OBJECTIVES: The application of photodynamic therapy in solid tumors has attracted increasing attention in recent years, and the efficiency of photosensitizers is a crucial determinant of therapeutic efficacy. This study aims to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of a novel photosensitizer, PEG-MTPABZ-PyC, in photodynamic therapy against gastric cancer cells. METHODS: Gastric cancer MKN45 cells were treated with PEG-MTPABZ-PyC. A high-content live-cell imaging system was used to assess the cellular uptake kinetics and subcellular localization of the photosensitizer. The cytotoxic effects of PEG-MTPABZ-PyC-mediated photodynamic therapy were examined using the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and flow cytometry, while the intrinsic cytotoxicity of the photosensitizer alone was verified by the CCK-8 assay. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation after photodynamic therapy was detected using 2'-7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA). RESULTS: PEG-MTPABZ-PyC alone exhibited no cytotoxicity toward MKN45 cells, indicating excellent cytocompatibility. The compound efficiently entered cells within 6 hours and localized predominantly in lysosomes. Upon light irradiation, PEG-MTPABZ-PyC-mediated photodynamic therapy induced significant cytotoxicity compared with the control group (P<0.05) and generated abundant intracellular ROS. CONCLUSIONS The novel photosensitizer PEG-MTPABZ-PyC demonstrates potent photodynamic cytotoxicity against gastric cancer cells, showing promising potential for further development in gastric cancer photodynamic therapy.
Humans ; Stomach Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Photochemotherapy/methods* ; Photosensitizing Agents/pharmacology* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Polyethylene Glycols/chemistry* ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Mesoporphyrins/pharmacology*

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder among the elderly, and BuChE has emerged as a potential therapeutic target. In this study, we reported the development of compound 8e, a selective reversible BuChE inhibitor (eqBuChE IC₅₀ = 0.049 μmol/L, huBuChE IC₅₀ = 0.066 μmol/L), identified through extensive virtual screening and lead optimization. Compound 8e demonstrated favorable blood-brain barrier permeability, good drug-likeness property and pronounced neuroprotective efficacy. Additionally, 8e exhibited significant therapeutic effects in zebrafish AD models and scopolamine-induced cognitive impairments in mice. Further, 8e significantly improved cognitive function in APP/PS1 transgenic mice. Proteomics analysis demonstrated that 8e markedly elevated the expression levels of very low-density lipoprotein receptor (VLDLR), offering valuable insights into its potential modulation of the Reelin-mediated signaling pathway. Thus, compound 8e emerges as a novel and potent BuChE inhibitor for the treatment of AD, with significant implications for further exploration into its mechanisms of action and therapeutic applications.

Advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies are rapidly expanding the exploration of chemical space, facilitating innovative drug discovery. However, the transformation of novel compounds into safe and effective drugs remains a lengthy, high-risk, and costly process. Comprehensive early-stage evaluation is essential for reducing costs and improving the success rate of drug development. Despite this need, no comprehensive tool currently supports systematic evaluation and efficient screening. Here, we present druglikeFilter, a deep learning-based framework designed to assess drug-likeness across four critical dimensions: 1) physicochemical rule evaluated by systematic determination, 2) toxicity alert investigated from multiple perspectives, 3) binding affinity measured by dual-path analysis, and 4) compound synthesizability assessed by retro-route prediction. By enabling automated, multidimensional filtering of compound libraries, druglikeFilter not only streamlines the drug development process but also plays a crucial role in advancing research efforts towards viable drug candidates, which can be freely accessed at https://idrblab.org/drugfilter/.

