During liver injury, intrahepatic macrophage compartment is augmented by circulating monocytes that infiltrate the liver driven by C-C motif chemokine ligand/C-C motif chemokine receptor (CCL/CCR) axis including CCL1‒CCR8 axis, thereby contributing to liver inflammation. Numerous small molecular receptor antagonists, including R243, have been developed for targeting CCR8; however, these agents face challenges in clinical translation, potentially attributed to their poor pharmacokinetic profiles, lack of target specificity, and potential adverse effects. In this study, we designed four CCR8 antagonizing peptides (AP8i-AP8iv) and performed molecular characterization in silico and therapeutic investigation in vitro and in vivo. Based on in silico docking, molecular dynamic simulation using homology build model and in-vitro (competitive) binding studies, AP8ii (YEWRFYHG) evidenced highly favorable and selective interactions at the CCR8-active site. AP8ii inhibited CCL1-driven chemotaxis and LPS/IFNγ-induced pro-inflammatory activation of monocytes-macrophages in vitro. In a CCl₄-induced acute liver injury mouse model, AP8ii treatment decreased intrahepatic infiltration of circulating monocytes. Moreover, AP8ii reduced liver inflammation, as indicated by decreased F4/80, IL6 and iNOS expression, diminished ALT levels, and attenuated fibrosis, as indicated by reduced collagen-I expression. In conclusion, we report a novel CCR8-antagonizing peptide that inhibited CCL1-driven intrahepatic monocytes infiltration and differentiation into pro-inflammatory phenotype, consequently ameliorating liver inflammation and fibrogenesis in an acute liver injury mouse model.

AIM:To investigate the role and underlying mechanisms of NADPH oxidase 4(NOX4)/transient receptor potential channel subfamily C member 6(TRPC6)in the context of podocyte damage in diabetic nephropathya comprehensive investigative study was warranted.METHODS:(1)Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided in-to four distinct groups:a control group,a diabetic nephropathy group,a NOX4 inhibitor GKT137831-treated group,and a combined diabetic nephropathy with NOX4 inhibitor GKT137831-treated group,each consisting of 8～10 rats.The type 1 diabetes mellitus model was constructed via a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin(STZ)(70 mg/kg),subse-quent to the successful induction of the model,GKT137831(at the dose of 5 mg/kg)was administered intraperitoneally.Regular monitoring of blood glucose levels was conducted,and urinary albumin excretion was quantified after 24 hours.Moreover,blood and kidney tissues were harvested for further analysis.(2)Mouse glomerular podocytes were divided into four distinct groups:a normal control group,a high glucose group,a GKT137831-treated group and a high glucose GKT137831-treated group.These podocytes were subsequently cultivated in vitro under high glucose conditions for 2 weeks.Thereafter,transfection of podocytes was carried out using NOX4 inhibitors and short interfering RNA targeting(siRNA)TRPC6.To detect the expression levels of NOX4 and TRPC6,a battery of techniques including Western blot,Immunohistochemistry,and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)were employed.(3)The morpho-logical changes of podocyte mitochondria under the condition of high glucose were observed by fluorescence confocal mi-croscopy,and the expression levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1α(PGC1α),mito-chondrial transcription factor A(TFAM),cytochromec oxidase subunit Ⅰ(COX Ⅰ)and cytochromec oxidase subunit Ⅳ(COX Ⅳ)in podocytes were assessed utilizing the Western blot technique.RESULTS:(1)Compared with normal con-trol group,mice with diabetic nephropathy manifested pronounced glomerular hypertrophy,thickening of basement mem-brane,expansion of the mesangial region,and an increased rate of urinary albumin excretion was observed.Analytical techniques such as Western blot and Immunohistochemistry showed a significant upsurge in the expression level of the NOX4 protein in kidney tissue,a diminished expression of glomerular podocyte protein(nephrin),an increased expression of interstitial cell markers(desmin),and an enhanced level of TRPC6 expression(P＜0.05).GKT137831 was assoiated with a reduction in desmin expression in renal tissue,preservation of glomerular nephrin expression,and a decrease in uri-nary albumin excretion(P＜0.05).