 was down-regulated, the contents of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 were decreased, the contents of TGF-β and IL-10 were increased ( P<0.05), and the activation of spinal microglia was decreased in CCI+ sh group. Conclusions:Spinal ANXA3 may be involved in the development and maintenance of neuropathic pain by activating the NF-κB signaling pathway and further promoting microglial activation in mice.

Objective To analyze the correlation between ferroptosis and post operative cognitive dysfunction(POCD)in elderly patients with fractures.Methods A total of 120 elderly patients with fracture were divided into the control group and the POCD group according to whether POCD occurred,with 60 cases in each group.Basic data of the two groups were collected.The levels of nerve injury indicators[brain myelin basic protein(MBP),glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP)],and fractures markers[glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4),cyclooxygenase 2(COX2),long-chain acyl-CoA synthase 4(ACSL4)]were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at 6 h after surgery.Logistic regression was used to analyze risk factors of POCD in elderly patients with fracture.The correlations between MBP,GFAP and GPX4,COX2 and ACSL4 were analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were used to analyze predictive values of MBP,GFAP,GPX4,COX2 and ACSL4 levels to POCD.Results The age,proportion of general anesthesia,anesthesia time,intraoperative blood loss and MBP,GFAP,COX2,ACSL4 levels were higher in the POCD group than those in the control group(P＜0.05),while GPX4 was lower than that in the control group(P＜0.05).The levels of MBP and GFAP were negatively correlated with levels of GPX4 in elderly patients with fractures,and positively correlated with levels of COX2 and ACSL4(P＜0.05).Advanced age,general anesthesia,long duration of anesthesia,increased levels of MBP,GFAP,COX2 and ACSL4,and decreased level of GPX4 were independent risk factors for POCD in elderly fracture patients(P＜0.05).The critical values of GPX4,COX2 and ACSL4 for predicting POCD in elderly patients with fractures were GPX4≤23.05 μg/L,COX2≥20.35 μg/L and ACSL4≥237.85 μg/L,and the AUC were 0.869,0.736 and 0.841.The sensitivity was 76.67%,68.33%and 88.33%,and the specificity was 86.67%,78.33%and 75.00%,respectively.The diagnostic efficacy of GFAP,COX2 and ACSL4 was higher than that of MBP and GFAP.Conclusion The incidence of POCD in elderly patients with fracture is associated with ferroptosis,and levels of GPX4,COX2 and ACSL4 have certain predictive value for the incidence of POCD after surgery in elderly patients with fracture.

Objective:To evaluate the role of spinal Annexin A3 (ANXA3) in neuropathic pain in mice.Methods:Sixty-four SPF healthy adult male C57BL/6 mice, weighing 22-26 g, aged 8-10 weeks, were divided into 4 groups ( n=16 each) by the random number table method: sham operation group (group S), chronic constriction injury (CCI) group, CCI+ negative control adeno-associated virus AAV-NC group (group CCI+ N) and CCI+ adeno-associated virus AAV-shANXA3 group (group CCI+ sh). The neuropathic pain was induced by CCI of the sciatic nerve in anesthetized animals. The AAV-shANXA3 and AAV-NC (5 μl) were intrathecally injected at 14 days before developing the model in CCI+ N group and CCI+ sh group. The mechanical paw withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal paw withdrawal latency (TWL) were measured at 1 day before developing the model and at 7, 14 and 21 days after developing the model. All the mice were sacrificed after the last measurement of pain threshold, the L 4-6 segments of the spinal cord were removed for determination of the expression of ANXA3, phosphorylated nuclear factor-kappa B (p-NF-κB) and ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule-1 (Iba-1)(by Western blot), expression of ANXA3 mRNA (by real-time polymerase chain reaction), microglial activation (using the immunofluorescence staining), and contents of pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) and IL-6 and anti-inflammatory cytokines transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) and IL-10 (using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). Results:Compared with group S, the MWT was significantly decreased and TWL was shortened after developing the model, the expression of ANXA3 protein and mRNA, p-NF-κB and Iba-1 in spinal cord was up-regulated, the contents of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 were increased, the contents of TGF-β and IL-10 were decreased ( P<0.05), the activation of microglia in the spinal cord was significantly increased, and the cell body was enlarged in group CCI. There was no significant difference in each parameter between group CCI and group CCI+ N ( P>0.05). Compared with CCI+ N group, the MWT was significantly increased on days 14 and 21 after developing the model, the TWL was prolonged on day 21 after developing the model, the expression of ANXA3 protein and mRNA, p-NF-κB and Iba-1 was down-regulated, the contents of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 were decreased, the contents of TGF-β and IL-10 were increased ( P<0.05), and the activation of spinal microglia was decreased in CCI+ sh group. Conclusions:Spinal ANXA3 may be involved in the development and maintenance of neuropathic pain by activating the NF-κB signaling pathway and further promoting microglial activation in mice.

