Breast cancer prevention and treatment have become major issues that urgently need to be addressed in the field of global public health. As a key pathological transitional stage in the progression of breast cancer， preneoplastic breast cancer （PBC） carries a significant risk of clinical transformation. Effective intervention in the progression of PBC is of great clinical significance in preventing the occurrence of breast cancer. Pathological studies have shown that abnormal angiogenesis is a key mechanism driving the transformation of PBC into breast cancer. Vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF）， as a core regulatory molecule that promotes angiogenesis， plays a pivotal role in this process. The malignant transformation of PBC is closely associated with the abnormal activation of the VEGF-mediated pro-angiogenic network. Although modern medicine has achieved certain therapeutic effects through surgery and endocrine therapy， clinical limitations such as invasiveness， drug resistance， and adverse reactions still exist. Recent studies have demonstrated that the VEGF signaling system mediates the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-protein kinase B （PI3K/Akt） signaling pathway and the mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK） pathway. In addition， the hypoxia-inducible factor-1α （HIF-1α）/VEGF signaling pathway and the delta-like ligand 4 （DLL4）/Notch receptor 1 （Notch1） signaling pathway， together with other pathways， form a complex regulatory network that plays a central role in angiogenesis during PBC. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）， characterized by multi-component synergy， multi-pathway regulation， and high safety， demonstrates significant advantages in inhibiting pathological angiogenesis and blocking PBC progression by targeting the VEGF signaling pathway. From the perspective of VEGF pathway regulation， this paper systematically reviews the latest research progress on TCM in inhibiting angiogenesis and intervening in PBC， and discusses its mechanisms and application value in the early prevention and treatment of PBC， with the aim of providing references for optimizing clinical intervention strategies for PBC.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism by which Shengjiang Pingchuan Zhike pills （SPZP） alleviate airway injury in the rat model of cough variant asthma （CVA） via regulating autophagy through activating the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase （AMPK）/mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR）/Unc-51-like autophagy activating kinase 1 （ULK1） signaling pathway based on transcriptomics， thus providing experimental evidence for the clinical application of SPZP. MethodsForty SPF-grade SD rats were enrolled in the present study and randomly via the random number table method assigned into four groups： a blank group， a model group， a SPZP （2 160 mg·kg^-1·d^-1） group， and a positive drug （montelukast sodium， MTL， 0.9 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）group， with 10 rats in each group. After one week of adaptive feeding， the rat model of cough variant asthma （CVA） was established by two-week sensitization with ovalbumin （OVA） and aluminium hydroxide， followed by capsaicin atomization challenge. Rats in the blank group received an equal volume of normal saline during modeling. Upon successful modeling， rats in the SPZP group and positive drug group were administrated with SPZP suspension and MTL solution， respectively， while those in the blank and model groups received the same dose of normal saline by gavage. The whole intervention lasted for 21 consecutive days. After the intervention， general behaviors of rats in each group were observed. Pulmonary function indicators were subsequently detected. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was performed to visualize the pathological morphology of the lung tissue， and periodic acid-Schiff （PAS） staining was adopted to evaluate airway mucus secretion. Transcriptomic sequencing was conducted to screen differentially expressed genes in the lung tissue across groups. The levels of inflammatory cytokines including interleukin （IL）-4， IL-5， immunoglobulin E （IgE）， and interferon-γ （IFN-γ） in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid （BALF） were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Immunofluorescence staining was used for detecting the co-localization of autophagy-related protein Beclin-1 and phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin （p-mTOR）. Transmission electron microscopy was employed to count autophagosomes and observe mitochondrial morphological changes in the lung tissue. Western blot assay was utilized to measure the expression levels of AMPK/mTOR/ULK1 axis-related proteins， including AMPK， phosphorylated adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase （p-AMPK）， mTOR， phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin （p-mTOR）， ULK1， and phosphorylated Unc-51-like autophagy activating kinase 1 （p-ULK1） as well as the autophagy biomarkers Beclin-1 and selective autophagy adaptor protein p62 in lung specimens. ResultsCompared with the blank group， the model group exhibited markedly elevated cough frequency accompanied by wheezing and stridor， dull fur， poor mental activity， diminished motor activity， accelerated respiratory rate， and weakened sensory response and mobility to external stimuli， accompanied by a declining tendency of body mass. Meanwhile， the model group exhibited decreased dynamic lung compliance， increased airway resistance （P<0.01）， severe pathological damage and excessive mucus secretion in the lung tissue （P<0.01）， and elevated levels of IL-4， IL-5， and IgE and declined level of IFN-γ in the BALF （P<0.01）. Ultrastructural observation revealed damaged mitochondrial morphology and a sharp reduction in the number of autophagosomes in the lung tissue. In addition， the expression of p-AMPK， p-ULK1， and Beclin-1 were downregulated， whereas p-mTOR and p62 were highly expressed （P<0.05， P<0.01） in the model group. Gene Ontology （GO） and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） enrichment analyses demonstrated significant enrichment of AMPK， mTOR， and autophagy-related pathways. Compared with the model group， both the positive drug group and SPZP group obtained visible improvements in general behavioral manifestations and obvious recovery of pulmonary function indicators （P<0.05）， alleviated pulmonary pathological lesions and suppressed excessive airway mucus secretion （P<0.05）， recovered levels of inflammatory cytokines in the BALF （P<0.05）， restored mitochondrial morphology， increased autophagosomes， upregulated expression levels of p-AMPK， p-ULK1， and Beclin-1， and downregulated expression levels of p-mTOR and p62 （P<0.05）. ConclusionSPZP can effectively ameliorate airway inflammation and improve the pulmonary function in the rat model of CVA by activating the AMPK/mTOR/ULK1 signaling pathway， enhancing autophagy in the lung tissue， and inhibiting excessive airway mucus secretion and immune inflammatory imbalance.

