Objective To investigate the effect of Haematococcus pluvialis(HP)on bleomycin(BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice and on TGF-β1-induced human fetal lung fibroblasts(HFL1).Methods Thirty male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control group,BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis model group,low-and high-dose HP treatment groups(3 and 21 mg/kg,respectively),and 300 mg/kg pirfenidone(positive control)group.The effects of drug treatment for 21 days were assessed by examining respiratory function,lung histopathology,and expression of fibrosis markers in the lung tissues of the mouse models.In TGF-β1-induced HFL1 cell cultures,the effects of treatment with 120,180 and 240 μg/mL HP or 1.85 μg/mL pirfenidone for 48 h on expression levels of fibrosis markers were evaluated.Transcriptome analysis was carried out using the control cells and cells treated with TGF-β1 and 240 μg/mL HP.Results HP obviously alleviated BLM-induced lung function damage and fibrotic changes in mice,evidenced by improved respiratory function,lung tissue morphology and structure,inflammatory infiltration,and collagen deposition and reduced expressions of fibrotic proteins.HP at the high dose produced similar effect to PFD.In TGF-β1-induced HFL1 cells,treatment with 240 μg/mL HP significantly reduced the mRNA and protein expression levels of α-SMA and FN.Transcriptome analysis revealed that multiple key genes and pathways mediated the protective effect of HP against pulmonary fibrosis.Conclusion HP alleviates pulmonary fibrosis in both the mouse model and cell model,possibly as the result of the synergistic effects of its multiple active components.

Plasma medicine, as an interdisciplinary research field of plasma physics and chemistry, life sciences and clinical medicine, etc., has received widespread attention from researchers in different research fields and has obtained dramatic development in this century. In this article, based on a brief introduction of the characteristics of cold atmospheric plasmas (CAP), the CAP action mechanisms on tumors, clinical translation challenges, similarities and differences between CAP cancer therapy and radiotherapy, and the synergistic effects of CAP and radiation on the tumors were reviewed. Finally, some possible clinical application scenarios and their feasibilities of the combined CAP-radiation therapy for tumors were discussed.

This study aims to explore protective effects of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides(LBP)on intestinal damage caused by lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)in chicks.Network pharmacology was initially employed to determine the target proteins of wolfberry in the prevention and treatment of IBD.Following this,protein-protein interaction analy-sis,GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis,and molecular docking studies were conducted.Subsequently,an animal study was conducted:a total of 100 one-day-old male Hy-line brown lay-ing hens were randomly divided into five groups:a blank control group(CON),an LPS treatment group(LPS),a low-dose LBP group(LPS+LBP 0.25 g/L,L-LBP),a medium-dose LBP group(LPS+LBP 0.5 g/L,M-LBP),and a high-dose LBP group(LPS+LBP 1 g/L,H-LBP).Upon reac-hing 21 days old,duodenal,jejunal,ileal,and cecal tissues were collected to determine SOD and GSH-Px levels.Furthermore,the mRNA expression levels of TNF-α,AKT1,IL-6,IL-1β and TP53 in the intestinal tissues were measured using quantitative real-time PCR.The results demonstrated that network pharmacology identified 45 active ingredients in wolfberry that target 116 key protein sites,including TNF,AKT1 and IL6.The primary objectives focus on signaling pathways including AGE-RAGE,IL-17,TNF,HIF-1,and NF-κB.Molecular docking showed excellent ligand-receptor docking scores,with stable binding facilitated by hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions.Compared to the LPS group,the 0.5 g/L LBP exhibited notably higher levels of SOD and T-AOC.In comparison with the LPS group,the medium and high-dose LBP experimental groups showed notably decreased the mRNA expressions of TNF-α,AKT1,IL-6,and IL-1β,while TP53 mRNA expression was significantly upregulated(P＜0.01).In summary,wolfberry exerts preventive and therapeutic effects on IBD through a multi-component,multi-target,and multi-pathway mecha-nism.

