OBJECTIVE To study the effect and mechanism of dihydrochromone-spliced polycyclic pyrrole-spiroepoxidole compound 3m on cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. METHODS Using human cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma A431 and Colo-16 cells as research subjects， CCK-8 assay was used to detect the effects of different concentrations of 3m （5， 10， 20， 40， 80 μmol/L） on the proliferation of A431 and Colo-16 cells after 24， 48 and 72 hours； the median inhibitory concentration （IC50） was calculated at 48 h of treatment. A431 and Colo-16 cells were divided into control group， 3m low-concentration and high- concentration groups （15， 30 μmol/L）. After treated with relevant drugs or culture medium for 48 h， the morphological changes of cells in each group were observed by inverted microscope. Clone formation rate， migration rate and number of cell invasions， cell cycle distribution and apoptosis rate were detected. The phosphorylation， or expression of Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （JAK2/STAT3） signaling pathway related proteins [JAK2， STAT3， B-cell lymphocyte-2 （Bcl-2）， Bcl-2- associated X protein （Bax）]， and their mRNA expression in cells were detected. RESULTS 3m could significantly inhibit the proliferation of A431 and Colo-16 cells after treated for 24， 48， 72 h （P＜0.01）， and IC50 of them were 20.36， 23.72 μmol/L， respectively. After 48 hours of treatment， compared with control group， A431 and Colo-16 cells arranged sparsely and loosely connected in 3m low-concentration and high-concentration groups. The clone formation rate， migration rate， number of cell invasions， mRNA expressions of JAK2， STAT3 and Bcl-2， the phosphorylation of JAK2 and STAT3， protein expression of Bcl-2 were significantly decreased/weakened （P＜0.01）. Proportion of cell cycle in G2 phase， apoptosis rate， protein and mRNA expression of Bax were increased significantly （P＜0.01）； and all the above effects were in dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS 3m can inhibit the proliferation， clone formation， migration and invasion abilities of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma A431 and Colo-16 cells in a dose-dependent manner， the mechanism of which may be associated with inhibiting the activity of JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway， and inducing cell apoptosis.

Objective: To explore the possible mechanism of moxibustion in myocardial protection of rats undergoing long-term fatigue exercise based on observing the classical pyroptosis pathway mediated by nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB)/nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3)/cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase 1 (Caspase-1).Methods: A total of 50 specific-pathogen-free male Sprague-Dawley rats were bought. Ten unqualified rats were excluded, and the remaining 40 rats were divided into a normal group, a normal + Shenque (CV8) group, a model group, a model + non-meridian non-point group, and a model + Shenque (CV8) group according to the random number table method, with 8 rats in each group. Except for rats in the normal group and the normal + Shenque (CV8) group, rats in the other three groups were trained with an incline running table exercise protocol to create a long-term fatigue exercise model, 1 h/time, once a day for 5 d with 2 d off, for a total of 8 weeks. Rats in the normal group received no modeling or intervention. Rats in the normal + Shenque (CV8) group were not modeled but received mild moxibustion at Shenque (CV8); those in the model group were modeled only without intervention; those in the model + non-meridian non-point group received moxibustion at non-meridian and non-point spots after the modeling; those in the model + Shenque (CV8) group received moxibustion at Shenque (CV8) after modeling. The above moxibustion interventions were performed for 15 min/time once daily, for 5 d with 2 d off per week and a total of 8 weeks. Blood was collected from the femoral artery 4 h after the last exercise, and the serum interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 levels were measured. The NF-κB, NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), Caspase-1, and gasdermin D (GSDMD) expression levels were detected by Western blotting. Myocardial morphology and pyroptosis were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and electron microscopy. Results: The HE staining results showed that the myocardial cells in the model group and the model + non-meridian non-point group were disorganized with blurred transverse lines, widened interstitial spaces, interstitial edema, and inflammatory cell infiltration. The structure of myocardial cells in the model + Shenque (CV8) group was clearly visible, with slightly widened interstitial spaces and occasional infiltration of inflammatory cells in the interstitium. Compared with the normal group, the serum IL-1β and IL-18 levels were increased, and myocardial NF-κB, NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, and GSDMD expression levels were elevated in the model group and the model + non-meridian non-point group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the above indicators did not change significantly in the model + non-meridian non-point group, while all the above indicators were decreased in the model + Shenque (CV8) group (P<0.01). Compared with the model + non-meridian non-point group, all the above biochemical indicators were decreased in the model + Shenque (CV8) group (P<0.01). Transmission electron microscopy showed that the mitochondria number was increased in the model group and the model + non-meridian non-point group, some of the mitochondrial lumen was irregularly enlarged, the cell membrane structure was unclear, and chromatin was aggregated. The mitochondria number was increased, the swelling was reduced, and the nuclear membrane structure was more intact in the model + Shenque (CV8) group. Conclusion: Moxibustion at Shenque (CV8) regulates the NF-κB/NLRP3/Caspase-1 pathway and reduces the pyroptosisin the myocardium of rats with long-term fatigue exercise, thus reducing the myocardial injury caused by long-term fatigue exercise.

