OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects and potential mechanism of Qiangxin decoction on mitochondrion of rats with chronic heart failure （CHF）. METHODS The CHF model was established by ligating the left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery. Modeled rats were divided into model group， Qiangxin decoction low-dose and high-dose groups （12.25， 24.50 g/kg， calculated by crude drug）， and chemical medicine group （Sacubitril valsartan sodium tablets， 10.42 mg/kg）， with 10 rats in each group； control group was set up without treatment. Each group of rats was orally administered with the corresponding medication or normal saline twice a day for 28 consecutive days. After the last medication， the contents of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide （NT-proBNP） and adenosine triphosphate （ATP） in serum and phosphatidic acid （PA） and cardiolipin （CL） in myocardial tissue were all detected； the pathological damage and collagen fibrosis of rat myocardial tissue were observed； the apoptosis of myocardial cells was determined； the ultrastructure of myocardial tissue was observed； the protein expressions of mitofusin 1 （Mfn1）， Mfn2， optic atrophy protein 1 （OPA1） and dynamin-related protein 1 （Drp1） were all detected in myocardial tissue. RESULTS Compared with control group，the serum content of NT-proBNP， apoptotic rate of myocardial cells， and relative expressions of S-OPA1 and Drp1 proteins were all increased significantly； serum content of ATP，contents of PA and CL， and relative expressions of Mfn1， Mfn2 and L-OPA1 proteins were all significantly reduced （P＜0.05）. There were abnormal membrane tissue structure in various layers of myocardial tissue， degeneration and necrosis of myocardial cells， and severe fibrosis； the mitochondria were swollen， with reduced or absent cristae， and uneven matrix density. After intervention with Qiangxin decoction， the levels of the aforementioned quantitative indicators in serum and myocardial tissue of rats （excluding CL content in the Qiangxin decoction low- dose group） were significantly reversed （P＜0.05）； the pathological damage of myocardial tissue had significantly improved， fibrosis had significantly reduced， mitochondrial morphology tended to be normal， cristae had increased， and matrix density was uniform. CONCLUSIONS Qiangxin decoction can regulate myocardial mitochondrial function and structural integrity of CHF rats， thereby improving myocardial energy metabolism and antagonizing myocardial fibrosis， the mechanism of which may be associated with activating PA/Mfn/CL signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects and potential mechanism of Qiangxin decoction on mitochondrion of rats with chronic heart failure （CHF）. METHODS The CHF model was established by ligating the left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery. Modeled rats were divided into model group， Qiangxin decoction low-dose and high-dose groups （12.25， 24.50 g/kg， calculated by crude drug）， and chemical medicine group （Sacubitril valsartan sodium tablets， 10.42 mg/kg）， with 10 rats in each group； control group was set up without treatment. Each group of rats was orally administered with the corresponding medication or normal saline twice a day for 28 consecutive days. After the last medication， the contents of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide （NT-proBNP） and adenosine triphosphate （ATP） in serum and phosphatidic acid （PA） and cardiolipin （CL） in myocardial tissue were all detected； the pathological damage and collagen fibrosis of rat myocardial tissue were observed； the apoptosis of myocardial cells was determined； the ultrastructure of myocardial tissue was observed； the protein expressions of mitofusin 1 （Mfn1）， Mfn2， optic atrophy protein 1 （OPA1） and dynamin-related protein 1 （Drp1） were all detected in myocardial tissue. RESULTS Compared with control group，the serum content of NT-proBNP， apoptotic rate of myocardial cells， and relative expressions of S-OPA1 and Drp1 proteins were all increased significantly； serum content of ATP，contents of PA and CL， and relative expressions of Mfn1， Mfn2 and L-OPA1 proteins were all significantly reduced （P＜0.05）. There were abnormal membrane tissue structure in various layers of myocardial tissue， degeneration and necrosis of myocardial cells， and severe fibrosis； the mitochondria were swollen， with reduced or absent cristae， and uneven matrix density. After intervention with Qiangxin decoction， the levels of the aforementioned quantitative indicators in serum and myocardial tissue of rats （excluding CL content in the Qiangxin decoction low- dose group） were significantly reversed （P＜0.05）； the pathological damage of myocardial tissue had significantly improved， fibrosis had significantly reduced， mitochondrial morphology tended to be normal， cristae had increased， and matrix density was uniform. CONCLUSIONS Qiangxin decoction can regulate myocardial mitochondrial function and structural integrity of CHF rats， thereby improving myocardial energy metabolism and antagonizing myocardial fibrosis， the mechanism of which may be associated with activating PA/Mfn/CL signaling pathway.

