Depression (Dep) is one of the most common concomitant symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD), but there is a lack of detailed pathologic evidence for the occurrence of PD-Dep. Currently, the management of symptoms from both conditions using conventional pharmacological interventions remains a formidable task. In this study, we found impaired activation of extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK), reduced levels of transcription and translation, and decreased expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of PD-Dep rats. We demonstrated that the abnormal phosphorylation of α-synuclein (pS129) induced tropomyosin-related kinase receptor type B (TrkB) retention at the neuronal cell membrane, leading to BDNF/TrkB signaling dysfunction. We chose SEW2871 as an ameliorator to upregulate ERK phosphorylation. The results showed that PD-Dep rats exhibited improvement in behavioral manifestations of PD and depression. In addition, a reduction in pS129 was accompanied by a restoration of the function of the BDNF/ERK signaling loop in the mPFC of PD-Dep rats.
Animals ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor/metabolism* ; alpha-Synuclein/metabolism* ; Male ; Prefrontal Cortex/drug effects* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Depression/metabolism* ; MAP Kinase Signaling System/drug effects* ; Rats ; Parkinson Disease/metabolism* ; Receptor, trkB/metabolism* ; Phosphorylation ; Disease Models, Animal ; Signal Transduction

As representatives of the third generation of biomedical materials, hydrogels exhibit revolutionary potential in tissue engineering, precision drug delivery, and smart medical devices due to their ability to construct bionic microenvironments. However, the clinical translation of hydrogels is still limited by multidimensional challenges, including biocompatibility, scalable production, and regulatory complexity. This paper systematically reviews the design innovations, functionalization strategies, and translational bottlenecks of hydrogel materials, integrates the latest technological trends, such as 4D printing and AI-driven design, and proposes a collaborative optimization pathway encompassing materials, technology, clinical applications, and policy. By introducing local Chinese innovation cases and monitoring scientific advancements, this study offers solutions that possess both academic significance and practical guidance for the clinical translation of hydrogels.
Hydrogels ; Tissue Engineering ; Translational Research, Biomedical ; Biocompatible Materials ; Humans ; Drug Delivery Systems

Objective:This study aimed to investigate the effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists(GLP-1RAs) on the emotional behaviors in wild-type mice and explore the underlying mechanisms.Methods:The study consisted of two parts.(1) Drug effect evaluation: C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to saline, semaglutide, or liraglutide groups. After 4 weeks of continuous subcutaneous administration, anxiety-like behaviors were evaluated by the open field tests and elevated plus maze, and depression-like behaviors were assessed by the forced swimming test and tail suspension test. Neurotransmitter levels, including NE, DA, 5-HT, GABA, and glutamate, were measured in target brain regions using LC-MS/MS. Hypothalamic activation subregions were identified by c-fos immunohistochemistry.(2) Time-course analysis: Mice received short-term administration(2 weeks), long-term administration(4 weeks), or drug withdrawal(assessed 4 weeks post-withdrawal). Behavioral performance, hypothalamic neurotransmitter levels, and plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone and corticosterone were measured.Results:Compared with the saline group, both GLP-1RAs significantly prolonged immobility time in the forced swimming and tail suspension tests. Multiple brain regions exhibited neurotransmitter abnormalities, including marked reductions in hypothalamic norepinephrine, dopamine, and γ-aminobutyric acid levels. Both GLP-1RAs significantly increased c-fos positive cell counts in the suprachiasmatic nucleus and arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus. Time-course analysis revealed that short-term administration did not induce depressive phenotypes, whereas long-term administration led to depression-like behaviors, which recovered after drug withdrawal. Plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone and corticosterone levels were elevated even after short-term treatment and remained high after drug withdrawal, while hypothalamic neurotransmitter abnormalities normalized upon withdrawal.Conclusion:GLP-1RAs induce depression-like behaviors in a time-dependent manner, with neurotransmitter imbalance and persistent hyperactivation of the HPA axis likely contributing to the pathophysiological mechanism.

