Objective:To explore mechanism of Caspase-11/GSDMD non-classical cell pyroptosis pathway in inflammatory response of RAW264.7 monocyte macrophages induced by ricin toxin.Methods:Cell pyroptosis model induced by LPS+Nigericin was used as a positive control,and cells were induced with 40 ng/ml and 80 ng/ml of ricin toxin for 8 hours.Cell release of lactate dehydro-genase(LDH)was measured by LDH cell release assay;cell viability was assessed by flow cytometry(Annexin Ⅴ/PI double staining);gene expressions of Caspase-11,GSDMD,IL-1β and IL-18 were measured by RT-qPCR;protein levels of Caspase-11 and GSDMD were measured by Western blot;secretion levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18 in cell supernatant were measured by ELISA.Results:Compared with normal control group,RAW264.7 cells treated with ricin toxin showed swelling,cell membrane rupture,significantly increased LDH release(P<0.001),significantly increased pyroptosis rate(P<0.001),significantly increased expression of pyroptosis-related genes Caspase-11,GSDMD,IL-1β and IL-18(P<0.05),significantly increased protein expressions of Caspase-11 and GSDMD(P<0.05),and significantly increased secretion levels of IL-1β and IL-18 in cell supernatant(P<0.05).Results of ricin toxin treatment group were consistent with LPS+Nigericin cell pyroptosis positive control group.Conclu-sion:Ricin toxin may induce cell pyroptosis in RAW264.7 cells through Caspase-11/GSDMD non-classical pathway,thereby promoting inflammatory response.

Nanozymes are a distinct category of nanomaterials that exhibit catalytic properties resembling those of enzymes such as peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Nanozymes derived from Chinese herbal medicines exhibit the catalytic functions of their enzyme mimics, while retaining the specific medicinal properties of the herb (termed "herbzymes"). These nanozymes can be categorized into three main groups based on their method of synthesis: herb carbon dot nanozymes, polyphenol-metal nanozymes, and herb extract nanozymes. The reported catalytic activities of herbzymes include POD, SOD, CAT, and GPx. This review presents an overview of the catalytic activities and potential applications of nanozymes, introduces the novel concept of herbzymes, provides a comprehensive review of their classification and synthesis, and discusses recent advances in their biomedical applications. Furthermore, we also discuss the significance of research into herbzymes, including the primary challenges faced and future development directions.
Nanostructures/chemistry* ; Humans ; Herbal Medicine/methods* ; Superoxide Dismutase/chemistry* ; Catalase/chemistry* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Catalysis ; Glutathione Peroxidase/chemistry*

Objective: To explore the impact of household tobacco smoke exposure on adolescents attempted smoking behavior, so as to provide a reference for tobacco control policy formulation and evaluation. Methods: From September to November 2023, a stratified cluster random sampling method was employed to select 7 841 middle and high school students from 10 monitoring sites (districts/counties) in Beijing for a questionnaire survey. Rao-Scott Chi square test was used to assess differences in proportions across subgroups, and complex sampling design based multivariate Logistic regression analysis was conducted to explore the influence of parental smoking and secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure at home on adolescents attempted smoking behavior. Results: About 47.17% of adolescents reported to have at least one parent smoked, with 42.36% reported of having only the father smoked, 0.73% reported of having only the mother smoked, and 4.08% reported of having both parents smoked. About 34.66% of middle and high school students were reported SHS exposure at home in the past 7 days, with 10.98%, 4.79% and 18.89% reported SHS exposure for 1-2, 3-4 and 5-7 days. Compared to adolescents with non smoking parents, those with a smoking father or both smoking parents had higher rates of attempted smoking [ OR (95% CI )=1.45(1.06-1.98), 3.73(2.18-6.37), P < 0.05 ]. Compared to adolescents without SHS exposure at home in the past 7 days, those exposed for 3-4 or 5- 7 days had higher rates of attempted smoking [ OR (95% CI )=2.21(1.27- 3.84 ), 2.46(1.58-3.83), P <0.01]. Conclusions Household tobacco smoke exposure is associated with adolescent attempted smoking behavior. Parents should quit smoking and prohibit smoking at home to create a smoke free environment for adolescents.

