ObjectiveTo observe the changes in the levels of different subtypes of epidermal growth factor receptor （ErbB）， namely ErbB1， ErbB2， ErbB3， and ErbB4， in the spinal dorsal horn of inflammatory pain model rats， and to explore their mechanism of mediating hyperalgesia as well as the intervention mechanism of electroacupuncture at "Zusanli （ST 36）" and "Kunlun （BL 60）". MethodsThe study was divided into five parts. In experiment 1， 14 Sprague Dawley （SD） rats were randomly divided into control and inflammatory pain group （7 rats each group） to observe the pain behavior and the protein expression of different ErbB receptor subtypes in the spinal dorsal horn. In experiment 2， 30 rats were randomly divided into control group 1， inflammatory pain group 1， and low-， medium-， and high-concentration TX1-85-1 groups， with 6 rats in each group， to observe the effect of inhibiting spinal ErbB3 on inflammatory pain. In experiment 3， 12 rats were randomly divided into control virus group and ErbB3 knockdown virus group， with 6 rats in each group， to observe the effect of knocking down ErbB3 in the spinal dorsal horn on inflammatory pain. In experiment 4， 44 rats were randomly divided into control group 2， inflammatory pain group 2， electroacupuncture group， and sham electroacupuncture group， with 11 rats in each group， to observe the effect of electroacupuncture. In experiment 5， 40 rats were randomly divided into control group 3， inflammatory pain group 3， electroacupuncture group 1， and electroacupuncture + NRG1 group， with 10 rats in each group， to observe the effect of activating ErbB3 on electroacupuncture. A rat model of inflammatory pain was established by subcutaneous injection of 100 μl of complete Freund's adjuvant into the sole of the unilateral hind foot of SD rats. Rats in the low-， medium-， and high-concentration TX1-85-1 groups were intrathecally injected with ErbB3 inhibitor TX1-85-1 on day 5 to day 7 after modeling. Rats in the ErbB3 knockdown virus group were injected with ErbB3 knockdown virus packaged with adenovirus vector-based short hairpin RNA （shRNA） into the spinal dorsal horn in situ 3 weeks before modeling. Rats in each electroacupuncture group received electroacupuncture at bilateral "Zusanli （ST 36）" and "Kunlun （BL 60）" from day 1 to day 7 after modeling， with dense-sparse waves at a frequency of 2 Hz/100 Hz and a current of 0.5-1.5 mA for 30 minutes once a day. Rats in the electroacupuncture + NRG1 group were intrathecally injected with ErbB3 ligand recombinant human neuregulin-1 （NRG1） after electroacupuncture intervention from day 5 to day 7 after modeling. The mechanical withdrawal threshold and thermal withdrawal latency of rats were measured on day 1， 3， 5， and 7 after modeling to evaluate behavior， and Western Blot was used to detect the protein and phosphorylation levels of each ErbB subtype in the spinal dorsal horn. ResultsCompared with the control group， rats in the inflammatory pain group showed decreased mechanical withdrawal threshold and thermal withdrawal latency of rats， and increased expression of phosphorylated ErbB3 （p-ErbB3） protein in the spinal dorsal horn on days 1， 3， 5， and 7 after modeling （P＜0.01）. On day 5 and day 7 after modeling， compared with the inflammatory pain group 1， the mecha-nical withdrawal threshold and thermal withdrawal latency of rats in the medium- and high-concentration TX1-85-1 groups increased， and the expression of p-ErbB3 protein decreased （P＜0.05）. On day 1， 3， 5， and 7 after modeling， compared with the control virus group， the mechanical withdrawal threshold and thermal withdrawal latency of rats in the ErbB3 knockdown virus group increased （P＜0.05）. On day 5 and day 7 after modeling， compared with the inflammatory pain group 2 and the sham electroacupuncture group， the mechanical withdrawal threshold and thermal withdrawal latency of rats in the electroacupuncture group increased， and the expression of p-ErbB3 protein decreased （P＜0.05）. On day 5 and day 7 after modeling， compared with the electroacupuncture + NRG1 group， the mechanical withdrawal threshold and thermal withdrawal latency of rats in the electroacupuncture group 1 increased （P＜0.05）. ConclusionThe p-ErbB3 in the spinal dorsal horn involved in hyperalgesia in rats with inflammatory pain， and electroacupuncture at "Zusanli （ST 36）" and "Kunlun （BL 60）" can alleviate inflammatory pain by inhibiting the expression of p-ErbB3 protein in the spinal dorsal horn of rats.

