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.

Objective To explore basement membrane markers and potential drugs for treatment in idiopathic pulmona-ry fibrosis(IPF).Methods IPF-related datasets were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)database,processed to construct basement membrane gene expression matrices associated with IPF,and screened for differential basement membrane genes(DEBMs);DEBMs were enriched for function and pathways,and machine learning algorithms were used to ob-tain candidate signature genes,receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were used to identify signature genes and con-struct a nomogram.We performed ssGSEA analysis to explore the correlation between signature genes and immune cells and their functions and predicted the corresponding miRNAs and therapeutic drugs by signature genes.Results A total of 56 DEBMs were extracted;enrichment analysis showed that DEBMs were mainly enriched in"extracellular matrix tissue","extracellular structural tissue",etc.,and were closely related to"ECM-receptor interaction"and"local adhesion spot"pathways.The ma-chine learning has identified six candidate signature genes(TIMP3,P3H2,ITGA7,ITGA4,ADAMTS2,COL8A2),all of which meet the requirements of the signature genes by the ROC curve test,and the nomogram diagnostic value was outstanding(AUC=0.991 523);B cells and Macrophages in IPF were significantly different from the normal group.Finally,miRNAs were predicted to be dominated by miR-4305,miR-3684,progesterone,and tert-butyl hydroperoxide as therapeutic agents with strong relevance to IPF.Conclusion Signature genes and predictive miRNAs may serve as novel markers for IPF diagnosis,and pre-dictive drugs may be a potential source of drugs for treating IPF.

Organ transplantation has become an effective treatment for multiple end-stage diseases. However, the recipients of organ transplantation need to take immunosuppressive drugs for a long time after operation, which leads to low immune function and relatively high incidence of bacterial, viral and fungal infections. Traditional microbial detection methods, such as pathogen culture, immunological detection and polymerase chain reaction, have been widely applied in infection detection, whereas these methods may cause problems, such as long detection time and presumed pathogens. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing has been widely adopted in infection prevention and control in organ transplantation in recent years due to high detection rate and comprehensive detection of pathogen spectrum. In this article, the application of metagenomic next-generation sequencing in the prevention and control of infection in solid organ transplantation was reviewed, aiming to provide reference for the diagnosis and treatment of transplantation-related infection.

BACKGROUND:Obesity has become a global health issue,often accompanied by complications including obesity-related muscle atrophy.While exercise has been reported to improve various obesity-related diseases,there is limited research focusing on exercise modes. OBJECTIVE:To compare the effects of moderate-intensity continuous training(MICT)and high-intensity interval training(HIIT)on obesity-related muscle atrophy in mice under the premise of the same exercise distance,providing a scientific basis for exercise interventions for obesity-related muscle atrophy. METHODS:Seventy-two male C57BL/6 mice were divided into six groups(n=12 per group):standard chow diet,standard chow diet+MICT,standard chow diet+HIIT,high-fat diet,high-fat diet+MICT,and high-fat diet+HIIT.The study evaluated the effects of 8-week treadmill training with different exercise modes on long-term high-fat diet-induced muscle atrophy by detecting muscle mass,muscle index,muscle fiber cross-sectional area,muscle lipid deposition,and the expression of muscle atrophy marker genes Murf-1 and Atrogin-1 in the gastrocnemius muscle of mice exposed to long-term high-fat diet. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared to the high-fat diet group,both MICT and HIIT improved the decrease in gastrocnemius muscle index(MICT+18.8%vs.HIIT+17.6%,not significant between the two modes),muscle fiber atrophy(MICT+15.5%vs.HIIT+13.7%,not significant between the two modes),and muscle lipid deposition(MICT-19.8%vs.HIIT-17.1%,not significant between the two modes).At the gene level,compared with the high-fat diet group,both MICT and HIIT could significantly down-regulate the expression of Murf-1(MICT-62.4%vs.HIIT-52.6%,the down-regulation caused by MICT was significantly greater than that by HIIT;P＜0.01)and Atrogin-1(MICT-43.3%vs.HIIT-29.8%,the down-regulation caused by MICT was significantly greater than that by HIIT;P＜0.01).Based on exercise mode comfort and genetic evidence,MICT mode might be more suitable for exercise interventions in obesity-related muscle atrophy.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a kind of non-coding RNA (ncRNA) with covalent closed-loop structure. They have attracted more and more attention because of their high stability, evolutionary conservatism, and tissue expression specificity. It has shown that circRNAs are involved in the development of a variety of diseases including malignant tumors recently. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a malignant tumor that occurs in the nasopharynx and has a unique ethnic and geographical distribution in South China and Southeast Asia. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is closely related to the development of NPC. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy are the mainstays of treatment for NPC. But tumor recurrence or distant metastasis is the leading cause of death in patients with NPC. Several studies have shown that circRNAs, as gene expression regulators, play an important role in NPC and affect the progression of NPC. This review mainly summarized the research status of abnormally expressed circRNAs in NPC and EBV-encoded circRNAs. We also discussed the possibility of circRNAs as a therapeutic target, diagnostic and prognostic marker for NPC.

