AIM:To explore the mechanism of Salvia miltiorrhiza(Danshen)-derived exosome-like nanoparti-cles(DDN)in attenuating oxidative damage in endothelial cells through the activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(PKB/Akt)/endothelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS)signaling pathway.METHODS:The DDN were characterized by transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering.Fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry were used to evaluate the uptake of DDN by human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs).The viability,migration and invasion of HUVECs were assessed using CCK8 assay,wound-healing assay and Transwell assay,respec-tively.The HUVECs were induced by angiotensin II(Ang II)for oxidative stress and intervened with DDN or LY294002(a PI3K inhibitor).The levels of reactive oxygen species were determined by flow cytometry,and intracellular nitric oxide(NO)content was measured using a biochemical assay kit.Additionally,the protein levels of NADPH oxidase 4(NOX4),NOX2,endothelial nitric oxide syntnase(eNOS),p-eNOS,Akt and p-Akt were examined by Western blot.RESULTS:(1)Transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering analysis revealed that DDN had good bio-compatibility and stability.(2)According to fluorescence images and flow cytometry results,DDN were strongly taken up by HUVECs.(3)Compared with control group,DDN significantly promoted the viability,migration and invasion of HUVECs,showing a dose-dependent effect.(4)Compared with control group,DDN remarkably increased intracellular NO levels,thereby enhancing endothelial cell vasodilation via activating the PI3K/Akt/eNOS signaling pathway.(5)The PI3K/Akt/eNOS pathway played a critical role in mitigating oxidative stress and improving cellular function in response to DDN treat-ment.CONCLUSION:The DDN mediate PI3K/Akt/eNOS signaling pathway activation to significantly alleviate Ang II-induced oxidative damage in endothelial cells,suggesting a potential vascular protective effect of DDN.

In recent years,there has been a significant rise in the incidence of peripheral nerve injury(PNI),highlighting the urgent need for effective treatment strategies.The inflammation and pain hypersensitivity associated with PNI greatly diminish patients'quality of life.Although there are promising treatment approaches for nerve injury,the com-plex pathological mechanisms underlying neuropathic pain caused by PNI present significant challenges for clinical manage-ment.Extensive research has established that the development of neuropathic pain is closely linked to nerve conduction and related signaling molecules.Among these,P2X4 receptor(P2X4R),an ATP-dependent ion channel,is involved in nerve signal transmission and associated pathways-plays a crucial role in the progression of neuropathic pain.This article offers a comprehensive overview of the function and distribution of P2X4R,investigates its pathological mechanisms in PNI-induced neuropathic pain,and elucidates its relationship with peripheral neuropathic pain disorders.Through this explo-ration,we aim to provide valuable insights that could inform the development of novel clinical strategies for pain management.

AIM:To explore the mechanism of Salvia miltiorrhiza(Danshen)-derived exosome-like nanoparti-cles(DDN)in attenuating oxidative damage in endothelial cells through the activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(PKB/Akt)/endothelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS)signaling pathway.METHODS:The DDN were characterized by transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering.Fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry were used to evaluate the uptake of DDN by human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs).The viability,migration and invasion of HUVECs were assessed using CCK8 assay,wound-healing assay and Transwell assay,respec-tively.The HUVECs were induced by angiotensin II(Ang II)for oxidative stress and intervened with DDN or LY294002(a PI3K inhibitor).The levels of reactive oxygen species were determined by flow cytometry,and intracellular nitric oxide(NO)content was measured using a biochemical assay kit.Additionally,the protein levels of NADPH oxidase 4(NOX4),NOX2,endothelial nitric oxide syntnase(eNOS),p-eNOS,Akt and p-Akt were examined by Western blot.RESULTS:(1)Transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering analysis revealed that DDN had good bio-compatibility and stability.(2)According to fluorescence images and flow cytometry results,DDN were strongly taken up by HUVECs.(3)Compared with control group,DDN significantly promoted the viability,migration and invasion of HUVECs,showing a dose-dependent effect.(4)Compared with control group,DDN remarkably increased intracellular NO levels,thereby enhancing endothelial cell vasodilation via activating the PI3K/Akt/eNOS signaling pathway.(5)The PI3K/Akt/eNOS pathway played a critical role in mitigating oxidative stress and improving cellular function in response to DDN treat-ment.CONCLUSION:The DDN mediate PI3K/Akt/eNOS signaling pathway activation to significantly alleviate Ang II-induced oxidative damage in endothelial cells,suggesting a potential vascular protective effect of DDN.

