ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect of α-ketoglutarate （α-KG） on hepatic lipid deposition in offspring caused by arsenic exposure during pregnancy. Methods8-week-old institute of cancer research （ICR） mice were mated in a ratio of 2∶1 between females and males， and the detection of vaginal plugs confirmed pregnant. A total of 32 pregnant mice were randomly divided into four groups： control group， arsenic group， α-KG group， arsenic+α-KG group. On gestational day 0-16 （GD0-GD16）， the arsenic and arsenic+α-KG groups were exposed to sodium arsenite （NaAsO₂ ，15 mg/L） in drinking water everyday， and the α-KG and arsenic+α-KG groups were gavaged with α-KG （2 g/kg） everyday. On GD16， pregnant mice were euthanized to collect fetal liver， and fetal body weight and crown-rump length were measured. Gene expression differences between the control group and the arsenic group were analyzed by transcriptome. The total triglycerides （TGs） and subtypes in fetal liver were detected by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry （LC-MS/MS）. Oil red O staining was used to observe the histopathological changes in the liver. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction （qPCR） was used to detect the expression level of genes related to lipid synthesis， transport， and degradation， and phosphatidylinositol 3' -kinase/ protein kinase B （PI3K/AKT） in the liver of fetus. ResultsTranscriptomics analysis showed that 2 144 genes were downregulated and 1 675 genes were upregulated in the arsenic exposed fetal liver； body weight and crown-rump length were reduced （P_TuKey<0.05）； the level of hepatic TGs was elevated in arsenic group （P_TuKey<0.05）； oil-red O staining showed a significant increase in lipid droplets in arsenic group （P_TuKey<0.01）； the expression of lipid synthesis-related genes were significantly upregulated （P_TuKey<0.05）； the expression of β-oxidation-related genes and lipid degradation-related genes were downregulated （P_TuKey<0.05）； the expression of PI3K， AKT decreased（P_TuKey<0.05）. Compared with the arsenic group， the body weight and crown-rump length of fetus increased in the arsenic+α-KG group （P_TuKey<0.05）； the level of hepatic TGs decreased in the arsenic+α-KG group （P_TuKey<0.05）； oil red O staining showed lipid droplets significantly decreased （P_TuKey<0.01）； the expression of lipid synthesis-related genes were downregulated （P_TuKey<0.05）， the expression of β-oxidation-related genes and lipid degradation-related genes were upregulated （P_TuKey<0.05）； the expression levels of PI3K and AKT increased （P_TuKey<0.05）. Conclusionα-KG alleviated hepatic lipid deposition in offspring exposed to arsenic during pregnancy through activating PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE To explore the mechanism by which Cuscuta chinensis flavonoids （CCF） promote decidualization and improve recurrent spontaneous abortion （RSA）. METHODS HTR-8/SVneo cells in logarithmic growth phase were randomly divided into blank group， lipopolysaccharide （LPS） group， CCF group， SGK2 inhibitor （GSK650394， abbreviated as “GSK”） group and CCF+GSK group. Each group was treated with the corresponding agents accordingly. HTR-8/SVneo cells with SGK2 knockdown were randomly divided into small interfering RNA of SGK2 （siSGK2） group and siSGK2+CCF group； additionally， blank group and LPS group were established； each group was treated with the corresponding agents accordingly. The cell survival rate， expression levels of WNK signaling pathway- and decidualization-related proteins and mRNAs， as well as mitochondrial membrane potential levels， were assessed in each group before and after SGK2 knockdown. RSA mice model was constructed and randomly divided into model group， CCF low-dose group， CCF high-dose group， GSK group， and combined dosing group， with 4 mice in each group. Other 4 normal pregnant female mice were selected as the control group. The number of implanted embryos， viable fetuses， and lost embryos in mice was recorded. The morphological changes of endometrium and decidualization were observed， and WNK signaling pathway- and decidualization-related