OBJECTIVES: To develop an E-selectin-targeting nanomedicine delivery system that competitively inhibits E-selectin-neutrophil ligand binding to block neutrophil adhesion to vessels and suppress their recruitment to the lesion sites. METHODS: Doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX)-loaded liposomes (IEL-Lip/DOX) conjugated with E-selectin-affinity peptide IELLQARC were developed using a post-insertion method. Two formulations [2-1P: Mol(PC): Mol(DPI)=100:1; 2-3P: 100:3] were prepared and their modification density and in vitro release characteristics were determined. Their targeting efficacy was assessed in a cell model of LPS-induced inflammation, a mouse model of acute lung injury (ALI), a rat femoral artery model of physical injury-induced inflammation, and a zebrafish model of local inflammation. RESULTS: The prepared IEL-Lip/DOX 2-1P and 2-3P had peptide modification densities of 4.76 and 7.57 pmoL/cm², respectively. Compared with unmodified liposomes, IEL-Lip/DOX exhibited significantly reduced 48-h cumulative release rates at pH 5.5. In the inflammation cell model, IEL-Lip/DOX showed increased uptake by activated inflammatory endothelial cells, and 2-1P exhibited a higher trans-endothelial ability. In ALI mice, the fluorescence intensity of IEL-Lip/Cy5.5 increased significantly in lung tissues by 53.71% [Z-(2-1P)] and 93.41% [Z-(2-3P)], and 2-1P had an increased distribution by 24.19% in the inflammatory lung tissue compared to normal mouse lung tissue. In rat femoral artery models, 2-1P had greater injured/normal vessel fluorescence intensity contrast. In the zebrafish models, both 2-1P and 2-3P showed increased aggregation at the site of inflammation. CONCLUSIONS This E-selectin-targeting nanomedicine delivery system efficiently targets activated inflammatory endothelial cells to increase drug concentration at the inflammatory site, which sheds light on new strategies for treating neutrophil-mediated inflammatory diseases and practicing the concept of "one drug for multiple diseases".
Animals ; Liposomes ; Rats ; Nanomedicine ; E-Selectin ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Inflammation/drug therapy* ; Mice ; Doxorubicin/analogs & derivatives* ; Zebrafish ; Acute Lung Injury/drug therapy*

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of GJB2 gene c.109G>A (p.V37I) variant among infants with congenital hearing loss and analyze the initial audiological characteristics of children harboring the variant, compare the audiometric difference among individuals with various genotypes, and explore genetic and audiological manifestations of the affected families. METHODS: One hundred twenty six infants diagnosed with congenital hearing loss at the Neonate Screening Center of Ningbo City from June 2021 to December 2024 were selected as the study subjects. The neonates, in addition with members from 16 of their families, had undergone genetic screening for variants of 208 hotspot sites within 24 deafness-associated genes. For cases identified with monoallelic variants and concurrent hearing loss, the full GJB2 gene was sequenced. Meanwhile, a retrospective analysis was carried out on 23 children whom were confirmed to have hearing loss and the c.109G>A variant by whole exome sequencing from March 2022 to December 2024. And 102 children who were excluded to have hearing loss and pathogenic variants by whole exome sequencing were selected as normal controls. Audiological features of individuals harboring the c.109G>A variant were compared. This study has been approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of The Affiliated Women and Children's Hospital of Ningbo University (Ethics No.: EC2023-009). RESULTS: For the 126 infants with congenital hearing loss, prospective screening has identified 58 (46.03%) to harbor the c.109G>A variant. These included 38 homozygotes and 16 compound heterozygotes. Retrospective review of the 23 c.109G>A positive children has identified 15 as homozygotes and 8 as compound heterozygotes. Genetic testing of the 16 pedigrees has identified 7 homozygotes and 1 compound heterozygote. For the homozygotes combined (n = 53), 96.2% exhibited bilateral symmetric hearing loss, with 78.3% showing high-frequency sloping patterns, and 98.1% having a hearing threshold ranging from 20 to 65 dB. For the compound heterozygotes combined (n = 24), 95.8% showed symmetric loss, with 59.4% having high-frequency sloping, and 97.9% had a hearing threshold ranging from 20 to 65 dB. Both groups showed significantly elevated ABR/PTA thresholds compared with the normal controls (P = 0.000). The compound heterozygous group had higher ABR thresholds (43.3 ± 15.0 dB nHL) compared with the homozygous group (39.1 ± 12.0 dB nHL, P = 0.005). CONCLUSION Infants harboring the GJB2 c.109G>A variant primarily manifest as mild-to-moderate, symmetric, high-frequency sloping hearing loss. Nearly one-third of affected children have thresholds between 20 to 35 dB nHL, suggesting that ABR > 35 dB nHL alone may underestimate the hearing impairment in this population. Compared with homozygotes, compound heterozygotes with the the GJB2 c.109G>A variant can confer a more severe hearing loss.
Humans ; Connexin 26/genetics* ; Female ; Male ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant ; Hearing Loss/genetics* ; Retrospective Studies ; Child, Preschool ; Child ; Genotype ; Connexins/genetics* ; Mutation

