Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a deadly condition of the aorta, carrying a significant risk of death upon rupture. Currently, there is a dearth of efficacious pharmaceutical interventions to impede the advancement of AAA and avert it from rupturing. Here, we investigated dihydromyricetin (DHM), one of the predominant bioactive flavonoids in Ampelopsis grossedentata (A. grossedentata), as a potential agent for inhibiting AAA. DHM effectively blocked the formation of AAA in angiotensin II-infused apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE^-/-) mice. A combination of network pharmacology and whole transcriptome sequencing analysis revealed that DHM's anti-AAA action is linked to heme oxygenase (HO)-1 (Hmox-1 for the rodent gene) and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Remarkably, DHM caused a robust rise (∼10-fold) of HO-1 protein expression in VSMCs, thereby suppressing VSMC inflammation and oxidative stress and preserving the VSMC contractile phenotype. Intriguingly, the therapeutic effect of DHM on AAA was largely abrogated by VSMC-specific Hmox1 knockdown in mice. Mechanistically, on one hand, DHM increased the transcription of Hmox-1 by triggering the nuclear translocation and activation of HIF-1α, but not nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2). On the other hand, molecular docking, combined with cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA), isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), drug affinity responsive target stability (DARTS), co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP), and site mutant experiments revealed that DHM bonded to HO-1 at Lys243 and prevented its degradation, thereby resulting in considerable HO-1 buildup. In summary, our findings suggest that naturally derived DHM has the capacity to markedly enhance HO-1 expression in VSMCs, which may hold promise as a therapeutic strategy for AAA.

Sigma-1 receptor (σ ₁R) has become a focus point of drug discovery for central nervous system (CNS) diseases. A series of novel 1-phenylethan-1-one O-(2-aminoethyl) oxime derivatives were synthesized. In vitro biological evaluation led to the identification of 1a, 14a, 15d and 16d as the most high-affinity (K _i < 4 nmol/L) and selective σ ₁R agonists. Among these, 15d, the most metabolically stable derivative exhibited high selectivity for σ ₁R in relation to σ ₂R and 52 other human targets. In addition to low CYP450 inhibition and induction, 15d also exhibited high brain permeability and excellent oral bioavailability. Importantly, 15d demonstrated effective antipsychotic potency, particularly for alleviating negative symptoms and improving cognitive impairment in experimental animal models, both of which are major challenges for schizophrenia treatment. Moreover, 15d produced no significant extrapyramidal symptoms, exhibiting superior pharmacological profiles in relation to current antipsychotic drugs. Mechanistically, 15d inhibited GSK3β and enhanced prefrontal BDNF expression and excitatory synaptic transmission in pyramidal neurons. Collectively, these in vivo proof-of-concept findings provide substantial experimental evidence to demonstrate that modulating σ ₁R represents a potential new therapeutic approach for schizophrenia. The novel chemical entity along with its favorable drug-like and pharmacological profile of 15d renders it a promising candidate for treating schizophrenia.

Bioactive compounds derived from herbal medicinal plants modulate various therapeutic targets and signaling pathways associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), the world's primary cause of death. Ginkgo biloba, a well-known traditional Chinese medicine with notable cardiovascular actions, has been used as a cardio- and cerebrovascular therapeutic drug and nutraceutical in Asian countries for centuries. Preclinical studies have shown that ginkgolide B, a bioactive component in Ginkgo biloba, can ameliorate atherosclerosis in cultured vascular cells and disease models. Of clinical relevance, several clinical trials are ongoing or being completed to examine the efficacy and safety of ginkgolide B-related drug preparations in the prevention of cerebrovascular diseases, such as ischemia stroke. Here, we present a comprehensive review of the pharmacological activities, pharmacokinetic characteristics, and mechanisms of action of ginkgolide B in atherosclerosis prevention and therapy. We highlight new molecular targets of ginkgolide B, including nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidases (NADPH oxidase), lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor-1 (LOX-1), sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), platelet-activating factor (PAF), proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) and others. Finally, we provide an overview and discussion of the therapeutic potential of ginkgolide B and highlight the future perspective of developing ginkgolide B as an effective therapeutic agent for treating atherosclerosis.

Hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） is a common tumor in the digestive tract， the formation mechanism of which remains to be fully elucidated. Although surgery， radiation， chemotherapy， targeted therapy， and immunotherapy have achieved significant results in the treatment of HCC， these methods are accompanied by a considerable number of adverse reactions and complications. In recent years， Chinese medicine has shown remarkable efficacy in the treatment of HCC， and both basic experiments and clinical studies have confirmed the effectiveness of Chinese medicine， which exerts therapeutic effects via multiple components and multiple targets. However， the pathogenesis of HCC is exceptionally complex and not fully understood， which means that studies remain to be carried out regarding the specific mechanism of Chinese medicine in preventing and treating HCC. Network pharmacology and molecular biology can be employed to decipher the mechanism of Chinese medicine in the treatment of diseases. Studies have shown that Chinese medicine can regulate various pathways such as the mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK）， phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B （PI3K/Akt）， Hedgehog， Wnt/β-catenin， nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB）， Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （JAK2/STAT3）， and transforming growth factor-β （TGF-β）/Smad signaling pathways. Chinese medicine can exhibit its anti-HCC effects by inducing cell apoptosis， inhibiting cell proliferation and migration， and blocking the cell cycle via the above pathways. However， the specific mechanisms remain to be systematically studied. This study comprehensively reviews the regulatory effects of Chinese medicine on HCC-related signaling pathways to reveal the molecular mechanisms of Chinese medicine in the treatment of HCC. This view holds the promise of providing new targets， new perspectives， and new therapies for HCC treatment and advancing the modernization and development of Chinese medicine.

ObjectiveMetabolomics was utilized to investigate the preventive effect of notoginseng total saponins（NTS） on aspirin（acetyl salicylic acid， ASA）-induced small bowel injury in rats. MethodFifty male SD rats were randomly divided into normal and model groups， NTS high-dose and low-dose groups（62.5， 31.25 mg·kg^-1）， and positive drug group（omeprazole 2.08 mg·kg^-1+rebamipide 31.25 mg·kg^-1）， with 10 rats in each group. Except for the normal group， rats in other groups were given ASA enteric-coated pellets 10.41 mg·kg^-1 daily to establish a small intestine injury model. On this basis， each medication group was gavaged daily with the corresponding dose of drug， and the normal group and the model group were gavaged with an equal amount of drinking water. Changes in body mass and fecal characteristics of rats were recorded and scored during the period. After 14 weeks of administration， small intestinal tissues of each group were taken for hematoxylin-eosin（HE） staining， scanning electron microscopy to observe the damage， and the apparent damage of small intestine was scored. Serum from rats in the normal group， the model group， and the NTS high-dose group was taken and analyzed for metabolomics by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-electrostatic field orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry（UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS）， and the data were processed by multivariate statistical analysis， the potential biomarkers were screened by variable importance in the projection（VIP） value≥1.0， fold change（FC）≥1.5 or ≤0.6 and t-test P<0.05， and pathway enrichment analysis of differential metabolites was performed in conjunction with Human Metabolome Database（HMDB） and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes（KEGG）. ResultAfter 14 weeks of administration， the average body mass gain of the model group was lower than that of the normal group， and the NTS high-dose group was close to that of the normal group. Compared with the normal group， the fecal character score of rats in the model group was significantly increased（P<0.05）， and compared with the model group， the scores of the positive drug group and the NTS high-dose group were reduced， but the difference was not statistically significant. HE staining and scanning electron microscopy results showed that NTS could significantly improve ASA-induced small intestinal injury， compared with the normal group， the small bowel injury score of the model group was significantly increased（P<0.01）， compared with the model group， the small bowel injury scores of the NTS low and high dose groups were significantly reduced（P<0.05， P<0.01）. Serum metabolomics screened a total of 75 differential metabolites between the normal group and the model group， of which 55 were up-regulated and 20 were down-regulated， 76 differential metabolites between the model group and the NTS groups， of which 14 were up-regulated and 62 were down-regulated. NTS could modulate three differential metabolites（salicylic acid， 3-hydroxybenzoic acid and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid）， which were involved in 3 metabolic pathways， namely， the bile secretion， the biosynthesis of folic acid， and the biosynthesis of phenylalanine， tyrosine and tryptophan. ConclusionNTS can prevent ASA-induced small bowel injury， and the underlying mechanism may be related to the regulation of bile secretion and amino acid metabolic pathways in rats.

