BACKGROUND:Spinal cord injury is a neurological disorder caused by traumatic or non-traumatic events,often leading to severe functional impairment below the injured segment.In recent years,neural stem cell transplantation has been considered to have significant therapeutic potential in regulating the inflammatory response after spinal cord injury,inhibiting excessive proliferation of glial scars,and promoting nerve regeneration. OBJECTIVE:To review and discuss the potential mechanism of action of acupuncture and neural stem cell transplantation therapy in inhibiting spinal cord injury-induced secondary injury,and to delve into the scientific basis for its treatment of spinal cord injury. METHODS:PubMed,Elsevier,WanFang,and CNKI databases were searched using"spinal cord injury,acupuncture,neural stem cells,SDF-1α/CXCR4 axis"as Chinese and English search terms.Totally 96 articles were finally included.The research findings of acupuncture combined with neural stem cells in the treatment of spinal cord injury were summarized and analyzed,and the mechanism of this combination therapy in the treatment of secondary injury after spinal cord injury was summarized. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The stromal-derived factor 1α(SDF-1α)/chemokine receptor 4(CXCR4)axis plays a crucial role in neural stem cell transplantation for spinal cord injury.This signaling mechanism not only affects neural stem cell migration,proliferation,and differentiation,but is also a key factor in determining the efficiency of stem cell homing to the injury site.Therefore,the regulation of targeting this axis is of great significance in enhancing the therapeutic effect of spinal cord injury.(2)Acupuncture,as a traditional Chinese medicine therapy,shows unique advantages in the regulation of secondary injury in spinal cord injury.It can effectively reduce secondary injury after spinal cord injury by regulating inflammatory response,inhibiting apoptosis,improving microcirculation,reducing glial scar formation,and counteracting oxidative stress.(3)Acupuncture was also able to influence the expression and function of the SDF-1α/CXCR4 axis,thereby enhancing the homing and survival ability of neural stem cells and promoting nerve regeneration and functional recovery.(4)The therapy combining acupuncture and stem cell transplantation is an innovative treatment strategy for spinal cord injury and suitable for repairing neural circuits.It combines the wisdom of traditional Chinese medicine with the advantages of modern biotechnology,providing a new treatment option for spinal cord injury patients.However,this combination therapy is still in the research and exploration stage,and its long-term efficacy and safety need to be further verified.(5)Taken together,acupuncture and neural stem cell transplantation for the treatment of spinal cord injury has great potential for clinical application,but in-depth research and optimization of treatment options are still needed.In the future,we look forward to further revealing the efficacy mechanism and optimal indications of this therapy through more clinical trials and mechanism studies,so as to bring better hope of recovery and more efficient therapeutic effects to spinal cord injury patients.

As people's living standards improve， the development trend of diabetes has gradually become severe. Diabetes is a chronic inflammatory disease associated with abnormal expression of nuclear factor-kappa B （NF-κB） in patients. NF-κB exists in various tissue cells and participates in the regulation of a variety of genes related to immune function and inflammation. Varieties of factors can activate NF-κB when the body is stimulated by external factors， so as to produce inflammation and other reactions. Previous studies on NF-κB mainly focus on cancer， and the pathological mechanism of the treatment of diabetes by related signaling pathways and the progress of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） treatment have not been systematically elaborated on. By referring to the relevant literature in China and abroad， it was found that NF-κB is not isolated in the development and progression of diabetes but is associated with signal molecules related to inflammation， oxidative stress， and energy metabolism， and it is involved in mediating inflammation， pancreatic β cell apoptosis， insulin signal transduction， and other physiological functions. Therefore， blocking the transmission of NF-κB signaling pathway is beneficial to the treatment of diabetes. At present， Western medicine for the treatment of diabetes mainly includes oral hypoglycemic drugs and insulin injections， but the adverse reactions are obvious. TCM has been characterized by multi-target， extensive action， and excellent curative effects in the treatment of diabetes. TCM and its compounds with functions of tonifying Qi and promoting blood circulation， regulating qi and eliminating phlegm， clearing heat and detoxifying， and nourishing Yin and moistening dryness can effectively intervene in the abnormal expression of NF-κB signaling pathway in vivo through anti-inflammatory effects. In this paper， the association between NF-κB signaling pathway and diabetes was summarized， and the modern research progress of TCM intervention of NF-κB signaling pathway in the treatment of diabetes in the past five years was reviewed， so as to lay a laboratory foundation for the study of a new pathological mechanism of diabetes based on NF-κB signaling pathway and provide new targets and research direction for the prevention and treatment of diabetes and development of related TCM.

Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of Yiyuan moxibustion on urinary storage function in rats with neurogenic bladder(NB)after suprasacral spinal cord injury(SCI)based on adenosine activated protein kinase(AMPK)-connexin 43(Cx43)pathway.Methods Twelve female Sprague-Dawley rats were selected as the sham operation group using the random number table method,and 68 rats were used to prepare the suprasacral SCI model according to the modified Hassan Shaker spinal cord transection method.After the SCI model was stable,the standard NB model after SCI was screened out.The rats with successful modeling were divided into the model group(n=14),the Yiyuan moxibustion group(n=14),the inhibitor group(n=14),and the Yiyuan moxibustion+inhibitor group(n=14)according to the random number table method.The rats in the Yiyuan moxibustion group were treated with Yiyuan moxibustion.The rats in the inhibitor group were injected with AMPK inhibitor dorsomorphin(0.2 mg/kg)by tail vein.The rats in the Yiyuan moxibustion+inhibitor group were treated with Yiyuan moxibustion combined with tail vein injection of dorsomorphin(0.2 mg/kg).The sham operation group and the model group did not receive any intervention for 14 days.After the intervention,the bladder function of rats was evaluated by urodynamics.HE staining was used to observe morphological changes of the bladder tissue;the content of adenosine triphosphate(ATP)in bladder tissue was detected by colorimetry.The positive expressions of phosphorylated AMPK(p-AMPK),Cx43 and tyrosine protein kinase receptor(C-kit)in bladder tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry.The protein expressions of AMPK,p-AMPK,Cx43 and C-kit in bladder tissue were detected by Western blotting.Results Compared with the model group,the maximum bladder capacity and bladder compliance of the rats in the Yiyuan moxibustion group were increased,the leak point pressure was decreased,the cells in the Yiyuan moxibustion group were relatively regular and orderly,the vacuolar cells were reduced,and the tissue edema was reduced;the ATP content in the bladder tissue was decreased,the positive expression rate of p-AMPK was increased,the positive expression rate of Cx43 and C-kit were decreased,the protein expressions of p-AMPK protein was increased,the expression of Cx43 and C-kit were decreased,and the mRNA expression of Cx43 and C-kit were decreased(P<0.05).Compared with the Yiyuan moxibustion+inhibitor group,the maximum bladder capacity and bladder compliance of the rats in the Yiyuan moxibustion group increased,the leak point pressure decreased,the cells in the Yiyuan moxibustion group were arranged more closely and the tissue edema was reduced;the ATP content in the bladder tissue decreased,the positive expression rate of p-AMPK increased,the positive expression rates of Cx43 and C-kit decreased,the protein expression of p-AMPK increased,the protein expressions of Cx43 and C-kit decreased,and the mRNA expressions of Cx43 and C-kit decreased(P<0.05).Conclusion Yiyuan moxibustion can improve the urinary storage function of NB rats after suprasacral SCI,and its mechanism may be related to activating the AMPK-Cx43 pathway in bladder tissue,reducing the excitation transmission between bladder detrusor cells,thereby reducing the frequency of smooth muscle contraction.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of water extract of Mori Folium （MLE） on oxidative stress in adipose tissue of type 2 diabetes mellitus （T2DM） mice and explore its mechanism. MethodTwenty-four male db/db mice were randomly divided into model group， metformin group， low-dose MLE （MLE-L） group， and high-dose MLE （MLE-H） group according to their body weight and blood glucose， with six mice in each group， and other six C57BLKS/JGpt wild littermate mice were selected as normal group. The mice in the metformin group were given 200 mg·kg^-1 metformin suspension， and the mice in the MLE-L and MLE-H groups were respectively given 2 g·kg^-1 and 4 g·kg^-1 MLE， while the mice in the normal group and model group were given the same dose of deionized water by daily gavage for eight weeks. Body weight， subcutaneous fat index， fasting blood glucose （FBG）， and oral glucose tolerance level （OGTT） of the mice were detected， and serum superoxide dismutase （SOD）， glutathione peroxidase （GSH-Px）， and malondialdehyde （MDA） were measured. The expression levels of silent information regulator 1 （SIRT1） and NADPH oxidase type 4 （NOX4） protein in subcutaneous adipose tissue of the mice were detected by Western blot. ResultThe FBG level， OGTT， and subcutaneous fat index of T2DM mice were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01） after administration of MLE compared with the blank group. The contents of serum SOD and GSH were significantly increased， while the level of oxidative stress damage marker MDA was significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The expression of SIRT1 protein in adipose tissue was significantly increased， while the expression of NOX4 protein was significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionMLE can ameliorate T2DM by alleviating oxidative stress in adipose tissue of T2DM mice and reducing blood glucose.

ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effects of Mori Folium extract （MLE） on the kidney of db/db diabetic mice and its mechanism. MethodTwenty-four male C57BLKS/JGpt-Leprdb/Leprdb （db/db） mice were randomly divided into model group， metformin group， low-dose group of MLE （MLE-L）， and high-dose group of MLE （MLE-H） according to their fasting blood glucose （FBG）， with six mice in each group， and other six C57BLKS/JGpt wild littermate （m/m） mice were selected as normal group. The mice in the drug administration groups were given corresponding drugs by gavage， and the mice in the normal group and model group were given the same dose of deionized water by gavage once a day for continuous eight weeks. Body weight， bilateral kidney weight， and FBG were measured， and an oral glucose tolerance test （OGTT） was performed. The pathological changes in the kidney tissue of mice were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） and periodic acid-silver （PAS） staining， and serum creatinine （SCr） and blood urea nitrogen （BUN） levels were detected. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha （TNF-α） and interleukin-6 （IL-6） in serum and urinary microalbumin （U-mAlb） of mice. The expression levels of toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）， myeloid differentiation factor 88 （MyD88）， and nuclear factor-kappa B p65 （NF-κB p65） protein in kidney tissue of mice were tested by Western blot. ResultCompared with the normal group， the body weight， absolute renal weight， FBG， and the area under the curve （AUC） of OGTT of mice in the model group were significantly increased （P<0.01）， and the levels of SCr， BUN， and U-mAlb， as well as TNF-α and IL-6 in serum were significantly increased （P<0.01）. The glomerular basement membrane in the kidney tissue of mice was thicker， with obvious inflammatory cell infiltration. The protein expression levels of TLR4， MyD88， and NF-κB p65 in the kidney tissue of mice were increased significantly （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， there was no statistical difference in the body weight of mice in each drug administration group. The absolute renal weight of mice in the MLE-H and metformin groups was significantly reduced （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The FBG levels of mice in the metformin， MLE-L， and MLE-H groups started to decrease after treatment for four to eight weeks （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The AUC of mice in the MLE-H and metformin groups was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The levels of SCr， BUN， and U-mAlb of mice in the MLE-H and metformin groups were significantly decreased （P<0.01）， and those of SCr and U-mAlb of mice in the MLE-L group were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in the serum of mice in the MLE-H and metformin groups were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The renal tissue pathology of mice in each drug administration group was improved to varying degrees， and the protein expression levels of TLR4， MyD88， and NF-κB p65 in the MLE-H group were decreased significantly （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionMLE can improve the renal structure and function of db/db diabetic mice， and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Mori Folium， the dried leaves of Morus alba， is widely used in clinical practice for dispersing wind and heat， clearing the lung and moistening dryness， soothing the liver and improving vision， and cooling blood and stopping bleeding. It has been used to regulate blood glucose since ancient times， and modern studies have shown that the active components of Mori Folium for lowering blood glucose mainly include flavonoids， alkaloids， polysaccharides， and phenols. These components are mainly extracted by solvents such as water and alcohols with the assistance of ultrasound and microwave. In addition， new extraction methods are emerging， such as CO₂ supercritical fluid extraction， enzymatic hydrolysis， and cloud point extraction. Mori Folium lowers blood glucose via multiple components， pathways， and targets. Specifically， it can improve glucose and lipid metabolism， protect pancreatic β cells， and alleviate insulin resistance to reduce the damage caused by hyperglycemia and restore normal physiological functions. Although a large number of studies have been carried out on diabetes， the causes and radical treatment methods remain to be explored， and diabetes is still a major disease that endangers human health and needs to be solved urgently. The articles about extraction process and mechanism of active components in Mori Folium for lowering blood glucose were retrieved from the China National Knowledge Infrastructure （CNKI）， Web of Science， and PubMed. We analyzed the applicable extraction methods for the blood glucose-lowering components such as flavonoids， polysaccharides， and alkaloids in Mori Folium， and compared the conventional and emerging methods. Furthermore， we summarized our research achievements in the extraction of active components from Mori Folium and the blood glucose-lowering effect and mechanisms. This review aims to provide theoretical support for the optimization of the extraction process， the research on the blood glucose-lowering components and mechanism， and the development of new drugs and clinical application of Mori Folium.

