ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Qingxin Jieyu granules （QXJYG） on FeCl₃-induced carotid artery thrombosis in rats and on the expression of thrombosis-related proteins tissue factor （TF） and tissue factor pathway inhibitor （TFPI） as well as the protein kinase B （Akt）/nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） signaling pathway in EA.hy926 cells exposed to tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， thus preliminarily exploring the mechanism of QXJYG in inhibiting thrombosis. MethodsThirty-six SD rats were randomized into normal control， model， positive control （aspirin， 9 mg·kg^-1）， and low-， medium-， and high-dose （0.99， 1.98， 3.96 g·kg^-1， respectively） QXJYG groups （n=6）. The rats in the drug treatment groups were administrated with corresponding drugs， and those in the normal control group and model group were given an equal volume of distilled water. After 14 consecutive days of prophylactic gavage， the rat model of common carotid artery thrombosis was established with 45% FeCl₃ solution， and the blood vessels were collected and the wet weight of thrombus was weighed by an electronic balance （precision of 1/10 000）. The thrombosis in the common carotid artery of each group of rats was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The plasma levels of von Willebrand factor （vWF）， platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 （PECAM-1）， tissue-type plasminogen activator （t-PA）， and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 （PAI-1） were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. An endothelial cell injury model was established by treating EA.hy926 human umbilical vein endothelial cells with TNF-α. The cell counting kit-8 method was used to screen the intervention concentrations of QXJYG. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of TF， TFPI， Akt， p-Akt， NF-κB p65， and p-NF-κB p65 in each group of cells. ResultsThe animal experiment showed that compared with the normal control group， the model group showed an increase in carotid artery thrombus weight （P<0.05）， with unclear vascular structure and extensive thrombosis in the lumen. In addition， the plasma levels of vWF， PECAM-1， and PAI-1 were elevated， while the t-PA level became lowered （P<0.05） in the model group. Compared with the model group， the aspirin and QXJYG groups showed reductions in the weight of FeCl₃-induced carotid artery thrombi （P<0.05） and thrombosis in the lumen， declines in plasma levels of PECAM-1 and PAI-1， and an elevation in the t-PA level （P<0.05）. Moreover， the QXJYG groups showed reductions in the plasma level of vWF （P<0.05）， which， however， had no significant difference between the aspirin group and the model group. The cell experiments indicated that 31.25， 62.5， 125， 250， 500 mg·L^-1 QXJYG had no effect on the viability of EA.hy926 cells. Therefore， 250， 500 mg·L^-1 QXJYG were selected as the intervention concentrations for subsequent experiments. Western blotting results showed that compared with the control group， the TNF-α stimulation downregulated the expression of TFPI （P<0.05）， upregulated the expression of TF， and increased the ratios of p-Akt/Akt and p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 （P<0.05） in EA.hy926 cells. Compared with the model group， the intervention with QXJYG upregulated the expression of TFPI （P<0.05）， inhibited the expression of TF， and decreased the ratios of p-Akt/Akt and p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 （P<0.05）. ConclusionQXJYG has the effect of inhibiting thrombosis and regulating the expression of TF and TFPI in endothelial cells exposed to TNF-α by suppressing the abnormal activation of the Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway.

G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) participates in the phosphorylation and desensitization of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), impacting various biological processes such as inflammation and cell proliferation. Dysregulated expression and activity of GRK2 have been reported in multiple cells in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, whether and how GRK2 regulates synovial hyperplasia and fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) proliferation is poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the regulation of GRK2 and its biological function in RA. We found that GRK2 transmembrane activity was increased in FLSs of RA patients and collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rats. Additionally, we noted a positive correlation between high GRK2 expression on the cell membrane and serological markers associated with RA and CIA. Immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry and pull-down analyses revealed tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 2 (TRAF2) as a novel substrate of GRK2. Furthermore, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and molecular docking assays determined that the C-terminus of GRK2 binds to the C-terminus of TRAF2 at the Gln340 residue. GRK2 knockdown and the GRK2 inhibitor CP-25 attenuated synovial hyperplasia and FLS proliferation in CIA both in vitro and in vivo by decreasing GRK2 membrane expression and activity. Mechanistically, increased GRK2 transmembrane activity contributed to the recruitment of TRAF2 on the cell membrane, promoting GRK2-TRAF2 interactions that facilitate the recruitment of the E3 ubiquitin ligase TRIM47 to TRAF2. This enhanced TRAF2 Lys63 polyubiquitylation and induced nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation, leading to synovial hyperplasia and abnormal proliferation of FLSs. Our study provides a mechanistic and preclinical rationale for further evaluation of GRK2 as a therapeutic target for RA.

