OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of stretch on long non-coding RNA taurine upregulated gene 1 (TUG1)-mediated miR-545-3p/cannbinoida receptor 2 (CNR2) pathway regulating bone regeneration in the distraction area of rats during distraction osteogenesis. METHODS: Thirty-six 10-week-old male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups ( n=12 in each group): group A (femoral fracture+injection of interfering RNA), group B (distraction osteogenesis+injection of interfering RNA), and group C (distraction osteogenesis+injection of TUG1). Groups A and B were injected with 60 μg of interfering RNA at the beginning of incubation period (immediate after operation), the beginning of distraction phase (7 days after operation), and the end of distraction phase (21 days after operation), and group C was injected with 60 μg of synthetic TUG1 in vivo interfering sequence at the same time. The general situation of rats in each group was observed during the experiment. The mineralization of fracture space or distraction area was observed by X-ray films at 21, 35, and 49 days after operation. At 49 days after operation, the samples of the distraction area were taken for HE staining to observe the mineralization, and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expressions of osteoblast-related genes such as TUG1, miR-545-3p, CNR2, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteocalcin (OCN), and osteopontin (OPN). Blood samples were collected from the abdominal aorta of the rats, and the expressions of ALP and C terminal telopeptide of type Ⅰ (CTX-Ⅰ) protein were detected by ELISA assay. RESULTS: The results of X-ray film and HE staining observations showed that osteogenesis in group C was superior to groups A and B at the same time point. The results of qRT-PCR showed that the relative mRNA expressions of TUG1, CNR2, ALP, OCN, and OPN in group C were significantly higher than those in group A and group B, and the relative mRNA expression of miR-545-3p in group C was significantly lower than that in group A and group B ( P<0.05). The relative mRNA expressions of TUG1 and ALP in group B were significantly higher than those in group A, and the relative mRNA expression of miR-545-3p in group B was significantly lower than that in group A ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the relative mRNA expressions of CNR2, OCN, and OPN between group A and group B ( P>0.05). The results of ELISA showed that the expressions of ALP and CTX-Ⅰ protein were significantly higher in group C than in group A and group B, and in group B than in group A ( P<0.05). CONCLUSION Under the action of stretch, the expression of TUG1 in the femoral distraction area of rats increases, which promotes the expression of CNR2 by inhibiting the expression of miR-545-3P, which is helpful to the mineralization of the extension area and osteogenesis.
Animals ; MicroRNAs/genetics* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Male ; Osteogenesis, Distraction/methods* ; Rats ; RNA, Long Noncoding/metabolism* ; Osteopontin/genetics* ; Osteogenesis ; Bone Regeneration ; RNA, Small Interfering/genetics* ; Osteocalcin/genetics* ; Alkaline Phosphatase/metabolism* ; Osteoblasts/cytology* ; Signal Transduction ; Femoral Fractures/surgery*

Viruses constitute a significant group of pathogens that have caused numerous fatalities and substantial economic losses in recent years, particularly with the emergence of coronaviruses. While the impact of SARS-CoV-2 appears to be diminishing in daily life, only a limited number of drugs have received approval or emergency use authorization for its treatment. Given the high mutation rate of viral genomes, host-directed agents (HDAs) have emerged as a preferred choice due to their broad applicability and lasting effectiveness. In contrast to direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), HDAs offer several advantages, including broad-spectrum antiviral activities, potential efficacy against future emerging viruses, and a lower likelihood of inducing drug resistance. In our review article, we have synthesized known host-directed antiviral targets that span diverse cellular pathways and mechanisms, shedding light on the intricate interplay between host cells and viruses. Additionally, we have provided a brief overview of the development of HDAs based on these targets. We aim for this comprehensive analysis to offer valuable perspectives and insights that can guide future antiviral research and drug development efforts.

