Oxidative stress due to aberrant metabolism is considered as a crucial contributor to diabetes and its complications. Hyperglycemia and hyperlipemia boost excessive reactive oxygen species generation by elevated mitochondrial respiration, increased nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase activity, and enhanced pro-oxidative processes, including protein kinase C pathways, hexosamine, polyol, and advanced glycation endproducts, which exacerbate oxidative stress. Oxidative stress plays a significant role in the onset of diabetes and its associated complications by impairing insulin production, increasing insulin resistance, maintaining hyperglycemic memory, and inducing systemic inflammation. A more profound comprehension of the molecular processes that link oxidative stress to diabetes is crucial to new preventive and therapeutic strategies. Therefore, this review discusses the mechanisms underlying how oxidative stress contributes to diabetes mellitus and its complications. We also summarize the current approaches for prevention and treatment by targeting the oxidative stress pathways in diabetes.
Oxidative Stress/physiology* ; Humans ; Diabetes Mellitus/physiopathology* ; Diabetes Complications/metabolism* ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Glycation End Products, Advanced/metabolism* ; Animals

BACKGROUND: Asthma is a common chronic inflammatory airway disease and intermittent hypoxia is increasingly recognized as a factor that may impact disease progression. The present study investigated whether intermittent hypoxia (IH) could aggravate asthma by promoting hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α)/nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3)/interleukin (IL)-1β-dependent pyroptosis and the inflammatory response and further elucidated the underlying molecular mechanisms involved. METHODS: A total of 49 patients diagnosed with severe bronchial asthma and diagnosed by polysomnography were enrolled at Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, between January 2022 and December 2022, and their general data and induced sputum were collected. BEAS-2B cells were treated with IL-13 and subjected to IH. An ovalbumin (OVA)-treated mouse model was also used to assess the effects of chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) on asthma. Pyroptosis, the inflammatory response, and related signalling pathways were assessed in vivo and in vitro . RESULTS: In this study, as the apnoea and hypopnea index (AHI) increased, the proportion of patients with uncontrolled asthma increased. The proportions of neutrophils and the levels of IL-6, IL-8, HIF-1α and NLRP3 in induced sputum were related to the AHI. NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis, which could be mediated by the HIF-1α signalling pathway, was activated in IL-13 plus IH-treated BEAS-2B cells and in the lungs of OVA/CIH mice. HIF-1α downregulation significantly reduced lung pyroptosis and ameliorated neutrophil inflammation by modulating the NLRP3/IL-1β pathway both in vitro and in vivo . Similarly, pretreatment with LW6, an inhibitor of HIF-1α, effectively blocked the generation of inflammatory cytokines in neutrophils. In addition, administration of the NLRP3 activator nigericin obviously increased lung neutrophil inflammation. CONCLUSIONS Obstructive sleep apnoea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is a risk factor for asthma exacerbation. IH aggravates neutrophil inflammation in asthma via NLRP3/IL-1β-dependent pyroptosis mediated by the HIF-1α signalling pathway, which should be considered a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of asthma with OSAHS.
NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism* ; Humans ; Asthma/metabolism* ; Animals ; Pyroptosis/physiology* ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/metabolism* ; Mice ; Signal Transduction/physiology* ; Male ; Hypoxia/metabolism* ; Female ; Interleukin-1beta/metabolism* ; Adult ; Inflammation/metabolism* ; Middle Aged ; Mice, Inbred C57BL

In current clinical practice, various dermal templates and skin substitutes are used to enhance wound healing. However, the role of wound commensal microbiome in regulating scaffold performance and the healing process remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the influence of both natural and synthetic scaffolds on the wound commensal microbiome and wound repair in three distinct models including diabetic wounds, burn injuries, and germ-free (GF) wounds. Remarkably, synthetic electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds were observed to positively promote microbiome diversity, leading to enhanced diabetic wound healing compared to the natural scaffolds Integra® (INT) and MatriDerm® (MAD). In contrast, both natural and synthetic scaffolds exhibited comparable effects on the diversity of the microbiome and the healing of burn injuries. In GF wounds with no detectable microorganisms, a reversed healing rate was noted showing natural scaffold (MAD) accelerated wound repair compared to the open or the synthetic scaffold (PCL) treatment. Furthermore, the response of the wound commensal microbiome to PCL scaffolds appears pivotal in promoting anti-inflammatory factors during diabetic wound healing. Our results emphasize that the wound commensal microbiome, mediated by different scaffolds plays an important role in the wound healing process.

