ObjectiveTo optimize and validate the optimal sequential alcohol-water extraction process of modified Banxia Xiexintang（MBXT） based on pharmacodynamic evaluation， combined with the G1-entropy weight method and Box-Behnken response surface methodology， and to systematically and comprehensively analyze the material basis of this formula， providing a scientific basis for its quality control and industrial production. MethodsRats were randomly divided into the normal group， model group， metformin group， and MBXT water extraction， water extraction and ethanol precipitation， sequential ethanol-water extraction groups. Except for the normal group， a polycystic ovary syndrome with insulin resistance（PCOS-IR） model was established in all rats via a high-fat diet combined with letrozole induction. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay（ELISA） biochemical assay kits and hematoxylin-eosin（HE） staining were used to compare sex hormone levels in serum and ovarian histopathology， thereby screening extraction process routes. Based on this， a comprehensive score was constructed using the G1-entropy weight method based on the transfer rates of index components（berberine hydrochloride and baicalin） and the dry extract rate. Box-Behnken response surface methodology was then utilized to optimize the extraction process parameters. Finally， the chemical constituents of the sample from the optimal process were qualitatively analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-electrostatic field orbitrap mass spectrometry（UPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS）. ResultsPharmacodynamic findings revealed that compared with the normal group， serum testosterone（T） and luteinizing hormone（LH） levels were significantly elevated in the model group， while estradiol（E₂） and follicle-stimulating hormone（FSH） levels were significantly decreased（P<0.01）， with polycystic changes observed in ovarian tissues. Compared with the model group， all treatment groups significantly reversed the changes in sex hormone levels， with the sequential ethanol-water extraction group showing the optimal effect in improving the aforementioned indicators and pathological morphology， followed by subsequent process optimization. The optimized process involved adding 12 times the amount of 70% ethanol for extracting twice， each lasting 120 min， and adding 12 times the amount of water for extracting thrice， each lasting 90 min. Validation test results showed that under optimal process conditions， the average transfer rates of berberine hydrochloride and baicalin were 76.05% and 93.38%， respectively. MS analysis identified a total of 377 compounds， including 112 flavonoids， 41 terpenoids， 28 organic acids， 22 coumarins， and 8 alkaloids， while elucidating the cleavage patterns of key components. ConclusionThe optimized sequential ethanol-water extraction process is stable and feasible， effectively preserving the material basis of MBXT for treating PCOS-IR. It further clarifies the main chemical composition of this formula， providing a scientific basis for the development and quality control of its preparations.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the therapeutic effects of modified Banxia Xiexintang（MBXT） on polycystic ovary syndrome with insulin resistance（PCOS-IR） rats and reveal its potential mechanisms based on the integrated analysis of transcriptomics and metabolomics. MethodsFemale SD rats were selected， and a PCOS-IR model was established by intragastric administration of letrozole combined with a high-fat diet for 21 days. The modeled rats were randomly divided into the model group， MBXT low-， medium-， and high-dose groups（6.62， 13.23， 26.46 g·kg^-1）， and metformin group（0.158 g·kg^-1）， with a normal group set up separately. After 14 days of administration， the estrous cycle was observed， ovarian morphology was examined by hematoxylin-eosin（HE） staining， and the levels of testosterone（T）， estradiol（E₂）， follicle-stimulating hormone（FSH）， and luteinizing hormone（LH） in serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay（ELISA）. Serum metabolites and ovarian tissue gene expression were detected using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-electrostatic orbitrap mass spectrometry（UPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS） and RNA-Seq technology， respectively， followed by multi-omics integrated analysis. ResultsPharmacodynamic findings revealed that all MBXT dose groups could reversed abnormal estrous cycles in PCOS-IR rats， improve polycystic ovarian lesions， and normalize dysregulated serum hormone levels（T， LH， E₂， FS， P<0.05， P<0.01）. Metabolomic analysis revealed that compared with the model group， MBXT reversed 278 differential metabolites such as estrone and