Objective To investigate the value of serum cell cycle protein-dependent kinase 1(CDK1)and aurora kinase A(AURKA)in the diagnosis of patients with hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma(HBV-HCC).Methods A total of 50 HBV-HCC patients,50 patients with hepatitis B virus-related liver cirrhosis(HBV-LC),and 50 chronic hepatitis B(CHB)patients who were hospitalized in Department of Gastroenterology,Gansu Provincial Hospital,from June 2022 to December 2023 were enrolled,and 50 healthy individuals,matched for age and sex,who received physical examination at Physical Examination Center during the same period of time were enrolled as control group.Related data were recorded for all patients,including age,sex,complications,and the results of routine blood test,liver function,and coagulation for the first time after admission.ELISA was used to measure the serum levels of CDK1 and AURKA.A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between multiple groups,and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups;the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between multiple groups and the least significant difference Bonferroni test was used for further comparison between two groups;the chi-square test or the Fisher's exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups.The Spearman correlation analysis was used to investigate the correlation between CDK1 and AURKA,and the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve and the area under the ROC curve(AUC)were used to investigate the value of CDK1 and AURKA in the diagnosis of HBV-HCC.Results There were significant differences in liver function parameters between the HBV-HCC patients and the control group(all P<0.05);there were significant differences between the CHB group and the HBV-HCC group in albumin,Glb,direct bilirubin,aspartate aminotransferase(AST),gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase(GGT),and alkaline phosphatase(all P<0.05);there were significant differences between the HBV-LC group and the HBV-HCC group in Glb,AST,and GGT(all P<0.05).The HBV-HCC group had significantly higher serum levels of CDK1 and AURKA than the HBV-LC group,the CHB group,and the control group(all P<0.05).There was a significant positive correlation between CDK1 and AURKA in the overall study population and the HBV-HCC patients(r=0.526 6 and 0.815 2,P<0.001).With the control group as reference,CDK1 had an AUC of 0.832 3 in the diagnosis of HBV-HCC,with a sensitivity of 92.86%and a specificity of 75%,and AURKA had an AUC of 0.886 6 in the diagnosis of HCC,with a sensitivity of 95.80%and a specificity of 74%.With the CHB group as reference,CDK1 had an AUC of 0.833 3 in the diagnosis of HBV-HCC,with a sensitivity of 93.75%and a specificity of 75%,and AURKA had an AUC of 0.972 7 in the diagnosis of HBV-HCC,with a sensitivity of 95.83%and a specificity of 91.67%.With the HBV-LC group as reference,CDK1 had an AUC of 0.608 5 in the diagnosis of HBV-HCC,with a sensitivity of 66.67%and a specificity of 54.17%,and AURKA had an AUC of 0.762 2 in the diagnosis of HBV-HCC,with a sensitivity of 95.83%and a specificity of 47.92%.Conclusion The serum levels of CDK1 and AURKA increase with the progression of hepatitis B-associated chronic liver disease,and significant increases in serum CDK1 and AURKA have a certain value in the diagnosis of HBV-HCC.

Objective To investigate the feasibility of leucocyte-reduced pooled platelet concentrates from whole blood stored at 4℃,and provide theoretical basis for the components preparation.Methods The collected 400 mL ACD-B antico-agulant whole blood was randomly divided into two groups,stored at 4℃and room temperature.The buffy coat was prepared within 6 hours and store at 22℃until next day to prepare leucocyte-reduced pooled platelet concentrates.Platelet samples on day 1,3,5 and 7 were taken for the blood cell count and related parameter detection.The pH,glucose and lactic acid con-tent were determined to reflect the metabolic status,and the thromboelastography,platelet aggregation rate and PAC-1 and CD62P expression were determined to reflect the function and activation of platelets.The difference in platelets between two groups were analyzed.Results With the extension of storage time,the count of leucocyte-reduced pooled platelet concen-trates decreased gradually,but the platelets distribution width(PDW),mean platelet volume(MPV)and platelet-larger cell ratio(P-LCR)increased gradually in two groups,with no statistical significance(P＞0.05).The pH and glucose con-tents in two groups gradually decreased,but the lactic acid content gradually increased,with no significant difference(P＞0.05).The thrombelastogram showed MA value that reflecting platelet function has no significant change during the storage,and there was no significant difference between the two groups(P＞0.05).The aggregation rates decreased while the expres-sion of PAC-1 and CD62P increased gradually with the prolongation of preservation time,with no significant difference be-tween the two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion There is no significant difference in platelet count,function and activation between whole blood stored at 4℃and at room temperature within 6 hours.Whole blood stored at 4℃within 6 hours can be considered as the raw material for leucocyte-reduced pooled platelet concentrates.

