Osteoarthritis (OA), a highly prevalent degenerative joint disease worldwide, is defined by articular cartilage degradation, abnormal bone remodeling, and persistent chronic inflammation. It severely compromises patients’ quality of life, and currently, there is no radical cure. Abnormal mechanical stress is widely regarded as a core driver of OA pathogenesis, and the exploration of mechanical signal perception and transduction mechanisms has become crucial for deciphering OA’s pathophysiological processes. Piezo1, a key mechanosensitive cation channel belonging to the Piezo protein family, has recently gained significant attention due to its pivotal role in mediating cellular responses to mechanical stimuli in joint tissues. This review systematically examines Piezo1’s expression patterns, regulatory mechanisms, and pathological functions in OA, with a particular focus on its dual roles in modulating chondrocyte homeostasis and bone metabolism disorders, while also delving into the underlying molecular signaling pathways and potential therapeutic implications. Piezo1, consisting of approximately 2 500 amino acids and forming a unique trimeric propeller-like structure, is widely expressed in chondrocytes, osteocytes, mesenchymal stem cells, and synovial cells. It exhibits permeability to cations such as Ca²⁺, K⁺, and Na⁺, and directly responds to membrane tension changes induced by mechanical stimuli like fluid shear stress and mechanical overload. In OA patients and animal models, Piezo1 expression is significantly upregulated, especially in cartilage regions subjected to abnormal mechanical stress (e.g., human temporomandibular joint cartilage). This overexpression is closely associated with aggravated cartilage degeneration, increased chondrocyte apoptosis, accelerated cellular senescence, and intensified inflammatory responses. Mechanical overload and pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-1β) are key inducers of Piezo1 upregulation: IL-1β activates the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway to enhance Piezo1 expression, forming a pathogenic positive feedback loop that inhibits chondrocyte autophagy, promotes apoptosis, and further accelerates joint degeneration. Mechanistically, Piezo1 mediates OA progression through multiple interconnected pathways. When activated by mechanical stress, Piezo1 triggers excessive Ca²⁺ influx, leading to endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and mitochondrial dysfunction, which directly induce chondrocyte apoptosis. This process involves the activation of downstream signaling cascades such as cGAS-STING and YAP-MMP13/ADAMTS5. YAP, a transcriptional regulator, upregulates the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP13) and aggrecanase (ADAMTS5), thereby accelerating cartilage matrix degradation. Additionally, Piezo1-driven Ca²⁺ overload promotes the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and upregulates senescence markers (p16 and p21), accelerating chondrocyte senescence via the p38MAPK and NF-κB pathways. Senescent chondrocytes secrete senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) factors (e.g., IL-6, IL-1β), further amplifying joint inflammation. In terms of bone metabolism, Piezo1 maintains joint homeostasis by promoting the differentiation of fibrocartilage stem cells into chondrocytes and balancing bone formation and resorption through regulating the FoxC1/YAP axis and RANKL/OPG ratio. Therapeutically, targeting Piezo1 shows promising potential. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that Piezo1 inhibitors (e.g., GsMTx4) can reduce joint damage and alleviate pain in OA mice. Simultaneously, siRNA-mediated co-silencing of Piezo1 and TRPV4 (another mechanosensitive channel) decreases intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration, inhibits chondrocyte apoptosis, and promotes cartilage repair. Conditional knockout of Piezo1 using Gdf5-Cre transgenic mice alleviates cartilage degeneration in post-traumatic OA models by downregulating MMP13 and ADAMTS5 expression. Despite existing challenges, such as off-target effects of inhibitors, inefficient local drug delivery, and interindividual genetic variability, strategies like developing selective Piezo1 antagonists, optimizing targeted nanocarriers, and combining Piezo1-targeted therapy with physical therapy provide viable avenues for clinical translation. The authors propose that Piezo1 serves as a critical therapeutic target for OA, and future research should focus on deciphering its context-dependent regulatory networks, developing tissue-specific intervention strategies, and validating their efficacy and safety in clinical trials to address the unmet medical needs of OA patients.