Enamel demineralization, the formation of white spot lesions, is a common issue in clinical orthodontic treatment. The appearance of white spot lesions not only affects the texture and health of dental hard tissues but also impacts the health and aesthetics of teeth after orthodontic treatment. The prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of white spot lesions that occur throughout the orthodontic treatment process involve multiple dental specialties. This expert consensus will focus on providing guiding opinions on the management and prevention of white spot lesions during orthodontic treatment, advocating for proactive prevention, early detection, timely treatment, scientific follow-up, and multidisciplinary management of white spot lesions throughout the orthodontic process, thereby maintaining the dental health of patients during orthodontic treatment.
Humans ; Consensus ; Dental Caries/etiology* ; Dental Enamel/pathology* ; Tooth Demineralization/etiology* ; Tooth Remineralization

With the growing emphasis on maternal and child oral health, the significance of managing oral health across preconception, pregnancy, and infancy stages has become increasingly apparent. Oral health challenges extend beyond affecting maternal well-being, exerting profound influences on fetal and neonatal oral development as well as immune system maturation. This expert consensus paper, developed using a modified Delphi method, reviews current research and provides recommendations on maternal and child oral health management. It underscores the critical role of comprehensive oral assessments prior to conception, diligent oral health management throughout pregnancy, and meticulous oral hygiene practices during infancy. Effective strategies should be seamlessly integrated across the life course, encompassing preconception oral assessments, systematic dental care during pregnancy, and routine infant oral hygiene. Collaborative efforts among pediatric dentists, maternal and child health workers, and obstetricians are crucial to improving outcomes and fostering clinical research, contributing to evidence-based health management strategies.
Humans ; Pregnancy ; Female ; Infant ; Consensus ; Mouth Diseases/therapy* ; Pregnancy Complications/therapy* ; Oral Health ; Infant, Newborn ; Delphi Technique ; Oral Hygiene

ObjectiveTo establish a qualitative and quantitative analysis method for chemical constituents in Liu Junzitang（LJZT）， and to clarify its material basis. MethodThe chemical constituents in LJZT were analyzed by ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry（UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS）， and the resulting compounds were identified by using databases， such as MassBank， PubChem， ChemSpider， Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analytical Platform（TCMSP）， and by combining with relevant literature. UPLC was used to establish a quantitative method for analysis of 9 compounds in LJZT， including liquiritin， hesperidin， lobetyolin， liquiritigenin， glycyrrhizic acid， nobiletin， tangeretin， atractylenolide Ⅱ and Ⅰ. ResultBy combining the relevant literature， database and MS information， a total of 79 compounds were identified from LJZT， including 31 flavonoids， 15 terpenoids， 14 nitrogen-containing compounds， 6 phenylpropanoids， 6 organic acids and 7 other compounds. The established quantitative analytical method for the nine representative components showed good linearity within their respective linear ranges， and the precision， stability， reproducibility and recovery were in accordance with the requirements. The quantitative results showed that the contents of liquiritin， hesperidin， lobetyolin， liquiritigenin， glycyrrhizic acid， nobiletin， tangeretin， atractylenolide Ⅱ and Ⅰ in LJZT were 0.376 5， 2.602 1， 0.082 6， 0.128 1， 1.778 6， 0.015 7， 0.006 7， 0.030 4， 0.003 2 mg·g^-1， respectively. ConclusionThe established method can quickly， sensitively and accurately analyze the chemical constituents in LJZT， clarify that the material basis of LJZT is mainly flavonoids， terpenoids and nitrogen-containing compounds， and simultaneously determine the contents of the 9 components， which can lay a foundation for the research on quality control， mechanism and clinical application of LJZT.