Objective:To observe any differences in the brain′s functional responses during swallowing with healthy young, middle-aged and elderly individuals.Methods:Fifteen healthy young people formed the youth group, while 15 healthy middle-aged or elderly subjects were the middle-aged and elderly group. Both groups performed repeated swallowing tasks while being observed using functional near-infrared spectroscopy. The data were processed using NirSpark software, and brain activation was compared between the two groups.Results:Swallowing-related brain regions were all significantly activated in the youth group, while in the middle-aged and elderly group only the primary motor cortex (M1), primary somatosensory cortex (PSC), premotor and supplementary motor cortex (pSMC), and inferior central region on the left side showed significantly increased activation. Compared to the youth group, the middle-aged and elderly group exhibited significantly reduced activation in seven channels, including the right M1 and pSMC, the left M1, the pSMC, the PSC, the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and frontal pole area.Conclusions:The middle-aged and elderly show significantly less activation in certain brain regions during swallowing compared with younger persons. That may be related to aging and its associated cognitive decline, as well as reduced motor and sensory abilities related to swallowing.

Objective:To explore the factors influencing the recovery of swallowing function after a brainstem hemorrhage and to construct a prediction model.Methods:Clinical data on 134 persons with dysphagia after a brainstem hemorrhage were collected retrospectively. According to their swallowing ability at discharge, the patients were divided into a swallowing recovery group and a non-recovery group. Univariate correlation analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to explore the independent factors influencing the recovery of swallowing function and to construct a prediction nomogram. The receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves were evaluated to analyze the nomogram′s predictive value and those of the relevant influencing factors.Results:Sixty-two of the patients (46%) had recovered their swallowing function at discharge, while 72 (54%) had not. Univariate correlation analysis showed that there had been significant differences in tracheal intubation, NIHSS score, FOIS score, Barthel index and Glasgow coma scale (GCS )score between the two groups, on average. The multivariate logistic regressions showed that a low NIHSS score, a high FOIS score and a high GCS score were independent predictors of swallowing function recovery, so they were used in the prediction model. ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of the prediction model was 0.953 (95% CI: 0.902~0.982) with a sensitivity of 87% and a specificity of 93%. The model′s predictions were thus better than using an NIHSS score, GCS score or FOIS score alone. Conclusions:NIHSS score, GCS score and FOIS score can independently predict the recovery of swallowing function after a brainstem hemorrhage. A prediction model constructed using all three has good predictive power.

Objective:To observe any therapeutic effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with intermittent oroesophageal tube feeding (IOE) on dysphagia among ischemic stroke survivors.Methods:Eighty-four ischemic stroke survivors with dysphagia were randomized into an observation group and a control group, each of 42. In addition to conventional rehabilitation, swallowing training and IOE, the observation group received tDCS while the control group received sham stimulation. Before and after 14 days of this treatment, both groups′ swallowing, life quality and depression were evaluated using the Penetration Aspiration Scale (PAS), the Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS), the Dysphagia Handicap Index (DHI), and a 9-item patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9).Results:There were no significant differences between the two groups before the experiment in terms of their general data, their average PAS, FOIS, DHI or PHQ-9 scores, or the incidence of depression. After the treatment, significant improvement was observed in the above indicators among both groups, but with significantly better average PAS, FOIS, DHI [(51.25±6.78) vs. (44.78±5.75)] and PHQ-9 [(4.17±1.15) vs. (6.01±1.93)] scores and less depression (14.29% vs. 42.86%) in the observation group compared with the control group.Conclusions:Combining tDCS with IOE better improves swallowing function, depression, and life quality after an ischemic stroke.

