The present study aimed to explore whether hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) improved hypoxic pulmonary hypertension (HPH) in rats by inhibiting aerobic glycolysis-pyroptosis. Male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into normal group, normal+NaHS group, hypoxia group, and hypoxia+NaHS group, with 6 rats in each group. The control group rats were placed in a normoxic (21% O₂) environment and received daily intraperitoneal injections of an equal volume of normal saline. The normal+NaHS group rats were placed in a normoxic environment and intraperitoneally injected with 14 μmol/kg NaHS daily. The hypoxia group rats were placed in a hypoxia chamber, and the oxygen controller inside the chamber maintained the oxygen concentration at 9% to 10% by controlling the N₂ flow rate. An equal volume of normal saline was injected intraperitoneally every day. The hypoxia+NaHS group rats were also placed in an hypoxia chamber and intraperitoneally injected with 14 μmol/kg NaHS daily. After the completion of the four-week modeling, the mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) of each group was measured using right heart catheterization technique, and the right ventricular hypertrophy index (RVHI) was weighed and calculated. HE staining was used to observe pathological changes in lung tissue, Masson staining was used to observe fibrosis of lung tissue, and Western blot was used to detect protein expression levels of hexokinase 2 (HK2), pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH), pyruvate kinase isozyme type M2 (PKM2), nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), GSDMD-N-terminal domain (GSDMD-N), Caspase-1, interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-18 in lung tissue. ELISA was used to detect contents of IL-1β and IL-18 in lung tissue. The results showed that, compared with the normal control group, there were no significant changes in all indexes in the normal+NaHS group, while the hypoxia group exhibited significantly increased mPAP and RVHI, thickened pulmonary vascular wall, narrowed lumen, increased collagen fibers, up-regulated expression levels of aerobic glycolysis-related proteins (HK2 and PKM2), up-regulated expression levels of pyroptosis-related proteins (NLRP3, GSDMD-N, Caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18), and increased contents of IL-1β and IL-18. These changes of the above indexes in the hypoxia group were significantly reversed by NaHS. These results suggest that H₂S can improve rat HPH by inhibiting aerobic glycolysis-pyroptosis.
Animals ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Male ; Hypertension, Pulmonary/metabolism* ; Glycolysis/drug effects* ; Hydrogen Sulfide/therapeutic use* ; Hypoxia/complications* ; Rats ; Pyroptosis/drug effects*

This study aims to investigate the protective effects and mechanisms of polysaccharide extract PCP1 from Polygonatum cyrtonema in ameliorating cerebral ischemia-reperfusion(I/R) injury in rats through modulation of the Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/NOD-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3) signaling pathway. In vivo, SD rats were randomly divided into the sham group, model group, PCP1 group, nimodipine(NMDP) group, and TLR4 signaling inhibitor(TAK-242) group. A middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion(MCAO/R) model was established, and neurological deficit scores and infarct size were evaluated 24 hours after reperfusion. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) and Nissl staining were used to observe pathological changes in ischemic brain tissue. Transmission electron microscopy(TEM) assessed ultrastructural damage in cortical neurons. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to measure the levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β), interleukin-6(IL-6), interleukin-18(IL-18), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-10(IL-10), and nitric oxide(NO) in serum. Immunofluorescence was used to analyze the expression of TLR4 and NLRP3 proteins. In vitro, a BV2 microglial cell oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion(OGD/R) model was established, and cells were divided into the control, OGD/R, PCP1, TAK-242, and PCP1 + TLR4 activator lipopolysaccharide(LPS) groups. The CCK-8 assay evaluated BV2 cell viability, and ELISA determined NO release. Western blot was used to analyze the expression of TLR4, NLRP3, and downstream pathway-related proteins. The results indicated that, compared with the model group, PCP1 significantly reduced neurological deficit scores, infarct size, ischemic tissue pathology, cortical cell damage, and the levels of inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18, TNF-α, and NO(P<0.01). It also elevated IL-10 levels(P<0.01) and decreased the expression of TLR4 and NLRP3 proteins(P<0.05, P<0.01). Moreover, in vitro results showed that, compared with the OGD/R group, PCP1 significantly improved BV2 cell viability(P<0.05, P<0.01), reduced cell NO levels induced by OGD/R(P<0.01), and inhibited the expression of TLR4-related inflammatory pathway proteins, including TLR4, myeloid differentiation factor 88(MyD88), tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6(TRAF6), phosphorylated nuclear factor-kappaB dimer RelA(p-p65)/nuclear factor-kappaB dimer RelA(p65), NLRP3, cleaved-caspase-1, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein(ASC), GSDMD-N, IL-1β, and IL-18(P<0.05, P<0.01). The protective effects of PCP1 were reversed by LPS stimulation. In conclusion, PCP1 ameliorates cerebral I/R injury by modulating the TLR4/NLRP3 signaling pathway, exerting anti-inflammatory and anti-pyroptotic effects.
Animals ; Toll-Like Receptor 4/genetics* ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/genetics* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Reperfusion Injury/genetics* ; Male ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Polysaccharides/isolation & purification* ; Polygonatum/chemistry* ; Brain Ischemia/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Mice ; Humans

