AIM:To investigate the value of optical coherence tomography angiography(OCTA)indicators in the diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy(DR), and to provide patients with diabetic nephropathy(DN)with more sensitive OCTA screening indicators to detect concurrent DR at an early stage.METHODS: A total of 200 patients who treated in the ophthalmology department of the Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University from 2022 to 2023 were included, including 95 first-diagnosed DR patients and 105 patients without DR, and all patients underwent OCTA examination and a collection of demographics and renal function parameters. After a quality check, automated measurements of the foveal avascular zone area, vessel density(VD), and perfusion density(PD)of both 3 mm×3 mm and 6 mm×6 mm windows were obtained.RESULTS: Using random forest and multivariate Logistic regression methods, we developed a diagnostic model for DR based on 12 variables(age, FBG, SBP, DBP, HbA1c, ALT, ALP, urea/Scr, DM duration, HUA, DN, and CMT). Adding specific OCTA parameters enhanced the efficacy of the existing diagnostic model for DR(outer vessel density in 6 mm×6 mm window, AUC=0.837 vs 0.819, P=0.03). In the study of DN patients, the parameters in the 6 mm×6 mm window improved the diagnostic efficacy of DR(inner VD; outer VD; full VD; outer PD; full PD).CONCLUSION:The outer VD in the 6 mm×6 mm window can enhance the efficacy of the traditional DR diagnostic model. Meanwhile, compared with the 3 mm×3 mm window, the microvascular parameters in the 6 mm× 6 mm window focusing on DN patients can be more sensitive to diagnosing the occurrence of DR.

Objective: To explore the treatment plan for severe papillary defects in the aesthetic zone caused by severe periodontitis, providing a reference for clinical practice. Methods : A patient with severe periodontitis leading to severe papillary defects in the upper anterior teeth from 12 to 23 was treated using interdental tunnel technique combined with personalized connective tissue grafting for periodontal plastic surgery, and stable soft tissue augmentation was achieved. Resin restoration was conducted to modify the crown shape of the aesthetic zone teeth, reconstruct white aesthetics, guide the shaping of the gingival papillae, reduce “black triangles,” and enhance the patient’s confidence in smiling. Results : The patient’s periodontal condition and the regeneration of soft tissues in the aesthetic zone were good, and the smile aesthetics were restored. After a 3-year follow-up, the gingival morphology, color, and texture were good, and the effect was stable. The literature review indicates that for papillary defects in the aesthetic zone, analysis should be conducted based on the following aspects: whether a defect is present in periodontal hard and soft tissues, crown shape, and the distance from the most apical part of the crown contact area to the top of the alveolar crest. Based on the analysis of aesthetic defects and surgical indications, a personalized treatment plan should be designed. Conclusion For patients with obvious papillary defects in the aesthetic zone due to the reduction of periodontal support tissues caused by severe periodontitis, factors such as periodontal hard and soft tissue defects, crown shape, and the distance from the most apical part of the crown contact area to the top of the alveolar crest should be fully considered, and a personalized treatment plan should be formulated after multidisciplinary joint consultation.

To develop a novel polyamino acid-based nanohydrogel drug delivery system for dexamethasone to enhance its delivery efficiency to the inner ear.

