The etiology of nervous system diseases is complicated, posing significant harm to patients and often resulting in poor prognoses. In recent years, the role of dopaminergic system in nervous system diseases has attracted much attention, and its complex regulatory mechanism and therapeutic potential have been gradually revealed. This paper reviews the role of dopaminergic neurons, the neurotransmitter dopamine, dopamine receptors and dopamine transporters in neurological diseases (including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia), with a view to further elucidating the disease mechanism and providing new insights and strategies for the treatment of neurological diseases.
Humans ; Dopamine/metabolism* ; Nervous System Diseases/physiopathology* ; Parkinson Disease/physiopathology* ; Receptors, Dopamine/metabolism* ; Dopaminergic Neurons/physiology* ; Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins/metabolism* ; Alzheimer Disease/physiopathology* ; Schizophrenia/physiopathology* ; Animals

This study aimed to explore the pharmacological mechanism of Yourenji Capsules(YRJ) in improving osteoporosis by combining network pharmacology and proteomics technologies. The SD rats were randomly divided into a blank control group and a 700 mg·kg~(-1) YRJ group. The rats were subjected to gavage administration with the corresponding drugs, and the blank serum, drug-containing serum, and YRJ samples were compared using ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) to analyze the main components absorbed into blood. Network pharmacology analysis was conducted based on the YRJ components absorbed into blood to obtain related targets of the components and target genes involved in osteoporosis, and Venn diagrams were used to identify the intersection of drug action targets and disease targets. The STRING database was used for protein-protein interaction(PPI) network analysis of potential target proteins to construct a PPI network. Gene Ontology(GO) functional enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment were performed using Enrichr to investigate the potential mechanism of action of YRJ. Ovariectomy(OVX) was performed to establish a rat model of osteoporosis, and the rats were divided into a sham group, a model group, and a 700 mg·kg~(-1) YRJ group. The rats were given the corresponding drugs by gavage. The femurs of the rats were subjected to label-free proteomics analysis to detect differentially expressed proteins, and GO functional enrichment and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses were performed on the differentially expressed proteins. With the help of network pharmacology and proteomics results, the mechanism by which YRJ improves osteoporosis was predicted. The analysis of the YRJ components absorbed into blood revealed 23 bioactive components of YRJ, and network pharmacology results indicated that key targets involved include tumor necrosis factor(TNF), tumor protein p53(TP53), protein kinase(AKT1), and matrix metalloproteinase 9(MMP9). These targets are mainly involved in osteoclast differentiation, estrogen signaling pathways, and nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB) signaling pathways. Additionally, the proteomics analysis highlighted important pathways such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor(PPAR) signaling pathways, mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK) signaling pathways, and β-alanine metabolism. The combined approaches of network pharmacology and proteomics have revealed that the mechanism by which YRJ improves osteoporosis may be closely related to the regulation of inflammation, osteoblast, and osteoclast metabolic pathways. The main pathways involved include the NF-κB signaling pathways, MAPK signaling pathways, and PPAR signaling pathways, among others.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Osteoporosis/metabolism* ; Proteomics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Network Pharmacology ; Female ; Protein Interaction Maps/drug effects* ; Capsules ; Humans ; Signal Transduction/drug effects*

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the dynamic changes of glucocorticoid (GC) dose and the feasibility of GC discontinuation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients under the background of Chinese medicine (CM). METHODS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 1,196 RA patients enrolled in the China Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry of Patients with Chinese Medicine (CERTAIN) from September 1, 2019 to December 4, 2023, who initiated GC therapy. Participants were divided into the Western medicine (WM) and integrative medicine (IM, combination of CM and WM) groups based on medication regimen. Follow-up was performed at least every 3 months to assess dynamic changes in GC dose. Changes in GC dose were analyzed by generalized estimator equation, the probability of GC discontinuation was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curve, and predictors of GC discontinuation were analyzed by Cox regression. Patients with <12 months of follow-up were excluded for the sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: Among 1,196 patients (85.4% female; median age 56.4 years), 880 (73.6%) received IM. Over a median 12-month follow-up, 34.3% (410 cases) discontinued GC, with significantly higher rates in the IM group (40.8% vs. 16.1% in WM; P<0.05). GC dose declined progressively, with IM patients demonstrating faster reductions (median 3.75 mg vs. 5.00 mg in WM at 12 months; P<0.05). Multivariate Cox analysis identified age <60 years [P<0.001, hazard ratios (HR)=2.142, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.523-3.012], IM therapy (P=0.001, HR=2.175, 95% CI: 1.369-3.456), baseline GC dose ⩽7.5 mg (P=0.003, HR=1.637, 95% CI: 1.177-2.275), and absence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use (P=0.001, HR=2.546, 95% CI: 1.432-4.527) as significant predictors of GC discontinuation. Sensitivity analysis (545 cases) confirmed these findings. CONCLUSIONS RA patients receiving CM face difficulties in following guideline-recommended GC discontinuation protocols. IM can promote GC discontinuation and is a promising strategy to reduce GC dependency in RA management. (Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT05219214).
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Retrospective Studies