AIM: To explore the diagnostic value of 18 MHz color Doppler ultrasonography for epiretinal membrane.METHODS: A total of 44 cases(80 eyes)of patients with proposed diagnosis of cataract and vitreous opacity by fundus examination in our hospital between January 2020 and January 2022 were collected, and the affected eyes were examined by optical coherence tomography(OCT)and 18 MHz color Doppler ultrasonography, and the differences in the diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were compared between 18 MHz color Doppler ultrasonography and OCT for the diagnosis of epiretinal membrane.RESULTS: In the 80 eyes detected by 18 MHz color Doppler ultrasonography, 62 had epiretinal membrane and 18 had non epiretinal membrane. Totally 54 eyes were confirmed to have epiretinal membrane by OCT, 13 eyes were not diagnosed with epiretinal membrane, 5 eyes were missed diagnosis, and 8 eyes were misdiagnosed. The diagnostic consistency between 18 MHz color Doppler ultrasonography and OCT was high(Kappa=0.892, P<0.05); the 18 MHz color Doppler ultrasonography detection sensitivity of epiretinal membrane was 92%, specificity was 62%, missed diagnosis rate was 8%, misdiagnosis rate was 38%, and accuracy was 84%; compared with OCT detection, 18 MHz color Doppler ultrasonography detected a lower specificity, correct rate, positive prediction accuracy, negative prediction accuracy, and higher misdiagnosis rate(all P<0.05), and the difference in diagnostic sensitivity compared with leakage rate was not statistically significant(all P>0.05).CONCLUSION: 18 MHz color Doppler ultrasonography has some value in identifying epiretinal membrane lesions and is consistent with OCT testing.

Objective To explore the mechanism of action of jolkinolide B in the treatment of gastric cancer by network pharmacology combined with molecular docking technique.Methods The SwissTargetPrediction database was used to obtain the targets of the active compounds.Search Genecards,OMIM,Drugbank,TTD,and PharmGKB databases to obtain targets for gastric cancer.The intersection between the targets of jolkinolide B and those of gastric cancer was identified pinpoint potential targets for jolkinolide B in treating gastric cancer.The String database was utilized construct a protein-protein interaction(PPI)network.Bioconductor bioinformatics packages with R software was employed conduct Gene Ontology(GO)functional enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathway enrichment analysis on the shared targets.This process revealed significant regulatory pathways crucial for jolkinolide B's efficacy in treating gastric cancer.Cytoscape 3.7.1 software was utilized create the core network of"Potential Targets of Triptolide B in Gastric Cancer Treatment",and SYBYL-X2.1.1 software was employed conduct molecular docking validation of the selected main active ingredients and critical targets.Results Jolkinolide B may target multiple proteins,including MAPK1,glycogen synthase kinae-3β(GSK-3β),and JUN,impacting the proliferation,invasion,and metastasis of gastric cancer,ultimately inhibiting its growth.Conclusion We predicted the possible molecular mechanism of jolkinolide B in the treatment of gastric cancer to provide guide information for the subsequent experimental research and clinical application.

Objective To explore the mechanism of cinobufagin(CBG)in treating gastric cancer based on network pharmacology combined with bioinformatics and molecular docking technology.Methods Active ingredients and potential targets of CBG in treating gastric cancer were collected from PubChem,TCMSP,and SwissTargetPrediction databases.Transcriptional data of gastric cancer samples were obtained from TGGA database,and gastric cancer-related targets were identified through differential gene analysis.Intersection of targets between CBG and gastric cancer diseases was subjected to Gene Ontology(GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)enrichment analysis.Protein-protein interaction(PPI)network of common targets was constructed using STRING database,and core targets were selected using Cytoscape software.Molecular docking verification of core targets screened with SYBYL-X 2.1.1 software was conducted with CBG.Results CBG treatment of gastric cancer involved 59 targets,with 19 key targets identified.Key targets such as aurora kinase A(AURKA),cyclin-dependent kinase 1(CDK1),enhancer of zeste homolog 2(EZH2),hepatocyte growth factor receptor(MET),matrix metallopeptidase 3(MMP-3),progesterone receptor(PGR),prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 1(PTGS1),and thymidylate synthase(TYMS)which exhibited good binding activity with CBG and were closely associated with gastric cancer prognosis.Conclusion CBG may exert anti-gastric cancer effects through multiple targets and pathways.