Chronic post-surgical pain (CPSP) is a common long-term complication following lung surgery. Its high incidence significantly impacts patients’ quality of life and functional recovery, and imposes a substantial socioeconomic burden. This consensus aims to systematically establish a standardized integrated Chinese and Western medicine diagnostic and treatment framework for chronic post-lung surgery pain (CPLSP). Based on the latest domestic and international evidence-based medical research and multidisciplinary clinical experience, the working group comprehensively elaborates on core issues regarding CPLSP, including its definition, epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical assessment, Western medical treatment, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment, and integrated strategies. The consensus emphasizes a patient-centered approach, adhering to the principles of multimodality, individualization, and stepwise management, highlighting the synergistic advantages of integrating Chinese and Western medicine throughout the entire perioperative management cycle encompassing "perioperative anti-inflammation, acute analgesia, and chronic rehabilitation." Through systematic literature retrieval and evidence integration, a total of 9 core recommendations were established to provide scientifically sound and clinically practical guidance.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the peripheral neural mechanism underlying representation along the distribution of stomach meridian induced by intestinal inflammatory reaction using diarrhea predominant-irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) mice. METHODS: Among 62 healthy male C57BL/6 mice of clean grade, 12 mice were randomly selected and divided into a control group and a model group, 6 mice in each group, additionally, 12 mice were randomly selected and divided into a Tianshu group, a Liangqiu group and a Zusanli group, 4 mice in each group. In the model group, citrobacter was administered orally to establish IBS-D model. In the control group and the model group, the visceral pain threshold was observed using fecal colorectal distension (fCRD) induced electromyography of external oblique muscle, the positive cell number of neutrophil in the colonic muscularis was detected by myeloperoxidase (MPO) staining, the number, location and distribution rule of Evans blue (EB) extravasation points were observed by injection of EB staining solution into the tail vein. In the Tianshu group, the Liangqiu group and the Zusanli group, fluorescent dye Dil was injected at bilateral "Tianshu" (ST25), "Liangqiu" (ST34) and "Zusanli" (ST36) respectively, to observe the dye-positive cell number in different dorsal root ganglion (DRG) segments. In the control group and the model group, the activation of satellite glial cells (SGCs) in different DRG segments was observed by immunofluorescence. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, in the model group, the area under curve of electromyography of external oblique muscle was increased at fCRD of 25, 50 and 75 μL distilled water (P<0.001, P<0.01); the MPO-positive cell number of neutrophil in the colonic muscularis was increased (P<0.01). Few EB extravasation points could be found in the control group, while there were much more EB extravasation points observed in the model group, which was specially distribution in the area of stomach meridian, from "Huaroumen" (ST24) to "Zusanli" (ST36), as well as the surface area dominated by L₂-L₅ segment of the spinal cord. The Dil-positive cells were mainly exhibited in the DRG of T₁₁, L₅ and L₄ segments in the Tianshu group, the Liangqiu group and the Zusanli group, respectively. Compared with the control group, the ratio of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)/glutamine synthetase (GS) co-expression was increased in the DRG of T₁₁, L₄ and L₅ segments in the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01). CONCLUSION The activation of SGCs within DRG of T₁₁, L₄ and L₅ segments may relate closely to the occurrence of the representation along the stomach meridian distribution in IBS-D mice.
