Objective: To investigate the effect of integrin α5 on the expression of NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRP3) in periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PDLFs) within an inflammatory microenvironment. Methods: This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Laboratory animals. After rat PDLFs were treated with LPS (0.5, 5, and 50 µg/mL) for 24 h, the primary medium was discarded and replaced with serum-free culture medium. After 24 h, the supernatant was collected and mixed with DMEM medium containing 10% exosome-free serum at a volume ratio of 1:1 to obtain conditioned medium (CM). The groups were labeled as the 0.5-CM, 5-CM, and 50-CM groups. In addition, PDLFs cultured in DMEM medium containing 10% exosome-free serum were considered the 0-CM group. PDLFs were cultured with the above CM. In the inhibitor group, PDLFs were cultured in 0-CM containing different concentrations of integrin α5 inhibitor ATN-161 (0, 0.025, 0.25, 2.5, 25, and 250 μg/mL). The effect of CM and integrin α5 inhibitor ATN-161 on cell viability was assessed using the CCK-8 assay. According to the CCK-8 results, in further inhibitor intervention experiments, PDLFs were cultured in 0-CM, 5-CM (without/with 25 μg/mL ATN-161), and 0-CM containing 25 μg/mL ATN-161, which were labeled as the 0-CM, 5-CM, ATN-161+5-CM, and ATN-161 groups, respectively. The expression changes of integrin α5 and NLRP3 were detected using Western blot and qRT-PCR techniques. For in vivo experiments, 24 rats were randomly divided into four groups (n=6). The control group contained healthy rats that received no treatment. The rats in the other three groups were injected with 40 µL of 0-CM containing 25 μg/mL ATN-161 or 5-CM (without or with 25 μg/mL ATN-161) on the palatal side of the left maxillary first molar every three days; these groups were classified as the ATN-161, 5-CM, and ATN-161+5-CM groups, respectively. On the 30th day, the left maxillary tissue of rats was used for Micro-CT, HE staining, and immunohistochemical detection. Results : The CCK-8 assay showed that CM, 25 μg/mL ATN-161, and ATN-161 concentrations below 25 μg/mL had no significant effect on cell viability at 12 h and 24 h (P > 0.05). 50-CM and 25 μg/mL ATN-161 significantly inhibited cell viability at 48 h (P < 0.05). For in vitro experiments, compared to the 0-CM group, both the protein and mRNA levels of integrin α5 and NLRP3 were significantly increased in rat PDLFs in the 5-CM group (P < 0.05). Intervention with 25 μg/mL ATN-161 significantly attenuated the enhancement of 5-CM on the expression of integrin α5 and NLRP3 (P < 0.05). For in vivo experiments, compared to the control group, alveolar bone resorption and periodontal inflammatory cell infiltration were significantly increased in the 5-CM and ATN-161+5-CM groups, and the expression of integrin α5 and NLRP3 was significantly increased (P < 0.01). However, compared to the 5-CM group, the ATN-161+5-CM group had less alveolar bone resorption and fewer periodontal inflammatory cells. Further, the expression of integrin α5 and NLRP3 was significantly reduced (P < 0.01). Conclusion In vitro and in vivo experiments showed that integrin α5 mediated NLRP3 expression in PDLFs under an inflammatory microenvironment. ATN-161 inhibited the expression of integrin α5, thus significantly downregulating the expression of NLRP3, which plays a role in inhibiting inflammation.