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Qiwei dongqingye powder （QDP） on bronchial asthma in mice. METHODS The mice were divided into blank group （normal saline）， model group （normal saline）， dexamethasone group （2 mg/kg）， and QDP low-， medium-， and high-dose groups （200， 400， 800 mg/kg）， with 14 mice in each group. Except for the blank group， mice in all other groups were given ovalbumin via intraperitoneal injection followed by aerosol inhalation to induce a bronchial asthma model. During the modeling process， mice in each group were administered corresponding drug solutions or normal saline intragastrically/intraperitoneally. After the last medication， the number of cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid （BALF） of the mice was observed and counted； the pathological changes of the bronchus and lung tissue were observed； the levels of malondialdehyde （MDA）， nitric oxide （NO）， total superoxide dismutase （T-SOD）， and glutathione peroxidase （GSH-Px） in the lung tissue of the mice were determined， and the level of interleukin-17 （IL-17） in the BALF and serum was determined. Transcriptomics was employed to predict and validate the mechanism of action of QDP against bronchial asthma. RESULTS Compared with the model group， the total cell count， neutrophil count， lymphocyte count， and macrophage counts in the BALF of the QDP high-dose group were all significantly reduced （ P ＜0.05）； the levels of MDA and NO in the lung tissue， and the levels of IL-17 in the BALF and serum were all decreased significantly （ P ＜0.05）； the levels of T-SOD and GSH-Px were significantly increased （ P ＜0.05）； the arrangement of lung tissue cells tended to normalize， with reduced infiltration of inflammatory cells and decreased exfoliation of bronchial simple columnar epithelial cells. The transcriptomic results revealed that the differentially expressed genes were B-cell receptor signaling pathway， nuclear factor κB （NF-κB） signaling pathway， ferroptosis signaling pathway， and others. Further validation revealed that， compared with the model group， the expression levels of NF-κB p65 and chemokine ligand 20， as well as the phosphorylation level of NF-κB inhibitor protein α， were significantly decreased in the lung tissues of the mice in all QDP groups （ P ＜0.05）. Conversely， the protein expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 （Nrf2） and heme oxygenase 1 （HO-1） were significantly increased （ P ＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS QDP can effectively alleviate bronchial asthma by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway， activating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway， regulating oxidative stress， and reducing inflammatory responses.

ObjectiveMigraine is a leading neurological disorder and the fourth most common cause of years lived with disability worldwide, affecting nearly 116 million individuals. Although pharmacological treatments are available, their efficacy is often limited by side effects and variable response rates. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) offers a safe, non-invasive alternative for migraine management. However, the neurophysiological mechanisms, particularly how rTMS modulates local cortical excitability and distributed pain-related circuits, remain poorly understood. Elucidating these mechanisms is essential for optimizing treatment protocols and improving clinical outcomes. MethodsThis study employed concurrent transcranial magnetic stimulation and electroencephalography (TMS-EEG) to investigate neuroplastic and neurocircuitry mechanisms of DLPFC-rTMS in migraine. Study 1 compared 30 migraineurs and 28 healthy controls to identify abnormalities in TMS-evoked potentials (TEPs) and significant current density (SCD) within sensory-discriminative regions including the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) and posterior insula (pINS), cognitive-affective regions including the anterior insula (aINS) and midcingulate cortex (MCC), and a descending modulatory region, the periaqueductal gray (PAG). Study 2 used a single-blind, crossover, sham-controlled design in 34 healthy participants. Each participant received both active (10 Hz, 80% RMT, 1 500 pulses) and sham DLPFC-rTMS in counterbalanced order. TMS-EEG and cold pain tolerance were assessed before and after each session. ResultsIn Study 1, migraineurs showed a significantly less negative N120 amplitude compared to healthy controls (P=0.027, Cohen’s d=0.60), indicating local intracortical disinhibition. No group differences were observed for N40, P60, or P180 components. At the source level, migraineurs exhibited significantly higher SCD in the S1, pINS, aINS, and MCC (allQ<0.05), but not in the ventroposterior thalamus (vpTHAL), mediodorsal thalamus (mdTHAL), or PAG. In Study 2, active rTMS significantly reduced SCD from pre- to post-stimulation in the S1, aINS, and MCC (all Q<0.05). Sham stimulation also reduced SCD in the S1 (Q<0.05) but not in the aINS or MCC. Although no significant group-level analgesic effect was observed between active and sham conditions (P=0.107), correlation analyses revealed that greater SCD reductions in the S1 and MCC were significantly associated with higher post-rTMS pain tolerance (R=-0.487 and -0.495, both Q<0.01) and larger improvements in pain tolerance(R=-0.487 and -0.451, both Q<0.05). No such correlations were found following sham stimulation, suggesting that the behavioural relevance of neural changes is specific to active rTMS. ConclusionThis study provides novel evidence that migraineurs exhibit both local neuroplastic abnormalities (reduced N120 amplitude) and hyperactivity in key pain-processing regions (S1, pINS, aINS, MCC). A single session of DLPFC-rTMS reduced hyperactivity in the aINS, MCC, and S1. Notably, greater reductions in the S1 and MCC were associated with improved pain tolerance. These findings identify distinct cortical circuitries, particularly within the cognitive-affective pain network, that may serve as potential biomarkers for optimizing rTMS treatment in migraine and other chronic pain conditions. Future studies should validate these results in patient populations experiencing spontaneous migraine attacks and explore multi-session or accelerated rTMS protocols.

