Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of Efferocytosis Relatived LncRNA (EFRL) on homocysteine-induced atherosclerosis in macrophage efferocytosis. Methods RAW264.7 cells were cultured in vitro, and the Control group (0 μmol/L Hcy) and Hcy intervention group (100 μmol/L Hcy) were set up. After GapmeR transfection of macrophages with Hcy intervention, EFRL knockdown negative control group (Hcy combined with LNA-NC) and EFRL knockdown group (Hcy combined with LNA-EFRL) were set up. High-throughput sequencing was applied for different expression of LncRNA MSTRG. 88917.16 (EFRL), UCSC was used to analyze its conservation, CPC and CPAT were used to analyze its ability to encode proteins, and GO and KEGG were used to analyze related biological functions. The localization of LncRNA EFRL in macrophages was analyzed by nucleoplasmic separation and RNA-FISH. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to detect the expression levels of LncRNA EFRL and its target gene SPAST in Hcy-treated macrophages. The apoptosis rate of Jurkat cells induced by UV was detected by flow cytometry. In vitro efferocytosis assay combined with immunofluorescence technique was used to analyze macrophage efferocytosis. ELISA was used to detect the levels of interleukin 1β(IL-1β) and IL-18. Results The new LncRNA MSTRG.88917.16 was identified and named EFRL(Efferocytosis Relatived LncRNA). UCSC, CPC and CPAT analyses showed that LncEFRL is highly conserved and does not have the ability to encode proteins. GO and KEGG analyses suggested that LncEFRL may be involved in macrophage efferocytosis. LncRNA EFRL was localized in the nucleus of macrophages as determined by nucleoplasmic separation and RNA-FISH. In comparison to the Control group, the expression levels of LncRNA EFRL and its target gene SPAST in the Hcy group were increased. In comparison to the Control group (0 min), the apoptosis rate of the experimental group (15, 30 min) Annexin V is more than 85%. Compared with Hcy combined with LNA-NC group, Hcy combined with LNA-EFRL group had enhanced macrophage efferocytosis and reduced levels of inflammatory factors. Compared with Hcy combined with LNA-NC group, the expression level of SPAST in Hcy combined with LNA-EFRL group was decreased. Conclusion Inhibition of EFRL expression can alleviate the process of Hcy inhibiting macrophage efferocytosis, and the mechanism is related to the regulation of the downstream target gene SPAST by EFRL.
RNA, Long Noncoding/physiology* ; Animals ; Homocysteine ; Mice ; Macrophages/drug effects* ; Humans ; RAW 264.7 Cells ; Atherosclerosis/chemically induced* ; Apoptosis/genetics* ; Phagocytosis/genetics* ; Jurkat Cells ; Interleukin-1beta/genetics* ; Efferocytosis

This study compared the chemical composition differences among various root tissues of Astragalus membranaceus through optimization of histochemical localization methods, thereby providing some reference for targeted extraction and enrichment of bioactive components. The chloral hydrate permeabilization technique was enhanced with sodium nitrite-aluminum nitrate-sodium hydroxide reagent for flavonoid staining. Comparative analyses of total saponins, total flavonoids, and astragaloside IV content in xylem, phloem, and periderm tissues were performed using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). By optimizing staining protocols, interference from natural pigmentation was successfully eliminated, thereby enhancing the visualization of tissue-specific chemical distribution. Quantitative analysis revealed that the phloem contained the highest total saponins (6.92%), while the periderm exhibited peak total flavonoids (0.876%) and exclusive enrichment of astragaloside IV (0.850%). The refined histochemical localization method enables precise characterization of phytochemical distribution across root tissues, which can offer guidance for selective extraction and enrichment strategies, and comprehensively promote the utilization and development of Astragalus membranaceus resources.

Objective To investigate the role of Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)in the regulation of homocys-teine(Hcy)-induced ferroptosis in macrophages.Methods Mouse macrophage cells RAW264.7 were cultured and divided into control group,Hcy intervention group(Hcy group),and Hcy plus ferroptosis inhibitor group(Hcy+Fer-1 group).After transfection with interference fragments,macrophages were treated with Hcy,and then divided into control group,Hcy intervention group(Hcy group),TLR4 interference negative control plus Hcy intervention group(si-NC+Hcy group),and TLR4 interference plus Hcy intervention group(si-TLR4+Hcy group).Macrophages were transfected with overexpression lentivirus and treated with Hcy,then were divided into control group,Hcy intervention group(Hcy group),a TLR4 overexpression negative control plus Hcy intervention group(OE-NC+Hcy group),and a TLR4 overexpression plus Hcy intervention group(OE-TLR4+Hcy group).After 48 hours of intervention,real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR and western blot were used to detect the expression levels of TLR4 in macrophages treated with Hcy;western blot was used to detect the expression levels of ferroptosis-related proteins ACSL4,GPX4,and FTH1 in macrophages,and ferrous ion assay kit to detect the concentration of Fe2+in macrophages;reactive oxygen species(ROS)assay kit and laser confocal microscopy were used to detect the content of intracellular reactive oxygen species.Results Compared with those in the control group,the expression level of the pro-ferroptosis protein ACSL4 was increased in the Hcy group(P<0.05),while the expression levels of anti-ferroptosis proteins GPX4 and FTH1 were decreased(P<0.05);the concentration of Fe2+was increased(P<0.05),and the content of ROS was increased.Meanwhile,the protein and mRNA expres-sion levels of TLR4 were both increased in the Hcy group(P<0.05).After macrophages were transfected with TLR4 interference fragments,compared with those in the si-NC+Hcy group,the expression levels of GPX4 and FTH1 were increased(P<0.05);the expression level of ACSL4 was decreased(P<0.05);the concentration of Fe2+was decreased(P<0.05),and the content of ROS was reduced in the si-TLR4+Hcy group.After macro-phages were transfected with TLR4 overexpression lentivirus,compared with those in the OE-NC+Hcy group,the expression levels of GPX4 and FTH1 were decreased(P<0.05),and the expression level of ACSL4 was increased(P<0.05)in the OE-TLR4+Hcy group.Conclusion Hcy induces the occurrence of ferroptosis in macrophages,and Toll-like receptor 4 has a positive feedback regulatory effect on ferroptosis in macrophages.

