Objective: To investigate the role of butyric acid-producing bacteria in long bone homeostasis in mice with periodontitis under a high-fat/high-sugar diet and to provide new insights for the prevention and treatment of periodontitis and related bone metabolic diseases. Methods: This study has been approved by the Animal Welfare and Ethics Committee of the Experimental Animal Center. Initially, 14 mice were randomly divided into the CON group (the control group) and the LIG group (the periodontitis group). Mice in the LIG group had experimental periodontitis induced by ligating the second maxillary molars bilaterally and were fed a high-fat and high-sugar diet. After 8 weeks, samples were collected. Micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT) was used to analyze alveolar bone resorption and various parameters of the proximal tibia trabecular bone, including bone mineral density (BMD), bone volume per tissue volume (BV/TV), trabecular number (Tb.N), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), and trabecular separation (Tb.Sp). After decalcification, hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was performed on maxillary bone sections to assess periodontal tissue inflammation and connective tissue destruction. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect related genes in the distal femur and proximal tibia bone tissues, including osteocalcin (OCN), osteogenic transcription factor (Osterix), osteoprotegerin (OPG), tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), osteoclast-associated receptor (OSCAR), receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B (RANK), and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANK-L). Subsequently, the other 28 mice were randomly divided into the CON group (the control group), LIG group (the periodontitis group), CON + butyric acid-producing bacteria (BP) group, and LIG + BP group. The breeding, sampling, and sample detection methods remained the same. Finally, the other 28 mice were randomly divided into the CON group (the control group), LIG group (the periodontitis group), CON + sodium butyrate (SB) group, and LIG + SB group. The breeding, sampling, and sample detection methods remained the same. Results: ①Periodontitis modeling was successful. Compared with the CON group, the LIG group exhibited significant alveolar bone resorption of the maxillary second molar, aggravated periodontal tissue inflammation, and connective tissue destruction. ②Periodontitis exacerbated long bone resorption in mice fed a high-fat high-sugar diet. Compared with the CON group, the LIG group had significantly lower BMD, BV/TV, Tb.N, and Tb.Th (P<0.05), and significantly higher Tb.Sp (P<0.05). HE staining of the proximal tibia showed that the trabeculae in the LIG group were sparse and disordered, with some areas showing fractures or dissolution. The expression of osteoblast markers (OCN, Osterix, OPG) was significantly lower in the LIG group (P<0.05), while the expression of the osteoclast marker TRAP showed an increasing trend (P>0.05). The ratio of RANK-L/OPG was significantly higher in the LIG group compared with the CON group (P<0.05). ③ Supplementation with butyric acid-producing bacteria alleviates periodontitis-induced disruption of long bone homeostasis in mice fed a high-fat/high-sugar diet. Compared with the LIG group, BMD and Tb.Th were significantly higher in the LIG + BP group. HE staining of the proximal tibia showed that bone resorption was mitigated in the LIG + BP group compared with the LIG group. The expression of OCN and Osterix was significantly higher in the LIG + BP group, while the expression of osteoclast-specific genes (OSCAR, RANK, RANK-L) was significantly lower (P<0.05). ④ Supplementation with butyrate alleviates periodontitis-induced disruption of long bone homeostasis in mice fed a high-fat/high-sugar diet. Compared with the LIG group, BV/TV and Tb.N were significantly higher in the LIG + SB group, and Tb.Sp was significantly lower (P<0.05). HE staining of the proximal tibia showed that bone resorption was mitigated in the LIG + SB group compared with the LIG group. The expression of Osterix, OPG, OSCAR, TRAP, and RANK was significantly lower in the LIG + SB group compared with the LIG group (P<0.05). Conclusion Periodontitis disrupts the long bone homeostasis of mice fed a high-fat high-sugar diet, aggravating long bone resorption. Supplementation with butyric acid-producing bacteria or butyrate can effectively alleviate the disruption of long bone homeostasis caused by periodontitis.

