Objective To explore the role and mechanism of HJT-sRNA-m7(M7)bencaosome in a silicosis mouse model.Methods C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into four groups:blank,control,negative control(NC)oligonucleotide,and M7 treatment(HJT-sRNA-m7 bencaosome)groups.After three rounds of pretreatment with HJT-sRNA-m7 bencaosome,all groups except the blank one were modeled via a single intratracheal exposure.Each mouse received 50 μL of a silica suspension at a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight via intratracheal instillation.From day 6 to day 26,the bencaosome was administered every other day via oral gavages.On day 28,pulmonary function tests were performed.Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was collected for flow cytometry and cytokine analysis.The left lung was harvested for histopathological examination and Masson's trichrome staining to evaluate collagen fiber dep-osition.The right lung was used for hydroxyproline quantification to assess collagen accumulation.Results The re-sults of pulmonary function test,pathological analysis and hydroxyproline measurements all indicated that M7 ben-caosome treatment significantly alleviated silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis.Moreover,flow cytometry analysis of BALF confirmed that M7 bencaosome inhibited the silica-induced inflammatory response,that was supported by cy-tokine analysis.Conclusions HJT-sRNA-m7 bencaosome is quite effective to treat silicosis and inhibits mitigating pulmonary fibrosis progression in mouse models.

Objective To screen the active chemical components with potential therapeutic effects against lung cancer in tea and to provide new insights into the treatment and prevention of lung cancer.Methods Based on net-work pharmacology,the main active components from 13 types of tea samples were analyzed using liquid chromatog-raphy-mass spectrometry(LC-MS).The targets of these small molecules were obtained from the BATMAN-TCM da-tabase to construct a"component-target-disease"network.Lung cancer-related disease targets were retrieved from the GeneCard and Malacard databases followed by Gene Ontology(GO)functional and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses of potential pharmacological targets.A protein-protein interaction(PPI)network was constructed using the STRING database.The molecular docking was employed to screen small molecules with potential anti-cancer ac-tivity,and their potential inhibition to proliferation of human non-small cell lung cancer cell line A549 and human large cell lung cancer cell line H460.Results A total of 37 active components and 429 targets were identified in tea,with 182 overlapping targets associated with lung cancer.GO analysis revealed that these targets were primarily involved in biological processes such as cell proliferation,response to stimuli,and metabolic processes.KEGG pathway analysis indicated that these targets were mainly enriched in the p53 signaling pathway,ErbB signaling pathway,and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway.PPI network analysis identified key targets including MAPK1,AKT1,SRC,MAPK3,and p53.Molecular docking screened coumestrol as a molecule capable of binding to human estro-gen receptor 2(ESR2),and its inhibitory effect on the proliferation of A549 and H460 cells was experimentally validated(P＜0.000 1).Conclusions The active components in tea may intervene in the development and progres-sion of lung cancer through a multi-component,multi-target,and multi-pathway mechanism,The results suggests po-tential components against lung cancer in tea,which may be applied in the prevention of human lung cancer.