This study aims to gain insight into the DNA-specific recognition mechanism of c-Myb transcription factor during the regulation of cell early differentiation and proliferation. Therefore, we chose the chicken myeloid gene, mitochondrial import protein 1 (mim-1), as a target to study the binding specificity between potential dual-Myb-binding sites. The c-Myb-binding site in mim-1 is a pseudo-palindromic sequence AACGGTT, which contains two AACNG consensuses. Simulation studies in different biological scenarios revealed that c-Myb binding with mim-1 in the forward strand (complex F) ismore stable than that inthereverse strand (complex R). The principal component analysis (PCA) dynamics trajectory analyses suggested an opening motion of the recognition helices of R2 and R3 (R2R3), resulting in the dissociation of DNA from c-Myb in complex R at 330 K, triggered by the reduced electrostatic potential on the surface of R2R3. Furthermore, the DNA confirmation and hydrogen-bond interaction analyses indicated that the major groove width of DNA increased in complex R, which affected on the hydrogen-bond formation ability between R2R3 and DNA, and directly resulted in the dissociation of DNA from R2R3. The steered molecular dynamics (SMD) simulation studies also suggested that the electrostatic potential, major groove width, and hydrogen bonds made major contribution to the DNA‍-specific recognition. In vitro trials confirmed the simulation results that c-Myb specifically bound to mim-1 in the forward strand. This study indicates that the three-dimensional (3D) structure features play an important role in the DNA-specific recognition mechanism by c-Myb besides the AACNG consensuses, which is beneficial to understanding the cell early differentiation and proliferation regulated by c-Myb, as well as the prediction of novel c-Myb-binding motifs in tumorigenesis.
Molecular Dynamics Simulation ; Consensus ; DNA ; Hydrogen

The neural stimulator is a core component of animal robots. While the control effect of animal robots is influenced by various factors, the performance of the neural stimulator plays a decisive role in regulating animal robots. In order to optimize animal robots, embedded neural stimulators had been developed using flexible printed circuit board technology. This innovation not only enabled the stimulator to generate parameter-adjustable biphasic current pulses through control signals, but also optimized its carrying mode, material, and size, overcoming the disadvantages of traditional backpack or head-inserted stimulators, which have poor concealment and are prone to infection. Static, in vitro, and in vivo performance tests of the stimulator demonstrated that it not only had precise pulse waveform output capability, but also was lightweight and small in size. It had excellent in vivo performance in both laboratory and outdoor environments. Our study has high practical significance for the application of animal robots.
Animals ; Robotics

Objectives:To investigate the clinical and genetic features of young Chinese patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) .Methods:In this cross-sectional study, anonymous questionnaires were distributed to patients with MPN patients nationwide. The respondents were divided into 3 groups based on their age at diagnosis: young (≤40 years) , middle-aged (41-60 years) , and elderly (>60 years) . We compared the clinical and genetic characteristics of three groups of MPN patients.Results:1727 assessable questionnaires were collected. There were 453 (26.2%) young respondents with MPNs, including 274 with essential thrombocythemia (ET) , 80 with polycythemia vera (PV) , and 99 with myelofibrosis. Among the young group, 178 (39.3%) were male, and the median age was 31 (18-40) years. In comparison to middle-aged and elderly respondents, young respondents with MPN were more likely to present with a higher proportion of unmarried status (all P<0.001) , a higher education level (all P<0.001) , less comorbidity (ies) , fewer medications (all P<0.001) , and low-risk stratification (all P<0.001) . Younger respondents experienced headache (ET, P<0.001; PV, P=0.007; MF, P=0.001) at diagnosis, had splenomegaly at diagnosis (PV, P<0.001) , and survey (ET, P=0.052; PV, P=0.063) . Younger respondents had fewer thrombotic events at diagnosis (ET, P<0.001; PV, P=0.011) and during the survey (ET, P<0.001; PV, P=0.003) . JAK2 mutations were found in fewer young people (ET, P<0.001; PV, P<0.001; MF, P=0.013) ; however, CALR mutations were found in more young people (ET, P<0.001; MF, P=0.015) . Furthermore, mutations in non-driver genes (ET, P=0.042; PV, P=0.043; MF, P=0.004) and high-molecular risk mutations (ET, P=0.024; PV, P=0.023; MF, P=0.001) were found in fewer young respondents. Conclusion:Compared with middle-aged and elderly patients, young patients with MPN had unique clinical and genetic characteristics.

