Objective To investigate the protective effect and underlying mechanism of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (hucMSC-Exo) on renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). Methods hucMSC-Exos were isolated and characterized. A mouse renal IRI model was established and the animals were divided into Sham, IRI, IRI+hucMSC-Exo, IRI+hucMSC-Exo+JY-2 and Sham+JY-2 groups. Serum creatinine (Scr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were measured. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to evaluate renal histopathology. Enzyme-linked immune absorbent assay was performed to determine serum interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 levels. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3), Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), nuclear factor (NF)-κB, NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), cysteineyl aspartate specific proteinase (Caspase)-1 p20 and Gasdermin D(GSDMD). Real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction was employed to measure ATF3, TLR4 and NF-κB messenger RNA (mRNA). Immunohistochemistry was conducted to examine NLRP3, Caspase-1 p20 and GSDMD. An in vitro hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) model was established in HK-2 cells and divided into Control, H/R, H/R+hucMSC-Exo, H/R+hucMSC-Exo+JY-2 and Control+JY-2 groups. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of ATF3, TLR4 and NF-κB. Real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to measure NLRP3, GSDMD and Caspase-1 mRNA. Results HucMSC-Exos were successfully isolated and identified. Compared with the Sham group, the IRI group exhibited elevated Scr and BUN, higher tubular injury scores, increased protein expression levels of ATF3, TLR4, NF-κB p65, NLRP3, Caspase-1 p20 and GSDMD, and raised mRNA expression levels of ATF3, TLR4, NF-κB. Compared with the IRI group, the IRI+hucMSC-Exo group showed decreased Scr and BUN, lower tubular injury scores, up-regulated ATF3 protein and mRNA, down-regulated TLR4, NF-κB p65, NLRP3, Caspase-1 p20 and GSDMD protein, and declined TLR4 and NF-κB mRNA. Compared with the IRI+hucMSC-Exo group, the IRI+hucMSC-Exo+JY-2 group exhibited increased Scr and BUN levels, elevated renal tubular injury scores, decreased ATF3 protein expression levels, elevated protein expression levels of TLR4, NF-κB p65, NLRP3, Caspase-1 p20, and GSDMD, decreased ATF3 mRNA expression levels, and elevated mRNA expression levels of TLR4 and NF-κB. (all P < 0.05). Compared with the Control group, the expression levels of ATF3, TLR4 and NF-κB p65 proteins were increased in the H/R group, and the expression levels of NLRP3, Caspase-1 and GSDMD mRNA were increased. Compared with the H/R group, the expression level of ATF3 protein was increased, the expression levels of TLR4 and NF-κB p65 proteins were decreased, and the expression levels of NLRP3, Caspase-1 and GSDMD mRNA were decreased in the H/R+hucMSC-Exo group. Compared with the H/R+hucMSC-Exo group, the expression level of ATF3 protein was decreased, the expression levels of TLR4 and NF-κB p65 proteins were increased, and the expression levels of NLRP3, Caspase-1 and GSDMD mRNA were increased in the H/R+hucMSC-Exo+JY-2 group (all P < 0.05). Conclusions HucMSC-Exos alleviate renal IRI by up-regulating ATF3, thereby negatively regulating the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway and subsequently inhibiting pyroptosis.

