AIM:To explore the effect and mecha-nism of ethanol extract of Angelica sinensis(Oliv.)Diels(EEA)on cell proliferation and apoptosis in B16-F10 melanoma cells.METHODS:Cell viability was analyzed by MTT method.Cell proliferation was detected by colony formation assay.The invert-ed microscope was used to observe the changes of cell growth confluence and morphology.Hoechst 33342 staining was used to detect cell apoptosis.Flow cytometry(FCM)was used to detect cell cycle and apoptosis.Transmission electron microscopy(TEM)was used to observe the changes of cell mi-tochondrial structure.Western blot was used to de-tect the expression levels of cell cycle,apoptosis,mitochondrial biogenesis,and mitochondrial dy-namics-related proteins.RESULTS:Compared with the blank control group,the cell viability of B16-F10 melanoma cells was reduced after EEA(10-400μg/mL)treatment for 24 h and 48 h,respectively(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).The decreased cell growth conflu-ence,morphological changes such as shrinkage,rounding,and reduction in the volume,and apop-totic morphologic changes such as chromatin con-densation were observed after EEA(100 μg/mL and 200 μg/mL)treatment for 24 h.The number of cell clones was decreased after EEA(10-200 μg/mL)treatment for 14 d(P＜0.01).The morphology of mitochondria became more round and shorter,and the inner mitochondrial matrices were either damaged or absent after 200 μg/mL EEA treatment for 24 h.The ratio of cells in G0/G1 phase and the early apoptosis rate of cells were higher than those of the blank control group(P＜0.01)after EEA(20-200 μg/mL)treatment for 24 h.Western blot re-sults showed that compared with the blank control group,the protein expression levels of cleaved cas-pase-9,Bax,DRP1,and FIS1 were up-regulated(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),and the protein expression levels of cyclin D1,cyclin E,CDK2,CDK4,Bcl-2,Bad,Bcl-XL,SIRT1,PGC-1α,NRF1,TFAM,MFN2,and OPA1 were down-regulated(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).CONCLUSION:EEA has an inhibitory effect on the proliferation of B16-F10 melanoma cells,which may be related to the induction of G1/S cell cycle arrest and mito-chondrial apoptotic pathway,and the disruption of mitochondrial biogenesis and mitochondrial dy-namics.

Objective To explore the effects of different daily doses of methadone maintenance treatment(MMT)on subjective craving and brain function under drug cues among heroin addicts,providing an objective basis for the formulation of methadone medi-cation plan in clinical practice.Methods Twenty-nine heroin addicts were included and grouped according to the daily dose of metha-done 40 mg,≤40 mg/d group 15 participants(group A),>40 mg/d group 14 participants(group B).The functional magnetic reso-nance imaging(fMRI)data of brain response induced by drug cues were collected using a 3.0T MR scanner,and the craving data induced by drug cues in the subjects were collected.Brain activity and behavioral data processing were analyzed using SPM8 and SPSS 20.0 software.Results There were no statistically significant differences in craving scores between the two groups of subjects exposed to drug cues(t=-0.69,P>0.05).The brain regions with differences in brain response included the left caudate nucleus(group A showed signifi-cantly enhanced response),and the strength of its response was negatively correlated with the daily dose of methadone(r=-0.465,P=0.025).Conclusion Higher doses of MMT may help control the value cognitive processing of drug cues in heroin addicts through the caudate nucleus,which can better prevent relapse.In the future,the degree of activation of the caudate nucleus under drug cues may serve as an indicator for evaluating the effectiveness of methadone treatment.

Objective To verify the safety and effectiveness of a new percutaneous controllable curved plasma radiofrequency instrument for nucleus pulposus ablation. Methods A new percutaneous controllable curved plasma radiofrequency instrument were designed (controllable curved group), and its ablation effect was compared with the currently used straight head non-bendable plasma ablation instrument (non-bendable group) on gross specimens. The ablation instrument was placed through the right intervertebral foramen, and continuous ablation on the same intervertebral disc was conducted for three times. The ablation range and trajectory were recorded, and the temperature changes in the front, back, left, and right of the ablation center during and 15 seconds after ablation were monitored by the inserted temperature probe. Results There were no difference in temperature changes in the front, back, right regions of the ablation center during and 15 seconds after ablation between the two groups. The temperature changes in the left region of the ablation center both during and 15 seconds after 3rd ablation were larger than those in the non-bendable group (P＜0.01). Compared with the non-bendable group, the controllable curved group achieved angle control and larger single ablation area (2.282 5 mm² vs 1.135 8 mm², P＜0.000 1). Conclusions This new percutaneous controllable curved plasma ablation instrument can achieve angle control and ablation on the side opposite to the puncture site, increase ablation volume, and is safe.