Sleep deprivation (SD) has emerged as a significant modifiable risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), with mounting evidence demonstrating its multifaceted role in accelerating AD pathogenesis through diverse molecular, cellular, and systemic mechanisms. SD is refined within the broader spectrum of sleep-wake and circadian disruption, emphasizing that both acute total sleep loss and chronic sleep restriction destabilize the homeostatic and circadian processes governing glymphatic clearance of neurotoxic proteins. During normal sleep, concentrations of interstitial Aβ and tau fall as cerebrospinal fluid oscillations flush extracellular waste; SD abolishes this rhythm, causing overnight rises in soluble Aβ and tau species in rodent hippocampus and human CSF. Orexinergic neurons sustain arousal, and become hyperactive under SD, further delaying sleep onset and amplifying Aβ production. At the molecular level, SD disrupts Aβ homeostasis through multiple converging pathways, including enhanced production via beta-site APP cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) upregulation, coupled with impaired clearance mechanisms involving the glymphatic system dysfunction and reduced Aβ-degrading enzymes (neprilysin and insulin-degrading enzyme). Cellular and histological analyses revealed that these proteinopathies are significantly exacerbated by SD-induced neuroinflammatory cascades characterized by microglial overactivation, astrocyte reactivity, and sustained elevation of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6) through NF‑κB signaling and NLRP3 inflammasome activation, creating a self-perpetuating cycle of neurotoxicity. The synaptic and neuronal consequences of chronic SD are particularly profound and potentially irreversible, featuring reduced expression of critical synaptic markers (PSD95, synaptophysin), impaired long-term potentiation (LTP), dendritic spine loss, and diminished neurotrophic support, especially brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) depletion, which collectively contribute to progressive cognitive decline and memory deficits. Mechanistic investigations identify three core pathways through which SD exerts its neurodegenerative effects: circadian rhythm disruption via BMAL1 suppression, orexin system hyperactivity leading to sustained wakefulness and metabolic stress, and oxidative stress accumulation through mitochondrial dysfunction and reactive oxygen species overproduction. The review critically evaluates promising therapeutic interventions including pharmacological approaches (melatonin, dual orexin receptor antagonists), metabolic strategies (ketogenic diets, and Mediterranean diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids), lifestyle modifications (targeted exercise regimens, cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia), and emerging technologies (non-invasive photobiomodulation, transcranial magnetic stimulation). Current research limitations include insufficient understanding of dose-response relationships between SD duration/intensity and AD pathology progression, lack of long-term longitudinal clinical data in genetically vulnerable populations (particularly APOE ε4 carriers and those with familial AD mutations), the absence of standardized SD protocols across experimental models that accurately mimic human chronic sleep restriction patterns, and limited investigation of sex differences in SD-induced AD risk. The accumulated evidence underscores the importance of addressing sleep disturbances as part of multimodal AD prevention strategies and highlights the urgent need for clinical trials evaluating sleep-focused interventions in at-risk populations. The review proposes future directions focused on translating mechanistic insights into precision medicine approaches, emphasizing the need for biomarkers to identify SD-vulnerable individuals, chronotherapeutic strategies aligned with circadian biology, and multi-omics integration across sleep, proteostasis and immune profiles may delineate precision-medicine strategies for at-risk populations. By systematically examining these critical connections, this analysis positions sleep quality optimization as a viable strategy for AD prevention and early intervention while providing a comprehensive roadmap for future mechanistic and interventional research in this rapidly evolving field.

Aim To explore the mechanism of modified Wuzi Yanzong pill to reduce testicular toxicity of Tripterygium wilfordii by means of network pharmacolo-gy.Methods The effective chemical composition and target of modified Wuzi Yanzong Pill to reduce testicu-lar toxicity of Tripterygium wilfordii were analyzed by using multiple databases to understand the mechanism of action.Results The first five compounds of modi-fied Wuzi Yanzong pill are quercetin,sucrose,kaempferol,galactose and ellagic acid,respectively.The first five targets were TP53,SRC,EP300,MAPK3,STAT3;KEGG pathway enrichment analysis mainly concentrated in cancer pathway,lipid and atherosclero-sis,hepatitis B,apoptosis,diabetes complications AGE-RAGE signaling pathway,PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and other signaling pathways.Conclusions The ac-tive components of modified Wuzi Yanzong pill can re-duce the testicular toxicity of Tripterygium wilfordii mainly by interfering with TP53,SRC,EP300,MAPK3,STAT3 and other targets,regulating apoptosis,PI3K-Akt signaling pathway,diabetes complications AGE-RAGE signaling pathway,lipid metabolism and other pathways.