S-formylglutathione， mainly involving pathways such as steroid hormone biosynthesis， glutathione metabolism， and lipid peroxidation regulation. Transcriptomic analysis identified 434 differentially expressed genes， and enrichment analysis revealed that MBXT significantly regulated lipid peroxidation defense systems， including glutathione metabolism， peroxisome function， and fatty acid metabolism， thereby intervening in ferroptosis processes. It also engaged in inflammation-related pathways such as the chemokine signaling pathway. Integrated analysis revealed that both metabolomics and transcriptomics co-enriched metabolic pathways associated with ferroptosis and fatty acid metabolism. And key Hub genes［such as Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 2 gene（Rac2） and Fas ligand gene（Faslg）］ showed significant correlations with differential metabolites. ConclusionMBXT can effectively ameliorate reproductive dysfunction and metabolic disorders in PCOS-IR rats. Its mechanism may be related to remodeling the immune-metabolism network， particularly by regulating MHC-mediated immune responses， inhibiting local ovarian ferroptosis， and enhancing steroid hormone synthesis pathways.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of modified Banxia Xiexintang（MBXT） in improving ovarian dysfunction in polycystic ovary syndrome with insulin resistance（PCOS-IR） rats by inhibiting ferroptosis through the adenosine monophosphate（AMP）-activated protein kinase（AMPK）/fatty acid synthase（FASN）/glutathione peroxidase 4（GPX4） signaling pathway. MethodsSeventy-six female SD rats were randomly divided into a normal group（n=13） and a modeling group（n=63）. The modeling group established a PCOS-IR model by intragastric administration of letrozole combined with a high-fat diet for 21 days. After successful modeling， these rats were randomly divided into the model group， MBXT low-， medium-， and high-dose groups（6.62， 13.23， 26.46 g·kg^-1）， metformin group（0.158 g·kg^-1）， and high-dose of MBXT combined with ferroptosis inducer Erastin group（15 mg·kg^-1）， with 10 rats in each group. After 14 days of intervention， ovarian pathological morphology was observed by hematoxylin-eosin（HE） staining， the mitochondrial ultrastructure of granulosa cells was observed by transmission electron microscopy（TEM）， ovarian reactive oxygen species（ROS） levels were detected by dihydroethidium（DHE） probe， biochemical methods were used to detect Fe²⁺， malondialdehyde（MDA）， glutathione（GSH） and other indicators in ovarian tissues， serum sex hormone and insulin levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay（ELISA）， and the protein expressions of AMPK， FASN， acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4（ACSL4）， GPX4， and solute carrier family 7 member 11（SLC7A11） in ovarian tissues were detected by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group showed polycystic changes in the ovaries， with atrophy of mitochondria in granulosa cells and increased membrane density. Serum levels of testosterone（T）， luteinizing hormone（LH）， and insulin were significantly increased（P<0.01）. The levels of ROS， MDA， 4-hydroxynonenal（4-HNE）， and Fe²⁺ in ovarian tissues were significantly elevated（P<0.01）， while adenosine triphosphate（ATP）， GSH， and reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate （NADPH） levels were significantly decreased（P<0.01）. The phosphorylation levels of AMPK and acetyl-CoA carboxylase （ACC）， as well as the protein expressions of SLC7A11， GPX4， and ferroptosis suppressor protein 1（FSP1） were significantly downregulated（P<0.01）， whereas the expressions of FASN， ACSL4， and nuclear receptor coactivator 4（NCOA4） were significantly upregulated（P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， MBXT intervention at various doses improved the above pathological changes and biochemical indicators in a dose-dependent manner， with the high-dose group showing the most significant effect（P<0.01）. Compared with the MBXT high-dose group， the high-dose of MBXT combined with ferroptosis inducer Erastin group restored ovarian ferroptosis characteristics in rats， with increased ROS and lipid peroxidation products， and altered expressions of key proteins（P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionMBXT can effectively improve ovarian function and metabolic disorders in PCOS-IR rats. Its mechanism may be related to activating the AMPK/ACC signaling pathway， downregulating FASN and ACSL4 to reduce lipid peroxidation substrates， and restoring glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase/phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase（G6PD/PHGDH） metabolic flux to enhance the GPX4/FSP1 antioxidant defense system， thereby inhibiting ferroptosis in ovarian granulosa cells.