In recent years,there has been a significant rise in the incidence of peripheral nerve injury(PNI),highlighting the urgent need for effective treatment strategies.The inflammation and pain hypersensitivity associated with PNI greatly diminish patients'quality of life.Although there are promising treatment approaches for nerve injury,the com-plex pathological mechanisms underlying neuropathic pain caused by PNI present significant challenges for clinical manage-ment.Extensive research has established that the development of neuropathic pain is closely linked to nerve conduction and related signaling molecules.Among these,P2X4 receptor(P2X4R),an ATP-dependent ion channel,is involved in nerve signal transmission and associated pathways-plays a crucial role in the progression of neuropathic pain.This article offers a comprehensive overview of the function and distribution of P2X4R,investigates its pathological mechanisms in PNI-induced neuropathic pain,and elucidates its relationship with peripheral neuropathic pain disorders.Through this explo-ration,we aim to provide valuable insights that could inform the development of novel clinical strategies for pain management.

AIM:To investigate the effects of adipose-derived stem cells(ADSCs)with overexpression or si-lencing of long noncoding RNA(lncRNA)SNHG8 on the viability,migration,angiogenesis,and the expression of vasoac-tive factors in human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs).METHODS:Identification of ADSCs derived from morbidly obese patients(O-ADSCs)was conducted using flow cytometry and induction of lipogenesis and osteogenesis.The expression of lncRNA SNHG8 in healthy human ADSCs(H-ADSCs)and O-ADSCs was detected by RT-qPCR.Tran-swell method was used to establish the indirect co-culture system of ADSCs and HUVECs for 48 h,and the cells were di-vided into O-ADSCs+HUVECs group,H-ADSCs+HUVECs group,and HUVECs alone group.The mRNA and protein ex-pression levels of angiotensin Ⅱ(Ang Ⅱ),endothelin-1(ET-1)and endothelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS)in HUVECs were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot.The lncRNA SNHG8 overexpression and silencing lentiviruses were con-structed and used to infect O-ADSCs.The indirect co-cultured ADSCs and HUVECs were divided into O-ADSCs-OE-SNHG8+ HUVECs group,O-ADSCs-OE-NC+HUVECs group,O-ADSCs-sh-SNHG8+HUVECs group,and O-ADSCs-sh-NC+HUVECs group.After co-culture for 48 h,the viability,migration and tubule formation of HUVECs were detected by CCK-8,scratch and angiogenesis assays,respectively.The mRNA and protein expression levels of Ang Ⅱ,ET-1 and eNOS in HU-VECs were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot,respectively.The nitrate reductase method was used to detect the con-tent of NO in HUVECs.RESULTS:(1)The cultured cells were identified as ADSCs.(2)Compared with H-ADSCs,ln-cRNA SNHG8 expression was significantly up-regulated in O-ADSCs(P<0.01).(3)Compared with H-ADSCs+HUVECs group and HUVECs group,the mRNA and protein expression levels of Ang Ⅱ and ET-1 in HUVECs in O-ADSCs+HU-VECs group were up-regulated(P<0.01).(4)Overexpression of lncRNA SNHG8 in O-ADSCs enhanced the viability,mi-gration and tube formation ability of HUVECs,up-regulated the mRNA and protein expression levels of Ang Ⅱ and ET-1,down-regulated the mRNA and protein expression levels of eNOS,and decreased the content of NO in HUVECs(P<0.05).However,silencing of lncRNA SNHG8 in O-ADSCs exerted opposite results(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:(1)The O-ADSCs can promote endothelial cell viability,migration and tubule formation through paracrine effects.(2)The O-ADSCs with overexpression of lncRNA SNHG8 promote the imbalance of diastolic and contractile factors secreted by endo-thelial cells,and induce the dysfunction of vascular endothelial cells.

AIM To optimize the processing technology of red Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma and evaluate its blood tonifying activity.METHODS On the basis of a single factor experiment,with steaming temperature,steaming time,drying temperature,and drying time as influencing factors,the total contents of notoginsenoside R1,ginsenoside Rg1,Rb1,Rk3,Rh4,and 20(R)-ginsenoside Rg3 as evaluation indicators,Box-Behnken response surface method ology was used to optimize the processing technology.Upon the anemic mouse models jointly induced by 1-acetyl-2-phenylhydrazine(APH)and cyclophosphamide(CTX),the investigation of the blood tonifying activity of red Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma was carried out in contrast to that of the steamed Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma.RESULTS The optimal conditions,contributing saponin content of 8.326%and RSD of 0.087%,were determined as follows:steaming temperature of 130℃,steaming time of 4 hours,drying temperature of 60℃,and drying time of 48 h.The pharmacological activity revealed that the different processing techniques were responsible for the different blood enriching activity of notoginseng,with red Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma displaying a better efficacy than that of steamed Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma.CONCLUSION This stable and feasible method can be used to control the production of red Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma.

