OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects and potential mechanism of Qiangxin decoction on mitochondrion of rats with chronic heart failure （CHF）. METHODS The CHF model was established by ligating the left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery. Modeled rats were divided into model group， Qiangxin decoction low-dose and high-dose groups （12.25， 24.50 g/kg， calculated by crude drug）， and chemical medicine group （Sacubitril valsartan sodium tablets， 10.42 mg/kg）， with 10 rats in each group； control group was set up without treatment. Each group of rats was orally administered with the corresponding medication or normal saline twice a day for 28 consecutive days. After the last medication， the contents of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide （NT-proBNP） and adenosine triphosphate （ATP） in serum and phosphatidic acid （PA） and cardiolipin （CL） in myocardial tissue were all detected； the pathological damage and collagen fibrosis of rat myocardial tissue were observed； the apoptosis of myocardial cells was determined； the ultrastructure of myocardial tissue was observed； the protein expressions of mitofusin 1 （Mfn1）， Mfn2， optic atrophy protein 1 （OPA1） and dynamin-related protein 1 （Drp1） were all detected in myocardial tissue. RESULTS Compared with control group，the serum content of NT-proBNP， apoptotic rate of myocardial cells， and relative expressions of S-OPA1 and Drp1 proteins were all increased significantly； serum content of ATP，contents of PA and CL， and relative expressions of Mfn1， Mfn2 and L-OPA1 proteins were all significantly reduced （P＜0.05）. There were abnormal membrane tissue structure in various layers of myocardial tissue， degeneration and necrosis of myocardial cells， and severe fibrosis； the mitochondria were swollen， with reduced or absent cristae， and uneven matrix density. After intervention with Qiangxin decoction， the levels of the aforementioned quantitative indicators in serum and myocardial tissue of rats （excluding CL content in the Qiangxin decoction low- dose group） were significantly reversed （P＜0.05）； the pathological damage of myocardial tissue had significantly improved， fibrosis had significantly reduced， mitochondrial morphology tended to be normal， cristae had increased， and matrix density was uniform. CONCLUSIONS Qiangxin decoction can regulate myocardial mitochondrial function and structural integrity of CHF rats， thereby improving myocardial energy metabolism and antagonizing myocardial fibrosis， the mechanism of which may be associated with activating PA/Mfn/CL signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects and potential mechanism of Qiangxin decoction on mitochondrion of rats with chronic heart failure （CHF）. METHODS The CHF model was established by ligating the left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery. Modeled rats were divided into model group， Qiangxin decoction low-dose and high-dose groups （12.25， 24.50 g/kg， calculated by crude drug）， and chemical medicine group （Sacubitril valsartan sodium tablets， 10.42 mg/kg）， with 10 rats in each group； control group was set up without treatment. Each group of rats was orally administered with the corresponding medication or normal saline twice a day for 28 consecutive days. After the last medication， the contents of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide （NT-proBNP） and adenosine triphosphate （ATP） in serum and phosphatidic acid （PA） and cardiolipin （CL） in myocardial tissue were all detected； the pathological damage and collagen fibrosis of rat myocardial tissue were observed； the apoptosis of myocardial cells was determined； the ultrastructure of myocardial tissue was observed； the protein expressions of mitofusin 1 （Mfn1）， Mfn2， optic atrophy protein 1 （OPA1） and dynamin-related protein 1 （Drp1） were all detected in myocardial tissue. RESULTS Compared with control group，the serum content of NT-proBNP， apoptotic rate of myocardial cells， and relative expressions of S-OPA1 and Drp1 proteins were all increased significantly； serum content of ATP，contents of PA and CL， and relative expressions of Mfn1， Mfn2 and L-OPA1 proteins were all significantly reduced （P＜0.05）. There were abnormal membrane tissue structure in various layers of myocardial tissue， degeneration and necrosis of myocardial cells， and severe fibrosis； the mitochondria were swollen， with reduced or absent cristae， and uneven matrix density. After intervention with Qiangxin decoction， the levels of the aforementioned quantitative indicators in serum and myocardial tissue of rats （excluding CL content in the Qiangxin decoction low- dose group） were significantly reversed （P＜0.05）； the pathological damage of myocardial tissue had significantly improved， fibrosis had significantly reduced， mitochondrial morphology tended to be normal， cristae had increased， and