Objective: To investigate the potential mechanism of Wendan decoction in obesity by screening target genes with promoter region methylation changes and constructing a multiple signaling pathways network based on promoter methylation. Methods: The methylation degree of Itgad, Col8a1, Adra2b, Jund, Rab2a, Wnt8b, Fzd9, B4galt7, Pik3cd, Creb1, Stard8, and Mmp1 in the abdominal adipose tissue of obese rats was determined using the Agena MassARRAY system. Western blot was performed to assess protein expression levels. Target genes were identified based on the methylation degree in the promoter region and protein expression. Enrichment analysis of signaling pathways was conducted to identify relevant target genes and obtain a multiple signaling pathway network associated with obesity. Core and terminal effector molecules in the pathway networks were selected as research targets for reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis. Results: Four genes (Adra2b, Creb1, Itgad, and Pik3cd) showed a degree of promoter methylation consistent with their respective protein expression levels. Among them, Adra2b, Creb1, and Pik3cd expression increased, while that of Itgad decreased. Enrichment analysis revealed that Creb1 and Pik3cd were involved in 6 signaling pathways related to obesity: tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signaling pathway, growth hormone synthesis/secretion and action, adenosine 5′-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway, relaxin signaling pathway, cyclic nucleotide (cAMP) signaling pathway, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) signaling pathway. Subsequently, a multiple signaling pathways network was constructed based on promoter methylation. Key molecules including protein kinase B (AKT), mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1), and unc-51 like autophagy activating kinase 1 (ULK1), as well as terminal effector molecules interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 2 (CXCL2) were selected as research targets. Wendan decoction decreased the expressions of AKT, mTORC1, IL-1β, IL-6, and CXCL2 while up-regulating ULK1 expression. Conclusion The mechanism of Wendan decoction in preventing obesity involves the regulation of multiple signaling pathways through the control of Creb1 and Pik3cd gene promoter methylation. However, the associated multi-path gene regulation mechanism in preventing obesity is complex. Thus, further exploration is needed to elucidate the role of methylation changes in this mechanism.

Radiotherapy (RT) can potentially induce systemic immune responses by initiating immunogenic cell death (ICD) of tumor cells. However, RT-induced antitumor immunologic responses are sporadic and insufficient against cancer metastases. Herein, we construct multifunctional self-sufficient nanoparticles (MARS) with dual-enzyme activity (GOx and peroxidase-like) to trigger radical storms and activate the cascade-amplified systemic immune responses to suppress both local tumors and metastatic relapse. In addition to limiting the Warburg effect to actualize starvation therapy, MARS catalyzes glucose to produce hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), which is then used in the Cu⁺-mediated Fenton-like reaction and RT sensitization. RT and chemodynamic therapy produce reactive oxygen species in the form of radical storms, which have a robust ICD impact on mobilizing the immune system. Thus, when MARS is combined with RT, potent systemic antitumor immunity can be generated by activating antigen-presenting cells, promoting dendritic cells maturation, increasing the infiltration of cytotoxic T lymphocytes, and reprogramming the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Furthermore, the synergistic therapy of RT and MARS effectively suppresses local tumor growth, increases mouse longevity, and results in a 90% reduction in lung metastasis and postoperative recurrence. Overall, we provide a viable approach to treating cancer by inducing radical storms and activating cascade-amplified systemic immunity.