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Patients with glioma experience a high symptom burden and have diverse palliative care needs. However, the assessment scales used in palliative care remain non-standardized and highly heterogeneous. To evaluate the application patterns of the current scales used in palliative care for glioma, we aim to identify gaps and assess the need for disease-specific scales in glioma palliative care. METHODS: We conducted a systematic search of five databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Medline, EMBASE, and CINAHL for quantitative studies that reported scale-based assessments in glioma palliative care. We extracted data on scale characteristics, domains, frequency, and psychometric properties. Quality assessments were performed using the Cochrane ROB 2.0 and ROBINS-I tools. RESULTS: Of the 3,405 records initially identified, 72 studies were included. These studies contained 75 distinct scales that were used 193 times. Mood (21.7%), quality of life (24.4%), and supportive care needs (5.2%) assessments were the most frequently assessed items, exceeding half of all scale applications. Among the various assessment dimensions, the Distress Thermometer (DT) was the most frequently used tool for assessing mood, while the Short Form-36 Health Survey Questionnaire (SF-36) was the most frequently used tool for assessing quality of life. The Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE) was the most common tool for cognitive assessment. Performance status (5.2%) and social support (6.8%) were underrepresented. Only three brain tumor-specific scales were identified. Caregiver-focused scales were limited and predominantly burden-oriented. CONCLUSIONS: There are significant heterogeneity, domain imbalances, and validation gaps in the current use of assessment scales for patients with glioma receiving palliative care. The scale selected for use should be comprehensive and user-friendly.
Humans ; Glioma/psychology* ; Palliative Care/methods* ; Quality of Life ; Psychometrics ; Brain Neoplasms/psychology*

Dysregulated RNA splicing is a well-recognized characteristic of colorectal cancer (CRC); however, its intricacies remain obscure, partly due to challenges in profiling full-length transcript variants at the single-cell level. Here, we employ high-depth long-read scRNA-seq to define the full-length transcriptome of colorectal epithelial cells in 12 CRC patients, revealing extensive isoform diversities and splicing alterations. Cancer cells exhibited increased transcript complexity, with widespread 3'-UTR shortening and reduced intron retention. Distinct splicing regulation patterns were observed between intrinsic-consensus molecular subtypes (iCMS), with iCMS3 displaying even higher splicing factor activities and more pronounced 3'-UTR shortening. Furthermore, we revealed substantial shifts in isoform usage that result in alterations of protein sequences from the same gene with distinct carcinogenic effects during tumorigenesis of CRC. Allele-specific expression analysis revealed dominant mutant allele expression in key oncogenes and tumor suppressors. Moreover, mutated PPIG was linked to widespread splicing dysregulation, and functional validation experiments confirmed its critical role in modulating RNA splicing and tumor-associated processes. Our findings highlight the transcriptomic plasticity in CRC and suggest novel candidate targets for splicing-based therapeutic strategies.
Humans ; Colorectal Neoplasms/metabolism* ; RNA Isoforms/metabolism* ; Single-Cell Analysis ; RNA Splicing ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; RNA, Neoplasm/metabolism* ; Transcriptome