The transcription factor HOXB13 plays crucial roles in cancer development. HOXB13 is abnormally expressed in most cancers, which makes it a valuable therapeutic target for cancer therapy. The level of HOXB13 differs significantly between healthy and cancer tissues, which indicates that the level of HOXB13 is closely related to carcinogenesis. The regulatory network mediated by HOXB13 in cancer proliferation, metastasis, and invasion has been systematically investigated. Moreover, HOXB13 variants play distinct roles in different cancers and populations. By understanding the molecular mechanisms and mutation features of HOXB13, we provide a comprehensive overview of carcinogenesis networks dependent on HOXB13. Finally, we discuss advancements in anticancer therapy targeting HOXB13 and the roles of HOXB13 in drug resistance to molecular-targeted therapies, which serves as a foundation for developing HOXB13-targeted drugs for clinical diagnosis and cancer therapies.
Humans ; Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Homeodomain Proteins/metabolism* ; Carcinogenesis/genetics* ; Mutation ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Molecular Targeted Therapy ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/genetics*

Gallbladder carcinoma,a relatively rare malignancy within the biliary tract,presents a grave prognosis primarily due to asymptomatic early stages leading to advanced stage diagnosis and the absence of efficacious treatment options.Research has identified chronic inflammation,predom-inantly caused by gallstones,as a critical etiological factor.While surgical intervention offers potential curative outcomes in early stages,the majority of cases are identified too late for optimal surgical outcomes.Chemotherapy and targeted therapy,despite offering new therapeutic avenues,have not significantly improved overall survival rates.Thus,understanding the pathogenesis of gallbladder cancer,especially its association with key genetic and molecular pathways,is imperative for devising novel therapeutic strategies.This review delineates the epidemiology,pathogenesis,current treat-ment modalities,and research advancements in gallbladder cancer,aiming to provide innovative in-sights for clinical management and guide future research endeavors.

Objective To observe the role of the renin-angiotensin system in myocardial injury induced by experi-mental vascular dementia.Methods Eighteen adult male rats were categorized into a normal group,sham group,and modified 2-vessel occlusion group(model).To assess the myocardial injury caused by experimental vascular dementia,immunostaining was conducted to evaluate the interstitial collagen fraction and myocyte cross-sectional ar-ea.The concentrations of angiotensin Ⅱ(Ang Ⅱ)and angiotensin 1-7(Ang1-7)in the serum,as well as the ex-pression levels of angiotensin converting enzyme(ACE),angiotensin converting enzyme 2(ACE2),Ang Ⅱ,Ang1-7,angiotensin type 1(AT1)receptor,and Mas receptor in the myocardium,were assessed.Results Modified 2-vessel occlusion led to pronounced cognitive dysfunction(P＜0.01)and myocardial injury(P＜0.000 1)when compared to the sham and normal groups.Additionally,modified 2-vessel occlusion induced significant upregulation of the ACE/Ang Ⅱ/AT1 receptor axis(P＜0.01)and downregulation of the ACE2/Ang1-7/Mas axis(P＜0.05)of the renin-angiotensin system in the myocardium.Conclusion Myocardial injury in rats with experimental vascu-lar dementia may be related to dysregulation of the renin-angiotensin system.