(2)In vitro podocyte experiment,the expression of NOX4 and TRPC6 in podocyte was significantly increased in the context of high glucose(P＜0.05).Findings from Immunofluorescence and Western blot showed that GKT137831 effectively diminished the expression levels of TRPC6 and desmin while partially rescuing neph-rin expression in podocellular cells(P＜0.05).Western blot results showed that transfection of TRPC6 small interfering RNA could further promote the protective effect of GKT137831 on podiocytes.(3)Under high-glucose conditions,fluores-cence confocal microscopy revealed mitochondrial morphological damage in podocytes.However,therapeutic intervention with GKT137831 and transfection of TRPC6 siRNA partially rescued the mitochondrial structural integrity.Under high glucose conditions,immunoblot analysis demonstrated a marked decrement in the protein expression levels of PGC1α,TFAM,COX Ⅰ,and COX Ⅳ in podocytes.Importantly,GKT137831 and the transfection of TRPC6 siRNA significantly upregulated the levels of PGC1α,TFAM,COX Ⅰ,and COX Ⅳ(P＜0.05).CONCLUSION:In the context of the patho-genesis of diabetic nephropathy,the increased expression of NOX4 in the kidneys contributes to podocyte damage,with the effect being partially mediated via the TRPC6 channel.Inhibiting the NOX4-TRPC6 signaling pathway has the potential to ameliorate mitochondrial dysfunction in podocytes.This finding offers novel perspectives and strategies for the clinical di-agnosis and treatment of diabetic nephropathy.

AIM:To investigate the role and underlying mechanisms of NADPH oxidase 4(NOX4)/transient receptor potential channel subfamily C member 6(TRPC6)in the context of podocyte damage in diabetic nephropathya comprehensive investigative study was warranted.METHODS:(1)Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided in-to four distinct groups:a control group,a diabetic nephropathy group,a NOX4 inhibitor GKT137831-treated group,and a combined diabetic nephropathy with NOX4 inhibitor GKT137831-treated group,each consisting of 8～10 rats.The type 1 diabetes mellitus model was constructed via a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin(STZ)(70 mg/kg),subse-quent to the successful induction of the model,GKT137831(at the dose of 5 mg/kg)was administered intraperitoneally.Regular monitoring of blood glucose levels was conducted,and urinary albumin excretion was quantified after 24 hours.Moreover,blood and kidney tissues were harvested for further analysis.(2)Mouse glomerular podocytes were divided into four distinct groups:a normal control group,a high glucose group,a GKT137831-treated group and a high glucose GKT137831-treated group.These podocytes were subsequently cultivated in vitro under high glucose conditions for 2 weeks.Thereafter,transfection of podocytes was carried out using NOX4 inhibitors and short interfering RNA targeting(siRNA)TRPC6.To detect the expression levels of NOX4 and TRPC6,a battery of techniques including Western blot,Immunohistochemistry,and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)were employed.(3)The morpho-logical changes of podocyte mitochondria under the condition of high glucose were observed by fluorescence confocal mi-croscopy,and the expression levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1α(PGC1α),mito-chondrial transcription factor A(TFAM),cytochromec oxidase subunit Ⅰ(COX Ⅰ)and cytochromec oxidase subunit Ⅳ(COX Ⅳ)in podocytes were assessed utilizing the Western blot technique.RESULTS:(1)Compared with normal con-trol group,mice with diabetic nephropathy manifested pronounced glomerular hypertrophy,thickening of basement mem-brane,expansion of the mesangial region,and an increased rate of urinary albumin excretion was observed.Analytical techniques such as Western blot and Immunohistochemistry showed a significant upsurge in the expression level of the NOX4 protein in kidney tissue,a diminished expression of glomerular podocyte protein(nephrin),an increased expression of interstitial cell markers(desmin),and an enhanced level of TRPC6 expression(P＜0.05).GKT137831 was assoiated with a reduction in desmin expression in renal tissue,preservation of glomerular nephrin expression,and a decrease in uri-nary albumin excretion(P＜0.05).(2)In vitro podocyte experiment,the expression of NOX4 and TRPC6 in podocyte was significantly increased in the context of high glucose(P＜0.05).Findings from Immunofluorescence and Western blot showed that GKT137831 effectively diminished the expression levels of TRPC6 and desmin while partially rescuing neph-rin expression in podocellular cells(P＜0.05).Western blot results showed that transfection of TRPC6 small interfering RNA could further promote the protective effect of GKT137831 on podiocytes.