Objective:To explore the protective effect of knock-down the expression of B lymphocyte induced maturation protein 1(Blimp1)gene on early liver injury in carbon tetrachloride(CCl4)-induced mouse model of liver fibrosis.Methods:C57BL/6 mice were intraderitoneal injected with 5％CCl4 olive oil solution to create mouse model of hepatic fibrosis.The expression of Blimp1 gene in the mice was re-duced by intraderitoneal injection of short hairpin RNA(shRNA)adeno-associated virus(AAV).The mice were randomly divided into 3 groups:blank test group(n=10),CCl4+AAV-shRNA-NC group(n=10)and CCl4+AAV-shRNA-Blimp1 group(n=10).After 27 days of preparation of the CCl4 mouse model,animal materials were carried out.Western blot and real-time PCR were used to detect the levels of Blimp1,α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA),collagen type Ⅰ alpha 1(COL1A1),collagen typeⅢ alpha 1(COL3A1),and their mRNA expression levels of liver tissue in each group.The serum of each group was separated to measure aspartate transaminase(AST)and alanine transaminase(ALT)by automatic biochemical analyzer.The pathological changes of liver tissue and the degree of liver fibrosis in the mice were detected by pathological staining including hematoxylin-eosin staining,Masson,and Sirius red.Results:The expression levels of Blimp1 protein in the liver of CCl4+AAV-shRNA-NC group(2.036±0.244,t=3.690,P=0.002)were significantly increased than that of the blank test group.In the CCl4+AAV-shRNA-Blimp1 group,the expression of Blimp1 protein decreased to the basal level(0.783±0.249,t=6.223,P=0.003).Compared with the serum levels of ALT[(1 957.8±633.6)U/L]and AST[(1 808.8±260.1)U/L]in the CCl4+AAV-shRNA-NC group,the serum levels of ALT[(894.0±360.1)U/L,t=3.998,P=0.003]and AST[(820.0±100.6)U/L,t=6.141,P=0.004]in the CCl4+AAV-shRNA-Blimp1 group were significantly decreased.The pathological re-sults of the CCl4+AAV-shRNA-Blimp1 group showed that compared with the CCl4+AAV-shRNA-NC group,the infiltration of inflammatory cells in the liver tissue was reduced and the degree of fibrosis was alleviated.The level of α-SMA(0.676±0.064,t=7.930,P=0.001),COL1A1(1.426±0.143,t=6.364,P=0.003)and COL3A1(1.124±0.198,t=3.440,P=0.026)of liver in the CCl4+AAV-shRNA-Blimp1 group were significantly decreased than that of CCl4+AAV-shRNA-NC group,and the mRNA expression levels were altered as well as their protein levels.Conclusion:Blimp1 plays an important role in CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in mice,and knock-down the expression of Blimp1 gene is beneficial to protect early liver injury in mice.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the potential effects and mechanisms of Liang-Ge-San (LGS) for the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) through network pharmacology analysis and to verify LGS activity through biological experiments. METHODS: The key ingredients of LGS and related targets were obtained from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform. ARDS-related targets were selected from GeneCards and DisGeNET databases. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analyses were performed using the Metascape Database. Molecular docking analysis was used to confirm the binding affinity of the core compounds with key therapeutic targets. Finally, the effects of LGS on key signaling pathways and biological processes were determined by in vitro and in vivo experiments. RESULTS: A total of LGS-related targets and 496 ARDS-related targets were obtained from the databases. Network pharmacological analysis suggested that LGS could treat ARDS based on the following information: LGS ingredients luteolin, wogonin, and baicalein may be potential candidate agents. Mitogen-activated protein kinase 14 (MAPK14), recombinant V-Rel reticuloendotheliosis viral oncogene homolog A (RELA), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) may be potential therapeutic targets. Reactive oxygen species metabolic process and the apoptotic signaling pathway were the main biological processes. The p38MAPK/NF-κ B signaling pathway might be the key signaling pathway activated by LGS against ARDS. Moreover, molecular docking demonstrated that luteolin, wogonin, and baicalein had a good binding affinity with MAPK14, RELA, and TNF α. In vitro experiments, LGS inhibited the expression and entry of p38 and p65 into the nucleation in human bronchial epithelial cells (HBE) cells induced by LPS, inhibited the inflammatory response and oxidative stress response, and inhibited HBE cell apoptosis (P<0.05 or P<0.01). In vivo experiments, LGS improved lung injury caused by ligation and puncture, reduced inflammatory responses, and inhibited the activation of p38MAPK and p65 (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION LGS could reduce reactive oxygen species and inflammatory cytokine production by inhibiting p38MAPK/NF-κ B signaling pathway, thus reducing apoptosis and attenuating ARDS.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome/enzymology* ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism* ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Animals ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Humans ; Male ; Network Pharmacology ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Mice

