ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of Buzhong Yiqitang in attenuating cisplatin resistance in non-small cell lung cancer by observing the effects of Buzhong Yiqitang on endoplasmic reticulum stress-related molecules in human lung adenocarcinoma cells （A549） and cisplatin-resistant cells in human lung adenocarcinoma cells （A549/DDP） via the nuclear factor E₂-related factor 2（Nrf2）/reactive oxygen species（ROS） pathway. MethodsThe serum containing Buzhong Yiqitang was prepared and A549 cells and A549/DDP cells were cultured. The cells were randomized into groups A （A549 cells+blank serum）， B （A549 cells+20 mg·L^-1 cisplatin+blank serum）， C （A549 cells+20 mg·L^-1 cisplatin+10% Buzhong Yiqitang-containing serum）， D （A549/DDP cells+blank serum）， E （A549/DDP cells+20 mg·L^-1 cisplatin+blank serum）， and F （A549/DDP cells+20 mg·L^-1 cisplatin+10% Buzhong Yiqitang-containing serum）. The cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） method was used to detect the half maximal inhibitory concentration （IC₅₀） of cisplatin. The protein levels of Nrf2 and p-Nrf2 were determined by Western blotting. The DCFH-DA fluorescent probe was used to measure the content of reactive oxygen species （ROS） in each group. The protein levels of glucose-regulated protein 78 （GRP78）， activated transcription factor 6 （ATF6）， and C/EBP-homologous protein （CHOP） were determined by Western blot. ResultsCompared with group B， group C showed a reduction in IC₅₀ of cisplatin （P<0.05）， which held true in group E compared with group F （P<0.05）. Moreover， the IC₅₀ of cisplatin to A549/DDP cells was higher than that to A549 cells before and after Buzhong Yiqitang intervention （P<0.05）. Compared with group A， group B showed up-regulated protein levels of Nrf2 and p-Nrf2 （P<0.05）. Compared with group B， group C showed down-regulated protein levels of Nrf2 and p-Nrf2 （P<0.05）. Compared with group D， group E showed up-regulated protein levels of Nrf2 and p-Nrf2 （P<0.05）， which， however， were significantly down-regulated in group F （P<0.05）. The ROS content and the protein levels of GRP78， ATF6， and CHOP followed a descending trend of group C > group B > group A in A549 cells and group F > group E > group D in A549/DDP cells （P<0.05）. Moreover， the ROS content and the protein levels of GRP78， ATF6， and CHOP in A549 cells were higher than those in A549/DDP cells before and after Buzhong Yiqitang intervention （P<0.05）. ConclusionBuzhong Yiqitang may regulate endoplasmic reticulum stress via the Nrf2/ROS pathway to attenuate cisplatin resistance in non-small cell lung cancer.

Biomolecular condensates are formed through phase separation of biomacromolecules such as proteins and RNAs. These condensates exhibit liquid-like properties that can futher transition into more stable material states. They form complex internal structures via multivalent weak interactions, enabling precise spatiotemporal regulations. However, the use of inconsistent and non-standardized terminology has become increasingly problematic, hindering academic exchange and the dissemination of scientific knowledge. Therefore, it is necessary to discuss the terminology related to biomolecular condensates in order to clarify concepts, promote interdisciplinary cooperation, enhance research efficiency, and support the healthy development of this field.