Objective To analyze the correlation between ferroptosis and post operative cognitive dysfunction(POCD)in elderly patients with fractures.Methods A total of 120 elderly patients with fracture were divided into the control group and the POCD group according to whether POCD occurred,with 60 cases in each group.Basic data of the two groups were collected.The levels of nerve injury indicators[brain myelin basic protein(MBP),glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP)],and fractures markers[glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4),cyclooxygenase 2(COX2),long-chain acyl-CoA synthase 4(ACSL4)]were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at 6 h after surgery.Logistic regression was used to analyze risk factors of POCD in elderly patients with fracture.The correlations between MBP,GFAP and GPX4,COX2 and ACSL4 were analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were used to analyze predictive values of MBP,GFAP,GPX4,COX2 and ACSL4 levels to POCD.Results The age,proportion of general anesthesia,anesthesia time,intraoperative blood loss and MBP,GFAP,COX2,ACSL4 levels were higher in the POCD group than those in the control group(P＜0.05),while GPX4 was lower than that in the control group(P＜0.05).The levels of MBP and GFAP were negatively correlated with levels of GPX4 in elderly patients with fractures,and positively correlated with levels of COX2 and ACSL4(P＜0.05).Advanced age,general anesthesia,long duration of anesthesia,increased levels of MBP,GFAP,COX2 and ACSL4,and decreased level of GPX4 were independent risk factors for POCD in elderly fracture patients(P＜0.05).The critical values of GPX4,COX2 and ACSL4 for predicting POCD in elderly patients with fractures were GPX4≤23.05 μg/L,COX2≥20.35 μg/L and ACSL4≥237.85 μg/L,and the AUC were 0.869,0.736 and 0.841.The sensitivity was 76.67%,68.33%and 88.33%,and the specificity was 86.67%,78.33%and 75.00%,respectively.The diagnostic efficacy of GFAP,COX2 and ACSL4 was higher than that of MBP and GFAP.Conclusion The incidence of POCD in elderly patients with fracture is associated with ferroptosis,and levels of GPX4,COX2 and ACSL4 have certain predictive value for the incidence of POCD after surgery in elderly patients with fracture.