BACKGROUND:Cell death and neuroinflammation are two important targets in the treatment of spinal cord injury.Pyroptosis is a programmed cell death closely related to neuroinflammation and targeted inhibition of pyroptosis after spinal cord injury is a promising therapeutic strategy. OBJECTIVE:To summarize the molecular mechanism,positive and negative regulatory factors and therapeutic strategies of pyroptosis in spinal cord injury. METHODS:The search terms were"spinal cord injury,pyroptosis,nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3),Caspase,Gasdermin D(GSDMD),IL-1β,IL-18"and 93 English literatures included in PubMed and Web of Science were finally selected for review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:As a newly discovered programmed cell death,pyroptosis has been shown to play an important role in the secondary injury stage after spinal cord injury.Among the regulatory factors of pyroptosis after spinal cord injury,CD73,NRF2,GDF-11,dopamine,FANCC and miR-423-5P could inhibit pyroptosis,while TLR4 and Aopps could promote pyroptosis.In terms of treatment,the active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine(paeonol,tripterine,betulinic acid,piperine,kaempferol,and camptothecin),exosomes of various cell origins,and some drugs(metformin,topotecan,lithium,zinc,and carbon monoxide-releasing molecule 3)can effectively inhibit pyroptosis and reduce secondary spinal cord injury,but the toxicity and specific dose of these drugs need to be further studied.The specific molecular mechanism by which pyroptosis aggravates spinal cord injury is still poorly understood.The role of non-classical pathways and other inflammasomes is worth further exploration.At present,the research on pyroptosis after spinal cord injury only stays at the animal experiment stage.There are no related clinical studies and no approved targeted therapeutic drugs.(6)The application of pyroptosis after spinal cord injury has great potential,and its specific regulatory mechanism should be further studied in the future to provide a new target for the treatment of spinal cord injury.

Objective:To explore the effects of estrogen receptor α (ERα) encoded by protein encoding gene ESR1 on the radiation resistance of breast cancer cells and their molecular mechanisms.Methods:The ESR1 overexpression plasmid was transfected into estrogen receptor (ER)-negative breast cancer cells. Then, the shRNA-ESR1 vector was introduced into ER-positive cell to establish models with different phenotype. The ATG5 mRNA level and protein expression levels of LC3B-I, LC3B-II, P62, FIP200, ATG5, ATG7, ATG12, Beclin1, ULK1 were detected using qPCR and Western blot techniques. Cell death was measured using flow cytometry. The radiation sensitivity was determined through the colony formation assay. The mortality of breast cancer cells under the autophagy gene knockdown and overexpression or treated with estrogen receptor inhibitor (TAM) combined with ionizing radiation were detected by trypan blue staining.Results:Under the condition of 8 Gy X-ray irradiation, the knockdown of ESR1 in ER-positive ZR75 breast cancer cells promoted cell death ( t = 3.49, 3.13, P < 0.05), while the overexpression of ESR1 in ER-negative MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells inhibited cell death ( t = 4.16, 7.48, P < 0.05). Compared to the control group, the treatment with chloroquine increased the number of formed colonies of ESR1 knockdown ZR75 cells ( t = 8.49, P < 0.05), and inhibiting autophagy could reduce the death of ZR75 cells caused by ESR1 silencing. Under the treatment with ionizing radiation, the overexpression of ESR1 in MDA-MB-231 cells promoted protective autophagy, which, however, was reduced after ESR1 knockdown in ZR75 cells. Furthermore, it was observed that the knockdown of ATG5 in ZR75 cells was associated with reduced autophagy and an increase in cell death ( t = 4.19, 6.39, P < 0.05). In contrast, the overexpression of ATG5 in ZR75 cells reversed the increase in cell death caused by ESR1 knockdown ( t = 1.70, 4.65, P < 0.05). After the treatment of ER-positive ZR75 breast cancer cells with TAM, the expressions of ATG5 and ATG12 decreased, suggesting inhibited autophagy and an increase in cell death ( t = 18.70, P < 0.05). Furthermore, these processes were promoted by ionizing radiation ( t = 16.82, P < 0.05). Conclusions:The estrogen receptor encoded by ESR1 promotes protective autophagy of ER-positive breast cancer cells by increasing ATG5, further leading to radiation resistance in ER-positive breast cancer cells. Treatment with tamoxifen combined with ionizing radiation can increase the radiation sensitivity of ER-positive breast cancer cells.