(3)Under high-glucose conditions,fluores-cence confocal microscopy revealed mitochondrial morphological damage in podocytes.However,therapeutic intervention with GKT137831 and transfection of TRPC6 siRNA partially rescued the mitochondrial structural integrity.Under high glucose conditions,immunoblot analysis demonstrated a marked decrement in the protein expression levels of PGC1α,TFAM,COX Ⅰ,and COX Ⅳ in podocytes.Importantly,GKT137831 and the transfection of TRPC6 siRNA significantly upregulated the levels of PGC1α,TFAM,COX Ⅰ,and COX Ⅳ(P＜0.05).CONCLUSION:In the context of the patho-genesis of diabetic nephropathy,the increased expression of NOX4 in the kidneys contributes to podocyte damage,with the effect being partially mediated via the TRPC6 channel.Inhibiting the NOX4-TRPC6 signaling pathway has the potential to ameliorate mitochondrial dysfunction in podocytes.This finding offers novel perspectives and strategies for the clinical di-agnosis and treatment of diabetic nephropathy.

Objective: To study clinical characters and outcomes in patients of malignant ovarian germ cell tumor (MOGCT) undergoing surgery following neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). Methods: Retrospective study of patients undergoing surgery following NACT for MOGCT at our institute. Platinum based chemotherapy was given in all patients in NACT. Results: Between March 2013 and February 2023, 30 patients had surgery after NACT.Patient’s median age was 22 years (range, 12 to 35 years) and median follow up 42months (range, 6 to 132 months). Majority had endodermal sinus tumor (n=12), dysgerminoma (n=9) and mixed GCT (n=7). All had either International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage 3 (n=19) or FIGO stage 4 disease (n=11). Complete response to NACT seen in 5 patients and 23 patients had partial response. Fertility sparing surgery in 18 patients and complete surgery in 12 patients. Suboptimal surgery was seen in 4 patients. Currently, 20 of 30 patients are alive and disease free, 3 lost for follow up and 7 patients had progression after adjuvant therapy. Five patients had mortality—4 with progression and 1 with bleomycin toxicity. Fifteen of 17 eligible patients have resumed menstruation and one had successful pregnancy. Prognostic factors noted in study are stage, optimal surgery and viable tumor in histopathology. Dysgerminoma had better outcome than other histology. Conclusion NACT may be a reasonable option in patients with extensive unresectable disease or in whom fertility sparing is not possible or in the poor general condition. Fertility sparing surgery can be attempted post neoadjuvant chemotherapy without adversely affecting prognosis.

Objective: To study clinical characters and outcomes in patients of malignant ovarian germ cell tumor (MOGCT) undergoing surgery following neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). Methods: Retrospective study of patients undergoing surgery following NACT for MOGCT at our institute. Platinum based chemotherapy was given in all patients in NACT. Results: Between March 2013 and February 2023, 30 patients had surgery after NACT.Patient’s median age was 22 years (range, 12 to 35 years) and median follow up 42months (range, 6 to 132 months). Majority had endodermal sinus tumor (n=12), dysgerminoma (n=9) and mixed GCT (n=7). All had either International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage 3 (n=19) or FIGO stage 4 disease (n=11). Complete response to NACT seen in 5 patients and 23 patients had partial response. Fertility sparing surgery in 18 patients and complete surgery in 12 patients. Suboptimal surgery was seen in 4 patients. Currently, 20 of 30 patients are alive and disease free, 3 lost for follow up and 7 patients had progression after adjuvant therapy. Five patients had mortality—4 with progression and 1 with bleomycin toxicity. Fifteen of 17 eligible patients have resumed menstruation and one had successful pregnancy. Prognostic factors noted in study are stage, optimal surgery and viable tumor in histopathology. Dysgerminoma had better outcome than other histology. Conclusion NACT may be a reasonable option in patients with extensive unresectable disease or in whom fertility sparing is not possible or in the poor general condition. Fertility sparing surgery can be attempted post neoadjuvant chemotherapy without adversely affecting prognosis.

