Background and Objectives: SH3 and multiple ankyrin repeat domains 3 (Shank3) proteins play crucial roles as neuronal postsynaptic scaffolds. Alongside neuropsychiatric symptoms, individuals with SHANK3 mutations often exhibit symptoms related to dysfunctions in other organs, including the heart. However, detailed insights into the cardiac functions of Shank3 remain limited. This study aimed to characterize the cardiac phenotypes of Shank3-overexpressing transgenic mice and explore the underlying mechanisms. Methods: Cardiac histological analysis, electrocardiogram and echocardiogram recordings were conducted on Shank3-overexpressing transgenic mice. Electrophysiological properties, including action potentials and L-type Ca2+ channel (LTCC) currents, were measured in isolated cardiomyocytes. Ca2+ homeostasis was assessed by analyzing cytosolic Ca2+transients and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ contents. Depolarization-induced cell shortening was examined in cardiomyocytes. Immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometrybased identification was employed to identify proteins in the cardiac Shank3 interactome.Western blot and immunocytochemical analyses were conducted to identify changes in protein expression in Shank3-overexpressing transgenic cardiomyocytes. Results: The hearts of Shank3-overexpressing transgenic mice displayed reduced weight and increased fibrosis. In vivo, sudden cardiac death, arrhythmia, and contractility impairments were identified. Shank3-overexpressing transgenic cardiomyocytes showed prolonged action potential duration and increased LTCC current density. Cytosolic Ca2+ transients were increased with prolonged decay time, while sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ contents remained normal. Cell shortening was augmented in Shank3-overexpressing transgenic cardiomyocytes. The cardiac Shank3 interactome comprised 78 proteins with various functions. Troponin I levels were down-regulated in Shank3-overexpressing transgenic cardiomyocytes. Conclusions This study revealed cardiac dysfunction in Shank3-overexpressing transgenic mice, potentially attributed to changes in Ca2+ homeostasis and contraction, with a notable reduction in troponin I.

Background and Objectives: SH3 and multiple ankyrin repeat domains 3 (Shank3) proteins play crucial roles as neuronal postsynaptic scaffolds. Alongside neuropsychiatric symptoms, individuals with SHANK3 mutations often exhibit symptoms related to dysfunctions in other organs, including the heart. However, detailed insights into the cardiac functions of Shank3 remain limited. This study aimed to characterize the cardiac phenotypes of Shank3-overexpressing transgenic mice and explore the underlying mechanisms. Methods: Cardiac histological analysis, electrocardiogram and echocardiogram recordings were conducted on Shank3-overexpressing transgenic mice. Electrophysiological properties, including action potentials and L-type Ca2+ channel (LTCC) currents, were measured in isolated cardiomyocytes. Ca2+ homeostasis was assessed by analyzing cytosolic Ca2+transients and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ contents. Depolarization-induced cell shortening was examined in cardiomyocytes. Immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometrybased identification was employed to identify proteins in the cardiac Shank3 interactome.Western blot and immunocytochemical analyses were conducted to identify changes in protein expression in Shank3-overexpressing transgenic cardiomyocytes. Results: The hearts of Shank3-overexpressing transgenic mice displayed reduced weight and increased fibrosis. In vivo, sudden cardiac death, arrhythmia, and contractility impairments were identified. Shank3-overexpressing transgenic cardiomyocytes showed prolonged action potential duration and increased LTCC current density. Cytosolic Ca2+ transients were increased with prolonged decay time, while sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ contents remained normal. Cell shortening was augmented in Shank3-overexpressing transgenic cardiomyocytes. The cardiac Shank3 interactome comprised 78 proteins with various functions. Troponin I levels were down-regulated in Shank3-overexpressing transgenic cardiomyocytes. Conclusions This study revealed cardiac dysfunction in Shank3-overexpressing transgenic mice, potentially attributed to changes in Ca2+ homeostasis and contraction, with a notable reduction in troponin I.

