OBJECTIVE To investigate the improvement effects and mechanism of astragaloside Ⅳ （AS- Ⅳ ） on lipopolysaccharide （LPS）-induced neuroinflammation. METHODS BV2 cells were divided into control group， LPS group， AS-Ⅳ groups at concentrations of 20 and 40 μmol/L， and dexamethasone group （2 μmol/L）. Except for control group， neuroinflammation model was established with LPS （1 μg/mL） in other groups after medication. The levels of inflammatory factors [interleukin-6 （IL-6）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， and nitric oxide （NO）] in cell supernatant were measured in each group. Mice were randomly divided into normal group， model group， positive control group （Aspirin enteric-coated tablet， 20 mg/kg）， AS-Ⅳ low- and high-dose groups （10， 20 mg/kg）， with 6 mice in each group. Mice in each group were administered the corresponding drug/normal saline via gavage/intraperitoneal injection， once a day， for 14 consecutive days. Except for normal group， other groups were intraperitoneally injected with LPS （250 μg/kg） 1 hour after daily administration of the drug/normal saline to establish neuroinflammation model. Serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were measured 2 h after the last medication； histopathological morphology of cerebral tissue in mice were observed； the co-localization of inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS）/ionized calcium binding adapter molecule 1 （Iba1） and CD206/Iba1 in the cerebral cortex region of mice was observed； the expressions of proteins related to the nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB）/mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK） signaling pathway in brain tissue of mice were also determined， including NF-κB p65， phosphorylated NF-κB p65（p-NF-κB p65）， p38 MAPK， phosphorylated p38 MAPK （p-p38 MAPK）， extracellular signal-regulated kinase （ERK）， and phosphorylated ERK （p-ERK）. RESULTS In the cell experiments， compared with control group， the levels of IL-6， TNF- α and NO in the cell supernatant of the LPS group were increased significantly （P＜0.05）； compared with LPS group， the levels of IL-6， TNF-α and NO were decreased significantly in the administration groups （P＜0.05）. In the animal experiments， compared with the normal group， the serum levels of IL-6 and TNF- α， the number of iNOS/Iba1 co-localization positive cells in the cerebral cortex， and the phosphorylation levels of p38 MAPK， NF- κB p65 and ERK proteins in brain tissue were all significantly increased/elevated in model group （P＜0.05）； the number of CD206/ Iba1 co-localization positive cells in the cerebral cortex region significantly decreased （P＜0.05）. The neurons in the cerebral cortex and the CA3 region of the hippocampus displayed a disordered arrangement. Compared with model group， above quantitative indexes of mice were all reversed significantly in administration groups （P＜0.05）； the neuronal cells in the cerebral cortex and the CA3 region of the hippocampus exhibited a relatively orderly arrangement. CONCLUSIONS AS-Ⅳ may inhibit the activation of the NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathway， promote the M2-type polarization of microglia， and thereby suppress neuroinflammatory responses.

Platelets are indispensable for physiological hemostasis and pathological thrombus formation, and platelet adhesion to endothelial collagen is a critical initial step in thrombus formation, often overlooked in current antiplatelet therapies. This study aims to elucidate how ginsenoside CK enhances hemodynamic circulation, alleviates stasis, and proposes therapeutic mechanisms. Inspired by the effects on improving microcirculatory disturbances in an acute soft tissue injury model, CK was identified as a PHD2 inhibitor, effectively suppressing platelet adhesion to collagen. It was proposed that targeting PHD2 regulates collagen hydroxylation modification, thereby influencing the formation of its three-dimensional structure, reducing the binding affinity between VWF and collagen, and ultimately suppressing thrombotic events. The efficacy of this mechanism was subsequently confirmed through a mouse DIC model, demonstrating the feasibility of CK in alleviating circulatory disorders. It is worth noting that when Phd2 was knocked down in mice's lungs, pulmonary embolism was significantly reduced. Additionally, PHD2 inhibitors approved for other diseases have exhibited similar anti-thrombotic effects. Moreover, when PHD2 inhibitors were combined with aspirin, they more effectively inhibited arterial thrombosis in rats. The findings offer valuable insights into potential targets for developing antiplatelet drugs or expanding therapeutic applications for existing PHD2 inhibitors in treating thrombotic diseases.