Chronic pain is a complex condition shaped by long-standing alterations in both physiological and psychological processes. Rather than representing a simple continuation of acute nociceptive signaling, chronic pain is increasingly understood as the outcome of progressive dysregulation within distributed neural systems that govern sensation, affect, motivation, and cognitive control. Neuroimaging and electrophysiological studies indicate that this state is accompanied by extensive plastic changes in deep brain structures and large-scale networks. Beyond well-described central sensitization processes, chronic pain is characterized by disrupted oscillatory rhythms and altered connectivity within large-scale brain networks, including thalamo-cortical circuits and prefrontal-limbic-reward networks. These findings support a conceptual shift from viewing chronic pain as a focal, lesion-driven phenomenon toward recognizing it as a disorder of distributed network pathology. Pharmacological treatments remain central to clinical practice, yet their long-term efficacy is often limited and frequently accompanied by substantial side effects. The ongoing concerns about opioid-related risks and the inadequate therapeutic response in a subset of patients highlight the need for safe, non-pharmacological approaches that can address not only pain but also comorbid disturbances in mood, sleep, and social functioning. Neuromodulation provides a promising path toward mechanism-based and non-pharmacological management of chronic pain by employing physical or chemical stimulation to alter the excitability and synchrony of specific neural populations within central, peripheral, and autonomic systems. While invasive deep brain stimulation demonstrates that targeting deep brain structures can be effective, its clinical application is restricted by surgical risks and cost, highlighting the importance of non-invasive techniques capable of reaching deep targets. Current non-invasive approaches, such as transcranial electric stimulation, are constrained by limited penetration depth and insufficient spatial precision. These limitations hinder reliable engagement of deep regions implicated in pain, including the thalamus and nucleus accumbens, and tend to produce broad, non-specific modulation of cross-network oscillatory activity. Temporal interference (TI) stimulation has emerged as a means of overcoming these obstacles. By delivering interacting high-frequency currents that generate a low-frequency envelope within the head, TI enables focal stimulation of deep targets while minimizing superficial current delivery. Recent multiscale modeling and animal studies indicate that TI exploits the nonlinear rectification properties of neuronal membranes in response to high-frequency carriers, as well as their phase-locked responses to low-frequency envelopes, to generate “peak-focused” electric fields in deep regions under relatively low superficial current loads. Moreover, TI appears to exhibit potential advantages in terms of cell-type selectivity and rhythm-specific engagement, including differential responses across neuronal subtypes and distinct coupling to θ-, β-, and γ-band oscillations. These features suggest a promising avenue for correcting abnormal rhythms and network dynamics that contribute to chronic pain. This review summarizes current knowledge of the neural mechanisms underlying chronic pain and recent advances in TI research. It examines functional disturbances across key pain-related regions and networks, outlines the principles and technical characteristics of TI, and discusses potential deep-brain targets and stimulation strategies relevant to chronic pain. Evidence to date indicates that TI, with its non-invasiveness, tolerability, and capacity for precise deep brain modulation, holds great promise for the management of treatment-resistant chronic pain and may evolve into a new generation of precise and efficient non-pharmacological analgesic strategies.

Chronic pain is a complex condition shaped by long-standing alterations in both physiological and psychological processes. Rather than representing a simple continuation of acute nociceptive signaling, chronic pain is increasingly understood as the outcome of progressive dysregulation within distributed neural systems that govern sensation, affect, motivation, and cognitive control. Neuroimaging and electrophysiological studies indicate that this state is accompanied by extensive plastic changes in deep brain structures and large-scale networks. Beyond well-described central sensitization processes, chronic pain is characterized by disrupted oscillatory rhythms and altered connectivity within large-scale brain networks, including thalamo-cortical circuits and prefrontal-limbic-reward networks. These findings support a conceptual shift from viewing chronic pain as a focal, lesion-driven phenomenon toward recognizing it as a disorder of distributed network pathology. Pharmacological treatments remain central to clinical practice, yet their long-term efficacy is often limited and frequently accompanied by substantial side effects. The ongoing concerns about opioid-related risks and the inadequate therapeutic response in a subset of patients highlight the need for safe, non-pharmacological approaches that can address not only pain but also comorbid disturbances in mood, sleep, and social functioning. Neuromodulation provides a promising path toward mechanism-based and non-pharmacological management of chronic pain by employing physical or chemical stimulation to alter the excitability and synchrony of specific neural populations within central, peripheral, and