Objective To explore the effect of Rhizoma Polygonati(RP)on arterial aging in naturally aging Wistar rats.Methods SPF Wistar rats aged 72 weeks were divided randomly divided into 4 groups:an old group and RP low,medium,and high-dose groups(n=14 rats per group).Another 14 male SPF Wistar rats aged 8～12 weeks were selected as the young group.Rats in the RP high,medium,and low-dose groups were administered with 4,2,and 1 g/kg RP,respectively,by gavage,and rats in the old and young groups were given the same amount of distilled water once a day for 12 weeks.Seven rats from each group were sacrificed under anesthesia at weeks 4 and 12 and aortas were isolated.The relative smooth muscle cell(SMC)and collagen fiber(CF)contents were analyzed,total antioxidant capacity(T-AOC),glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px),superoxide dismutase(SOD),and malondialdehyde(MDA)levels were measured,and the expression levels of cell cycle-associated proteins in arterial tissue were detected by Western Blot.Results Rats in the old group showed obvious signs of vascular aging but there was no significant changes in arterial vascular tissue indexes in the old group with increased age.Aortas were obviously injured,relative contents of SMC and CF were significantly increased(P＜0.01),T-AOC,SOD,and GSH-Px contents were significantly decreased and MDA was increased(P＜0.01)in the old group compared with the young group at 4 and 8 weeks,and expression levels of cell cycle-associated proteins were significantly up-regulated(P＜0.01).RP intervention significantly decreased the relative SMC and CF contents and MDA levels(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01)and significantly increased T-AOC,SOD,and GSH-Px(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Expression levels of cell cycle-associated proteins were also significantly decreased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).High-dose RP had the greatest effect.Conclusions Arterial aging is relatively stable in the short term in naturally aging rats.RP could delay arterial aging in naturally aging rats by regulating the level of oxidative stress and the expression of cell cycle-associated proteins.

Objective:To investigate the dose characteristics of the Zeiss INTRABEAM system in air and water, providing dose reference for electronic brachytherapy.Methods:A Monte Carlo program was used to establish a three-dimensional model of a miniature X-ray source vacuum drift tube and a 4 cm spherical applicator. The process of electron beam bombardment on a gold target to generate X-rays was simulated, and parameters such as photon fluence spectrum, percentage depth dose, and half-value layer were calculated. Additionally, the radial dose uniformity in water was measured.Results:The average energy of X-rays at 3 cm in air was 20.8 keV, with a half-value layer of 0.08 mm Al. Under the influence of the applicator, the spectrum becomes hardened, with axial and radial average energies of 28.7 and 29.0 keV, respectively. In water, the percentage depth dose (PDD) curve follows an inverse cubic decay with depth, indicating strong dose concentration and rapid fall-off in near-field irradiation. The radial dose uniformity in water exceeded 99.5%.Conclusions:The INTRABEAM device emits low-energy X-rays characterized by shallow penetration depth, and concentrated dose delivery. Its highly uniform dose distribution ensures comprehensive coverage of the target area, making it particularly suitable for treating superficial tumors and for intraoperative radiotherapy at close range.

This study explores the antiviral effects of Lopinavir on porcine hemagglutinating en-cephalomyelitis virus(PHEV)in vitro and in vivo.Using PHEV-infected N2a cells as an in vitro experimental model,the impact of varying concentrations of Lopinavir on PHEV replication was analyzed through Western blot and qRT-PCR techniques.The results demonstrated that Lopinavir was beneficial to PHEV replication at low-concentration,but as the concentration increased,Lopi-navir began to exert an inhibitory effect,with the most pronounced effect observed at a concentra-tion of 8 μmol/L.PHEV-infected 3-week-old male BALB/c mice were utilized in vivo experi-ments,with Lopinavir(10 mg/kg)administered intragastrically three days post-infection.Follow-ing the onset of illness in the control group,all mice were euthanized,and brain tissues were col-lected for histopathological examination.The findings indicated that Lopinavir significantly reduced the distribution of PHEV and ameliorated the pathological damage in brain tissue,and prolonged the survival time of the mice.In conclusion,Lopinavir exhibits an antiviral effect against PHEV both in vitro and in vivo,offering a theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of PHEV in-fections in clinical practice.