OBJECTIVE To explore the mechanism of action of Fushao Diqin Decoction in the treatment of colorectal cancer.METHODS In vitro cell experiments were conducted using Fushao Diqin Decoction to treat colorectal cancer CT-26 cells,and the cell proliferation and migration abilities were detected.Flow cytometry was used to detect the levels of reactive oxygen species(ROS)in colorectal cancer CT-26 cells,as well as the levels of iron ions(Fe2+),malondialdehyde(MDA),and the activity of su-peroxide dismutase(SOD).PCR Array and Western blot methods were used to analyze and verify the differential gene expression of ferroptosis.Balb/c mice were randomly divided into a blank control group,a model group,an oxaliplatin group(1.5 mg·kg-1·d-1),a low-dose group of Fushao Diqin Decoction(4.49 g·kg-1·d-1),a medium dose group of Fushao Diqin Decoction(8.97 g·kg-1·d-1),and a high-dose group of Fushao Diqin Decoction(17.94 g·kg-1·d-1)for in vivo animal experi-ments.The effects of Fushao Diqin Decoction on Fe2+,ROS,MDA levels,SOD activity,and Nrf2,Keap1,SLC7A11 and GPX4 ex-pression levels in mouse tumor tissues were tested.RESULTS In vitro cell experiments showed that compared with the blank control group,Fushao Diqin Decoction significantly inhibited the proliferation and migration of colorectal cancer CT-26 cells in a dose-de-pendent manner.Fushao Diqin Decoction could increase the Fe2+content(P＜0.05)and ROS level(P＜0.01)in colorectal cancer CT-26 cells,increase the MDA level in CT-26 cells of colorectal cancer(P＜0.01)and significantly reduce SOD activity(P＜0.01).Iron death PCR array analysis found that compared with the blank control group,after intervention with Fushao Diqin Decoc-tion,the expression of genes GPX4 and SLC7A11 was significantly downregulated,while the expression of GSTA1,HMOX1,Ca9,Chac1,Keap1,Sqstm1,NOX1,FTH1,Tfr1,SAT2,Pparg,and Hamp was significantly upregulated.Western blot analysis revealed that after intervention with Fushao Diqin Decoction,the expression of Keap1 protein was upregulated(P＜0.01),while the expression of Nrf2,SLC7A11,and GPX4 proteins was downregulated(P＜0.01)in colorectal cancer CT-26 cells.The results of in vivo animal experiments showed that Fushao Diqin Decoction significantly inhibited the growth of subcutaneous transplanted tumors in mice(P＜0.05),increased the degree of tumor tissue necrosis,and levels of Fe2+,ROS,and MDA(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),decreased SOD ac-tivity(P＜0.01)and upregulated Keap1 protein expression(P＜0.01),while downregulated Nrf2,SLC7A11,and GPX4 protein ex-pression(P＜0.01).CONCLUSION Fushao Diqin Decoction has an anti-colorectal cancer effect and may promote ferroptosis in colorectal cancer cells by inhibiting the Nrf2/SLC7A11/GPX4 signaling pathway to exert its anti-colorectal cancer effect.

Objective:To investigate the effect of zirconia personalized gingival structure on peri-implant soft and hard tissue stability after single-tooth implant restorations in patients with thin gingival biotypes in the anterior region, with a view to provide a clinical guideline.Methods:This retrospective study included 20 patients with thin gingival biotype and implant restorations in the anterior region. These patients included 9 males and 11 females, and the age was (35.2± 10.3) years. The patients were from the Department of Periodontal Implantology, Stomatology Hospital, Southern Medical University from January 2018 to December 2022. Computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) techniques were used to fabricate a titanium base zirconia personalized gingival structure to maintain the soft-tissue perforated gingival contour of the anterior esthetic zone. This structure consists of two modalities: titanium base + zirconia outer crown or titanium base personalized zirconia abutment + zirconia outer crown. Clinical outcomes were recorded immediately and after delivery of the final restorations. Implant retention was recorded, esthetic scoring was performed using the pink esthetic index, the amount of bone resorption at the implant margins was measured based on digitized apical radiographs, and periodontal health was evaluated using the modified plaque index and the modified bleeding index.Results:The survival rate of the 20 implants was 100% after 3 years of wearing the final restorations, with a pink aesthetic score of 9.3±0.9. Bone resorption at the proximal and distal mesial margins of the implants was 0.09 (-0.21, 0.20) mm, 0.17 (-0.12, 0.27) mm after 3 years, respectively, and the difference was not statistically significant when compared to bone resorption immediately after placement of the final restoration [0(0, 0) mm] ( Z=-1.03, P=0.394; Z=-2.05, P=0.065). Conclusions:Zirconia personalized gingival structure maintains the stability of peri-implant hard and soft tissues of thin gingival biotypes in the anterior region.