AIM To investigate the tumor-suppressive mechanism of Guiqi Yiyuan Extract combined with cisplatin in Lewis lung cancer mice.METHODS Ten intact C57BL/6J mice were assigned to the blank group.Sixty additional mice were developed into Lewis lung cancer models bearing transplanted tumor and subsequently allocated into the model group,the cisplatin group(5 mg/kg),the high-dose Guiqi Yiyuan Extract group(6.6 g/kg),and the low-dose,medium-dose and high-dose Guiqi Yiyuan Extract combined with cisplatin group(1.6,3.3,6.6 g/kg+5 mg/kg),with 10 mice in each group.Mice in the blank and model groups received saline via daily gavage,while treatment groups were administered Guiqi Yiyuan Extract orally(once daily),and cisplatin injection intraperitoneally(once every other day).After 14 days of drug administration,mice were euthanized for endpoint analysis.The following assessments were conducted:general health status and body weight changes monitored throughout the study period;tumor excision and weighing for inhibition rate calculation;histopathological examination of tumors via hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining;serum quantification of IL-1 β,IL-18 and HMGB1 by ELISA;ultrastructural analysis of tumor cell death using transmission electron microscopy(TEM);spatial localization of TXNIP and GSDMD-N in tumor sections via immunofluorescence(IF);and Western blot detection of TXNIP,NLRP3,Caspase-1,cleaved Caspase-1,GSDMD,GSDMD-N protein expressions in tumor tissues.RESULTS Compared to the model group,the cisplatin group and all combination therapy groups exhibited significant reduction in tumor weight(P＜0.05)and increased tumor suppression rate;enhanced tumor tissue necrosis with characteristic pyroptotic morphology;elevated serum levels of IL-1β,IL-18 and HMGB1(P＜0.05);and upregulated expressions of pyroptosis-associated proteins TXNIP,NLRP3,Caspase-1,cleaved Caspase-1,GSDMD and GSDMD-N(P＜0.05).The high dose combination group demonstrated optimal therapeutic efficacy(P＜0.05).CONCLUSION Guiqi Yiyuan Extract enhances cisplatin sensitivity,demonstrating synergistic anti-tumor effects in Lewis lung carcinoma-bearing mice.This combinatorial therapeutic effect likely involves modulation of the TXNIP/NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD pathway.

AIM To evaluate the quality of Gegen Formula Granules.METHODS Linear calibration with two reference substances(LCTRS)was adopted in the predicting of retention time with puerarin and daidzein as internal standards.UPLC characteristic chromatograms were established.The contents of 3'-hydroxy puerarin,puerarin(internal standard),3'-methoxy puerarin,puerarin 6"-O-xyloside,puerarin apioside and daidzin were determined by quantitative determination analysis multi-components by a single marker(QAMS),after which their transfer rates were calculated.RESULTS Compared with relative retention time method,LCTRS demonstrated higher positional accuracy for characteristic peaks and wider application range for columns.There were 9 characteristic peaks in the characteristic chromatograms for 14 batches of formula granules and 15 batches of standard decoctions with the similarities of more than 0.95.The contents and transfer rates of various constituents in formula granules and standard decoctions were basically consistent.CONCLUSION The chemical constituents in formula granules and their standard decoctions of Puerariae lobatae Radix display good consistency,reliable preparation process is observable in the former.