OBJECTIVE To study the safety of Shuangshu decoction in rats and its efficacy in improving functional dyspepsia （FD） in rats. METHODS In safety test， 40 rats were divided into blank control group， Shuangshu decoction low-dose， medium- dose and high-dose groups [108， 216， 324 g/（kg·d）， calculated by raw medicine， the same applies below]； they were given relevant medicine intragastrically， for continuous 14 days. The mortality and toxic reactions of rats were recorded， and the organ indexes of the liver， kidney， spleen， lung and heart of rats were calculated； the pathological morphological changes in the liver， kidney， spleen， lung， heart， stomach， duodenum， and colon were observed to evaluate the acute toxicity of Shuangshu decoction. Another 40 rats were grouped and administered in the same way for 30 consecutive days. The mortality and toxic reactions of the rats were recorded， and the corresponding organ indexes were calculated. The pathological morphological changes in the corresponding organs were observed， and blood routine and serum biochemical indicators were measured， in order to assess the subacute toxicity of Shuangshu decoction. In pharmacodynamic experiments: 50 rats were divided into blank control group， model group， and Shuangshu decoction low-， medium-， and high-dose groups （9.45， 18.9， 37.8 g/kg）， with 10 rats in each group. Except for blank control group， rats in all other groups were used to establish the FD rat model by subcutaneous injection of loperamide （3.5 mg/kg）. Rats in each group were administered the corresponding drug solution/normal saline intragastrically， once a day， for 14 consecutive days. After the last medication， fecal moisture content， intestinal propulsion rate， gastric emptying rate and serum level of motilin were all detected， and interstitial cell of Cajal （ICC） ultrastructure of rats was observed in colon tissue. RESULTS The safety experiments showed that no death occurred in each dose group， and no significant difference was found in organ coefficient， routine blood and serum biological index， compared to blank control group （P＞0.05）； no abnormality was found in organ appearance and pathological sections. The results of the pharmacodynamic experiments showed that， compared with the blank control group， the fecal moisture content， gastric emptying rate， intestinal propulsion rate， and serum motilin levels in the model group were significantly decreased （P＜0.05）； in the colonic tissue， the mitochondria in the ICC exhibited severe swelling with the disappearance of cristae， and the endoplasmic reticulum was dilated. Compared with model group， the rats in Shuangshu decoction high-dose group showed significant increases in the above quantitative indicators （P＜ 0.05）； additionally， there was a large number of mitochondria in the ICC of the colonic tissue， with clear cristae and regular arrangement. CONCLUSIONS Shuangshu decoction is safe and has a beneficial improving effect on FD rats； its mechanism of action may be related to the regulation of gastrointestinal hormone expression to promote gastric emptying and intestinal propulsion， as well as the repair of mitochondrial structure in ICCs to restore gastrointestinal function.

Objective To investigate the effects and related mechanisms of mitochondrial-derived peptide MOTS-c on glycochenodeoxycholic acid (GCDCA)-induced injury in human hepatocytes (THLE-3 cells). Methods THLE-3 cells were cultured in vitro and treated with different concentrations of GCDCA and MOTS-c. The optimal concentrations of GCDCA and MOTS-c were determined by cell counting kit (CCK)-8 method. Subsequently, THLE-3 cells were treated or pre-treated with GCDCA (200 µmol/L), MOTS-c (15, 30, 60 µmol/L), the multidrug resistance protein 2 (MRP2) inhibitor Probenecid (500 µmol/L), and the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) inhibitor ML385 (10 µmol/L). Cell proliferation was assessed by CCK-8 method. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels in the culture medium were measured by biochemical method. Cell apoptosis rates were determined by flow cytometry. MRP2 messenger RNA (mRNA) levels were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). MRP2 and Nrf2 protein expression levels were analyzed by Western blotting. Results As the concentration of GCDCA increased, the proliferation activity of THLE-3 cells gradually decreased, while LDH activity in the culture medium and apoptosis levels increased, and the expression levels of MRP2 in the cells decreased (all P<0.05). Treatment with 30 and 60 µmol/L MOTS-c significantly enhanced the proliferation activity of THLE-3 cells exposed to GCDCA, upregulated the expression of MRP2 and Nrf2, and reduced LDH activity and apoptosis levels (all P<0.05). Co-treatment with Probenecid partially reversed the protective effects of MOTS-c on GCDCA-induced THLE-3 cells injury, while co-treatment with ML385 partially inhibited the induction of MRP2 expression by MOTS-c in THLE-3 cells exposed to GCDCA. Conclusions MOTS-c may alleviate GCDCA-induced injury in human hepatocytes (THLE-3 cells), and its mechanism may be related to the upregulation of MRP2 expression mediated by Nrf2.