matrix density was uniform. CONCLUSIONS Qiangxin decoction can regulate myocardial mitochondrial function and structural integrity of CHF rats， thereby improving myocardial energy metabolism and antagonizing myocardial fibrosis， the mechanism of which may be associated with activating PA/Mfn/CL signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of Qiangxin decoction on myocardial mitochondrial and energy metabolism in rats with chronic heart failure （CHF） based on mitophagy. METHODS Male SD rats were collected to establish CHF model by ligating the left anterior descending branch of coronary artery. The successful modeling rats were divided into model group， Qiangxin decoction group [12.25 g/（kg·d）， calculated by crude drug]， captopril group [10.38 mg/（kg·d）]， and Qiangxin decoction+captopril group （the same usage and dosage as single drug group） according to a random number table method， with 8 rats in each group. Another 8 normal rats were selected and received threading in the left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery without ligation as the sham operation group. Starting from the second day after successful modeling， the rats in administration groups were given relevant drug intragastrically， twice a day， for consecutive 28 days. After the last medication， the levels of adenosine triphosphate （ATP）， adenosine monophosphate （AMP） and free fatty acid （FFA） in infarcted myocardial tissues were detected， the pathological changes and mitochondrial morphology of the infarcted myocardial tissue were observed， as well as the protein expressions of B cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）， Bcl-2 related X protein （Bax）， TANK-binding kinase 1 （TBK1）， p62 were detected in each group. RESULTS Compared with the sham operation group， the infarcted myocardial tissue fibrosis was changed evidently， with a large number of mitochondrial swelling and fusion， and internal cristae rupture； the levels of AMP and FFA， the protein expressions of Bax and p62 were all increased or up-regulated significantly in infarcted myocardial tissue， while the level of ATP， and the protein expressions of Bcl-2 and TBK1 were all decreased or down-regulated significantly （P＜0.05）. Compared with the model group， the pathological changes of infarcted myocardial tissue and mitochondrial swelling had been improved； the levels of AMP and FFA， and the protein expressions of Bax and p62 in infarcted myocardial tissue were significantly decreased or down-regulated in administration groups， while the level of ATP， and the protein expressions of Bcl-2 and TBK1 were increased or up-regulated significantly （P＜0.05）. And the effect of Qiangxin decoction+captopril group was better than that of single drug group. CONCLUSIONS Qiangxin decoction can alleviate myocardial fibrosis and mitochondrial swelling in CHF rats， and improve their myocardial energy metabolism， which may be related to regulating the expression of Bcl-2， Bax， TBK1 and p62 proteins and promoting myocardial mitophagy.

Objective To systematically review the efficacy and safety of denosemab and zoledronic acid in patients with solid tumors bone metastases and multiple myeloma.Methods Pubmed,Embase,Cochrane Library,Web of Science,CNKI,WanFang Data and VIP databases were electronically searched for randomized controlled trials(RCTs)related to denosemab and zoledronic acid in the solid tumors bone metastases and multiple myeloma from inception to November 21,2023.Two reviewers independently screened literature,extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of included studies,and Meta-analysis was performed by using RevMan 5.3 software.Results A total of 5 RCTs,involving 8 957 patients were included.The results of Meta-analysis showed that denosumab was effective in delaying the time to first bone-related event(SRE)(HR=0.85,95％CI 0.80 to 0.92,P＜0.001)and the time to first and subsequent SRE time(HR=0.87,95％CI 0.79 to 0.96,P=0.004)were superior to zoledronic acid.Denosumab had lower incidence of nephrotoxicity(RR=0.70,95％CI 0.58 to 0.85,P＜0.001),acute phase response(RR=0.46,95％CI 0.40 to 0.51,P＜0.001),anemia(RR=0.91,95％CI 0.85 to 0.98,P=0.008)and appetite decreased/anorexia(RR=0.89,95％CI 0.81 to 0.98,P=0.02),but the incidence of hypocalcemia was higher(RR=1.72,95％CI 1.49 to 1.99,P＜0.001).There were no significant differences between denosumab and zoledronic acid in terms of overall survival,time to disease progression,incidence of adverse events and serious adverse events(P＞0.05).Conclusion Current evidence shows that compared with zoledronic acid,denosemab can significantly delay SREs induced by solid tumors bone metastases and multiple myeloma.In terms of safety,the risk of denosemab-induced nephrotoxicity,acute phase reactions,anemia and decreased appetite/anorexia are lower,but the risk of denosemab-induced hypocalcemia is higher.