proteins and mRNAs expressing levels as well as mitochondrial membrane potential levels were all detected. RESULTS Compared with the blank group， the cell survival rate， as well as the protein and mRNA expression levels of SGK2， WNK1， WNK4， prolactin， insulin-like growth factor- binding protein-1， oxidative stress responsive kinase 1， and Ste20-like proline-/alanine-rich kinase were significantly reduced in the LPS group （P＜0.05）； compared with the LPS group， the cell survival rate and the expression levels of the above- mentioned proteins and mRNAs were significantly increased in the CCF group， while the cell survival rate and the expression levels of the above-mentioned proteins and mRNAs were significantly decreased in the GSK group （P＜0.05）； compared with the CCF group， the cell survival rate and the expression levels of the above-mentioned proteins and mRNAs were significantly reduced in the CCF+GSK group （P＜0.05）. After knocking down SGK2， compared with the LPS group， the cell survival rate， red/green fluorescence intensity ratio， and the expression levels of the above-mentioned proteins and mRNAs were significantly reduced in the siSGK2 group （P＜0.05）； compared with the siSGK2 group， the cell survival rate， red/green fluorescence intensity ratio， and the expression levels of the above-mentioned proteins and mRNAs were significantly increased in the siSGK2+CCF group （P＜0.05）. The in vivo experimental results showed that CCF treatment can significantly improve the number of implanted embryos and viable fetuses in RSA model mice and reduce lost embryos， the expression levels of the above-mentioned proteins and mRNAs in endometrial tissue were significantly increased， and the red/green fluorescence intensity ratio was significantly increased （P＜ 0.05）； the combined dosing group could reverse the effect of CCF （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS CCF can activate SGK2， up- regulate the WNK signaling pathway， promote endometrial decidualization， and improve RSA.

Osteoporosis(OP) is a senile bone disease characterized by an imbalance between bone remodeling and bone formation. Targeting pathogenesis of kidney deficiency, spleen deficiency, and blood stasis, Bushen Jianpi Huoxue Decoction has a significant effect on the treatment of OP by tonifying kidney, invigorating spleen, and activating blood circulation. MicroRNA(miRNA) and the anti-apoptotic protein B-cell lymphoma-2-like protein 1(BCL2L1) are closely related to bone cell metabolism. Therefore, in this study, the binding of miR-140-5p to BCL2L1 was detected by dual luciferase assay and polymerase chain reaction(PCR). After silencing or overexpressing miR-140-5p, the apoptosis, autophagy, and osteogenic function of human fetal osteoblast cell line 1.19(HFOB1.19) were observed by flow cytometry and Western blot. Bushen Jianpi Huoxue Decoction-containing serum was prepared by intragastric administration of Bushen Jianpi Huoxue Decoction in rats. Different concentrations of Bushen Jianpi Huoxue Decoction-containing serum were used to treat HFOB1.19 with or without miR-140-5p mimic. The expression of osteogenic proteins in each group was observed, and the role of miR-140-5p/BCL2L1 in apoptosis and autophagy of HFOB1.19 was studied, along with the effect of Bushen Jianpi Huoxue Decoction on these processes. As indicated by the dual luciferase assay, miR-140-5p bound to BCL2L1. Flow cytometry and Western blot showed that miR-140-5p promoted apoptosis and inhibited autophagy in HFOB1.19. After intervention with high, medium, and low doses of Bushen Jianpi Huoxue Decoction-medicated serum, compared with the miR-140-5p NC group, the expression of osteocalcin(OCN), osteopontin(OPN), Runt-related transcription factor 2(RUNX2), and transforming growth factor beta 1(TGF-β1) decreased in the miR-140-5p mimic group, while the expression of bone morphogenetic protein 2(BMP2) showed no significant difference under high-dose intervention. Therefore, miR-140-5p/BCL2L1 can promote apoptosis and inhibit autophagy in HFOB1.19. Bushen Jianpi Huoxue Decoction can affect the osteogenic effect of miR-140-5p through BMP2.
MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Autophagy/drug effects* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Animals ; Cell Line ; bcl-X Protein/metabolism* ; Osteoblasts/metabolism* ; Rats ; Osteoporosis/physiopathology* ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Osteogenesis/drug effects*

Through a comprehensive analysis combining network pharmacology prediction and transcriptomics, this study systematically explained the multi-target mechanism of Cyanotis arachnoidea(CA) Gel in improving melasma. A melasma model was induced in female SD rats by progesterone injection combined with ultraviolet B(UVB) irradiation for 40 consecutive days, while the blank control group was only fed routinely. After successful model establishment, the rats were randomly divided into five groups and administered different doses of CA ethanol extract gel(high, medium, and low doses) or arbutin Gel(positive control), which were applied once daily for 28 consecutive days. Subsequently, the levels of superoxide dismutase(SOD), malondialdehyde(MDA), and tyrosinase(TYR) in the skin, serum, and liver tissues were measured. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining and Masson-Fontana staining were used to observe the pathological changes in the tissues. Network pharmacology combined with transcriptomics was employed to identify core targets and pathways, and the differential gene expression was validated by quantitative real-time PCR(qPCR). Pharmacodynamic experiments showed that CA Gel significantly increased SOD activity and decreased MDA and TYR levels in the skin, serum, and liver of model rats. It also improved epidermal thickening, inflammatory infiltration, collagen loss, and melanin deposition. Network pharmacology analysis showed that CA mainly regulated core targets such as signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3), epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR), and interleukin-6(IL-6), and modulated the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)-protein kinase B(AKT) and interleukin-17(IL-17) signaling pathways. Transcriptomic analysis showed that CA Gel significantly downregulated the gene expression of heat shock protein 90β family member 1(Hsp90b1), heat shock protein 90α family member 1(Hsp90aa1), and the key steroid synthesis enzyme cytochrome P450 family 17 subfamily A member 1(Cyp17a1), while upregulating thioredoxin 1(Txn1). qPCR results confirmed that CA Gel regulated oxidative stress and inflammatory response by inhibiting the IL-17 signaling pathway and steroid hormone synthesis. This study, for the first time, reveals the molecular mechanism of CA Gel in improving melasma through multi-target synergistic regulation of oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and hormone metabolism pathways, providing a scientific basis for the treatment of pigmentation diseases with traditional Chinese medicine.
Animals ; Rats ; Female ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Network Pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Melanosis/metabolism* ; Transcriptome/drug effects* ; Humans ; Superoxide Dismutase/genetics* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Malondialdehyde/metabolism*

The aim of this study was to investigate the trend in testicular volume changes after orchiopexy in children with cryptorchidism. The clinical data of 854 children with cryptorchidism who underwent orchiopexy between January 2013 and December 2016 in Shenzhen Children's Hospital (Shenzhen, China) were retrospectively analyzed. The mean (standard deviation) age of the patients was 2.8 (2.5) years, and the duration of follow-up ranged from 1 year to 5 years. Ultrasonography was conducted preoperatively and postoperatively. The variables analyzed included age at the time of surgery, type of surgical procedure, laterality, preoperative testicular position, preoperative and postoperative testicular volumes, and the testicular volume ratio of them. The average testicular volumes preoperatively and at 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, and 5 years postoperatively were 0.27 ml, 0.38 ml, 0.53 ml, 0.87 ml, and 1.00 ml, respectively ( P < 0.001). The corresponding testicular volume ratios were 0.67, 0.76, 0.80, 0.83, and 0.84 ( P < 0.001). The mean volume of the undescended testes was significantly smaller than the mean normative value ( P < 0.001, lower than the 10 th percentile). The postoperative testicular volumes in children with cryptorchidism were generally lower than those in healthy boys but were still greater than the 10 th percentile and exhibited an increasing trend. The older the child is at the time of surgery, the larger the gap in volume between the affected and normal testes. Although testicular volume tends to gradually increase after orchiopexy for cryptorchidism, it could not normalizes. Earlier surgery results in affected testicular volumes closer to those of healthy boys.