Peanut, a major economic and oil crop known for the high protein and oil content, is extensively cultivated in China. Peanut plants have the ability to form nodules with rhizobia, where the nitrogenase converts atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia nitrogen that can be utilized by the plants. Analysis of nodule fixation is of positive significance for avoiding overapplication of chemical fertilizer and developing sustainable agriculture. In this study, AhNIGT1.2, a member of the NIGT family predominantly expressed in peanut nodules, was identified by bioinformatics analysis. Subsequent spatiotemporal expression analysis revealed that AhNIGT1.2 was highly expressed in nodules and showed significant responses to high nitrogen, low nitrogen, high phosphorus, low phosphorus, and rhizobia treatments. Histochemical staining indicated that the gene was primarily expressed in developing nodules and at the connection region between mature nodules and peanut roots. The fusion protein AhNIGT1.2-GFP was located in the nucleus of tobacco epidermal cells. The AhNIGT1.2-OE significantly increased the number of peanut nodules, while AhNIGT1.2-RNAi reduced the number of nodules, which suggested a positive regulatory role of AhNIGT1.2 in peanut nodulation. The AhNIGT1.2-OE in roots down-regulated the expression levels of NRT1.2, NRT2.4, NLP1, and NLP7, which indicated that AhNIGT1.2 influenced peanut nodulation by modulating nitrate transport and the expression of NLP genes. The transcriptome analysis of AhNIGT1.2-OE and control roots revealed that overexpressing AhNIGT1.2 significantly enriched the differentially expressed genes associated with nitrate response, nodulation factor pathway, enzymes for triterpene biosynthesis, and carotenoid biosynthesis. These findings suggest that AhNIGT1.2 play a key role in peanut nodulation by regulating nitrate transport and response and other related pathways. This study gives insights into the molecular mechanisms of nitrogen and phosphorus in regulating legume nodulation and nitrogen fixation, and sheds light on the development of legume crops that can efficiently fix nitrogen in high nitrogen environments.
Arachis/physiology* ; Nitrates/metabolism* ; Plant Proteins/physiology* ; Transcription Factors/metabolism* ; Plant Root Nodulation/physiology* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Root Nodules, Plant/metabolism* ; Nitrogen Fixation

Objective To construct a logistic regression prediction model for stress ulcer(SU)after cerebral hemorrhage.Methods A total of 230 patients with cerebral hemorrhage admitted to our hospital from January 2020 to January 2023 were prospectively selected as the study subjects.They were randomly di-vided into a training group and a validation group using a random number table method,with 115 patients in each group.The incidence of postoperative SU was statistically compared between the two groups.The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(Lasso)and logistic regression were used to analyze the influencing factors of SU after cerebral hemorrhage,and a logistic regression prediction model was established and valida-ted.Results The incidence of SU was 19.13%in the training group and 20.00%in the validation group.In-crement of age,blood loss≥30 mL,higher levels of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR),heat shock protein 70(HSP70)and HSP90 were identified as independent risk factors for SU after cerebral hemorrhage(P<0.05),while lower levels of Glasgow Coma Scale(GCS)score and albumin(Alb)were protective factors(P<0.05).The prediction model was logit(P)=0.409×age+1.288×blood loss-1.335×GCS score-1.126×Alb+0.452×NLR+1.483×HSP70+1.593×HSP90-10.325.The areas under the receiver operat-ing characteristic(ROC)curve(AUC)for the training group and the validation group were 0.845(95%CI:0.765-0.906)and 0.855(95%CI:0.777-0.913),respectively.The sensitivities were 81.82%and 90.91%,and the specificities were 76.34%and 70.97%,respectively.Conclusion A logistic regression prediction model was successfully constructed,which has certain predictive value for SU after cerebral hemorrhage.