Animals ; Male ; Mice ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome/therapy* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Meridians ; Stomach/physiopathology* ; Humans ; Acupuncture Points ; Disease Models, Animal

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of sodium valproate (VPA) in inhibiting Erastin-induced ferroptosis in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and its underlying mechanisms. METHODS: BMSCs were isolated from bone marrow of 8-week-old Spragur Dawley rats and identified [cell surface antigens CD90, CD44, and CD45 were analyzed by flow cytometry, and osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation abilities were assessed by alizarin red S (ARS) and oil red O staining, respectively]. Cells of passage 3 were used for the Erastin-induced ferroptosis model, with different concentrations of VPA for intervention. The optimal drug concentration was determined using the cell counting kit 8 assay. The experiment was divided into 4 groups: group A, cells were cultured in osteogenic induction medium for 24 hours; group B, cells were cultured in osteogenic induction medium containing optimal concentration Erastin for 24 hours; group C, cells were cultured in osteogenic induction medium containing optimal concentration Erastin and VPA for 24 hours; group D, cells were cultured in osteogenic induction medium containing optimal concentration Erastin and VPA, and 8 μmol/L EX527 for 24 hours. The mitochondrial state of the cells was evaluated, including the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Osteogenic capacity was assessed by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and ARS staining. Western blot analysis was performed to detect the expressions of osteogenic-related proteins [Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) and osteopontin (OPN)], ferroptosis-related proteins [glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1), and solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11)], and pathway-related proteins [adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1)]. RESULTS: The cultured cells were identified as BMSCs. VPA inhibited Erastin-induced ferroptosis and the decline of osteogenic ability in BMSCs, acting through the activation of the AMPK/SIRT1 pathway. VPA significantly reduced the levels of ROS and MDA in Erastin-treated BMSCs and significantly increased GSH levels. Additionally, the expression levels of ferroptosis-related proteins (GPX4, FTH1, and SLC7A11) significantly decreased. VPA also upregulated the expressions of osteogenic-related proteins (RUNX2 and OPN), enhanced mineralization and osteogenic differentiation, and increased the expressions of pathway-related proteins (AMPK and SIRT1). These effects could be reversed by the SIRT1 inhibitor EX527. CONCLUSION VPA inhibits ferroptosis in BMSCs through the AMPK/SIRT1 axis and promotes osteogenesis.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells/metabolism* ; Ferroptosis/drug effects* ; Animals ; Valproic Acid/pharmacology* ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sirtuin 1/metabolism* ; Cell Differentiation/drug effects* ; Cells, Cultured ; AMP-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism* ; Osteogenesis/drug effects* ; Piperazines/pharmacology* ; Bone Marrow Cells/cytology* ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects*

Objective To explore the function of electroacupuncture(EA)on body mass,fasting blood glucose,heat pain threshold,and transient receptor potential vanilloid 4(TRPV4)in the dorsal root ganglia(DRG)of rats with diabetic neuropathic pain(DNP).Methods A DNP rat model was formed by intraperitoneally injecting the animals with STZ.From days 15 to 21,bilateral Zusanli and Kunlun points of the DNP rat model were treated with electroacupuncture once daily for 30 min.We then measured their body mass,fasting blood glucose,and heat pain threshold.The co-expression of TRPV4 and NeuN in the rat L4～L6 DRG was detected by immunofluorescence.The effects of the TRPV4 agonist GSK1016790A on body mass,fasting blood glucose,and the heat pain threshold of DNP rats treated with electroacupuncture were detected.Results After the 7th day,body mass was significantly decreased(P<0.01)and fasting glucose was significantly increased(P<0.01)in the model group compared with the normal group.After the 21st day,compared with the model group,heat pain threshold of the model+electroacupuncture group was significantly higher(P<0.01);the results of co-expression of TRPV4 and NeuN immunofluorescence on rat L4～L6 DRG showed that:the expression of positive cells in the model group was significantly higher(P<0.01)than that in the normal group,the co-expression of TRPV4 and NeuN positive cells in L4～L6 DRG of rats in the model+electroacupuncture group was significantly lower(P<0.01)than that in the model group.The TRPV4 agonist GSK1016790A can reverse the downregulation of thermal pain threshold induced by electroacupuncture in DNP rats(P<0.01).Conclusion Electroacupuncture alleviated the DNP induced by STZ,and its mechanism may involve the inhibition of TRPV4 protein expression in the DRG.