ObjectiveNeuroinflammation plays a crucial role in both the onset and progression of ischemic stroke, exerting a significant impact on the recovery of the central nervous system. Excessive neuroinflammation can lead to secondary neuronal damage, further exacerbating brain injury and impairing functional recovery. As a result, effectively modulating and reducing neuroinflammation in the brain has become a key therapeutic strategy for improving outcomes in ischemic stroke patients. Among various approaches, targeting immune regulation to control inflammation has gained increasing attention. This study aims to investigate the role of in vitro induced regulatory T cells (Treg cells) in suppressing neuroinflammation after ischemic stroke, as well as their potential therapeutic effects. By exploring the mechanisms through which Tregs exert their immunomodulatory functions, this research is expected to provide new insights into stroke treatment strategies. MethodsNaive CD4⁺ T cells were isolated from mouse spleens using a negative selection method to ensure high purity, and then they were induced in vitro to differentiate into Treg cells by adding specific cytokines. The anti-inflammatory effects and therapeutic potential of Treg cells transplantation in a mouse model of ischemic stroke was evaluated. In the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model, after Treg cells transplantation, their ability to successfully migrate to the infarcted brain region and their impact on neuroinflammation levels were examined. To further investigate the role of Treg cells in stroke recovery, the changes in cytokine expression and their effects on immune cell interactions was analyzed. Additionally, infarct size and behavioral scores were measured to assess the neuroprotective effects of Treg cells. By integrating multiple indicators, the comprehensive evaluation of potential benefits of Treg cells in the treatment of ischemic stroke was performed. ResultsTreg cells significantly regulated the expression levels of both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in vitro and in vivo, effectively balancing the immune response and suppressing excessive inflammation. Additionally, Treg cells inhibited the activation and activity of inflammatory cells, thereby reducing neuroinflammation. In the MCAO mouse model, Treg cells were observed to accumulate in the infarcted brain region, where they significantly reduced the infarct size, demonstrating their neuroprotective effects. Furthermore, Treg cell therapy notably improved behavioral scores, suggesting its role in promoting functional recovery, and increased the survival rate of ischemic stroke mice, highlighting its potential as a promising therapeutic strategy for stroke treatment. ConclusionIn vitro induced Treg cells can effectively suppress neuroinflammation caused by ischemic stroke, demonstrating promising clinical application potential. By regulating the balance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, Treg cells can inhibit immune responses in the nervous system, thereby reducing neuronal damage. Additionally, they can modulate the immune microenvironment, suppress the activation of inflammatory cells, and promote tissue repair. The therapeutic effects of Treg cells also include enhancing post-stroke recovery, improving behavioral outcomes, and increasing the survival rate of ischemic stroke mice. With their ability to suppress neuroinflammation, Treg cell therapy provides a novel and effective strategy for the treatment of ischemic stroke, offering broad application prospects in clinical immunotherapy and regenerative medicine.

ObjectiveTo investigate the influence of histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) on the occurrence, development of psoriasis-like inflammation in mice, and the relative immune mechanisms. MethodsHealthy C57BL/6 mice aged 6-8 weeks were selected and randomly divided into 3 groups: control group (Control), psoriasis model group (IMQ), and HDAC3 inhibitor RGFP966-treated psoriasis model group (IMQ+RGFP966). One day prior to the experiment, the back hair of the mice was shaved. After a one-day stabilization period, the mice in Control group was treated with an equal amount of vaseline, while the mice in IMQ group was treated with imiquimod (62.5 mg/d) applied topically on the back to establish a psoriasis-like inflammation model. The mice in IMQ+RGFP966 group received intervention with a high dose of the HDAC3-selective inhibitor RGFP966 (30 mg/kg) based on the psoriasis-like model. All groups were treated continuously for 5 d, during which psoriasis-like inflammation symptoms (scaling, erythema, skin thickness), body weight, and mental status were observed and recorded, with photographs taken for documentation. After euthanasia, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to assess the effect of RGFP966 on the skin tissue structure of the mice, and skin thickness was measured. The mRNA and protein expression levels of HDAC3 in skin tissues were detected using reverse transcription real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blot (WB), respectively. Flow cytometry was employed to analyze neutrophils in peripheral blood and lymph nodes, CD4⁺ T lymphocytes, CD8⁺ T lymphocytes in peripheral blood, and IL-17A secretion by peripheral blood CD4⁺ T lymphocytes. Additionally, spleen CD4⁺ T lymphocyte expression of HDAC3, CCR6, CCR8, and IL-17A secretion levels were analyzed. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the localization and expression levels of HDAC3, IL-17A, and IL-10 in skin tissues. ResultsCompared with the Control group, the IMQ group exhibited significant psoriasis-like inflammation, characterized by erythema, scaling, and skin wrinkling. Compared with the IMQ group, RGFP966 exacerbated psoriasis-like inflammatory symptoms, leading to increased hyperkeratosis. The psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) skin symptom scores were higher in the IMQ group than those in the Control group, and the scores were further elevated in the IMQ+RGFP966 group compared to the IMQ group. Skin thickness measurements showed a trend of IMQ+RGFP966>IMQ>Control. The numbers of neutrophils in the blood and lymph nodes increased sequentially in the Control, IMQ, and IMQ+RGFP966 groups, with a similar trend observed for CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T lymphocytes in the blood. In skin tissues, compared with the Control group, the mRNA and protein levels of HDAC3 decreased in the IMQ group, but RGFP966 did not further reduce these expressions. HDAC3 was primarily located in the nucleus. Compared with the Control group, the nuclear HDAC3 content decreased in the skin tissues of the IMQ group, and RGFP966 further reduced nuclear HDAC3. Compared with the Control and IMQ groups, RGFP966 treatment decreased HDAC3 expression in splenic CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells. RGFP966 treatment increased the expression of CCR6 and CCR8 in splenic CD4⁺ T cells and enhanced IL-17A secretion by peripheral blood and splenic CD4⁺ T lymphocytes. Additionally, compared with the IMQ group, RGFP966 reduced IL-10 protein levels and upregulated IL-17A expression in skin tissues. ConclusionRGFP966 exacerbates psoriatic-like inflammatory responses by inhibiting HDAC3, increasing the secretion of the cytokine IL-17A, and upregulating the expression of chemokines CCR8 and CCR6.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the role and mechanism of paeonol in inhibiting the migration of bladder cancer T24 cells by regulating nuclear factor κB （NF-κB）/hypoxia-inducible factor-1α （HIF-1α）-mediated aerobic glycolysis. METHODS T24 cells were divided into control group， cisplatin group （positive control， 3.001 μg/mL）， and paeonol low-， medium- and high-dose groups （100， 200， 400 μg/mL）， respectively. After 24 h of administration intervention， the effect of paeonol on the migration ability of T24 cells was detected （expressed by the cell scratch wound healing rate）. The effect of paeonol on the mitochondrial membrane potential of T24 cells was detected （expressed by the ratio of red/green fluorescence intensity）. Cellular adenosine triphosphate （ATP） levels and lactate content in T24 cells were measured. The levels of NF-κB/HIF-1α signaling pathway， the expression of migration-related proteins， and key enzymes involved in aerobic glycolysis in the cells were all determined. RESULTS Compared with the control group， the cell scratch wound healing rates in the paeonol medium- and high-dose groups and the cisplatin group were decreased significantly （P＜0.01）； in the paeonol groups， the expression levels of NF-κB/HIF-1α signaling pathway-related proteins such as NF- κB and HIF-1α， migration-related proteins such as matrix metalloproteinase 2 （MMP2）， MMP9， and vascular endothelial growth factor， as well as key enzymes involved in aerobic glycolysis such as glucose transporter 1， hexokinase 2 and pyruvate kinase isozyme type M2， were all reduced to varying degrees in the cells， most of these reductions showed statistically significant differences （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）； the ratio of red/green fluorescence intensity in mitochondria of cells in the medium- and high-dose paeonol groups were significantly decreased （P＜0.01）； the ATP concentration in cells of the paeonol high-dose group， and the lactate content in cells across all paeonol groups were significantly decreased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS Paeonol significantly inhibits the migration of bladder cancer T24 cells， and its mechanism of action may be related to the inhibition of the NF-κB/HIF-1α signaling pathway， and the down-regulation of key enzyme activities involved in aerobic glycolysis.