Objective To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of mesenchymal stem cells(MSC)in the treatment of acute-on-chronic liver failure(ACLF).Methods This study was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines,with the PROSPERO registration number of CRD42024517851.PubMed,Embase,Wanfang Data,VIP,CNKI,CBM,and the Cochrane Library were searched for randomized controlled trials(RCT)and cohort studies on MSC in the treatment of ACLF published up to November 1,2023,and the articles were screened according to inclusion and exclusion criteria.After data extraction and quality assessment,RevMan 5.3 software was used to perform the Meta-analysis.Results A total of 11 articles involving 803 subjects were included in this meta-analysis.The results showed that for the patients with ACLF,MSC could improve 8-week survival rate(odds ratio[OR]=2.71,95%confidence interval[CI]:1.58-4.67,P=0.000 3),12-week survival rate(OR=2.24,95%CI:1.36-3.69,P=0.001),24-week survival rate(OR=2.09,95%CI:1.37-3.17,P=0.000 6),and 48-week survival rate(OR=2.09,95%CI:1.29-3.40,P=0.003)and reduce 12-week Model for End-Stage Liver Disease(MELD)score(mean difference[MD]=-3.27,95%CI:-6.07 to-0.48,P=0.02)and 24-week MELD score(MD=-2.24,95%CI:-3.16 to-1.33,P<0.000 01);it could also reduce the level of total bilirubin after 4 weeks of treatment(MD=-36.86,95%CI:-48.72 to-25.01,P<0.000 01)and increase 4-week albumin level(MD=2.11,95%CI:0.62-3.61,P=0.006)and 24-week albumin level(MD=3.54,95%CI:2.06-5.02,P<0.000 01).Adverse events were evaluated in 6 studies,with no serious adverse events.Conclusion MSC have a good safety in treatment and can improve the survival rate of patients and enhance liver function to some extent,and therefore,it holds promise for clinical application.

Lung transplantation is an effective means of treating various end-stage lung diseases.However,compared with other solid organ transplants,the survival rate after lung transplantation is relatively low.The main reason is the numerous complications after lung transplantation,among which infection is one of the most common complications.Respiratory viral infections are an important type of infection after lung transplantation,which severely affect the survival time and quality of life of lung transplant recipients.Early identification,early prevention,and active diagnosis and treatment are of great significance in reducing the incidence and fatality of respiratory viral infections after lung transplantation.This article reviews the epidemiology,risk factors,prevention and treatment principles,and specific prevention and treatment progress of common viruses in respiratory viral infections after lung transplantation at home and abroad,in order to provide a reference for the prevention and treatment of respiratory viral infections after lung transplantation in clinical practice.

