OBJECTIVE: To elucidate how spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) exerts its analgesic effects through regulating brain function in lumbar disc herniation (LDH) patients by utilizing resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). METHODS: From September 2021 to September 2023, we enrolled LDH patients (LDH group, n=31) and age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs, n=28). LDH group underwent rs-fMRI at 2 distinct time points (TPs): prior to the initiation of SMT (TP1) and subsequent to the completion of the SMT sessions (TP2). SMT was administered once every other day for 30 min per session, totally 14 treatment sessions over a span of 4 weeks. HCs did not receive SMT treatment and underwent only one fMRI scan. Additionally, participants in LDH group completed clinical questionnaires on pain using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score, whereas HCs did not undergo clinical scale assessments. The effects on the brain were jointly characterized using the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF) and regional homogeneity (ReHo). Correlation analyses were conducted between specific brain regions and clinical scales. RESULTS: Following SMT treatment, pain symptoms in LDH patients were notably alleviated and accompanied by evident activation of effects in the brain. In comparison to TP1, TP2 exhibited the most significant increase in ALFF values for Temporal_Sup_R and the most notable decrease in ALFF values for Paracentral_Lobule_L (voxelwise P<0.005; clusters >30; FDR correction). Additionally, the most substantial enhancement in ReHo values was observed for the Cuneus_R, while the most prominent reduction was noted for the Olfactory_R (voxelwise P<0.005; clusters >30; FDR correction). Moreover, a comparative analysis revealed that, in contrast to HCs, LDH patients at TP1 exhibited the most significant increase in ALFF values for Temporal_Pole_Sup_L and the most notable decrease in ALFF values for Frontal_Mid_L (voxelwise P<0.005; clusters >30; FDR correction). Furthermore, the most significant enhancement in ReHo values was observed for Postcentral_L, while the most prominent reduction was identified for ParaHippocampal_L (voxelwise P<0.005; clusters >30; FDR correction). Notably, correlation analysis with clinical scales revealed a robust positive correlation between the Cuneus_R score and the rate of change in the VAS score (r=0.9333, P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Long-term chronic lower back pain in patients with LDH manifests significant activation of the "AUN-DMN-S1-SAN" neural circuitry. The visual network, represented by the Cuneus_R, is highly likely to be a key brain network in which the analgesic efficacy of SMT becomes effective in treating LDH patients. (Trial registration No. NCT06277739).
Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement/diagnostic imaging* ; Male ; Female ; Brain/diagnostic imaging* ; Adult ; Manipulation, Spinal/methods* ; Middle Aged ; Lumbar Vertebrae/physiopathology* ; Pain Management ; Rest ; Case-Control Studies

Lactylation, a recently identified post-translational modification of proteins, is induced by lactic acid and can occur at multiple lysine residues in both histone and non-histone proteins. This modification plays a role in disease pathogenesis by affecting transcriptional regulation, mitochondrial metabolism, and immune inflammation. Significant advancements have been made in understanding the mechanisms of lactylation in various ophthalmic diseases, including retinal neovascularization, uveitis, melanoma, and myopia. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the relationship between lactic acid and lactylation, the regulatory mechanisms of lactylation, and the role of lactylation in different ocular diseases. Additionally, it addresses current research limitations and future directions, which is of great significance to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of lactylation in eye diseases and improving the diagnosis and targeted treatment of these conditions.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of MK2 inhibitor MMI-0100 on inflammatory response after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) and related mechanisms. METHODS: An allo-HSCT mouse model was established. Recipient rats were randomly divided into BMT+NaCl group and BMT+MMI-0100 group, and were injected with NaCl and MMI-0100 every day after transplantation, respectively. Samples of the two groups were collected on d 7 and 14, femur paraffin sections were stained with HE, and pathological changes in the bone marrow cavity were observed under the light microscope. The gene and protein expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18 were detected by qPCR and Western blot. Macrophage typing was detected by flow cytometry. The expression levels of NLRP3 and Caspase-1 were detected by Western blot. RESULTS: Inflammatory cell infiltration in the bone marrow cavity was significantly reduced in the BMT+MMI-0100 group. Western blot results showed that the protein expression levels of IL-1β and IL-18 in the BMT+MMI-0100 group were decreased compared to the BMT+NaCl group on day 7 and day 14 (all P <0.01). The qPCR results showed that compared to the BMT+NaCl group, the IL-18 gene expression levels in the BMT+MMI-0100 group were significantly reduced on day 7 and day 14 (both P <0.01). In the BMT+MMI-0100 group, the expression level of IL-1β gene decreased on day 7 (P <0.05), but increased and was higher than that in the BMT+NaCl group on day 14 (P <0.05). Flow cytometry results showed that the expression of M1 macrophages and M1/M2 ratio decreased in the BMT+MMI-0100 group compared to BMT+NaCl group (all P <0.05). Western blot results showed that the protein expression levels of NLRP3 and Caspase-1 in the BMT+MMI-0100 group were lower than those in the BMT+NaCl group (all P <0.05). CONCLUSION MMI-0100 can ameliorate bone marrow inflammatory injury after allo-HSCT and may act by reducing NLRP3 expression to promote M2 polarization.
Animals ; Interleukin-1beta/metabolism* ; Rats ; Interleukin-18/metabolism* ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation/adverse effects* ; Mice ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism* ; Inflammation ; Bone Marrow/pathology* ; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism* ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors* ; Caspase 1/metabolism* ; Macrophages ; Transplantation, Homologous