OBJECTIVE To construct an insulin-resistant(IR)small intestinal organoid model of mice and study the protective effect of flavanomarein(FM)on the intestinal mucosal barrier in the model.METHODS ①Small intestinal organoid models of C57BL/6J and db/db of mice were constructed.The expressions of Ki-67,E-cadherin(E-cad),lysozyme(Lyz)and mucin-2(Muc-2)in small intestinal organ-oids were detected by 3D immunofluorescence.RT-qPCR was used to detect the expressions of fibro-nectin(Fn),glucagon-like peptide-1(GLP-1)and peotide YY(PYY)mRNA while Western blotting was used to detect the expressions of Fn,GLP-1 and PYY protein.The Lyz secretion level was detected by ELISA.② Small intestinal organoids were divided into five groups:C57BL/6J mice 'small intestinal organ-oids as the normal control group,db/db mice' intestinal organoids as the IR model group,db/db mice small intestinal organoids with flavanomarein 25,50 and 100 μmol·L-1 intervention for 48 h as IR model+ FM groups.RT-qPCR was used to detect the expression of Lyz mRNA while Western blotting was used to detect the expression of Lyz protein.RESULTS ① On the 6th day of small intestinal organoid culture,a ring structure with a clear luminal structure was formed and an IR mouse small intestinal organoid model was established.3D Immunofluorescence detection showed that the established small intestinal organoids all expressed Ki-67,E-cad,Lyz and MUC-2.Compared with the normal control group,the expres-sion of Fn mRNA in the IR model group was significantly increased(P<0.05)while the expressions of GLP-1 and PYY mRNA were significantly decreased(P<0.05).Compared with the normal control group,the expression of Fn protein in the IR model group was significantly decreased(P<0.05)while the expressions of GLP-1 and PYY protein were significantly increased(P<0.05).ELISA results showed that compared with the normal control group,the secretion levels of Lyz in the IR model group were signifi-cantly decreased(P<0.01).② RT-qPCR results showed that compared with the normal control group,the expression of Lyz mRNA in the IR model group was significantly decreased(P<0.01).Compared with the IR model group,the expression of Lyz mRNA in the IR model+FM 50 and 100 μmol·L-1 groups was significantly increased(P<0.05,P<0.01).Western blotting results showed that compared with the normal control group,the expression of Lyz protein in the IR model group was significantly decreased(P<0.01).Compared with the IR model group,the expression of Lyz protein in the IR model+FM 50 and 100 μmol·L-1 groups was significantly increased(P<0.05,P<0.01).CONCLUSION The constructed IR mouse small intestinal organoid model provides a more complete in vitro research model for exploring the pathophysiological mechanism by which drug interventions help repair the intestinal mucosal barrier.FM may maintain the intestinal mucosal barrier by reversing the decrease in Lyz expression levels in IR mice,thereby improving IR.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of flavanomarein on the transcriptome of small intestinal organoids in insulin-resistant mice. MethodFirstly， small intestinal organoids of C57BL/6J and db/db mice were established. Ki-67 and E-cadherin expression was determined by immunofluorescence. Small intestinal organoids were divided into the following three groups： C57BL/6J mouse small intestinal organoids as the normal control group， db/db mouse small intestinal organoids as the model group （IR group）， and db/db mouse small intestinal organoids treated with flavanomarein as the administration group （FM group）. Western blot was used to detect the expression of glucagon-like peptide-1（GLP-1） protein on the small intestinal organoids of the three groups. Finally， transcriptome sequencing was performed on samples from the three groups. ResultOn the 6^th day of small intestine organoids culture， a cyclic structure was formed around the lumen， and a small intestine organoids culture model was preliminarily established. Immunofluorescence detection showed that ki-67 and E-cadherin were expressed in small intestinal organoids. Western blot results showed that the expression of GLP-1 protein was increased by flavanomarein. In the results of differential expressed gene （DEG） screening， there were 1 862 DEGs in the IR group as compared with the normal control group， and 2 282 DEGs in the FM group as compared with the IR group. Through protein-protein interaction（PPI） network analysis of the DEGs of the two groups， 10 Hub genes， including Nr1i3， Cyp2c44， Ugt2b1， Gsta1， Gstm2， Ptgs1， Gstm4， Cyp2c38， Cyp4a32， and Gpx3， were obtained. These genes were highly expressed in the normal control group， and their expression was reduced in the IR group. After the intervention of flavanomarein， the expression of the above genes was reversed. ConclusionFlavanomarein may play its role in improving insulin resistance by reversing the expression levels of 10 Hub genes， including Nr1i3， Cyp2c44， Ugt2b1， Gsta1， Gstm2， Ptgs1， Gstm4， Cyp2c38， Cyp4a32， and Gpx3.