BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with common pathophysiological processes, such as inflammation and fibrosis, in both the heart and the kidney. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms that drive these processes are not yet fully understood. Therefore, this study focused on the molecular mechanism of heart and kidney injury in CKD. METHODS: We generated an microRNA (miR)-26a knockout (KO) mouse model to investigate the role of miR-26a in angiotensin (Ang)-II-induced cardiac and renal injury. We performed Ang-II modeling in wild type (WT) mice and miR-26a KO mice, with six mice in each group. In addition, Ang-II-treated AC16 cells and HK2 cells were used as in vitro models of cardiac and renal injury in the context of CKD. Histological staining, immunohistochemistry, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and Western blotting were applied to study the regulation of miR-26a on Ang-II-induced cardiac and renal injury. Immunofluorescence reporter assays were used to detect downstream genes of miR-26a, and immunoprecipitation was employed to identify the interacting protein of LIM and senescent cell antigen-like domain 1 (LIMS1). We also used an adeno-associated virus (AAV) to supplement LIMS1 and explored the specific regulatory mechanism of miR-26a on Ang-II-induced cardiac and renal injury. Dunnett's multiple comparison and t -test were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Compared with the control mice, miR-26a expression was significantly downregulated in both the kidney and the heart after Ang-II infusion. Our study identified LIMS1 as a novel target gene of miR-26a in both heart and kidney tissues. Downregulation of miR-26a activated the LIMS1/integrin-linked kinase (ILK) signaling pathway in the heart and kidney, which represents a common molecular mechanism underlying inflammation and fibrosis in heart and kidney tissues during CKD. Furthermore, knockout of miR-26a worsened inflammation and fibrosis in the heart and kidney by inhibiting the LIMS1/ILK signaling pathway; on the contrary, supplementation with exogenous miR-26a reversed all these changes. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that miR-26a could be a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of cardiorenal injury in CKD. This is attributed to its ability to regulate the LIMS1/ILK signaling pathway, which represents a common molecular mechanism in both heart and kidney tissues.
Animals ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Angiotensin II/toxicity* ; Mice ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/chemically induced* ; Mice, Knockout ; Disease Models, Animal ; Male ; Signal Transduction/genetics* ; LIM Domain Proteins/genetics* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Cell Line ; Humans

The persistent high prevalence and poor survival outcomes of lung cancer underscore the urgent need for innovative therapeutic modalities. Here, we present a novel multifunctional delivery platform for the synergistic treatment of lung malignancies, combining in situ-triggerable photodynamic therapy (PDT) with radiotherapy. The new platform CLL was developed by loading a new reactive oxygen species (ROS)-triggerable photosensitizer, luminol-conjugated chlorin e6 (Ce6), into liposomes. CLL can be activated through the bioluminescence resonance energy transfer effect under oxidative stress, thereby producing singlet oxygen for targeted tumor treatment without external irradiation. In vitro studies showed significant cytotoxic effects of CLL in both 4T1 and A549 tumor cells. Furthermore, a PDT-radiopharmaceutical combination nanotherapy CLL-¹⁷⁷Lu was engineered by incorporating the radionuclide ¹⁷⁷Lu into CLL. CLL-¹⁷⁷Lu demonstrated synergistic antitumor effects in 4T1 and A549 tumor cells, as well as in mouse models of 4T1 breast cancer lung metastasis or A549 tumor xenografts. Mechanistically, CLL-¹⁷⁷Lu can induce singlet oxygen/ROS generation, enhance tumor cell apoptosis, and promote M1 macrophage-mediated immunotherapy. Preliminary assessments showed a favorable profile for CLL-¹⁷⁷Lu, highlighting its potential as a promising nanotherapy for cancer treatment. Additionally, CLL can serve as a versatile platform for delivering a range of therapies to achieve synergistic antitumor effects.

