ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the prophylactic effects of caloric restriction (CR) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced septic cardiomyopathy (SCM) and to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the cardioprotective actions of CR. This research aims to provide innovative strategies and theoretical support for the prevention of SCM. MethodsA total of forty-eight 8-week-old male C57BL/6 mice, weighing between 20-25 g, were randomly assigned to 4 distinct groups, each consisting of 12 mice. The groups were designated as follows: CON (control), LPS, CR, and CR+LPS. Prior to the initiation of the CR protocol, the CR and CR+LPS groups underwent a 2-week acclimatization period during which individual food consumption was measured. The initial week of CR intervention was set at 80% of the baseline intake, followed by a reduction to 60% for the subsequent 5 weeks. After 6-week CR intervention, all 4 groups received an intraperitoneal injection of either normal saline or LPS (10 mg/kg). Twelve hours post-injection, heart function was assessed, and subsequently, heart and blood samples were collected. Serum inflammatory markers were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The serum myocardial enzyme spectrum was analyzed using an automated biochemical instrument. Myocardial tissue sections underwent hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and immunofluorescence (IF) staining. Western blot analysis was used to detect the expression of protein in myocardial tissue, including inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-9, IL-18), oxidative stress markers (iNOS, SOD2), pro-apoptotic markers (Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, CASP3), and SIRT3/SIRT6. ResultsTwelve hours after LPS injection, there was a significant decrease in ejection fraction (EF) and fractional shortening (FS) ratios, along with a notable increase in left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESD). Morphological and serum indicators (AST, LDH, CK, and CK-MB) indicated that LPS injection could induce myocardial structural disorders and myocardial injury. Furthermore, 6-week CR effectively prevented the myocardial injury. LPS injection also significantly increased the circulating inflammatory levels (IL-1β, TNF-α) in mice. IF and Western blot analyses revealed that LPS injection significantly up-regulating the expression of inflammatory-related proteins (TNF-α, IL-9, IL-18), oxidative stress-related proteins (iNOS, SOD2) and apoptotic proteins (Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, CASP3) in myocardial tissue. 6-week CR intervention significantly reduced circulating inflammatory levels and downregulated the expression of inflammatory, oxidative stress-related proteins and pro-apoptotic level in myocardial tissue. Additionally, LPS injection significantly downregulated the expression of SIRT3 and SIRT6 proteins in myocardial tissue, and CR intervention could restore the expression of SIRT3 proteins. ConclusionA 6-week CR could prevent LPS-induced septic cardiomyopathy, including cardiac function decline, myocardial structural damage, inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. The mechanism may be associated with the regulation of SIRT3 expression in myocardial tissue.

Aim To investigate the effect of EGB761 on cognitive impairment in mice following ischemic stroke and its underlying mechanism.Methods Sev-enty-two mice were randomly divided into four groups(n=18 each):sham group,model group,low-dose EGB761 treatment group,and high-dose EGB761 treat-ment group.The middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion(MCAO/R)mouse model was established using the thread occlusion method.The low-and high-dose groups received 50 mg·kg-1 and 150 mg·kg-1 of EGB761 respectively,once daily for 28 days after MCAO/R.Cerebral infarction volume was measured u-sing TTC staining.Neurological function was evaluated using the modified neurological function score(mNSS).The learning and cognitive function of mice was assessed by the water maze test.Neuronal apopto-sis was detected through NeuN and TUNEL co-stai-ning.Iba1 immunofluorescence staining was used to e-valuate microglia activation.The protein expression levels of TLR4,p-IKKα and NF-κB were detected by Western blot.Results Compared with the model group,both low-dose and high-dose EGB761 groups exhibited a significant reduction in cerebral infarction volume(P＜0.01),improvement in neurological func-tion as well as learning and cognitive function(P＜0.01),a significant decrease in apoptotic neurons percentage(P＜0.01),along with activated microglia(P＜0.01).Furthermore,expressions of TLR4,p-IKKα and NF-κB were significantly reduced(P＜0.05).Notably,the high-dose treatment demon-strated more pronounced effects than the low-dose treatment did.Conclusion EGB761 can ameliorate neurological and cognitive dysfunction in MACO/R mice by reducing neuronal apoptosis while inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB pathway to mitigate excessive activa-tion of microglia.