The AP2/ERF transcription factor family is a class of transcription factors widely present in plants, playing a crucial role in regulating flowering, flower development, flower opening, and flower senescence. Based on transcriptome data from flower, leaf, and stem samples of two Lonicera macranthoides varieties, 117 L. macranthoides AP2/ERF family members were identified, including 14 AP2 subfamily members, 61 ERF subfamily members, 40 DREB subfamily members, and 2 RAV subfamily members. Bioinformatics and differential gene expression analyses were performed using NCBI, ExPASy, SOMPA, and other platforms, and the expression patterns of L. macranthoides AP2/ERF transcription factors were validated via qRT-PCR. The results indicated that the 117 LmAP2/ERF members exhibited both similarities and variations in protein physicochemical properties, AP2 domains, family evolution, and protein functions. Differential gene expression analysis revealed that AP2/ERF transcription factors were primarily differentially expressed in the flowers of the two L. macranthoides varieties, with the differentially expressed genes mainly belonging to the ERF and DREB subfamilies. Further analysis identified three AP2 subfamily genes and two ERF subfamily genes as potential regulators of flower development, two ERF subfamily genes involved in flower opening, and two ERF subfamily genes along with one DREB subfamily gene involved in flower senescence. Based on family evolution and expression analyses, it is speculated that AP2/ERF transcription factors can regulate flower development, opening, and senescence in L. macranthoides, with ERF subfamily genes potentially serving as key regulators of flowering duration. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for further research into the specific functions of the AP2/ERF transcription factor family in L. macranthoides and offer important theoretical insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying floral phenotypic differences among its varieties.
Plant Proteins/chemistry* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Transcription Factors/chemistry* ; Lonicera/classification* ; Flowers/metabolism* ; Phylogeny ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Multigene Family

OBJECTIVES: To assess the preliminary efficacy and safety of a dose-intensified C5VD regimen (cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil, vincristine, and doxorubicin) in children with locally advanced hepatoblastoma. METHODS: This prospective study enrolled 24 children with newly diagnosed, locally advanced hepatoblastoma who received the dose-intensified C5VD regimen at Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, and Shanghai Children's Hospital between January 2020 and December 2023. Clinical characteristics, treatment outcomes, and chemotherapy-related toxicities were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 24 patients, 13 were male and 11 were female, with a median age at diagnosis of 18.7 months (range: 3.5-79.4 months). All patients achieved complete macroscopic resection of hepatic lesions without liver transplantation. Serum alpha-fetoprotein levels decreased significantly after two chemotherapy cycles. During a median follow-up of 38.4 months (range: 15.8-50.7 months), all patients maintained continuous complete remission, with 3-year event-free survival and overall survival rates of 100%. Across 144 chemotherapy cycles, the incidence rates of grade 3-4 neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and infections were 97%, 77%, and 71%, respectively; no treatment-related deaths occurred. Notably, 5 patients (21%) developed Brock grade ≥3 hearing loss, of whom 1 required a hearing aid. CONCLUSIONS The dose-intensified C5VD regimen demonstrates significant efficacy with an overall favorable safety profile in the treatment of newly diagnosed, locally advanced pediatric hepatoblastoma. Grade 3-4 myelosuppression and infection are the predominant toxicities. However, high‑dose cisplatin-induced ototoxicity remains a concern, highlighting the need for improved otoprotective strategies.
Humans ; Hepatoblastoma/pathology* ; Male ; Female ; Infant ; Liver Neoplasms/pathology* ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use* ; Child, Preschool ; Prospective Studies ; Doxorubicin/adverse effects* ; Child ; Cisplatin/adverse effects* ; Vincristine/adverse effects* ; Fluorouracil/adverse effects*

Neuropathic pain, a debilitating condition caused by dysfunction of the somatosensory nervous system, remains difficult to treat due to limited understanding of its molecular mechanisms. Bioinformatics analysis identified cerebellin 2 (CBLN2) as highly enriched in human and murine proprioceptive and nociceptive neurons. We found that CBLN2 expression is persistently upregulated in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) following spinal nerve ligation (SNL) in mice. In addition, transcription factor SOX11 binds to 12 cis-regulatory elements within the Cbln2 promoter to enhance its transcription. SNL also induced SOX11 upregulation, with SOX11 and CBLN2 co-localized in nociceptive neurons. The siRNA-mediated knockdown of Sox11 or Cbln2 attenuated SNL-induced mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia. High-throughput sequencing of DRG following intrathecal injection of CBLN2 revealed widespread gene expression changes, including upregulation of numerous NF-κB downstream targets. Consistently, CBLN2 activated NF-κB signaling, and inhibition with pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate reduced CBLN2-induced pain hypersensitivity, proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines production, and neuronal hyperexcitability. Together, these findings identified the SOX11/CBLN2/NF-κB axis as a critical mediator of neuropathic pain and a promising target for therapeutic intervention.
Animals ; Neuralgia/metabolism* ; Ganglia, Spinal/metabolism* ; Up-Regulation ; Mice ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; SOXC Transcription Factors/genetics* ; Male ; Neuroinflammatory Diseases/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics* ; Hyperalgesia/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction ; Spinal Nerves