autonomic systems. While invasive deep brain stimulation demonstrates that targeting deep brain structures can be effective, its clinical application is restricted by surgical risks and cost, highlighting the importance of non-invasive techniques capable of reaching deep targets. Current non-invasive approaches, such as transcranial electric stimulation, are constrained by limited penetration depth and insufficient spatial precision. These limitations hinder reliable engagement of deep regions implicated in pain, including the thalamus and nucleus accumbens, and tend to produce broad, non-specific modulation of cross-network oscillatory activity. Temporal interference (TI) stimulation has emerged as a means of overcoming these obstacles. By delivering interacting high-frequency currents that generate a low-frequency envelope within the head, TI enables focal stimulation of deep targets while minimizing superficial current delivery. Recent multiscale modeling and animal studies indicate that TI exploits the nonlinear rectification properties of neuronal membranes in response to high-frequency carriers, as well as their phase-locked responses to low-frequency envelopes, to generate “peak-focused” electric fields in deep regions under relatively low superficial current loads. Moreover, TI appears to exhibit potential advantages in terms of cell-type selectivity and rhythm-specific engagement, including differential responses across neuronal subtypes and distinct coupling to θ-, β-, and γ-band oscillations. These features suggest a promising avenue for correcting abnormal rhythms and network dynamics that contribute to chronic pain. This review summarizes current knowledge of the neural mechanisms underlying chronic pain and recent advances in TI research. It examines functional disturbances across key pain-related regions and networks, outlines the principles and technical characteristics of TI, and discusses potential deep-brain targets and stimulation strategies relevant to chronic pain. Evidence to date indicates that TI, with its non-invasiveness, tolerability, and capacity for precise deep brain modulation, holds great promise for the management of treatment-resistant chronic pain and may evolve into a new generation of precise and efficient non-pharmacological analgesic strategies.

ObjectiveZheng’s San Qi San (ZSQS) power, a classic traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, is used for treating soft tissue injuries involving muscles, tendons, and ligaments. However, its underlying therapeutic mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to screen and identify pharmaceutically active ingredients and their candidate biomolecule targets, and further elucidate the molecular mechanism of ZSQS in the treatment of skeletal muscle injury. MethodsNetwork pharmacology was employed to construct “ZSQS-component-target”, “protein-protein interaction (PPI)” and “active ingredient-core protein-pathway” networks to predict the key active ingredients and potential core targets of ZSQS for skeletal muscle injury. The predicted results were then validated via microarray data from the GEO database. Molecular docking was then performed to assess the binding ability between the screened active ingredients of ZSQS and the candidate core targets. Moreover, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was used for qualitative and quantitative analysis to verify the active components of the drug and ZSQS serum. Finally, an animal model of eccentric exercise-induced skeletal muscle injury and a myotube cell model of oxidative stress-induced injury were established to validate the effects of ZSQS and its interventional effects on the biological functions of critical targets, thereby demonstrating the potential therapeutic mechanism of ZSQS. ResultsAmong the 111 active components identified in ZSQS and their corresponding 204 targets related to the skeletal muscle injury repair process, 14 core targets (including AKT1) and 4 core active components (quercetin, luteolin, kaempferol, and β‑sitosterol) were screened out, while the corresponding metabolites of quercetin, luteolin and kaempferol were detected in the ZSQS serum. Among these targets, 5 candidate genes (IL-6, CASP3, HIF1A, STAT3, and JUN) overlapped with the differential expression screening results with GEO data, and IL-6 was confirmed to be enriched in the PI3K/AKT pathway. Combined with the prediction results of the AKT expression levels, these findings suggest that the phosphorylation level of AKT1 plays a core role in the therapeutic mechanism of ZSQS. Molecular docking analysis further revealed that the PH domain of AKT1 had high binding energy with all 4 core active components, as verified by LC-MS. Finally, animal model studies have shown the promoting effect of ZSQS administration on skeletal muscle injury repair and its possible antioxidant damage mechanism. Cell model studies further demonstrated that ZSQS-containing serum, core active ingredient combination therapy, and quercetin monomer could increase the phosphorylation level of AKT, promote the nuclear translocation of Nrf2, upregulate the expression of downstream antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GPx, and GR), and inhibit the expression of inflammatory factors (IL-6 and TNF-α), thereby alleviating oxidative stress and the inflammatory response. ConclusionZSQS alleviates skeletal muscle injury mainly by activating the AKT/Nrf2 signaling pathway, enhancing cellular antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capabilities. The results of this study provide a scientific basis for the clinical application and modernized development of ZSQS.

