ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism by which Xiebai San regulates respiratory tract and intestinal mucosal immunity in rats with allergic asthma. MethodsForty male SD rats were randomly divided into four groups based on body weight: control group, model group, positive control group, and Xiebai San group. The model group, positive control group, and Xiebai San group were sensitized with ovalbumin to establish a rat model of allergic asthma. From day 21 (the aerosol challenge phase), each group received daily gavage interventions simultaneously: the positive control group was administered dexamethasone (0.068 mg/kg), the Xiebai San group received Xiebai San solution (2 g/mL, 11.3 mL/kg), while the control and model groups were given an equal volume of normal saline, once daily for 14 consecutive days. After euthanasia, lung and intestinal tissues were collected. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to observe histopathological changes. Transmission electron microscopy was employed to examine tissue ultrastructure. Immunohistochemistry was applied to detect the positive reaction areas of phosphatidyl-inositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and protein kinase B (Akt) proteins. Total protein and total RNA were extracted from lung and intestinal tissues, then the protein and mRNA expression levels of PI3K and Akt genes were detected by Western blotting and real-time quantitative PCR, respectively. ResultsHistopathological results showed alveolar emphysema accompanied by inflammatory cell infiltration, and intestinal mucosal injury with inflammatory cell infiltration in the model group as compared with the control group; the cellular structure of lung tissues was disrupted in the model group, with reduced organelles, while the ultrastructural lesions in the intestine were relatively mild. Compared with the model group, Xiebai San group exhibited milder pathological changes in lung tissues, with occasional alveolar wall damage and a small amount of inflammatory cell infiltration; the intestinal mucosal structure was improved, glands were arranged regularly, and pathological changes such as tissue loosening and inflammatory infiltration were alleviated; the cellular structure of lung tissues was relatively intact with reduced severity of lesions, and no ultrastructural pathological changes were observed in intestinal tissues. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting results showed that compared with the control group, the specific positive reaction areas of PI3K and Akt in lung and intestinal tissues were significantly increased in the model group (all P<0.001); meanwhile, the protein expression levels of PI3K and Akt were significantly upregulated (all P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the positive area of Akt protein in lung tissue was significantly reduced in the Xiebai San group (P<0.001), and the positive area of PI3K in intestinal tissue was also significantly decreased (P<0.000 1). Additionally, the protein expression levels of PI3K and Akt in lung and intestinal tissues were significantly downregulated (all P<0.01). Real-time quantitative PCR results showed that compared with the control group, the mRNA expression levels of PI3K and Akt genes in lung and intestinal tissues were significantly elevated in the model group (all P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the mRNA expression levels of PI3K and Akt genes in lung and intestinal tissues were significantly reduced in the Xiebai San group (all P<0.05). ConclusionXiebai San exerts protective effects on rats with allergic asthma by inhibiting the expression of key nucleic acids and proteins in the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway in lung and intestinal tissues, improving the morphological structure of lung tissue, and maintaining intestinal mucosal integrity, and regulating intestinal mucosal immune function.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder influenced by both genetic and environmental factors, remains poorly understood regarding how its polygenic risk score (PRS) impacts functional networks and symptomology. This study capitalized on data from 11,430 children in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study to explore the interplay between PRS_ADHD, brain function, and behavioral problems, along with their interactive effects. The results showed that children with a higher PRS_ADHD exhibited more severe attention deficits and rule-breaking problems, and experienced sleep disturbances, particularly in initiating and maintaining sleep. We also identified the central executive network, default mode network, and sensory-motor network as the functional networks most associated with PRS and symptoms in ADHD cases, with potential mediating roles. Particularly, the impact of PRS_ADHD was enhanced in children experiencing heightened sleep disturbances, emphasizing the need for early intervention in sleep issues to potentially mitigate subsequent ADHD symptoms.
Humans ; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity/physiopathology* ; Male ; Female ; Sleep Wake Disorders/physiopathology* ; Adolescent ; Child ; Brain/diagnostic imaging* ; Multifactorial Inheritance ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease

Objective To prepare glucose transporter 1(Glut1)-targeted doxorubicin(DOX)-loaded liposomes(doxorubicin/polyphyllin H-liposomes,DOX/ppH-LPs)using polyphyllin H(ppH)instead of cholesterol as the liposomal membrane material,and to investigate their in vitro synergistic anti-tumor activity against non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC).Methods DOX/ppH-LPs were prepared using thin-film hydration,and the formulation was optimized by single-factor investigation.The optimized DOX/ppH-LPs were characterized for morphology,particle size,polydispersity index(PDI),and zeta potential with transmission electron microscopy(TEM)and dynamic light scattering(DLS).Drug loading DL%was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC).The storage stability was evaluated by observing in PBS at 4℃for 7 d,and the serum stability was observed in DMEM containing 10%fetal bovine serum(FBS)at 37℃for 48 h.In vitro drug release was studied in PBS at pH 7.4 and pH 5.0 values,respectively.Human NSCLC A549 cells were subjected as the model,MTT assay was performed to detect the proliferation inhibition by DOX/ppH-LPs at different concentrations(0.5,5.0,15.0 μg/mL)and the control group(ppH+DOX/LPs,a physical mixture of free ppH and DOX-loaded liposomes).Fluorescence microscopy was used to observe cellular uptake of DOX/ppH-LPs and DOX/LPs(containing 5 μg/mL DOX)at 15 min and 2 h.Live/dead cell staining was applied to assess apoptosis/necrosis induced by formulations(15 μg/mL DOX)after 48 h incubation.Transwell assay was conducted to evaluate inhibitory effect on cell migration and invasion,and the targeting property and in vitro synergistic anti-NSCLC activity of DOX/ppH-LPs were then comprehensively evaluated.Results The optimal formulation of DOX/ppH-LPs was determined as hydration temperature at 50℃,6 mg DOX,2 mg ppH,and 24 mg lecithin.The prepared DOX/ppH-LPs were in spherical shape,uniform distribution,and at an average particle size of 145.13±22.14 nm,a PDI of 0.15±0.05,a zeta potential of-23.92±1.73 mV,and a DL of 10.13±0.71%for DOX and(1.22±0.21)%for ppH.DOX/ppH-LPs maintained stable particle size,PDI,and exhibited significantly unchanged zeta potential after storage in PBS at 4℃for 7 d or incubation in DMEM containing 10%FBS at 37℃for 48 h,demonstrating excellent physical and serum stability.Both liposomes showed slow release at pH 7.4 value,while drug release was significantly accelerated at pH 5.0 value(P<0.05),indicating pH-sensitive release characteristics.MTT assay revealed that DOX/ppH-LPs exerted significantly stronger cytotoxicity against A549 cells than the ppH+DOX/LPs control group(P<0.05).Compared with ppH+DOX/LPs,DOX/ppH-LPs showed remarkably enhanced cellular uptake in A549 cells(P<0.05),with more DOX localized in the nucleus.Live/dead cell staining showed that at the same DOX concentration(15 μg/mL),the proportion of apoptotic/necrotic cells induced by DOX/ppH-LPs was significantly higher than that of the DOX/LPs control group.Transwell assay demonstrated that there were significantly less cells migrating and invading through the membrane in the DOX/ppH-LPs group than the ppH+DOX/LPs group.Conclusion Glut1-targeted doxorubicin-loaded liposomes(DOX/ppH-LPs)constructed by substituting cholesterol with ppH can target NSCLC cells,significantly enhance the in vitro synergistic anti-NSCLC activity of DOX and ppH.