Mycophenolic acid (MPA), the active moiety of both mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium (EC-MPS), serves as a primary immunosuppressant for maintaining solid organ transplants. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) enhances treatment outcomes through tailored approaches. This study aimed to develop an evidence-based guideline for MPA TDM, facilitating its rational application in clinical settings. The guideline plan was drawn from the Institute of Medicine and World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Using the Delphi method, clinical questions and outcome indicators were generated. Systematic reviews, Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) evidence quality evaluations, expert opinions, and patient values guided evidence-based suggestions for the guideline. External reviews further refined the recommendations. The guideline for the TDM of MPA (IPGRP-2020CN099) consists of four sections and 16 recommendations encompassing target populations, monitoring strategies, dosage regimens, and influencing factors. High-risk populations, timing of TDM, area under the curve (AUC) versus trough concentration (C₀), target concentration ranges, monitoring frequency, and analytical methods are addressed. Formulation-specific recommendations, initial dosage regimens, populations with unique considerations, pharmacokinetic-informed dosing, body weight factors, pharmacogenetics, and drug‍-‍drug interactions are covered. The evidence-based guideline offers a comprehensive recommendation for solid organ transplant recipients undergoing MPA therapy, promoting standardization of MPA TDM, and enhancing treatment efficacy and safety.
Mycophenolic Acid/administration & dosage* ; Drug Monitoring/methods* ; Humans ; Organ Transplantation ; Immunosuppressive Agents/administration & dosage* ; Delphi Technique

Current ambient mass spectrometry ionization often requires external auxiliary equipment such as high-voltage power supply,gas cylinder,and syringe pump.Moreover,the process of sample preparation is cumbersome,and the experimental operations are complex,which makes it difficult to adapt to real-time on-site detection.In this work,a novel method was proposed,in which direct sampling of raw samples,online extraction of interest analytes,and ionization of target molecules were integrated into a single unit.With the developed method,the in-situ extraction and nano-electrospray ionization for both liquid and solid raw samples were achieved.Also,a handheld ion source and its pose adjustment device were developed,and the position and angle parameters were subsequently optimized.The performance of the ionization device was tested using standard solutions of caffeine and reserpine.The limits of detection(LODs)were 0.08 μg/L and 0.14 μg/L,with relative standard deviations(RSDs)≤3.7% and≤5.6%,respectively,indicating that the device possessed high sensitivity and stability.Using this device,three different concentrations of reserpine standard solutions were continuously tested for five days.The intra-day RSDs were consistently≤4.7% and the inter-day RSDs were all≤10.3%,showing the good working stability of the device.Without any pretreatment,a rapid qualitative detection of medicinal components including astragaloside II and cycloastragenol in five traditional Chinese medicines was carried out,with RSDs≤8.0% and≤7.1%,respectively.Additionally,rapid qualitative detection of gallic acid,a medicinal component,in white peony roots,and hypaphorine as well as quercetin in cowherb seeds were carried out,with RSDs≤7.0%,≤6.4% and≤6.1%,respectively.These results demonstrated that the ionization technology and device exhibited good stability during qualitative detection of raw samples.

Glial-mesenchymal transition(GMT)is a biological process of transdifferentiation where endothelial cells gradually adopt the phenotypic characteristics of mesenchymal cells under the influence of various factors. GMT is closely associated with retinal fibrosis diseases. Müller cells, the predominant retinal macroglia, undergo activation and transdifferentiation in response to diverse stimuli and pathological conditions. Researches indicate that GMT plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of diseases such as diabetic retinopathy(DR), idiopathic epiretinal membrane(iERM), age-related macular degeneration(ARMD), and proliferative vitreoretinopathy(PVR). Although the exact mechanism of GMT is not well understood, it has showed great promise as potential target. Clarifying the research progress of GMT provides new ideas in the early diagnosis and treatments of retinal diseases, which is clinically and scientifically important for revealing interactive effects of cell transdifferentiation families in retinal diseases.