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of overexpressing 70-kD heat shock pro-teins(Hsp70)on glycolysis in C2C12 cells during myogenesis and adipogenesis.Using C2C12 cells as the research material,adenovirus was used to overexpress the Hsp70 gene,and changes in the expression of glycolytic genes were detected using fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western blotting techniques.The study indicated that during C2C12 cell myogenic differentiation,the expression trend of the Hsp70 gene was consistent with that of Gsk3β,Pkm,Prkag3,Pfkm,and Hk-2 genes,suggesting a relationship between Hsp70 and the glycolytic pathway during myogenic differentiation.Overexpression of Hsp70 in the later stages of myogenic differentiation significantly upregulated the expression of Gsk3β,Pkm,Prk-ag3,and Pfkm genes(P＜0.05),with no significant impact on Hk-2 gene expression(P＞0.05).Dur-ing C2C12 cell adipogenic induction,the expression trend of the Hsp70 gene was similar to that of Gsk3β,Pkm,Prkag3,Pfkm,and Hk-2 genes,indicating a relationship between Hsp70 and the glycolytic path-way during adipogenic induction.Following Hsp70 overexpression,in the later stages of adipogenic in-duction,the number of lipid droplets was significantly higher compared to the control group,with a sig-nificant upregulation of Gsk3β,Pkm,Prkag3,and Pfkm gene expression(P＜0.05),while Hk-2 gene expression was not significantly affected(P＞0.05).In conclusion,Hsp70 in C2C12 cells in myogenic and adipogenic states promoted the breakdown of glycogen into 6-phospho-glucose,thereby enhancing the glycolytic pathway,providing insights into the functional role of the Hsp70 gene in glycolysis in C2C12 cells.

Objective:To investigate the effect of safflower yellow pigment injection combined with alprostadil on patients after coronary artery bypass grafting(CABG).Methods:A total of 92 patients with coronary heart disease who received CABG in Department of Cardiovascular Surgery,Handan Central Hospital between September 2018 and September 2020 were selected.According to order of admission,they were divided into control group(n=46,from September 2018 to Sep-tember 2019,routine therapy+alprostadil after CABG)and study group(n=46,from October 2019 to September 2020,safflower yellow pigment injection based on control group),both groups were treated for 28d.On 3d after drug withdraw-al,therapeutic effect,cardiac function indexes,four myocardial enzyme spectrum and perioperative indexes were compared between two groups.Results:On 3d after drug withdrawal,compared with control group,patients in study group had sig-nificant higher total effective rate(73.9％vs.91.3％),left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)[(55.77±4.48)％vs.(62.18±4.21)％](P=0.028,＜0.001),and significant lower left atrial diameter(LAD)[(36.83±3.45)mm vs.(32.09±3.23)mm],left ventricular end-diastolic diameter(LVEDd)[(49.04±4.65)mm vs.(43.83±5.24)mm],levels of creatine kinase(CK)[(125.13±14.21)U/L vs.(62.56±8.42)U/L],lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)[(203.58±31.63)U/L vs.(156.07±22.26)U/L],aspartate aminotransferase(AST)[(44.25±12.98)U/L vs.(35.41±12.37)U/L]and creatine kinase isoenzyme MB(CK-MB)[(28.11±9.84)U/L vs.(17.59±7.41)U/L](P＜0.001 all).Conclusion:The combination of safflower yellow pigment injection and alprostadil can improve the thera-peutic effect and heart function,and reduce myocardial injury in patients after CABG.

Activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)by Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1(Keap1)alkylation plays a central role in anti-inflammatory therapy.However,activators of Nrf2 through alkylation of Keap1-Kelch domain have not been identified.Deoxynyboquinone(DNQ)is a natural small molecule discovered from marine actinomycetes.The current study was designed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects and molecular mechanisms of DNQ via alkylation of Keap1.DNQ exhibited signif-icant anti-inflammatory properties both in vitro and in vivo.The pharmacophore responsible for the anti-inflammatory properties of DNQ was determined to be the α,β-unsaturated amides moieties by a chemical reaction between DNQ and N-acetylcysteine.DNQ exerted anti-inflammatory effects through activation of Nrf2/ARE pathway.Keap1 was demonstrated to be the direct target of DNQ and bound with DNQ through conjugate addition reaction involving alkylation.The specific alkylation site of DNQ on Keap1 for Nrf2 activation was elucidated with a synthesized probe in conjunction with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.DNQ triggered the ubiquitination and subsequent degra-dation of Keap1 by alkylation of the cysteine residue 489(Cys489)on Keap1-Kelch domain,ultimately enabling the activation of Nrf2.Our findings revealed that DNQ exhibited potent anti-inflammatory capacity through α,β-unsaturated amides moieties active group which specifically activated Nrf2 signal pathway via alkylation/ubiquitination of Keap1-Kelch domain,suggesting the potential values of targeting Cys489 on Keap1-Kelch domain by DNQ-like small molecules in inflammatory therapies.

Sepsis is a condition characterized by organ dysfunction resulting from the systemic inflammatory response triggered by an infection. Excessive inflammation and immunosuppression are intertwined, and severe cases may even develop into multiple organ failure. Studies have shown that indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1-mediated tryptophan metabolism is involved in the occurrence and development of sepsis, and elevated plasma kynurenine levels and Kyn/Trp ratios are early indicators of sepsis development. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive summary of the role of IDO1 in the acute inflammatory phase of sepsis, late immunosuppression, and organ damage. This includes its regulation of inflammatory state, immune cell function, blood pressure, and other aspects. Additionally, we analyze preclinical studies on targeted IDO1 drugs. An in-depth understanding and study of IDO may help to understand the pathogenesis and clinical significance of sepsis and multiple organ damage from a new perspective and provide new research ideas for exploring its prevention and treatment methods.