Objective:To explore the risk factors for malnutrition after a traumatic brain injury and to construct a model which usefully predicts that risk.Methods:This was a retrospective study of 374 patients with a craniocerebral injury for whom the relevant clinical data were available. Based on their nutritional status, they were stratified into a malnutrition group ( n=220) and a control group ( n=154). Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were evaluated seeking to identify the independent risk factors associated with malnutrition, and a prediction model was constructed based on the results. The model′s discrimination ability and accuracy were assessed using a receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve. Results:A total of 220 patients (58.8%) developed malnutrition. Multifactorial logistic regression analysis showed that the independent risk factors for malnutrition were: age ≥60 years, pulmonary infection, dysphagia, cognitive impairment, a GCS score ≤8, or a Barthel index ≤40. In the ROC curve analysis, the area under the curve quantifying the model′s ability to predict malnutrition was 0.924 (95% CI: 0.896, 0.951), with a sensitivity of 0.868 and a specificity of 0.857, indicating its good prediction performance. Conclusions:Age ≥60 years, pulmonary infection, dysphagia, cognitive impairment, a GCS score ≤8 or a Barthel index ≤40 are independent predictors of malnutrition after a traumatic brain injury. The prediction model constructed based on those risk factors has demonstrated useful predictive power for malnutrition.

Objective:To evaluate spinal-pelvic mobility and sagittal spinal-pelvic alignment characteristics in patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), and to investigate differences in sagittal spinal-pelvic parameters between patients with DDH and those with osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH).Methods:A total of 55 patients with DDH who underwent primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) at the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University between April 2021 and March 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. The cohort included 8 males and 47 females, with a mean age of 56.16±10.82 years (range: 26-76 years). Among them, 18 patients had bilateral DDH and 37 had unilateral DDH. Fifty-five age- and sex-matched patients with ONFH were selected as the control group. Unilateral DDH cases were classified according to the Hartofilakidis classification: 18 cases of type A, 13 cases of type B, and 6 cases of type C. Lateral spinal-pelvic radiographs were used to measure pelvic incidence (PI), pelvic tilt (PT), sacral slope (SS), and lumbar lordosis (LL) in both standing and sitting positions. Changes in sagittal spinal-pelvic parameters between standing and sitting positions were analyzed to assess spinal-pelvic mobility. Spinal-pelvic mobility was considered abnormal if △SS was outside the range of 10°-30°. Abnormal mobility was further categorized as stiffness (△SS<10°) or hypermobility (△SS>30°).Results:The PI (52.37°±12.43°), standing PT (12.13°±9.50°), and sitting PT (36.49°±13.43°) of DDH patients were significantly higher than those of ONFH patients (44.88°±11.38°, 7.80°±11.36°, and 28.91°±11.38°, respectively), with statistically significant differences ( P<0.05). Abnormal spinal-pelvic mobility, including both stiffness and hypermobility, was observed in 53% of DDH patients, with stiffness accounting for 20%. These proportions were significantly higher than those in ONFH patients, which were 24% and 6%, respectively ( P<0.05). The prevalence of abnormal spinal-pelvic mobility in Hartofilakidis type C DDH patients was 83%, significantly higher than the 30.8% observed in type B patients (χ 2=4.550, P=0.033). The standing LL (54.37°±11.59°) and sitting LL (28.56°±15.51°) in unilateral DDH patients were significantly greater than those in bilateral DDH patients (46.88°±15.30° and 20.42°±9.77°, respectively), with statistically significant differences ( P< 0.05). Conclusions:Compared with patients with ONFH, those with DDH demonstrate a higher prevalence of abnormal spinal-pelvic mobility, particularly a greater incidence of spinal stiffness. Among DDH subtypes, Hartofilakidis type C patients exhibit a higher proportion of abnormal mobility compared to types A and B. Additionally, patients with unilateral DDH present with greater lumbar lordosis than those with bilateral involvement.

