ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect of genistein （Gen） on etoposide-induced chondrocyte senescence and its underlying mechanism. MethodsThe C28/I2 cell line was treated with different concentrations of Gen and etoposide， and the cell viability was detected by the CCK-8 assay. The senescence model of C28/I2 chondrocytes was induced by etoposide， with Gen intervention. Senescence-associated β-galactosidase （SA-β-gal） staining was performed to detect the senescence-positive rate and staining characteristics of chondrocytes. The expressions of peroxiredoxin 6 （Prdx6）， cyclin-dependent kinaseto clarify the functional necessity of Prdx6. ResultsCompared with the etoposide group， the C28/I2 chondrocyte viability significantly increased （P<0.01）， the expression ofsenescence-associated proteins p21 and p16 decreased （P<0.01， P<0.05）， the expression of senescence-associated genes p21 and p16 reduced （both P<0.01）， the fluorescence intensity of senescence-associated proteins p21 and p16 was diminished （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the proportion of SA-β-gal-positive cells decreased （P<0.01） in the Gen+etoposide group. Compared with the Control group， the expression of Prdx6 was downregulated in the etoposide group （P<0.05）. Compared with the etoposide group， the expression of Prdx6 was upregulated in the Gen+etoposide group （P<0.01）. Compared with the Control group， the GPx activity significantly decreased in the si-Prdx6 group （P<0.01）. Furthermore， compared with the si-Prdx6 group， the GPx activity increased in the si-Prdx6+Gen group （P<0.05）. Molecular docking results revealed that Gen formed hydrogen bond interactions with the active site of Prdx6. After Prdx6 knockdown， the expression of senescence-associated genes p21 and p16 and the fluorescence intensity of senescence-associated proteins p21 and p16 both increased in the Gen+etoposide+si-Prdx6 group （both P<0.01）. ConclusionGen can inhibit etoposide-induced senescence of C28/I2 chondrocytes by upregulating the expression of Prdx6. This study provides potential drug targets and experimental basis for the prevention and treatment of chondrocyte senescence-related diseases.

Stresses induced by the deficiency or excess of trace mineral elements, such as manganese (Mn), represent a common limiting factor for the production of crops like Brassica napus. To identify key genes involved in Mn allocation in B. napus and elucidate the underlying mechanisms, a member of the metal tolerance protein (MTP) family obtained in the previous screening of cDNA library of B. napus under Mn stress was selected as the research subject. Based on the sequence information and phylogenetic analysis, it was named as BnMTP10. It belongs to the Mn-cation diffusion facilitator (CDF) subfamily. Expression of BnMTP10 in yeast significantly improved the tolerance of transformants to excessive Mn and iron (Fe) and reduced the accumulation of Mn and Fe. However, the yeast transformants exhibited no significant changes in tolerance to excess cadmium, boron, aluminum, zinc, or copper. The qRT-PCR results demonstrated that the flowers of B. napus had the highest expression of BnMTP10, followed by roots and leaves. Subcellular localization studies revealed that BnMTP10 was localized in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Compared with wild-type plants, transgenic Arabidopsis overexpressing BnMTP10 exhibited enhanced tolerance to excessive Mn stress but showed no significant difference under Fe stress. Correspondingly, under excessive Mn stress, the Mn content in the roots of transgenic Arabidopsis increased significantly. However, under excessive Fe stress, the Fe content in transgenic Arabidopsis did not alter significantly. According to the results, we hypothesize that BnMTP10 may alleviate excessive Mn stress in plants by mediating Mn transport to the ER. This study facilitated our understanding of efficient mineral nutrients, and provided theoretical foundations and gene resources for breeding B. napus.