Objective:This study aimed to investigate the effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists(GLP-1RAs) on the emotional behaviors in wild-type mice and explore the underlying mechanisms.Methods:The study consisted of two parts.(1) Drug effect evaluation: C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to saline, semaglutide, or liraglutide groups. After 4 weeks of continuous subcutaneous administration, anxiety-like behaviors were evaluated by the open field tests and elevated plus maze, and depression-like behaviors were assessed by the forced swimming test and tail suspension test. Neurotransmitter levels, including NE, DA, 5-HT, GABA, and glutamate, were measured in target brain regions using LC-MS/MS. Hypothalamic activation subregions were identified by c-fos immunohistochemistry.(2) Time-course analysis: Mice received short-term administration(2 weeks), long-term administration(4 weeks), or drug withdrawal(assessed 4 weeks post-withdrawal). Behavioral performance, hypothalamic neurotransmitter levels, and plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone and corticosterone were measured.Results:Compared with the saline group, both GLP-1RAs significantly prolonged immobility time in the forced swimming and tail suspension tests. Multiple brain regions exhibited neurotransmitter abnormalities, including marked reductions in hypothalamic norepinephrine, dopamine, and γ-aminobutyric acid levels. Both GLP-1RAs significantly increased c-fos positive cell counts in the suprachiasmatic nucleus and arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus. Time-course analysis revealed that short-term administration did not induce depressive phenotypes, whereas long-term administration led to depression-like behaviors, which recovered after drug withdrawal. Plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone and corticosterone levels were elevated even after short-term treatment and remained high after drug withdrawal, while hypothalamic neurotransmitter abnormalities normalized upon withdrawal.Conclusion:GLP-1RAs induce depression-like behaviors in a time-dependent manner, with neurotransmitter imbalance and persistent hyperactivation of the HPA axis likely contributing to the pathophysiological mechanism.

Objective The aim of the study is to establish an automatic method for the recognition of common midges based on artificial intelligence technology.Methods Wing images of three species of midges from Zhuhai port,including Culicoides oxystoma,C.peregrinus,and Lasiohelea taiwanai were subjected to develop a reliable automatic recognition method based on a deep learning method.The VGG convolutional neural network model based on the PaddlePaddle framework and the BP neural network model based on Matlab software with manual design features were involved for image recognition.Results Automatic recognition based on VGG model and BP model were established with the prediction accuracy of the test set in the VGG model and BP model was 100.0%and 94.7%,respectively,with no significant difference(P>0.05).Conclusions The artificial intelligence technology can achieve reliable species recognition based on image recognition of midge wings.

Aim To explore the effect and mechanism of the artesunate(ART)on hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Methods The cell lines MHCC-97H and HCC-LM3 were used to be detected.MTT and clone formation were used to determine the cell proliferation;Wound healing was used to detect the cell migration;Transwell was used to test the cell invasion.Flow-cy-tometry was used to detect cell apoptosis and cell cy-cle.RNA-seq and qRT-PCR was used to detect the genes expression.Results The proliferation,migra-tion and invasion of treated cells were obviously inhibi-ted(P＜0.01).Moreover,the apoptosis rate in-creased significantly,so did the proportion of G2/M cells.Transcriptomic analysis identified GADD45A as a potential target of ART through RNA-sequencing da-ta,and suggested that ART might induce apoptosis and cell cycle arrest through regulating the expression of GADD45A.In addition,the results of mechanism studies and signaling analysis suggested that GADD45A had interaction with its upstream gene NACC1(nucle-us accumbens associated 1).Moreover,after ART treatment,the expressions of GADD45A and NACC1 were changed significantly.Conclusion ART may be a potential drug to resist HCC by affecting the expres-sion of GADD45A and its upstream gene NACC1,which provides a new drug,a new direction and a new method for the clinical treatment of HCC.

Hydrogen sulfide,as a third gas signal molecule and neurotransmitter,can play a neuroprotective role by anti-oxidative stress,anti-inflammatory response,metabolic inhibition and other mechanisms.It is of great significance for the occurrence and development of neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease(AD)and Parkinson's disease(PD)mediated by neuroinflammation.This article reviews the research progress of hydrogen sulfide and neuroinflammation and its mediated neurodegenerative diseases,so as to provide new ideas for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

Objective To assess the effects of low-dose esketamine on the median effective dose(ED50)of ciprofol for anesthesia induction in painless gastrointestinal endoscopy.Methods Fifty-nine pa-tients underwent elective painless gastrointestinal endoscopy,26 males and 33 females,aged 18-64 years,BMI 18-30 kg/m2,ASA physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ,were divided into two groups by random number table method:esketamine combined with ciprofol group(group EC,n = 29)and ciprofol group(group C,n = 30).Group EC received intravenous injection of esketamine 0.3 mg/kg and group C received the same amount of normal saline 2 minutes before administration of ciprofol.The initial anesthesia induction dose of ciprofol was 0.4 mg/kg.If a positive reaction occurs during the examination,the next patient will receive an increase dose of propofol 0.04 mg/kg,otherwise will decrease by propofol 0.04 mg/kg.The positive reaction was defined that the patient's BIS can not be decreased to 60 2 minutes after anesthesia induction,or the cough or body movement reaction occur at level 2 or above when entering the mirror.The dosage of ciprofol,recovery time,discharge time,the occurrence of intraoperative and postoperative adverse reactions were recorded.The ED50,95%effective dose(ED95)and 95%confidence interval(CI)of the two groups were calculated by Probit probability regression analysis.Results Compared with group C,the dosage of ciprofol,the incidence of hypotension and frequency of administration of vasoactive drugs during the exami-nation process in group EC were significantly reduced(P＜0.05).The ED50 of ciprofol for anesthesia in-duction in painless gastrointestinal endoscopy in group EC was 0.21 mg/kg(95%CI 0.12-0.25 mg/kg)and the ED95 was 0.32 mg/kg(95%CI 0.26-0.39 mg/kg).The ED50 of ciprofol for anesthesia induction in painless gastrointestinal endoscopy in group C was 0.37 mg/kg(95%CI 0.32-0.40 mg/kg)and the ED95 was 0.48 mg/kg(95%CI 0.43-0.54 mg/kg).The ED50 and ED95 of ciprofol for anesthesia induction in painless gastrointestinal endoscopy in group EC was significantly lower than that in group C(P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in other frequency of adverse events between the two groups.Conclusion Esketamine 0.3 mg/kg can reduce the ED50 of ciprofol in painless gastrointestinal endoscopy and reduce the dosage of ciprofol during the examination process,which is safe for painless gastrointestinal endoscopy with stable intraoperative circulation.

