ObjectiveTo investigate the regulatory effect of icariin （ICA） on transforming growth factor-β₁ （TGF-β₁）/Smad pathway in bone microvascular endothelial cells （BMECs） and the effect on autophagy in BMECs. MethodsBMECs were isolated and cultured， and the cell types were identified by immunofluorescence. Cells were divided into the control group， model group （0.1 g·L^-1 methyl prednisolone）， ICA group （0.1 g·L^-1 methyl prednisolone +1×10^-5 mol·L^-1 ICA）， and TGF-β inhibitor group （0.1 g·L^-1 methyl prednisolone +1×10^-5 mol·L^-1 ICA +1×10^-5 mol·L^-1 LY2157299）. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the ultrastructure and autophagosome number of BMECs. Autophagy double-standard adenovirus was used to monitor the confocal autophagy flow generation of each cell. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Western blot were used to detect the gene and protein expression of autophagy in the TGF-β₁/ Smad pathway. ResultsAfter cell separation culture， platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule （CD31） and von willebrand factor （vWF） immunofluorescence identified BMECs. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the cell membrane was damaged， and the nucleus was pyknotic and broken in the model group. Compared with the model group， the ICA group had complete cell membranes， clear structures， with autophagy-lysosome sparsely distributed. The confocal photo showed that BMECs had autophagosomes and autophagy-lysosomes， and the autophagy expression of the ICA group was similar to that of the blank group. Compared with the blank group， in the model group and the LY2157299 group， autophagosomes and autophagy-lysosomes were barely seen in the autophagy flow. Compared with the blank group， the mRNA and protein expressions of autophagy effector protein 1 （Beclin1） and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3B （LC3B） in the model group were significantly decreased （P<0.01）， and those of ubiquitin-binding protein （p62） were significantly increased （P<0.01）. The mRNA expression of TGF-β₁， Smad homolog 2 （Smad2）， and Smad homolog 3 （Smad3） decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The protein expressions of TGF-β₁， p-Smad2， and p-Smad3 were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Compared with those of the model group， the mRNA and protein expression of Beclin1 and LC3B in BMECs of the ICA group increased （P<0.01）， and those of p62 significantly reduced （P<0.01）. The mRNA expression of TGF-β₁， Smad2， and Smad3 increased significantly （P<0.01）. The protein expression of TGF-β₁， p-Smad2， and p-Smad3 increased significantly （P<0.01）. Compared with those in the model group， the mRNA and protein expressions of Beclin1， LC3B， and p62 in the inhibitor group were not statistically significant. The expression of key genes and proteins of the TGF-β₁ pathway in the inhibitor group was not statistically significant. ConclusionICA can promote glucocorticoid-induced autophagy expression of BMECs， and its mechanism may be related to activating the TGF-β₁/Smad signaling pathway.

Steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head （SONFH） is a severe musculoskeletal disorder often induced by the prolonged or excessive use of glucocorticoids. Characterized by ischemia of bone cells， necrosis， and trabecular fractures， SONFH is accompanied by pain， femoral head collapse， and joint dysfunction， which can lead to disability in severe cases. The pathogenesis of SONFH involves hormone-induced osteoblast apoptosis， bone microvascular endothelial cell （BMEC） apoptosis， oxidative stress， and inflammatory responses. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B （PI3K/Akt） signaling pathway plays a pivotal role in the development of the disease. Modulating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway can promote Akt phosphorylation， thereby stimulating the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and osteoblasts， promoting angiogenesis in BMECs， and inhibiting osteoclastogenesis. The research on the treatment of SONFH with traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） has gained increasing attention. Recent studies have shown that TCM monomers and compounds have potential therapeutic effect on SONFH by intervening in the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. These studies not only provide a scientific basis for the application of TCM in the treatment of SONFH but also offer new ideas for the development of new therapeutic strategies. This review summarized the progress in Chinese and international research on the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in SONFH over the past five years. It involved the composition and transmission mechanisms of the signaling pathway， as well as its regulatory effects on osteoblasts， mesenchymal stem cells， osteoclasts， BMECs， and other cells. Additionally， the review explored the TCM understanding of SONFH and the application of TCM monomers and compounds in the intervention of the PI3K/Akt pathway. By systematically analyzing and organizing these research findings， this article aimed to provide references and point out directions for the clinical prevention and treatment of SONFH and promote further development of TCM in this field. With in-depth research on the PI3K/Akt pathway and the modern application of TCM， it is expected to bring safer and more effective treatment options for patients with SONFH.