Brassica napus/genetics* ; Manganese/metabolism* ; Plants, Genetically Modified/genetics* ; Plant Proteins/physiology* ; Arabidopsis/metabolism* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Phylogeny ; Cation Transport Proteins/metabolism* ; Stress, Physiological

Objective: To evaluate the clinical value of combining low-dose energy spectrum CT with virtual un-enhanced(VUE) scanning and deep-learning image reconstruction(DLIR) in aortic CT angiography(CTA). Methods : In a prospective study, 94 patients scheduled for aortic CTA were randomized into two groups: a low-dose energy spectrum group and a standard 100 kVp enhancement group, with 47 patients in each. All patients initially underwent a true un-enhanced(TUE) scan at 120 kVp using adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction-V(ASIR-V) at 40% for image reconstruction. The low-dose group received enhanced scans using gemstone spectral imaging(GSI) mode with DLIR-H, producing 60 keV virtual monoenergetic images(VMIs) and VUE images. The standard group was scanned at 100 kVp, with images reconstructed using ASIR-V at 50%. Parameters were measured including CT values, noise(SD), signal-to-noise ratio(SNR), and contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR) for key vascular and muscular areas, alongside the effective radiation dose(ED). Two radiologists evaluated the image quality using a 5-point scale. Results : The low-dose group exhibited significantly higher SNR and CNR values in the ascending aorta, descending aorta, abdominal aorta, and common iliac artery compared to the standard group(P<0.05), with comparable subjective quality scores. The VUE images also demonstrated superior SNR values in the abdominal aorta, common iliac artery, and psoas major muscle, and CNR value in the ascending aorta compared to TUE images, with similar subjective quality. Importantly, the ED in the low-dose group was about 40% lower than that of the standard group. Conclusion Low-dose energy spectrum CT with DLIR in aortic CTA can significantly enhance SNR and CNR, while approximating the image quality of traditional TUE scans, thereby substantially reducing radiation exposure.

Objective:To evaluate the safety, efficacy, advantages and disadvantages of the modified double-orifice valve plasty via total thoracoscopy for partial atrioventricular septal defect(PAVSD) through a retrospective analysis of early postoperative results.Methods:Patients diagnosed with PAVSD who underwent the standardized modified double-orifice valve plasty via total thoracoscopy between September 2023 and August 2024 were retrospectively enrolled. Baseline characteristics, surgical parameters, and follow-up outcomes were systematically analyzed.Results:A total of 14 patients(6 males, 8 females) were included, with a mean age of(32.9±15.5) years old and body weight of(55.1±11.6) kg. All procedures were successfully completed. The mean operative time, cardiopulmonary bypass time, and aortic cross-clamp time were(266.6±67.2) min, (160.7±34.2) min, and(97.0±31.1) min, respectively. Postoperative ICU stay, hospital stay, and total hospitalization duration were(1.7±1.1) days, (6.4±4.2) days, and(12.6±4.5) days, respectively. The mean follow-up duration was(7.9±3.6) months. Preoperatively, left atrioventricular valve regurgitation(LAVVR) was graded as mild, moderate, or severe in 5, 4, and 5 patients. Postoperatively, 13 patients exhibited mild or less LAVVR, with 1 case of moderate regurgitation. By 3 months, all patients demonstrated LAVVR of mild or lower severity, which remained stable through follow-up. Peak LAVV gradients were(4.6±2.7) mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa)(range: 1.8-10.2 mmHg) postoperatively, improving to(3.6±0.6) mmHg(3.2-4.0) mmHg at 1 year. Right atrioventricular valve regurgitation improved from preoperative moderate-severe(50.0%) to LAVVR of mild or lower severity in all patients by 3 months. No mortality, residual shunts, or high-grade atrioventricular block occurred through follow-up. By 1 month, NYHA functional class improved to Ⅰ in all patients, which remained stable through follow-up.Conclusion:Standardized modified double-orifice valve plasty via total thoracoscopy for PAVSD demonstrates safety, minimal invasiveness, and rapid recovery, with favorable early outcomes.