Objective:To discuss the expression and clinical significance of inositol polyphosphate-4-phosphatase type Ⅱ(INPP4B)gene in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)based on The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)database and experimental verification with clinical samples.Methods:Based on data from 424 clinical samples in the TCGA database(including 374 HCC tissues and 50 paracarcinoma tissues),Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analysis were used to evaluate the relationship between INPP4B gene and the clinical characteristics and survival prognosis of the HCC patients.The correlations between INPP4B gene and the number of 24 types of immune cells,matrix,immune cell infiltration and tumor purity in tumor tissue,and the expression level of the high-frequency mutant gene tumor protein 53(TP53)in HCC were analyzed.The clinicopathological data and paraffin-embedded tissue sections of 60 HCC patients treated with surgical resection from December 2022 to December 2023 were collected.According to clinical diagnosis,they were divided into poorly differentiated group(HCC-L group),moderately differentiated group(HCC-M group)and well-differentiated group(HCC-H group),with 20 cases in each group;20 patients during the same period who underwent biopsy and were pathologically diagnosed as non-tumor were selected as normal group,and their clinicopathologic data and liver tissue paraffin sections were collected.HE staining was used to observe the pathomorphology of HCC tissue and normal liver tissue of the subjects in various groups;immunohistochemistry method was used to detect the expressions of Ki-67 and INPP4B proteins in the HCC tissue and normal liver tissue of the subjects in various groups.Results:The TCGA database analysis results showed that compared with normal tissue,the expression level of INPP4B mRNA in HCC tissue was significantly increased(P<0.01).Compared with INPP4B low expression group,the overall survival(OS)of the patients in INPP4B high expression group was significantly prolonged(P<0.05).The univariate Cox regression analysis results showed that tumor stage,pathological stage,tumor status and residual tumor had impacts on OS of the HCC patients(P<0.05).The univariate regression analysis results showed that the INPP4B prognostic risk model score ratio was HR=0.781,95％confidence interval(CI):0.552-1.105,P=0.168.The AUC value for the impact of INPP4B on OS of the HCC patients was 0.558,indicating that the INPP4B gene prognostic risk model had certain predictive value in survival prognosis.The INPP4B mRNA expression level was not correlated with TNM stage,stage,patient gender,age,race or body mass index(BMI)(P>0.05).In tumor tissue with high and low INPP4B expression,22 types of immune cells showed statistically significant differences(P<0.05);the INPP4B mRNA expression level was positively correlated with the number of 23 types of immune cells except T helper(Th)17 cells(r>0),among which all Th cells except natural killer(NK)CD56+cells were statistically significant(P<0.01);INPP4B was significantly correlated with matrix(r=0.475),immune cell infiltration(r=0.641)and tumor purity(r=0.599)in tumor tissue(P<0.01).INPP4B was correlated with TP53(r=0.287,P<0.01).The HE staining results showed that clear and complete lobular structure,neatly arranged cells and slight inflammatory cell infiltration were observed in liver tissue of the subjects in normal group;completely destroyed lobular structure,significant hepatocellular steatosis,massive inflammatory cell infiltration,and lesions such as ballooning degeneration and small cell hyperplasia in some cells were observed in HCC tissue of the patients in HCC-L,HCC-M and HCC-H groups,and the lower the HCC differentiation degree,the more severe the tissue destruction;The immunohistochemistry results showed that compared with normal group,the expression levels of Ki-67 protein in HCC tissue of the patients in HCC-L,HCC-M and HCC-H groups were significantly increased(P<0.01),and the lower the differentiation degree of the HCC patients,the higher the Ki-67 positive rate.Brownish-yellow granules evenly distributed in the cells and INPP4B protein was highly expressed in liver tissue of the subjects in normal group;compared with normal group,the expression levels of INPP4B protein in HCC tissue of the patients in HCC-L,HCC-M and HCC-H groups were significantly decreased(P<0.01),and the lower the differentiation degree of the HCC tissue,the lower the INPP4B positive rate.Conclusion:INPP4B is a protective factor for the prognosis of HCC patients;as a new tumor suppressor gene,INPP4B may become a potential target for new drug screening in HCC treatment.