Objective : To investigate the effect of the miR-155-5p/silent information regulator 1(sirt1) signaling pathway on the immune function ofCandida albicansinduced Kawasaki disease model mice. Methods : C56BL/6 mice were separated into control group, Kawasaki disease group, antagonist control group, miR-155-5p antagonist group, miR-155-5p antagonist+si-NC group, and miR-155-5p antagonist+si-sirt1 group, with 12 mice in each group. Except for the control group, mice in all other groups were used to construct a Kawasaki disease model by intraperitoneal injection of water-solubleCandida albicans. After successful modeling, administration was performed once a day for 7 days. QRT-PCR was applied to detect the expression of miR-155-5p in coronary arteries. Western blot was applied to detect sirt1 protein in coronary arteries. HE staining was applied to detect pathological changes in coronary arteries. Mouse thymus index and spleen index were detected. Flow cytometry was applied to detect helper T cells 17(Th17)/regulatory T cells(Treg) in peripheral blood. ELISA was applied to detect the levels of interleukin(IL)-17 and IL-10 in mouse serum. The targeting relationship between sirt1 and miR-155-5p was validated. Results: Compared with the control group, there was a large amount of inflammatory cell infiltration in the coronary arteries of mice in the Kawasaki disease group. The miR-155-5p expression, Th17 ratio, Th17/Treg ratio, and IL-17 level increased. The sirt1 protein expression, thymus index, spleen index, Treg ratio, and IL-10 level decreased(P<0.05). Compared with the Kawasaki disease group, the inflammatory cell infiltration in the coronary arteries of mice in the miR-155-5p antagonist group was alleviated. The miR-155-5p expression, Th17 ratio, Th17/Treg ratio, and IL-17 level decreased. The sirt1 protein expression, thymus index, spleen index, Treg ratio, and IL-10 level increased(P<0.05). Si-sirt1 weakened the promoting effect of miR-155-5p inhibition on Th17/Treg balance and the inhibitory effect on vascular inflammation in Kawasaki disease mice, miR-155-5p targeted and regulated sirt1. Conclusion The mechanism by which inhibiting miR-155-5p promotes Th17/Treg balance and inhibits vascular inflammation in Kawasaki disease mice may be related to the upregulation of sirt1 expression.

Objective·To analyze the expression changes of adhesion G protein-coupled receptor F1(ADGRF1)in the occurrence and development of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma(PDAC),and explore the impact of ADGRF1 on the proliferation of PDAC cells and the potential molecular mechanisms that promote PDAC progression.Methods·The expression of ADGRF1 at mRNA level was analyzed based on the Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)database and The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)database,respectively.The expression of ADGRF1 in normal pancreatic ductal epithelial cells(hTERT-HPNE)and various PDAC tumor cells was detected by using real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(qPCR)and Western blotting.Immunohistochemical staining(IHC)was used to detect the differential expression of ADGRF1 in cancer tissues and adjacent tissues of PDAC patients.After knocking down ADGRF1 with small interfering RNA(siRNA)transfection,the changes in the proliferation ability of PDAC AsPC-1 and SW1990 cells were detected through CCK8 assay and plate cloning experiment.Stable overexpression of ADGRF1 was constructed in PDAC Patu8988 cell line,and the proliferation changes induced by overexpression of ADGRF1 were evaluated through CCK8 assay.RNA sequencing(RNA-seq),gene set enrichment analysis(GSEA),and immune infiltration analysis were utilized to predict signaling pathways associated with ADGRF1-mediated promotion of PDAC cancer progression.Results·Analysis of the TCGA database and GEO database revealed higher expression of ADGRF1 mRNA in PDAC tissues compared to normal pancreatic tissues(all P=0.000).qPCR and Western blotting results demonstrated up-regulation of ADGRF1 mRNA and protein levels in various PDAC cells compared to hTERT-HPNE cells(all P<0.05).IHC results confirmed higher ADGRF1 expression in PDAC cancer tissues compared to adjacent tissues.Furthermore,downregulation of ADGRF1 inhibited the proliferation of PDAC AsPC-1 and SW1990 cell lines,while overexpression of ADGRF1 promoted the proliferation of Patu8988 cells(all P<0.05).RNA-seq,GSEA enrichment analysis,and immune infiltration analysis revealed that ADGRF1 expression was related to signaling pathways such as interferon-α(IFN-α),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),and nuclear factor κB(NF-κB).Conclusion·ADGRF1 is highly expressed in PDAC cells and tissues,and promotes the proliferation of PDAC cells via immune-related signaling pathways.

Objective To investigate the value of breast MRI-abbreviated protocol(BMRI-AP)compared with full field digital mammography(FFDM)and breast MRI-full diagnostic protocol(BMRI-FDP)in the diagnosis of early breast cancer with non-calcified.Methods A total of 95 cases patients with early breast cancer with non-calcified(the longest diameter of the lesion≤2 cm,regardless of the size of the carcinoma in situ)were retrospectively included.Clinical,pathological and imaging data of all patients were collected.All patients underwent FFDM and MRI scanning,and three examination regimens,including FFDM,BMRI-AP,BMRI-FDP,were further obtained.Classification was performed according to the breast imaging reporting and data system(BI-RADS)classification standard(fifth edition)developed by American College of Radiology(ACR),and pathological results were taken as the standard.The diagnostic efficacy for early breast cancer with non-calcified were compared among the different three imaging methods.Results The diagnostic accuracy of FFDM,BMRI-AP and BMRI-FDP for early breast cancer with non-calcified was 76.84%,93.68%and 95.79%,respectively,with statistically significant difference among three groups(χ2=20.558,P<0.001).The median(quartile distance)of BMRI-AP and BMRI-FDP scanning time were 478(5)s and 926(13)s,respectively,with statistically significant difference between the two groups(Z=-11.912,P<0.001).Conclusion The diagnostic accuracy of BMRI-AP is significantly better than that of FFDM and similar to that of BMRI-FDP for early breast cancer with non-calcified.In addition,BMRI-AP can significantly shorten the scanning time without reducing the diagnostic accuracy,which is expected to become a new breast cancer screening method.