Objective:To evaluate the left atrial structure and function in patients with non-obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy（NOHCM）and atrial fibrillation（AF）using four-dimensional automatic left atrial quantification（4D Auto LAQ）technology，and to explore the correlation between left atrial remodeling and AF.Methods:Ninety patients with NOHCM treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from May 2023 to September 2024 were prospectively selected and divided into AF group（ n=27）and non-AF group（ n=63）according to whether they had AF. Clinical data of all enrolled patients were collected，and two-dimensional，color Doppler，and tissue Doppler ultrasound parameters were measured. 4D Auto LAQ technology was used to obtain left atrial volume and strain parameters. Inter-group comparison，univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analysis，and repeatability test were used to analyze the data. Results:Compared with non-AF group，left atrial maximum volume index（LAVImax），left atrial minimum volume index（LAVImin）and left atrial pre-systolic volume index（LAVIpreA）were increased in the AF group，but left atrial total ejection fraction（LAEF），left atrial passive ejection fraction（LApEF），left atrial active ejection fraction（LAaEF）and the absolute values of left atrial reservoir longitudinal and circumferential strains（LASr，LASr-c），left atrial conduit longitudinal and circumferential strains（LAScd，LAScd-c）and left atrial contraction longitudinal and circumferential strains（LASct，LASct-c）were decreased（all P<0.05）. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that LAVImin was independently associated with AF（ OR=0.837， P<0.001）. Conclusions:4D Auto LAQ can quantitatively evaluate the left atrial structure and function in patients with NOHCM and AF，and LAVImin is independently associated with the presence of AF.

Objective:To observe the high-frequency ultrasound characteristics of the median nerve（MN）in patients with acromegaly，and to investigate the clinical value of multiparameter quantitative ultrasound for noninvasive assessment of carpal tunnel syndrome（CTS）in acromegalic patients.Methods:A total of 132 acromegalic patients due to pituitary growth hormone tumors in Huashan Hospital during July 2023 to September 2024 including initial patients and postoperative revisions were prospectivly collected. The patients were divided into no neurological symptoms group（ n=51）and clinical CTS group（ n=81）based on the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire. All patients underwent bilateral MN ultrasonography，the ultrasound parameters included the cross-sectional area（CSA）of MN at the entrance of carpal tunnel，the maximum CSA of MN in carpal tunnel，the maximum and minimum thickness of MN in carpal tunnel，CSA of MN at forearm 1/3，soft tissue thickness at the wrist，CSA of MN at elbow transverse stripe，blood flow signals within the MN at the carpal tunnel，ratio of the CSA（CSA of MN at the entrance of carpal tunnel/ CSA of MN at forearm 1/3），ratio of thickness（maximum / minimum thickness of MN in carpal tunnel）. Differences in general information，clinical indicators and ultrasound parameters were analyzed between the two groups. The diagnostic model was established with ultrasound parameters and clinical indicators using univariate and multivariate logistic analyses in a training cohort of 106 patients，to predict CTS within acromegaly. And ROC curve was used to evaluate the efficacy of the model in a test cohort of 26 patients with neurophysiological examination data. Results:Patients in clinical CTS group were older，with longer disease duration，higher levels of growth hormone 25-hydroxyvitamin D 3 and insulin-like growth factor-1 and were more likely to have impaired glucose tolerance relative to the no neurologic symptoms group（all P < 0.05）. Comparison between the two groups revealed significant differences in all ultrasound parameters：the CSA at the entrance of the MN carpal tunnel，the 1/3 of the forearm and the elbow were larger than the no neurological symptoms group（all P < 0.001），and the MN thickness ratio was greater observably in the clinical CTS group（ P < 0.001）. Greater thickness of the soft tissue at wrist and more blood flow signals in MN in carpal tunnel were revealed in clinical CTS group patients（ P < 0.001）.Combining the results of multifactorial logistic analysis，the multiparametric ultrasound combined with clinical index diagnosing model based on the predicted disease duration，CSA of MN at the entrance of carpal tunnel，MN thickness ratio and soft tissue thickness at the carpal tunnel was established to diagnose CTS combined with acromegaly. The ROC curve was plotted in the test cohort and the area under the curve for this model was 0.894. Conclusions:High-frequency ultrasound is sensitive to observe MN changes in acromegalic patients and the combination of multiparametric ultrasound and clinical index is useful for the non-invasive diagnosis of acromegalic patients with CTS.