Objective To observe the clinical characteristics of patients with moderate hyponatremia in general surgery and analyze the efficacy.Methods Patients with moderate hyponatremia in general surgery were divided into control group(without supplemented concentrated sodium chloride injection)and treatment group(supplemented concentrated sodium chloride injection)according to the cohort method.The clinical characteristics of patients with moderate hyponatremia,such as gender distribution,age distribution,nutritional status,and primary disease were analyzed.Propensity score matching(PSM)was performed to balance confounding factors between the two groups,making their baseline conditions comparable and comparing the differences in clinical outcomes between the two groups.Results A total of 227 cases were included,including 82 in the control group and 145 in the treatment group.The predisposing factors of moderate hyponatremia in general surgery patients include male,elderly,malnutrition,parenteral nutrition,and malignant tumors.In addition,after PSM,there were 73 patients in each group of the control group and treatment group with moderate hyponatremia.The total effective rate of the control group was 80.82％,and correction of the hyponatremia takes time was(3.97±2.54)The total effective rate of the treatment group was 98.63％,and correction of the hyponatremia takes time was(3.54±1.90)d.The differences were statistically significant(all P＜0.05).Conclusion We should pay more attention to patients with moderate hyponatremia in general surgery,and be alert to the risk of severe hyponatremia.For patients with moderate hyponatremia,concentrated sodium chloride injection should be given to improve efficacy and prognosis.