Objective　To explore the characteristics of toxic heavy metal pollution in atmospheric PM2.5 (Particulate matter 2.5) during winter in Nanning City and to evaluate the health risks for the population. Methods　Atmospheric PM2.5 samples were continuously collected in the urban areas of Nanning from January to February 2019. The concentrations of seven toxic heavy metals, including cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), mercury (Hg), and manganese (Mn) in atmospheric PM2.5 were analyzed by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. The pollution characteristics of toxic heavy metals were studied by geo-accumulation index and enrichment factor methods, and their health risks to children and adults were assessed using the health risk assessment model of the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Results　The mass concentration of atmospheric PM2.5 in Nanning in winter 2019 was (44±29) μg/m3, which was generally at a low level. Different degrees of pollution were found for Hg, Cd, As, Cr, and Pb in PM2.5, with Hg and Cd being more seriously polluted. Hg and Cd were highly enriched in PM2.5, followed by Pb with moderate enrichment. These three elements mainly originated from man-made pollution. As, Cr and Ni were mildly enriched and affected by both natural and anthropogenic sources. The non-carcinogenic risks were in the order of As>Pb>Hg>Cr>Cd>Mn>Ni. The total non-carcinogenic risks for the three populations were all less than 1, which is within acceptable limits. The carcinogenic risks were ranked as Cr>As>Cd>Ni, with Cr, As, and Cd posing carcinogenic risks to children and adults ranging from 1×10-6 to 1×10-4. Moreover, the total carcinogenic risks of heavy metals (Cr, As, Cd, and Ni) were higher than 1×10-4 for children, indicating a potential carcinogenic risk. Conclusions　The mass concentration of PM2.5 and heavy metal elements in Nanning City during the winter of 2019 was relatively low, but the pollution of heavy metals still exists. The non-carcinogenic risk of heavy metals is within an acceptable range, but the carcinogenic risk poses a potential danger to children.

Objective:To investigate the effect of immune checkpoint inhibitors on reducing residual lymph node metastasis in patients with gastric cancer.Methods:The cohort of this retrospective study comprised patients from Nanfang Hospital of Southern Medical University and the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University who had undergone systemic treatment prior to gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy and had achieved Grade 1 primary tumor regression (TRG1) from January 2014 to December 2023. After exclusion of patients who had undergone preoperative radiotherapy, data of 58 patients (Nanfang Hospital: 46; First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University: 12) were analyzed. These patients were allocated to preoperative chemotherapy (Chemotherapy group, N=36 cases) and preoperative immunotherapy plus chemotherapy groups (Immunotherapy group, N=22 cases). There were no significant differences between these groups in sex, age, body mass index, diabetes, tumor location, pathological type, Lauren classification, tumor differentiation, pretreatment depth of invasion by primary tumor, pretreatment lymph node stage, pretreatment clinical stage, mismatch repair protein status, number of preoperative treatment cycles, or duration of preoperative treatment (all P>0.05). The primary outcome measure was postoperative lymph node downstaging. Secondary outcomes included postoperative depth of invasion by tumor, number of lymph nodes examined, and factors affecting residual lymph node metastasis status. Results:Lymph node downstaging was achieved significantly more often in the Immunotherapy group than the Chemotherapy group (pN0: 90.9% [20/22] vs. 61.1% [22/36]; pN1: 4.5% [1/22] vs. 36.1% [13/36]; pN2: 4.5% [1/22) vs. 0; pN3: 0 vs. 2.8% [1/36], Z=-2.315, P=0.021). There were no significant difference between the two groups in number of lymph nodes examined (40.5±16.3 vs. 40.8±17.5, t=0.076, P=0.940) or postoperative depth of invasion by primary tumor (pT1a: 50.0% [11/22] vs. 30.6% [11/36]; pT1b: 13.6% [3/22] vs. 19.4% [7/36]; pT2: 13.6% [3/22] vs. 13.9% [5/36]; pT3: 13.6% [3/22] vs. 25.0% [9/36]; pT4a: 9.1% [2/22] vs. 11.1% [4/36], Z=-1.331, P=0.183). Univariate analysis revealed that both preoperative treatment regimens were associated with residual lymph node metastasis status in patients whose primary tumor regression was TRG1 (χ 2=6.070, P=0.014). Multivariate analysis incorporated the following factors: pretreatment depth of invasion by primary tumor, pretreatment lymph node stage, pretreatment clinical stage, number of preoperative treatment cycles, and preoperative treatment duration. We found that a combination of immunotherapy and chemotherapy administered preoperatively was an independent protective factor for reducing residual lymph node metastases in study patients whose primary tumor regression was TRG1 (OR=0.147, 95%CI: 0.026–0.828, P=0.030). Conclusion:Compared with preoperative chemotherapy alone, a combination of preoperative immunotherapy and chemotherapy achieved greater reduction of residual lymph node metastases in the study patients who achieved TRG1 tumor regression in their primary lesions.