"Upper deficiency leading to vertigo" is one of the representative discussions on deficiency vertigo in Huang Di Nei Jing, which has laid the foundation for the rich development of the theory of "deficiency causing vertigo" in later generations. The brain lymphatic system can remove metabolic wastes and provide nutrients for the brain, which is involved in the development of many brain diseases. This study believes that the broad definition of "upper deficiency leading to vertigo", that is to say, vertigo is triggered by abnormalities in the local physiological functions of the brain orifices, can be used as a platform for the pathogenesis of vertigo. Based on the findings of modern medicine on the lymphoid system, the authors discussed the possible interactions between the lymphoid system, phlegm, blood stasis, deficiency, and other pathological factors of vertigo. β-amyloid, neurotransmitters, inflammatory mediators and other "toxic pathogenic factors" may also be an important cause of vertigo. This article attempted to explain the pathogenesis of "upper deficiency leading to vertigo" with the help of lymphoid system, in order to provide new thinking direction for the development of TCM clinical diagnosis and treatment of vertigo.

Objective To investigate the effects of Caenorhabditis elegans(C.elegans)endogenous U6 promoters on dpy-10 gene editing efficiency.Methods We screened endogenous U6 small nuclear RNA(snRNA)genes of C.elegans from the WormBase database and constructed 14 editing plasmids targeting dpy-10 by replacing the U6r07e5.16 promoter in the pSX524 plasmid(Peft-3::cas9::tbb-2 terminator::U6 r07e5.16::dpy-10 sgRNA)through molecular cloning.Gene editing was performed in wild-type C.elegans using a standardized microinjection protocol.Gene editing efficiency and the high-efficiency gene editing index were quantified based on the screening of dpy-10 mutant phenotypes in the F1 progeny.Results A total of 15 U6 snRNA genes(r07e5.16,f35c11.9,t20d3.13,k09b11.15,k09b11.16,w05b2.8,c28a5.7,f54c8.9,k09b11.11,k09b11.12,k09b11.14,t20d3.12,f54c8.8,f54c8.10,and k09b11.13)were identified from the WormBase database.Based on the editing efficiency and high-efficiency gene editing index,the activity of these promoters was evaluated,and 4 U6 promoters(w05b2.8,c28a5.7,f54c8.9,and k09b11.11)were found to have significantly enhanced gene editing success rates,outperforming other promoters,including U6r07e5.16 and U6k09b11.12,which are commonly used in the C.elegans research community.Notably,the gRNAF+E scaffold did not show superior editing efficiency over the gRNA scaffold when paired with the optimal U6w05b2.8 promoter.Conclusion In this study,U6 promoters that significantly improve gene editing efficiency in C.elegans are identified and the critical role of promoter optimization in CRISPR-Cas9 systems is highlighted.These findings provide a valuable foundation for improving genome editing strategies and offer new ideas for optimizing the CRISPR technology applied in nematode research.

Objective To optimize the real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)data analysis process through mathematical principles by replacing the biased 2-??CT method with a more rigorous 2-CT method,thereby improving the accuracy of gene expression quantification analysis.Methods Essentially,the CT value serves as the exponent in a base-2 exponential equation within the logic of comparative CT method.In the traditional 2-??CT method,the arithmetic means of raw CT and ΔCT values are directly calculated and the exponential nature of CT data is overlooked,which may introduce systematic bias to the calculation results.We propose a new method,entitled the 2-CT method,in which all calculations are based on the transformation of CT values into 2-CT.This includes computing the relative initial expression levels of target and reference genes within each sample,the relative abundance of the target gene,and its fold change across groups.Statistical comparisons are then performed based on fold change values.By strictly adhering to the exponential nature of of CT values,the biases introduced by arithmetic averaging at the CT or ΔCT level are avoided.We applied this method to multiple RT-qPCR datasets to evaluate the differences between the traditional 2-??CT and the proposed 2-CT methods in gene expression quantification,as well as the effect of the differences.Results In the original dataset from LIVAK and SCHMITTGEN,the two methods produced similar results.However,in the cadmium exposure experiment,findings from the 2-??CT method indicated that 8-hour cadmium exposure caused an increase of irg-6 gene expression in Caenorhabditis elegans from 1.314-fold to 7.125-fold(P=0.000 2).In contrast,findings from the 2-CT method showed a fold change from 1.0 to 4.124(P=0.001 5),a 70%difference between the two methods.Conclusion The2-CT method provides a mathematically more rigorous approach that more accurately reflects gene expression changes,particularly in experiments with high CT variability.It offers a more reliable computational paradigm for quantitative gene expression analysis.