Objective To investigate the expression of tissue signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)and serum STAT3 mRNA,IL-12p40 and IL-13R α 2 levels in children with congenital intestinal atresia and their correlation with prognosis.Methods From January 2020 to January 2023,100 cases of intestinal atresia lesion tissues,normal intestinal tissues and preoperative serum samples were collected from children with congenital intestinal atresia who underwent treatment in Hebei Children's Hospital.According to the Grosfeld typing criteria,these children were categorized into 39 cases of type Ⅰ,22 cases of type Ⅱ,30 cases of type Ⅲ and 9 cases of type Ⅳ.Based on the recovery situation at 6 months after surgery,these children were separated into a good prognosis group(n=78)and a poor prognosis group(n=22).Serum samples from 93 cases of healthy children undergoing medical examinations during the same period were regarded as control samples.Immunohistochemistry was applied to detect the positive expression and localization of STAT3 in tissues.Western blot was applied to detect the expression of STAT3 protein in tissues,and quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qPCR)was applied to detect the expression level of STAT3 mRNA in serum.Pearson correlation was applied to analyze the correlation between serum STAT3 and inflammatory factor levels in children with congenital intestinal atresia.Logistic regression was used to analyze the factors affecting the prognosis of children with congenital intestinal atresia.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was applied to analyze the predictive efficacy of serum STAT3 level on the prognosis of children with congenital intestinal atresia.Results Immunohistochemical results showed that STAT3 positive expression was mainly localized in the cytoplasm and nucleus.The positive expression rate in congenital intestinal atresia tissue(86％)was higher than that in normal intestinal tissue(18％),and the difference was significant(x2=92.628,P＜0.05).Western blot results showed that the relative expression level of STAT3 in congenital intestinal atresia tissue(1.59±0.21)was higher than that in normal intestinal tissue(0.81±0.12),and the difference was significant(t=30.567,P＜0.05).The results of qPCR showed that serum STAT3(2.13±0.56),IL-12p40(0.89±0.13 ng/ml),and IL-13R α 2 levels(6.42±1.86ng/ml)in the congenital intestinal atresia group were higher than those in the control groups(1.06±0.11,0.37±0.08ng/ml,1.35±0.41ng/ml),and the differences were significant(t=18.101,33.170,25.708,all P＜0.05).The levels of STAT3 and IL-12p40,IL-13R α 2 were gradually increased with the increase of the children's subtypes,and the differences were significant(F=52.666,160.300,25.82,all P＜0.05).Pearson correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between serum STAT3,IL-12p40,and IL-13R α 2 levels in children with congenital intestinal atresia(r=0.496,0.564,all P＜0.001).The expression level of serum STAT3 in poor prognosis group(3.01±0.75)was higher than that in good prognosis group(1.88±0.51),and the differences was statistically significant(t=8.212,P＜0.05).Logistic regression showed that STAT3,IL-12p40,IL-13R α 2,and low birth quality were all independent risk factors for poor prognosis in children with congenital intestinal atresia(all P＜0.05).The ROC curve showed that the area under the curve(AUC)for evaluating the prognosis of children with congenital intestinal atresia by serum STAT3 expression was 0.916,with a sensitivity of 81.82％and a specificity of 88.46％,respectively.When the serum STAT3 mRNA level was higher than 2.47,children with congenital intestinal atresia had a higher probability of poor prognosis.Conclusion The expression of STAT3 is increased in the tissues and serum of children with congenital intestinal atresia.Serum STAT3 may have a predictive value for the prognosis of affected children.

Objective To detect the down-regulation ofmiRNA-99b expression in cell invasion and its mechanism in human glioma cell line U251.Methods Glioma cell line U251 were routinely cultured in vitro.(1) U251 cells were divided into blank control group,negative control group and miRNA-99b inhibitor group;cells in the latter two groups were transfected with negative control sequences and miRNA-99b inhibitors,respectively;and cells in the blank control group did not give any treatment;mRNA expressions of miRNA-99b and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) in U251 cells were measured by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR;the changes of mTOR,eIF4E-binding protein 1 (4E-BP1) andphosphorylated (p)-4E-BPl protein expressions in U251 cells were detected by Westem blotting;cell invasion was evaluated by Transwell assay.