Background and Objectives: SH3 and multiple ankyrin repeat domains 3 (Shank3) proteins play crucial roles as neuronal postsynaptic scaffolds. Alongside neuropsychiatric symptoms, individuals with SHANK3 mutations often exhibit symptoms related to dysfunctions in other organs, including the heart. However, detailed insights into the cardiac functions of Shank3 remain limited. This study aimed to characterize the cardiac phenotypes of Shank3-overexpressing transgenic mice and explore the underlying mechanisms. Methods: Cardiac histological analysis, electrocardiogram and echocardiogram recordings were conducted on Shank3-overexpressing transgenic mice. Electrophysiological properties, including action potentials and L-type Ca2+ channel (LTCC) currents, were measured in isolated cardiomyocytes. Ca2+ homeostasis was assessed by analyzing cytosolic Ca2+transients and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ contents. Depolarization-induced cell shortening was examined in cardiomyocytes. Immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometrybased identification was employed to identify proteins in the cardiac Shank3 interactome.Western blot and immunocytochemical analyses were conducted to identify changes in protein expression in Shank3-overexpressing transgenic cardiomyocytes. Results: The hearts of Shank3-overexpressing transgenic mice displayed reduced weight and increased fibrosis. In vivo, sudden cardiac death, arrhythmia, and contractility impairments were identified. Shank3-overexpressing transgenic cardiomyocytes showed prolonged action potential duration and increased LTCC current density. Cytosolic Ca2+ transients were increased with prolonged decay time, while sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ contents remained normal. Cell shortening was augmented in Shank3-overexpressing transgenic cardiomyocytes. The cardiac Shank3 interactome comprised 78 proteins with various functions. Troponin I levels were down-regulated in Shank3-overexpressing transgenic cardiomyocytes. Conclusions This study revealed cardiac dysfunction in Shank3-overexpressing transgenic mice, potentially attributed to changes in Ca2+ homeostasis and contraction, with a notable reduction in troponin I.

Background and Objectives: SH3 and multiple ankyrin repeat domains 3 (Shank3) proteins play crucial roles as neuronal postsynaptic scaffolds. Alongside neuropsychiatric symptoms, individuals with SHANK3 mutations often exhibit symptoms related to dysfunctions in other organs, including the heart. However, detailed insights into the cardiac functions of Shank3 remain limited. This study aimed to characterize the cardiac phenotypes of Shank3-overexpressing transgenic mice and explore the underlying mechanisms. Methods: Cardiac histological analysis, electrocardiogram and echocardiogram recordings were conducted on Shank3-overexpressing transgenic mice. Electrophysiological properties, including action potentials and L-type Ca2+ channel (LTCC) currents, were measured in isolated cardiomyocytes. Ca2+ homeostasis was assessed by analyzing cytosolic Ca2+transients and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ contents. Depolarization-induced cell shortening was examined in cardiomyocytes. Immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometrybased identification was employed to identify proteins in the cardiac Shank3 interactome.Western blot and immunocytochemical analyses were conducted to identify changes in protein expression in Shank3-overexpressing transgenic cardiomyocytes. Results: The hearts of Shank3-overexpressing transgenic mice displayed reduced weight and increased fibrosis. In vivo, sudden cardiac death, arrhythmia, and contractility impairments were identified. Shank3-overexpressing transgenic cardiomyocytes showed prolonged action potential duration and increased LTCC current density. Cytosolic Ca2+ transients were increased with prolonged decay time, while sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ contents remained normal. Cell shortening was augmented in Shank3-overexpressing transgenic cardiomyocytes. The cardiac Shank3 interactome comprised 78 proteins with various functions. Troponin I levels were down-regulated in Shank3-overexpressing transgenic cardiomyocytes. Conclusions This study revealed cardiac dysfunction in Shank3-overexpressing transgenic mice, potentially attributed to changes in Ca2+ homeostasis and contraction, with a notable reduction in troponin I.