Objective:To design and synthesize 89Zr-deferoxamine(DFO)-G4C2, a novel molecular probe targeting programmed cell death receptor 1(PD-1), and evaluate its in vivo biodistribution and microPET/CT imaging characteristics in tumor-bearing mice. Methods:DFO-G4C2 was prepared by coupling DFO with G4C2, a monoclonal antibody targeting PD-1. The affinity and binding specificity of this amalgamation were subsequently assessed through the implementation of flow cytometry and surface plasmon resonance techniques. The molecular probe 89Zr-DFO-G4C2 was achieved by labeling DFO-G4C2 with the radioisotope 89Zr, and the labeling efficiency and in vitro stability of 89Zr-DFO-G4C2 were determined. Mouse models laden with CT26 colorectal cancer cells expressing PD-1 were established, followed by in vivo biodistribution and microPET/CT imaging studies, to explore the potential clinical value of 89Zr-DFO-G4C2. Additionally, the validity of this molecular probe was verified in 4T1 breast cancer models, affirming its efficacy as an imaging tool across different tumor models. Independent-sample t test was used to analyze the data. Results:DFO-G4C2 exhibited an affinity constant KD of (0.55±0.02) μmol/L, indicating a strong binding affinity. The binding rate to mouse PD-1 protein was determined to be (61.82±8.49)%. The labeling rate of 89Zr-DFO-G4C2 reached a high level of (98.76±0.51)%. Furthermore, the labeling rates in lysate and human serum after 144 h were measured to be (93.07±2.16)% and (83.42±3.21)%, respectively. MicroPET/CT imaging of CT26 tumor-bearing mice injected with 89Zr-DFO-G4C2 showcased pronounced radioactivity uptake in the tumor tissue. At 72 h post-injection, the tumor uptake value reached (10.47±0.34) percentage activity of injection dose per gram of tissue (%ID/g). The tumor uptake observed in the blocked experimental group, wherein an excess of unlabeled antibody was administered, was significantly lower at (6.26±1.03) %ID/g in comparison to the non-blocked group ( t=6.67, P=0.003). The in vivo biodistribution results were consistent with the observed microPET/CT imaging outcomes. MicroPET/CT imaging observations in the 4T1 breast cancer bearing mouse model were analogous to those obtained from the CT26 model. Conclusion:ImmunoPET based on the 89Zr-DFO-G4C2 molecular probe can non-invasively and visually assess the PD-1 expression level of tumors in vivo, and it is expected to be a new molecular imaging technique for immunotherapy monitoring of PD-1 inhibitors.

Objective:To evaluate the role of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS)-nitric oxide synthase 1 adaptor protein (NOS1AP) coupling in remifentanil-induced hyperalgesia in rats.Methods:Forty clean-grade healthy adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 240-260 g, aged 2-3 months, were divided into 4 groups ( n=10 each) using a random number table method: control group (group C), remifentanil group (group R), nNOS-NOS1AP inhibitor ZLc002 group (group C+ Z) and remifentanil + ZLc002 group (group R+ Z). Normal saline was intravenously infused at a rate of 0.1 ml·kg -1·min -1 for 60 min in C group. Remifentanil was intravenously infused at a rate of 1.0 μg·kg -1·min -1 for 60 min in R group. ZLc002 10 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected for 3 consecutive days, and then normal saline 0.1 ml·kg -1·min -1 and remifentanil 1.0 μg·kg -1·min -1 were intravenously infused for 60 min in C+ Z group and R+ Z group. The mechanical paw withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal paw withdrawal latency (TWL) were measured at 24 h before intravenous infusion and 6, 24 and 48 h after intravenous infusion (T 0-3). All the rats were sacrificed after the last measurement of pain thresholds, and the L 4-6 segments of the spinal cord were removed for determination of the expression of nNOS, NOS1AP and Dexamethasone-induced Ras-related protein 1 (Dexras1) protein and mRNA using the real-time polymerase chain reaction. Nitrosylated proteins were extracted by biotin conversion for determination of the expression of nNOS, NOS1AP and total and nitrosylated Dexras1 (by Western blot) and co-expression of nNOS-NOS1AP (by co-immunoprecipitation). The content of NO in the spinal cord was measured. Results:Compared with group C, the MWT was significantly decreased, and the TWL was shortened at T 1-3, the expression of nNOS and NOS1AP protein and mRNA was up-regulated, the co-expression of nNOS-NOS1AP and NO production were increased, and the expression of nitrosylated Dexras1 was up-regulated in group R ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in each aforementioned parameter in group C+ Z ( P>0.05). Compared with group R, the MWT was significantly increased, and the TWL was prolonged at T 1-3, the co-expression of nNOS-NOS1AP and NO production were decreased, the expression of nitrosylated Dexras1 was down-regulated ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the expression of nNOS and NOS1AP protein and mRNA in group R+ Z ( P>0.05). There were no significant differences in total Dexras1 protein and mRNA expression among the four groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:The mechanism by which remifentanil induces hyperalgesia may be related to up-regulating the expression of nNOS and NOS1AP in the spinal cord, promoting interaction between nNOS and NOS1AP and mediating NO generation and Dexras1 nitrosylation modification in rats.