Objective To investigate the effects of dienogest on pain relief and inflammation in endometriosis(EMs),as well as its impact on the brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)/tropo-myosin receptor kinase B(TrkB)and nuclear factor kappa-B(NF-κB)/NOD-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)inflammatory pathways.Methods An allograft method was used to establish an EMs rat model.The rats were randomly divided into sham-operated group(n=16),model group(n=16),low-dose dienogest group(n=16),medium-dose dienogest group(n=16)and high-dose dienogest group(n=16).After 7 days of treatment,the implantation volume and writhing response frequency were recorded.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were employed to measure the expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS),interleukin(IL)-6,IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α in the EMs rat models.Serum levels of BDNF,TrkB,NF-κB and NLRP3 were detected.Results Compared with model group,dinorgestrel significantly reduced ectopic endo-metrial volume and torsion response of EMs(P＜0.05).Compared with model group,dinorgestrel significantly decreased the expression of VEGF,iNOS,IL6,IL-1 β and TNF-α in EMs model(P＜0.05).In addition,compared with model group,dienogest significantly decreased the expressions of BDNF,TrkB,NF-κB and NLRP3 in ectopic endometrium(P＜0.05).Conclusion Dinorgestrel can relieve EMS-related dysmenorrhea and inflammation,and its mechanism of action may be partly mediated by BDNF/TrkB pathway and NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway.

Objective The potential mechanism of hepatotoxicity induced by rhubarb was preliminarily explored by network pharmacology and verified by cell experiments.Methods Based on network pharmacology,component collection and target prediction are carried out through multiple databases.PPI network construction,GO enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway analysis were combined with software to systematically predict the mechanism of hepatotoxicity induced by rhubarb.The pathway information predicted by network pharmacology was verified by primary hepatocyte experiments and Western blot experiments.Results The results of network pharmacology showed that RH was the main component of hepatotoxicity induced by rhubarb.Seventeen core targets of hepatotoxicity induced by rhubarb were obtained.KEGG results suggested that DNA damage and apoptosis were one of the key mechanisms of hepatotoxicity induced by rhubarb.The results of primary hepatocytes and Western blot showed that RH could inhibit the viability of primary hepatocytes in a time-dose dependent manner.ABT and SFP can significantly reduce the toxicity of RH on primary liver cells in mice,and RFP can increase the toxicity of RH to mouse primary liver cells.Upregulation of γ-H2AX and PARP-1 protein in primary liver cells of mice after treatment with different concentrations of RH.Conclusion RH in rhubarb can significantly inhibit the viability of mouse primary hepatocytes,and its toxicity to mouse primary hepatocytes is mainly caused by the metabolic activation of RH by CYP 2C9.RH can activate PARP-1 protein,phosphorylate H2AX,induce DNA damage and apoptosis in mouse primary hepatocytes.

【Objective】 To analyze the independent influencing factors of repeated extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) in the treatment of upper urinary calculi (UUC), based on which a nomogram model was established to predict the efficacy. 【Methods】 Clinical and imaging data of 203 patients receiving repeated ESWL during Jan.2020 and Dec.2022 were collected, including 117 cases in the successful group and 86 cases in the unsuccessful group.The patients’ age and sex, stone volume (SV), surface area (SA), skin-to-site distance (SSD), maximum CT value, mean stone density (MSD), and stone heterogeneity index (SHI) were compared between the two groups.The independent predictors were analyzed with logistic regression and the meaningful variables (P<0.05) were used to establish a nomogram.The efficacy of the model was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and decreasing curve analysis (DCA).Internal validation was also performed. 【Results】 Stepwise regression showed that SV, SSD, MSD and SHI were independent influencing factors (P<0.05).The area under the ROC curve (AUC), optimal threshold, sensitivity and specificity were 0.793 (95%CI: 0.674-0.911), 0.619, 77.1% and 74.0%, respectively.The DCA curve was above two extreme curves.Hosmer-Lemeshow test and calibration curve showed that the nomogram had a good fitting degree (χ²=5.526, P=0.489), and the correction C-index was 0.746. 【Conclusion】 SV, SSD, MSD and SHI are independent predictors of the efficacy of repeated ESWL in the treatment of UUC.The nomogram established based on the above indicators has good predictive efficiency and clinical applicability.