Objective: To investigate the expression of ribosomal protein L26 ( RPL26) in gastric cancer cells (GC) and its effect on cell apoptosis and proliferation . Methods: The expression of RPL26 in GES-1 and GC cell lines was detected by Western blot. GC cell line HGC-27 was used to construct RPL26 overexpression cell line , and GC cell lines HGC-27 and AGS cells were used to construct RPL26 knockdown cell line . The overexpression and knockdown efficiency of RPL26 were detected by Western blot. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) , colony formation assay and Transwell assay were used to detect the effects of the overexpression and knockdown of RPL26 on the pro- liferation and migration of GC cells . Western blot was used to detect the expression of Phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) / protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathway related factors PI3K , AKT , phosphorylated phosphatidylinosi- tol-3-kinase (p-PI3K) , phosphorylated protein kinase B ( p-AKT) and downstream factors B-Cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) , Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax) and Cyclin A , G1 /S-specific Cyclin D1(Cyclin D1) , Cyclin-depend- ent kinases (CDK)4 and CDK2 in overexpression and knockdown of RPL26 stably transfected cell lines . Results: Compared with GES-1 , RPL26 was highly expressed in HGC-27 cells ( tHGC-27 = 4. 97 ; P < 0. 01) and elevated in AGS , but the difference was not statistically significant. In HGC-27 and AGS cells , CCK-8 and colony formation assays showed that the proliferation ability of cells decreased after the knockdown of RPL26. Transwell assay showed that the migration ability of cells decreased after the knockdown of RPL26. Western blot showed that Bcl-2 expression was decreased in HGC-27 , AGS cells after the knockdown of RPL26 ( tHGC-27 = 11 . 50 , tAGS = 4. 77 ; P < 0. 001 , P < 0. 01) , and Bax expression increased ( tHGC-27 = 9. 63 , tAGS = 4. 05 ; P < 0. 001 , P < 0. 05) . In HGC-27 cells , the ratios of p-PI3K/PI3K and p-AKT/AKT significantly decreased after the knockdown of RPL26 ( tp-PI3K/PI3K = 3 . 86 , tp-AKT/AKT = 8. 29 ; P < 0. 05 , P < 0. 01) . Cyclin A , Cyclin D1 , CDK4 , CDK2 protein expressions de- creased ( t = 9. 61 , 5 . 10 , 11 . 64 , 7. 81 ; P < 0. 01 or P < 0. 001) , while the overexpression of RPL26 in HGC-27 cells showed the opposite trend . Conclusion The knockdown of RPL26 may arrest the cell cycle in G1 /S phase by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway , thereby inhibiting cell proliferation and promoting apoptosis .

Objective To investigate the expression of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) in thymic T follicular helper cells (TFH) and its significance in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG). Methods Fifteen MG patients who underwent surgical treatment at the Myasthenia Gravis Comprehensive Diagnosis and Treatment Center of Henan Provincial People’s Hospital from June 2022 to June 2023 were selected as a MG group, including 7 males and 8 females, aged 12-30 years. Twelve patients who underwent partial thymectomy to optimize surgical field exposure during cardiac surgery at Fuwai Central China Cardiovascular Hospital from June 2022 to June 2023 were selected as a control group, including 5 males and 7 females aged 20-35 years. Thymus single cell suspension was obtained by grinding the thymus tissue, and flow cytometry was used to detect the expression of α7nAChR in TFH cells. The thymus cell suspension was purified using density gradient centrifugation, followed by immunomagnetic bead separation to obtain CD4+T cells. CXCR5 antibody and coupled magnetic beads were added to isolate TFH cells. Real-time fluorescent polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were performed to further investigate the expression of α7nAChR in TFH cells. Results Compared with the control group, the proportion of thymic TFH cells in the MG group was significantly increased (P<0.05), along with significantly decreased mRNA and protein expression levels of α7nAChR within these cells (P<0.01). Conclusion The findings suggest that there is a reduced expression of α7nAChR within thymic TFH cells in MG patients, leading to weakened immunosuppressive function which may indirectly contribute to disease onset and progression.