Objective:By analyzing the genetic risk of triglyceride-glucose index(Tyg)and insulin resistance(IR)for cardiovascular disease(CVD), to elucidate the extent to which the contribution of Tyg to the risk of CVD development is influenced by IR genetic risk.Methods:In this study, we selected data from a cohort of elderly people in the Kunshan community, screened 7, 385 individuals with both clinical and genomic data, and calculated the polygenic risk score of insulin resistance(IRPRS)for each participant based on publicly available IR genome-wide association data, and assessed the effect of genetic risk and Tyg level on the risk of developing CVD using a multivariate Cox proportional risk model.Calculating interactions to assess the effects of genetic risk and Tyg levels on the risk of developing CVD, the effects of Tyg tertile grouping and IRPRS on the risk of developing CVD were assessed using a multivariate Cox proportional risk model, and subgroup analyses were performed for gender to assess the effects of Tyg tertile grouping and IRPRS on the risk of developing CVD by gender.Results:In the univariate Cox model, Q3 and IRPRS with the highest TYG levels were significantly associated with the risk of CVD, respectively( HR=1.59, 95% CI: 1.33-1.89; P<0.001; HR=1.61, 95% CI: 1.18-2.20; P=0.003).After adjusting for multiple confounders, the Q3 Group with the highest TYG level was still significantly associated with the risk of CVD( HR=1.28, 95% CI: 1.05-1.57; P=0.014), the Association of TYG with the risk of CVD did not change significantly( HR=1.29, 95% CI: 1.05-1.57; P=0.014).We conducted a subgroup analysis by sex and found that among older men, 13, the highest levels of TYG and IRPRS were significantly associated with CVD risk, respectively( HR=1.70, 95% CI: 1.31.2.20; P<0.001; HR=1.98, 95% CI: 1.24-3.15; P=0.004).After adding IRPRS to the model, the Association of TYG with the risk of CVD remained unchanged( HR=1.69, 95% CI: 1.31-2.19; P<0.001).After adjusting for various confounders, Tyg remained significantly associated with the risk of CVD( HR=1.39, 95% CI: 1.04-1.88; P=0.028), the results showed that TYG remained significantly associated with the risk of CVD( HR=1.41, 95% CI: 1.05-1.90; P=0.023), and the association did not decrease.No Association of IRPRS with CVD risk was found in older women. Conclusions:IRPRS and TYG are the risk factors of CVD, and diet, exercise, drugs and other external factors on TYG are the main risk factors of CVD.For individuals with high genetic factors, the risk of CVD can still be reduced by lifestyle adjustments such as diet, exercise and drug intervention.

Objective To observe the value of ultrashort echo time(UTE)-MRI for evaluating pulmonary nodules.Methods Totally 58 patients with pulmonary nodules detected with CT were prospectively enrolled,and UTE-MRI was performed.Taken CT as the referent standard,the value of UTE-MRI for evaluating the diameter,composition,lung imaging reporting and data system(Lung-RADS)type and radiographic signs of pulmonary nodules was analyzed.Results CT detected 66 pulmonary nodules with a diameter of(11.60±5.20)mm in 58 patients,including 29 solid nodules,24 partially solid nodules and 13 ground-glass nodules.There were 14 Lung-RADS type 2,12 type 3,12 type 4A,11 type 4B and 17 type 4X lung nodules,among which 12 were found with lobulated sign,and 14 were found with spiculated sign.UTE-MRI detected 63 nodules with a diameter of(11.34±4.82)mm,including 25 solid nodules,28 partially solid nodules and 10 ground-glass nodules.There were 12 Lung-RADS type 2,12 type 3,12 type 4A,11 type 4B and 16 type 4X lung nodules.Among which 10 nodules were found with lobulated sign and 11 were found with spiculated sign.No significant difference of the measured diameters of lung nodules was found between UTE-MRI and CT(P=0.803),and the results of UTE-MRI and CT had good correlation and consistency(rs=0.953,ICC=0.946),which also had good consistency for assessing nodule composition and Lung-RADS type(Kappa=0.871,0.960).Meanwhile,no significant difference of the display rates of lobulated nor spiculated signs was noticed between UTE-MRI and CT(both P＞0.05).Conclusion UTE-MRI was helpful for evaluating pulmonary nodules,with efficacy comparable to CT.