Apoptosis is an important means to regulate cell proliferation and maintain homeostasis. Recent researches have shown that the B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) family not only plays a dominant role in the regulation of normal cell apoptosis, but also plays a crucial role in the formation of tumor genesis, progression and subsequent drug resistance mediated by the escape mode of apoptosis. The phenomenon that BCL-2 family antagonized the apoptosis induced by antitumor drugs and then acquired drug resistance has been reported in the clinical treatment of hematologic lymphatic system tumors, breast cancer, lung cancer, gastric cancer and other diseases. Thus, specific inhibitors targeting anti-apoptotic members of the BCL-2 family have emerged with the development of research. In this paper, we systematically reviewed the regulation of apoptosis mediated by BCL-2 family and the drug resistance mediated by BCL-2 family. Meanwhile, we summarized the research advances of BCL-2 family specific inhibitors to provide new strategy for solving the problems on tumor therapeutic resistance and for finding new therapeutic targets in the future.

Artemisinin is a sesquiterpene lactone containing a peroxide group isolated from the plant Artemisia annua. It has antimalarial activity and is effective for the treatment of malaria. With the deepening of research on artemisinin， the pharmacological effects of artemisinin and its derivatives in other systems have gradually become a research hotspot. This article reviews the research progress of artemisinin and its derivatives in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Artemisinin and its derivatives in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease have shown anti-atherosclerosis， lipid- lowering， inhibition of vascular remodeling， reducing vascular pressure， improving ventricular remodeling， anti-arrhythmia， protection of vascular endothelium， prevention and treatment of diabetic cardiovascular complications and protection of myocardial cells and other pharmacological effects. It provides a new treatment strategy for common cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension， arrhythmia， coronary heart disease complications after stent implantation， hyperlipidemia， etc. However， there are few studies on the antiplatelet aggregation and antithrombotic effects of artemisinin and its derivatives， the molecular mechanisms behind many pharmacological effects have not yet been clarified， and there is little clinical application. A large number of basic studies and clinical trials are still needed to answer these questions.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Guben Jiedu prescription （GBJ） on the epithelial-mesenchymal transition （EMT） of lung cancer A549 cells and to explore the mechanism based on phosphoinositide 3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt） signaling pathway. MethodThe GBJ-medicated serum was prepared. Cell viability was detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium （MTT） assay to screen the optimal doses of GBJ-medicated serum for further experiment. A549 cells were classified into normal serum group， low-， medium-， and high-dose GBJ-medicated serum groups （2.5%， 5%， and 10% GBJ-medicated serum）， PI3K/Akt pathway activator SC79 group， and high-dose GBJ-medicated serum + SC79 group. Cell migration ability was measured by wound-healing assay. The protein expression of E-cadherin， N-cadherin， vimentin， Akt， phosphorylated Akt （p-Akt）， glycogen synthase kinase-3β （GSK-3β）， and phosphorylated GSK-3β （p-GSK-3β） was detected by Western blotting， and the mRNA expression of N-cadherin and vimentin by Real-time PCR. ResultCompared with the normal serum， GBJ-medicated serum （2.5%， 5%， 10%， 20%， 40%） decreased the viability of A549 cells （P<0.05）， and 10%， 5%， 2.5% GBJ-medicated serum was respectively selected for the follow-up experiment. The migration ability of cells in the high-， medium-， and low-dose GBJ-medicated serum groups was lower than that in the normal serum group. The expression of N-cadherin mRNA and Vimentin mRNA in A549 cells in the three GBJ-medicated serum groups was significantly lower than that in the normal serum group （P<0.01）. The protein expression of E-cadherin was higher in the high- and medium-dose GBJ-medicated serum groups than in the normal serum group （P<0.01）. The three GBJ-medicated serum groups showed lower protein expression of N-cadherin， vimentin， p-Akt， and p-GSK-3β （P<0.01） and lower expression of p-Akt/Akt， p-GSK-3β/GSK-3β （P<0.05， P<0.01） than normal serum group. Compared with the SC79 group， the high-dose GBJ-medicated serum group demonstrated high protein expression of E-cadherin （P<0.01） and low expression of N-cadherin， vimentin， p-Akt， p-GSK-3β， and p-Akt/Akt， p-GSK-3β/GSK-3β （P<0.01）. Compared with the high-dose GBJ-medicated serum group， high-dose GBJ-medicated serum + SC79 group showed low protein expression of E-cadherin （P<0.01） and high protein expression of N-cadherin， vimentin， p-Akt， p-GSK-3β， p-Akt/Akt， and p-GSK-3β/GSK-3β （P<0.01）. ConclusionGBJ can inhibit the migration and EMT of lung