Objective:To analyze and identify the expression profiles of oxidative stress-related genes and circular RNAs(circRNAs)in ricin toxin(RT)-induced pyroptosis of mouse mononuclear macrophages(RAW264.7)using transcriptome sequencing and bioinformatics technology,and to preliminarily analyze their potential functions.Methods:The macrophages(RAW264.7 cells)were treated with RT to establish a cell pyroptosis model and divided into control group,40 μg·L-1 RT group,and 80 ng/mL RT group.Transmission electron microscope(TEM)was used to observe the morphology of the RAW264.7 cells in various groups;Western blotting method was used to detect the expression levels of the pyroptosis pathway-related proteins in the cells in various groups;80 μg·L-1 RT was selected for subsequent experiments.Transcriptome sequencing(RNA-Seq)was performed to obtain the circRNA and mRNA expression profiles in the RAW264.7 cells in control group and RT-treated group,followed by bioinformatics analysis.Results:Compared with control group,the cells in 40 and 80 μg·L-1 RT groups underwent morphological changes;the cells in RT groups showed obvious pyroptosis-like morphological changes,characterized by significant swelling of dying cells and the appearance of characteristic large bubbles on the plasma membrane.Compared with control group,the expression level of gasdermin DN-terminal fragment(GSDMD-N)protein in 40 and 80 μg·L-1 RT groups was increased(P<0.05);compared with 40 μg·L-1 RT group,the expression level of GSDMD-N protein in the cells in 80 μg·L-1 RT group was increased(P<0.05);therefore,the subsequent experiments used the RT concentration of 80 μg·L-1.A total of 2930 differentially expressed messenger RNAs(mRNAs)and 24 differentially expressed circRNAs were identified.The constructed circRNA-microRNA(miRNA)-mRNA competing endogenous RNA(ceRNA)regulatory network consisted of 7 circRNAs,12 miRNAs and 13 mRNAs.Gene Ontology(GO)functional enrichment analysis showed that in biological process(BP),the functions regulated by differentially expressed genes mainly included immune response and oxidative stress response;in cellular component(CC),differentially expressed genes were mainly localized to the external side of plasma membrane and cell leading edge;in molecular function(MF),they were mainly involved in transporter transmembrane activity and hormone receptor binding.Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathway enrichment analysis showed that differentially expressed genes were mainly enriched in Toll-like receptor signaling pathway,Forkhead box O(FoxO)signaling pathway and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells(NF-κB)signaling pathway.In the protein-protein interaction(PPI)network,the top 10 hub genes with the highest connectivity were screened by CytoHubba,including matrix metalloproteinase 9(MMP9),superoxide dismutase 2(SOD2),and v-src sarcoma viral oncogene homolog(Src).Conclusion:The expression profiles of oxidative stress-related genes and circRNAs in RAW264.7 cells are altered after RT treatment.The screened differentially expressed circRNAs and mRNAs may serve as potential targets to regulate RT-induced pyroptosis in RAW264.7 cells through oxidative stress pathways.

Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) can potentially induce immunogenic cell death in tumor cells, leading to the release of ATP, and facilitating the initiation of an immune response. Nevertheless, the enzymes CD39 and CD73 can swiftly convert ATP into immunosuppressive adenosine (ADO), resulting in an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). This study introduced a nanomedicine (QD/POM1@NP@M) engineered to reprogram TME by modulating the CD39/CD73/ADO pathway. The nanomedicine encapsulated sonosensitizers silver sulfide quantum dots, and the CD39 inhibitor POM1, while also incorporating homologous tumor cell membranes to enhance targeting capabilities. This integrated approach, on the one hand, stimulates the release of ATP via SDT, thereby initiating the immune response. In addition, it reduced the accumulation of ADO by inhibiting CD39 activity, which ameliorated the immunosuppressive TME. Upon administration, the nanomedicine demonstrated substantial anti-tumor efficacy by facilitating the infiltration of anti-tumor immune cells, while reducing the immunosuppressive cells. This modulation effectively transformed the TME from an immunologically "cold" state to a "hot" state. Furthermore, combined with the checkpoint inhibitor α-PDL1, the nanomedicine augmented systemic anti-tumor immunity and promoted the establishment of long-term immune memory. This study provides an innovative strategy for combining non-invasive SDT and ATP-driven immunotherapy, offering new ideas for future cancer treatment.