Copper death-related factors can modulate mitochondrial function, chemotherapy sensitivity, and reshape the immune microenvironment, playing important roles in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Copper chelators, copper ionophores, and combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors all have significant antitumor effects. Multi-omics analysis reveals that copper death-related genes and cuproptosis-related long non-coding RNAs can serve as prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. This article focused on copper metabolism and copper-induced cell death, reviewing the theoretical foundations of precision therapy for HCC. It delineates the molecular mechanisms by which dysregulated copper homeostasis drives hepatocarcinogenesis and elucidates the translational directions necessary for future research.

Objective To explore the function of electroacupuncture(EA)on body mass,fasting blood glucose,heat pain threshold,and transient receptor potential vanilloid 4(TRPV4)in the dorsal root ganglia(DRG)of rats with diabetic neuropathic pain(DNP).Methods A DNP rat model was formed by intraperitoneally injecting the animals with STZ.From days 15 to 21,bilateral Zusanli and Kunlun points of the DNP rat model were treated with electroacupuncture once daily for 30 min.We then measured their body mass,fasting blood glucose,and heat pain threshold.The co-expression of TRPV4 and NeuN in the rat L4～L6 DRG was detected by immunofluorescence.The effects of the TRPV4 agonist GSK1016790A on body mass,fasting blood glucose,and the heat pain threshold of DNP rats treated with electroacupuncture were detected.Results After the 7th day,body mass was significantly decreased(P<0.01)and fasting glucose was significantly increased(P<0.01)in the model group compared with the normal group.After the 21st day,compared with the model group,heat pain threshold of the model+electroacupuncture group was significantly higher(P<0.01);the results of co-expression of TRPV4 and NeuN immunofluorescence on rat L4～L6 DRG showed that:the expression of positive cells in the model group was significantly higher(P<0.01)than that in the normal group,the co-expression of TRPV4 and NeuN positive cells in L4～L6 DRG of rats in the model+electroacupuncture group was significantly lower(P<0.01)than that in the model group.The TRPV4 agonist GSK1016790A can reverse the downregulation of thermal pain threshold induced by electroacupuncture in DNP rats(P<0.01).Conclusion Electroacupuncture alleviated the DNP induced by STZ,and its mechanism may involve the inhibition of TRPV4 protein expression in the DRG.

Copper death-related factors can modulate mitochondrial function, chemotherapy sensitivity, and reshape the immune microenvironment, playing important roles in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Copper chelators, copper ionophores, and combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors all have significant antitumor effects. Multi-omics analysis reveals that copper death-related genes and cuproptosis-related long non-coding RNAs can serve as prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. This article focused on copper metabolism and copper-induced cell death, reviewing the theoretical foundations of precision therapy for HCC. It delineates the molecular mechanisms by which dysregulated copper homeostasis drives hepatocarcinogenesis and elucidates the translational directions necessary for future research.