Objective To conduct the reductive reservation for torsional ovary in different states(.un-necrotic ovary,suspected necrotic torsional ovary and torsional necrotic ovary)after the ovarian torsion in pre-maturity SD rat,and to investigate its effect on the ovarian reproductive function in maturity stage.Methods A total of 32 SD rats with 3 weeks old were selected and randomly divided into 4 groups,8 cases in each group.The animal model of ovarian torsion was made by using the Turner method,which was similar to the animal model of testicular torsion,and either group was selected to undergo the sham operation as the con-trol group(CG group).The non-necrotic torsional ovary detorsion group(NNTOD group),suspected necrotic torsional ovary detorsion group(SNTOD group)and necrotic torsional ovary detorsion group(NTOD group)were established respectively.When the animals were fed to sexual maturity at 8 weeks of age,the experimen-tal animals were sacrificed by vertebral dislocation method,and the ovary tissues on the torsional side were cut for HE staining and transmission electron microscopy to examine the changes of ovarian histomorphology and mitochondrial structure.Ovarian cell apoptosis was detected by Tunel assay.ELISA method was used to de-tect the follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH),luteinizing hormone(LH)and anti-mullerian duct hormone(AMH)levels in centrifugal blood.Results The ovarian structure in the CG group and NNTOD group was clear,the ovarian follicles at different levels were developed well;the electron microscopy showed normal mi-tochondria.The ovarian partial structure in the SNTOD group was disorganized,the number of follicles at all levels of growth was decreased;electron microscopic examination showed a little damage of mitochondria.In the NTOD group,the arrangement of ovarian structure was obviously disordered,the number of growing folli-cles at all levels was significantly reduced;the electron microscopy showed that most of the mitochondria were obviously swollen and severely damaged.Compared with the CG group,the apoptosis rate in the SNTOD group and NTOD group was significantly increased(P＜0.05).There was no statistically significant differ-ence between CG group and NNTOD group(P＞0.05).Compared with the NTOD group,the apoptosis rate in the SNTOD group was decreased(P＜0.05).Compared with the CG group,the levels of LH and FSH in the SNTOD and NTOD groups were increased,and the AMH level was decreased(P＜0.05).The LH and FSH levels in the SNTOD group were lower than those in the NTOD group,the AMH level was higher than that in the NTOD group(P＜0.05).Conclusion After reduction of the torsional suspected necrotic ovary in the prematurity rat,the ovarian reproductive function in the torsional side during sexual maturity period is slightly injured;while after reduction of torsional necrotic ovary restoration,its reproductive function is appar-ently damaged.