Objective To explore the predictive value of renal resistance index(RRI)evaluated by ultrasound combined with blood indices in acute pancreatitis(AP)complicated with acute kidney injury(AKI).Methods Patients with AP admitted to the Second People's Hospital of Anhui Province from June 2021 to January 2024 were divided into AKI group and non-AKI group according to whether AKI occurred within 7 d after admission.RRI was evaluated by ultrasonography after collecting the basic information,scores of Acute Physiologic Assessment and Chronic Health Evaluation Ⅱ(APACHE Ⅱ)and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment(SOFA)within 24 h after admission,blood indices such as serum creatinine(sCr),blood urea nitrogen(BUN),serum cystatin C(Cys C),red blood cell distribution width(RDW)and C-reactive protein(CRP)within 24 h after admission were collected.Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regressions were used to analyze the risk factors of AKI.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were drawn to analyze the predictive values of RRI combined with blood indices.Results A total of 145 patients were included,including 37 patients with AKI and 108 patients without AKI.APACHE Ⅱ score,SOFA score,Cys C,RDW,CRP and RRI in AKI group were higher than those in non-AKI group(P＜0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that Cys C(OR=5.458,95％CI 1.275-23.369),CRP(OR=5.296,95％CI 1.676-16.734)and RRI(OR=6.114,95％CI 2.966-12.602)increased were the risk factors of AKI in patients with AP(P＜0.05).ROC curve analysis showed that the area under curve(AUC)of Cys C,CRP and RRI for predicting AKI in patients with AP were 0.648(95％CI 0.540-0.756,P=0.011),0.777(95％CI 0.694-0.859,P＜0.001)and 0.802(95％CI 0.710-0.893,P＜0.001),respectively.AUC of combination of the three indices was 0.909,the sensitivity was 96.55％,and the specificity was 72.41％.Conclusions Cys C,CRP and RRI increasing are all risk factors of AP patients complicating with AKI,and all of them have certain predictive value.The combination of the three indices is of high value in predicting AP patients complicating with AKI.

Objective To investigate the effect of amygdalin(AD)on fracture healing in osteoporotic(OP)rats and its possible mechanism.Methods SD rats were randomly divided into sham group,model group,inhibitor group and low,medium,high dose experimental groups,12 rats in each group.The OP rat model was established by bilateral ovariectomy.After the model was successfully established,rats in low,medium and high dose experimental groups were intraperitoneally injected with 0.1,0.5 and 1.0 mg·kg-1 AD;the inhibitor group was intraperitoneally injected with 5.0 mg·kg-1 H-89[cyclic adenosine monophosphate/protein kinase A/cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein(cAMP/PKA/CREB)pathway inhibitor]+1.0 mg·kg-1 AD;sham group and model group were intraperitoneally injected with the same amount of 0.9％NaCl,once a day for 90 days.Micro-computer tomography was applied to observe the microstructure of the epiphysis in rats;the biomechanical status of femur was evaluated by orthopedic biomechanical test;the contents of serum osteocalcin(OC),C-terminal telopeptides of type Ⅰ collagen(CTX-Ⅰ),bone morphogenetic protein 2(BMP-2)and cAMP were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA);the level of oxidative stress products in rat serum was detected by kit;Western blot was used to detect the expression of alkaline phosphatase(ALP)and cAMP/PKA/CREB signaling pathway protein(p-PKA/PKA,p-CREB/CREB)in rat bone tissue.Results The bone mineral density of sham group,model group and low,medium,high dose experimental groups,inhibitor group were(251.54±15.41),(135.82±10.92),(173.57±12.65),(204.31±14.48),(235.62±11.37)and(187.83±13.64)mg·cm-3;the contents of cAMP were(0.85±0.06),(0.20±0.03),(0.34±0.07),(0.48±0.09),(0.81±0.12)and(0.57±0.06)μmol·L-1;the expression of p-PKA/PKA were 0.96±0.08,0.06±0.02,0.35±0.04,0.67±0.07,0.94±0.09 and 0.37±0.05;p-CREB/CREB protein were 0.92±0.12,0.04±0.01,0.28±0.03,0.59±0.06,0.91±0.10 and 0.29±0.04,respectively.There were significant differences in the above indexes between sham group and model group,between low,medium,high dose experimental groups and model group,between inhibitor group and high dose experimental group(all P＜0.05).Conclusion AD can reduce oxidative stress,promote fracture healing and alleviate OP symptoms in rats.The mechanism may be related to the activation of cAMP/PKA/CREB signaling pathway.