Humans ; Male ; Cryptorchidism/diagnostic imaging* ; Orchiopexy ; Child, Preschool ; Testis/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Organ Size ; Ultrasonography ; Infant ; Child ; Postoperative Period ; Follow-Up Studies

To investigate the effect of baicalin (BAI)-loaded cross-linked lipoic acid nanocapsules (BAI@cLANCs) against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced senescence in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), this study examined the toxicity of BAI@cLANCs on HUVECs by MTT method. The cell nuclear staining, SA-β-gal staining, and MTT methods were used to assess the optimal concentration of H2O2-induced senescence in HUVECs. The cellular uptake of BAI@cLANCs was evaluated using fluorescence microscopy imaging and flow cytometry. The proportion of cellular senescence was determined by SA-β-gal staining. The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in senescent cells was detected by fluorescence microscopy imaging and multifunctional microplate reader. The content of malondialdehyde (MDA) in cells was detected by lipid oxidation detection kit, and the cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry with propidium iodide staining. The results showed that BAI@cLANCs had no significant effect on the growth of HUVECs in the range of BAI at 2.80−112 mmol/L. 200 μmol/L and 25 minutes were the ideal conditions for H2O2-induced senescence of HUVECs. cLANCs as drug delivery carriers significantly enhanced the uptake efficiency of BAI in HUVECs. Compared with the normal group, the H2O2 model group showed decreased cell viability, increased positive SA-β-gal staining rate, increased ROS and MDA content, as well as increased percentage of cells blocked in S phase and decreased cells entering G2/M phase. Compared with the H2O2 model group, BAI, cLANCs, BAI + cLANCs, and BAI@cLANCs groups showed increased cell viability, decreased positive SA-β-gal staining rate, decreased ROS and MDA content, decreased percentage of S-phase cells, and increased cells entering G2/M phase, with the best anti-aging effect in the BAI@cLANCs group. In summary, the results above showed that both BAI and cLANCs have anti-aging properties. With cLANCs as drug carriers, the anti-aging benefits of BAI@cLANCs are synergistic and can effectively delay H2O2-induced senescence of HUVECs.

ObjectiveTo observe the effects of modified Chaihu Shugansan on the calmodulin-dependent protein kinase Ⅱ（CaMKⅡ）/cAMP-response element binding protein （CREB） signaling pathway in the hippocampus and heart tissue of a rat model with myocardial ischemia and depression and explore the mechanism by which this formula prevents and treats coronary heart disease combined with depression. MethodsThe model of myocardial ischemia combined with depression was established by high-fat diet， intraperitoneal injection of isoproterenol （ISO）， and chronic unpredictable mild stress （CUMS）. A total of 108 SD male rats were randomly divided into normal group， model group， high （23.4 g·kg^-1）， medium （11.7 g·kg^-1）， and low （5.85 g·kg^-1） dose groups of modified Chaihu Shugansan， CaMKⅡ inhibitor （KN93） group， and KN93 + high， medium， and low dose groups of modified Chaihu Shugansan， with 12 rats in each group. From the first day of modeling to the end of modeling， drugs were administered once a day. In the seventh and eighth weeks， the KN93 group and the KN93 + high， medium， and low dose groups of modified Chaihu Shugansan were intraperitoneally injected with KN93 three times weekly. At the end of the eighth week， behavioral tests including sucrose preference， open field， and elevated plus maze were conducted. Electrocardiogram （ECG） lead Ⅱ changes were observed in each group of rats， and hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was performed to observe changes in heart tissue. Serum levels of triglycerides （TG）， total cholesterol （TC）， high-density lipoprotein （HDL）， low-density lipoprotein （LDL）， and lactate dehydrogenase （LDH） were measured by using an enzyme-labeled instrument. Creatine kinase （CK） and creatine kinase-MB （CK-MB） were detected by ultraviolet spectrophotometry， while serum monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 （MCP-1） was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect mRNA expression of CaMKⅡ and CREB in hippocampal and heart tissue， and Western blot was performed to assess protein expression of CaMKⅡ， phosphorylated （p）-CaMKⅡ， CREB， and p-CREB. ResultsCompared to the normal group， the model group showed significant reductions in sucrose preference rate， total activity distance in the open field， number of entries into the center area of the open field， and percentage of entries into the open arms of the elevated plus maze （P<0.01）. The ECG showed ST-segment elevation， and HE staining showed serious degeneration of myocardial fibers， disordered arrangement， and infiltration of a large number of inflammatory cells. In addition， serum TC and LDL levels increased （P<0.01）， and HDL level decreased （P<0.01）. CK， CK-MB， LDH， and MCP-1 levels significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The mRNA expression of CaMKⅡ and CREB and the protein expression of p-CaMKⅡ and p-CREB decreased in the hippocampal tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）， but those increased in the heart tissue （P<0.01）. Compared to the model group， the high， medium， and low dose groups of modified Chaihu Shugansan showed improvements in these abnormalities. The KN93 group had reduced sucrose preference， total activity distance in the open field， number of entries into the center area of the open field， and percentage of entries into the open arms of the elevated plus maze （P<0.01）， as well as decreased serum CK， CK-MB， LDH， and MCP-1 levels （P<0.05， P<0.01）. KN93 also reduced ST-segment elevation， alleviated the degeneration degree of myocardial fibrosis， and lowered inflammatory cell infiltration. The mRNA expression of CaMKⅡ and CREB and the protein expression of p-CaMKⅡ and p-CREB in both the hippocampal and heart tissue were reduced （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The KN93 + high， medium， and low dose groups of modified Chaihu Shugansan showed further improvements in these abnormalities compared to the KN93 group. ConclusionThe modified Chaihu Shugansan exerts antidepressant and myocardial protective effects in rats with myocardial ischemia and depression， possibly related to bidirectional regulation of the CaMKⅡ/CREB signaling pathway， with the high-dose modified Chaihu Shugansan showing the best effects.