BACKGROUND:The landing error scoring system test is a standard for assessing the risk of non-contact injuries and has not yet been developed for Chinese college soccer programs. OBJECTIVE:To establish a test evaluation standard for the landing error scoring system to provide a basis for evaluating the risk of non-contact injuries in college soccer students. METHODS:A prospective cohort study was designed in which 219 athletes from 10 college soccer teams were tested with the standard landing error scoring system,and the subjects were followed up by questionnaires and medical examinations for non-contact injuries of the lower extremities and trunk for 1 year after testing to determine sex differences and assessment criteria for the landing error scoring system test indicators. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The total score of the landing error scoring system was(8.22±1.65)points for 219 subjects,(8.29±1.74)for males and(8.07±1.44)for females,with no significant difference between males and females(P>0.05).Within 1 year after the test,the overall injury rate of 219 subjects was 10.05%and the morbidity rate was 15.98%;the injury rate of male subjects with non-contact injury of the lower limbs and trunk was 12.75%and the morbidity rate was 20.13%;the injury rate of female subjects with non-contact injury of the lower limbs and trunk was 4.29%and the morbidity rate was 7.14%.There were no significant differences in the injury rate between men and women(P<0.05).The total score of the landing error scoring system was higher in the injury group than in the non-injury group[(9.50±1.14)vs.(8.08±1.64),P<0.01];for male subjects,the total score of the landing error scoring system was higher in the injury group than in the non-injury group[(9.63±1.12)vs.(8.09±1.73),P<0.01].The area under the curve for the total score of the landing error scoring system was 0.773(P=0.000),which had a diagnostic value for the risk of non-contact injury of the lower extremities and trunk in male subjects,with a best cut-off point of 8.5,sensitivity of 0.842,specificity of 0.623,positive likelihood ratio of 2.233,negative likelihood ratio of 0.254,relative risk factor of 8.400,and odds ratio of 8.816;the total score of the landing error scoring system was not applicable for assessing the risk of non-contact injury of the lower extremities and trunk in female subjects.To conclude,the landing error scoring system test can be used as a criterion to assess the risk of non-contact injury to the lower extremity and trunk in Chinese college male soccer players,with an optimal cut-off point of 8.5.The risk of non-contact injury to the lower extremity and trunk is 8.40 times higher in male athletes with a landing error scoring system test score of≥8.5 than in male athletes with a score of<8.5.

Bacterial biofilms gave rise to persistent infections and multi-organ failure, thereby posing a serious threat to human health. Biofilms were formed by cross-linking of hydrophobic extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), such as proteins, polysaccharides, and eDNA, which were synthesized by bacteria themselves after adhesion and colonization on biological surfaces. They had the characteristics of dense structure, high adhesiveness and low drug permeability, and had been found in many human organs or tissues, such as the brain, heart, liver, spleen, lungs, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, and skeleton. By releasing pro-inflammatory bacterial metabolites including endotoxins, exotoxins and interleukin, biofilms stimulated the body’s immune system to secrete inflammatory factors. These factors triggered local inflammation and chronic infections. Those were the key reason for the failure of traditional clinical drug therapy for infectious diseases.In order to cope with the increasingly severe drug-resistant infections, it was urgent to develop new therapeutic strategies for bacterial-biofilm eradication and anti-bacterial infections. Based on the nanoscale structure and biocompatible activity, nanobiomaterials had the advantages of specific targeting, intelligent delivery, high drug loading and low toxicity, which could realize efficient intervention and precise treatment of drug-resistant bacterial biofilms. This paper highlighted multiple strategies of biofilms eradication based on nanobiomaterials. For example, nanobiomaterials combined with EPS degrading enzymes could be used for targeted hydrolysis of bacterial biofilms, and effectively increased the drug enrichment within biofilms. By loading quorum sensing inhibitors, nanotechnology was also an effective strategy for eradicating bacterial biofilms and recovering the infectious symptoms. Nanobiomaterials could intervene the bacterial metabolism and break the bacterial survival homeostasis by blocking the uptake of nutrients. Moreover, energy-driven micro-nano robotics had shown excellent performance in active delivery and biofilm eradication. Micro-nano robots could penetrate physiological barriers by exogenous or endogenous driving modes such as by biological or chemical methods, ultrasound, and magnetic field, and deliver drugs to the infection sites accurately. Achieving this using conventional drugs was difficult. Overall, the paper described the biological properties and drug-resistant molecular mechanisms of bacterial biofilms, and highlighted therapeutic strategies from different perspectives by nanobiomaterials, such as dispersing bacterial mature biofilms, blocking quorum sensing, inhibiting bacterial metabolism, and energy driving penetration. In addition, we presented the key challenges still faced by nanobiomaterials in combating bacterial biofilm infections. Firstly, the dense structure of EPS caused biofilms spatial heterogeneity and metabolic heterogeneity, which created exacting requirements for the design, construction and preparation process of nanobiomaterials. Secondly, biofilm disruption carried the risk of spread and infection the pathogenic bacteria, which might lead to other infections. Finally, we emphasized the role of nanobiomaterials in the development trends and translational prospects in biofilm treatment.