Active herbal ingredients are gaining recognition for their potent anti-tumor efficacy, attributable to various mechanisms including tumor cell inhibition, immune system activation, and tumor angiogenesis inhibition. Recent studies have revealed that numerous anti-tumor herbal ingredients, such as ginsenosides, ursolic acid, oleanolic acid, and Angelica sinensis polysaccharides, can be utilized to develop smart drug carriers like liposomes, micelles, and nanoparticles. These carriers can deliver active herbal ingredients and co-deliver anti-tumor drugs to enhance drug accumulation at tumor sites, thereby improving anti-tumor efficacy. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the mechanisms by which these active herbal ingredients-derived carriers enhance therapeutic outcomes. Additionally, it highlights the structural properties of these active herbal ingredients, demonstrating how their unique features can be strategically employed to design smart drug carriers with improved anti-tumor efficacy. The insights presented aim to serve as a reference and guide future innovations in the design and application of smart drug carriers for cancer therapy that leverage active herbal ingredients.
Humans ; Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Drug Carriers/chemistry* ; Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/administration & dosage* ; Nanoparticles/chemistry* ; Antineoplastic Agents/administration & dosage*

To evaluate the relationship between atherosclerosis and hemodynamic of coronary artery in mice detecting by ultrasound bio‐microscopy flow imaging . Methods Double 14 20‐week‐old LDL‐R‐/‐and C57BL/6 male mice were selected ,and randomly divided into two groups in each genotype according to weight . Each two groups were fed to 28 weeks or 36 weeks age respectively with west diet . Coronary artery hemodynamics in these mice were assessed in vivo by Vevo ?2100 ultrasound imaging system ,then the intima‐media thickness( IM T ) of aorta in histopathology were analyzed . T he differences of coronary artery hemodynamic parameters such as maximum velocity ( Vmax ) ,mean velocity ( Vmean) and velocity time integral ( V T I) were compared between mice of different genotypes of the same week and mice of different weeks of the same genotype . And the relationship between coronary artery hemodynamic in ultrasound and aortic IM T in histopathology were analyzed . Results ① All coronary hemodynamic parameters in LDL‐R‐/‐ mice were significantly lower than those of wild‐type mice except the Vmax between two 28‐week‐old genotypes group at the same weeks of age of different genotypes ( all P ＜0 .05) . But there was no significant difference in coronary artery hemodynamic parameters between mice of the same genotype at different weeks of age( P ＞0 .05) . ②T he histopathological measurements of aortic IM T in LDL‐R‐/‐mice were significantly higher than those of wild type mice ( all P ＜ 0 .05 ) ,and those of 36‐week‐old mice were significantly higher than those of 28‐week‐old mice ( all P ＜ 0 .05 ) . ③ All coronary hemodynamic parameters such as Vmax ,Vmean and V TI were negatively correlated with pathological measurements of aortic IM T ( r ＝ －0 .532 , －0 .423 , －0 .524 ; all P ＜ 0 .05 ) . Conclusions The parameters of coronary artery hemodynamics obtained by ultrasound bio‐microscopy are well correlated with the pathological results of atherosclerosis . Ultrasound bio‐microscopic flow imaging can be used as a new method to evaluate the degree of atherosclerosis in mice by detecting the hemodynamic parameters of coronary artery .

Objective To investigate the application and the effects of individualized hollow resin plugs in the prevention of external auditory canal stenosis after canaloplasty of external auditory meatus for microtia patients . Methods The clinical data of 65 patients (68 ears) with microtia and aural atresia hospitalized in our department from January ,2006 to December ,2015 were summarized .Otoplasty of external ears and canaloplasty of external auditory meatus were operated on all patients under general anesthesia .Thigh flap transplantation was lined in the bony canal .One month later ,individualized hollow resin plugs were made and worn for 6 to 12 months ,and fol-lowed up for 1～2 years .Results The shapes of the reconstructed auricles were satisfactory .Sixty-four ears with wide external auditory canal openings were recorded in 68 ears .Preoperative hearing was 70 .45 ± 5 .5 dB HL ,and postoperative hearing was 55 .55 ± 5 .2 dB HL .Their hearing was not affected .External auditory canal restenosis occurred in 4 ears .Conclusion The individualized hollow resin plugs do not affect the hearing in use ,and can effec-tively prevent the restenosis of the external auditory canal after microtia reconstruction .