Aim To study the effect of evodiamine(EVO)regulating forkhead box protein Ml(FOXM1)on the proliferation and apoptosis of colorectal cancer-resistant cells HCT8/5-FU.Methods CCK-8 assay and EdU assay were used to detect the effect of EVO on cell proliferation ability.Clone formation assay was employed to detect the effect of EVO on the clone for-mation ability of cells.Flow cytometric counting was applied to detect apoptosis.Western blot was utilized to detect the expression of cellular Bcl-2,Bax,FOXM1,β-catenin,c-MYC,and CyclinD1;Molecular docking was used to explore the EVO-FOXM1 interac-tion.Nude mouse transplant tumor model was estab-lished to validate the effect of EVO on HCT8/5-FU cells in vivo.Results CCK-8 assay showed that EVO inhibited the proliferation of HCT8/5-FU cells in a time-and concentration-dependent manner.EdU assay found that the newly proliferated cells in the EVO-trea-ted group were significantly reduced.The results of the clone formation assay showed that EVO inhibited the clone-forming ability of HCT8/5-FU cells.Flow cyto-metric counting found that apoptosis rate of the cells in the EVO group significantly increased.Western blot showed that FOXM1 and β-catenin were significantly highly expressed in HCT8/5-FU cells,and EVO down-regulated the expression of FOXM1,β-cateniin,c-MYC,CyclinD1,and Bcl-2,and up-regulated the ex-pression of Bax.Molecular docking revealed strong in-teractions between EVO and FOXM1.The in vivo ex-perimental results demonstrated that EVO exerted a substantial inhibitory effect on the growth of subcutane-ously implanted HCT8/5-FU xenograft tumors and regulated the expression of related proteins.HE stai-ning revealed significant nuclear consolidation and fragmentation of tumor cells in the EVO group.Con-clusions The findings suggest that EVO could sup-press the activation of the Wnt signaling pathway through a mechanism involving the downregulation of FOXM1 protein expression,thus inhibiting the prolifer-ation of HCT8/5-FU cells and induce their apoptosis.

How to effectively reduce the size of infant pose estimation network models is a key issue restricting the"home-use"of infant pose estimation technology. Therefore,a lightweight method for infant pose estimation in home scenarios is proposed. The method takes the lightweight network MobileNetV3 as the encoding backbone and utilizesa PixelShuffle up-sampling module in the decoder for reducing the quantity of model parameters. Meanwhile,coordinate attention mechanism is used to better capture location information and channel feature information,highlighting the feature information of small targets and occluded human keypoints. Besides,the parallel cross-correlation convolution is further modified to enhance the capability of feature information extraction. The method's performance is verified on the general pose estimation dataset (COCO) and the dedicated infant pose estimation dataset (SyRIP). The results show that,with a calculation volume (GFLOPs) of only 0.96,the method achieves average accuracies of 73.5％ and 91.0％ on COCO and SyRIP datasets,respectively,proving that it can significantly reduce the quantity of model parameters and calculation volume without sacrificing pose estimation accuracy. The proposed lightweight estimation model is expected to be deployed on home appliances such as smart terminals,thereby realizing intelligent estimation of abnormal infant poses in home scenarios.