This study explores the antiviral effects of Lopinavir on porcine hemagglutinating en-cephalomyelitis virus(PHEV)in vitro and in vivo.Using PHEV-infected N2a cells as an in vitro experimental model,the impact of varying concentrations of Lopinavir on PHEV replication was analyzed through Western blot and qRT-PCR techniques.The results demonstrated that Lopinavir was beneficial to PHEV replication at low-concentration,but as the concentration increased,Lopi-navir began to exert an inhibitory effect,with the most pronounced effect observed at a concentra-tion of 8 μmol/L.PHEV-infected 3-week-old male BALB/c mice were utilized in vivo experi-ments,with Lopinavir(10 mg/kg)administered intragastrically three days post-infection.Follow-ing the onset of illness in the control group,all mice were euthanized,and brain tissues were col-lected for histopathological examination.The findings indicated that Lopinavir significantly reduced the distribution of PHEV and ameliorated the pathological damage in brain tissue,and prolonged the survival time of the mice.In conclusion,Lopinavir exhibits an antiviral effect against PHEV both in vitro and in vivo,offering a theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of PHEV in-fections in clinical practice.

Objective To explore the effect of Rhizoma Polygonati(RP)on arterial aging in naturally aging Wistar rats.Methods SPF Wistar rats aged 72 weeks were divided randomly divided into 4 groups:an old group and RP low,medium,and high-dose groups(n=14 rats per group).Another 14 male SPF Wistar rats aged 8～12 weeks were selected as the young group.Rats in the RP high,medium,and low-dose groups were administered with 4,2,and 1 g/kg RP,respectively,by gavage,and rats in the old and young groups were given the same amount of distilled water once a day for 12 weeks.Seven rats from each group were sacrificed under anesthesia at weeks 4 and 12 and aortas were isolated.The relative smooth muscle cell(SMC)and collagen fiber(CF)contents were analyzed,total antioxidant capacity(T-AOC),glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px),superoxide dismutase(SOD),and malondialdehyde(MDA)levels were measured,and the expression levels of cell cycle-associated proteins in arterial tissue were detected by Western Blot.Results Rats in the old group showed obvious signs of vascular aging but there was no significant changes in arterial vascular tissue indexes in the old group with increased age.Aortas were obviously injured,relative contents of SMC and CF were significantly increased(P＜0.01),T-AOC,SOD,and GSH-Px contents were significantly decreased and MDA was increased(P＜0.01)in the old group compared with the young group at 4 and 8 weeks,and expression levels of cell cycle-associated proteins were significantly up-regulated(P＜0.01).RP intervention significantly decreased the relative SMC and CF contents and MDA levels(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01)and significantly increased T-AOC,SOD,and GSH-Px(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Expression levels of cell cycle-associated proteins were also significantly decreased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).High-dose RP had the greatest effect.Conclusions Arterial aging is relatively stable in the short term in naturally aging rats.RP could delay arterial aging in naturally aging rats by regulating the level of oxidative stress and the expression of cell cycle-associated proteins.

The extracellular matrix provides a unique tissue-specific microenvironment for resident cells, supporting the essential functions required for tissue architecture and biochemical signaling. Decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) is designed to eliminate cells that mediate immunological rejection while preserving the native tissue structure and matrix functionality. dECM has attracted significant attention in tissue engineering applications and has evolved into a novel and increasingly sophisticated biomaterial. This article summarizes representative protocols for decellularization methods, explores the latest applications of decellularized tissue-derived materials and bioinks in the field of cardiothoracic surgery, analyzes the current challenges and issues confronting dECM, and discusses future perspectives for its development.