(2) U251 cells were divided into negative control group Ⅰ and mTOR siRNA group,and cells in the two groups were transfected with negative control sequences and mTOR siRNA,respectively;the miRNA-99b and mTOR mRNA expressions in U251 cells were measured by RT-PCR;the mTOR and p-4E-BP1 protein expressions in U251 cells were measured by Western blotting.(3) U251 cells were divided into miRNA-99b inhibitor+negative control group and miRNA-99b inhibitor+mTOR siRNA group,and cells in the two groups were transfected with miRNA-99b inhibitor+negative control sequences and miRNA-99b inhibitor+mTOR siRNA,respectively;the p-4E-BP1 protein expression in U251 cells was measured by Western blotting;cell invasion was evaluated by Transwell assay.Results (1) As compared with those in the blank control group and negative control group,the miRNA-99b rnRNA expression was significantly decreased,the mTOR mRNA and protein expressions and p-4E-BP1 protein expression were significantly increased,and the number of transmembrane cells was significantly larger in U251 cells of miRNA-99b inhibitor group (P＜0.05);there were no significant differences in 4E-BP1 protein expression among the three groups (P＞0.05).(2) As compared with those in the negative control group Ⅰ,the mTOR mRNA and protein expressions and p-4E-BP1 protein expression were significantly decreased in U251 cells of mTOR siRNA group (P＜0.05);there was no significant difference in miRNA-99b mRNA expression between the two groups (P＞0.05).(3) As compared with those in the miRNA-99b inhibitor+negative control group,the p-4E-BP1 protein expression and number of transmembrane cells were significantly decreased/smaller in U251 cells ofmiRNA-99b inhibitor+mTOR siRNA group (P＜0.05).Conclusions Down-regulation ofmiRNA-99b expression promotes glioma cell invasion,and its mechanism is related to the regulation of mTOR/4E-BP1 signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the natural infection of Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) in mice,and to survey the distribution of virus in tissues and the changes of serum antibody in the experimentally TMEV-infected mice.Methods Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) assay were used to detect the antibody and nucleic acid of TMEV in clinical samples.These samples included SPF mice collected from Guangdong area in 2010-2015,mice obtained from a non-barrier laboratory rodent colony,and wild Rattus norvegicus live-trapped around the non-barrier laboratory rodent colony.36 ICR mice were intracerebrally inoculated with TMEV BeAn strain.The clinical signs of the animals were observed daily post-inoculation.Three mice were euthanatized at day 0,3,7,10,17,21,31,39 and 46 post-inoculation (dpi),respectively.Tissue and serum samples were collected for TMEV detection.Results The TMEV antibody and nucleic acid positive rates of SPF mice collected from Guangdong area in 2010-2015 were 5.29％ (n=2834) and 27.27％ (n=457),respectively.The TMEV antibody and nucleic acid positive rates of the mice obtained from a non-barrier laboratory rodent colony were 71.95％ (n=82) and 53.66％ (n=82),respectively.The TMEV nucleic acid positive rate of wild Rattus norvegicus was 25.93％ (n=27).In the TMEV positive mice,only two mice showed obvious clinical symptoms.The cecal contents,feces and brain samples were the best candidates for qRT-PCR assay.The viral nucleic acid could be detected in the brain,heart,liver,lung and stomach of ICR mice at 3 dpi,but no viral nucleic acid was detected in the spleen,kidney,and cecum.The viruses in liver,heart,lungs and stomach were completely cleared at 10 dpi,and the viruses persisted in the brain throughout the experiment.The TMEV antibody could be detected at 7 dpi,and then the antibody positive rate reached 100％ at 17 dpi.The antibody level increased gradually and maintained up to 46 days.ICR mice showed latent infection after TMEV inoculation,with no obvious symptoms and eye pathological changes.Conclusions The experimental mice and wild Rattus norvegicus in Guangdong area are both infected with TMEV,and the infection rate is high.The mice inoculated with TMEV BeAn strain show latent infection.The TMEV antibody produced in mice can be detected at 7 dpi and persisted until the end of the experiment.The viruses are found in the liver,heart,lung and stomach for a short time,but are persisted in the brain for a long time.There is a good consistency of TMEV detection between qRT-PCR and ELISA.The qRT-PCR assay can be used as a powerful complement method for the national standard of laboratory animals.