Objective: To study clinical characters and outcomes in patients of malignant ovarian germ cell tumor (MOGCT) undergoing surgery following neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). Methods: Retrospective study of patients undergoing surgery following NACT for MOGCT at our institute. Platinum based chemotherapy was given in all patients in NACT. Results: Between March 2013 and February 2023, 30 patients had surgery after NACT.Patient’s median age was 22 years (range, 12 to 35 years) and median follow up 42months (range, 6 to 132 months). Majority had endodermal sinus tumor (n=12), dysgerminoma (n=9) and mixed GCT (n=7). All had either International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage 3 (n=19) or FIGO stage 4 disease (n=11). Complete response to NACT seen in 5 patients and 23 patients had partial response. Fertility sparing surgery in 18 patients and complete surgery in 12 patients. Suboptimal surgery was seen in 4 patients. Currently, 20 of 30 patients are alive and disease free, 3 lost for follow up and 7 patients had progression after adjuvant therapy. Five patients had mortality—4 with progression and 1 with bleomycin toxicity. Fifteen of 17 eligible patients have resumed menstruation and one had successful pregnancy. Prognostic factors noted in study are stage, optimal surgery and viable tumor in histopathology. Dysgerminoma had better outcome than other histology. Conclusion NACT may be a reasonable option in patients with extensive unresectable disease or in whom fertility sparing is not possible or in the poor general condition. Fertility sparing surgery can be attempted post neoadjuvant chemotherapy without adversely affecting prognosis.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, the combined effect of two stressors, namely, electromagnetic fields (EMFs) from mobile phones and fructose consumption, on hypothalamic and hepatic master metabolic regulators of the AMPK/SIRT1-UCP2/FOXO1 pathway were elucidated to delineate the underlying molecular mechanisms of insulin resistance. METHODS: Weaned Wistar rats (28 days old) were divided into 4 groups: Normal, Exposure Only (ExpO), Fructose Only (FruO), and Exposure and Fructose (EF). Each group was provided standard laboratory chow ad libitum for 8 weeks . Additionally, the control groups, namely, the Normal and FruO groups, had unrestricted access to drinking water and fructose solution (15%), respectively. Furthermore, the respective treatment groups, namely, the ExpO and EF groups, received EMF exposure (1,760 MHz, 2 h/day x 8 weeks). In early adulthood, mitochondrial function, insulin receptor signaling, and oxidative stress signals in hypothalamic and hepatic tissues were assessed using western blotting and biochemical analysis. RESULT: In the hypothalamic tissue of EF, SIRT1, FOXO 1, p-PI3K, p-AKT, Complex III, UCP2, MnSOD, and catalase expressions and OXPHOS and GSH activities were significantly decreased ( P < 0.05) compared to the Normal, ExpO, and FruO groups. In hepatic tissue of EF, the p-AMPKα, SIRT1, FOXO1, IRS1, p-PI3K, Complex I, II, III, IV, V, UCP2, and MnSOD expressions and the activity of OXPHOS, SOD, catalase, and GSH were significantly reduced compared to the Normal group ( P < 0.05). CONCLUSION The findings suggest that the combination of EMF exposure and fructose consumption during childhood and adolescence in Wistar rats disrupts the closely interlinked and multi-regulated crosstalk of insulin receptor signals, mitochondrial OXPHOS, and the antioxidant defense system in the hypothalamus and liver.