Objective:To investigate the pathogen distribution, temporal trends in the rates of antimicrobial resistance, and susceptibility of bloodstream isolates and comparatively explore the epidemiological characteristics of bloodstream infections in hematology departments across 56 healthcare facilities in Guangdong Province from 2020 to 2024.Methods:A multicenter analysis was conducted to evaluate the constituent ratio of different pathogens isolated from clinical isolate data from bloodstream specimens in hematology, respiratory, and intensive care unit (ICU) departments across 56 healthcare facilities in Guangdong Province (2020-2024), and antimicrobial resistance trends in pathogens with high-detection rate over 5 years were assessed. Carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative organisms (CRO) were randomly sampled for carbapenemase gene detection and in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility tests with novel antimicrobial agents.Results:From 2020 to 2024, a total of 8 968, 6 440, and 25 511 bloodstream isolates were identified in the hematology, respiratory, and ICU departments, respectively, across 56 participating facilities in Guangdong Province, with significant differences in the pathogen constituent ratio among departments ( P<0.001). Notably, the hematology department demonstrated a predominance of Escherichia coli (24.1%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (17.5%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (11.7%), coagulase-negative Staphylococci (15.2%), and Staphylococcus aureus (5.1%). In the resistance analysis, the rates of meropenem resistance of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumonia increased from 6.7% and 5.8% (2020) to 14.0% and 15.8% (2024), respectively. Conversely, Pseudomonas aeruginosa exhibited a declining trend in the rate of meropenem resistance (6.2% to 1.9%) and imipenem (10.2% to 6.1%) during the same period. Acinetobacter baumannii demonstrated a biphasic resistance pattern to common antimicrobial agents, characterized by an initial decline, followed by a rebound. In this study, the susceptibility rates to conventional antimicrobial agents were significantly higher in Staphylococcus aureus versus coagulase-negative Staphylococci, with no glycopeptide- or linezolid-resistant strains detected. Notably, the prevalence of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium increased from 0 in 2020 to 23.1% in 2024. CRO carbapenemase phenotypes through active surveillance revealed that 80% Escherichia coli isolates were carrying blaNDM, 90% Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates were carrying blaKPC, 10% Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates were carrying blaVIM, and 100% Acinetobacter baumannii were carrying blaOXA-23. The results of the antimicrobial susceptibility test in CRO revealed that carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli (CRECO) demonstrated a 0 resistance rate to tigecycline, polymyxin B, and aztreonam/avibactam, whereas carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae exhibited a 0 resistance rate to aztreonam/avibactam, ceftazidime/avibactam, and imipenem/relebactam. Carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa exhibited a 95.0% susceptibility rate to amikacin and polymyxin B, with a 45.0% resistance rate to ceftazidime/avibactam. In contrast, carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii demonstrated complete susceptibility (100.0%) to sulbactam/durlobactam (MIC90=2 μg/ml), whereas eravacycline showed MIC50 and MIC90 values of 1 and 2 μg/ml, respectively. Conclusion:The pathogen constituent ratio of bloodstream isolates differed significantly among hematology, respiratory, and ICU departments. Notably, although CRO exhibited an escalating prevalence, it sustained high susceptibility to novel antimicrobial agents.

