Local anesthetics (LAs), such as articaine (AT), exhibit limited efficacy in inflammatory environments, which constitutes a significant limitation in their clinical application within oral medicine. In our prior research, we developed AT-17, which demonstrated effective properties in chronic inflammatory conditions and appears to function as a novel oral LA that could address this challenge. In the present study, we further elucidated the beneficial effects of AT-17 in acute inflammation, particularly in oral acute inflammation, where mitochondrial-related apoptosis played a crucial role. Our findings indicated that AT-17 effectively inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nerve cell apoptosis by ameliorating mitochondrial dysfunction in vitro. This process involved the inhibition of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) production and the subsequent activation of the NRF2 pathway. Most notably, improvements in mitochondria-related apoptosis were key contributors to AT-17's inhibition of voltage-gated sodium channels. Additionally, AT-17 was shown to reduce mtROS production in nerve cells through the Na⁺/NCLX/ETC signaling axis. In conclusion, we have developed a novel local anesthetic that exhibits pronounced anesthetic functionality under inflammatory conditions by enhancing mitochondria-related apoptosis. This advancement holds considerable promise for future drug development and deepening our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of action.

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Objective To observe the effects of Xin-Gui Gel Plaster(Cinnamomi Cortex,Asari Radix et Rhizoma,Euodiae Fructus,Chuanxiong Rhizoma,Borneolum Syntheticum)on peripheral neuropathy in diabetic rats.Methods A single intraperitoneal injection of 1%streptozotonic(STZ,35 mg·kg-1)was used to replicate a type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)rat model followed by the induction of diabetic peripheral neuropathy(DPN)in combination with a long-term(8 consecutive weeks)high-fat and high-sugar diet.SD rats were randomly divided into normal group,model group,Mecobalamin group and Xin-Gui Gel Plaster group,with 6 rats in each group.The rats in the Xin-Gui Gel Plaster group were given Xin-Gui Gel Plaster at acupoints once a day for 8 weeks;the rats in the Mecobalamin group were given Mecobalamin solution by gavage(0.045 mg·kg-1),and the rats in the normal group and the model group were given physiological saline by gavage.Body mass and fasting blood glucose(FBG)were measured at weeks 2,4,6 and 8;the latency of thermal withdrawal latency(TWL)was measured at weeks 4 and 8;nerve conduction velocities,including motor nerve conduction velocity(MNCV)and sensory nerve conduction velocity(SNCV),were measured at week 8;and serum total cholesterol(TC),triglyceride(TG),fasting blood glucose(FBG)were measured using a fully automated biochemical analyzer.Fasting insulin(FINS)levels were detected by ELISA,and the index of insulin resistance(HOMA-IR)was calculated;and pathological changes in the sciatic nerve tissues of rats were observed by HE staining.Results Compared with the normal group,rats in the model group had significantly lower body mass and FINS levels(P＜0.01),significantly higher levels of FBG,TC,TG and HOMA-IR(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);TWL,MNCV and SNCV were significantly decreased(P＜0.01),and sciatic nerve fibres were disorganized and loosely aligned,with demyelination,axon atrophy and vacuole-like phenomenon.Compared with the model group,there was no significant change in body mass and levels of FBG,TC and TG in the Xin-Gui Gel Plaster group(P＞0.05),FINS level was significantly increased(P＜0.05),and HOMA-IR levels was significantly decreased(P＜0.05);TWL,MNCV and SNCV in the Mecobalamin group and Xin-Gui Gel Plaster group were significantly increased(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),sciatic nerve lesions were improved to different degrees,nerve fibre arrangement was more regular,myelin deficiency and axonal atrophy were significantly improved.Conclusion Xin-Gui Gel Plaster can improve insulin resistance,relieve thermal stimulation sensitivity,improve sciatic nerve conduction velocity to a certain extent in DPN rats,and have a protective effect on peripheral nerves in diabetic rats,but the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects are not obvious.

Drug literacy is one of the important components of health literacy,and in recent years,the research on drug literacy has gradually deepened.The polypharmacy treatment and irrational drug use in the patients with HIV/AIDS has increased the burden of drug use,therefore improving the level of drug literacy is the key to maintain the medication efficacy,drug self-administered and safe medication.This paper summa-rized the definition,current status of assessment tools,influencing factors and interventional measures of drug literacy of HIV/AIDS patients in domestic and foreign research in order to provide reference for the develop-ment of assessment tools for drug literacy of HIV/AIDS patients,improve the level of drug literacy of pa-tients,and promote safe and rational use of drugs.