Humans ; Rats ; Animals ; Adult ; Rats, Wistar ; Fructose/metabolism* ; Catalase ; Receptor, Insulin/metabolism* ; AMP-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism* ; Electromagnetic Fields/adverse effects* ; Sirtuin 1/metabolism* ; Cell Phone ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism* ; Forkhead Box Protein O1/metabolism* ; Uncoupling Protein 2

Background: Extrusion of debris is a major factor that results in postoperative pain during root canal treatment with various instruments and instrumentation techniques. Therefore, instrumentation techniques that extrude minimal debris into the periapical area while reducing pain are desirable. This study aimed to compare the incidence of postoperative pain and intake of analgesic medication (frequency and quantity) after endodontic treatment of mandibular posterior teeth using two single files and full-sequence continuous rotary systems with different kinematic motions. Methods: Thirty-five of 105 patients were assigned equally to three groups according to the instrumentation system used: ProTaper Next (PN) X2, 25/06 (Dentsply, Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland), One Shape (OS), #0.25/06 (Micro Mega, Besancon, France), and Wave One Gold (WG), Red - #0.25, 0.07 (Dentsply, Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland). Five specialists were included in this study design; each professional prepared 21 teeth, and randomly selected 7 per instrument system. The VAS sheet ranging from 0 to 10 was used to record the initial and postoperative pains at 24, 48, and 72 h, and 7th day after single visit endodontic treatment in mandibular premolars and molars with a diagnosis of asymptomatic irreversible pulpitis with or without apical periodontitis. Postoperatively, an analgesic, ibuprofen 400 mg was administered for intolerable pain at a dose of 1 tablet for 6 h. The patients were asked over the telephone regarding postoperative pain at intervals of 24, 48, and 72 h, and 7 th day using a visual analogue scale.Result: There were no statistically significant differences among the PN, OS, and WG systems (P > 0.05) with regard to the incidence of postoperative pain at any of the four time points assessed. Conclusion The intensity of postoperative pain, frequency, and analgesic intake were similar across all three types of instrument systems; however, the reciprocating single file (WG) was associated with less postoperative pain than the full sequence continuous rotary file.

Moringa oleifera is nowadays raising as the most preferred medicinal plant, as every part of the moringa plant has potential bioactive compounds which can be used as herbal medicines. Some bioactive compounds of M. oleifera possess potential anti-cancer properties which interact with the apoptosis protein p53 in cancer cell lines of oral squamous cell carcinoma. This research work focuses on the interaction among the selected bioactive compounds derived from M. oleifera with targeted apoptosis protein p53 from the apoptosis pathway to check whether the bioactive compound will induce apoptosis after the mutation in p53. To check the toxicity and drug-likeness of the selected bioactive compound derived from M. oleifera based on Lipinski’s Rule of Five. Detailed analysis of the 3D structure of apoptosis protein p53. To analyze protein’s active site by CASTp 3.0 server. Molecular docking and binding affinity were analyzed between protein p53 with selected bioactive compounds in order to find the most potential inhibitor against the target. This study shows the docking between the potential bioactive compounds with targeted apoptosis protein p53. Quercetin was the most potential bioactive compound whereas kaempferol shows poor affinity towards the targeted p53 protein in the apoptosis pathway. Thus, the objective of this research can provide an insight prediction towards M. oleifera derived bioactive compounds and target apoptosis protein p53 in the structural analysis for compound isolation and in-vivo experiments on the cancer cell line.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to study the patterns of recurrence in surgically treated cases of vulvar cancer (VC) and determine the factors associated with recurrence, with a special emphasis on lymph node ratio (LNR).METHODS: This retrospective study examined VC patients primarily treated with surgery at our institute from January 2005 to December 2015. Demographic data, clinical characteristics, surgicohistopathological data, adjuvant treatment, follow up, and recurrence site and treatment were studied.RESULTS: Among the 111 cases treated, a recurrence rate of 18.9% was noted. Recurrence was most commonly local (61.9%). On univariate and multivariable analyses of clinicopathological parameters, an LNR >20 had the highest hazard ratio for recurrence.CONCLUSION: LNR may provide useful prognostic information in VC patients with positive inguinal lymph node status.