Objective To explore the effects of deletion of protein 4.1R on hepatocyte proliferation,apoptosis,and glycolysis and the molecular mechanisms.Methods A 4.1R-/-HL-7702 cell line was constructed using CRISPR/Cas9 technique,and with 4.1R+/+HL-7702 cells as the control,its proliferative capacity and cell apoptosis were assessed using CCK-8 assay,EdU-488 staining,flow cytometry and Annexin V-FITC/PI staining at 24,48,72 h of cell culture.The changes in glucose uptake,lactate secretion,ATP production and pH value of the culture supernatant of 4.1R-/-HL-7702 cells were determined.The mRNA expressions of the key regulatory enzymes HK2,PFKL,PKM2 and LDHA in glycolysis were detected with qRT-PCR,and the protein expressions of AMPK,p-AMPK,Raptor and p-Raptor were determined using Western blotting.Results Western blotting and sequencing analysis both confirmed the successful construction of 4.1R-/-HL-7702 cell line.Compared with the wild-type cells,4.1R-/-HL-7702 cells exhibited a lowered proliferative activity with increased cell apoptosis.The deletion of protein 4.1R also resulted in significantly decreased glucose uptake,lactate secretion and ATP production of the cells and increased pH value of the cell culture supernatant.qRT-PCR showed significantly decreased mRNA expressions of the key regulatory enzymes in glycolysis in 4.1R-/-HL-7702 cells.Compared with those in HL-7702 cells,the expression levels of AMPK and Raptor proteins were decreased while the expression levels of p-AMPK and p-Raptor proteins increased significantly in 4.1R-/-HL-7702 cells.Conclusion Deletion of protein 4.1R in HL-7702 cells results in reduced proliferative capacity,increased apoptosis and suppression of glycolysis,and this regulatory mechanism is closely related with the activation of the downstream AMPK-mTORC1 signaling pathway.

Objective:To develop a risk prediction model of acute cerebral infarction (ACI) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Methods:It was a cross-sectional study. The clinical data of 798 patients with T2DM hospitalized in the Department of Endocrinology and Neurology of Shanxi Bethune Hospital from August 2021 to October 2023 were collected. Based on whether they had concurrent ACI, the patients were divided into T2DM with ACI group (case group) and pure T2DM group (control group). The patients were then allocated to a training set ( n=558) and a validation set ( n=240) in a 7∶3 ratio by the sample functions in R software. LASSO regression was employed to screen and optimize variables, and a multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to establish the nomogram prediction model. The discriminative ability, calibration, and clinical usefulness of the risk prediction model were assessed with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, calibration curves, and decision curve analysis, respectively. Results:LASSO regression identified gender, age, systolic blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), albumin (ALB), and carotid vascular condition as the variables for prediction. The multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that female ( OR=0.489, 95% CI: 0.308-0.778) and ALB ( OR=0.846, 95% CI: 0.795-0.901) were protective factors for ACI occurrence in T2DM patients, while age ( OR=1.051, 95% CI:1.025-1.077), systolic blood pressure ( OR=1.047, 95% CI: 1.034-1.059), FPG ( OR=1.185, 95% CI: 1.089-1.288), and carotid plaque ( OR=7.359, 95% CI: 3.050-17.756) were risk factors. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) for risk of ACI in the training set was 0.863(95% CI: 0.833-0.893), and it was 0.846(95% CI: 0.797-0.896) for the validation set. Calibration curves and the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test indicated good model fit (training set χ2=8.311, P=0.404; validation set χ2=3.957, P=0.861). Decision curve analysis showed that the clinical effectiveness of the model was higher when the threshold probabilities of the training set and the validation set was 0.02-0.93 and 0.12-0.99, respectively. Conclusion:In this study, a prediction model of ACI risk in T2DM patients was successfully established.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of strict intraoperative blood glucose control on postoperative hepatic allograft dysfunction in patients undergoing liver transplantation.Methods:A total of 164 patients of both sexes, aged 18-64 yr, with body mass index of 18-30 kg/m 2, of American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification Ⅲ or Ⅳ, undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation, were divided into strict intraoperative blood glucose control group (group S, 6.0-7.8 mmol/L) and routine blood glucose control group (group C, 4.1-10.0 mmol/L) using a random number table method. From the completion of anesthesia induction to the end of operation, arterial blood glucose was measured every 1 h, and blood glucose management was carried out in combination with the goal-oriented blood glucose control process. The occurrence of postoperative hepatic allograft dysfunction, infection within 30 days after surgery, offline extubation time, duration of intensive care unit stay and total length of hospital stay were recorded. Results:Compared with group C, the incidence of postoperative liver dysfunction and infection within 30 days after operation were significantly decreased ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the offline extubation time, duration of intensive care unit stay and total length of hospital stay in group S ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Strict blood glucose control during liver transplantation can decrease the development of postoperative liver dysfunction in patients.