In cases where a tracheal injury exceeds half the length of the adult trachea or one-third of the length of the child trachea, it becomes difficult to perform end-to-end anastomosis after tracheal resection due to excessive tension at the anastomosis site. In such cases, tracheal replacement therapy is required. Advances in tissue engineering technology have led to the development of tissue engineering tracheal substitutes, which have promising applications. Hydrogels, which are highly hydrated and possess a good three-dimensional network structure, biocompatibility, low immunogenicity, biodegradability, and modifiability, have had wide applications in the field of tissue engineering. This article provides a review of the characteristics, advantages, disadvantages, and effects of various hydrogels commonly used in tissue engineering trachea in recent years. Additionally, the article discusses and offers prospects for the future application of hydrogels in the field of tissue engineering trachea.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical features of a child with Lamb-Shaffer syndrome (LAMSHF) due to a variant of SOX5 gene. METHODS: A child who was admitted to Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University in July 2022 was selected as the study subject. Clinical data of the child was collected. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was carried out on peripheral blood samples from the child and his parents, and candidate variant was verified by Sanger sequencing and bioinformatic analysis. The study has been approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University (Ethics No. 2024-K-100). RESULTS: The child, an one-year-and-seven-month-old male, has manifested delayed development in speech and language, intelligence and movement, in addition with mild facial deformities and eye signs. Whole exome sequencing revealed that he has harbored a heterozygous c.1828_1829insGACT (p.Y610fs*1) frameshifting variant of the SOX5 gene. Sanger sequencing confirmed the variant to be de novo in origin. The variant was also unreported previously. Based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), the variant was rated as pathogenic (PVS1+PS2+PM2_supporting). CONCLUSION The c.1828_1829insGACT (p.Y610fs*1) variant of the SOX5 gene probably underlay the pathogenesis of LAMSHF in this child. For children with delayed mental, language, intellectual, and motor development, genetic testing should be conducted to facilitate early diagnosis. Above finding has enriched the mutational spectrum of the SOX5 gene.
Humans ; SOXD Transcription Factors/genetics* ; Male ; Infant ; Exome Sequencing ; Genetic Testing ; Mutation

T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is a highly aggressive hematologic malignancy with a poor prognosis, despite advancements in treatment. Many patients struggle with relapse or refractory disease. Investigating the role of the super-enhancer (SE) regulated gene ubiquitin-specific protease 20 (USP20) in T-ALL could enhance targeted therapies and improve clinical outcomes. Analysis of histone H3 lysine 27 acetylation (H3K27ac) chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) data from six T-ALL cell lines and seven pediatric samples identified USP20 as an SE-regulated driver gene. Utilizing the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE) and BloodSpot databases, it was found that USP20 is specifically highly expressed in T-ALL. Knocking down USP20 with short hairpin RNA (shRNA) increased apoptosis and inhibited proliferation in T-ALL cells. In vivo studies showed that USP20 knockdown reduced tumor growth and improved survival. The USP20 inhibitor GSK2643943A demonstrated similar anti-tumor effects. Mass spectrometry, RNA-Seq, and immunoprecipitation revealed that USP20 interacted with hypoxia-inducible factor 1 subunit alpha (HIF1A) and stabilized it by deubiquitination. Cleavage under targets and tagmentation (CUT&Tag) results indicated that USP20 co-localized with HIF1A, jointly modulating target genes in T-ALL. This study identifies USP20 as a therapeutic target in T-ALL and suggests GSK2643943A as a potential treatment strategy.

Epilepsy affects over 50 million people worldwide. Drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) accounts for up to a third of these cases, and neuro-inflammation is thought to play a role in such cases. Despite being a long-debated issue in the field of DRE, the mechanisms underlying neuroinflammation have yet to be fully elucidated. The pro-inflammatory microenvironment within the brain tissue of people with DRE has been probed using single-cell multimodal transcriptomics. Evidence suggests that inflammatory cells and pro-inflammatory cytokines in the nervous system can lead to extensive biochemical changes, such as connexin hemichannel excitability and disruption of neurotransmitter homeostasis. The presence of inflammation may give rise to neuronal network abnormalities that suppress endogenous antiepileptic systems. We focus on the role of neuroinflammation and brain network anomalies in DRE from multiple perspectives to identify critical points for clinical application. We hope to provide an insightful overview to advance the quest for better DRE treatments.
Humans ; Drug Resistant Epilepsy/metabolism* ; Neuroinflammatory Diseases/immunology* ; Animals ; Brain/pathology* ; Nerve Net/pathology*