Objective To analyze the correlation of serum levels of GAT A-binding protein 3(GATA-3),T cell immunoglobulin domain and mucin domain protein-3(Tim-3)and retinoid-related orphan nuclear receptor gamma t(RORγt)with cardiac function and myocardial injury in-dicators in patients with coronary heart disease(CHD)and angina pectoris.Methods A retrospec-tive analysis was performed on 120 CHD patients with angina pectoris(observation group)in our hospital from December 2020 to December 2023.They were divided into stable angina subgroup(53 cases)and unstable angina subgroup(67 cases)according to the results of electrocardiography and coronary angiography.Another 120 healthy individuals taking physical examination in our hospital during the same period were subjected and served as the control group.ELISA was used to detect the serum levels of GATA-3,Tim-3 and RORγt.Left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),left ventricular end-diastolic diameter(LVEDD),left ventricular end-systolic diameter(LVESD),and left ventricular short-axis shortening rate(FS)were measured by echocardio-graphy.Creatine kinase(CK)and creatine kinase isoenzyme(CK-MB)were detected by biochemi-cal analyzer,and troponin Ⅰ(cTnⅠ)and heart fatty acid binding protein(H-FABP)were detected by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay.Pearson analysis was applied to analyze the correlation the correlation of serum levels of GATA-3,Tim-3 and RORγt with cardiac function and myocar-dial injury indicators.ROC curve was plotted to analyze the predictive value of the above three in-dicators for unstable angina.Results The serum levels of Tim-3 and ROR y t were significantly higher,and that of GATA-3 was obviously lower in the observation group than the control group(397.14±78.42 ng/L vs 246.45±56.81 ng/L,P＜0.01;93.18±19.94 ng/L vs 35.72±7.79 ng/L,P＜0.01;38.21±9.45 ng/L vs 71.62±14.98 ng/L,P＜0.01).The LVEDD and LVESD values were notably higher,while the LVEF and LVFS values were remarkably lower in the observation group than the control group(P＜0.01).The observation group has statistically higher cTnⅠ,CK,CK-MB,and H-FABP levels than the control group(P＜0.01).In the CHD patients with angina pectoris,serum GATA-3 level was positively correlated with LVEF and LVFS,and negatively with LVEDD,LVESD,cTnⅠ,CK,CK-MB,and H-FABP;Tim-3 and RORγt were negatively corre-lated with LVEF and LVFS,and positively with LVEDD,LVESD,cTnⅠ,CK,CK-MB,and H-FABP(P＜0.01).The AUC value of GATA-3,Tim-3,and RORγt alone and in combination in predicting unstable angina was 0.859,0.827,0.780,and 0.921,respectively,with that of combina-tion significantly higher than that of above indicators alone(Z=1.993,3.021,4.532,P=0.036,0.007,0.001).Conclusion As the disease progresses in CHD patients with angina pectoris,serum levels of Tim-3 and RORγt are increasing,while that of GATA-3 is decreasing,and all of them are closely associated with heart function and myocardial injury indicators.

Objective To explore the effect of 3D printing auxiliary stent on the operation of laryngeal microsurgery instrument.Methods Auxiliary stent of suspension laryngoscope was design and 3D printed.30 standardized training residents as experimental participants were randomly divided into conventional group and auxiliary stent group(15 in each group).The pig's larynx was used as a specimen,and the vocal folds were marked with localized staining.Participants performed operation on the stained areas of the vocal folds under suspension laryngoscope(60 times of grasping in 1 h).The conventional group performed operation unaided;The auxiliary stent group performed operation with the auxiliary stent as a support.Two senior chief physicians scored the participants'stability and accuracy.Results The operational stability scale score of the conventional group and the auxiliary stent group were(5.03±4.33)and(8.99±3.42),respectively;The operation accuracy rates were 58.4%(526/900)and 78.9%(710/900),respectively.The operation accuracy rate,operation stability of the auxiliary stent group were significantly higher than those in the conventional group,and the differences were significant(P<0.01).Conclusion The auxiliary stent can significantly improve the stability and accuracy of operation,which has highly application value.