AIM To rapidly screen xanthine oxidase(XOD)inhibitors from Smilax glabra Roxb.by enzyme-immobilized magnetic microspheres and LC-MS/MS,and to confirm the anti-uric acid constituents from S.glabra Roxb.METHODS The immobilized xanthine oxidase was prepared by covalent coupling with carboxyl magnetic beads as a carrier.The xanthine oxidase inhibitors in S.glabra were screened by the specific adsorption of immobilized enzyme.LC-MS/MS and standard substances were used for analysis and comparison,and the inhibitory activity and inhibition type of the screened and identified components were investigated.RESULTS The successful synthesis of immobilized xanthine oxidase was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and infrared spectroscopy.The enzyme loading was 70.50 μg/mg and the relative activity was 79.44%.Thirteen active compounds were screened from the extract of S.glabra,and eleven compounds were identified.The enzyme activity test showed that the inhibitory activites of engeletin and isoengeletin were the strongest,which was close to the positive control allopurinol.The IC50 value and inhibition type were 32.25 μg/mL,mixed inhibition,35.12 μg/mL,competitive inhibition.CONCLUSION The method is simple,rapid,accurate and suitable for directly screened active ingredients which can inhibit XOD from complex extract of traditional Chinese medicines.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of Chang'an Juntai Granules(mainly composed of Pseudostellariae Radix,Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma,Poria,Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata cum Melle,Paeoniae Radix Alba,Saposhnikoviae Radix,Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium,Coptidis Rhizoma,and Aucklandiae Radix)in the treatment of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome(IBS-D)with liver depression and spleen deficiency syndrome,and to evaluate its safety.Methods A single-center,randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled clinical trial was designed.A total of 130 patients with IBS-D of liver depression and spleen deficiency were included.The patients were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group by random number table method,with 65 cases in each group.The treatment group was treated with Chang'an Juntai Granules,and the control group was treated with Chang'an Juntai Placebo Granules.The course of treatment covered 12 weeks.The changes in the scores of IBS Symptom Severity Scale(IBS-SSS),Bristol Stool Form Scale(BSFS),IBS Quality of Life Questionnaire(IBS-QOL)and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale(HADS)in the two groups were observed before and after treatment.After treatment,the clinical efficacy and medication safety in the two groups were evaluated.Results(1)During the trial,six cases in the treatment group and eight cases in the control group fell off.Eventually,a total of 116 patients completed the clinical trial,including 59 cases in the treatment group and 57 cases in the control group.(2)After 12 weeks of treatment,the total effective rate of the treatment group was 88.14％(52/59),and that of the control group was 45.61％(26/57).The intergroup comparison(tested by chi-square test)showed that the clinical efficacy of the treatment group was significantly superior to that of the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.01).(3)After treatment,the IBS-SSS scores of the two groups and the BSFS and IBS-QOL scores of the treatment group were significantly lower than those before treatment(P＜0.01),while the scores of Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Anxiety subscale(HADA)and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Depression subscale(HADD)in the two groups and the BSFS and IBS-QOL scores in the control group showed no obvious changes(P＞0.05).Compared with the control group,the decrease of IBS-SSS,BSFS and IBS-QOL scores in the treatment group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).(4)During the trial,no serious adverse reactions or adverse events occurred in the two groups,no drug-related abnormalities of liver and kidney function,blood,and heart function were found,either.Conclusion Chang'an Juntai Granules are effective on improving the clinical symptoms and fecal characteristics of IBS-D patients with liver depression and spleen deficiency syndrome,and on enhancing the quality of life of patients.The granules excert definite curative effect and high safety,and has certain value of clinical application.