Objective To construct a stable synovial cell line MH7A from rheumatoid arthritis(RA)patients using lentiviral vectors that interfere with the expression of tumor necrosis factor receptor associated factor 2(TRAF2),and to study the role of TNF-α-TRAF2 signaling in MH7A abnormal proliferation.Methods Based on the design principles of human TRAF2 gene sequence and shRNA sequence,three pairs of TRAF2 shRNA interference se-quences were designed and synthesized.The primers were annealed by PCR,and a linear vector was obtained by double enzyme digestion PLKO.1-puro.The linearized vector was connected to the annealed primers through Solu-tion I,and the connected products were introduced into receptive cells.The plates were coated,and positive colo-nies were selected for sequencing.Three different recombinant plasmids of PLKO.1-TRAF2-shRNA lentivirus were constructed,and lentivirus packaging plasmids was used to package logarithmic growth phase HEK 293T cells.Vi-rus solution was collected to infect MH7A cells.At the same time,puromycin was used to screen MH7A stable transgenic strains with low TRAF2 expression.CCK-8 method,Western blot,and qPCR were used to detect the proliferation function of MH7A induced by TNF-α and low expression of TRAF2,as well as downstream signal TRAF2,P65 protein expression and mRNA levels.Results PLKO.1-TRAF2-shRNA(1),PLKO.1-TRAF2-shR-NA(2),and PLKO.1-TRAF2-shRNA(3)lentivirus vector plasmids and control group lentivirus vector plasmids PLKO.1-puro were successfully constructed.The three TRAF2-shRNA lentivirus vector plasmids and control group lentivirus vector plasmids PLKO.1-puro were respectively introduced into the lentivirus packaging plasmid of HEK 293T to obtain virus solution.After infecting MH7A cells with the virus solution,they were treated with puromycin(2.00 μ G/mL)screening and obtaining MH7A stable transgenic plants after 2 days.Through qPCR and Western blot results,it was found that the expression of TRAF2 mRNA and protein in PLKO.1-TRAF2-shRNA(1)MH7A stably transfected cells was significantly reduced compared to the negative control group.The results of CCK-8 and Western blot showed that after knocking down TRAF2 in MH7A,the proliferation of MH7A cells with low TRAF2 expression induced by TNF-α and the phosphorylation level of P65 were significantly reduced.Conclusion A sta-ble transgenic strain of PLKO.1-TRAF2-shRNA(1)MH7A cells was successfully constructed to investigate the role of TNF-α-TRAF2 signal activation in mediating abnormal proliferation of RA synovial cells.

Objective:To analyze long-term outcomes of inoperable non-metastatic pancreatic cancer patients treated with definitive radiotherapy-based comprehensive treatment.Methods:Clinical data of 168 patients with medically unfit, refusal to surgery or inoperable non-metastatic pancreatic cancer treated with radiotherapy-based comprehensive treatment in PLA General Hospital between January 2016 and December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Survival outcomes,prognostic factors and patterns of treatment failure were analyzed in the radiotherapy ( n=95) and combined chemoradiotherapy ( n=73) groups. The survival analysis was conducted by Kaplan-Meier method. The survival curve was compared by log-rank test. Independent prognostic factors were identified by Cox proportional harzard model. Results:With a median follow-up of 20.2 months in the entire group, the median overall survival (OS) and median progression-free survival (PFS) were 18.0 and 12.3 months. The corresponding median OS and median PFS after receiving radiotherapy were 14.3 and 7.7 months. The 1-, 2-and 3-year OS rates were 72.1%, 36.6% and 21.5%, and the 1- and 2-year local control rates were 82.6% and 64.3%, respectively. The median OS for stage Ⅰ, stage Ⅱ and stage III were 27.1, 18.0 and 17.0 months, respectively. There was no significant difference in the median OS of patients with localized disease (stage Ⅰ-Ⅱ) between the radiotherapy and combined chemoradiotherapy groups (21.1 vs. 20.4 months, P=0.470). In patients with locally advanced disease (stage Ⅲ), combined chemoradiotherapy group showed better median OS compared with radiotherapy group (19.2 vs. 13.8 months, P=0.004). Clinical stage, CA19-9 before radiotherapy, comprehensive treatment and biological effective dose (BED 10) were identified as the independent prognostic factors for OS ( P=0.032, 0.011, 0.003 and 0.014). The cumulative 1- and 2-year actuarial rates of treatment failure, local-regional recurrence and distant metastasis were 48% and 74.4%, 15.0% and 27.4%, 23.6% and 33.1%, respectively. Liver metastasis (16.1%, 27/168) and local recurrence (11.9%, 20/168) were the primary patterns of treatment failure. Conclusions:Definitive radiotherapy-based comprehensive treatment effectively prolongs long-term survival in patients with inoperable non-metastatic pancreatic cancer. Definitive radiotherapy can be an alternative treatment option with curative intent for patients with localized pancreatic cancer who are medically unfit or refuse to undergo surgery. The combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy remains an effective treatment choice for locally advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer.