Objective To explore the effect of 3D printing auxiliary stent on the operation of laryngeal microsurgery instrument.Methods Auxiliary stent of suspension laryngoscope was design and 3D printed.30 standardized training residents as experimental participants were randomly divided into conventional group and auxiliary stent group(15 in each group).The pig's larynx was used as a specimen,and the vocal folds were marked with localized staining.Participants performed operation on the stained areas of the vocal folds under suspension laryngoscope(60 times of grasping in 1 h).The conventional group performed operation unaided;The auxiliary stent group performed operation with the auxiliary stent as a support.Two senior chief physicians scored the participants'stability and accuracy.Results The operational stability scale score of the conventional group and the auxiliary stent group were(5.03±4.33)and(8.99±3.42),respectively;The operation accuracy rates were 58.4%(526/900)and 78.9%(710/900),respectively.The operation accuracy rate,operation stability of the auxiliary stent group were significantly higher than those in the conventional group,and the differences were significant(P<0.01).Conclusion The auxiliary stent can significantly improve the stability and accuracy of operation,which has highly application value.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of facilitated percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)with half-dose recombinant staphylokinase(r-SAK)in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI)who are expected to undergo PCI within 120 minutes.Methods From October 2021 to August 2022,a total of 200 STEMI patients in eight centers were included and randomly assigned in a 1﹕1 ratio to either r-SAK group or control group.Patients received loading doses of aspirin and ticagrelor and intravenous heparin and were randomized to receive an intravenous bolus of either 5 mg r-SAK or normal saline prior to PCI.The outcomes were set as ST-segment resolution(STR)at 60-90 minutes after PCI,the proportion and transition of pathological Q waves on the 5th day after PCI,and the proportion of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T(hs-cTnT)peaking within 12 hours of onset.The safety outcome was major bleeding events defined as Bleeding Academic Research Consortium(BARC)≥type 3 bleeding during hospitalization.Results Compared with the control group,the r-SAK group had a higher proportion of STR≥70%within 60-90 minutes after PCI(58.3%vs.40.3%,P=0.009);a lower proportion of pathological Q waves(59.1%vs.74.1%,P=0.040);a lower rate of Q wave progression(14.8%vs.43.2%,P＜0.001);a higher rate of Q wave disappearance(12.5%vs.3.7%,P=0.027);and a higher proportion of hs-cTnT peaking within 12 hours of symptom onset[31/40(77.5%)vs.17/33(51.5%),P=0.027].Regarding the safety outcome,no significant difference in BARC≥type 3 bleeding was found between the two groups during hospitalization(P＞0.05).Conclusions For STEMI patients who were expected to undergo primary PCI within 120 minutes of symptom onset,the facilitated PCI with half-dose r-SAK significantly increased the proportion of STR≥70%at 60-90 minutes after PCI,reduced the formation of pathological Q waves,and shortened the time to peak hs-cTnT,without increasing the risk of bleeding,which should be an alternative reperfusion strategy worthy of further study.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of facilitated percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)with half-dose recombinant staphylokinase(r-SAK)in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI)who are expected to undergo PCI within 120 minutes.Methods From October 2021 to August 2022,a total of 200 STEMI patients in eight centers were included and randomly assigned in a 1﹕1 ratio to either r-SAK group or control group.Patients received loading doses of aspirin and ticagrelor and intravenous heparin and were randomized to receive an intravenous bolus of either 5 mg r-SAK or normal saline prior to PCI.The outcomes were set as ST-segment resolution(STR)at 60-90 minutes after PCI,the proportion and transition of pathological Q waves on the 5th day after PCI,and the proportion of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T(hs-cTnT)peaking within 12 hours of onset.The safety outcome was major bleeding events defined as Bleeding Academic Research Consortium(BARC)≥type 3 bleeding during hospitalization.Results Compared with the control group,the r-SAK group had a higher proportion of STR≥70%within 60-90 minutes after PCI(58.3%vs.40.3%,P=0.009);a lower proportion of pathological Q waves(59.1%vs.74.1%,P=0.040);a lower rate of Q wave progression(14.8%vs.43.2%,P＜0.001);a higher rate of Q wave disappearance(12.5%vs.3.7%,P=0.027);and a higher proportion of hs-cTnT peaking within 12 hours of symptom onset[31/40(77.5%)vs.17/33(51.5%),P=0.027].Regarding the safety outcome,no significant difference in BARC≥type 3 bleeding was found between the two groups during hospitalization(P＞0.05).Conclusions For STEMI patients who were expected to undergo primary PCI within 120 minutes of symptom onset,the facilitated PCI with half-dose r-SAK significantly increased the proportion of STR≥70%at 60-90 minutes after PCI,reduced the formation of pathological Q waves,and shortened the time to peak hs-cTnT,without increasing the risk of bleeding,which should be an alternative reperfusion strategy worthy of further study.