Oxidative stress, due to the disruption of the balance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and the antioxidant defense system, plays an important role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Excessive ROS leads to the loss of biological molecules and cellular functions, release of many inflammatory mediators, stimulate the polarization of macrophages, and aggravate the inflammatory response, thus promoting osteoclasts and bone damage. Therefore, foreign antioxidants would effectively treat RA. Herein, ultrasmall iron-quercetin natural coordination nanoparticles (Fe-Qur NCNs) with excellent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties were constructed to effectively treat RA. Fe-Qur NCNs obtained by simple mixing retain the inherent ability to remove ROS of quercetin and have a better water-solubility and biocompatibility. In vitro experiments showed that Fe-Qur NCNs could effectively remove excess ROS, avoid cell apoptosis, and inhibit the polarization of inflammatory macrophages by reducing the activation of the nuclear factor-κ-gene binding (NF-κB) pathways. In vivo experiments showed that the swollen joints of mice with rheumatoid arthritis treated with Fe-Qur NCNs significantly improved, with Fe-Qur NCNs largely reducing inflammatory cell infiltration, increasing anti-inflammatory macrophage phenotypes, and thus inhibiting osteoclasts, which led to bone erosion. This study demonstrated that the new metal-natural coordination nanoparticles could be an effective therapeutic agent for the prevention of RA and other diseases associated with oxidative stress.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between S-nitrosylation of spinal divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) modification and mechanism of remifentanil-induced hyperalgesia in rats.Methods:Forty pathogen-free healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 2-3 months, weighing 240-260 g, were divided into 4 groups ( n=10 each) using a random number table method: control group (group C), remifentanil group (group R), L-NAME group (group C+ L) and remifentanil+ L-NAME group (group R+ L). Normal saline was infused at a rate of 0.1 ml·kg -1·min -1 for 60 min via the caudal vein in C group. Remifentanil was infused at a rate of 1.0 μg·kg -1·min -1 for 60 min via the caudal vein in R group. L-NAME 30 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected, and 10 min later normal saline was infused at a rate of 0.1 ml·kg -1·min -1 for 60 min in C+ L group. L-NAME 30 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected, and 10 min later remifentanil was infused at a rate of 1.0 μg·kg -1·min -1 for 60 min in R+ L group. The mechanical paw withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal paw withdrawal latency (TWL) were measured at 24 h before iv infusion and 6, 24 and 48 h after the end of infusion (T 0-3). All the rats were sacrificed under anesthesia after the last measurement of pain thresholds, and the L 4-6 segments of the spinal cord were removed for determination of the expression of neuronal nitric oxide sythases (nNOS) and DMT1 mRNA (using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction), extraction of nitrosylated proteins (by biotin switch assay), expression of nNOS, total DMT1 and S-nitrosylation of DMT1 (by Western blot), nitric oxide (NO) content (by spectrophotometry) and iron content (using atomic absorption spectrophotometer). Results:Compared with group C, the MWT was significantly decreased, and the TWL was shortened at T 1-3 in group R ( P<0.05), and the expression of nNOS protein and mRNA and S-nitrosylation of DMT1 was significantly up-regulated, and contents of NO and iron were increased in R and R+ L groups ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in each index in group C+ L ( P>0.05). Compared with group R, the MWT was significantly increased, and the TWL was prolonged at T 1-3, and the expression of nNOS protein and mRNA and S-nitrosylation of DMT1 was down-regulated, and contents of NO and iron were decreased in group R+ L ( P<0.05). Compared with group C+ L, the MWT was significantly decreased, and the TWL was shortened at T 1-3, and the expression of nNOS protein and mRNA and S-nitrosylation of DMT1 was up-regulated, and the contents of NO and iron were increased in group R+ L ( P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the expression of DMT1 mRNA and total DMT1 in spinal cord among all the groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Activation of nNOS induces an increase in NO generation in the spinal cord and mediates the S-nitrosylation of DMT1, which may be related to the mechanism of remifentanil-induced hyperalgesia in rats.