Despite being a common therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), insufficient thermal ablation can leave behind tumor residues that can cause recurrence. This is believed to augment M2 inflammatory macrophages that usually play a pro-tumorigenic role. To address this problem, we designed d-mannose-chelated iron oxide nanoparticles (man-IONPs) to polarize M2-like macrophages into the antitumor M1 phenotype. In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that man-IONPs specifically targeted M2-like macrophages and accumulated in peri-ablation zones after macrophage infiltration was augmented under insufficient microwave ablation (MWA). The nanoparticles simultaneously induced polarization of pro-tumorigenic M2 macrophages into antitumor M1 phenotypes, enabling the transformation of the immunosuppressive microenvironment into an immunoactivating one. Post-MWA macrophage polarization exerted robust inhibitory effects on HCC progression in a well-established orthotopic liver cancer mouse model. Thus, combining thermal ablation with man-IONPs can salvage residual tumors after insufficient MWA. These results have strong potential for clinical translation.

Objective:To investigate the application value of Prolene thread-needle continuous suture method in pancreaticojejunostomy pancreaticoduodenectomy.Methods:The clinical data of 80 patients with preoperative diagnosis of periampullary tumors undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy who were admitted to Shanxian Central Hospital of Heze City from January 2017 to December 2020 were selected. According to the different methods of anastomosis, 80 patients were divided into A group and B group, each group with 40 patients, the patients in A group were performed pancreatic duct-mucosal anastomosis and the patients in B group were performed Prolene thread-needle continuous suture. The preoperative clinical data, operation-related data, postoperative complications in two groups were compared.Results:There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in clinical data such as gender, age, albumin level, pancreatic duct diameter, combined underlying diseases, preoperative bilirubin, admission symptoms, preoperative biliary drainage and tumor location ( P>0.05).The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage, operation durationand postoperative hospital stay in B group were lower than those in A group : (353.64 ± 95.28) min vs. (395.38 ± 110.29)min, (330.19 ± 100.27) ml vs. (397.43 ± 105.97) ml, (330.57 ± 110.68) ml vs. (376.18 ± 94.73) ml, (20.74 ± 8.08) min vs. (31.06 ± 7.83) min, (18.72 ± 6.02) d vs. (23.79 ± 7.41) d, the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). The incidence of complications such as pancreatic leakage, pancreatic fistula, abdominal infection, lung infection, biliary fistula and delayed gastric emptying in B group were lower than those in A group : 10.0%(4/40) vs. 20.0%(8/40), 7.5%(3/40) vs. 20.0%(8/40), 2.5%(1/40) vs. 12.5%(5/40), 0 vs. 7.5%(3/40), 5.0%(2/40)vs. 17.5%(7/40), 7.5%(3/40) vs. 17.5%(7/40), the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Prolene thread-needle continuous suture method in pancreaticojejunostomy pancreaticoduodenectomy has the characteristics of simple operation, effective shortening of operation time, reliable anastomosisand can reduce the risk of postoperative pancreatic fistula complications.