Objective:To investigate the perinatal outcomes and risk factors of perinatal complications in preg-nant women with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy(HCM).Methods:A retrospective analysis was carried out on clini-cal data of 100 pregnant women with HCM who delivered in Obstetrical Cardiology Intensive Care Center of Shanghai Renji Hospital between Jan.2000 and Dec.2022.Analyze the incidence of perinatal complications inclu-ding miscarriage,premature birth,small for gestational age infants,neonatal asphyxia,neonatal cardiac malforma-tions and perinatal mortality.Independent risk factors of perinatal complications in pregnant women with HCM were identified using univariate and multivariate Logistic regression.Results:①The mean age was 29.21±4.41 years old,the average gestational age upon admission is 34.46±6.43 weeks.There were 16 patients with a fam-ily history of cardiomyopathy(16％),21 cases with obstructive HCM(21％)and 79 cases of non-obstructive HCM(79％),91 cases with abnormal ECG(91％),mainly with ST-T changes(77 cases,77％).The average in-terventricular septum was 19.39±6.13mm by echocardiography.②Among the 100 pregnancies of 100 HCM pa-tients,6 cases(6％)were miscarriages,94 newborns survived(94％),including 91 cases of cesarean section(91％)and 3 cases of vaginal delivery(3％).The predominant perinatal complications were preterm delivery(39 cases,39％),small for gestational age(5 cases,5％),neonatal asphyxia(3 cases,3％)and neonatal cardiac malformation(2 cases,2％).There were no perinatal deaths.③Univariate Logistic regression analysis showed that pre pregnancy heart function ≥ Grade Ⅱ,increased left atrial diameter,and concomitant pulmonary hyperten-sion were risk factors for perinatal complications in pregnant women with HCM(OR＞1,P＜0.05).Multivariate Lo-gistic regression analysis found that pre pregnancy heart function ≥ Grade Ⅱ was an independent risk factor for predicting the occurrence of perinatal complications in pregnant women with HCM(OR 6.270,P＜0.05).Conclu-sions:HCM during pregnancy can induce poor perinatal outcome.More attention should be paid to risk assess-ment and pregnancy management.Early detection of risk factors can reduce the incidence of perinatal complica-tions.

Objective:To investigate the perinatal outcomes and risk factors of perinatal complications in preg-nant women with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy(HCM).Methods:A retrospective analysis was carried out on clini-cal data of 100 pregnant women with HCM who delivered in Obstetrical Cardiology Intensive Care Center of Shanghai Renji Hospital between Jan.2000 and Dec.2022.Analyze the incidence of perinatal complications inclu-ding miscarriage,premature birth,small for gestational age infants,neonatal asphyxia,neonatal cardiac malforma-tions and perinatal mortality.Independent risk factors of perinatal complications in pregnant women with HCM were identified using univariate and multivariate Logistic regression.Results:①The mean age was 29.21±4.41 years old,the average gestational age upon admission is 34.46±6.43 weeks.There were 16 patients with a fam-ily history of cardiomyopathy(16％),21 cases with obstructive HCM(21％)and 79 cases of non-obstructive HCM(79％),91 cases with abnormal ECG(91％),mainly with ST-T changes(77 cases,77％).The average in-terventricular septum was 19.39±6.13mm by echocardiography.②Among the 100 pregnancies of 100 HCM pa-tients,6 cases(6％)were miscarriages,94 newborns survived(94％),including 91 cases of cesarean section(91％)and 3 cases of vaginal delivery(3％).The predominant perinatal complications were preterm delivery(39 cases,39％),small for gestational age(5 cases,5％),neonatal asphyxia(3 cases,3％)and neonatal cardiac malformation(2 cases,2％).There were no perinatal deaths.③Univariate Logistic regression analysis showed that pre pregnancy heart function ≥ Grade Ⅱ,increased left atrial diameter,and concomitant pulmonary hyperten-sion were risk factors for perinatal complications in pregnant women with HCM(OR＞1,P＜0.05).Multivariate Lo-gistic regression analysis found that pre pregnancy heart function ≥ Grade Ⅱ was an independent risk factor for predicting the occurrence of perinatal complications in pregnant women with HCM(OR 6.270,P＜0.05).Conclu-sions:HCM during pregnancy can induce poor perinatal outcome.More attention should be paid to risk assess-ment and pregnancy management.Early detection of risk factors can reduce the incidence of perinatal complica-tions.