ObjectiveThe theory of homotherapy for heteropathy is one of the classical rules in traditional Chinese medicine. Taking this theory as a breakthrough point， this study employed gas chromatography-mass spectrometry （GC-MS） to elucidate the mechanism underlying the therapeutic effects of Zhuyuwan on both intrahepatic cholestasis （IC） and ulcerative colitis （UC） from the viewpoint of serum metabolic homeostasis. MethodsThe rat models of α-naphthylisothiocyanate （ANIT）-induced cholestasis and 2，4，6-trinitro-benzenesulfonic acid （TNBS）-induced UC were treated with low （0.6 g·kg^-1） and high （1.2 g·kg^-1） doses of Zhuyuwan by gavage. In the experiment regarding IC， 24 Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were randomly assigned into four groups： normal， ANIT model， low-dose Zhuyuwan， and high-dose Zhuyuwan. In the experiment regarding UC， 24 SD rats were randomly allocated into four groups： normal， TNBS model， low-dose Zhuyuwan， and high-dose Zhuyuwan. Firstly， the two disease models and the intervention effects of Zhuyuwan on the two diseases were evaluated based on serum levels of biochemical indicators ［alanine aminotransferase （ALT）， aspartate transaminase （AST）， γ-glutamyltranspeptidase （γ-GT）， and total bile acid （TBA）］， colon damage score， colon weight index， disease activity index， and histopathological changes in rats. Secondly， the rat serum samples were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry （GC-MS） to screen the common core pathways of the two disease models， and the expression of core genes in the pathways was determined by Real-time PCR， on the basis of which the biological mechanism of the treatment of the two disease models by Zhuyuwan was ultimately elucidated. ResultsThe results of the experiment regarding IC showed that the ANIT model group had higher ALT， AST， γ-GT， and TBA levels than the normal group （P<0.01）. Compared with the ANIT model group， the low-dose Zhuyuwan group showed declined ALT and TBA levels （P<0.01） and the high-dose Zhuyuwan group showed lowered ALT， TBA， AST， and γ-GT levels （P<0.01）. The results of the experiment regarding UC showed that compared with the normal group， the TNBS model group presented increases in the colonic damage score， colon weight index， and disease activity index （P<0.01）. Compared with the TNBS model group， the low-dose Zhuyuwan group showcased declines in colon weight index （P<0.01） and disease activity index （P<0.05）， and the high-dose Zhuyuwan group showed reductions in the colon damage score， colon weight index， and disease activity index （P<0.01）. GC-MS metabolomics analysis combined with qRT-PCR demonstrated that Zhuyuwan had a similar inverse regulatory effect on arginine metabolism disruption in the above two disease models. ConclusionZhuyuwan exhibited definite therapeutic effects on both IC and UC， and the regulation of arginine biosynthesis pathway is the core mechanism for the treatment of both diseases by Zhuyuwan.

ObjectiveThe theory of homotherapy for heteropathy is one of the classical rules in traditional Chinese medicine. Taking this theory as a breakthrough point， this study employed gas chromatography-mass spectrometry （GC-MS） to elucidate the mechanism underlying the therapeutic effects of Zhuyuwan on both intrahepatic cholestasis （IC） and ulcerative colitis （UC） from the viewpoint of serum metabolic homeostasis. MethodsThe rat models of α-naphthylisothiocyanate （ANIT）-induced cholestasis and 2，4，6-trinitro-benzenesulfonic acid （TNBS）-induced UC were treated with low （0.6 g·kg^-1） and high （1.2 g·kg^-1） doses of Zhuyuwan by gavage. In the experiment regarding IC， 24 Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were randomly assigned into four groups： normal， ANIT model， low-dose Zhuyuwan， and high-dose Zhuyuwan. In the experiment regarding UC， 24 SD rats were randomly allocated into four groups： normal， TNBS model， low-dose Zhuyuwan， and high-dose Zhuyuwan. Firstly， the two disease models and the intervention effects of Zhuyuwan on the two diseases were evaluated based on serum levels of biochemical indicators ［alanine aminotransferase （ALT）， aspartate transaminase （AST）， γ-glutamyltranspeptidase （γ-GT）， and total bile acid （TBA）］， colon damage score， colon weight index， disease activity index， and histopathological changes in rats. Secondly， the rat serum samples were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry （GC-MS） to screen the common core pathways of the two disease models， and the expression of core genes in the pathways was determined by Real-time PCR， on the basis of which the biological mechanism of the treatment of the two disease models by Zhuyuwan was ultimately elucidated. ResultsThe results of the experiment regarding IC showed that the ANIT model group had higher ALT， AST， γ-GT， and TBA levels than the normal group （P<0.01）. Compared with the ANIT model group， the low-dose Zhuyuwan group showed declined ALT and TBA levels （P<0.01） and the high-dose Zhuyuwan group showed lowered ALT， TBA， AST， and γ-GT levels （P<0.01）. The results of the experiment regarding UC showed that compared with the normal group， the TNBS model group presented increases in the colonic damage score， colon weight index， and disease activity index （P<0.01）. Compared with the TNBS model group， the low-dose Zhuyuwan group showcased declines in colon weight index （P<0.01） and disease activity index （P<0.05）， and the high-dose Zhuyuwan group showed reductions in the colon damage score， colon weight index， and disease activity index （P<0.01）. GC-MS metabolomics analysis combined with qRT-PCR demonstrated that Zhuyuwan had a similar inverse regulatory effect on arginine metabolism disruption in the above two disease models. ConclusionZhuyuwan exhibited definite therapeutic effects on both IC and UC， and the regulation of arginine biosynthesis pathway is the core mechanism for the treatment of both diseases by Zhuyuwan.