A deep learning based microwave imaging model which can directly map the scattered electric field to the dielectric property distribution image of the target object is developed,and its potential for medical applications is explored.The two-dimensional time-domain finite difference method is used for numerical simulation to obtain a dataset of scattered electric fields;a deep convolutional autoencoder based imaging model is constructed to perform imaging studies on two types of target objects;the imaging results are quantitatively evaluated using relative error,and the model's ability to distinguish different types of strokes is also analyzed.The results show that the imaging network based on deep convolutional autoencoder exhibits excellent imaging performance when processing both numerical models.For simple objects,the model can accurately locate and preliminarily reconstruct the shape of the object,with an average relative error of 0.3012,while for the stroke models,it can effectively reconstruct the location and shape of the stroke area,and preliminarily reconstruct other brain tissues,with an average relative error of 0.077 8.The microwave imaging network based on deep convolutional autoencoder has great promise for fast and accurate image reconstruction,and the numerical example of stroke detection demonstrates its significant application potential in biomedical imaging.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the roles and mechanisms of γ-bungarotoxin(γ-BGT)in inducing respiratory distress in mice.METHODS Six male Kunming mice were selected and anesthe-tized before tracheal intubation and respiratory recording.After stabilizing respiration,the mice were intraperitoneally injected with γ-BGT at a dose of 6 mg·kg-1.Once a decrease in respiratory frequency was observed,the mice were intravenously injected with nikethamide at a dose of 12.5 mg·kg-1.Respi-ratory frequency was monitored using the BL420 signal acquisition and processing system.Male Kunming mice were randomly divided into the normal control group(saline,ip),γ-BGT group(6 mg·kg-1,ip),and γ-BGT+nikethamide group(γ-BGT 6 mg·kg-1,ip,followed by nikethamide 12.5 mg·kg-1,ip,when shal-low breathing and enhanced abdominal respiration were observed).The levels of Glu and GABA in the medulla oblongata were measured using ELISA.The protein expression levels of GAD65 and GAD67 in the medulla oblongata were determined by Western blotting.Primary mouse medullary neurons were cultured in vitro and divided into the following groups:cell control group,γ-BGT group,carbachol group,gallamine group,γ-BGT+H-89 group,and γ-BGT+Y-27632 group.The γ-BGT group,carbachol group,and gallamine group were incubated with γ-BGT(40 mg·L-1),carbachol(100 mmol·L-1),and gallamine(100 mmol·L-1),respectively,for 4 h.The γ-BGT+H-89 and γ-BGT+Y-27632 groups were pretreated with γ-BGT(40 mg·L-1)for 4 h,followed by incubation with the protein kinase A(PKA)inhibitor H-89(50 mmol·L-1)and the Ca2+channel inhibitor Y-27632(50 mmol·L-1)for another 2 h,respectively.ELISA was used to measure the levels of Glu,GABA,cAMP,and calpain in the primary mouse medul-lary neurons.Western blotting was employed to assess the protein expression levels of GAD65 and GAD67,and PKA phosphorylation levels.Fluo-4 fluorescent probe was used to detect the intracellular Ca2+level.RESULTS The respiratory rate of mice significantly decreased after iv administration of γ-BGT(γ-BGT group)(P<0.05).After treatment with nikethamide(nikethamide group),the respiratory rate significantly recovered(P<0.05).Compared with the normal control group,the γ-BGT group exhib-ited a significant decrease in Glu content(P<0.05),a significant increase in GABA content(P<0.05),and a significant decrease in the Glu/GABA ratio.Additionally,the protein expression levels of GAD65 and GAD67 were significantly elevated(P<0.05).Compared with the γ-BGT group,the γ-BGT+niketh-amide group showed a significant increase in Glu content(P<0.05),a significant decrease in GABA content(P<0.05),a significant increase in the Glu/GABA ratio,and a significant reduction in GAD65 and GAD67 protein expression levels(P<0.05).Compared to the cell control group,the γ-BGT group demonstrated a significant decrease in Glu content(P<0.05),a significant increase in GABA content(P<0.05),and a significant reduction in the Glu/GABA ratio.Furthermore,the protein expression levels of GAD65 and GAD67 were significantly elevated(P<0.05).Additionally,cAMP content,PKA phosphor-ylation levels,Ca2+levels,and calpain activity were all significantly increased(all P<0.05).Glu,GABA,Glu/GABA ratio,and GAD expression levels in the γ-BGT group changed in the same way as in the gallamine group;In the γ-BGT+Y-27632 group,calpain activity and expression levels of GAD65 and GAD67 were all significantly decreased(all P<0.05).In the γ-BGT+H-89 group,Ca2+levels and calpain activity were significantly reduced(all P<0.05).CONCLUSION γ-BGT-induced poisoning can lead to respiratory distress in mice,possibly through the antagonism of M2 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in medullary neurons,activation of the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway,elevation of intracellular Ca2+levels,and increased expression and activity of GAD,resulting in an imbalance of Glu and GABA in the medulla.