Objective To evaluate the effect of dezocine on the c-fos expression in neurons in the midbrain periaqueductal gray in a rat model of incisional pain.Methods Thirty-six pathogen-free healthy adult male Wistar rats,weighing 250-300 g,were divided into 3 groups (n =12 each) using a random number table:control group (group C),incisional pain group (group I) and dezocine group (group D).A 1 cm longitudinal incision was made through skin,fascia and muscle of the plantar aspect of the right hind paw in sevoflurane-anesthetized rats.In group C,the rats were only anesthetized and underwent no operation.In group I,0.9％ sodium chloride solution 2 ml was injected via the caudal vein at 15 min before the model was established.In group D,dezocine 1 mg/kg (diluted to 2 ml in 0.9％ sodium chloride solution) was injected via the caudal vein at 15 min before the model was established.At 24 h before operation (T0) and 2,6 and 24 h after operation (T1-3),the mechanical paw withdrawal threshold (MWT) and cumulative pain score were measured.After measurement of the pain threshold at T3,the whole brain was removed for determination of the c-fos expression in neurons in the midbrain periaqueductal gray by immunohistochemistry.Results Compared with group C,the MWT was significantly decreased,cumulative pain scores were increased,and the expression of c-fos in neurons in the midbrain periaqueductal gray was upregulated at T1-3 in I and D groups (P＜0.05).Compared with group I,the MWT was significantly increased,the cumulative pain score was decreased,and the expression of c-fos protein in neurons in the midbrain periaqueductal gray was down-regulated at T1.3 in group D (P＜0.05).Conclusion Dezocine mitigates incisional pain through inhibiting the expression of c-fos in neurons in the midbrain periaqueductal gray of rats.

Objective To establish a rapid,specific and sensitive TaqMan real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR assay for detection of murine polyomavirus ( MPyV) .Methods The specific primers and TaqMan probe were designed based on genome sequence of MPyV.The primers amplified a 69 bp fragment.After optimizing the reaction system and reaction condition, the standard curve was plotted by detecting recombinant plasmid standards.The specificity, sensitivity and reproducibility of this method were evaluated.In addition, samples of lungs, spleens and feces obtained from experimentally infected mice and 86 clinical samples were used to validate the efficacy of this real-time PCR assay.Results The specificity assay showed that this assay could specifically detect MPyV and the sensitivity for MPyV was about 100 copies/well.The coefficients of variation ( CV) of both intra-assay and inter-assay were less than 1.13%.All of the samples from experimentally infected mice were positive for MPyV and 3 out of 86 clinical samples were positive by this TaqMan-PCR detection with a positive rate of 3.5%.Conclusions The real-time fluorescence quantitative TaqMan-PCR assay established in this study has high specificity, sensitivity and stability.It can be used for clinical diagnosis, routine detection and epidemiological investigation of murine polyomavirus infections.

BACKGROUND: Thoracodorsal artery perforator flap can relieve damage to donor site and avoid bulk in the recipient site,but dissociation of perforating branch took time.Some one believed that it should be done by very experienced physicians and some muscle tissues should be reserved.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the method,effectiveness and clinical application of improved latissimus dorsi flap based on perforator flap conception for reconstruction of soft tissue defects of lower extremity.METHODS: A total of 17 patients needing skin flap transplantation were selected.12 latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous/muscle flaps,3 latissimus dorsi flaps with a few muscle and 2 double-leaf segmental latissimus dorsi compound flaps were designed based on perforator flap conception.According to the territory of latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap,a skin paddle in which anterior underlying muscle and main perforator was designed,extend about to the anterior edge of the latissimus dorsi muscle.An additional latissimus dorsi muscle flap was selected for soft tissue enlargement if necessary.Sometimes,double-leaf segmental latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous/muscle flap,including one muscle-sparing latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap and the other segmental latissimus dorsi muscle flap nourished by the lateral branches of the thoracodorsal vessels was selected to repair two adjacent defects.The harvested tissue area ranged from 12 cm×8 cm to 28 cm×17 cm.Survival state of skin flap,together with shape and function of donor site and recipient site of skin flap were observed.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Following skin flap transplantation,one case developed vascular crisis that was relieved following re-exploration for vessel anastomosis.All skin flap survived.Second-stage skin grafting was done on one muscle flap wound.All donor sites were sutured directly.After a follow-up of 3 to 18 months in 15 cases,only two cases received two-stage plastic operation because bulky flaps brought some trouble in wearing shoes.Improved latissimus dorsi flap based on perforator flap conception can reduce damage to the donor site and the receipt area bulk.Double-leaf segmental latissimus dorsi compound flaps can repair both heel and toe wound.The versatile latissimus dorsi flap designed using thoracodorsal artery perforator flap conception is an ideal flap for repairing widespread soft tissue defects in the lower extremity.