BACKGROUND:Repetitive trans-spinal magnetic stimulation(rTSMS)can inhibit inflammatory responses following spinal cord injury.rTSMS applies magnetic field stimulation to the spinal cord region to modulate neuronal excitability and synaptic transmission,thereby promoting plasticity and repair of the nervous system. OBJECTIVE:To observe the effects of rTSMS on the Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/nuclear factor(NF)-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway after spinal cord injury and explore its mechanism in promoting motor function recovery. METHODS:Male C57BL/6J mice,SPF grade,were randomly divided into sham surgery group,spinal cord injury group,and rTSMS group.The latter two groups of mice were anesthetized and the T9 vertebral plate was removed using rongeur forceps to expose the spinal cord,and the spinal cord was clamped using a small aneurysm clip for 20 seconds to establish the spinal cord injury model.Mice in the rTSMS group underwent a 21-day rTSMS intervention starting on day 1 after spinal cord injury.The stimulation lasted 10 minutes per day,5 days per week with an interval of 2 days.Basso Mouse Scale scores were used to assess motor function recovery in mice after spinal cord injury at 1,3,7,14,and 21 days after spinal cord injury.Western blot was employed to detect the expression of AQP4,apoptotic factors Bax,Bcl-2,CL-Caspase-3,inflammatory factors tumor necrosis factor-α,interferon-γ,interleukin-6,interleukin-4,and the TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway related proteins in the injured spinal cord.Oxidative stress assay kit was used to measure the activity of superoxide dismutase,glutathione peroxidase,and malondialdehyde content at the site of spinal cord injury.Immunofluorescence staining was performed to detect the expression of neuronal nuclei(NeuN). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The Basso Mouse Scale score in the rTSMS group was significantly higher than that in the spinal cord injury group(P<0.05).Compared with the spinal cord injury group,the rTSMS group showed a reduction in spinal cord water content.The expression of AQP4 protein,malondialdehyde content,and expression of Bax,Bcl-2,CL-Caspase-3,tumor necrosis factor-α,interferon-γ,interleukin-6,and TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway related proteins were all decreased in the rTSMS group,while the activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase,as well as the expression of Bcl-2,interleukin-4,and NeuN,were all increased(P<0.05).These results suggest that rTSMS downregulates the expression of proteins related to the TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway,alleviating symptoms after spinal cord injury such as spinal cord edema,oxidative stress,apoptosis,and inflammation,exerting neuroprotective effects,and thereby promoting the recovery of hindlimb motor function after spinal cord injury.

BACKGROUND:We have successfully established an animal model of small ear pig in southern Yunnan province with internal tension relieving technique combined with autologous Achilles tendon for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction,and verified the stability and reliability of the model.However,whether internal tension relieving technique can promote the ligamentalization process of autologous Achilles tendon graft has not been studied. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the differences in the process of ligamentalization between conventional reconstruction and internal reduction reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament by gross view,histology and electron microscopy. METHODS:Thirty adult female small ear pigs in southern Yunnan province were selected.Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction was performed on the left knee joint with the ipsilateral knee Achilles tendon(n=30 in the normal group),and anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction was performed on the right knee joint with the ipsilateral knee Achilles tendon combined with the internal relaxation and enhancement system(n=30 in the relaxation group).The autogenous right forelimb was used as the control group;the anterior cruciate ligament was exposed but not severed or surgically treated.At 12,24,and 48 weeks after surgery,10 animals were sacrificed,respectively.The left and right knee joint specimens were taken for gross morphological observation to evaluate the graft morphology.MAS score was used to evaluate the excellent and good rate of the ligament at each time point.Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to evaluate the degree of ligament graft vascularization.Collagen fibers and nuclear morphology were observed,and nuclear morphology was scored.Ultrastructural remodeling was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The ligament healing shape of the relaxation group was better at various time points after surgery,and the excellent and good rate of MAS score was higher(P<0.05).Moreover,the relaxation group could obtain higher ligament vascularization score(P<0.05).(2)The arrangement of collagen bundles and fiber bundles in the two groups gradually tended to be orderly,and the transverse fiber connections between collagen gradually increased and thickened,suggesting that the strength and shape degree of the grafts were gradually improved,but the ligament remodeling in the relaxation group was always faster than that in the normal group at various time points after surgery.(3)The diameter,distribution density,and arrangement degree of collagen fibers in the relaxation group were better than those in the normal group at all time points,especially in the comparison of collagen fiber diameter between and within the relaxation group(P<0.05).