Objective:To explore the differences in genetic variations and clinical features of children with congenital hypothyroidism (CH) with different thyroid morphologies.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on 98 children with CH diagnosed at Changzhou Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changzhou Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, and Lianyungang Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital from August 19, 2011, to November 13, 2019. According to thyroid morphology, they were divided into the thyroid dysplasia (TD) group ( n=24), the gland-in-situ (GIS) group ( n=67), and the goiter group ( n=7). Whole exome sequencing was used to detect genetic variants, and pathogenic, likely pathogenic variants, and variants of uncertain significance were defined as potential functional variants. General condition, genetic variants, and treatment were compared between the three groups. Statistical analysis was performed using Chi-square and Bonferroni correction tests, Kruskal-Wallis test, or Mann-Whitney U test. Results:(1) The proportion of female infants in the TD group was higher than that in the GIS and goiter groups [87.5% (21/24) vs.47.8% (32/67) and 3/7, Bonferroni correction, respectively, both P<0.017]. The difference in serum thyroid stimulating hormone levels when diagnosed with CH was statistically significant in the TD, GIS, and goiter groups [128.00 mU/L (33.30-208.00 mU/L), 55.40 mU/L (17.73-116.00 mU/L), and 32.00 mU/L (21.55-57.65 mU/L), H=7.02, P=0.030], but was not statistically significant in pairwise comparisons (all P>0.017). (2) The detection rates of potential functional variants in the TD, GIS, and goiter groups were 45.8% (11/24), 88.1% (59/67), and 6/7, respectively, and the detection rate in the GIS group was higher than that in the TD group (Bonferroni correction, P<0.001). The detection rate of potential functional variants in DUOX2 gene was the highest [59.2% (58/98)], which was 20.8% (5/24), 73.1% (49/67), and 4/7 in the TD, GIS, and goiter groups, respectively, with statistically significant differences between groups ( χ2=20.02, P<0.001). Single allele variants were more common in the TD group (7/11), while double allele variants were more common in the GIS and goiter groups [71.2% (42/59) and 4/6, respectively], in addition, six cases of oligogenic variants were detected in the GIS group (10.2%, 6/59). (3) The difference in the dose of levothyroxine (μg/d) administered to children in the TD, GIS, and goiter groups was statistically significant at 2 years of age [37.50 (25.00-45.00), 25.00 (16.60-25.00), and 25.00 (16.50-40.00), H=16.53] and 3 years of age [37.50 (27.12-47.50), 20.00 (6.25-29.25), and 31.25 (9.38-52.50), H=14.16] (all P<0.001), and the dose of levothyroxine administered in the TD group was higher than that of the GIS group at the age of 2 and 3 years ( Z were -4.06 and -3.75, both P<0.017). Conclusions:The detection rate of underlying functional variants varies among children with CH with different thyroid morphologies. DUOX2 gene variants are the most prevalent and double allele variants are common. Infants and toddlers with TD may require higher doses of levothyroxine as they grow.

Objective To explore the molecular epidemiological characteristics of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae(CRKP),and reveal its mechanism of resistance to ceftazidime/avibactam(CZA).Methods CZA-re-sistant CRKP strains initially isolated from the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from January 2021 to September 2023 were collected.The carriage of 5 carbapenemase genes(blaKPC,blaNDM,blaOXA,blaVIM,blaIMp)were detected with gene amplification method and colloidal gold method.The relative copy number and expression level of Klebsiella pneumoniae(KP)carbapenemase-producing KP(KPC-KP)was detected with real-time quantita-tive polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR),mutation sites of KPC mutation strains were analyzed with whole-ge-nome sequencing,and epidemic characteristics of CRKP and resistance mechanism to CZA were analyzed.Results A total of 73 CZA-resistant CRKP strains were isolated,with 37(50.68％)being KPC and NDM co-producing strains,33(45.21％)NDM-producing alone(23 strains producing NDM-5 and 10 strains producing NDM-1),and 3 KPC-producing alone.KP-2842 strain was identified as ST11-type KPC-33 variant,KP-2127 and KP-2189 strains produced KPC-2.Compared with KP ATCC BAA-1705,the copy number of blaKPC in these strains up-regulated by 1.04-3.86 fold,and the expression increased by 6.66-12.93 fold,respectively.Colloidal gold and PCR methods demonstrated good consistency and the ability to detect the enzyme co-producing and KPC-33 variant.Conclusion In this hospital,the resistance of CRKP to CZA is primarily mediated by the metalloenzyme NDM,with co-produc-tion of NDM and KPC being a characteristic of CRKP.High copy number and expression level of blaKPC-2 also con-tribute to CZA resistance.This study identified the KPC-33 variant for the first time in ST11-type CRKP in Jiangsu Province.