OBJECTIVES: Acute lung injury (ALI) is an acute respiratory failure syndrome characterized by impaired gas exchange. Due to the lack of effective targeted drugs, it is associated with high mortality and poor prognosis. Tripterygium wilfordii (TW) has demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity in the treatment of various diseases. This study aims to investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of TW on myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in ALI, providing experimental evidence for TW as a potential adjuvant therapy for ALI. METHODS: Eighteen specific pathogen-free (SPF) C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into normal control (NC; intranasal saline), lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 5 mg/kg intranasally to induce ALI), and LPS+TW (50 mg/kg TW by gavage on the first day of modeling, followed by 5 mg/kg LPS intranasally to induce ALI) groups (n=6 each). Lung injury and edema were assessed by histopathological scoring and wet-to-dry weight ratio. Cytokine levels [interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-18, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)] in lung tissue lavage fluid were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Flow cytometry was used to assess the proportions of MDSCs, polymorphonuclear MDSCs (PMN-MDSCs), and monocytic MDSCs (M-MDSCs) in bone marrow, spleen, peripheral blood, and lung tissue, as well as reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in lung tissues. Messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and arginase-1 (ARG-1) in lung tissues were determined by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). PMN-MDSCs sorted from the lungs of LPS-treated mice were co-cultured with splenic CD3⁺ T cells and divided into NC, triptolide (TPL)-L, and TPL-H groups, with bovine serum albumin, 25 nmol/L TPL, and 50 nmol/L TPL, respectively. Flow cytometry was used to detect the effect of PMN-MDSCs on T-cell proliferation, and RT-qPCR was used to measure iNOS and ARG-1 mRNA expression. RESULTS: Compared with the NC group, the LPS group showed marked lung pathology with significantly increased histopathological scores and wet-to-dry ratios (both P<0.001). TW treatment significantly alleviated lung injury and reduced both indices compared with the LPS group (both P<0.05). Cytokine levels were significantly decreased in the LPS+TW group compared with the LPS group (all P<0.001). The proportions of MDSCs in CD45⁺ cells from spleen, bone marrow, peripheral blood, and lung, as well as PMN-MDSCs from spleen, peripheral blood, and lung, were significantly reduced in the LPS+TW group compared with the LPS group (all P<0.05), accompanied by reduced ROS levels in lung tissues (P<0.001). iNOS and ARG-1 mRNA expression in lung tissues was significantly lower in the LPS+TW group than in the LPS group (both P<0.001). In vitro, compared with the TPL-L group, the TPL-H group showed significantly increased CD3⁺ T-cell proliferation (P<0.001), and decreased iNOS and ARG-1 mRNA expression (all P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS TW alleviates the progression of LPS-induced ALI in mice, potentially by reducing the proportion of MDSCs in lung tissues and attenuating the immunosuppressive function of PMN-MDSCs.
Animals ; Acute Lung Injury/chemically induced* ; Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells/cytology* ; Tripterygium/chemistry* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice ; Cell Differentiation/drug effects* ; Male ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II/genetics* ; Cytokines/metabolism* ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Diterpenes/pharmacology* ; Epoxy Compounds ; Phenanthrenes

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of Haematococcus pluvialis (HP) on bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice and on TGF-β1-induced human fetal lung fibroblasts (HFL1). METHODS: Thirty male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control group, BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis model group, low- and high-dose HP treatment groups (3 and 21 mg/kg, respectively), and 300 mg/kg pirfenidone (positive control) group. The effects of drug treatment for 21 days were assessed by examining respiratory function, lung histopathology, and expression of fibrosis markers in the lung tissues of the mouse models. In TGF-β1-induced HFL1 cell cultures, the effects of treatment with 120, 180 and 240 μg/mL HP or 1.85 μg/mL pirfenidone for 48 h on expression levels of fibrosis markers were evaluated. Transcriptome analysis was carried out using the control cells and cells treated with TGF-β1 and 240 μg/mL HP. RESULTS: HP obviously alleviated BLM-induced lung function damage and fibrotic changes in mice, evidenced by improved respiratory function, lung tissue morphology and structure, inflammatory infiltration, and collagen deposition and reduced expressions of fibrotic proteins. HP at the high dose produced similar effect to PFD. In TGF-β1-induced HFL1 cells, treatment with 240 μg/mL HP significantly reduced the mRNA and protein expression levels of α-SMA and FN. Transcriptome analysis revealed that multiple key genes and pathways mediated the protective effect of HP against pulmonary fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS HP alleviates pulmonary fibrosis in both the mouse model and cell model, possibly as the result of the synergistic effects of its multiple active components.
Animals ; Pulmonary Fibrosis/chemically induced* ; Bleomycin/adverse effects* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Male ; Mice ; Fibroblasts/drug effects* ; Lung/pathology* ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1/pharmacology* ; Myofibroblasts/drug effects* ; Humans ; Pyridones