This paper summarizes Professor HAN Mingxiang's clinical experience in treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD）. He believes that the key pathomechanism of COPD in the acute exacerbation stage is the invasion of external pathogens triggering latent illness， while lung qi deficiency is the primary mechanism in the stable stage. The core pathological factors throughout disease progression are deficiency， phlegm， and blood stasis. Treatment emphasizes a staged and syndrome-based approach. During the acute exacerbation stage， for wind-cold invading the lung syndrome， the self-formulated Sanzi Wenfei Decoction （三子温肺汤） is used to relieve the exterior， dispel cold， warm the lung， and resolve phlegm. For phlegm-dampness obstructing the lung syndrome， Huatan Jiangqi Fomulation （化痰降气方） is prescribed to warm the lung， transform phlegm， descend qi， and calm wheezing. For phlegm-heat obstructing the lung syndrome， Qingfei Huatan Fomulation （清肺化痰方） is applied to clear heat， resolve phlegm， moisten the lung， and stop coughing. For phlegm and blood stasis interlocking syndrome， Qibai Pingfei Fomulation （芪白平肺方） is used to tonify qi， resolve phlegm， and activate blood circulation to remove stasis. During the stable stage， for lung qi deficiency syndrome， Shenqi Wenfei Decoction （参芪温肺汤） is employed to warm the lung， tonify qi， resolve phlegm， and eliminate turbidity. For lung-spleen qi deficiency syndrome， Shenqi Buzhong Decoction （参芪补中汤） is utilized to strengthen the spleen， tonify qi， and reinforce metal （lung） from earth （spleen）. For lung-kidney deficiency syndrome， Shenqi Tiaoshen Fomulation （参芪调肾方） is prescribed to tonify the lung， warm yang， and regulate kidney function to calm wheezing. These strategies provide insights into the traditional Chinese medicine treatment of COPD.

The correct pairing of disulfide bonds maintains the correct folding mode and high-level structure formation of peptides and protein drugs, which is crucial for the quality control of products. In order to ensure that the disulfide bonds are correctly paired, disulfide bond analysis is an essential part of peptides and protein drug characterization. Mass spectrometry can be used to analyze disulfide bonds. However, insulin and its analogues have two pairs of disulfide bonds without restriction enzyme cutting site. Conventional collision-induced dissociation (CID) and high-energy induced cleavage (HCD) cannot accurately locate the complex disulfide bond. In our study, three methods were used to localize the complex disulfide, including enzyme digestion combined with key peptide fragment in source decay (ISD) fragmentation method, enzyme digestion combined with partial reduction alkylation method, intact protein source ISD and electron transfer dissociation (ETD) cleavage method, The applicability of insulin aspart, insulin lispro and insulin glargine were also investigated. This study provides a new way for the quality control of disulfide bonding mode of insulin and its analogues, and also provides a reference for the disulfide bond localization of peptides or proteins containing this complex disulfide bond.