Sesquiterpenes are natural terpenoids with 15 carbon atoms in the basic skeleton, which mainly exist in plant volatile oil and have important physiological and medicinal value. Cytochrome P450 (CYP450) is a kind of monooxygenase encoded by supergene family, which is one of the largest gene families in plants. It is involved in the synthesis and metabolism of terpenoids, alkaloids and other secondary metabolites. In the process of terpene biosynthesis, CYP450 participates in the post-modification stage of terpenes by introducing functional groups such as hydroxyl, carboxyl and carbonyl, which plays an important role in enriching the diversity of terpenes. The CYP450 enzymes involved in sesquiterpene synthesis and their substrate catalytic specificity mechanisms have been partially investigated. In this paper, the biosynthetic pathway of plant sesquiterpenes, the structure and classification of CYP450 enzymes were briefly introduced, and the CYP450 enzymes involved in sesquiterpene biosynthesis were summarized, in order to provide a reference for intensive study of the role of CYP450 enzymes in the synthesis of sesquiterpenoids.

Objective·To evaluate the quality of clinical practice guidelines of obstructive sleep apnea(OSA)published worldwide.Methods·The guidelines of OSA were retrieved in PubMed,Embase,China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI),Wanfang Data,SinoMed,MedSci,The Cochrane Library,and the websites such as Medlive,U.S.Preventive Services Task Force(USPSTF),National Institute for Health and Care Excellence(NICE),New Zealand Guidelines Group(NZGG),Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network(SIGN),and Guidelines International Network(GIN)from establishment to December 2022.Two reviewers screened the literature and extracted the main information independently,using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation Ⅱ(AGREE Ⅱ)and Reporting Items for Practice Guidelines in Healthcare(RIGHT)to evaluate the quality of the included OSA guidelines.Subgroup analysis was performed according to the publication regions of guidelines.The inter-evaluator consistency test was also performed and the results were expressed as the intra-class correlation coefficient(ICC).All the included guidelines were read entirely and the clinical questions they raised were summarized.Results·A total of 35 OSA guidelines were included.The ICC value of 0.975 showed a good inter-evaluator agreement.The results of AGREE Ⅱ showed that the average score of all guidelines was(63.60±16.45)%,with a minimum of 23.40%and a maximum of 91.67%.In the six domains,the scores of"Rigor of development"[(56.07±25.89)%]and"Applicability"[(53.57±15.52)%]were relative low.The average reporting rate of RIGHT of all the included guidelines was(67.84±20.03)%,with a minimum of 14.29%and a maximum of 94.29%,and the three domains with the lowest reporting rates were"Review and quality assurance"[(31.40±45.51)%],"Funding and conflict of interest declaration and management"[(56.43±33.95)%]and"Other aspects"[(56.19±36.85)%].Subgroup analysis showed that guidelines in Asian had a lower score in"Rigor of development"and a lower overall score of AGREE Ⅱ than the guidelines in America and Europe(both P<0.05),and the reporting rates in the domains of"Evidence"and"Other information"of RIGHT of the Asian guidelines were also lower than those in the guidelines in America and Europe(P<0.05).These guidelines focused on 42 clinical questions which were classified to 3 aspects,i.e.screening and diagnosis,treatment and long-term management of OSA.Conclusion·The quality of current global OSA guidelines varies a lot,and they need to be strengthened in terms of rigor of development,applicability,review and quality assurance,funding and conflict of interest declaration and management,especially those in Asia.