Objective:To explore the molecular mechanism by which the methionine adenosyltransferase 2A (MAT2A)/β-catenin/zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1)/epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) pathway regulates neural tube defect (NTD) through intracellular S-adenosylmethionine (SAM).Methods:A mouse NTD model was induced using the SAM metabolic disorder inhibitor ethionine. Eighty specific pathogen-free C57BL/6 mice were divided into three groups: a normal group (36 mice), an ethionine group (46 mice), and an ethionine+SAM group (44 mice). Phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), ethionine, and ethionine+SAM were respectively injected intraperitoneally on embryonic day 7.5 (E7.5), and the mice were sacrificed on E10.5. Embryonic tissues were collected, and the morphology of embryos in each group was observed under a stereomicroscope. The interaction between ethionine and MAT2A was analyzed using Autodock software. The expression levels of MAT2A, β-catenin, ZEB1, and EMT-related proteins in the brain tissues of embryos from the three groups were measured using immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Variance analysis was used for intergroup comparisons.Results:(1) Autodock analysis results showed that MAT2A binds to ethionine through covalent bonds, exhibiting a complementary effect, thereby accelerating the expression of MAT2A. (2) After successful construction of the NTD model, normal embryos were plump with well-developed brains. NTD embryos showed delayed development, obvious anencephaly, unclosed neural tubes, and asymmetry. (3) The levels of SAM and SAH in the embryonic tissues of the ethionine group were significantly lower than those in the normal group (1 737.56±95.64 vs. 872.33±205.11, and 89.17±9.50 vs. 51.25±9.48, respectively). The SAM and SAH levels in the ethionine+SAM group was 1 197.00±222.27 and 66.61±12.25, significantly higher than those in the ethionine group ( P<0.017). Compared with the normal group and the ethionine+SAM group, the expression of MAT2A mRNA in the embryonic brain tissue of the ethionine group was significantly upregulated (1.00±0.00, 1.59±0.52, and 2.42±0.53, respectively, F=49.64, P<0.001; pairwise comparisons between groups P<0.017). (4) Compared with the normal group, the expression of Ctnnb1 in the ethionine group was reduced, and the expression of Ctnnb1 in the ethionine+SAM group was higher than that in the ethionine group (1.00±0.00, 0.38±0.16, and 0.76±0.10, respectively, F=149.03, P<0.001; pairwise comparisons between groups P<0.017). (5) The expression of ZEB1 in the ethionine group was higher than that in the normal group and the ethionine+SAM group (2.91±0.55, 1.00±0.00, and 1.61±0.20, respectively, F=150.01, P<0.001; pairwise comparisons between groups P<0.017). (6) The expression levels of E-cadherin and Vimentin in the ethionine group were lower than those in the normal group. In contrast, the expression of N-cadherin was higher than that in the normal group. After SAM supplementation, the expression levels of E-cadherin and Vimentin were upregulated, and the expression level of N-cadherin was downregulated (0.54±0.12, 1.00±0.00, and 0.72±0.14, respectively, F=87.44; 0.53±0.17, 1.00±0.00, and 0.76±0.09, F=87.44; 3.11±0.53, 1.00±0.00, and 2.13±0.56, F=95.54; all P<0.001; pairwise comparisons within the same index group P<0.017]). Conclusions:Ethionine promotes the expression of MAT2A, leading to reduced SAM production. Ethionine regulates the level of ZEB1 by increasing MAT2A and inhibits the EMT process to interfere with methionine cycle metabolism, ultimately resulting in NTD.

Objective To observe the value of ultrashort echo time(UTE)-MRI for evaluating pulmonary nodules.Methods Totally 58 patients with pulmonary nodules detected with CT were prospectively enrolled,and UTE-MRI was performed.Taken CT as the referent standard,the value of UTE-MRI for evaluating the diameter,composition,lung imaging reporting and data system(Lung-RADS)type and radiographic signs of pulmonary nodules was analyzed.Results CT detected 66 pulmonary nodules with a diameter of(11.60±5.20)mm in 58 patients,including 29 solid nodules,24 partially solid nodules and 13 ground-glass nodules.There were 14 Lung-RADS type 2,12 type 3,12 type 4A,11 type 4B and 17 type 4X lung nodules,among which 12 were found with lobulated sign,and 14 were found with spiculated sign.UTE-MRI detected 63 nodules with a diameter of(11.34±4.82)mm,including 25 solid nodules,28 partially solid nodules and 10 ground-glass nodules.There were 12 Lung-RADS type 2,12 type 3,12 type 4A,11 type 4B and 16 type 4X lung nodules.Among which 10 nodules were found with lobulated sign and 11 were found with spiculated sign.No significant difference of the measured diameters of lung nodules was found between UTE-MRI and CT(P=0.803),and the results of UTE-MRI and CT had good correlation and consistency(rs=0.953,ICC=0.946),which also had good consistency for assessing nodule composition and Lung-RADS type(Kappa=0.871,0.960).Meanwhile,no significant difference of the display rates of lobulated nor spiculated signs was noticed between UTE-MRI and CT(both P＞0.05).Conclusion UTE-MRI was helpful for evaluating pulmonary nodules,with efficacy comparable to CT.