Natural products have been a major source of leading compounds in drug discovery. How to effectively screen active compounds from complex matrix remains an interesting topic. In this review, we comprehensively summarized advanced liquid chromatography based approaches in natural products screening, including pre-column, on-column and post-column screening methods. Their advantages, disadvantages and prospect are also discussed.

[Objective]To explore the evaluation value of ultrasomics based on contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS)imaging in the therapy response of microRNA-122(miR-122)in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).[Method]Mice bearing subcutaneous HCC xenografts were injected intratumorally with microRNA-122 mimics(miR-122 mimics) and negative control mimics(NC mimics)in treatment group(n=6)and control group(n=6),respectively. The injec-tions were performed every 3 days for five times.Before each injection,two-dimension ultrasound(2D-US)imaging was performed.At 24 h after the last injection,2D-US and CEUS images of tumors were acquired,and then mice scarified for tumor miR-122 expression analysis by qRT-PCR.To evaluate the therapy response by RECIST,tumor volumes were mea-sured based on each 2D-US image. To analyze the tumor perfusion by mRECIST,perfusion parameters(maximum of intensity,rise time,time to peak,mean transit time,quality of fit)were analyzed off-line based on dynamic CEUS videos using SonoLiver?software. For ultrasomics,CEUS images at 10,30,60,90 second were used for features extraction, respectively. The corresponding ultrasomics formulas were built to evaluate the therapy response for miR-122.[Result]The tumors treated with miR-122 mimics resulted in a(763±60)folds increase in miR-122 levels compared to the tumors in control group(P<0.05).Effectively therapeutic response evaluated by tumor sizes change was detected after the third injection(P<0.05).For assessment using mRECIST,all the parameters of treatment group did not show significant difference from the ones of control group(P>0.05).Analysis using ultrasomics fail to detect different features of the static images of CEUS at 10 s,and models can be successfully built based on the rest of the three phases of CEUS images.The ultrasomics Scores between control group and treatment group were statistically different(P<0.05).The ultrasomics score at 30s were significantly lower than those at 60 s and 90 s,while there was no statistical difference between scores at 60 s and 90 s.[Conclusion]Ultrasomics analysis based on CEUS imaging is a useful method in evaluating the therapy response of miR-122 in HCC,and showed greater value than dynamic perfusion parameter.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of FLAMIGEL (hydrogel dressing) on the repair of residual burn wound.

METHODSSixty burn patients with residual wounds hospitalized in 6 burn units from November 2011 to May 2012 were enrolled in the multi-center, randomized, and self-control clinical trial. Two residual wounds of each patient were divided into groups T (treated with FLAMIGEL) and C (treated with iodophor gauze) according to the random number table. On post treatment day (PTD) 7 and 14, wound healing rate was calculated, with the number of completely healed wound counted. The degree of pain patient felt during dressing change was evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS). The mean numbers of wounds with score equal to zero, more than zero and less than or equal to 3, more than 3 and less than or equal to 6, more than 6 and less than or equal to 10 were recorded respectively. Wound secretion or exudate samples were collected for bacterial culture, and the side effect was observed. Data were processed with repeated measure analysis of variance, t test, chi-square test, and nonparametric rank sum test.

RESULTSWound healing rate of groups T, C on PTD 7 was respectively (67 ± 24)%, (45 ± 25)%, and it was respectively (92 ± 16)%, (72 ± 23)% on PTD 14. There was statistically significant difference in wound healing rate on PTD 7, 14 between group T and group C (F = 32.388, P < 0.01). Ten wounds in group T and four wounds in group C were healed completely on PTD 7, with no significant difference between them (χ(2) = 0, P > 0.05). Forty-two wounds in group T and seven wounds in group C healed completely on PTD 14, with statistically significant difference between them (χ(2) = 42.254, P < 0.01). Patients in group T felt mild pain during dressing change for 37 wounds, with VAS score higher than zero and lower than or equal to 3. Evident pain was observed in patients of group C during dressing change for 43 wounds, and it scored higher than 3 and less than or equal to 6 by VAS evaluation. There was statistically significant difference in mean number of wounds with different grade of VAS score between group T and group C (Z = -4.638, P < 0.01). Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, E. coli, Baumanii, and Staphylococcus epidermidis were all detected in both groups, but there was no statistical difference between group T and group C (χ(2) = 0.051, P > 0.05). No side effect was observed in either of the two groups during the whole trial.

CONCLUSIONSFLAMIGEL can accelerate the healing of residual burn wounds and obviously relieve painful sensation during dressing change.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Bandages ; Burns ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrogels ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

Coal Mining ; Humans ; Occupational Diseases ; prevention & control ; Occupational Health ; Tuberculosis ; prevention & control