Objective To explore the effect and mechanism of microRNA-133a-3p(miR-133a-3p)on invasion and apoptosis of breast cancer cells through targeted regulation of cullin-associated NEDD8-dissociated 1(CAND1).Methods MCF-7 cells were divided into overexpression group(mimics miR-133 a-3p transfection),NC group(mimics control transfection),co-transfection group(mimics miR-133a-3p transfection with pcDNA-CAND1 co-transfection)and control group(only adding the same amount of transfection reagents).Flow cytometry was used to detect cell apoptosis,Transwell assay was used to detect cell invasion,and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to detect miR-133a-3p and CAND1 expression.Results After transfection,the expression levels of miR-133a-3p in control group,NC group,overexpression group and co-transfection group were 0.50±0.08,0.51±0.09,1.06±0.10 and 1.05±0.15,respectively;the expression of CAND1 mRNA were 0.91±0.09,0.91±0.07,0.80±0.10 and 1.21±0.10,respectively.There were statistically significant differences in the above indexes between the co-transfection group and the control group,the NC group(all P＜0.05),and there were statistically significant differences between the overexpression group and the control group,the NC group(all P＜0.05).The apoptosis rates in control group,NC group,overexpression group and co-transfection group were(7.88±1.62)％,(8.87±2.01)％,(53.41±5.46)％,(29.54±3.78)％,respectively.The number of invasive cells in control group,NC group,overexpression group and co-transfection group were 161.02±10.31,155.87±12.30,85.21±9.11 and 118.37±10.84,respectively.There were statistically significant differences in the above indexes between transfection group and overexpression group,control group and NC group(all P＜0.05),and there were statistically significant differences between overexpression group and control group and NC group(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Overexpression of miR-133a-3p in human breast cancer cells MCF-7 can inhibit CAND1 and promote apoptosis and invasion of MCF-7 cells.

Objective:To investigate the association between high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and the risk of diabetes mellitus (DM) in Chinese adults.Methods:This study was a secondary analysis of a multicenter, retrospective cohort study using data from the Chinese health screening program in the DATADRYAD database. Between 2010 and 2016, 211833 Chinese adults aged 20 years or older were screened for diabetes at baseline in 32 sites and 11 cities across the country. Baseline HDL-C level was the target independent variable and the risk of DM at follow-up was the dependent variable. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis assessed the independent association between HDL-C levels and the risk of developing DM. In this paper, the generalized Additive Model (GAM) and the smoothing curve fitting method were used to study the nonlinear relationships. In addition, subgroup analyses were conducted to assess the consistency of the correlations among different subgroup and to further validate the reliability of the results.Results:After adjusting for potential confounding factors such as age, sex and body mass index, HDL-C level was positively correlated with the development of diabetes ( HR=1.43, 95% CI: 1.08-1.90, P=0.012). The level of HDL-C showed a non-linear relationship with the risk of DM, and the inflection point was 1.81 mmol/L. The HR (95% CI) of the left and right sides of the inflection point were 0.94 (0.56-1.55) and 2.54 (1.93-3.30), respectively. When HDL-C>1.81 mmol/L, HDL-C was positively correlated with the occurrence of DM. Each 1.00 mmol/L increase in HDL-C increased the risk of diabetes mellitus by 1.54 times ( P<0.001); when HDL-C<1.81 mmol/L, the risk of diabetes decreased by 6% for every 1.00 mmol/L increase in HDL-C ( P=0.798). Subgroup analysis showed that, in the age, male, BMI 24.5-52.7 kg/m 2 subgroups, all the systolic blood pressure subgroups, diastolic blood pressure 69-77 and 78-164 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) subgroups, total cholesterol 0.02-4.26 and 5.00-17.84 mmol/L subgroups, all the triglyceride subgroups, low-density lipoprotein 0-2.42 and 2.99-12.60 mmol/L subgroups, alanine aminotransferase 23.4-1 508.4 U/L subgroups, aspartate transaminase 0-19.7 and 24.8-1 026.2 U/L subgroups, all the urea nitrogen subgroups, creatinine 61.5-76.9, 77.0-1 116.6 μmol/L subgroups, never smoking subgroup, subgroup with frequent alcohol consumption or family history of diabetes mellitus, the effect values of HDL-C and the risk of diabetes mellitus in Chinese adults showed good stability (all HR>1.00). Conclusions:High levels of HDL-C are associated with an increased risk of DM in Chinese adults. When HDL-C is greater than 1.81 mmol/L, HDL-C is positively correlated with DM.