Objective? To investigate the hope level of elderly patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (THA) and analyze its influencing factors, so as to provide evidence for improving the hope level and quality of life of patients after THA. Methods? A cluster random sampling method was used to select 308 patients with bilateral THA for the first time who were admitted to two ClassⅢ Grade A general hospitals in Harbin from January 2017 to July 2018. Questionnaire surveys were conducted using Herth Hope Scale, the Second Edition of Beck Depression Scale and Social Support Scale. Results? The total score of hope level in elderly THA patients was (29.96±8.72). Among them, 76.62% (236/308) had moderate to high level of hope and the total score of depression was (19.20±11.75) which was at a moderate level. There were significant differences in the hope level of patients with different gender, place of residence, educational level, marital status and family per capita monthly income (P＜ 0.05). The results of multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that age, sex, family income per capita, depression, negative coping style, subjective support and objective support were the influencing factors of elderly THA patients' hope level (P ＜ 0.05). Conclusions? The THA patients' hope are at a medium level. Medical staff should pay attention to the relevant factors affecting the level of hope, adopt targeted nursing intervention measures, give psychological guidance to patients, provide social support, and further improve the level of hope of the THA patients.

Objective To prove the remarkable inhibitive effect of multiple siRNAs targeting a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) on the human colorectal cancer cell.Methods We constructed a multiple short hairpin RNA(shRNA) expression vector containing four shRNAs (pG4) as well as four single one (pGsh644,pGsh1451,pGsh1938,pGsh2231) against APRIL gene in SW480 cell,and then transfected them into the human colorectal cancer cell line by cationic liposome.Ultimately,SW480 were screened by EGFP to obtain expression cell lines.APRIL expression levels including mRNA and APRIL protein were detected after transfected with all different kinds of vectors.Results A multiple shRNA expression vector containing four shRNAs (pG4) and four single ones were successfully constructed.Four single vectors (pGsh644,pGsh1451,pGsh1938,pGsh2231) and the multiple siRNAs expression vector (pG4) all decreased the APRIL mRNA by 56.2％,49.5％ ;50.9％,49.2％ and 79.3％.And APRIL protein expression was also remarkably reduced,especially by multiple siRNAs expression vector(87.5％).Conclusion Multiple siRNAs expression vector produced a more significant knockdown effect of APRIL than the vectors containing only one APRIL shRNA.What we found suggested us using the vector containing multiple shRNA to silence the expression of APRIL might be exploited as a novel therapeutic strategy for tumors.

Objective To investigate the chemical costituents from Drymaria diandra. Methods Compounds were separated and purified by repeated column chromatographies on macroporous resin D101,silica gel, and RP-18.Two compounds were identified by spectral analysis. Results Two compounds were isolated from D. diandra. Theirs structures were identified as 6-carboxymethy1-5,7,4'-trihydroxyflavone (Ⅰ) and l-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(2S,3R,4E,8E)-Z-N-(2'-hydroxypalmitoyl) octadecasphinga-4,8-dienine(soya cerebroside Ⅰ,Ⅱ). Conclusion Compound I is a new compound. Compound Ⅱ is obtained from this plant for the frist time.

Hypoxia, one major characteristic of malignant solid tumors, not only changes the biological characteristics of tumor cells, but also is the main cause of the failure for conventional chemotherapy and radiotherapy. This paper summarizes the implications of tumor hypoxia and the corresponding techniques,then we present the change in tumor biological characteristics induced by hypoxia. Next we analyze the cause of tumor resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. And finally,We discuss the three antitumor strategies targeting hypoxia, which opens a new path to conquer cancer.[