Human physiological indicators have become an important standard for assessing health in modern society.Traditional detection methods often require a separate laboratory,complex operation process and long detection time,so it is urgent to develop portable,fast and accurate on-site detection technologies for bioanalysis.Point-of-care testing(POCT),which differs from traditional laboratory testing,can realize the rapid in situ detection of biomarkers without the complicated analytical process of the laboratory.Smartphones,which are an essential tool in our daily life,not only have independent operating systems and built-in storage functions,but also have high-definition cameras,which have great application potential in POCT visualization.The combination of various biosensing technologies and smartphones has developed into a new direction in the field of POCT.This review mainly introduced the research progress of smartphone-based visual biosensors in POCT in recent years,including colorimetric sensors,fluorescence sensors,chemiluminescence sensors and electrochemiluminescence sensors.Finally,the problems faced by smart-phone-based visual biosensors in the application of POCT were summarized,and their future development was prospected.

Objective To explore the efficacy and safety of recombinant human anti-severe acute respiratory syn-drome coronavirus 2(anti-SARS-CoV-2)monoclonal antibody injection(F61 injection)in the treatment of patients with coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)combined with renal damage.Methods Patients with COVID-19 and renal damage who visited the PLA General Hospital from January to February 2023 were selected.Subjects were randomly divided into two groups.Control group was treated with conventional anti-COVID-19 therapy,while trial group was treated with conventional anti-COVID-19 therapy combined with F61 injection.A 15-day follow-up was conducted after drug administration.Clinical symptoms,laboratory tests,electrocardiogram,and chest CT of pa-tients were performed to analyze the efficacy and safety of F61 injection.Results Twelve subjects(7 in trial group and 5 in control group)were included in study.Neither group had any clinical progression or death cases.The ave-rage time for negative conversion of nucleic acid of SARS-CoV-2 in control group and trial group were 3.2 days and 1.57 days(P=0.046),respectively.The scores of COVID-19 related target symptom in the trial group on the 3rd and 5th day after medication were both lower than those of the control group(both P＜0.05).According to the clinical staging and World Health Organization 10-point graded disease progression scale,both groups of subjects improved but didn't show statistical differences(P＞0.05).For safety,trial group didn't present any infusion-re-lated adverse event.Subjects in both groups demonstrated varying degrees of elevated blood glucose,elevated urine glucose,elevated urobilinogen,positive urine casts,and cardiac arrhythmia,but the differences were not statistica-lly significant(all P＞0.05).Conclusion F61 injection has initially demonstrated safety and clinical benefit in trea-ting patients with COVID-19 combined with renal damage.As the domestically produced drug,it has good clinical accessibility and may provide more options for clinical practice.

Refractory depression is a drug-resistant subtype of major depressive disorder for which there is a lack of effective and durable treatments.Seroxibine,the active substance in the mushroom Capsicum annuum,is a natural 5-hydroxytryptamine hallucinogen that activates the 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A receptor to mediate multiple aspects of antidepressant effects.In recent years,it has received renewed attention for its outstanding therapeutic effects in the treatment of refractory depression or other psychiatric disorders.Therefore,this paper summarizes the studies on neuroplasticity,brain neural connectivity network,neurotransmitters,immune factors,microbiota-gut-brain axis,and clinical efficacy of seloxipine in domestic and international literature,and explores the possible mechanisms of seloxipine's effect on refractory depression,with a view to providing theoretical basis for the clinical application of this drug.

Cells are the fundamental structural and functional units of biological organisms,with inherent differences in composition and interactions with exogenous substances,known as cellular heterogeneity.Single cell inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry(SC-ICP-MS)allows for the high-throughput introduction of individual cells,enabling the highly sensitive detection and quantification of elements within a single cell,thus effectively providing information on cellular heterogeneity.This review outlined the SC-ICP-MS sample preparation process for different types of cells(single-cell systems,aggregation-prone and adherent cell systems,animal tissues,and plant tissues),including steps such as separation,washing,and fixation,as well as the advantages and existing issues of the current sample introduction systems and quantification methods.The recent applications of SC-ICP-MS in detecting endogenous substances(endogenous elements and proteins),exogenous substances(heavy metals,metal-based drugs and nanoparticles),and the simultaneous detection of both endogenous and exogenous substances were summarized.Finally,the perspectives on the future development of SC-ICP-MS in analytical methods and application fields were presented,including the optimization of single-cell sample preparation,transport efficiency,evaluation standards of ionization efficiency,and the establishment of multiparametric cell analysis platforms.