Objective To construct curcumin pyrazole derivative by the reaction of diketone of curcumin and benzylhydrazine based on the above structure-activity relationship,and to explore its antioxidant activity to provide experimental basis for the development of curcumin antioxidant derivative.Methods Curcumin-N-substituted pyrazole derivative was synthesized from curcumin and benzylhydrazine.The structures of the derivative were confirmed by infrared spectroscopy(IR),nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy(1H-NMR,13C-NMR)and LC-MS.The antioxidant activity in vitro of the derivative was evaluated by determination of curcumin and its pyrazole derivative scavenging ability for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH)free radical and 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid(ABTS)free radical.Results Curcumin pyrazole derivative was successfully synthesized.Curcumin and its pyrazole derivative showed good free radical scavenging effects in the range of 4.6-73.6,6.25-100 μg·mL-1,respectively,with a significant dose-effect relationship.The half-maximal inhibition(IC50)values of curcumin and its pyrazole derivatives determined by DPPH method were 14.24,40.37 μg·mL-1,respectively,while the IC50 values of curcumin and its pyrazole derivatives determined by ABTS method were 36.65,19.26 μg·mL-1,respectively.Conclusion The antioxidant activity of β-dione of curcumin was retained through the substitution of the pyrazole ring,and the curcumin pyrazole derivative deserves further investigation as a potential antioxidant.

Objective:To analyze the clinical phenotype and genetic etiology of a child with Multiple congenital anomalies-hypotonia-seizures syndrome 1 (MCAHS1).Methods:Clinical data of a 2-year-old boy who had presented at the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University in March 2023 for "intermittent limb twitching for 2 years" was collected. Peripheral blood samples were collected from the child and his parents for whole-exome sequencing (WES). Candidate variants were verified by Sanger sequencing and bioinformatic analysis based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG).Results:The child had manifested with distinctive facial features, limb deformities, hypotonia, motor and intellectual delays, and epileptic seizures. WES revealed that he has harbored compound heterozygous variants of the PIGN gene, namely c. 963G>A (p.Q321=) and c. 994A>T (p.I332F), which were inherited from his phenotypically normal mother and father, respectively. Based on the ACMG guidelines, the c. 963G>A was classified as a pathogenic variant (PVS1+ PM2_Supporting+ PM3), whilst the c. 994A>T was classified as a variant of uncertain significance (PM2_Supporting+ PP3). Conclusion:Above discovery has expanded the mutational spectrum of the PIGN gene variants associated with MCAHS1, which may facilitate delineation of its genotype-phenotype correlation.

Objective: The objective of this study was to analyze the different brain oxygen metabolism statuses in preeclampsia using magnetic resonance imaging and investigate the factors that affect cerebral oxygen metabolism in preeclampsia. Materials and Methods: Forty-nine women with preeclampsia (mean age 32.4 years; range, 18–44 years), 22 pregnant healthy controls (PHCs) (mean age 30.7 years; range, 23–40 years), and 40 non-pregnant healthy controls (NPHCs) (mean age 32.5 years; range, 20–42 years) were included in this study. Brain oxygen extraction fraction (OEF) values were computed using quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) plus quantitative blood oxygen level-dependent magnitude-based OEF mapping (QSM + quantitative blood oxygen level-dependent imaging or QQ) obtained with a 1.5-T scanner. Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) was used to investigate the differences in OEF values in the brain regions among the groups. Results: Among the three groups, the average OEF values were significantly different in multiple brain areas, including the parahippocampus, multiple gyri of the frontal lobe, calcarine, cuneus, and precuneus (all P-values were less than 0.05, after correcting for multiple comparisons). The average OEF values of the preeclampsia group were higher than those of the PHC and NPHC groups. The bilateral superior frontal gyrus/bilateral medial superior frontal gyrus had the largest size of the aforementioned brain regions, and the OEF values in this area were 24.2 ± 4.6, 21.3 ± 2.4, and 20.6 ± 2.8 in the preeclampsia, PHC, and NPHC groups, respectively. In addition, the OEF values showed no significant differences between NPHC and PHC. Correlation analysis revealed that the OEF values of some brain regions (mainly involving the frontal, occipital, and temporal gyrus) were positively correlated with age, gestational week, body mass index, and mean blood pressure in the preeclampsia group (r = 0.361–0.812). Conclusion Using whole-brain VBM analysis, we found that patients with preeclampsia had higher OEF values than controls.

Humans ; Melphalan/therapeutic use* ; Multiple Myeloma/therapy* ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Transplantation, Autologous ; Transplantation Conditioning