Objective:To fulfill the automatic radiolabeling of the norepinephrine transporter (NET) trancer 18F-meta-fluorobenzylguanidine (mFBG), and explore the 18F-mFBG PET/CT imaging effect of pheochromocytoma. Methods:On the basis of the chemical structure of mFBG, a spirocyclic iodonium ylide was used as the precursor to undergo a 3-step reaction sequence (radiofluorination, deprotection and neutralization) on AllinOne synthesis module. Purification by high performance liquid chromatography and formulation were conducted to generate 18F-mFBG. The corresponding quality control tests of 18F-mFBG product was performed. Afterwards, a postoperative patient with pheochromocytoma underwent 18F-mFBG PET/CT imaging. Results:The radiosynthesis was accomplished within 70 min, and 18F-mFBG was obtained in (17.8±2.4)% non-decay-corrected radiochemical yield ( n=5), with radiochemical purity >97% and molar activity >59.2 GBq/μmol. Sterility test, bacterial endotoxins test, abnormal toxicity test and the acetonitrile residue all met the requirements of Pharmacopoeia of the People′ s Republic of China (2020 Volume Ⅳ). The 18F-mFBG PET/CT imaging disclosed high uptake in pheochromocytoma and clear localization of lesions. Conclusions:The automatic radiolabeling of the NET targeted tracer 18F-mFBG is successfully realized by commercially available synthesis module, and the production quality meets all requirements for clinical translation. 18F-mFBG has a potential to image neuroendocrine lesions in clinical setting.

BACKGROUND: Dysfunction of the gap junction channel protein connexin 43 (Cx43) contributes to myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-induced ventricular arrhythmias. Cx43 can be regulated by small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) modification. Protein inhibitor of activated STAT Y (PIASy) is an E3 SUMO ligase for its target proteins. However, whether Cx43 is a target protein of PIASy and whether Cx43 SUMOylation plays a role in I/R-induced arrhythmias are largely unknown. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were infected with PIASy short hairpin ribonucleic acid (shRNA) using recombinant adeno-associated virus subtype 9 (rAAV9). Two weeks later, the rats were subjected to 45 min of left coronary artery occlusion followed by 2 h reperfusion. Electrocardiogram was recorded to assess arrhythmias. Rat ventricular tissues were collected for molecular biological measurements. RESULTS: Following 45 min of ischemia, QRS duration and QTc intervals statistically significantly increased, but these values decreased after transfecting PIASy shRNA. PIASy downregulation ameliorated ventricular arrhythmias induced by myocardial I/R, as evidenced by the decreased incidence of ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation, and reduced arrythmia score. In addition, myocardial I/R statistically significantly induced PIASy expression and Cx43 SUMOylation, accompanied by reduced Cx43 phosphorylation and plakophilin 2 (PKP2) expression. Moreover, PIASy downregulation remarkably reduced Cx43 SUMOylation, accompanied by increased Cx43 phosphorylation and PKP2 expression after I/R. CONCLUSION PIASy downregulation inhibited Cx43 SUMOylation and increased PKP2 expression, thereby improving ventricular arrhythmias in ischemic/reperfused rats heart.
Rats ; Male ; Animals ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury/metabolism* ; Connexin 43/genetics* ; Sumoylation ; Down-Regulation ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac/drug therapy* ; Myocardial Ischemia/metabolism* ; RNA, Small Interfering/metabolism*

Acetaminophen (APAP) overdose is a major cause of liver injury. Neural precursor cell expressed developmentally downregulated 4-1 (NEDD4-1) is an E3 ubiquitin ligase that has been implicated in the pathogenesis of numerous liver diseases; however, its role in APAP-induced liver injury (AILI) is unclear. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the role of NEDD4-1 in the pathogenesis of AILI. We found that NEDD4-1 was dramatically downregulated in response to APAP treatment in mouse livers and isolated mouse hepatocytes. Hepatocyte-specific NEDD4-1 knockout exacerbated APAP-induced mitochondrial damage and the resultant hepatocyte necrosis and liver injury, while hepatocyte-specific NEDD4-1 overexpression mitigated these pathological events both in vivo and in vitro. Additionally, hepatocyte NEDD4-1 deficiency led to marked accumulation of voltage-dependent anion channel 1 (VDAC1) and increased VDAC1 oligomerization. Furthermore, VDAC1 knockdown alleviated AILI and weakened the exacerbation of AILI caused by hepatocyte NEDD4-1 deficiency. Mechanistically, NEDD4-1 was found to interact with the PPTY motif of VDAC1 through its WW domain and regulate K48-linked ubiquitination and degradation of VDAC1. Our present study indicates that NEDD4-1 is a suppressor of AILI and functions by regulating the degradation of VDAC1.