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of rutaecarpine (RUT) on monosodium urate crystal (MSU)-induced murine peritonitis in mice and further explored the underlying mechanism of RUT in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/MSU-induced gout model in vitro. METHODS: In MSU-induced mice, 36 male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 6 groups of 8 mice each group, including the control group, model group, RUT low-, medium-, and high-doses groups, and prednisone acetate group. The mice in each group were orally administered the corresponding drugs or vehicle once a day for 7 consecutive days. The gout inflammation model was established by intraperitoneal injection of MSU to evaluate the anti-gout inflammatory effects of RUT. Then the proinflammatory cytokines were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the proportions of infiltrating neutrophils cytokines were detected by flow cytometry. In LPS/MSU-treated or untreated THP-1 macrophages, cell viability was observed by cell counting kit 8 and proinflammatory cytokines were measured by ELISA. The percentage of pyroptotic cells were detected by flow cytometry. Respectively, the mRNA and protein levels were measured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot, the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) p65 was observed by laser confocal imaging. Additionally, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and molecular docking were applied to validate the binding ability of RUT components to tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) targets. RESULTS: RUT reduced the levels of infiltrating neutrophils and monocytes and decreased the levels of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and interleukin 6 (IL-6, all P<0.01). In vitro, RUT reduced the production of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α. In addition, RT-PCR revealed the inhibitory effects of RUT on the mRNA levels of IL-1β, IL-6, cyclooxygenase-2 and TNF-α (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Mechanistically, RUT markedly reduced protein expressions of tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR), phospho-mitogen-activated protein kinase (p-MAPK), phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinase, phospho-c-Jun N-terminal kinase, phospho-NF-κB, phospho-kinase α/β, NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRPS), cleaved-cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-1 and cleaved-gasdermin D in macrophages (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Molecularly, SPR revealed that RUT bound to TNF-α with a calculated equilibrium dissociation constant of 31.7 µmol/L. Molecular docking further confirmed that RUT could interact directly with the TNF-α protein via hydrogen bonding, van der Waals interactions, and carbon-hydrogen bonding. CONCLUSION RUT alleviated MSU-induced peritonitis and inhibited the TNFR1-MAPK/NF-κB and NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway to attenuate gouty inflammation induced by LPS/MSU in THP-1 macrophages, suggesting that RUT could be a potential therapeutic candidate for gout.
Animals ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Male ; Indole Alkaloids/therapeutic use* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Inflammation/complications* ; Uric Acid ; Quinazolines/therapeutic use* ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism* ; Humans ; Gout/chemically induced* ; Inflammasomes/metabolism* ; Cytokines/metabolism* ; THP-1 Cells ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism* ; Mice ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Quinazolinones

BACKGROUND:Polyether ether ketone has the advantages of elastic modulus close to human cortical bone,good ray transmission,chemical stability,and biocompatibility.Polyether ether ketone is expected to be applied in the field of oral implants.However,polyether ether ketone is bioinert and is difficult to integrate with surrounding bone tissue.Therefore,how to improve the surface bioactivity of polyether ether ketone remains a major issue.OBJECTIVE:To analyze the osteogenic and vasogenic effects of polyether ether ketone surface bone forming peptide 1 and polydopamine composite coating.METHODS:Polyether ether ketone titanium sheets were immersed in dopamine solution for 24 hours to prepare polyether ether ketone-polydopamine materials.Polyether ether ketone-polydopamine material was immersed in the bone forming peptide 1 solution for 24 hours to prepare polyether ether ketone-polydopamine-bone forming peptide 1 material.The micromorphology,hydrophilicity,and elemental composition of the material were characterized.Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were injected on the surface of polyether ether ketone,polyether ether ketone-polydopamine,and polyether ether ketone-polydopamine-bone forming peptide-1 materials.Cell viability and adhesion status were evaluated by live/dead cell staining and cytoskeleton staining.Cellular osteogenic differentiation ability was detected by alizarin red and osteocalcin immunofluorescence staining.Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were inoculated on the surface of three groups of materials.Cell viability and angiogenesis level were assessed by live/dead cell staining and immunofluorescence staining of cytoskeleton/vascular endothelial growth factor.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Under scanning electron microscope,the surface of polyether ether ketone material was smooth;the surface of polyether ether ketone-polydopamine material had uneven deposits,and the surface of polyether ether ketone-polydopamine-bone forming peptide 1 material had small particles protruding.The results of contact angle test showed that the hydrophilicity of polyether ether ketone-polydopamine-bone forming peptide-1 material was better than the other two materials.X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results showed that bone forming peptide 1 had been successfully modified on the surface of polyether ether ketone material.(2)Live/dead cell staining and cytoskeleton staining exhibited that compared with the other two materials,polyether ether ketone-polydopamine-bone-forming peptide 1 material could improve the viability and adhesion of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.Alizarin red and osteocalcin immunofluorescence staining showed that compared with the other two materials,polyether ether ketone-polydopamine-bone forming peptide-1 materials could promote the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.(3)Live/dead cell staining and immunofluorescence staining showed that compared with the other two materials,polyether ether ketone-polydopamine-bone forming peptide 1 material could improve the viability and adhesion of human umbilical vein endothelial cells and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor protein.(4)The results show that the modification of bone forming peptide 1 and polydopamine composite coating on polyether ether ketone surface can improve the osteogenesis and angiogenesis.

Objective To characterize the features of patent foramen ovale(PFO)-related cryptogenic stroke using diffusion-weighted imaging(DWI)and to investigate the correlation between infarct size and cardiac CT characteristics of PFO.Methods A retrospective,consecutive cohort study was conducted on acute ischemic stroke patients admitted to Neurology Department of Xuanwu Hospital,Capital Medical University from January 2022 to September 2024.Patients were categorized into PFO group,arterio-arterial embolism(AAE)group,and atrial fibrillation(AF)group based on etiological diagnosis.Baseline clinical data,including age,height,body mass index,admission National Institutes of Health stroke scale(NIHSS)score,history of old cerebral infarction,hypertension,diabetes mellitus,coronary heart disease,dyslipidemia,and smoking history were collected and compared.All patients underwent head MR within 24 h of admission.DWI was used to analyze and compare infarct characteristics across the three groups,including lesion number(single or multiple),location(cortical+subcortical,deep white matter,cortical+subcortical+deep white matter,cerebellum+thalamus+brainstem),size(≥15 mm or＜15 mm,based on maximum transverse diameter;for multiple lesions,if any lesion had a maximum diameter≥15 mm,it was categorized as≥15 mm),infarcted vascular territory(anterior,posterior,or both circulations),and specific arterial supply(anterior cerebral artery,middle cerebral artery,posterior cerebral artery,basilar artery,posterior inferior cerebellar artery,superior cerebellar artery,anterior choroidal artery,or multiple arteries).Patients in the PFO group additionally underwent cardiac CT to measure PFO-related parameters:tunnel length,width,height,septum secundum thickness,and fossa ovalis length.Spearman correlation analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between infarct size and PFO cardiac CT features.Results A total of 232 acute ischemic stroke patients were included(mean age[57±17]years,ranged 19-86 years;141 males,91 females),comprising 116 in the PFO group,36 in the AAE group,and 80 in the AF group.(1)The proportion of males in the PFO group was higher than that in the AF group,it was lower than that in the AAE group.The age,body mass index and proportions of patients with hypertension,diabetes,hyperlipidemia,coronary heart disease were all lower than those in the other two groups(both P＜0.016 7),while other baseline characteristics showed no significant differences(all P＞0.05).