Objective:To explore the potential clinical value of 99Tc m-methoxyisobutylisonitrile(MIBI) SPECT/CT muscle imaging in the diagnosis of cervical dystonia (CD). Methods:From January 2021 to April 2022, 50 patients with CD (14 males, 36 females; age (45.8±12.5) years) who were treated in Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University were prospectively included. The 99Tc m-MIBI SPECT/CT muscle imaging results of 400 pieces of muscle (bilateral sternocleidomastoid, musculus scapulae, splenius capitis and musculus trapezius; each of 100 pieces) in 50 patients were analyzed and divided into the dystonic muscle group and normal muscle group according to the electromyography (EMG). Toronto western spasmodic torticollis rating scale (TWSTRS) score, SUV max and target-to-background ratio (TBR) of single superficial cervical muscle and total cervical muscle, and EMG diagnosis results were obtained before botulinum toxin injection. ROC curves of SUV max and TBR of dystonic muscles were constructed to determine AUCs and the difference was compared by Delong test. Differences of SUV max and TBR between 2 groups were analyzed by Mann-Whitney U test. Spearman rank correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation of SUV max, TBR and TWSTRS scores of total cervical muscle. Results:There were 205 pieces of muscle in dystonic muscle group and 195 pieces of muscle in normal muscle group. The uptake of 99Tc m-MIBI in dystonic muscle was significantly increased in CD patients, and the non-whole uptake of 99Tc m-MIBI was increased in some dystonic muscles, which was manifested as uneven uptake of the whole muscle. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of visual analysis were 95.12%(195/205), 75.90%(148/195), 85.75%(343/400), 85.58%(195/242) and 93.67%(148/158), respectively. There were significant differences of SUV max (1.74(1.42, 2.12) vs 0.92(0.81, 0.99)) and TBR (2.55(1.92, 3.27) vs 1.44(1.22, 1.73)) between the dystonic muscle group and the normal muscle group ( z value: -15.29, -12.69, both P<0.001). The diagnostic efficiency of SUV max in dystonic muscle was better than TBR (AUC: 0.942 vs 0.867; z=5.03, P<0.001). SUV max, TBR and TWSTRS score in the neck muscles of patients with CD showed positive correlation ( rs values: 0.44, 0.45, both P<0.001). Conclusion:99Tc m -MIBI SPECT/CT muscle imaging is a good diagnostic method for dystonic muscle in patients with CD.

Objective To explore the correlation between Triglyceride Glucose Index (TyG) and its combined obesity Index and prehypertension in middle-aged and elderly population in China, and to provide a monitoring tool for better hierarchical management of prehypertension population. Methods A total of 5 099 people with non-hypertension were enrolled through the database of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and waist to height ratio (WTHR) were obtained, and TyG-BMI, TyG-WC and TyG-WTHR indexes were calculated by multiplying the TyG index with the three indexes respectively. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the relationship between TyG index and obesity index and prehypertension. The DeLong method was used to compare the values of Area Under the Curve (AUC) of each index to distinguish their value in identifying prehypertension. Results Compared with the normal blood pressure group, the prehypertension group was older, and the blood pressure was higher. Logistic regression analysis showed that higher levels of TyG-BMI and TyG-WC index were significantly associated with prehypertension. Compared with the lowest quartile array Q1, the OR values of TyG-BMI Q2-Q4 were 1.24 (95%CI :1.03-1.49), 1.40 (95%CI :1.10-1.76) and 1.91 (95%CI :1.43-2.56), while the OR values of TyG-WC index Q2-Q4 group were 1.45 (95%CI :1.19-1.75), 1.49 (95%CI :1.13-1.95), and 2.12 (95%CI: 1.47-3.07), respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the AUC value between TyG-WC and TyG-BMI (P =0.0998). Conclusion Among the four novel indexes, higher levels of TyG-WC and TyG-BMI are positively correlated with prehypertension. Compared with TyG and TyG-WTHR, TyG-WC and TyG-BMI have the potential to become an effective auxiliary means in the individual hierarchical management of prehypertension in the middle-aged and elderly.