BACKGROUND:During bone remodeling,bone formation and bone resorption are spatially and temporally coordinated,involving intricate interactions between osteoclasts and osteoblasts.Isoginkgetin,a flavonoid found in Ginkgo biloba,has a wide range of anticancer activity and anti-reactive oxygen species activity;however,the effect of isoginkgetin on osteoclast differentiation is unknown.OBJECTIVE:To study the effect and mechanism of action of isoginkgetin on osteoclastogenesis.METHODS:In vitro studies were performed on mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages,and cell counting kit-8 cytotoxicity assay was used to detect the effect of isoginkgetin on cell viability of bone marrow-derived macrophages.Macrophage colony-stimulating factor and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand were used to induce the differentiation of bone marrow-derived macrophages to osteoclasts.Network pharmacology and molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations were used to predict the processes and targets of the effects of isoginkgetin on the differentiation of osteoclasts.Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining and F-actin staining were used to detect the effects of isoginkgetin on the differentiation and function of osteoclasts.Western blot and RT-PCR were used to detect the effects of isoginkgetin on the expression of genes and proteins related to osteoclast differentiation,reactive oxygen species,and PI3K/AKT pathways.Fluorescent probes were used to detect cellular and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species levels.Flow cytometry technology was used to detect reactive oxygen species levels in cells.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Network pharmacology results showed that isoginkgetin affected osteoporosis mainly through the PI3K-AKT pathway and cellular response to drugs and hypoxia,and GSK3β,ESR1,MCL1 and CCNA2 were the key targets.(2)Cell counting kit-8 and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining results showed that isoginkgetin at 8 μmol/L had the most significant inhibitory effect on osteoclastogenesis in vitro,and F-actin results showed that isoginkgetin inhibited osteoclast cytoskeletal actin ring formation in a concentration-dependent manner.(3)Molecular dynamics simulations showed that isoginkgetin bound well to osteoclastogenesis marker proteins(NFATc1,c-Fos,CTSK,and MMP9).Western blot and RT-PCR results indicated that isoginkgetin inhibited the expression of osteoclastogenesis marker proteins and genes(NFATc1,c-Fos,CTSK,and MMP9).(4)Western blot results showed that isoginkgetin inhibited the phosphorylation level of PI3K/AKT/GSK3β and suppressed osteoclastogenesis by activating the PI3K-AKT-GSK3β pathway.(5)The results of reactive oxygen species assay showed that isoginkgetin significantly reduced receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand-induced cellular and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production,and inhibited the differentiation of bone marrow-derived macrophages to osteoclasts.

BACKGROUND:During bone remodeling,bone formation and bone resorption are spatially and temporally coordinated,involving intricate interactions between osteoclasts and osteoblasts.Isoginkgetin,a flavonoid found in Ginkgo biloba,has a wide range of anticancer activity and anti-reactive oxygen species activity;however,the effect of isoginkgetin on osteoclast differentiation is unknown.OBJECTIVE:To study the effect and mechanism of action of isoginkgetin on osteoclastogenesis.METHODS:In vitro studies were performed on mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages,and cell counting kit-8 cytotoxicity assay was used to detect the effect of isoginkgetin on cell viability of bone marrow-derived macrophages.Macrophage colony-stimulating factor and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand were used to induce the differentiation of bone marrow-derived macrophages to osteoclasts.Network pharmacology and molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations were used to predict the processes and targets of the effects of isoginkgetin on the differentiation of osteoclasts.Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining and F-actin staining were used to detect the effects of isoginkgetin on the differentiation and function of osteoclasts.Western blot and RT-PCR were used to detect the effects of isoginkgetin on the expression of genes and proteins related to osteoclast differentiation,reactive oxygen species,and PI3K/AKT pathways.Fluorescent probes were used to detect cellular and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species levels.Flow cytometry technology was used to detect reactive oxygen species levels in cells.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Network pharmacology results showed that isoginkgetin affected osteoporosis mainly through the PI3K-AKT pathway and cellular response to drugs and hypoxia,and GSK3β,ESR1,MCL1 and CCNA2 were the key targets.(2)Cell counting kit-8 and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining results showed that isoginkgetin at 8 μmol/L had the most significant inhibitory effect on osteoclastogenesis in vitro,and F-actin results showed that isoginkgetin inhibited osteoclast cytoskeletal actin ring formation in a concentration-dependent manner.(3)Molecular dynamics simulations showed that isoginkgetin bound well to osteoclastogenesis marker proteins(NFATc1,c-Fos,CTSK,and MMP9).Western blot and RT-PCR results indicated that isoginkgetin inhibited the expression of osteoclastogenesis marker proteins and genes(NFATc1,c-Fos,CTSK,and MMP9).(4)Western blot results showed that isoginkgetin inhibited the phosphorylation level of PI3K/AKT/GSK3β and suppressed osteoclastogenesis by activating the PI3K-AKT-GSK3β pathway.(5)The results of reactive oxygen species assay showed that isoginkgetin significantly reduced receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand-induced cellular and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production,and inhibited the differentiation of bone marrow-derived macrophages to osteoclasts.