Objective:By analyzing the genetic risk of triglyceride-glucose index(Tyg)and insulin resistance(IR)for cardiovascular disease(CVD), to elucidate the extent to which the contribution of Tyg to the risk of CVD development is influenced by IR genetic risk.Methods:In this study, we selected data from a cohort of elderly people in the Kunshan community, screened 7, 385 individuals with both clinical and genomic data, and calculated the polygenic risk score of insulin resistance(IRPRS)for each participant based on publicly available IR genome-wide association data, and assessed the effect of genetic risk and Tyg level on the risk of developing CVD using a multivariate Cox proportional risk model.Calculating interactions to assess the effects of genetic risk and Tyg levels on the risk of developing CVD, the effects of Tyg tertile grouping and IRPRS on the risk of developing CVD were assessed using a multivariate Cox proportional risk model, and subgroup analyses were performed for gender to assess the effects of Tyg tertile grouping and IRPRS on the risk of developing CVD by gender.Results:In the univariate Cox model, Q3 and IRPRS with the highest TYG levels were significantly associated with the risk of CVD, respectively( HR=1.59, 95% CI: 1.33-1.89; P<0.001; HR=1.61, 95% CI: 1.18-2.20; P=0.003).After adjusting for multiple confounders, the Q3 Group with the highest TYG level was still significantly associated with the risk of CVD( HR=1.28, 95% CI: 1.05-1.57; P=0.014), the Association of TYG with the risk of CVD did not change significantly( HR=1.29, 95% CI: 1.05-1.57; P=0.014).We conducted a subgroup analysis by sex and found that among older men, 13, the highest levels of TYG and IRPRS were significantly associated with CVD risk, respectively( HR=1.70, 95% CI: 1.31.2.20; P<0.001; HR=1.98, 95% CI: 1.24-3.15; P=0.004).After adding IRPRS to the model, the Association of TYG with the risk of CVD remained unchanged( HR=1.69, 95% CI: 1.31-2.19; P<0.001).After adjusting for various confounders, Tyg remained significantly associated with the risk of CVD( HR=1.39, 95% CI: 1.04-1.88; P=0.028), the results showed that TYG remained significantly associated with the risk of CVD( HR=1.41, 95% CI: 1.05-1.90; P=0.023), and the association did not decrease.No Association of IRPRS with CVD risk was found in older women. Conclusions:IRPRS and TYG are the risk factors of CVD, and diet, exercise, drugs and other external factors on TYG are the main risk factors of CVD.For individuals with high genetic factors, the risk of CVD can still be reduced by lifestyle adjustments such as diet, exercise and drug intervention.