Objective:To explore the risk factors of pulmonary infection in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after thoracoscopic lobectomy and evaluate their predictive value.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 152 NSCLC patients who underwent thoracoscopic lobectomy at the Central Hospital of Tongchuan Mining Bureau in Shaanxi Province from May 2021 to May 2024. Among them, 45 cases were diagnosed with pulmonary infection by postoperative lung CT examination (postoperative infection group), while the remaining 107 cases did not develop pulmonary infection (non infection group). The levels of serum procalcitonin, serum amyloid A (SAA), and soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cell-1 (sTREM-1) between two groups of patients before and after surgery were compared, and conduct a multivariate logistic regression analysis on the risk factors of pulmonary infection in NSCLC patients undergoing thoracoscopic lobectomy was conducted to evaluate the predictive value of each indicator for pulmonary infection in NSCLC patients after thoracoscopic lobectomy. The normally distributed quantitative data was represented by xˉ± s. Independent sample t-test was used for comparison between two groups, and paired t-test was used for comparison before and after treatment; The count data was presented as an example (%), and the comparison between groups was conducted using the chi square test. The risk factors for postoperative pulmonary infection in NSCLC patients were analyzed using multiple logistic regression analysis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted to analyze the predictive value of each indicator for pulmonary infection after thoracoscopic lobectomy. Results:No difference were found in the levels of serum procalcitonin, SAA, and sTREM-1 between two groups of patients before surgery(all P>0.05); 24 hours after surgery, the levels of serum procalcitonin, SAA, and sTREM-1 in both groups of patients were higher than before surgery [Postoperative infection group: (1.16±0.29) μg/L compared to (0.34±0.09) μg/L, (10.2±1.8) mg/L compared to (7.3±0.9) mg/L, (20.3±4.8) ng/L compared to (8.0±1.2) ng/L, t-values were 20.70, 9.70, and 16.89, respectively, all P<0.001; The uninfected group (0.84±0.14) μg/L compared to (0.32±0.08) μg/L, (8.2±1.1) mg/L compared to (7.4±0.9) mg/L, and (13.5±6.3) ng/L compared to (8.1±1.2) ng/L, with t-values of 33.36, 6.13, and 8.73, respectively, all P<0.001, and the infected group was higher than the uninfected group ( t-values of 9.18, 8.32, and 6.52, respectively, all P<0.001). The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that serum procalcitonin, SAA, and sTREM-1 levels at 24 hours after surgery were all risk factors for pulmonary infection in NSCLC patients undergoing thoracoscopic lobectomy (odds ratios of 2.40, 1.61, 1.60, 95% confidence intervals: 1.14~5.04, 1.09~2.38, 1.13~2.26, P values of 0.021, 0.017, 0.009, respectively). The area under curve(AUC) of serum procalcitonin, SAA, and sTREM-1 predicting pulmonary infection after thoracoscopic lobectomy in NSCLC patients 24 hours after surgery were 0.84, 0.74, and 0.79, respectively, with cutoff values of 1.03 μg/L, 9.74 mg/L, and 16.85 ng/L, respectively. Conclusions:The levels of serum procalcitonin, SAA, and sTREM-1 24 hours after surgery are all risk factors for pulmonary infection in NSCLC patients undergoing thoracoscopic lobectomy, and all three had a high predictive value for postoperative pulmonary infection.

A centrifugation-free,single-reaction colorimetric method for detection of glucose,utilizing a dual nanozyme cascade system based on gold nanoparticles(AuNPs)and iron-doped carbon dots(FeCDs),was developed in this work.The AuNPs exhibited glucose oxidase-like activity to catalyze glucose oxidation for generation of H2O2,while the FeCDs demonstrated peroxidase-like activity to subsequently catalyze the H2O2-mediated oxidation of 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine(TMB).To prevent interference from the blue signal generated by self-aggregation of AuNPs in subsequent quantitative detection,the reaction system was terminated with HCl,converting oxTMB into a stable yellow product.Based on changes in the absorbance at 450 nm of this yellow solution,a quantitative relationship was established between glucose concentration and absorbance at 450 nm(A450).Experimental results demonstrated that this sensor achieved a linear detection range of 44 μmol/L to 11.11 mmol/L(R2=0.993)with a detection limit of 30.68 μmol/L and spiked recoveries of 97.9%-104.7%.By integrating smartphone-based color recognition capabilities,a rapid visual detection platform was established for quantification of glucose through RGB analysis.The validation experimental results using commercial glucose injection samples further confirmed the practical application potential of this methodology.