Objective To evaluates the impact of early application of neuromuscular electrical stimulation(NMES)on muscle strength,clinical outcomes,and long-term quality of life improvements in patients with severe acute pancreatitis(SAP)complicated with acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS).Methods A total of 75 patients diagnosed with SAP and ARDS admitted in Department of Critical Care Medicine of our hospital from September 2022 to August 2023 were recruited and then randomly divided into NMES group(n=37)and control group(n=38).After 16 patients were excluded,including 8 died during treatment,3 discharged and 5 received palliative care,there were finally 29 patients in the NMES group and 30 in the control group.Within 48 h after ICU admission,the NMES group received NMES 1 h per day,for 7 d in addition to standard rehabilitation intervention.While,the control group were given conventional interventions for rehabilitation.Assessments at baseline and post-treatment included the incidence of ICU-acquired weakness(ICU-AW),Medical Research Council(MRC)score,duration of mechanical ventilation,lengths of ICU and total hospital stays,and activity,thickness and thickening fraction of the diaphragm.Mortality rates and Barthel index(BI)for self-care ability in 1,3 and 6 months after discharge were recorded for follow-up assessments.Results The NMES group had significantly lower incidence of ICU-AW(P＜0.05),higher upper and lower limb MRC scores and overall MRC score at ICU discharge(P＜0.05),shorter durations of mechanical ventilation,ICU stay,and total hospital stay when compared with the control group(P＜0.05).There was no statistical difference in the BI at 1 month post-discharge between the 2 groups,but the indexes at 3 and 6 months were notably higher in the NMES group than the control group(P＜0.05).No obvious differences were observed between the 2 groups in terms of diaphragm activity,thickness,or thickening scores at enrollment,ICU discharge,or hospital discharge,nor in mortality rates at 1,3,and 6 months after discharge.Conclusion Combined NMES and early rehabilitation therapy can improve muscle strength and reduce length of hospital stay in SAP patients complicated with ARDS,and may enhance long-term quality of life.However,it does not significantly affect diaphragm function or mortality rates.

AIM:To investigate the effects of Panax notoginseng compound formula(PN)on endometrial fibro-sis by regulating inflammatory reaction and intestinal flora(IF)in a rat model of intrauterine adhesion(IUA).METHODS:The rat IUA model was established by following the mechanical injury method.A total of 50 rats were randomly divided in-to sham group,model group,low-dose(210 mg/kg)PN group,medium-dose(420 mg/kg)PN group and high-dose(840 mg/kg)PN group.After 8 weeks of intragastric administration,the uterus was collected to observe morphological changes with naked eye.The degree of uterine tissue damage and fibrosis was evaluated through hematoxylin-eosin(HE)and Mas-son staining.The collagen type Ⅰ(Col Ⅰ)was detected by immunohistochemistry.The interleukin-6(IL-6)and IL-10 pro-tein expression was detected by Western blot.The levels of IL-6,IL-1β,tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and vascular endothelial growth factor B(VEGFB)were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).The IF diversity and population structure were observed by 16S amplicon.RESULTS:Compared with the sham group,the uteruses of rats in the model group showed:reduced elasticity,accompanied by congestion and edema;decreased number of glands and blood vessels,and thinned endometrium(P<0.01);increased collagen fibers and Col Ⅰ protein expression(P<0.01);sig-nificantly increased IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α and VEGFB levels in the uterine tissue(P<0.01);decreased IL-10 level(P<0.01);and reduced IF diversity(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the drug intervention groups exhibited:re-covered elasticity of the uterus and relieved congestion and edema;increased number of endometrial glands and blood ves-sels(P<0.05);decreased collagen fibers and Col Ⅰ protein expression(P<0.01);reduced IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-α lev-els to varying degrees in the uterine tissue(P<0.05);elevated IL-10 level(P<0.01);and improved IF diversity(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:The PN is able to significantly improve the endometrial tissue fibrosis in IUA rats.The under-lying mechanisms may be related to the inhibition of IL-6,IL-1β and TNF-α expression,up-regulation of IL-10,and im-provement of IF diversity.

The rol genes on pRiA4 plasmid of Agrobacterium rhizogenes are potent genes that promote secondary metabolism. Molecular breeding of Atropa belladonna can be conducted by introducing rol genes to increase tropane alkaloids (TAs) content in A. belladonna. In this study, the rolB gene was overexpressed in A. belladonna plants to study the effect of rolB gene on the biosynthesis of TAs. The phenotype, TAs content and expression levels of key enzyme genes in the pathway of TAs biosynthesis of transgenic A. belladonna were analyzed. The results showed that transgenic A. belladonna had developed root system, enlarged leaves, increased leaf fresh weight, deepened leaf color, enlarged flowers, changed flower shape, reduced pistil height and decreased pollen vitality. The content of TAs in the stems of transgenic A. belladonna was significantly higher than that of the control, and the contents of scopolamine, anisodamine, hyoscyamine can reach 2.11-2.91, 1.23-2.37 and 4.88-5.20 times of the control, respectively. Compared with the control group, the expressions of key enzymes putrescine N-methyltransferase (PMT), type III polyketide synthase (PYKS), tropinone reductase I (TRI), aromatic amino acid aminotransferase 4 (ArAT4), UDP-glycosyltransferase 1 (UGT1) and hyoscyamine 6-β-hydroxylase (H6H) in the TAs biosynthesis pathway were up-regulated, and the expression of tropinone reductase II (TRII) as a metabolic shunting gene was down-regulated. The results indicated that rolB gene enhanced TAs synthesis ability in roots and accumulation in stems of A. belladonna by enhancing metabolic flow of TAs synthesis pathway and weakening the metabolic shunt of competing pathway. This study laid a foundation for molecular breeding of A. belladonna with high-yield TAs content using rolB gene.