Objective:To explore the expressions of zinc homeostasis-related proteins,G protein-coupled receptor 39(GPR39)and ANO1 mRNA in the sperm of patients with asthenozoospermia(AS),and analyze their correlation with sperm motility.Methods:We collected semen samples from 82 male subjects with PR+NP＜40％,PR＜32％and sperm concentration＞15 × 106/ml(the AS group,n=40)or PR+NP≥40％,PR≥32％and sperm concentration＞15 × 106/ml(the normal control group,n=42).We analyzed the routine semen parameters and measured the zinc content in the seminal plasma using the computer-assisted sperm analysis system,detected the expressions of zinc transporters(ZIP13,ZIP8 and ZNT10),metallothioneins(MT1G,MT1 and MTF),GPR39,and calcium-dependent chloride channel protein(ANO1)in the sperm by real-time quantitative PCR(RT qPCR),examined free zinc distribution in the sperm by laser confocal microscopy,and determined the expressions of GPR39 and MT1 proteins in the sperm by immunofluorescence staining,followed by Spearman rank correlation analysis of their correlation with semen parameters.Results:There was no statistically significant difference in the zinc concentration in the seminal plasma between the AS and normal control groups(P＞0.05).Compared with the controls,the AS patients showed a significantly reduced free zinc level(P＜0.05),relative expressions of MT1G,MTF,ZIP13,GPR39 and ANO1 mRNA(P＜0.05),and that of the GPR39 protein in the AS group(P＜0.05).No statistically significant differences were observed in the relative expression levels of ZIP8,ZNT10 and MT1 mRNA between the two groups(P＞0.05).The relative expression levels of GPR39,ANO1,MT1G and MTF mRNA were positively correlated with sperm motility and the percentage of progressively motile sperm(P＜0.05).Conclusion:The expressions of zinc homeostasis proteins(MT1G,MTF and ZIP13),GPR39 and ANO1 mRNA are downregulated in the sperm of asthenozoospermia pa-tients,and positively correlated with sperm motility.

Objective:To explore the effect of psychological nursing on the prognosis of male patients with urethral riding inju-ry treated by ureteroscopic urethral catheter implantation(UCI).Methods:This study included 63 male patients with urethral strad-dle injury treated in the General Hospital of Southern Theater Command from February 2020 to March 2023.We divided the patients into a control(n=29)and an experimental group(n=34)according to the odd-or even-numbered days of admission and treated them by ureteroscopic UCI.Meanwhile those of the former group received routine nursing care and the latter underwent psychological nursing intervention in addition.We obtained the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale(SAS)and Self-Rating Depression Scale(SDS)scores of the patients,recorded their postoperative pain scores,catheter-removal time,hospitalization days,postoperative complications and o-verall recovery status,and compared the data collected between the two groups.Results:At 3 days after surgery,both the SAS and SDS scores were significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control(SAS:45.2±2.9 vs 50.4±3.6,P<0.05;SDS:41.9±2.5 vs 48.3±4.0,P<0.05),and so were the pain scores at24 hours(6.2±0.6 vs 6.8±0.9,P<0.05),48 hours(4.9±0.7 vs 6.1±0.8,P<0.05)and 72 hours after surgery(2.5±0.6 vs 3.9±0.9,P<0.05).The hospitalization time was remarkably shorter in the experimental than in the control group([14.1±2.9]vs[16.1±3.4]d,P<0.05),but there was no statistically significant difference in the time of postoperative catheterization between the two groups of patients([19.3±3.7]vs[19.6±4.4]d,P>0.05).A30-day postoperative follow-up found2 cases of difficult urination in the control group but no com-plications in the experimental group.Conclusion:Ureteroscopic UCI is a safe,effective and minimally invasive treatment method for male urethral riding injury,and psychological nursing helps not only shorten the time of catheterization and hospitalization but also a-void postoperative complications.