Objective:To predict the mechanism of Panacis Quinquefolii Radix- Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma (PQ-AT) in the treatment of diabetes encephalopathy (DE) using network pharmacology combined with molecular docking; To conduct experimental verification.Methods:The active components and targets of PQ and AT were screened by TCMSP database. The GeneCards and Disgenet were used to collect DE related target genes. String database and Cytoscape software were used to structure PPI network and perform visualization analysis. The common targets were imported into Metascape platform for GO annotation and KEGG enrichment analysis. Molecular docking was used to verify the binding ability of active components to core targets. Rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, and a low-dose group of PQ-AT (1.08 g/kg), a high-dose group of PQ-AT (2.16 g/kg), and a metformin group (0.18 g/kg) using a random number table. To establish the rat model of diabetes encephalopathy, intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin was used in addition to the blank group. After a 12-week drug intervention, TNF-α and Cyclooxygenase-2 (PTGS2) protein expression in the cerebral cortex of rats was detected using Western blot.Results:A total of 26 active components in PQ-AT and 107 related targets of DE were obtained, mainly including TNF, JUN, and PTSG2, which were mainly concentrated in TNF signaling pathway, cancer and other signal pathways. Molecular docking showed that the main active components of PQ-AT had relatively stable binding activity with TNF-α and PTGS2. Western blot results shows that compared with the model group, the expressions of PTGS2 and TNF-α significantly decreased in each administration group ( P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusion:PQ-AT can act on TNF, CASP3, JUN, STAT3, PTGS2 and other core targets to regulate signal pathways such as TNF, and inhibit inflammatory reaction to achieve the effect of treating DE.

Objective:To explore the effect of NOD-like receptor thermal protein 3 ( NLRP3) knockout in γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic neurons in the hippocampal CA1 area on improving cognitive dysfunction in mice after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods:Forty-eight healthy male NLRP3 flox/flox mice weighing 25-28 g were randomly divided into 4 groups ( n=12): sham-operated+control virus group (SV group), sham-operated+ NLRP3 specific knockout group (SG group), TBI+control virus group (TV group), TBI+ NLRP3 specific knockout group (TG group). TBI in the TV and TG groups was established by free-fall method, while surgical procedures such as scalp incision and cranial window opening without impact were given to the SV and SG groups. Adenovirus was injected into the hippocampal CA1 area of SG and TG groups 21 d before TBI to induce NLRP3 specific knockout in GABA-ergic neurons in the hippocampal CA1 area; empty virus was injected into the CA1 area of SV and TV groups. Cognitive function was evaluated using novel object recognition test 30 and 31 d after TBI, and learning and memory functions were assessed using Morris water maze test 32-36 d after TBI. Field potentials in the hippocampal CA1 area were recorded during novel object recognition 31 d after TBI. After behavioral tests, these mice were sacrificed. Immunofluorescent staining was used to detect the fluorescent intensity of microtubule-associated protein2 (MAP2), glutamic acid decarboxylase 67 (GAD67), and postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95) in the hippocampal CA1 area, as well as percentage of pyroptosis-associated inflammatory factor interleukin-18 (IL-18)/GAD67 double-positive neurons in total GAD67 positive neurons. Results:Compared with the SV and SG groups, the TV and TG groups had decreased novel object recognition index, decreased number of platform crossings during the experimental period, increased escape latency on day 3 and day 4 of the training period in Morris water maze test, decreased θ and γ oscillation power in the hippocampal CA1 area during novel object recognition, decreased fluorescent intensity of MAP2, GAD67, and PSD95 in the hippocampal CA1 area, increased percentage of IL-18/GAD67 double-positive neurons, with significant differences ( P<0.05). Compared with the TV group, the TG group had increased novel object recognition index, increased number of platform crossings in Morris water maze test, decreased escape latency during the training period, increased θ and γ oscillation power in the hippocampal CA1 area during novel object recognition, increased fluorescence intensity of MAP2, GAD67, and PSD95 in the hippocampal CA1 area, decreased percentage of IL-18/GAD67 double-positive neurons, with significant differences ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Specific inhibition of NLRP3 expression in GABA-ergic neurons in the hippocampal CA1 area can improve cognitive dysfunction in mice after TBI, whose mechanism may be related to inhibited GABA-ergic neuronal pyroptosis in the hippocampal CA1 area.