Objective To explore the mechanism of Chaipo Decoction in intervening lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced acute lung injury(ALI)based on network pharmacology and experimental verification.Methods TCMSP database was used to screen the active components and targets of Chaipo Decoction.ALI disease targets were retrieved through GeneCards and OMIM databases,the intersection genes of drug and disease were obtained.They were imported into STRING platform and Cytoscape 3.9.1 software to construct protein interaction network and drug-active components-target network,core components and targets were screened,and GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis was performed on them.AutoDock 1.5.6 and PyMOL software were used to verify the molecular docking between the main active components and core targets.The ALI model of mice was induced by LPS,and was intervened by Chaipo Decoction.The pathological changes of lung tissue in mice were observed by HE staining.The contents of IL-6,IL-10 and TNF-α in serum of mice were detected by ELISA.Western blot was used to verify the expressions of target proteins in lung tissue.Results Totally 214 active components of Chaipo Decoction,such as norwogonin,baicalein,quercetin and ursolic acid were screened,with 1 101 targets and 271 potential targets for intervention in ALI,mainly SRC,STAT3,AKT1,EGFR,GRB2,PIK3CA,etc.It mainly affected PI3K/Akt signaling pathway,MAPK signaling pathway,apoptosis,Ras signaling pathway,etc.Molecular docking showed that the main active components of Chaipo Decoction had strong binding ability with core targets SRC,STAT3,AKT1,EGFR and GRB2.The results of animal experiments showed that Chaipo Decoction could alleviate the lung lesions in ALI mice,decrease the contents of IL-6 and TNF-α in serum,increase the content of IL-10,and significantly decreased the expressions of EGFR,PI3K,AKT and NF-κB p65 protein in lung tissue.Conclusion Chaipo Decoction can exert anti-ALI effect through multiple pathways and multiple targets,and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of EGFR/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND:Ca2+expression in astrocytes has been found to be closely related to cognitive function,and the Ca2+signaling pathway regulated by inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors(IP3R2)and ryanodine receptor(RYR)2 receptors has become a hot spot in the study of cognitive disorder-related diseases. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the expression of Ca2+signals mediated by IP3R2 and RYR2 in hippocampal astrocytes in animal models of delayed encephalopathy after acute carbon monoxide poisoning,and to explore the possible pathogenesis of delayed encephalopathy after acute carbon monoxide poisoning. METHODS:C57BL mice with qualified cognitive function were selected by Morris water maze experiment and randomly divided into control group and experimental group.An animal model of delayed encephalopathy after acute carbon monoxide poisoning was established by static carbon monoxide inhalation in the experimental group,and the same amount of air was inhaled in the control group.Behavioral and neuronal changes,astrocyte specific marker glial fibrillary acidic protein,IP3R2,RYR2 receptor and Ca2+concentration in astrocytes of the two groups were detected using Morris water maze,hematoxylin-eosin staining,western blot,immunofluorescence double labeling and Ca2+fluorescence probe at 21 days after modeling. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:In the Morris water maze,the escape latency of the experimental group was significantly longer than that of the control group(P<0.05).Hematoxylin-eosin staining results showed that in the experimental group,the number of hippocampal pyramidal cells decreased,the cell structure was disordered,and the nucleus was broken and dissolved.Immunofluorescence results showed that IP3R2 and RYR2 were co-expressed with glial fibrillary acidic protein in the hippocampus,and the expressions of IP3R2,RYR2 and glial fibrillary acidic protein were up-regulated in the hippocampus of the experimental group(P<0.05).Western blot analysis showed that the expressions of IP3R2,RYR2,and glial fibrillary acidic protein in the hippocampus of the experimental group were increased(P<0.05).Ca2+concentration in hippocampal astrocytes increased significantly in the experimental group(P<0.05).To conclude,astrocytes may affect Ca2+signals by mediating IP3R2 and RYR2 receptors,then impair the cognitive function of mice with carbon monoxide poisoning,and eventually lead to delayed encephalopathy after acute carbon monoxide poisoning.