A deep learning based microwave imaging model which can directly map the scattered electric field to the dielectric property distribution image of the target object is developed,and its potential for medical applications is explored.The two-dimensional time-domain finite difference method is used for numerical simulation to obtain a dataset of scattered electric fields;a deep convolutional autoencoder based imaging model is constructed to perform imaging studies on two types of target objects;the imaging results are quantitatively evaluated using relative error,and the model's ability to distinguish different types of strokes is also analyzed.The results show that the imaging network based on deep convolutional autoencoder exhibits excellent imaging performance when processing both numerical models.For simple objects,the model can accurately locate and preliminarily reconstruct the shape of the object,with an average relative error of 0.3012,while for the stroke models,it can effectively reconstruct the location and shape of the stroke area,and preliminarily reconstruct other brain tissues,with an average relative error of 0.077 8.The microwave imaging network based on deep convolutional autoencoder has great promise for fast and accurate image reconstruction,and the numerical example of stroke detection demonstrates its significant application potential in biomedical imaging.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the roles and mechanisms of γ-bungarotoxin(γ-BGT)in inducing respiratory distress in mice.METHODS Six male Kunming mice were selected and anesthe-tized before tracheal intubation and respiratory recording.After stabilizing respiration,the mice were intraperitoneally injected with γ-BGT at a dose of 6 mg·kg-1.Once a decrease in respiratory frequency was observed,the mice were intravenously injected with nikethamide at a dose of 12.5 mg·kg-1.Respi-ratory frequency was monitored using the BL420 signal acquisition and processing system.Male Kunming mice were randomly divided into the normal control group(saline,ip),γ-BGT group(6 mg·kg-1,ip),and γ-BGT+nikethamide group(γ-BGT 6 mg·kg-1,ip,followed by nikethamide 12.5 mg·kg-1,ip,when shal-low breathing and enhanced abdominal respiration were observed).The levels of Glu and GABA in the medulla oblongata were measured using ELISA.The protein expression levels of GAD65 and GAD67 in the medulla oblongata were determined by Western blotting.Primary mouse medullary neurons were cultured in vitro and divided into the following groups:cell control group,γ-BGT group,carbachol group,gallamine group,γ-BGT+H-89 group,and γ-BGT+Y-27632 group.The γ-BGT group,carbachol group,and gallamine group were incubated with γ-BGT(40 mg·L-1),carbachol(100 mmol·L-1),and gallamine(100 mmol·L-1),respectively,for 4 h.The γ-BGT+H-89 and γ-BGT+Y-27632 groups were pretreated with γ-BGT(40 mg·L-1)for 4 h,followed by incubation with the protein kinase A(PKA)inhibitor H-89(50 mmol·L-1)and the Ca2+channel inhibitor Y-27632(50 mmol·L-1)for another 2 h,respectively.ELISA was used to measure the levels of Glu,GABA,cAMP,and calpain in the primary mouse medul-lary neurons.Western blotting was employed to assess the protein expression levels of GAD65 and GAD67,and PKA phosphorylation levels.Fluo-4 fluorescent probe was used to detect the intracellular Ca2+level.RESULTS The respiratory rate of mice significantly decreased after iv administration of γ-BGT(γ-BGT group)(P<0.05).After treatment with nikethamide(nikethamide group),the respiratory rate significantly recovered(P<0.05).Compared with the normal control group,the γ-BGT group exhib-ited a significant decrease in Glu content(P<0.05),a significant increase in GABA content(P<0.05),and a significant decrease in the Glu/GABA ratio.Additionally,the protein expression levels of GAD65 and GAD67 were significantly elevated(P<0.05).Compared with the γ-BGT group,the γ-BGT+niketh-amide group showed a significant increase in Glu content(P<0.05),a significant decrease in GABA content(P<0.05),a significant increase in the Glu/GABA ratio,and a significant reduction in GAD65 and GAD67 protein expression levels(P<0.05).Compared to the cell control group,the γ-BGT group demonstrated a significant decrease in Glu content(P<0.05),a significant increase in GABA content(P<0.05),and a significant reduction in the Glu/GABA ratio.Furthermore,the protein expression levels of GAD65 and GAD67 were significantly elevated(P<0.05).Additionally,cAMP content,PKA phosphor-ylation levels,Ca2+levels,and calpain activity were all significantly increased(all P<0.05).Glu,GABA,Glu/GABA ratio,and GAD expression levels in the γ-BGT group changed in the same way as in the gallamine group;In the γ-BGT+Y-27632 group,calpain activity and expression levels of GAD65 and GAD67 were all significantly decreased(all P<0.05).In the γ-BGT+H-89 group,Ca2+levels and calpain activity were significantly reduced(all P<0.05).CONCLUSION γ-BGT-induced poisoning can lead to respiratory distress in mice,possibly through the antagonism of M2 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in medullary neurons,activation of the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway,elevation of intracellular Ca2+levels,and increased expression and activity of GAD,resulting in an imbalance of Glu and GABA in the medulla.