Objective:To investigate the perinatal outcomes and risk factors of perinatal complications in preg-nant women with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy(HCM).Methods:A retrospective analysis was carried out on clini-cal data of 100 pregnant women with HCM who delivered in Obstetrical Cardiology Intensive Care Center of Shanghai Renji Hospital between Jan.2000 and Dec.2022.Analyze the incidence of perinatal complications inclu-ding miscarriage,premature birth,small for gestational age infants,neonatal asphyxia,neonatal cardiac malforma-tions and perinatal mortality.Independent risk factors of perinatal complications in pregnant women with HCM were identified using univariate and multivariate Logistic regression.Results:①The mean age was 29.21±4.41 years old,the average gestational age upon admission is 34.46±6.43 weeks.There were 16 patients with a fam-ily history of cardiomyopathy(16％),21 cases with obstructive HCM(21％)and 79 cases of non-obstructive HCM(79％),91 cases with abnormal ECG(91％),mainly with ST-T changes(77 cases,77％).The average in-terventricular septum was 19.39±6.13mm by echocardiography.②Among the 100 pregnancies of 100 HCM pa-tients,6 cases(6％)were miscarriages,94 newborns survived(94％),including 91 cases of cesarean section(91％)and 3 cases of vaginal delivery(3％).The predominant perinatal complications were preterm delivery(39 cases,39％),small for gestational age(5 cases,5％),neonatal asphyxia(3 cases,3％)and neonatal cardiac malformation(2 cases,2％).There were no perinatal deaths.③Univariate Logistic regression analysis showed that pre pregnancy heart function ≥ Grade Ⅱ,increased left atrial diameter,and concomitant pulmonary hyperten-sion were risk factors for perinatal complications in pregnant women with HCM(OR＞1,P＜0.05).Multivariate Lo-gistic regression analysis found that pre pregnancy heart function ≥ Grade Ⅱ was an independent risk factor for predicting the occurrence of perinatal complications in pregnant women with HCM(OR 6.270,P＜0.05).Conclu-sions:HCM during pregnancy can induce poor perinatal outcome.More attention should be paid to risk assess-ment and pregnancy management.Early detection of risk factors can reduce the incidence of perinatal complica-tions.

Objective:To investigate the perinatal outcomes and risk factors of perinatal complications in preg-nant women with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy(HCM).Methods:A retrospective analysis was carried out on clini-cal data of 100 pregnant women with HCM who delivered in Obstetrical Cardiology Intensive Care Center of Shanghai Renji Hospital between Jan.2000 and Dec.2022.Analyze the incidence of perinatal complications inclu-ding miscarriage,premature birth,small for gestational age infants,neonatal asphyxia,neonatal cardiac malforma-tions and perinatal mortality.Independent risk factors of perinatal complications in pregnant women with HCM were identified using univariate and multivariate Logistic regression.Results:①The mean age was 29.21±4.41 years old,the average gestational age upon admission is 34.46±6.43 weeks.There were 16 patients with a fam-ily history of cardiomyopathy(16％),21 cases with obstructive HCM(21％)and 79 cases of non-obstructive HCM(79％),91 cases with abnormal ECG(91％),mainly with ST-T changes(77 cases,77％).The average in-terventricular septum was 19.39±6.13mm by echocardiography.②Among the 100 pregnancies of 100 HCM pa-tients,6 cases(6％)were miscarriages,94 newborns survived(94％),including 91 cases of cesarean section(91％)and 3 cases of vaginal delivery(3％).The predominant perinatal complications were preterm delivery(39 cases,39％),small for gestational age(5 cases,5％),neonatal asphyxia(3 cases,3％)and neonatal cardiac malformation(2 cases,2％).There were no perinatal deaths.③Univariate Logistic regression analysis showed that pre pregnancy heart function ≥ Grade Ⅱ,increased left atrial diameter,and concomitant pulmonary hyperten-sion were risk factors for perinatal complications in pregnant women with HCM(OR＞1,P＜0.05).Multivariate Lo-gistic regression analysis found that pre pregnancy heart function ≥ Grade Ⅱ was an independent risk factor for predicting the occurrence of perinatal complications in pregnant women with HCM(OR 6.270,P＜0.05).Conclu-sions:HCM during pregnancy can induce poor perinatal outcome.More attention should be paid to risk assess-ment and pregnancy management.Early detection of risk factors can reduce the incidence of perinatal complica-tions.