AIM To analyze the metabolites of nobiletin in rats in vivo based on characteristic ions.METHODS Ten rats were assigned into administration group and control group,and given intragastric administration of the 0.5％CMC-Na suspension of nobiletin(250 mg/kg)and 0.5％CMC-Na solution,respectively,after which plasma,urine and feces were collected,solid phase extraction method was adopted in pretreatment,UHPLC-HRMS analysis was performed.The candidate metabolites were systematically described according to diagnostic product ions,chromatographic retention time,accurate molecular weight and neutral loss fragments,after which accurate metabolites were obtained in the established metabolite data set with-CH3(m/z 15)characteristic ions as a baits.RESULTS A total of 64 metabolites were identified,whose main metabolic pathways were glucuronidation,sulfation,hydrogenation and their compound reactions.CONCLUSION This experiment elucidates the metabolites of nobiletin in rats in vivo,which provides a new reference for its further development.

AIM To investigate the effects of total Astragalus saponins on the improvement of sarcopenia in a rat model of type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).METHODS The rats were divided into the normal group for a normal feeding and the model group for the feeding of high-sugar and high-fat diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of STZ to establish a T2DM model.The successful model rats were randomly divided into the model group,the metformin group(0.2 g/kg)and the total Astragalus saponins group(80 mg/kg),and given corresponding doses of drugs by gavage.After 12 weeks administration,the rats had their FBG,postprandial blood glucose(PG2h)and wet weight of skeletal muscle measured;their serum levels of INS,C-peptide(C-P),IGF-1,TNF-α and IL-1β detected by ELISA;their morphological changes of skeletal muscle observed by HE staining;their protein expressions of PI3K,p-Akt,mTOR,S6K1,FoxO1 and Murf1 in skeletal muscle detected by Western blot;and their mRNA expressions of Pi3k,Akt and mtor in skeletal muscle detected by RT-qPCR method.RESULTS Compared with the model group,the total Astragalus saponins group displayed decreased levels of FBG,PG2h,OGTT-AUC,HOMA-IR,TNF-α and IL-1β(P＜0.01);increased levels of INS,C-P,IGF-1 and wet weight of skeletal muscle(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);improved skeletal muscle atrophy and increased protein expressions of PI3K,p-Akt,mTOR and S6K1 in skeletal muscle(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);decreased protein expressions of FoxO1 and Murf1(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);and increased mRNA expressions of Pi3k,Akt and mtor(P＜0.01).CONCLUSION The improvement effects of total Astragalus saponins on sarcopenia in T2DM rats may be associated with the regulation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR and PI3K/Akt/FoxO1 pathways.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics of cases with different congenital pulmonary airway malformations (CPAM) volume ratios (CVR) and the effect of maternal glucocorticoid treatment during pregnancy on CPAM.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on 56 singleton pregnant women with fetal CPAM diagnosed prenatally in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, from September 2020 to May 2023. Among these, three cases received maternal glucocorticoid treatment during pregnancy and clinical conditions were reported in detail. Statistical analyses were performed using independent sample t-tests, non-parametric tests, Chi-square tests, or Fisher's exact test. Results:(1) General information: The average age of the 56 pregnant women with CPAM fetuses was (32.0±0.7) years. All fetuses had unilateral lesions, with 25 cases (44.6%) on the left side. Types Ⅰ, Ⅱ, and Ⅲ CPAM accounted for 5.4% (3/56), 50.0% (28/56), and 44.6% (25/56), respectively. Fetal hydrops occurred in two cases, and the maximum CVR during the fetal period for the other 54 non-hydropic fetuses was 0.79±0.66. (2) The CVR threshold for the risk of fetal hydrops was set as the mean maximum CVR of non-hydropic CPAM fetuses plus 2 standard deviations (0.79+2×0.66=2.1). The subjects were divided into two groups based on the maximum CVR during the fetal period: CVR≤2.0 group ( n=50) and CVR>2.0 group ( n=6). Comparison between the CVR>2.0 group and CVR≤2.0 group: The CVR>2.0 group had significantly higher rates of fetal hydrops [2/6 vs. 0.0% (0/50), Fisher's exact test], mediastinal shift [5/6 vs. 32.0% (16/50), χ 2=4.03], polyhydramnios [6/6 vs. 4.0% (2/50), Fisher's exact test], and postnatal surgery [4/5 vs. 22.2% (10/45), continuity correction χ 2=4.86] (all P<0.05). None of the fetuses with CVR≤2.0 had hydrops or received intrauterine intervention. The overall live birth rate was 89.3% (50/56). (3) Maternal glucocorticoid treatment during pregnancy: three of six fetuses with CVR>2.0 were treated with maternal glucocorticoid during pregnancy, and all were delivered alive at term after the intervention with resolution of edema and/or reduction in mass size. Two of them were treated with postnatal thoracoscopic surgery and were followed up to 5 and 14 months of age, respectively, with no abnormalities in feeding and development; the other was not treated surgically until 3 months of age, with no respiratory-related symptoms and no abnormalities in feeding and development. Conclusions:Prenatal ultrasound indicating CVR>2.0 is associated with increased rates of fetal hydrops, mediastinal shift, and polyhydramnios. Maternal glucocorticoid treatment during pregnancy may lead to favorable pregnancy outcomes for these CPAM fetuses.