Objective To explore the relationship and its mechanism of emphysema induced by different ways of rearing and tobacco smoke exposure with the atherosclerosis formation. Methods Forty-eight SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups (n= 8 ,each):a normal diet + tobacco smoke exposure (TSE) group ,a fat-rich diet + TSE group ,a limit intake + TSE group ,a normal diet group ,a fat-rich diet group ,and a limit intake group for 24 weeks. Lee's index ,serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) ,interleukin-6 (IL-6 ) ,adiponectin (APN ) levels ,mean linear intercept (MLI) ,mean alveoli number (MAN) ,the aortic pathology change ,vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) of aorta ,and bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) level were collected. Results Tobacco smoke exposure ,fat-rich diet ,and limit intake increased the severity of emphysema. The microscopic features of aorta showed an early atherosclerosis in the tobacco smoke exposure groups , but no atherosclerosis in the non-smoking groups. Interactions between tobacco smoke exposure and different ways of rearing on serum APN level (F= 10.68 ,P< 0.05) were found.In the tobacco smoke exposure groups ,Pearson correlation analysis showed positive correlations of aortic VEGF and BMP-2 levels with MLI ,serum TNF-α and IL-6 levels (r= 0.431 ,0.471 ,0 ,448 ,0.449 ,0.428 , 0.447 ,all P<0.05) ,and an negative correlation with MAN (r= -0.411 ,-0.442 ,P<0.05). Conclusions Both tobacco smoke exposure and different ways of rearing can influence the formation of emphysema. There is a positive correlation between the severities of emphysema and atherosclerosis , and systemic inflammation may be involved.

Objective: To observe the morphological changes on cochlear hair cells of rats in simulated weightlessness and inboard noise and to investigate the different changes in three turns of hair cells.Methods: Thirty-two healthy SD rats, all males, were randomly divided into four groups: control group, weightlessness group, noise group and weightlessness+noise groups (n=8).Then rats were exposed to-30° head down tilt as simulated weightlessness and inboard noise including steady-state noise which was (72±2) dB SPL and impulse noise up to 160 dB SPL in spaceship environment.The control group was kept in normal condition for 8 weeks.Bilateral auditory brainstem response (ABR) thresholds were tested before and after exposure respectively, and immunofluorescence staining and scanning electron microscopy (SEMs) of basilar membrane were applied after exposure.Results: ABR threshold shifts of each group were higher after exposure.There was difference between ABRs of the experiment groups before and after exposure (P<0.05).IF showed that the inner hair cells (IHCs) missing was the main damage in the basal turn of weightlessness group, the hair cells in the middle turn were swell and in the top turn, the hair cells were not clear.In noise group, the main loss happened in the outer hair cells (OHCs) of the outermost layer.In weightlessness+noise group, the nuclear missing in the basal turn was apparent, and mainly happened at the outermost layer.Meanwhile, the missing of hair cells in the middle turn and top turn was seen at the innermost layer.SEM showed that the cilia in the basal turn of weightlessness group were serious lodging, and occasional absence.Furthermore, the basal cilia in noise group became lodged and absent, and the other two turns were seriously missing.And in weightlessness+noise group, the cilia missing in the basal turn was apparently seen.The damage degree of the four groups: weightlessness+noise group>noise group>weightlessness group>control group and the damage degree of the four turns of hair cells: basal turn>mid turn>top turn.Conclusion: The rats exposed to the above environment for 2 weeks displayed obvious changes in cochlea morphology, and the weightlessness+noise group had the most obvious damage.

BACKGROUND:To seek for ideal scaffold materials is still an important task for cartilage tissue engineering.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the application of the AviteneTM microfibrillar collagen hemostat sponge in cartilage tissue engineering.METHODS:Rabbit auricular cartilage was harvested via surgical operation,and primary chondrocytes were isolated and amplified.Microfibrillar collagen hemostat sponge was cut into small bricks.The passage 2 chondrocytes were suspended and seeded onto the spongy bricks.After 1 week of in vitro culture,the constructs were then implanted into nude mice.After 8 weeks,the specimens were collected and evaluated using gross,histological and immunohistochamical observation.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:During the cell seeding,the scaffold maintained its dimensions.No shrinkage was observed when the cell suspension was added.There was no considerable change in dimensions during the 1-week in vitro culture and at 8 weeks after implantation in nude mice.At 8 weeks post-implantation,mature cartilage blocks were harvested,which were white,translucent,and flexible.Histologically,the constructs appeared to have typical mature cartilaginous tissues,with robust extracellular matrix secretion,in which the microfibrillar collagen was incompletely degraded.We conclude that the microfibrillar collagen is a favorable scaffold material for cartilage tissue engineering.