Objective:Comparative clinical outcome and satisfaction analysis of latissimus dorsi breast reconstruction versus prosthetic breast reconstruction in the surgical management of female breast cancer.Methods:We retrospectively analysed 102 female breast cancer patients diagnosed in the Department of Breast Surgery of the Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University between Jan. 2020 and Dec. 2022, and collected clinical data from the latissimus dorsi muscle reconstruction group and the prosthesis reconstruction group, comparing them in terms of operation time, postoperative complications, average length of hospital stay, total hospitalization cost, postoperative satisfaction, and cosmetic effect.Results:Patients in both the latissimus dorsi muscle group and the prosthesis group underwent successful surgery. There were significant statistical differences between the two groups in terms of nipple preservation, radiotherapy, surgery time, average postoperative hospitalization time, total hospitalization costs, overall satisfaction, and social satisfaction ( P<0.001) . Conclusions:In female breast cancer, latissimus dorsi reconstruction has fewer complications and higher satisfaction than prosthetic reconstruction, and it can be popularized in the clinic.

Oral and maxillofacial CBCT(cone beam computed tomography)as a kind of oral imaging techniques,can accurately show the tooth pulp in an all-round way.Especially for showingthe morphologyof special root canals,it has incomparable advantages over two-dimensional X ray film.With the development of digital technology and artificial intelligence technology,CBCT has been widely used in stomatology.In this paper,we will systematically review the applicationprogress of CBCT combined with oral digital technology and arti-ficial intelligence technology,with a view to providing references for clinical diagnosis and treatmentand technical development of the discipline.

Objective:Comparative clinical outcome and satisfaction analysis of latissimus dorsi breast reconstruction versus prosthetic breast reconstruction in the surgical management of female breast cancer.Methods:We retrospectively analysed 102 female breast cancer patients diagnosed in the Department of Breast Surgery of the Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University between Jan. 2020 and Dec. 2022, and collected clinical data from the latissimus dorsi muscle reconstruction group and the prosthesis reconstruction group, comparing them in terms of operation time, postoperative complications, average length of hospital stay, total hospitalization cost, postoperative satisfaction, and cosmetic effect.Results:Patients in both the latissimus dorsi muscle group and the prosthesis group underwent successful surgery. There were significant statistical differences between the two groups in terms of nipple preservation, radiotherapy, surgery time, average postoperative hospitalization time, total hospitalization costs, overall satisfaction, and social satisfaction ( P<0.001) . Conclusions:In female breast cancer, latissimus dorsi reconstruction has fewer complications and higher satisfaction than prosthetic reconstruction, and it can be popularized in the clinic.

Objective To investigate the role of Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)in the regulation of homocys-teine(Hcy)-induced ferroptosis in macrophages.Methods Mouse macrophage cells RAW264.7 were cultured and divided into control group,Hcy intervention group(Hcy group),and Hcy plus ferroptosis inhibitor group(Hcy+Fer-1 group).After transfection with interference fragments,macrophages were treated with Hcy,and then divided into control group,Hcy intervention group(Hcy group),TLR4 interference negative control plus Hcy intervention group(si-NC+Hcy group),and TLR4 interference plus Hcy intervention group(si-TLR4+Hcy group).Macrophages were transfected with overexpression lentivirus and treated with Hcy,then were divided into control group,Hcy intervention group(Hcy group),a TLR4 overexpression negative control plus Hcy intervention group(OE-NC+Hcy group),and a TLR4 overexpression plus Hcy intervention group(OE-TLR4+Hcy group).After 48 hours of intervention,real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR and western blot were used to detect the expression levels of TLR4 in macrophages treated with Hcy;western blot was used to detect the expression levels of ferroptosis-related proteins ACSL4,GPX4,and FTH1 in macrophages,and ferrous ion assay kit to detect the concentration of Fe2+in macrophages;reactive oxygen species(ROS)assay kit and laser confocal microscopy were used to detect the content of intracellular reactive oxygen species.Results Compared with those in the control group,the expression level of the pro-ferroptosis protein ACSL4 was increased in the Hcy group(P<0.05),while the expression levels of anti-ferroptosis proteins GPX4 and FTH1 were decreased(P<0.05);the concentration of Fe2+was increased(P<0.05),and the content of ROS was increased.Meanwhile,the protein and mRNA expres-sion levels of TLR4 were both increased in the Hcy group(P<0.05).After macrophages were transfected with TLR4 interference fragments,compared with those in the si-NC+Hcy group,the expression levels of GPX4 and FTH1 were increased(P<0.05);the expression level of ACSL4 was decreased(P<0.05);the concentration of Fe2+was decreased(P<0.05),and the content of ROS was reduced in the si-TLR4+Hcy group.After macro-phages were transfected with TLR4 overexpression lentivirus,compared with those in the OE-NC+Hcy group,the expression levels of GPX4 and FTH1 were decreased(P<0.05),and the expression level of ACSL4 was increased(P<0.05)in the OE-TLR4+Hcy group.Conclusion Hcy induces the occurrence of ferroptosis in macrophages,and Toll-like receptor 4 has a positive feedback regulatory effect on ferroptosis in macrophages.