Objective:To investigate the effectiveness and prognosis of using improved domestic neonatal ureteral stents (referred to as improved double-J stents) for thoraco-amniotic shunting (TAS) in treating fetal chylothorax.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 21 cases of fetal chylothorax treated with TAS using improved double-J stents at Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University Medical School from April 1, 2018, to September 30, 2023. Surgical complications and perinatal outcomes were summarized, and the development of surviving infants in five domains (communication, gross motor, fine motor, problem-solving, and personal-social) was assessed using the Ages and Stages Questionnaires-Third Edition (ASQ-3). Descriptive statistical analysis was used. Results:(1) The median gestational age at prenatal diagnosis was 28.7 weeks (27.3-30.4 weeks), with 85.7% (18/21) of cases complicated by fetal hydrops, 90.5% (19/21) by polyhydramnios, and 85.7% (18/21) by bilateral pleural effusion. (2) The median gestational age at the first TAS was 30.9 weeks (29.7-32.7 weeks). Of the 21 cases, 10 required repeat stent placement due to dislodgement or blockage, with a total of 49 stent placements. The dislodgement rate within 7 days was 24.5% (12/49), and the blockage rate was 16.3% (8/49). The rate of premature rupture of membranes within one week post-stent placement was 9.5% (2/21), with an overall preterm premature rupture of membranes rate of 28.6% (6/21). The median interval from the first TAS to delivery was 30.0 d (19.8-40.0 d). Of the 21 cases, three opted for selective termination of pregnancy; the remaining 18 cases resulted in live births, with a median gestational age at delivery of 35.6 weeks (34.1-37.1 weeks), and three neonatal deaths. The overall neonatal survival rate was 15/18. Surviving infants were followed up to a median age of 30 months (7-48 months), with 13 showing normal development and two scoring below the ASQ-3 threshold.Conclusion:The improved double-J stent can be used for TAS in the treatment of fetal chylothorax, with generally favorable outcomes.

Objective To explore the influencing factors of pregnancy outcome after re-pregnancy in patients with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion based on ultrasound endometrial receptability parameters and lymphocyte immunophenotype.Methods A total of 166 re-pregnant patients with unexplained recurrent spon-taneous abortion admitted to Nantong Maternal and Child Health Hospital from April to August 2022 were included in the study.According to the pregnancy outcome,the patients were divided into the delivery group and the abortion group.The endometrial receptability parameters and peripheral blood T lymphocytes were detected to screen the influencing factors of abortion.Results Among 166 patients,102 cases(61.45%)had successful delivery and 64 cases(38.55%)had abortion again.The delivery group showed thicker endometrial thickness,larger endometrial volume,and higher VFI,but lower CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+ compared to the abortion group(P<0.05).CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+ were observed to be the risk factors for pregnancy failure(P<0.05),and endometrial thickness,endo-metrial volume,and vascularized flow index(VFI)were found to be the protective factors for pregnancy failure(P<0.05).Conclusion The pregnancy outcome of patients with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion is related to endometrial thickness,endometrial volume,VFI,CD4+,and CD4+/CD8+.