[Objective]To explore the six medicinal ingredients,namely"(臧)Zangdu,Luru,Shashen,Baishashen,Shuchong and Fangji(ji)",in the Wucheng Hanjian prescription,in order to restore their original appearance.[Methods]Through literature search and double evidence method,a large number of relevant papers and books were consulted,and the research results were compared and summarized.[Results]This prescription consists of twenty-six medicinal ingredients,and the methods of preparation are diverse."(臧)Zangdu"should be"Daizhe"used by modern people;"Shashen"should be"Nanshashen",and"Baishashen"should be"Beishashen";"Shuchong"should be"Zhechong";there are two possible specific medicinal ingredients for"Luru",one is"Qucao",and the other is"lvru";"Fangji(ji)"should be"Fangkui".This prescription is used to treat"cold and dampness epidemic"with the etiology of cold and dampness,the main symptoms of constipation,coughing,and body pain,and the pathogenesis of external cold,internal drinking,and heat stagnation.[Conclusion]The research and restoration of the true appearance of the Wucheng Hanjian prescription is not only beneficial for further exploring the development process of traditional medicine,but also has practical reference significance for modern research on Chinese medicine,and also has certain value for the tracing research of Zhe school of traditional Chinese medicine.

Objective To study the effects of geniposide(Gen)on the injury of human neuroblastoma cell SH-SY5Y induced by oxygen glucose deprivation/reoxygenation(OGD/R)and its mechanism.Methods SH-SY5Y cells were divided into control group,OGD/R group,low medium and high concentration groups of Gen(12.5,25,50 μmol·L-1).Except the control group,OGD/R injury models were established in other groups,and different concentrations of Gen were used for intervention.Cell proliferation activity was detected by CCK-8 assay.The levels of lactate dehydrogenase(LDH),superoxide dismutase(SOD),malonaldehyde(MDA)and glutathione(GSH)in cell supernatant were detected by biochemical method.The intracellular Fe2+ level was detected by colorimetry.The level of reactive oxygen species(ROS)in cells was detected by flow cytometry.The protein expression levels of glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4),solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11)and transferrin receptor 1(TFR1)in cells were detected by Western blot.Results Compared with the control group,LDH release rate,MDA content,Fe2+ level,ROS level and TFR1 expression level in OGD/R group were significantly increased(P<0.05),while cell proliferation activity,SOD activity,GSH level,SLC7A11 and GPX4 expression levels were significantly decreased(P<0.05).Compared with the OGD/R group,the LDH release rate,MDA content,Fe2+ level,ROS level and TFR1 expression level of cells in each concentration group of Gen decreased significantly(P<0.05),while cell proliferation activity,SOD activity,GSH level,SLC7A11 and GPX4 expression levels increased significantly(P<0.05),especially in H-Gen group.Conclusion Gen can inhibit oxidative stress and ferroptosis of SH-SY5Y cells induced by OGD/R,and its mechanism may be related to the activation of SLC7A11/GPX4 signal pathway.

Intracellular neurofibrillary tangles resulting from abnormal hyperphosphorylation of Tau protein constitute one of the principal pathological markers of Alzheimer′s disease. Existing studies have indicated that BSc3094 is an efficacious inhibitor of Tau protein aggregation, capable of binding to Tau protein, inhibiting Tau protein phosphorylation, and enhancing cell viability concurrently, holding significant potential in treating Alzheimer′s disease. Nevertheless, due to the presence of the blood-brain barrier, it is challenging for drugs to penetrate the brain and exert their effects, and whether BSc3094 can treat Alzheimer′s disease by inhibiting Tau protein aggregation has not been profoundly investigated. Hence, in this study, small-sized (PLGA) nanoparticles were fabricated through the stirring method. BSc3094 was loaded into the nanoparticles (PLGA@BSc). To further enhance the brain entry efficiency of PLGA nanoparticles, a pathological BBB-targeting peptide was modified on the surface to obtain PLGA@BSc@K. In this study, the stability, cytotoxicity, and pathological targeting of the nanosystem were characterized. The particle size of the nanosystem was about 90 nm, which was negatively charged. The results demonstrated that the particle size of the nanoparticles did not fluctuate conspicuously within 168 h, and the stability was favorable. PLGA and BSc3094 had no notable impact on cell viability and displayed low cytotoxicity. At 1 and 4 h, it was observed that the uptake of targeted modified nanoparticles by cells in pathological states augmented, suggesting that PLGA@BSc@K had an excellent pathological blood-brain barrier targeting effect. This study provides a novel concept for the targeting of BSc3094 nanoparticles in the brain and the treatment of Alzheimer′s disease.