Objective:To explore the molecular mechanism by which the methionine adenosyltransferase 2A (MAT2A)/β-catenin/zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1)/epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) pathway regulates neural tube defect (NTD) through intracellular S-adenosylmethionine (SAM).Methods:A mouse NTD model was induced using the SAM metabolic disorder inhibitor ethionine. Eighty specific pathogen-free C57BL/6 mice were divided into three groups: a normal group (36 mice), an ethionine group (46 mice), and an ethionine+SAM group (44 mice). Phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), ethionine, and ethionine+SAM were respectively injected intraperitoneally on embryonic day 7.5 (E7.5), and the mice were sacrificed on E10.5. Embryonic tissues were collected, and the morphology of embryos in each group was observed under a stereomicroscope. The interaction between ethionine and MAT2A was analyzed using Autodock software. The expression levels of MAT2A, β-catenin, ZEB1, and EMT-related proteins in the brain tissues of embryos from the three groups were measured using immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Variance analysis was used for intergroup comparisons.Results:(1) Autodock analysis results showed that MAT2A binds to ethionine through covalent bonds, exhibiting a complementary effect, thereby accelerating the expression of MAT2A. (2) After successful construction of the NTD model, normal embryos were plump with well-developed brains. NTD embryos showed delayed development, obvious anencephaly, unclosed neural tubes, and asymmetry. (3) The levels of SAM and SAH in the embryonic tissues of the ethionine group were significantly lower than those in the normal group (1 737.56±95.64 vs. 872.33±205.11, and 89.17±9.50 vs. 51.25±9.48, respectively). The SAM and SAH levels in the ethionine+SAM group was 1 197.00±222.27 and 66.61±12.25, significantly higher than those in the ethionine group ( P<0.017). Compared with the normal group and the ethionine+SAM group, the expression of MAT2A mRNA in the embryonic brain tissue of the ethionine group was significantly upregulated (1.00±0.00, 1.59±0.52, and 2.42±0.53, respectively, F=49.64, P<0.001; pairwise comparisons between groups P<0.017). (4) Compared with the normal group, the expression of Ctnnb1 in the ethionine group was reduced, and the expression of Ctnnb1 in the ethionine+SAM group was higher than that in the ethionine group (1.00±0.00, 0.38±0.16, and 0.76±0.10, respectively, F=149.03, P<0.001; pairwise comparisons between groups P<0.017). (5) The expression of ZEB1 in the ethionine group was higher than that in the normal group and the ethionine+SAM group (2.91±0.55, 1.00±0.00, and 1.61±0.20, respectively, F=150.01, P<0.001; pairwise comparisons between groups P<0.017). (6) The expression levels of E-cadherin and Vimentin in the ethionine group were lower than those in the normal group. In contrast, the expression of N-cadherin was higher than that in the normal group. After SAM supplementation, the expression levels of E-cadherin and Vimentin were upregulated, and the expression level of N-cadherin was downregulated (0.54±0.12, 1.00±0.00, and 0.72±0.14, respectively, F=87.44; 0.53±0.17, 1.00±0.00, and 0.76±0.09, F=87.44; 3.11±0.53, 1.00±0.00, and 2.13±0.56, F=95.54; all P<0.001; pairwise comparisons within the same index group P<0.017]). Conclusions:Ethionine promotes the expression of MAT2A, leading to reduced SAM production. Ethionine regulates the level of ZEB1 by increasing MAT2A and inhibits the EMT process to interfere with methionine cycle metabolism, ultimately resulting in NTD.

Objective:To explore the association between the variability of triglyceride glucose index (TyG) and the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Methods:This study was a retrospective cohort study. A total of 22 929 community-dwelling elderly (aged≥60 years) who received annual health check-ups in Kunshan city of Suzhou Municipality during 2014 to 2021 were enrolled in the study. Fasting triglycerides and blood glucose were measured during annual physical check-ups and the TyG was calculated, the standard deviation of TyG measurements in three consecutive physical check-ups was used as the indicatior of TyG long-term variability. According to the quartile of TyG long-term variability, the study subjects were divided into four groups, namely Q 1 (0-0.14), Q 2 (>0.14-0.22), Q 3 (>0.22-0.33), Q 4 (>0.33-1.90). The outcome variable was the occurrence of T2DM. The relationship between TyG variability and T2DM incidence was analyzed by multivariate Cox regression. Results:In the study cohort 11 518 (50.2%) were females and the mean age was (67.42±5.35) years. By the end of follow-up, 2 934 cases of new T2DM were diagnosed, with an oveall incidence rate of 12.8%. After adjusting for multiple confounders and average TyG, long-term variability of TyG was significantly associated with T2DM risk ( HR=1.83, 95% CI: 1.51-2.20). The risk of T2DM in Q 4 group was significantly higher than that in Q 1 group ( HR=1.33, 95% CI: 1.19-1.47). Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed that long-term variability of TyG was significantly correlated with the cumulative risk of T2DM incidence ( P<0.001). Conclusions:TyG variability is an independent risk factor for T2DM, suggesting that attention should be paid not only to specific time-point TyG levels but also to TyG fluctuation for early identification of T2DM risk.