Objective To investigate the reversal effect and mechanism of cinobufagin(CBG)on cisplatin resist-ance in human ovarian cancer cells.Methods A2780 cell line and its cisplatin-resistant cell line A2780/DDP are common ovarian cancer cells in clinic,so these two cell lines were selected as the research objects.The cell viabil-ity was detected by cell Counting Kit-8(CCK-8)assay,and the cell proliferation ability was detected by plate clo-ning and 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine(EdU)assay.Hoechst staining was used to observe cell apoptosis.Cell scratch test and Transwell test were used to evaluate cell migration and invasion ability.Western blot and quantitative reverse transcription PCR(RT-qPCR)were used to detect the protein and mRNA expressions of phosphatidylinosi-tol 3-kinase/protein kinase(PI3K/AKT)signaling pathway and epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT).Re-sults Compared with A2780 cells,the drug resistance indexes of A2780/DDP cells were 5.636,5.864,5.695,respectively.After treatment of A2780/DDP cells with CBG(2,4,6 mg/ml),the reversal resistance indexes were 1.617,2.570,3.461,respectively.CBG treatment significantly increased the level of apoptosis and inhibi-ted the proliferation,migration and invasion of the cells in a concentration-dependent manner(P<0.05).Western blot results showed that compared with A2780 cells,the relative ratio of P-PI3K/PI3K and P-AKT/AKT protein levels,as well as the protein expression of N-cadherin,Vimentin,and Snail were higher in the control group(A2780/DDP)cells,while the protein expression of E-cadherin was lower(tP-PI3K/PI3K=8.115,tP-AKT/AKT=17.62,tN-cadherin=6.126,tVimentin=4.001,tSnail=17.333,tE-cadherin=4.620,P<0.01);As the dose of CBG increased,the protein expression levels of P-PI3K,P-AKT,N-cadherin,Vimentin,and Snail in drug-resistant cells de-creased,while the protein expression level of E-cadherin increased(FP-PI3K=268.5,FP-AKT=190.5,FN-cadherin=24.02,FVimentin=57.65,FSnail=87.24,FE-cadherin=135.8,P<0.05).qRT-PCR results showed that with the in-crease of CBG concentration,the mRNA expression levels of PI3K,AKT,N-cadherin,Vimentin and Snail de-creased,while the mRNA expression level of E-cadherin gradually increased(FPI3K=101.1,FAKT=558.3,FN-cadherin=86.97,FVimentin=105.9,FSnail=85.71,FE-cadherin=80.96,P<0.01).Conclusion CBG can reverse cisplatin resistance of ovarian cancer A2780/DDP cell line,and its mechanism may be related to the regulation of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and inhibition of EMT by CBG.

Objective:To explore the clinicopathological characteristics of primary bladder mucosal-associated lymphoid tissue extranodal marginal zone lymphoma (MALToma).Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 9 primary bladder MALToma patients diagnosed and underwent transurethral resection of bladder tumors at the Fujian Provincial Hospital, Zhangzhou Municipal Hospital, Mindong Hospital of Ningde City, Zhangzhou Second Hospital and Fuzhou Taijiang Hospital from December 2008 to December 2021 were collected. Paraffin-embedded surgical specimens were collected for HE staining, immunohistochemical staining and genetic testing, the clinicopathological characteristics of patients were summarized, and the literature was reviewed.Results:Of the 9 cases, 8 were female and 1 was male, the age was (59± 11) years old (range: 39-74 years old). Two cases had 3 lesions, 3 cases had 2 lesions, and 4 cases had single lesion. The maximum diameter of the mass was (3.2±1.9) cm (range: 0.3-7.0 cm). The follow-up time was 6-127 months, 4 cases lost to follow-up, 4 cases were disease-free survival, and 1 case was survival with tumor. Pathomorphologically, the bladder tissue consisted of diffusely infiltrating small-to-medium sized lymphocytes, with moderate amounts of pale-staining cytoplasm, without obvious nucleoli, some of them were translucent, and the mitosis was rare. Large cell proliferation in some areas was observed in 1 case, with prominent nucleoli and mitotic figures. Tumor cells in all 9 patients expressed CD20; bcl-2, CD43 and CD38 were positive in some cells in 4 cases, and CD138 was positive in a few cells in 2 cases; κ was positive in 4 cases, and scattered positive in 5 cases; λ was positive in 4 cases, and scattered positive in 5 cases. B-cell receptor gene clonal rearrangement was positive in all 8 cases who underwent the assay. No break-apart signal was observed in all 6 cases who underwent the fluorescence in situ hybridization assay with MALT1 gene segregation probe.Conclusions:Primary bladder MALToma is a rare low-grade B-cell lymphoma that is more commonly found in elderly women. There is no abnormal change in MALT1 gene.