Objective To explore the effect of Maixuekang capsules on renal fibrosis and inhibition of Janus tyrosine protein kinase 2(JAK2)/signal transducer and activator of transcription family 3(STAT3)signal pathway in rats with immunoglobulin A nephropathy(IgAN).Methods The rat model of IgAN was established by modified 600 mg·kg-1 BSA+LPS 2 mL+CCL4 0.1 mL scheme,and the 24-hour urinary protein was detected.Fifty-five SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups:Blank control group(distilled water+0.9％NaCl),model group(IgAN model),positive control group(10 mg·kg-1 telmisartan tablets after modeling),experimental-L,-M,-H groups(16,44,84 ATU·kg-1 Maixuekang capsules after modeling).The levels of serum creatinine(Scr),blood urea nitrogen(BUN),glutamic pyruvic transaminase(GPT)and glutamic oxalacetic transaminase(GOT)were determined by automatic biochemical analyzer.The morphology of kidney was observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining,and the deposition of IgA in rat kidney was detected by immunofluorescence.The expressions of α-SMA,TGF-β1,JAK2,STAT3 and P-STAT3 in renal tissue were detected by Western blot.Results The blood Scr of blank control group,model group,positive control and experimental-H groups were(41.42±2.30),(59.82±5.36),(50.28±3.18)and(50.47±7.19)μ mol·L-1,respectively;the 24-hour urinary protein were(2.35±1.21),(11.62±3.45),(5.01±4.36)and(8.14±4.19)mg·d-1,respectively;the relative expression of α-SMA protein were 0.48±0.10,1.00±0.00,0.71±0.13 and 0.57±0.22,respectively;the relative expression of TGF-β1 protein were 0.54±0.93,1.00±0.00,0.73±0.33 and 0.51±0.31,respectively;the relative expression of JAK2 protein were 0.36±0.22,1.00±0.00,0.82±0.36 and 0.57±0.28,respectively;p-STAT3/STAT3 were 0.40±0.19,1.00±0.00,0.46±0.18 and 0.31±0.18,respectively.Compared with the blank control group,the differences of above indexes in the model group were statistically significant(all P＜0.05).Compared with the model group,the differences of above indexes in the positive control and experimental-H groups were statistically significant(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Maixuekang capsules may reduce the level of renal fibrosis and protect renal function in rats with IgAN by inhibiting the activation of JAK2/STAT3 signal pathway.

Magnetic cell sorting technology is a highly specific and rapid cell sorting technology using superparamagnetic nanocomposites for cell sorting, which is widely used in immunology, stem cytology, oncology, clinical medicine and other fields. Magnetic cell sorting technology is divided into positive isolation, negative isolation/untouched cell isolation, depletion, multi-step isolation and automated cell separation systems. In this review, we firstly give a brief introduction to the classification and application of magnetic cell sorting technology, then discuss several new techniques and challenges based on magnetic cell sorting in recent years, such as improving the sorting efficiency by improving the structure of magnetic materials and magnetic field structure. The necessity of biological evaluation of magnetic cell sorting products was emphatically analyzed. Through the biological evaluation, the advantages and disadvantages of magnetic cell sorting products can be understood, and the research and development ability could be improved. Therefore, 10 biological evaluation technical parameters related to magnetic cell sorting products were proposed: yield, purity, sterility, cytotoxicity, cell morphology, viability, light scattering characteristics of cells, fluorescent antibody labeling ability of cells, cell activation and cell proliferation. The 10 biological evaluation technical parameters play an important role in promoting the standardized application of magnetic cell sorting.

Aldehyde oxidase (AOX) is a molybdoenzyme that is primarily expressed in the liver and is involved in the metabolism of drugs and other xenobiotics. AOX-mediated metabolism can result in unexpected outcomes, such as the production of toxic metabolites and high metabolic clearance, which can lead to the clinical failure of novel therapeutic agents. Computational models can assist medicinal chemists in rapidly evaluating the AOX metabolic risk of compounds during the early phases of drug discovery and provide valuable clues for manipulating AOX-mediated metabolism liability. In this study, we developed a novel graph neural network called AOMP for predicting AOX-mediated metabolism. AOMP integrated the tasks of metabolic substrate/non-substrate classification and metabolic site prediction, while utilizing transfer learning from ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance data to enhance its performance on both tasks. AOMP significantly outperformed the benchmark methods in both cross-validation and external testing. Using AOMP, we systematically assessed the AOX-mediated metabolism of common fragments in kinase inhibitors and successfully identified four new scaffolds with AOX metabolism liability, which were validated through in vitro experiments. Furthermore, for the convenience of the community, we established the first online service for AOX metabolism prediction based on AOMP, which is freely available at https://aomp.alphama.com.cn.