Objective To design a pH-sensitive nintedanib liposomes(Nb-Lips)which targeted the acidic microenvironment of pulmonary fibrosis.The entrapment efficiency(EE%)was optimized by the formulation process.Methods Nintedanib liposomes were prepared by membrane hydration method,and the formulation of nintedanib liposomes were optimized by single factor experiments and response surface method(RSM).The particle size,polymer dispersity index(PDI),Zeta potential and encapsulation rate was investigated by dynamic light scattering technique and microcolumn centrifugation method.The release behavior of nintedanib liposomes in artificial lung fluid with pH 7.4 and artificial lung fluid with pH 5.3 was investigated by dialysis method.Nintedanib liposomes were atomized with a compressed air atomizer and its atomization stability and aerodynamic particle size were investigated.Results The particle size of nintedanib liposomes was(100.651±7.315)nm,the PDI was(0.328±0.026),the zeta potential was(21.633±2.004)mV,and the encapsulation rate was higher than 80%.Compared with nintedanib solution at pH 7.4,the total release of nintedanib liposomes in pH 5.3 artificial lung solution was 60.78%higher,and the release of nintedanib liposomes in pH 5.3 artificial lung solution was 48h delayed,which was much higher than that of nintedanib solution.The data reveals no significant differences in particle size,potential and PDI before and after atomization of nintedanib liposomes,and the encapsulation rate decreased 4.25%.The fine particle fraction of the atomized droplets was 37.49%.Conclusion The response surface method can effectively improve the encapsulation rate of nintedanib liposomes,and successfully prepare nintedanib liposomes that are sensitive to acidic environment,and can be inhaled and released slowly.

Objective To evalutate changes in laboratory indicators and clinical efficacy of roxadustat(Rox)in treating anemia patients after advanced kidney transplantation.Methods A retrospective analysis of 101 patients with anemia after kidney transplantation admitted to the Center of Kidney Diseases and Hemodialysis of Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital from March 2020 to March 2023 was performed.Among them 48 cases were treated with roxadustat(Rox group)and 53 cases were treated with recombinant human erythropoietin(rhEPO)(rhEPO group).Both groups were treated with polyferose,methycobal and folic acid.The change of red blood cell(RBC),hemoglobin(Hb),erythropoietin(EPO),serum ferrin(SF),transferrin saturation(TSAT),and hepcidin(HePc),tacrolimus trough concentration(Tac CO),cyclosporine A trough concentration(CsA CO),mycophenolic acid area under curve(MPA-AUC),lymphocyte(Lym),T lymphocyte subgroup Th/Ts ratio(Th/Ts),serum creatinine(Scr)and blood urea nitrogen(BUN)were observed in the 1st,3rd and 6th month after treatment respectively.The incidence of side effect induce by medicine during 6 months between the two groups were analysed.Results Before the beginning treatment,there was no significant difference in RBC,Hb,EPO,SF,TSAT,HePc,Tac CO,CsA CO,MPA-AUC,Lym,Th/Ts,Scr and BUN between the two groups and the differences were not statistisally significant(t=-0.319～2.024,all P＞0.05).After the 1st,3rd and 6th month of treatment,the RBC,Hb,EPO,SF,TSAT of the two groups of patients were increased compared to before treatment,while HePc was decreased compared to before treatment,and there were significant differences within the groups(F=234.890,219.907;256.171,201.231;138.023,89.247;92.89,215.780;189.198,179.092;112.132,76.127,all P＜0.05).The RBC,Hb and SF levels in the Rox group were higher than those in the rhEPO group(F=9.672,8.165,139.360),while EPO and HePc levels were lower than those in the rhEPO group(F=124.437,78.147),and the differences were significant(all P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in TSAT between the two groups(F=7.118,P=0.119).Tac CO,CsA CO,MPA-AUC,Lym,Th/Ts showed no significant changes between groups compared to before treatment,the Scr and BUN showed a slight increase compared to before treatment,but there were no statistically significant differences in intra group and between two groups comparisons(F=0.665,1.167,1.097,1.343,5.219,0.696,1.106,all P＞0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups(x2=0.083,P=0.773).Conclusion Roxadustat has better clinical efficacy in the treatment of patients with anemia after kidney transplantation,which can effectively improve anemia and regulate iron metabolism in the body.There is no significant impact on the immune status of the transplant recipients,and the transplanted kidney function is stable and safe.