Objective To investigate the effects of palmatine on migration,invasion and epithelial mesenchymal transformation(EMT)in human oral cancer KB cells.Methods KB cells were divided into control group and palmatine-L,-M,-H groups,cultured with 0,4,8 and 16 μmol·L-1 palmatine.After incubation for 48 h,scratch assay was used to detect migration;Traswell assay was used to detect invasion;matrix metalloproteinase 2(MMP-2),MMP-9 and fibronectin(FN)contents were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay;the expression of Vimentin,N-cadherin and E-cadherin mRNA were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction;the expression of Vimentin,N-cadherin,E-cadherin,Wnt3 and β-catenin protein were detected by Western blot.Results Cell mobility in control group and palmatine-L,-M,-H groups were(69.27±8.62)％,(52.94±4.49)％,(45.22±5.05)％and(37.63±4.88)％;the number of transmembrane cells were 197.33±20.26,125.33±12.01,97.00±9.17 and 62.67±7.51;the content of MMP-2 were(2.93±0.21),(1.49±0.13),(1.16±0.15)and(0.95±0.09)ng·mL-1;the content of MMP-9 were(3.51±0.36),(2.37±0.23),(2.06±0.35)and(1.72±0.16)ng·mL-1;the content of FN were(41.28±4.02),(24.03±3.17),(20.67±2.63)and(13.82±2.19)ng·mL-1;the above indexes in palmatine-L,-M,-H groups were compared with the control group,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).The mRNA and protein expressions of Vimentin,N-cadherin and E-cadherin,and the expressions of Wnt3 and β-catenin protein in palmatine-L,-M,-H groups were statistically significant compared with those in control group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Conclusion Palmatine can inhibit the migration,invasion and EMT of human oral cancer KB cells,and its mechanism is related to the regulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Objective To analyze the antigen recognition sites of commercial and homemade antibodies against aquaporin(AQP)9,and to identify the application effect.Methods Western blotting was used to compare the efficacy of three commercial antibodies and self-made antibody in identifying AQP9 genotypes.The antigen recognition sites of four antibodies and their specificities in practical applications were analyzed.Results Western blotting showed that protein bands of three commercial antibodies were detected in both WT and Aqp9-/-mice.The keyhole limpet hemocyanin(KLH)conjugated synthetic peptides corresponding to the three commercial antibodies were derived from rat,human and human,respectively.And The sequences of these three synthetic peptides were different from those of mice.AQP3/7 and AQP9 have similar molecular weight and were expressed in the liver with high homology.An obvious band of self-made antibody was observed at the 27 kD position in WT mice,but no band was observed at the corresponding position in Aqp9-/-mice.Conclusion Commercial antibodies 1 and 3 can be used to assist in the identification of genotypes in Aqp9-/-mice.Homemade antibodies can accurately identify genotypes at the protein level.

Objective:To analyse the clinical significance of selective single embryo transfer by time-lapse mo-nitoring(TLM)or conventional morphology assessment(CMA)in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm in-jection and embryo transfer(IVF/ICSI-ET),and to initially explore the predictive value of Raman spectral analy-sis of embryo culture medium for clinical pregnancy rate.Methods:The study is a prospective randomized con-trolled clinical trial.We assigned 139 patients treated with IVF/ICSI-ET in Reproductive and Genetics Center of Suzhou Municipal Hospital from April 2019 to July 2020,which were randomly assigned to either the CMA or the TLM group.We performed selective single-embryo transfer(fresh cycle and FET)after selecting the optimal em-bryos with TLM or CMA respectively.If the patient's first embryo transfer was unsuccessful,a second one would be performed to compare the differences in the cumulative live birth rate of embryo transfer and other pregnancy outcomes between the two groups.Meanwhile,we collected 15 μl of embryo culture medium at day 3 after IVF/ISCI fertilization for Raman spectroscopy analysis.Results:There were no differences in cumulative live birth,cu-mulative clinical pregnancy,cumulative premature birth,cumulative early spontaneous abortion,cumulative ectopic pregnancy and LGA or SGA between TLM and CMA groups(P＞0.05).The Neonatal sex ratio in the TLM group was lower than that in the CMA group,but the difference was not significant(P＞0.05).Raman spectros-copy analysis of embryo culture medium predicted the clinical pregnancy rate with 67.21％accuracy.Conclu-sions:In young women with a good ovarian reserve,the advantage of using TLM to evaluate embryos is not obvi-ous,so we should remain vigilant that embryo selection based on morphokinetic parameters may affect the sex ratio.Raman spectroscopic analysis of embryo culture medium is not yet able to effectively predict the planting ability of embryos.

ObjectiveHuman Ku70 protein mainly involves the non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) repair of double-stranded DNA breaks (DSB) through its DNA-binding properties, and it is recently reported having an RNA-binding ability. This paper is to explore whether Ku70 has RNA helicase activity and affects miRNA maturation. MethodsRNAs bound to Ku protein were analyzed by RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (RIP-seq) and bioinfomatic anaylsis. The expression relationship between Ku protein and miRNAs was verified by Western blot (WB) and quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assays. Binding ability of Ku protein to the RNAs was tested by biolayer interferometry (BLI) assay. RNA helicase activity of Ku protein was identified with EMSA assay. The effect of Ku70 regulated miR-124 on neuronal differentiation was performed by morphology analysis, WB and immunofluorescence assays with or without Zika virus (ZIKV) infection. ResultsWe revealed that the Ku70 protein had RNA helicase activity and affected miRNA maturation. Deficiency of Ku70 led to the up-regulation of a large number of mature miRNAs, especially neuronal specific miRNAs like miR-124. The knockdown of Ku70 promoted neuronal differentiation in human neural progenitor cells (hNPCs) and SH-SY5Y cells by boosting miR-124 maturation. Importantly, ZIKV infection reduced the expression of Ku70 whereas increased expression of miR-124 in hNPCs, and led to morphologically neuronal differentiation. ConclusionOur study revealed a novel function of Ku70 as an RNA helicase and regulating miRNA maturation. The reduced expression of Ku70 with ZIKV infection increased the expression of miR-124 and led to the premature differentiation of embryonic neural progenitor cells, which might be one of the causes of microcephaly.