Objective:To evaluate the in vitro antifungal activity of berberine against Talaromyces marneffei (TM) in yeast phase. Methods:There were 21 TM strains, including l standard strain (ATCC22019), 10 clinical isolates and 10 isolates from wild bamboo rats. TM strain suspensions at a concentration of (1 - 5) × 10 3 colony-forming units/ml were incubated in microdilution plates containing difierent concentrations of berberine, fluconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, amphotericin B or caspofungin at 37 ℃ for 48 hours. Meanwhile, the wells containing only culture media and TM strains but without antifungal drugs served as the positive control group, and those containing only culture media served as the negative control group. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of antifungal drugs against TM yeasts were determined according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) broth microdilution susceptibility method (M27-A3 document) . Results:The MICs of the above antifungal drugs were all within the reference ranges for the quality control strain (ATCC22019), and TM strains grew well in the positive control wells. The MIC ranges of berberine, itraconazole, voriconazole, amphotericin B and caspofungin against TM strains were 32 - 64 mg/L, 0.06 - 0.125 mg/L, 0.06 - 0.125 mg/L, 1 - 2 mg/L and 16 - 32 mg/L respectively; the MIC range of fluconazole was 2 - 4 mg/L for non-resistant strains, and 128 mg/L for fluconazole-resistant clinical strains.Conclusion:Berberine exhibits antifungal activity against TM in yeast phase.

Hair roots induced by Agrobacterium rhizogene produce higher levels of secondary metabolites than non-induced plants, and the enhanced metabolic capacity is driven by the rol gene. We hypothesized that rol genes can be utilized to improve the biosynthesis of tropane alkaloids (TAs) in Atropa belladonna. In this study, the rolC gene from Agrobacterium rhizogene pRiA4 plasmid, driven by a CaMV35S promoter, was overexpressed in A. belladonna. The phenotypes, TAs content and transcriptional expression of key genes in TAs biosynthesis were analyzed in transgenic A. belladonna plants. Results show that transgenic A. belladonna exhibited a well-developed root system, male sterility, higher stamen column length than pistil, early flowering, internode shortening, smaller but more flowers, increased axillary buds and lateral buds, decreased apical dominance, and long and narrow leaves as compared to wild-type plants. Transgenic A. belladonna produced more TAs than wild-type plants, with the content of hyoscyamine, anisodamine and scopolamine reaching 2.58, 3.59 and 15.77-fold that of the control group, respectively. The gene expression of putrescine N-methyltransferase (PMT), tropinone reductase I (TRⅠ) and hyoscyamine 6-β-hydroxylase (H6H), key enzymes in TAs biosynthesis, were up-regulated compared with the control group. The above results indicate that the rolC gene enhances TAs biosynthesis in A. belladonna by up-regulating the expression of key enzymes in the TAs biosynthesis pathway, laying a foundation for genetic manipulation of A. belladonna to increase TAs content by increasing rolC gene expression.

Objective:To establish an in vivo diffusion model of Treponema pallidum (Tp) in New Zealand rabbits. Methods:A standard strain of Tp (Nichols strain) was recovered in the testes of New Zealand rabbits, and isolated and passaged continuously. The suspensions of the second-passage Tp were collected and inoculated onto the dorsal skin of New Zealand rabbits. After 21-day infection, the New Zealand rabbits were anesthetized and sacrificed, blood samples were collected, and skin tissues at the infection site as well as liver, spleen, testes and lymph nodes were aseptically resected. Real-time fluorescence-based quantitative PCR was performed to detect the spread of Tp in different tissues and organs.Results:On day 21 after infection with Tp, skin lesions such as indurations and ulcers were seen at all inoculated sites of New Zealand rabbits. Pathological examination showed a lot of inflammatory cells in the infected lesions, mainly including plasma cells, macrophages and lymphocytes. Real-time fluorescence-based quantitative PCR revealed a large number of Tp in tissues and organs, such as liver, spleen and testes.Conclusion:After inoculation with Tp in the dorsal skin of New Zealand rabbits, Tp could spread to the liver, spleen, testes and other tissues and organs through blood and lymph nodes, and the in vivo diffusion model of Tp strains in New Zealand rabbits was successfully constructed.