ObjectiveTo analyze the epidemiological characteristics and influencing factors of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection by conducting follow-up investigations among community residents who experienced their first SARS-CoV-2 infection between March and June 2022, so as to provide a scientific basis for predicting future epidemic trends and adjusting prevention and control strategies. MethodsA cohort study was conducted in Xuhui District, Shanghai. A total of 1 208 individuals with a documented primary SARS-CoV-2 infection between March and June 2022 were enrolled and followed-up longitudinally. Data were collected using structured questionnaire surveys to assess the reinfection rate, incidence density, and clinical manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection. A logistic regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection. ResultsA total of 497 SARS-CoV-2 reinfection cases were observed among the 1 208 research subjects, with a reinfection rate of 41.14% and an incidence density of 0.63 cases per 1 000 person-days. The cumulative reinfection rates at 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18 months following the initial infection were 0.08%, 15.31%, 19.04%, 33.53%, and 38.25%, respectively. Compared with the primary infection, reinfection was more likely to be symptomatic, with a greater severity of fever, dry cough, sore throat, and runny nose. Being female, younger age, and symptom duration ≥7 days during the primary infection were identified as influencing factors for SARS-CoV-2 reinfection, while a higher socioeconomic status can reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection. ConclusionSARS-CoV-2 reinfection is relatively common and often symptomatic. Age, gender, income level, and the duration of symptoms during the primary infection are identified as infuencing factors for SARS-CoV-2 reinfection. Continuous monitoring of reinfection in the population is recommended, along with the development of effective strategies to mitigate the impact of reinfection.

Several types of arthritis share the common feature that the generation of inflammatory mediators leads to joint cartilage degradation. However, the shared mechanism is largely unknown. H2BK120ub1 was reportedly involved in various inflammatory diseases but its role in the shared mechanism in inflammatory joint conditions remains elusive. The present study demonstrated that levels of cartilage degradation, H2BK120ub1, and its regulator WW domain-containing adapter protein with coiled-coil (WAC) were increased in cartilage in human rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) patients as well as in experimental RA and OA mice. By regulating H2BK120ub1 and H3K27me3, WAC regulated the secretion of inflammatory and cartilage-degrading factors. WAC influenced the level of H3K27me3 by regulating nuclear entry of the H3K27 demethylase KDM6B, and acted as a key factor of the crosstalk between H2BK120ub1 and H3K27me3. The cartilage-specific knockout of WAC demonstrated the ability to alleviate cartilage degradation in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) and collagenase-induced osteoarthritis (CIOA) mice. Through molecular docking and dynamic simulation, doxercalciferol was found to inhibit WAC and the development of cartilage degradation in the CIA and CIOA models. Our study demonstrated that WAC is a key factor of cartilage degradation in arthritis, and targeting WAC by doxercalciferol could be a viable therapeutic strategy for treating cartilage destruction in several types of arthritis.

AIM:To explore the effect and mecha-nism of ethanol extract of Angelica sinensis(Oliv.)Diels(EEA)on cell proliferation and apoptosis in B16-F10 melanoma cells.METHODS:Cell viability was analyzed by MTT method.Cell proliferation was detected by colony formation assay.The invert-ed microscope was used to observe the changes of cell growth confluence and morphology.Hoechst 33342 staining was used to detect cell apoptosis.Flow cytometry(FCM)was used to detect cell cycle and apoptosis.Transmission electron microscopy(TEM)was used to observe the changes of cell mi-tochondrial structure.Western blot was used to de-tect the expression levels of cell cycle,apoptosis,mitochondrial biogenesis,and mitochondrial dy-namics-related proteins.RESULTS:Compared with the blank control group,the cell viability of B16-F10 melanoma cells was reduced after EEA(10-400μg/mL)treatment for 24 h and 48 h,respectively(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).The decreased cell growth conflu-ence,morphological changes such as shrinkage,rounding,and reduction in the volume,and apop-totic morphologic changes such as chromatin con-densation were observed after EEA(100 μg/mL and 200 μg/mL)treatment for 24 h.The number of cell clones was decreased after EEA(10-200 μg/mL)treatment for 14 d(P＜0.01).The morphology of mitochondria became more round and shorter,and the inner mitochondrial matrices were either damaged or absent after 200 μg/mL EEA treatment for 24 h.The ratio of cells in G0/G1 phase and the early apoptosis rate of cells were higher than those of the blank control group(P＜0.01)after EEA(20-200 μg/mL)treatment for 24 h.Western blot re-sults showed that compared with the blank control group,the protein expression levels of cleaved cas-pase-9,Bax,DRP1,and FIS1 were up-regulated(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),and the protein expression levels of cyclin D1,cyclin E,CDK2,CDK4,Bcl-2,Bad,Bcl-XL,SIRT1,PGC-1α,NRF1,TFAM,MFN2,and OPA1 were down-regulated(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).CONCLUSION:EEA has an inhibitory effect on the proliferation of B16-F10 melanoma cells,which may be related to the induction of G1/S cell cycle arrest and mito-chondrial apoptotic pathway,and the disruption of mitochondrial biogenesis and mitochondrial dy-namics.