The continuous emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants as well as other potential future coronavirus has challenged the effectiveness of current COVID-19 vaccines. Therefore, there remains a need for alternative antivirals that target processes less susceptible to mutations, such as the formation of six-helix bundle (6-HB) during the viral fusion step of host cell entry. In this study, a novel high-throughput screening (HTS) assay employing a yeast-two-hybrid (Y2H) system was established to identify inhibitors of HR1/HR2 interaction. The compound IMB-9C, which achieved single-digit micromolar inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 and its Omicron variants with low cytotoxicity, was selected. IMB-9C effectively blocks the HR1/HR2 interaction in vitro and inhibits SARS-CoV-2-S-mediated cell-cell fusion. It binds to both HR1 and HR2 through non-covalent interaction and influences the secondary structure of HR1/HR2 complex. In addition, virtual docking and site-mutagenesis results suggest that amino acid residues A930, I931, K933, T941, and L945 are critical for IMB-9C binding to HR1. Collectively, in this study, we have developed a novel screening method for HR1/HR2 interaction inhibitors and identified IMB-9C as a potential antiviral small molecule against COVID-19 and its variants.

The oxytocin receptor (OXTR) has garnered increasing attention for its role in regulating both mature behaviors and brain development. It has been established that OXTR mediates a range of effects that are region-specific or period-specific. However, the current studies of OXTR expression patterns in mice only provide limited help due to limitations in resolution. Therefore, our objective was to generate a comprehensive, high-resolution spatiotemporal expression map of Oxtr mRNA across the entire developing mouse brain. We applied RNAscope in situ hybridization to investigate the spatiotemporal expression pattern of Oxtr in the brains of male mice at six distinct postnatal developmental stages (P7, P14, P21, P28, P42, P56). We provide detailed descriptions of Oxtr expression patterns in key brain regions, including the cortex, basal forebrain, hippocampus, and amygdaloid complex, with a focus on the precise localization of Oxtr⁺ cells and the variance of expression between different neurons. Furthermore, we identified some neuronal populations with high Oxtr expression levels that have been little studied, including glutamatergic neurons in the ventral dentate gyrus, Vgat⁺Oxtr⁺ cells in the basal forebrain, and GABAergic neurons in layers 4/5 of the cortex. Our study provides a novel perspective for understanding the distribution of Oxtr and encourages further investigations into its functions.
Animals ; Receptors, Oxytocin/metabolism* ; Male ; Brain/growth & development* ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Neurons/metabolism* ; Single-Cell Analysis ; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental ; RNA, Messenger/metabolism* ; Animals, Newborn

Objective To explore the preventive effect of multidisciplinary collaborative evidence-based nursing on dysphagia in patients with orotracheal intubation in intensive care unit(ICU)after extubation.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on 200 patients with orotracheal intubation in ICU who were admitted to Dongguan Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital between January and December 2023.Of them,96 patients who were admitted to our hospital between January and May 2023 received routine nursing(routine group),104 patients who were admitted to our hospital between June and December 2023 received multidisciplinary collaborative evidence-based nursing(evidence-based group).The incidence of dysphagia after extubation,water swallowing test result,swallowing function measured with M.D.Anderson dysphagia inventory(MDADI),psychological state assessed by connor-davidson resilience scale(CD-RISC),quality of life assessed by swallowing quality-of-life questionnaire(SWAL-QOL),and the incidence of dysphagia complications(aspiration,aspiration pneumonia,and malnutrition)were compared between the two groups.Results The incidence of dysphagia after extubation and the water swallowing test class in the evidence-based group were lower than those in the routine group(both P<0.05).The total score of MDADI and CD-RISC scores in the evidence-based group were significantly higher than those in the routine group(P<0.05),while the SWAL-QOL scores were lower(P<0.05).The incidence of complications in the evidence-based group was significantly lower than that in the routine group(P<0.05).Conclusion Multidisciplinary collaborative evidence-based nursing can effectively reduce the incidence of dysphagia in patients with orotracheal intubation in ICU after extubation,improve swallowing function,psychological state and quality of life,and reduce the incidence of complications.