Oral and maxillofacial CBCT(cone beam computed tomography)as a kind of oral imaging techniques,can accurately show the tooth pulp in an all-round way.Especially for showingthe morphologyof special root canals,it has incomparable advantages over two-dimensional X ray film.With the development of digital technology and artificial intelligence technology,CBCT has been widely used in stomatology.In this paper,we will systematically review the applicationprogress of CBCT combined with oral digital technology and arti-ficial intelligence technology,with a view to providing references for clinical diagnosis and treatmentand technical development of the discipline.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of adjusted Narcotrend Index (NI) value guidancecombined with small-dose esketamine for program-controlled closed-loop target-controlled infusion (TCI) system.Methods:Forty-eight American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classificationⅠ or Ⅱpatients, regardless of gender, aged 18-55 yr, with body mass index of 18-25 kg/m 2, scheduled for elective laparoscopic surgery under general anesthesia, were assigned to control group (group C, NI baseline value median 36) and esketamine group(group E, NI baseline value median 46) using a random number table method, with 24 cases in each group. Anesthesia induction and maintenance were carried out using effect-site concentration TCI(Schnider model for propofol infusion and Minto model for remifentanil infusion). After the NI value was maintained at 26-46 during anesthesia maintenance, a small dose of esketamine was given (as an intravenous bolus 0.2 mg/kg, followed by an infusion of 5 μg·kg -1·min -1for 30 min) in group E, and the equal volume of normal saline was given instead in group C. Program-controlled closed-loop TCI was then started, and the target effect-site concentrations of propofol and remifentanil were adjusted every 5 min according to the corresponding preset NI baseline value. The main outcome measures were the percentage of time of NI value maintained in the target range within 1 h after administration of esketamine. Secondary outcome measures were the consumption of propofol and remifentanil, postoperative recovery time, incidence of nausea and vomiting, pain and shivering within 1 h after surgery. Patients were followed for intraoperative awareness on 2nd day after operation. Results:The performance of the program-controlled closed-loop TCI systems was within the safe clinical threshold, with no intraoperative awareness occurred in both groups. The consumption of propofol and remifentanil was significantly reduced in group E as compared to group C( P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the percentage of time of NI value maintained in the target range, postoperative recovery time and incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Adjusted NI value guidance combined with small-dose esketamine provides better efficacy when used for program-controlled closed-loop TCI system.

Rosuvastatin(RVS)is an excellent drug with anti-inflammatory and lipid-lowering properties in the aca-demic and medical fields.However,this drug faces a series of challenges when used to treat atherosclerosis caused by hyperhomocysteinemia(HHcy),including high oral dosage,poor targeting,and long-term toxic side effects.In this study,we applied nanotechnology to construct a biomimetic nano-delivery system,macrophage membrane(M?m)-coated RVS-loaded Prussian blue(PB)nanoparticles(MPR NPs),for improving the bioavailability and targeting capacity of RVS,specifically to the plaque lesions associated with HHcy-induced atherosclerosis.In vitro assays demonstrated that MPR NPs effectively inhibited the Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α)/nucleotide-binding and oligomerization domain(NOD)-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3(NLRP3)signaling pathways,reducing pyroptosis and inflammatory response in macrophages.Additionally,MPR NPs reversed the abnormal distribution of adenosine triphosphate(ATP)-binding cassette transporter A1(ABCA1)/ATP binding cassette transporter G1(ABCA1)/ATP binding cassette transporter G1(ABCG1)caused by HIF-1α,promoting cholesterol efflux and reducing lipid deposition.In vivo studies using apolipoprotein E knockout(ApoE-/-)mice confirmed the strong efficacy of MPR NPs in treating atherosclerosis with favorable bio-security,and the mechanism behind this efficacy is believed to involve the regulation of serum metabolism and the remodeling of gut microbes.These findings suggest that the synthesis of MPR NPs provides a promising nanosystem for the targeted therapy of HHcy-induced atherosclerosis.