Objective To analyze the effects of tyrosinase on choroidal and retinal thickness and blood flow changes in guinea pigs,and to explore the role of tyrosinase in the development and progression of myopia.Methods A total of 30 three-week-old male tri-colored guinea pigs and 10 albino guinea pigs were selected and divided into four groups:control group(tri-colored hyperopic guinea pigs,with no intervention),albino group(albino myopic guinea pigs,with no inter-vention),myopia group(tri-colored myopic guinea pigs,with no intervention),and injection group[tri-colored hyperopic guinea pigs,injected with tyrosinase inhibitor(6 250 μg·L-1),100 μL per day].The experiment lasted for 4 weeks.The refractive status and axial length(AL)of the guinea pigs in each group were measured,along with ocular biometric param-eters related to axial length[anterior chamber depth,aqueous humor depth(AQD),central corneal thickness,lens diame-ter,vitreous chamber depth(VCD)].Optical coherence tomography was used to measure the retinal thickness,choroidal thickness(ChT),and choroidal blood perfusion(ChBP)in different regions of the guinea pigs.The tyrosinase activity in the vitreous and retina of guinea pigs in each group was measured.The expression levels of neurotransmitters in the vitre-ous and retina of guinea pigs in each group were detected.Results The differences in refractive status between the albi-no group and the control group at 0,2,and 4 weeks of the experiment were statistically significant(F=8.972,P＜0.05).At the 4th week of the experiment,the refractive status of the injection group was lower than that of the control group,and the AL was greater than that of the control group,with statistically significant differences(both P＜0.05).Further analysis of AL-related biometric parameters revealed that only AQD and VCD were associated with the changes in AL of guinea pigs in each group.At the 0th week of the experiment,the average retinal thickness of the control group was greater than that of the albino group,with a statistically significant difference(t=-9.007,P＜0.000 1).Moreover,the differences in reti-nal thickness in the outer retina across different directions and time points were statistically significant(all P＜0.05).The differences in retinal thickness between the control and albino groups were mainly concentrated in the outer retina.The ChT of the albino group was less than that of the control group,with a significant difference between groups(F=4.809,P=0.030).The ChBP of the control group was significantly higher than that of the albino group at 0,2,and 4 weeks of the experiment(all P＜0.05).At the 4th week of the experiment,the tyrosinase activity in the vitreous of the injection,albi-no,and myopia groups was lower than that of the control group,with statistically significant differences(all P＜0.05).The differences in neurotransmitters between the albino and control groups were mainly concentrated in the vitreous.In the retina,the ornithine level in the myopia group was higher than that in the albino and control groups,and the tryptophan levels in the myopia and control groups were higher than that in the albino group,with statistically significant differences(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Tyrosinase plays a crucial role in the development of myopia,regulating the development of refractive status by influencing the physiological properties of the retina and choroid.