Objective To explore and compare the efficacy and safety of different transurethral enucle-ation procedures for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 215 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia admitted to our hospital from January 2021 to May 2023.According to the surgical procedures,they were divided into plasma resection group(n=81),treated with transurethral plasma resection of the prostate,laser resection group(n=92),treated with transurethral laser resection of the prostate,and green laser enucleation group(n=42),treated with transurethral green laser enucle-ation of the prostate.The three groups were compared in terms of perioperative indicators(surgical time,intraop-erative bleeding volume,bladder flushing time,indwelling catheter time,postoperative hemoglobin concentration,and hospital stay),urodynamic indicators(RUV,IPSS score,Qmax,and QOL score),and postoperative compli-cations.Results The green laser enucleation group and laser resection group demonstrated a significantly higher total effective rate compared to the plasma electrosurgery group(P<0.05).The three groups showed no statisti-cally significant difference in hospital stay(P>0.05),but the green laser enucleation group showed a signifi-cantly shorter surgical time compared to the other two group(P<0.05).The green laser enucleation group and laser resection group had superiority in intraoperative bleeding,bladder flushing time,and indwelling catheter time compared to the plasma resection group,and a significantly higher postoperative hemoglobin concentration compared to the plasma resection group(P<0.05).Repeated measurement analysis of variance showed that the three groups all exhibited significantly decreases in RUV,IPSS score,and QOL score(P<0.05),and a signifi-cantly increase in Qmax at 1 month and 3 months after surgery(P<0.05).The laser resection group and green laser enucleation group presented with significant decreases in RUV,IPSS score,and QOL score(P<0.05),and a significantly decrease in Qmax compared to the plasma resection group at 1 month and 3 months after surgery(P<0.05).However,the laser resection group and the green laser enucleation group had no statistically signifi-cant difference in RUV,IPSS score,Qmax,and QOL score at 1 month and 3 months after surgery(P>0.05).The green laser enucleation group had the lowest total incidence of postoperative complications,following by the laser resection group and plasma resection group in order(7.14%vs.21.74%vs.35.80%,P<0.05).Conclusion The three surgical procedures all have good therapeutic effects on benign prostatic hyperplasia.Transurethral laser prostatectomy and green laser enucleation have superiority to those of transurethral plasma resection of the prostate in efficacy and safety,and they can promote early recovery of patients.Transurethral green laser enucleation is the best in safety.

The main chemical components of Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus and components in serum were analyzed and identified rapidly and precisely by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS)technique in this study.The compounds were identified based on the relative molecular mass,fragmentation ions,and retention time of chromatographic peaks.A total of 36 kinds of chemical components were identified from Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus,including 28 kinds of saponins,3 kinds of amino acids,2 kinds of flavonoids,one kind of organosulfur compound,one kind of nucleoside,and one kind of hormone-lipid compound.In addition,8 kinds of compounds of Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus were identified from the serum.Based on the intersection compounds of which detected in serum and screened out by TCMSP platform database,by using targeted network pharmacology and molecular docking technology,a"drug-component-target-pathway"association network was constructed.Naringenin,quercetin,macrostemonoside E and 25(R)-26-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-22-hydroxy-5β-furostan-3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl(1→2)-β-D-glucopyranoside were screened as the main active constituents of Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus in the treatment of hyperlipidemia.In addition,adenosine 5′-monophosphate-activated protein kinase(AMPK),tumor necrosis factor(TNF),vascular endothelial growth factor A(VEGFA)and matrix metallopeptidase 9(MMP9)were the key action targets for Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus in the treatment of hyperlipidemia.Molecular docking was performed using the main pharmacodynamic components and key action targets.The results indicated that all the four active components showed strongly bound to AMPK.This suggested that the regulation of lipid metabolism might be the key mechanism of Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus in antihyperlipidemic effect.This study provided a data reference for the research on the pharmacodynamic components of Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus,and provided a basis for the improvement of quality standard of Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus.

Pharmacokinetics of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)is a discipline that adopts pharmacokinetic research methods and techniques under the guidance of TCM theories to elucidate the dynamic changes in the absorption,distribution,metabolism and excretion of active ingredients,active sites,single-flavour Chinese medicinal and compounded formulas of TCM in vivo.However,the sources and components of TCM are complex,and the pharmacodynamic substances and mechanisms of action of the majority of TCM are not yet clear,so the pharmacokinetic study of TCM is later than that of chemical medicines,and is far more complex than that of chemical medicines,and its development also confronts with challenges.The pharmacokinetic study of TCM originated in the 1950s and has experienced more than 70 years of development from the initial in vivo study of a single active ingredient,to the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic study of active ingredients,to the pharmacokinetic study of compound and multi-component of Chinese medicine.In recent years,with the help of advanced extraction,separation and analysis technologies,gene-editing animals and cell models,multi-omics technologies,protein purification and structure analysis technologies,and artificial intelligence,etc.,the pharmacokinetics of TCM has been substantially applied in revealing and elucidating the pharmacodynamic substances and mechanisms of action of Chinese medicines,research and development of new drugs of TCM,scientific and technological upgrading of large varieties of Chinese patent medicines,as well as guiding the rational use of medicines in clinics.Pharmacokinetic studies of TCM have made remarkable breakthroughs and significant development in theory,methodology,technology and application.In this paper,the history of the development of pharmacokinetics of TCM and the progress of cutting-edge research was reviewed,with the aim of providing ideas and references for the pharmacokinetics of TCM and related research.