(2)The PFO group exhibited a higher proportion of multiple infarcts compared to the AAE group(83.62％[97/116]vs.61.11％[22/36],P＜0.016 7),but a lower proportion than the AF group(83.62％[97/116]vs.98.75％[79/80],P＜0.016 7).The PFO group also showed a significantly higher proportion of cortical+subcortical infarcts(47.41％[55/116]vs.11.11％[4/36]and 6.25％[5/80],respectively,both P＜0.016 7)and infarcts with a maximum diameter＜15 mm compared to both AAE and AF groups(66.38％[77/116]vs.36.11％[13/36]and 11.25％[9/80],respectively,both P＜0.016 7).Furthermore,the PFO group had a lower proportion of anterior circulation infarcts(27.59％[32/116]vs.69.44％[25/36]in AAE group and 67.50％[54/80]in AF group,both P＜0.016 7),but a higher proportion of posterior circulation infarcts(62.07％[72/116]vs.16.67％[6/36]in AAE group and 8.75％[7/80]in AF group,both P＜0.016 7).Specifically,middle cerebral artery infarcts were less common in the PFO group(18.97％[22/116]vs.66.67％[24/36]in AAE group and 52.50％[42/80]in AF group,both P＜0.016 7),while posterior cerebral artery infarcts were more common(48.28％[56/116]vs.8.33％[3/36]in AAE group and 8.75％[7/80]in AF group,both P＜0.016 7).(3)Spearman correlation analysis revealed that infarct size was negatively correlated with PFO tunnel length(rs=-0.429,P=0.029),fossa ovalis length(rs=-0.408,P=0.038),and septum secundum thickness(rs=-0.525,P=0.006),but not correlated with PFO width or height(both P＞0.05).Conclusions PFO-related cryptogenic stroke is predominantly characterized by multiple small infarcts,primarily located in the cortical+subcortical regions and posterior circulation.Infarct size was found to be negatively correlated with PFO tunnel length,fossa ovalis length,and septum secundum thickness.Comprehensive assessment integrating DWI and cardiac CT features may facilitate the identification of PFO-related stroke.These findings warrant further validation through larger,prospective studies.

Aim To investigate the therapeutic effects of corylifol A(CYA)on Lewis lung carcinoma(LLC)cachexia mice and its ameliorating effects on myotube atrophy induced by LLC cell-conditioned medium(LLC CM)in vitro,and to explore the mechanisms.Methods The cancer cachexia was induced by subcu-taneous inoculation of LLC cells to C57BL/6J mice.The effects of CYA(10,20 mg·kg-1·d-1,i.p.)on the cachexia symptoms and survival time of cachexia mice were observed.The effects of 2.5 or 5 μmol·L-1 CYA on myotube atrophy of C2C12 induced by LLC CM were observed.The effects of CYA on its pos-sible target the serine/threonine-protein kinase TAO1(TAOK1)and downstream signaling pathways were detected using Western blot.The influence of TAOK1 knockout on the ameliorating effects of CYA on myo-tube atrophy was observed.Results CYA could sig-nificantly prolong the survival time of tumor-bearing mice and ameliorate the muscle atrophy associated with LLC.The effects of CYA on myotube atrophy are relat-ed to its regulation of TAOK1.The effects of CYA could be reduced by knockout of TAOK1.Conclusions CYA improves the survival of LLC cachexia mice and ameliorates the related skeletal muscle atrophy.The mechanism of CYA is related to its inhibition on TAOK1 and downstream signaling pathways.

Objective To explore the effect of rituximab on cellular immunity and cytokines in children with new-onset steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome(SSNS).Methods Clinical data of 60 children with new-onset SSNS treated at Xuzhou Children's Hospital from December 2021 to March 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.Children were allocated according to rituximab use into a control group(no rituximab)and an observation group(rituximab).The relapse rate,T-lymphocyte subsets and cytokines before and after treatment,and the incidence of adverse reactions were compared between groups.Results The relapse rate was lower in the observation group than in the control group(27%vs 73%,P<0.05).After treatment,CD3+and CD4+T-lymphocyte counts,the CD4+/CD8+ratio,and serum interleukin-2 increased in the observation group and were higher than in the control group(P<0.05).Interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α levels decreased after treatment in the observation group and were lower than in the control group(P<0.05).After treatment,CD8+T-lymphocyte counts decreased,interferon-γ increased,and interleukin-10 decreased in both groups,with no significant differences between the two groups(P>0.05).The incidence of adverse reactions did not differ significantly between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusions Rituximab can reduce the relapse rate in children with new-onset nephrotic syndrome and shows good safety.Its therapeutic effect is achieved by regulating the number and function of T cells and by modulating the anti-inflammatory effects of cytokines.