Objective:This study analyzed the epidemiological characteristics of the clustered cases of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) in Jiangsu province, so as to provide a scientific basis for prevention and control efforts.Methods:In this study we searched for cases related to clustered outbreaks and conducted epidemiological investigations of the cases, their co-exposed individuals, and close contacts. The basic information of the cases and their disease progression were collected and documented. The source of infection and transmission routes were analyzed. Fisher’s exact probability test and independent samples t-test were used to compare the differences between index and secondary cases. Results:From 2018 and 2024, a total of nine cluster outbreaks were reported in Jiangsu province, involving 32 cases of SFTS with 12 fatalities. Seven clustered outbreaks occurred in rural communities, while two occurred in medical institutions. The primary cause of these outbreaks was direct contact with confirmed cases.Conclusions:In recent years, Jiangsu province has experienced multiple clustered outbreaks of SFTS. Targeted health education should be implemented in high-risk areas to increase awareness of personal protective measures. Medical institutions should standardize the management of confirmed cases, educate patients′ families about prevention and control measures, and strengthen training for healthcare workers to ensure effective infection control within hospitals.

Objective:To compare the clinical efficacy and effects on cognitive function of magnetic seizure therapy (MST) and modified electroconvulsive therapy (MECT) in the treatment of major depressive episode (MDE).Methods:From January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2021, 40 patients who met the MDE diagnostic criteria in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) were selected in Shanghai Mental Health Center. Participants were randomly assigned to MECT therapy group (20 patients) and MST therapy group (20 patients) using the random number table method. Both groups received MECT or MST while using serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), 3 times a week for 4 weeks. The 17-items Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD 17) and the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) were performed before and after treatment. HAMD 17 reduction rate and effective rate were the main assessment indicators, while RBANS total score and factor scores were considered as the secondary assessment indicators. T-test was used to compare the reduction rate of HAMD 17 between the two groups, and corrected Chi-square test or Fisher′s exact probability method was used to compare the effective rate of treatment between the two groups. HAMD 17 scores and RBANS scores before and after treatment were compared using two-factor repeated measure ANOVA. Results:There were no significant differences in baseline HAMD 17 scores and RBANS scores between 2 groups( t=0.29, P=0.773; t=0.67, P=0.509). The treatment effective rate in the MECT group was 90% (18/20), and the average reduction rate of HAMD 17 was 67.9%. Meanwhile, the effective rate of MST group was 75% (15/20), and the average reduction rate of HAMD 17 was 60.9%. There was no significant difference in the reduction rate and effective rate of HAMD 17 between the two groups ( t=0.69, P=0.493; χ2=0.16, P=0.693). The total scores and factor scores of RBANS after treatment were lower than those before treatment, with statistical significance(total scores: F=19.29, P<0.001;immediate memory score: F=6.22, P=0.020; language function score: F=9.13, P=0.006;attention score: F=5.23, P=0.031;delayed memory score: F=35.90, P<0.001). There was no significant difference in the total scores and factor scores of RBANS before and after treatment in MST group(total scores: F=0.49, P=0.490;immediate memory score: F=2.25, P=0.147;language function score: F=1.22, P=0.280;attention score: F=0.23, P=0.640;delayed memory score: F=0.02, P=0.887). Conclusions:The efficacy of MST treatment and MECT treatment in treating MDE patients seems to be comparable. MDE patients receiving MST had less impact on cognitive function compared to those treated with MECT.

Objective To investigate the types of latent profiles and influencing factors of knowledge,attitudes and practice(KAP)in curriculum-based ideological and political education in undergraduate nursing students and to provide evidence for design of ideological and political courses tailored to different types of nursing undergraduates.Methods A convenience sampling method was used to recruit 671 undergraduate nursing students from our school between March and July 2024.Data were collected using a general data survey form,a KAP questionnaire on nursing curriculum-based ideological and political education,a professional identity survey for nursing undergraduates,and the Jefferson empathy scale nursing student edition(JSPE-NS).Latent profile analysis(LPA)was conducted using 22 items of the KAP questionnaire as observed variables,and a logistic regression analysis was used to assess the influencing factors of different KAP latent profiles in ideological and political education.Results A total of 663 nursing undergraduate students completed the survey.They spread in three latent groups:a mediocre group(172/663,25.9%),a competent group(378/663,57.0%),and an exceptional group(113/663,17.1%).From a single-child family,grade point average(GPA),professional identity and empathy were identified as the factors that influenced KAP latent profiles in curriculum based ideological and political education among the undergraduate nursing students(all P<0.05).Conclusion There exists a heterogeneity in KAP in curriculum based ideological and political education among the undergraduate nursing students.Nursing educators should develop targeted enhancement measures according to the characteristics of latent profile groups therefore to facilitate the comprehensive development of the undergraduate nursing students.