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma(peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma,coactivator 1 beta,PPARGC1B)gene is an intranuclear receptor transcription fac-tor responsible for regulating the expression of target genes.To comprehend the characteristics and mutations of the PPARGC1B gene within the Sichuan yak population,the SNP loci of the PPARGC1B gene were identified through direct sequencing of PCR products.Additionally,the cod-ing region of the PPARGC1B gene was obtained via PCR amplification and sequencing.Bioinforma-tics analyses were conducted to predict protein-coding and mRNA secondary structure.This study identified four exon SNP mutation sites(E9-189A→C,E9-387G→A,E9-542C→T,and E9-554T→C)based on the single nucleotide polymorphism analysis of the PPARGC1B gene in Sichuan yaks.Notably,the E9-387G→A and E9-554T→C loci exhibited significant correlations with shear force and backfat thickness in Sichuan yaks.Subsequently,bioinformatics analysis of the four mutation sites revealed that the PPARGC1B protein is an acidic,unstable,non-transmembrane,and non-secretory hydrophilic protein with a coiled helix structure.It lacks a signal peptide and transmembrane region,predominantly functions in the nucleus,and features 106 phosphorylation sites,one glycosylation site,and one conserved RRM structure.The secondary structure comprises mainly α-helix and random coils.Although the protein structure of the PPARGC1B gene remained unchanged post-mutation,there were significant differences in mRNA secondary structure.These findings suggest that the polymorphic loci of the PPARGC1B gene in Sichuan yaks could serve as a theoretical basis for enhancing meat quality traits through molecular biological methods,presen-ting practical applications in breeding.

Loganin(LOG),a bioactive compound derived from Cornus officinalis Siebold & Zucc,has been understudied in the context of osteoarthritis(OA)treatment.In this study,we induced an inflammatory response in chondrocytes using lipopolysaccharide(LPS)and subsequently treated these cells with LOG.We employed fluorescence analysis to quantify reactive oxygen species(ROS)levels and measured the expression of NLRP3 and nuclear factor erythropoietin-2-related factor 2(NRF2)using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR),Western blotting,and immunofluorescence(IF)techniques.Additionally,we developed an OA mouse model by performing medial meniscus destabilization(DMM)surgery and monitored disease progression through micro-com-puted tomography(micro-CT),hematoxylin and eosin(H&E)staining,safranin O and fast green(S&F)staining,and immunohisto-chemical(IHC)analysis.Our results indicate that LOG significantly reduced LPS-induced ROS levels in chondrocytes,inhibited the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome,and enhanced NRF2/heme oxygenase 1(HO-1)signaling.In vivo,LOG treatment mitigated cartilage degradation and osteophyte formation triggered by DMM surgery,decreased NLRP3 expression,and increased NRF2 expres-sion.These findings suggest that LOG has a protective effect against OA,potentially delaying disease progression by inhibiting the ROS-NLRP3-IL-1β axis and activating the NRF2/HO-1 pathway.

Objective:To investigate the risk factors of adenomatous colorectal polyps in advanced stage.Methods:Retrospective cross-sectional study. A total of 400 hospitalized patients with colorectal polypectomy and pathological diagnosis of adenomatous polyps (Aps) were selected from December 2020 to December 2022 in Shenzhen Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine (Longgang), of which 107 patients with progressive adenomas and 293 patients with common adenomas were selected. General information of patients (name, gender, age, BMI), history of smoking, alcohol consumption, history of hypertension, history of diabetes mellitus, and results of 13C urea breath test were collected to analyze the risk factors for the development of adenomas in patients with progressive adenomas and their syndromic characteristics. Results:The distribution of male patients with advanced adenoma was significantly higher than that of common adenoma patients [70.09% (75/107) vs. 57.34% (168/293), P=0.021], and the ages were [(52.25±9.81) years vs. (48.41±10.23) years, P=0.001], BMI [(24.37±3.19) kg/m 2vs. (23.38±3.25) kg/m 2, P=0.007] significantly higher than those of ordinary adenoma patients. Intestinal damp-heat syndrome was the common witness type in both advanced and common adenomas, and the distribution of intestinal damp-heat syndrome in advanced adenomas was significantly higher than that in common adenomas [43.0% (46/107) vs. 32.1% (94/293); χ2=4.10, P=0.043]. The distribution of patients with alcohol drinking history in advanced adenomas was significantly higher than that in common adenomas [61.7% (66/107) vs. 39.3% (115/293); χ2=15.92, P<0.001]. The distribution of diabetic patients with advanced adenoma was significantly higher than that of common adenoma patients [29.9% (32/107) vs. 14.7% (43/293); χ2=19.94, P<0.001]. The infection rate of Hp in advanced adenoma patients was significantly higher than that in common adenoma patients [66.4% (71/107) vs. 44.7% (131/293); χ2=14.69, P<0.001]. Logistic regression analysis showed that age, BMI, male, intestinal damp-heat syndrome, drinking history, diabetes history and Hp infection were risk factors for the development of patients with progressive adenomas ( P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusion:Intestinal damp-heat syndrome is the key syndrome in patients with progressive adenoma, and age, BMI, male, history of alcohol consumption, history of diabetes mellitus and Hp infection are the risk factors for its development.