Objective·To establish a mouse model with dormant cancer and no obvious metastasis by combining the preimmune strategy with the mVenus-p27K-cell G0 phase indicator system,the DTR-HSV/TK suicide gene system,and the Luc2-tdTomato tracer system.Methods·The KPC1199 mouse pancreatic cancer cell line was transfected with the mVenus-p27K-cell G0 phase indicator system,the DTR-HSV/TK suicide gene system,and the Luc2-tdTomato tracer system to construct a stable expression cell line,KPC1199-PDL.After being cultured in the serum-free condition,KPC1199-PDL cells were sorted into mVenus(+)cells and mVenus(-)cells by flow cytometry,and the expression of G0 phase-related genes was verified by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(qPCR).Sensitivity of KPC1199-PDL cells to diphtheria toxin(DTX)and ganciclovir(GCV)was evaluated by CCK-8 assay.A transsplenic portal vein-hepatic metastasis model was constructed in wild-type C57BL/6 mice to validate the function of KPC1199-PDL cells in vivo by immunofluorescence technology.The KPC1199-PDL cells were injected subcutaneously into C57BL/6 mice,followed by in situ injection of DTX and GCV to ablate subcutaneous tumors 5 d later,to obtain preimmunized mice.The transsplenic portal vein-hepatic metastasis models were constructed in these mice.Bioluminescence imaging was used to evaluate subcutaneous tumor ablation and hepatic metastasis in the mice,and immunofluorescence assay was used to detect the distribution and dormant state of tumor cells in the livers of preimmunize mice.Results·The three tool systems were stably expressed in KPC1199-PDL cells,and their proliferative ability was not affected.In the serum starving condition,some KPC1199-PDL cells expressed the mVenus protein,indicating entry into the G0 phase;the mVenus(+)cells sorted out by flow cytometry exhibited significantly higher expression of G0 phase-related genes(all P<0.05)and significantly lower expression of the proliferation-related gene compared with mVenus(-)cells(P<0.05).The CCK-8 assay demonstrated high sensitivity of KPC1199-PDL cells to DTX and GCV.In vivo experiments confirmed that KPC1199-PDL cells could be effectively traced through tdTomato protein expression,and could indicate entry into the G0 phase through mVenus protein expression.Following subcutaneous tumor implantation and drug ablation,preimmunized mice were successfully obtained.In the subsequent transsplenic portal vein-hepatic metastasis model,no metastatic signals were observed in the liver by bioluminescence imaging,but single or small clusters of G0 phase tumor cells expressing both mVenus and tdTomato,not expressing the proliferation marker Ki67,were detected in liver tissue sections by immunofluorescence analysis.Conclusions·A recognizable and traceable dormant cancer model is constructed with the combination of the preimmune mouse model of pancreatic cancer,the mVeneus-p27K-indicator system,the DTR-HSV/TK suicide gene system,and the Luc2-tdTomato tracer system.

Objective To evaluate the predictive value of CT-enhanced imaging-based radiomics nomogram for the status of microsatel-lite instability(MSI)in colon cancer.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 129 postoperative colon cancer patients with confirmed MSI status.They were randomly divided into a training group(n=90)and a validation group(n=39)at a ratio of 7:3.Radiomics features were extracted from preoperative CT-enhanced images of the patients.The predictive performance of various machine learning algorithms was evaluated using the area under the curve(AUC).A nomogram model was developed by incorporating clinical independent risk factors,and the model's overall performance was assessed using decision curve analysis(DCA).Results Age and lesion site were identified as prominent independent risk factors and utilized in the construction of a clinical model.The light gradient boosting machine(LightGBM)algorithm was chosen for building a radiomics model.As a joint model,the AUC of the nomogram model of 0.917 in the training group and 0.822 in the validation group.The DCA confirmed the substantial clinical applicability of the nomogram model.Conclusion The CT-enhanced imaging-based radiomics nomogram offers a pioneering and individualized predic-tive approach for determining the MSI status in colon cancer.