cancer A549 cells by regulating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Objective:To study the expressions of heat shock protein (HSP) 90α and HSP90β in colorectal cancer and paracancer tissues, and to investigate the relationships between HSP90α, HSP90β and clinicopathological features of colorectal cancer patients, and to analyze their correlation.Methods:The tumor tissues and paracancer tissues of 117 patients with colorectal cancer were selected from the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Third Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University from January 2016 to December 2020. The expression levels of HSP90α and HSP90β were detected by immunohistochemistry, and the relationships between the two proteins and clinicopathological features and the correlation of their expressions were analyzed.Results:The positive expression rates of HSP90α in colorectal cancer tissues and paracancer tissues were 74.4% (87/117) and 12.0% (14/117) , and there was a statistically significant difference ( χ2=92.83, P<0.001) . The positive expression rate of HSP90β in colorectal cancer tissues and paracancer tissues was 61.5% (72/117) and 10.3% (12/117) , and there was a statistically significant difference ( χ2=66.86, P<0.001) . The expression of HSP90α was correlated with tumor location ( χ2=8.67, P=0.003) , vascular invasion ( χ2=8.68, P=0.003) , lymph node metastasis ( χ2=8.52, P=0.004) , T stage ( χ2=21.07, P<0.001) , N stage ( χ2=11.94, P=0.003) , M stage ( χ2=5.37, P=0.020) , pathological stage ( χ2=25.64, P<0.001) . The expression of HSP90β was correlated with lymph node metastasis ( χ2=4.03, P=0.045) , T stage ( χ2=11.09, P=0.007) , N stage ( χ2=6.56, P=0.038) , M stage ( χ2=12.43, P<0.001) , pathological stage ( χ2=17.34, P=0.001) . There was a positive correlation between the expressions of the two proteins in colorectal cancer tissues ( r=0.42, P<0.001) . Conclusion:The expressions of HSP90α and HSP90β in colorectal cancer tissues are significantly higher than those in paracancer tissues, and they are related to lymph node metastasis and pathological stage. There is a positive correlation between the two proteins, which may be involved in the occurrence and development of colorectal cancer and are expected to become new tumor markers.

Circular RNAs(circRNAs)are involved in various biological processes and disease pathogenesis.However,only a small number of functional circRNAs have been identified among hundreds of thousands of circRNA species,partly because most current methods are based on cir-cular junction counts and overlook the fact that a circRNA is formed from the host gene by back-splicing(BS).To distinguish the expression difference originating from BS or the host gene,we pre-sent differentially expressed back-splicing(DEBKS),a software program to streamline the discov-ery of differential BS events between two rRNA-depleted RNA sequencing(RNA-seq)sample groups.By applying to real and simulated data and employing RT-qPCR for validation,we demon-strate that DEBKS is efficient and accurate in detecting circRNAs with differential BS events between paired and unpaired sample groups.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is caused by infection with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which is spread primary via respiratory droplets and infects the lungs. Currently widely used cell lines and animals are unable to accurately mimic human physiological conditions because of the abnormal status of cell lines (transformed or cancer cells) and species differences between animals and humans. Organoids are stem cell-derived self-organized three-dimensional culture in vitro and model the physiological conditions of natural organs. Here we showed that SARS-CoV-2 infected and extensively replicated in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs)-derived lung organoids, including airway and alveolar organoids which covered the complete infection and spread route for SARS-CoV-2 within lungs. The infected cells were ciliated, club, and alveolar type 2 (AT2) cells, which were sequentially located from the proximal to the distal airway and terminal alveoli, respectively. Additionally, RNA-seq revealed early cell response to virus infection including an unexpected downregulation of the metabolic processes, especially lipid metabolism, in addition to the well-known upregulation of immune response. Further, Remdesivir and a human neutralizing antibody potently inhibited SARS-CoV-2 replication in lung organoids. Therefore, human lung organoids can serve as a pathophysiological model to investigate the underlying mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 infection and to discover and test therapeutic drugs for COVID-19.
Adenosine Monophosphate/therapeutic use* ; Alanine/therapeutic use* ; Alveolar Epithelial Cells/virology* ; Antibodies, Neutralizing/therapeutic use* ; COVID-19/virology* ; Down-Regulation ; Drug Discovery ; Human Embryonic Stem Cells/metabolism* ; Humans ; Immunity ; Lipid Metabolism ; Lung/virology* ; RNA, Viral/metabolism* ; SARS-CoV-2/physiology* ; Virus Replication/drug effects*