Objective To investigate the baseline clinical characteristics,ascending aortic root anatomical characteristics,and related factors of the surgical strategy of patients with new-onset conduction disturbance(NOCD)after transcatheter aortic valve replacement(TAVR)with self-expanding valve(SEV)implantation.Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 245 patients who underwent TAVR at the Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital Xiamen University between December 2014 and November 2022.According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria,167 patients with SEV implantation during surgery were continuously included.They were divided into tricuspid aortic valve group(TAV group,113 cases)and bicuspid aortic valve group(BAV group,54 cases)according to aortic valve morphology.The TAV group was divided into NOCD group(43 cases)and non NOCD group(70 cases)according to postoperative electrocardiogram characteristics.The BAV group was divided into NOCD group(16 cases)and non NOCD group(38 cases).Collect clinical data such as preoperative electrocardiogram and ascending aortic root CT angiography from patients.Results The right-non valvular calcification quantification(P=0.005)in the non-NOCD group was significantly greater than that in the NOCD group,but the aortic angle(P=0.002)was smaller in TAV patients.Multivariate analysis suggested that the risk of NOCD after TAVR is reduced by 2.6％for every 10 mm3 increase in right-non valvular calcification in patients(OR 0.974,P=0.039),the risk of postoperative NOCD nearly 7.3％for every degree increase in aortic angulation(OR 1.073,P=0.003).In BAV patients the increase of the risk of NOCD after TAVR is nearly 3.3％for every l ms increase in preoperative PR interval(OR 1.033,P=0.041),the risk of NOCD is reduced by 6.6％for every 10 mm3 increase in calcification quantification in the right coronary valve area(OR 0.934,P=0.013).Conclusions In TAV patient,right-non valvular calcification may have a protective effect on the cardiac conduction system,but a larger aortic angle increases the risk of NOCD.In BAV patients,a longer preoperative PR interval is a risk factor for NOCD,and the right coronary valve area may protect the cardiac conduction system.

Objective To study the syndrome-drug association rule and the medication law of cough medical cases treated by Xin'an doctors using the data mining method;To provide reference for the treatment of cough.Methods The medical records of Xin'an doctors were collected and summarized.The frequency analysis,topology analysis and Louvain clustering analysis were used to conduct data mining research on syndrome types and prescriptions,and the relationship between syndrome types and prescriptions in cough treatment medical records and the law of drug composition in prescriptions were discussed.Results A total of 525 medical cases were included,and 26 kinds of syndromes were obtained,such as wind-heat invading lung,phlegm-dampness holding lung,lung qi deficiency.There were 243 kinds of Chinese materia medica involved,and 18 kinds of Chinese materia medica were with more than 70 times in frequency.The main properties were cold,warm and mild,and the main tastes were sweet,bitter and pungent,mainly in lung meridian,or the main properties were mild and warm and the main taste was sweet,mainly in spleen and stomach meridian.There were 25 categories in efficacy,which were mainly tonics and heat-clearing medicine.30 core medicines and core medicinal networks were obtained,such as Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma,Poria and Armeniacae Semen Amarum.The core drug combination of main syndromes of exogenous cough and excess syndrome and deficient syndrome of endogenous cough were obtained by syndrome-drug clustering analysis.Conclusion Xin'an doctors have distinctive characteristics in the diagnosis and treatment of cough diseases,and pay attention to the use of the methods of"strengthening the basic and promoting original qi","nourishing yin and protecting yin","cultivating the soil and promoting gold"and the inheritance of the prescriptions on the basis of cough relieving,phlegm resolving,and syndrome-based treatment.