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the role of N~6-methyladenosine(m~6A) catalytic enzymes(methyltransferases and demethylases) in cadmium-induced oxidative damage in human renal epithelial cells(HK-2 cells), and to analyze the correlation between nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2(NRF2) and m~6A catalytic enzymes. METHODS: i) HK-2 cells in logarithmic growth phase were randomly divided into control group and 6 cadmium sulfate treatment groups, then treated with 0, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32 and 64 μmol/L cadmium sulfate solution for 24 hours. The cell survival rates were detected by CCK-8 assay, and the appropriate doses of cadmium sulfate were selected for subsequent experiments. ii) HK-2 cells in logarithmic growth phase were randomly divided into control group and low-, medium-, and high-dose groups, and treated with 0, 4, 8, and 16 μmol/L cadmium sulfate solution respectively for 24 hours. Subsequently, the levels of reactive oxygen species(ROS) were detected by fluorescence probe. The mRNA expression of NRF2, the m~6A methyltransferases such as methyltransferase like proteins(METTL) 3, METTL14, METTL16 and the m~6A demethylases such as fat mass and obesity associated protein(FTO), AlkB family of nonheme Fe(Ⅱ)/α-ketoglutarate(α-KG)-dependent dioxygenases 5(ALKBH5) were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: i) The survival rate of HK-2 cells was more than 60.00% and lower than that of the control group(P<0.05) after the cells were stimulated with 16 μmol/L of cadmium sulfate. Therefore, 4, 8 and 16 μmol/L of cadmium sulfate were selected as the stimulation concentrations in the follow-up experiments. ii) The relative expression of NRF2, METTL3, METTL14 and METTL16 in HK-2 cells in low-dose group increased(all P<0.05), while the levels of ROS and the relative mRNA expression of NRF2, METTL3, METTL14, METTL16 and FTO in HK-2 cells in medium and high-dose groups increased(all P<0.05) when compared with the control group. There was no significant difference in the expression of ALKBH5 mRNA among these 4 groups(P>0.05). In the correlation analysis, NRF2 mRNA expression was positively correlated with the mRNA expression of METTL3 and METTL16 [Pearson correlation coefficient(r) = 0.61 and 0.66, respectively, all P<0.05]. There was no correlation between NRF2 mRNA expression and METTL14, FTO and ALKBH5(r=0.53, 0.48, and 0.01 respectively, all P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Cadmium sulfate may increase intracellular ROS level, up-regulate NRF2 expression and activate NRF2 signaling pathway as well as enhance the expression of METTL3 and METTL16 in HK-2 cells, thus increasing intracellular oxidative damage and decreasing the cell survival rate.

SARS-CoV-2 has caused tens of thousands of infections and more than one thousand deaths. There are currently no registered therapies for treating coronavirus infections. Because of time consuming process of new drug development, drug repositioning may be the only solution to the epidemic of sudden infectious diseases. We systematically analyzed all the proteins encoded by SARS-CoV-2 genes, compared them with proteins from other coronaviruses, predicted their structures, and built 19 structures that could be done by homology modeling. By performing target-based virtual ligand screening, a total of 21 targets (including two human targets) were screened against compound libraries including ZINC drug database and our own database of natural products. Structure and screening results of important targets such as 3-chymotrypsin-like protease (3CLpro), Spike, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), and papain like protease (PLpro) were discussed in detail. In addition, a database of 78 commonly used anti-viral drugs including those currently on the market and undergoing clinical trials for SARS-CoV-2 was constructed. Possible targets of these compounds and potential drugs acting on a certain target were predicted. This study will provide new lead compounds and targets for further and studies of SARS-CoV-2, new insights for those drugs currently ongoing clinical studies, and also possible new strategies for drug repositioning to treat SARS-CoV-2 infections.

Objective To evaluate the clinical effect of the facial soft tissue defect treated with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) mixed with purified fat.Methods 35 patients with facial soft-tissue defects were treated by PRP mixed with centrifuged fat tissue.Using Fuzzy judgment method the clinical effectiveness of therapeutic outcomes were evaluated on fullness,injection of frequency and satisfaction during 3 to 6 months of follow-up.Results The therapeutic outcomes showed that the reconstructed face became a relative symmetrical and natural appearance with not evidently fat resorption and stable after operation.Both patients and surgeons were satisfied with the results.The score of effectiveness was highest in Fuzzy judgment.Conclusions The efficacy of PRP is significant in enhancing fat graft,reducing fat necrosis and resorption.The fat tissue mixed with PRP is a reliable reconstruction option for the facial soft tissue defect.