Aim To investigate the effect of angioten-sin Ⅱ type 1a receptor(AT1aR)knockout on cardiac dysfunction in rats with obesity and its possible molecu-lar mechanism.Methods SD rats(n=24)were used to generated the whole-body AT1 aR-deficiency rats by sgRNA and the CRISPR/Cas9 system,and the obesity model was constructed by feeding with high-fat diet(HFD).They were divided into four groups:wildtype(WT)and knockout(KO)groups with nor-mal feeding and their respective high-fat diets groups.Color ultrasound diagnostic instrument was uses to e-valuate the cardiac function;oil red O staining was a-dopted to stain the myocardial lipids;RT-PCR was used to detect the levels of GPX4 and Ptgs2 genes in myocardial tissue.Western blot was employed to detect the expression of GPX4,ferritin,Nrf2,HO-1 and NQO1 in rat myocardial tissue.ELISA and other kits were used to determine the lipid contents in serum and myocardium.Results It was found that high-fat feed-ing caused cardiac dysfunction,serum lipid disorders,oxidative stress and ferroptosis in SD rats.However,these changes were attenuated in AT1aR knockout rats fed with high-fat diet.Furthermore,compared with WT-HFD group,KO-HFD rats showed enhanced acti-vation of the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway in the myocardium,reduced ferroptosis,decreased lipid accumulation,and reduced cardiac dysfunction.Conclusion AT1aR knockout can improve HFD-induced cardiac dysfunc-tion by enhancing antioxidant capacity and reducing the degree of ferroptosis.

Objective To analyze differences of purified water,softened water,and concentrated softened water on the decontamination effects for surgical instruments,so as to provide a reliable reference for the selection of cleaning water for surgical instruments.Methods The physical and chemical indexes and components of concentrated softened water,softened water,and purified water were detected,and their cleaning effects for instrument were compared.The decontamination cleaning experiment was conducted in three hospitals with different types of cleaning water using mini cleaning machines,and the differences in the decontamination time were analyzed.The cleaning and decontamination experiments on contaminated instruments was performed using a spray cleaning and disinfection device,and the cleaning effects of instruments with different types of cleaning water were analyzed.Results Calcium content and hardness of the three types of cleaning water were all at a low level,which can avoid scale adhesion for cleaning surgical instruments.There were statistically significant differences in the pH value,conductivity,and contents of calcium,sodium and chloride among the three cleaning waters(P<0.05).The purified water was weakly acidic,and its conductivity,hardness,and contents of calcium,sodium and chloride were all at low levels.The softened water and concentrated softened water were weakly alkaline,with high levels of conductivity and sodium content and low level of chloride.There were statistically significant differences in the decontamination time of the purified water,softened water and concentrated softened water among hospitals(P<0.05).Under the same contamination condition of surgical instruments,there was a statistically significant difference in the qualified rate of instruments cleaning in the upper and lower cleaning baskets with different cleaning waters(P<0.05).Conclusion Concentrated softened water and softened water have high sodium content,and their decontamination and cleaning abilities are significantly stronger than those of the purified water.Purified water has poorer effects in instruments cleaning for its deionized property.Using concentrated softened water or softened water in the surgical instrument cleaning process can achieve effects of reducing consumption and increasing efficiency,which is conducive to improving cleaning efficiency and quality.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the correlation between balance function and core muscle activation in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), compared to healthy individuals. Methods: A total of 24 AIS patients and 25 healthy controls were recruited. The limits of stability (LOS) test were conducted to assess balance function, while surface electromyography was used to measure the activity of core muscles, including the internal oblique, external oblique, and multifidus. Diaphragm thickness was measured using ultrasound during different postural tasks. Center of pressure (COP) displacement and trunk inclination distance were also recorded during the LOS test. Results: AIS patients showed significantly greater activation of superficial core muscles, such as the internal and external oblique muscles, compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Diaphragm activation was lower in AIS patients during balance tasks (p < 0.01). Although no significant difference was observed in COP displacement between the groups, trunk inclination was significantly greater in the AIS group during certain tasks (p < 0.05). Conclusion These findings suggest distinct postural control patterns in AIS patients, highlighting the importance of targeted interventions to improve balance and core muscle function in this population.