Objective To explore the effects of different daily doses of methadone maintenance treatment(MMT)on subjective craving and brain function under drug cues among heroin addicts,providing an objective basis for the formulation of methadone medi-cation plan in clinical practice.Methods Twenty-nine heroin addicts were included and grouped according to the daily dose of metha-done 40 mg,≤40 mg/d group 15 participants(group A),>40 mg/d group 14 participants(group B).The functional magnetic reso-nance imaging(fMRI)data of brain response induced by drug cues were collected using a 3.0T MR scanner,and the craving data induced by drug cues in the subjects were collected.Brain activity and behavioral data processing were analyzed using SPM8 and SPSS 20.0 software.Results There were no statistically significant differences in craving scores between the two groups of subjects exposed to drug cues(t=-0.69,P>0.05).The brain regions with differences in brain response included the left caudate nucleus(group A showed signifi-cantly enhanced response),and the strength of its response was negatively correlated with the daily dose of methadone(r=-0.465,P=0.025).Conclusion Higher doses of MMT may help control the value cognitive processing of drug cues in heroin addicts through the caudate nucleus,which can better prevent relapse.In the future,the degree of activation of the caudate nucleus under drug cues may serve as an indicator for evaluating the effectiveness of methadone treatment.

ObjectiveTo analyze the epidemiological characteristics of long COVID and to investigate its main influencing factors by examining individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 between March and June 2022 in two communities in Shanghai, to lay the foundation for further research on the mechanism and clinical treatment of long COVID, and to provide the basis for the development of inexpensive, convenient, and feasible prevention and intervention strategies. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted, enrolling 6 410 individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2. Data were collected through a questionnaire survey. The incidence and common symptoms of long COVID were analyzed, along with their associations with demographic characteristics, medical history, and behavioral factors. A logistic regression model was used to identify the major factors associated with the development of long COVID symptoms. ResultsThe overall incidence rate of long COVID among the study population was 13.9%. The most commonly reported symptoms included fatigue (65.1%), attention disorders (23.1%), and cough (16.9%). The analysis showed that having underlying chronic diseases (OR=2.580, 95%CI: 2.165‒3.074), a history of allergies (OR=1.418, 95%CI: 1.003‒1.971), current smoking (OR=1.461, 95%CI: 1.013‒2.079), ever smoking (OR=2.462, 95%CI: 1.687‒3.551), a greater number of symptoms during the acute phase [1 symptom (OR=1.778, 95%CI: 1.459‒2.162), 2 symptoms (OR=2.749, 95%CI: 2.209‒3.409), ≥3 symptoms (OR=7.792, 95%CI: 6.333‒9.593)] and aggravated symptoms during the acute phase (OR=1.082, 95%CI: 1.070‒1.094) were factors associated with a higher risk of developing long COVID symptoms. Additionally, individuals who had consumed alcohol in the past year (OR=1.914, 95%CI: 1.344‒2.684) were more prone to objective long COVID symptoms. Among individuals under 50 years of age, females (OR=1.427, 95%CI: 1.052‒1.943) were more likely to develop objective long COVID symptoms. ConclusionThis study has identified the diversity of long COVID symptoms, which involve multiple organs and systems, including fatigue, attention disorders, cough, and joint pain. It has also revealed associations between long COVID and various demographic factors (e.g., age, gender), personal medical history (e.g., underlying chronic diseases, history of allergies), acute-phase characteristics (e.g., number and severity of symptoms), and behavioral factors (e.g., smoking, alcohol consumption). These findings highlight the need for further research and ongoing surveillance of long COVID and may inform the development of more targeted health management strategies for specific populations.

Inflammatory skin diseases(ISD)are characterized by persistent inflammatory cell infiltration and lingering and intractable skin lesions.At present,corticosteroids are the main drugs used in the treatment of ISD.However,due to the characteristics of recurrent and intractable ISD,long-term use of these hormone drugs may cause serious side effects in patients.In recent years,increasingly more studies are confirming that bee venom has significant anti-inflammatory,anti-apoptosis,anti-fibrosis,antibacterial,and other effects and could effectively treat ISD.In this paper,the main active components and anti-inflammatory mechanisms of bee venom are reviewed.The latest attempts to use bee venom for acne,atopic dermatitis,psoriasis,urticaria,and systemic lupus erythematosus are discussed,providing a reference for basic research and the clinical treatment of ISD.

Objective To observe the influencing factors of early hypocalcemia after microwave ablation(MWA)for treating secondary hyperparathyroidism(SHPT).Methods Data of 82 SHPT patients who underwent MWA were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were divided into hypocalcemia group(n=36)and non-hypocalcemia group(n=46)based on presence of early hypocalcemia after MWA or not.Patients'age,gender,body mass index(BMI),dialysis method,dialysis time and number of lesions were compared between groups,so were baseline blood calcium,blood phosphorus,intact parathyroid hormone(iPTH),alkaline phosphatase(ALP),hemoglobin,albumin,creatinine,uric acid and 2 5-hydroxy vitamin D3.Logistic analysis was performed to screen the influencing factors of early hypocalcemia after MWA.Results Significant differences of dialysis methods,number of lesions,blood calcium,iPTH and ALP were found between groups(all P＜0.05).Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the number of lesions,iPTH and ALP were all independent influencing factors of early hypocalcemia after MWA for treating SHPT(all P＜0.05).Conclusion The number of lesions,iPTH and ALP were influencing factors of early hypocalcemia after MWA for treating SHPT.