Peritoneal metastasis is a common form of distant metastasis in patients with colorectal cancer, and it is typically associated with a poor prognosis. The development of peritoneal metastasis involves complex molecular mechanisms and multifactorial regulation of the tumor microenvironment. Due to the presence of the blood-peritoneal barrier, only a small amount of systemic medication reaches the peritoneal cavity, resulting in limited efficacy against peritoneal metastasis. Intraperitoneal administration shows significant therapeutic advantages as it can directly target the tumor microenvironment, maintain high local drug concentrations, and reduce systemic toxicity. Intraperitoneal chemotherapy, especially hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy, has become a cornerstone therapeutic strategy in the clinical treatment of peritoneal metastasis. When selecting chemotherapy drugs and drug combinations, pharmacokinetic properties, efficacy, and safety must be comprehensively considered to optimize the treatment outcomes. In addition, the unique microenvironment of the peritoneal cavity provides new treatment approaches for biological treatment strategies, including antitoxins, vaccines, immune checkpoint inhibitors, etc. Techniques such as pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy and novel drug delivery systems demonstrate potential for enhanced efficacy, offering promising alternatives to improve patient outcomes. This article will review peritoneal barrier characteristics, intraperitoneal drug transport, intraperitoneal chemotherapy, and intraperitoneal biological therapies, thereby establishing a theoretical framework for precision therapy in colorectal cancer peritoneal metastasis.

Objective:To explore the diagnostic value of shear wave elastography(SWE)for clinically significant prostate cancer(csPCa).Methods:We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 359 cases with suspected prostate cancer(PCa)in Baoji Central Hospital from June 2017 to July 2023.All the patients underwent the following examinations in the order of serum prostate-spe-cific antigen(PSA)testing,transrectal ultrasonography(TRUS),measurement of the stiffness of the entire prostate gland by SWE,and TRUS-guided prostate puncture biopsy.The stiffness of the entire prostate gland was defined as the average of Young's modulus at both sides of the base,middle,and apex of the prostate,including the maximum Young's modulus(Emax),mean Young's modulus(Emean),and minimum Young's modulus(Emin).We analyzed the correlation of the parameters of the stiffness of the entire prostate gland with the pathological results,focusing on their diagnostic performance for csPCa.Results:Of the 359 cases,189 were diag-nosed by pathological puncture biopsy as BPH,26 as non-csPCa,and 144 as csPCa.The PSA level,Emax,Emean and Emin were significantly higher in the csPCa than those in the BPH and non-csPCa groups(all P＜0.01),but showed no statistically significant difference between the BPH and non-csPCa groups(all P＞0.05).The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC),optimal cut-off value,sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value(PPV),negative predictive value(NPV)and accura-cy of Emax in the diagnosis of csPCa were 0.852,143.92 kPa,72.22％,84.65％,75.91％,81.98％and 79.67％;those of Emean were 0.868,82.42 kPa,67.36％,91.16％,83.62％,80.66％and 81.62％;and those of Emin were 0.682,32.73 kPa,47.22％,89.30％,73.91％,71.54％and 72.14％,respectively.In the non-csPCa group,Emax,Emean and Emin were found be-low the optimal cut-off value in 73.08％(19/26),92.31％(24/26)and 88.46％(23/26),respectively.Conclusion:The stiff-ness of the entire prostate gland measured by SWE contributes to the diagnosis of csPCa,reduces unnecessary detection of non-csPCa,and provides some reference for its active surveillance.

Objective This research aims to establish a scientific research performance evaluation indicator system for public hospital staff,providing evaluation standards and assessment criteria for their research performances.Methods An indica-tor pool was developed through literature review.The indicators were determined through two rounds of Delphi expert consultations.Analytic Hierarchy Process(AHP)was used to calculate their weights and thus establish an indicator system.Results The indica-tor system consists of 8 primary indicators-research projects(0.193 3),talent cultivation(0.264 3),patents(0.046 2),publica-tions(0.118 5),monographs(0.068 1),awards(0.147 2),standards(0.094 3),and research errors(0.068 1)-encompassing 29 secondary indicators.The response rate of the second-round expert consultation was 0.85;the authority coefficient was 0.94;the importance rating of indicators was 4.44,and Kendall's coefficient was 0.260(P＜0.05).The consistency index(CI)and consistency ratio(CR)values were＜0.1,indicating good results.Conclusion The indicator system demonstrates scientifically good validity and feasibility.Thus it can be used to evaluate the research performances of public hospital staff,providing decision support for resource allocation and the optimization of incentive mechanisms.