BACKGROUND:Overactive osteoclasts disrupt bone homeostasis and play a bad role in the pathological mechanisms of related skeletal diseases,such as osteoporosis,fragility fractures,and osteoarthritis.Studies have confirmed that ellagic acid and ellagtannin have the potential to inhibit osteoclast differentiation.As their natural metabolites,urolithin A has antioxidant,anti-inflammatory,anti-proliferative and anti-cancer effects,but its effect on osteoclast differentiation and its underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. OBJECTIVE:To explore the effect of urolithin A on osteoclast differentiation induced by receptor activator for nuclear factor-κB ligand and its mechanism. METHODS:Mouse mononuclear macrophage leukemia cells(RAW264.7)that grew stably were cultured in vitro.Toxicity of urolithin A(0,0.1,0.5,1.5,2.5 μmol/L)to RAW264.7 cells were detected by cytotoxic MTS assay to screen out the safe concentration.Different concentrations of urolithin A were used again to intervene with receptor activator for nuclear factor-κB ligand-induced differentiation of RAW264.7 cells in vitro.Then,tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining and F-actin ring and nucleus staining were performed to observe its effect on the formation and function of osteoclasts.Finally,the expressions of urolithin A on upstream and downstream genes and proteins in the MAPK signaling pathway were observed by western blot and RT-qPCR assays. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Urolithin A inhibited osteoclast differentiation and F-actin ring formation in a concentration-dependent manner and 2.5 μmol/L had the strongest inhibitory effect.Urolithin A inhibited the mRNA expression of Nfatc1,Ctsk,Mmp9 and Atp6v0d2 and the protein synthesis of Nfatc1 and Ctsk,related to osteoclast formation and bone resorption.Urolithin A inhibited the activity of osteoclasts by downregulating the phosphorylation of p38 protein to inhibit the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND:Knee osteoarthritis is a common disease in middle-aged and elderly people.It is a kind of disease that seriously affects the quality of life of patients and even has the risk of disability.Therefore,the pathogenesis and treatment of knee osteoarthritis have become the focus of research.In Chinese medicine,knee osteoarthritis is often treated as"biness,"which is closely related to"biness"caused by blood stasis and blood vessels blocking collaterals in the theory of"blood stasis"in traditional Chinese medicine.Iron overload is a kind of pathological state caused by iron metabolism disorder,which highly coincides with the pathogenic characteristics and clinical manifestations of the"blood stasis"theory of traditional Chinese medicine,and is a risk factor that promotes the development of knee osteoarthritis. OBJECTIVE:Based on the"blood stasis"theory,to summarize the effects of iron overload on cartilage metabolism and subchondral bone reconstruction,to lay a new theoretical foundation for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis with traditional Chinese medicine,and to explore the therapeutic effect of traditional Chinese medicine for promoting blood circulation after interfering with bone tissue. METHODS:CNKI,WanFang database,PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched for relevant literature.The Chinese search terms were"ferroptosis,iron,iron overload,osteoarthritis,blood stasis"and the English search terms were"ferroptosis,iron,iron overload,osteoarthritis,TCM."In the end,76 articles were included for further review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:First of all,we explored the potential of the"blood stasis"theory in treating knee osteoarthritis,and found that"blood stasis"is a crucial part in the progress of knee osteoarthritis,indicating that the"blood stasis"theory is the key to the treatment of knee osteoarthritis in traditional Chinese medicine.Secondly,"blood stasis"and iron overload have a high degree of similarity in pathogenic factors,clinical manifestations,and pathogenic characteristics,suggesting the possibility of"blood stasis"theory in treating iron overload.This finding reminds us that iron overload may be an important mechanistic basis for the"blood stasis"theory in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.The extracts of blood-activating drugs can relieve iron overload and treat knee osteoarthritis,but the specific mechanism is still unclear.Therefore,we believe that the relationship between"blood stasis"theory and iron overload and related mechanisms are important research directions for knee osteoarthritis in the future.The related mechanism of"blood stasis"theory to alleviate iron overload and then treat knee osteoarthritis also provides a theoretical basis for the modernization of traditional Chinese medicine,such as the development of new drugs and innovative usage,and has certain guiding significance for clinical practice.