OBJECTIVE：To stud y the effects of sinapine thiocyanate （ST） on the proliferation ，epithelial mesenchymal transformation（EMT）and metastasis of human cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma SCL- 1 cells，and to investigate its possible mechanism. METHODS ：Human cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma SCL- 1 cells were divided into blank control group （0.1％ DMSO） and ST different concentration groups （5，10，20 μmol/L）. CCK- 8 assay，5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine（EDU）test， scratch test and Transwell chamber invasion test were adopted to test the proliferation ，migration and invasion ability. The expression of N-cadherin and E-cadherin were detected by Western blot and immunofluorescence assay . Other SCL- 1 cells were collected and divided into blank control group （0.1％ DMSO），ST group （20 μmol/L），ST+NSC228155 group [ 20 μmol/L ST+100 μmol/L NSC228155（EGFR agonist ）] and ST+SC 79 group [ 20 μmol/L ST+20 μmol/L SC79（PI3K/Akt agonist ）]. The proliferation ，migration and invasion ability of SCL- 1 cells in each group were detected by CCK- 8 assay，scratch test and Transwell chamber invasion assay. The expression of epidermal growth factor receptor （EGFR），phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase（PI3K），phosphorylated phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase（p-PI3k），protein kinase B （Akt）and phosphorylated protein Akt （p-Akt）protein of cells in blank control group and ST different concentration groups（5，10，20 μmol/L）were determined by Western blot assay so as to validate the relationship between ST effect and EGFR/ PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. SCL- 1 cells and human normal skin fibroblasts cell WS 1 were divided into blank control group （0.1％ DMSO），ST group （20 μmol//L），ZD1839 group（positive control ，20 μmol//L，EGFR inhibitor ）and LY 294002 group（positive control，20 μmol//L，PI3K/Akt inhibitor ）. CCK- 8 assay was used to detect the cell proliferation in order to evaluate the cells cytotoxicity of ST. RESULTS ：Compared with blank control group ，the proliferation ，migration and invasion ability of SCL- 1 cells were significantly decreased in 5，10，20 μmol/L ST groups（P＜0.05）. Western blot and immunofluorescence assay showed that the expression of N-cadherin in SCL- 1 cells were decreased significantly in 5，10，20 μmol/L ST groups（P＜0.05），while the protein expression of E-cadherin was increased significantly （P＜0.05）；the protein expressions of EGFR ，p-PI3K and p-Akt were significantly decreased （P＜0.05）. Compared with ST group ，the proliferation ，migration and invasion ability of SCL- 1 cells were increased significantly in ST + NSC 228155 group and ST + SC 79 group （P＜0.05）. Compared with blank control group ，the proliferation ability of WS 1 cells had no significant change in ST group ，while the proliferation ability of SCL- 1 cells was decreased significantly （P＜0.05）；the proliferation ability of the two kinds of cells were decreased significantly in ZD 1839 group and LY 294002 group（P＜0.05）. Compared with ST group ，the proliferation ability of WS 1 cells was decreased significantly in ZD1839 group and LY 294002 group（P＜0.05），but there was no significant difference in the proliferation ability of SCL- 1 cells （P＞0.05）. CONCLUSIONS ：ST may inhibit the proliferation ，EMT and metastasis of SCL- 1 cells through inhibiting the activation of EGFR/PI 3K/Akt signaling pathway ，and its side effects are few.

Inflammatory caspase-11 senses and is activated by intracellular lipopolysaccharide (LPS) leading to pyroptosis that has critical role in defensing against bacterial infection, whereas its excess activation under pathogenic circumstances may cause various inflammatory diseases. However, there are few known drugs that can control caspase-11 activation. We report here that scutellarin, a flavonoid from Erigeron breviscapus, acted as an inhibitor for caspase-11 activation in macrophages. Scutellarin dose-dependently inhibited intracellular LPS-induced release of caspase-11p26 (indicative of caspase-11 activation) and generation of N-terminal fragment of gasdermin D (GSDMD-NT), leading to reduced pyroptosis. It also suppressed the activation of non-canonical nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome as evidenced by reduced apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC) speck formation and decreased interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and caspase-1p10 secretion, whereas the NLRP3-specific inhibitor MCC950 only inhibited IL-1β and caspase-1p10 release and ASC speck formation but not pyroptosis. Scutellarin also suppressed LPS-induced caspase-11 activation and pyroptosis in RAW 264.7 cells lacking ASC expression. Moreover, scutellarin treatment increased Ser/Thr phosphorylation of caspase-11 at protein kinase A (PKA)-specific sites, and its inhibitory action on caspase-11 activation was largely abrogated by PKA inhibitor H89 or by adenylyl cyclase inhibitor MDL12330A. Collectively, our data indicate that scutellarin inhibited caspase-11 activation and pyroptosis in macrophages at least partly via regulating the PKA signaling pathway.

Hegu needling is mainly used for the treatment of orthopedic and neurologic diseases, such as cervical spondylosis, third lumbar transverse process syndrome, myofasciitis, periarthritis of shoulder, and stroke sequela, which has a rapid and benefial effect in relieving pain and improving symptoms and signs. It is often combined with other treatment methods, such as point-point needling, electric needling, QI needling, SHU needling, bloodletting, stagnant needling, warm needling, ginger partitioned moxibustion, Qistimulated massage, Tuina, bonesetting and xercise therapy. Filiform needle or round sharp needle are mostly used in Hegu needling. At present, the acupoints of Hegu needling are mostly Ashi points or stimulation points, but the acupoints of the fourteen meridians are rarely selected. Hegu needling is rarely used in the treatment of gynecological and pediatric diseases. Hegu needling has certain effect on dementia, vertigo, panic attack, trigeminal neuralgia, facial paralysis, and cancer pain, but few clinical studies confirmedit.