Objective To detect the expression profile of heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)during the process of wound repair in radiation-wound combined injury(R-W-CI),and evaluate its wound healing improving effects of R-W-CI by HO-1 knockdown with siRNA.Methods A total of 36 male C57BL/6J mice(8 weeks old)were randomly and equally divided into a simple skin wound group(W group)and a skin wound group combined with whole-body radiation(6 Gy)injury(R-W-CI group).During the wound healing process,the wounds were photographed and recorded,and the residual areas were quantified by Image J.Wound tissues were sampled and stained with HE staining for pathological and histological observation,and the damage to the hematopoietic system was assessed by dynamic examination of the peripheral blood.The expression and changes of HO-1 in wound tissues were detected by q-PCR and Western blotting.Then,26 male C57BL/6J mice(8 weeks old)were randomly and equally divided into siRNA knockdown HO-1 group(si-HO-1 group)and siRNA negative control group(si-NC group).After radiation combined injury was inflicted,60 μL of F127 gel loaded with si-HO-1(5 μm/L)was applied to each wound in the si-HO-1 group,and an equal amount of F127 gel loaded with negative control si-NC was applied to the wound in the si-NC group.The knockdown of HO-1 in wound tissues was detected by Western blotting,and the changes in wound area were observed.In the wound tissues harvested in 3 d after wounding,the expression of cytokines IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α was examined by q-PCR and the proliferation of granulation tissues was evaluated by Ki67 immunohistochemical staining.HE staining was performed on wound tissues on day 3 and day 9 post-injury to assess the improvement effect of knockdown of HO-1 on wound healing of radiation combined injuries.Results Compared with the W group,semi-quantitative analysis of the residual wound area showed that healing was significantly delayed in the R-W-CI group on days 7 and 10 post-injury(P＜0.01).HE staining on day 7 showed that in the R-W-CI group,the re-epithelialization was delayed,and the growth of granulation tissues was poor;and at the same time,peripheral blood leukocytes and their classified counts showed a significant decrease in the early period after injury(P＜0.05).Further tests indicated that the expression of HO-1 protein was slightly higher in the wound of the R-W-CI group than that of the W group in 3 and 7 d after injury,though no significant difference(P＞0.05),whereas statistical difference was seen in 10 d(P＜0.05),accompanied by the distribution of the full-length and truncated forms of HO-1 protein.Quantitative PCR obtained similar results in the mRNA expression of HO-1 in wounds in both 7 and 10 d after injury(P＜0.05).siRNA intervention could effectively knock down the HO-1 protein level of the wounds(P＜0.05),promote wound contraction(P＜0.05),reduce the width of the wound(P＜0.01),up-regulate the inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α in 3 d,enhance the proliferation of repair cells in wound margin,and improve the growth of the granulation tissue in the R-W-CI model when compared with the conditions after si-NC intervention.Conclusion There exists a sustained high expression level of HO-1 during wound repair,and wound knockdown of HO-1 by siRNA can improve the lack of inflammation status and promote wound healing in R-W-CI mice.

AIM To analyze the metabolites of nobiletin in rats in vivo based on characteristic ions.METHODS Ten rats were assigned into administration group and control group,and given intragastric administration of the 0.5％CMC-Na suspension of nobiletin(250 mg/kg)and 0.5％CMC-Na solution,respectively,after which plasma,urine and feces were collected,solid phase extraction method was adopted in pretreatment,UHPLC-HRMS analysis was performed.The candidate metabolites were systematically described according to diagnostic product ions,chromatographic retention time,accurate molecular weight and neutral loss fragments,after which accurate metabolites were obtained in the established metabolite data set with-CH3(m/z 15)characteristic ions as a baits.RESULTS A total of 64 metabolites were identified,whose main metabolic pathways were glucuronidation,sulfation,hydrogenation and their compound reactions.CONCLUSION This experiment elucidates the metabolites of nobiletin in rats in vivo,which provides a new reference for its further development.