Background and purpose:Silent information regulator proteins(sirtuins,SIRT)are a class Ⅲ histone deacetylases with nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide(NAD+)as coenzyme.YME1 like 1 ATPase(YME1L1)is essential for the maintenance of mitochondrial morphology,function and plasticity.Optic atrophy 1(OPA1)mainly mediates mitochondrial fusion.The aim of this study was to explore the expression of SIRT3 in the endocrine resistance of breast cancer,the relationship between SIRT3 and YME1L1 and OPA1,and the mechanism of SIRT3 in the endocrine resistance of breast cancer.Methods:4-hydroxytamoxifen was used to induce tamoxifen-resistant MCF-7/TAM cells.cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)was used to detect cell proliferation and verify drug resistance.The mitochondrial morphology was observed by transmission electron microscopy(TEM)and immunofluorescence staining.The expressions of SIRT3 and OPA1 were detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RTFQ-PCR)and Western blot.JC-1 staining was used to detect mitochondrial membrane potential,and dihydroethidium(DHE)staining was used to detect reactive oxygen species(ROS)to verify mitochondrial function.SIRT3 was knocked down in drug-resistant cells by RNA interference,and SIRT3 and YME1L1 wild type(WT),simulated acetylation state mutant(MUT K237Q),and simulated deacetylation state mutant(MUT K237R)were overexpressed in parental cells by overexpression plasmid.Immunoprecipitation assay(IP)and immunofluorescence(IF)were used to verify the interaction between SIRT3 and YME1L1.Results:RTFQ-PCR and Western blot results showed that SIRT3 gene expression and protein level was significantly higher in drug-resistant cells than in parental cells.Overexpression of SIRT3 in parental cells decreased the sensitivity of breast cancer cells to tamoxifen.Knockdown of SIRT3 in drug-resistant cells enhanced the sensitivity of drug-resistant cells to tamoxifen.DHE staining showed that the ROS level was lower in tamoxifen resistant cells than in parental cells at the same concentration.Transmission electron microscopy and fluorescence staining showed that the mitochondria of the drug-resistant cells were elongated compared with the parental cells.Western blot results showed that the expression level of L-OPA1 protein was higher in drug-resistant cells than in parental cells.Overexpression of SIRT3 in the parental cells resulted in enhanced mitochondrial function and longer mitochondrial morphology compared with the control cells.Western blot showed that the expression of L-OPA1 was upregulated.When SIRT3 was knocked down in drug-resistant cells,the opposite result was obtained.We further verified how SIRT3 regulated OPA1 protein,affected the morphology and function of mitochondria,and promoted drug resistance of breast cancer.Overexpression of YME1L1(wild-type and mutant plasmids)in parental cells showed that overexpression of YME1L1 in the simulated deacetylation state resulted in similar results as overexpression of SIRT3,and overexpression of YME1L1 in the acetylated state resulted in similar results as knockdown of SIRT3.IP assay confirmed the interaction between SIRT3 and YME1L1 in breast cancer cells.The acetylation level of YME1L1 was different at different SIRT3 expression levels.IF assay showed that YME1L1 was co-localized with SIRT3 in MCF-7 cells.Conclusion:SIRT3 is highly expressed in tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer cells.SIRT3 upregulates L-OPA1 expression by deacetylating YME1L1,thereby promoting mitochondrial fusion and enhancing mitochondrial function,and promotes tamoxifen resistance in breast cancer.

Objective:To investigate the feasibility of conducting active surveillance (AS) for low risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) in China and to examine the factors in association with disease progression during AS.Methods:This study was a prospective observational research conducted from Jun. 2018 to Aug. 2022 at Ruijin Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. Seventy-three patients with cytologically confirmed low-risk PTMC were enrolled in this study. They were followed up by ultrasonography, and the observed nodules were re-assessed whether or not to have disease progression. Disease progression was defined as having nodule enlarged more than 3 mm in any of diameters measured on ultrasound, or/and presence of suspicious lymph node metastasis.Results:The median follow-up time was 33 months. At the time of last follow-up, 16 cases (21.9%) exhibited disease progression, including 9 cases (12.3%) with suspicious lymph nodes detected by ultrasound, and 8 cases (11.0%) with lesion enlargement; one case (1.3%) exhibited both situations. The univariate chi-square analysis revealed that young patients (≤45 years old, P=0.041), presence of microcalcifications ( P=0.032), initial larger nodule (diameter greater than 7 mm, P=0.003), and elevated thyroid autoantibody levels ( P=0.008) were associated with disease progression. Multiple regression analysis showed elevated thyroid autoantibodies ( OR=4.311, P=0.030) and initial larger nodule ( OR=6.196, P=0.034) were independent risk factors for PTMC progression,respectively. Conclusions:AS for low-risk PTMC is a feasible and effective. During the observation, ultrasound can reveal suspicious lymph nodes and nodule enlargement, which are crucial indicators for assessing disease progression. Patients with initially larger nodule size and elevated thyroid autoantibody level are more likely to exhibit disease progression and should receive closer attention.