AIM:This study aims to investigate the regulatory effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester(CAPE)on metabotropic glutamate receptor 5(mGluR5)and tyrosine kinase Fyn,and to explore its role in alleviating neuroinflam-mation and pathological features of Alzheimer disease(AD).METHODS:In vitro,the murine neuroblastoma N2a cell line was treated with amyloid β-protein 42 oligomers(Aβ42Os;10 nmol/L to 10 μmol/L)for 24 h.Cell viability was as-sessed by MTT assay.Western blot analyzed mGluR5 expression and Fyn phosphorylation(Tyr416).Pharmacological modulators(CHPG/MPEP)were used to evaluate mGluR5-mediated inflammatory cytokine regulation(qPCR)and Fyn ac-tivation.In vivo,wild-type(WT)and 5×FAD mice(WT,WT+CAPE,5×FAD and 5×FAD+CAPE)were analyzed for AD-related proteins,neuroinflammation(ELISA),glial activation(GFAP/Iba-1 immunofluorescence),and β-amyloid deposi-tion(thioflavin S).RESULTS:(1)Treatment with 1 μmol/L Aβ42Os increased mGluR5 expression(P<0.01)and Fyn phosphorylation(P<0.01)without affecting N2a cell viability.Intracerebral Aβ42Os injection similarly up-regulated hip-pocampal mGluR5 and Fyn(P<0.01).(2)MPEP reduced mGluR5 expression(P<0.01)and Fyn phosphorylation(P<0.01),while suppressing tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and interleukin-6(IL-6)mRNA levels(P<0.01).(3)CAPE decreased mGluR5-Fyn activation in N2a cells,neurons,and 5×FAD mice(P<0.01).(4)CAPE-treated 5×FAD mice exhibited reduced neuroinflammation markers(GFAP,Iba-1,TNF-α,IL-1β,and IL-6),Aβ plaques,and p-APP levels(P<0.01).CONCLUSION:Treatment with CAPE inhibits Aβ42Os-induced mGluR5-Fyn signaling activation,thereby attenuating neuroinflammation and the pathology associated with AD.

ObjectiveTo investigate the change in the expression of magnesium transporter 1 （MagT1） in peripheral blood CD8⁺ T cells in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus （HBV） infection， as well as the correlation of serum Mg²⁺ and MagT1 with HBV DNA load. MethodsA total of 102 patients with HBV infection who were admitted to Tangshan Workers’ Hospital from January 2022 to December 2023 were enrolled， and a case-control study was conducted. According to the stage of disease progression， the subjects were divided into chronic hepatitis B group with 40 patients， compensated liver cirrhosis group with 32 patients， and hepatocellular carcinoma group with 30 patients， and 32 healthy volunteers matched by age and sex were enrolled as normal control group. The serum concentration of Mg²⁺ was measured； RT-qPCR was used to measure the mRNA expression level of MagT1 in CD8⁺ T cells and serum HBV DNA load； flow cytometry was used to measure the expression levels of programmed death-1 （PD-1）， T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin-domain containing-3 （Tim-3）， and natural killer cell group 2D （NKG2D） on the surface of CD8⁺ T cells. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between multiple groups， and the SNK-q test was used for comparison between two groups； the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups； a Pearson linear correlation analysis was used to investigate the correlation between the mRNA expression level of MagT1 and other related indicators. ResultsThere were significant differences in the serum level of Mg²⁺ and the mRNA expression level of MagT1 between the normal control group， the chronic hepatitis B group， the compensated liver cirrhosis group， and the hepatocellular carcinoma group （F=29.014 and 145.578， both P<0.001）. The Pearson correlation analysis showed that the serum level of Mg²⁺ and the mRNA expression level of MagT1 were positively correlated with HBV DNA load （r=0.335 and 0.394， both P<0.05）. The hepatocellular carcinoma group had the highest levels of PD-1 and Tim-3， followed by the compensated liver cirrhosis group， the chronic hepatitis B group， and the normal control group； the normal control group had the highest level of NKG2D， followed by the chronic hepatitis B group， the compensated liver cirrhosis group， and the hepatocellular carcinoma group （all P<0.001）. The Pearson correlation analysis showed that the mRNA expression level of MagT1 was negatively correlated with PD-1 and Tim-3 （r=-0.643 and -0.640， both P<0.05） and was positively correlated with NKG2D （r=0.655， P<0.05）. ConclusionThere is a reduction in the mRNA expression level of MagT1 in peripheral blood CD8⁺ T cells in patients with HBV infection， which is positively correlated with serum HBV DNA load. The reduction in the expression of MagT1 may contribute to CD8⁺ T cell exhaustion by impairing Mg²⁺ influx， manifesting as the upregulation of PD-1 and Tim-3 and the downregulation of NKG2D.