ObjectiveMagnetoencephalography (MEG), a non-invasive neuroimaging technique, meticulously captures the magnetic fields emanating from brain electrical activity. Compared with MEG based on superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUID), MEG based on optically pump magnetometer (OPM) has the advantages of higher sensitivity, better spatial resolution and lower cost. However, most of the current studies are clinical studies, and there is a lack of animal studies on MEG based on OPM technology. Pain, a multifaceted sensory and emotional phenomenon, induces intricate alterations in brain activity, exhibiting notable sex differences. Despite clinical revelations of pain-related neuronal activity through MEG, specific properties remain elusive, and comprehensive laboratory studies on pain-associated brain activity alterations are lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of inflammatory pain (induced by Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA)) on brain activity in a rat model using the MEG technique, to analysis changes in brain activity during pain perception, and to explore sex differences in pain-related MEG signaling. MethodsThis study utilized adult male and female Sprague-Dawley rats. Inflammatory pain was induced via intraplantar injection of CFA (100 μl, 50% in saline) in the left hind paw, with control groups receiving saline. Pain behavior was assessed using von Frey filaments at baseline and 1 h post-injection. For MEG recording, anesthetized rats had an OPM positioned on their head within a magnetic shield, undergoing two 15-minute sessions: a 5-minute baseline followed by a 10-minute mechanical stimulation phase. Data analysis included artifact removal and time-frequency analysis of spontaneous brain activity using accumulated spectrograms, generating spectrograms focused on the 4-30 Hz frequency range. ResultsMEG recordings in anesthetized rats during resting states and hind paw mechanical stimulation were compared, before and after saline/CFA injections. Mechanical stimulation elevated alpha activity in both male and female rats pre- and post-saline/CFA injections. Saline/CFA injections augmented average power in both sexes compared to pre-injection states. Remarkably, female rats exhibited higher average spectral power 1 h after CFA injection than after saline injection during resting states. Furthermore, despite comparable pain thresholds measured by classical pain behavioral tests post-CFA treatment, female rats displayed higher average power than males in the resting state after CFA injection. ConclusionThese results imply an enhanced perception of inflammatory pain in female rats compared to their male counterparts. Our study exhibits sex differences in alpha activities following CFA injection, highlighting heightened brain alpha activity in female rats during acute inflammatory pain in the resting state. Our study provides a method for OPM-based MEG recordings to be used to study brain activity in anaesthetized animals. In addition, the findings of this study contribute to a deeper understanding of pain-related neural activity and pain sex differences.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the characteristics of pediatric medicines with priority review and approval for marketing in China， providing a reference for promoting enterprise R&D and production， as well as improving the supply guarantee mechanism for pediatric medicines. METHODS Based on publicly available data sources such as List of Approved Information for Pediatric Medications Subject to Priority Review and Approval， Pharnexcloud biomedical database， and National Medical Insurance Drug Directory， this study conducted a comprehensive analysis of the main characteristics of pediatric medicines with priority review and approval for marketing. RESULTS As of June 30， 2024， a total of 68 pediatric medicines had been approved through the priority review and approval process， covering 12 therapeutic areas， with oral dosage forms accounting for 64.71%. The median time from application to inclusion in priority review was 35.50 days， with an average of 41.69 days. The median time from inclusion in priority review to market approval was 1.24 years， with an average of 1.42 years. This included 12 domestic new medicines， 21 domestic generic medicines， 35 imported medicines， as well as 29 pediatric-specific medicines and 21 orphan medicines. Additionally， 31 of these medicines had been included in the medical insurance catalog， representing a proportion of 45.59%. CONCLUSIONS Currently， a trend of differentiated competition is emerging between domestic and imported pediatric medicines. The therapeutic areas for pediatric medicines are continuously expanding， and the dosage forms are becoming more tailored to children’s needs. However， there are still issues such as slow progress in new medicine development， insufficient stability in the medicine review and approval process， and a need to increase the proportion of medicines included in medical insurance.