Persistent inflammation plays a pivotal role in the initiation and progression of renal fibrosis. Activation of the pattern recognition receptor retinoic acid-inducible gene-I (RIG-I) is implicated in the initiation of inflammation. This study aimed to investigate the upstream mechanisms that regulates the activation of RIG-I and its downstream signaling pathway. Eight-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were used to establish unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO)-induced renal fibrosis model, and the renal tissue samples were collected 14 days later for analysis. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)-treated mouse renal tubular epithelial cells were used in in vitro studies. The results demonstrated that, compared to the control group, UUO kidney exhibited significant fibrosis, which was accompanied by the increases of RIG-I, p-NF-κB p65 and inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α and IL-1β. Additionally, the protein level of the E3 ubiquitin ligase RNF125 was significantly downregulated and predominantly localized in the renal tubular epithelial cells. Similarly, the treatment of tubular cells with TGF-β induced the increases in RIG-I, p-NF-κB p65 and inflammatory cytokines while decreasing RNF125. Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) assays confirmed that RNF125 was able to interact with RIG-I. Overexpression of RNF125 promoted the ubiquitination of RIG-I, and accelerated its degradation via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Overexpression of RNF125 in UUO kidneys and in vitro tubular cells effectively mitigated the inflammatory response and renal fibrosis. In summary, our results demonstrated that the decrease in RNF125 under pathological conditions led to reduction in RIG-I ubiquitination and degradation, activation of the downstream NF-κB signaling pathway and increase in inflammatory cytokine production, which promoted the progression of renal fibrosis.
Animals ; Fibrosis ; Male ; Ubiquitination ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; DEAD Box Protein 58 ; Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases/physiology* ; Inflammation/metabolism* ; Ureteral Obstruction/complications* ; Kidney/pathology* ; Signal Transduction ; Transforming Growth Factor beta/pharmacology*

The neurophysiological mechanisms by which exercise improves cognitive function have not been fully elucidated. A comprehensive and systematic review of current domestic and international neurophysiological evidence on exercise improving cognitive function was conducted from multiple perspectives. At the molecular level, exercise promotes nerve cell regeneration and synaptogenesis and maintains cellular development and homeostasis through the modulation of a variety of neurotrophic factors, receptor activity, neuropeptides, and monoamine neurotransmitters, and by decreasing the levels of inflammatory factors and other modulators of neuroplasticity. At the cellular level, exercise enhances neural activation and control and improves brain structure through nerve regeneration, synaptogenesis, improved glial cell function and angiogenesis. At the structural level of the brain, exercise promotes cognitive function by affecting white and gray matter volumes, neural activation and brain region connectivity, as well as increasing cerebral blood flow. This review elucidates how exercise improves the internal environment at the molecular level, promotes cell regeneration and functional differentiation, and enhances the brain structure and neural efficiency. It provides a comprehensive, multi-dimensional explanation of the neurophysiological mechanisms through which exercise promotes cognitive function.
Animals ; Humans ; Brain/physiology* ; Cognition/physiology* ; Exercise/physiology* ; Nerve Regeneration/physiology* ; Neuronal Plasticity/physiology*

Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) is one of the most commonly occurring pathogens associated with genital tract infections in infertile males, but the impact of seminal UU infection in semen on intrauterine insemination (IUI) outcomes is poorly understood. We collected data from 245 infertile couples who underwent IUI at The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC (Hefei, China) between January 2021 and January 2023. The subjects were classified into two groups according to their UU infection status: the UU-positive group and the UU-negative group. We compared semen parameters, pregnancy outcomes, and neonatal birth outcomes to investigate the impact of UU infection on IUI outcomes. There were no significantly statistical differences in various semen parameters, including semen volume, sperm concentration, total and progressive motility, sperm morphology, leukocyte count, the presence of anti-sperm antibody, and sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI), between the UU-positive and UU-negative groups of male infertile patients (all P > 0.05). However, the high DNA stainability (HDS) status of sperm differed between the UU-positive and UU-negative groups, suggesting that seminal UU infection may affect sperm nuclear maturation ( P = 0.04). Additionally, there were no significant differences in pregnancy or neonatal birth outcomes between the two groups (all P > 0.05). These results suggest that IUI remains a viable and cost-effective option for infertile couples with UU infection who are facing infertility issues.
Humans ; Male ; Ureaplasma Infections/complications* ; Female ; Infertility, Male/therapy* ; Ureaplasma urealyticum/isolation & purification* ; Pregnancy ; Adult ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Semen Analysis ; Insemination, Artificial ; Semen/microbiology* ; China