Objective To explore whether the cognitive function of central obese mice is decreased by affecting the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)in hippocampus.Methods Healthy mice at the neonatal stage were divided into normal group and model group at random.To obtain the obese models,model group mice were injected at cervical subcutaneous with 10％L-monosodium glutamate(MSG;3 mg·g-1·d-1)for 5 days.The normal group was injected with the same dose of 0.9％NaCl.In addition,mice were removed according to the requirements.Finally,we got 8 mice in each group.The following parameters were compared:body weight,Lee's index and levels of the serum lipid.The BDNF expression levels in hippocampal tissue were measured using western blotting.Results At the 8th weekend,the body weight of the model and normal groups was(49.01±2.47)and(41.27±3.28)g;the Lee's indexes were(357.14±9.24)and(330.15±7.37)g1/3·cm-1;triglyceride levels were(1.37±0.52)and(0.73±0.31)mmol·L-1;total cholesterol levels were(2.98±0.18)and(1.98±0.30)mmol·L-1;low-density lipoprotein levels were(0.31±0.03)and(0.24±0.02)mmol·L-1;high-density lipoprotein levels were(2.70±0.15)and(1.98±0.40)mmol·L-1;the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),which were consistent with the characteristics of the central obesity model.The BDNF protein expression levels in the hippocampus of the model and normal groups were 6.02 x 104±626.53 and 7.04 x 104±1 440.81,which has statistically significant(P＜0.01).Conclusion The cognitive function of central obese mice may be decreased by down-regulating the expression of BDNF in hippocampus.

Important forensic diagnostic indicators of sudden death in coronary atherosclerotic heart dis-ease,such as acute or chronic myocardial ischemic changes,sometimes make it difficult to locate the ischemic site due to the short death process,the lack of tissue reaction time.In some cases,the de-ceased died of sudden death on the first-episode,resulting in difficulty for medical examiners to make an accurate diagnosis.However,clinical studies on coronary instability plaque revealed the key role of coronary spasm and thrombosis caused by their lesions in sudden coronary death process.This paper mainly summarizes the pathological characteristics of unstable coronary plaque based on clinical medi-cal research,including plaque rupture,plaque erosion and calcified nodules,as well as the influencing factors leading to plaque instability,and briefly describes the research progress and technique of the atherosclerotic plaques,in order to improve the study on the mechanism of sudden coronary death and improve the accuracy of the forensic diagnosis of sudden coronary death by diagnosing different patho-logic states of coronary atherosclerotic plaques.

Objective To analyze risk factors and pathogenic characteristics of intestinal colonization of carbape-nem-resistant Enterobacterales(CRE)in patients from intensive care unit(ICU).Methods A total of 392 ICU pa-tients who underwent intestinal CRE screening in a tertiary hospital in Changzhou from March to December,2023 were divided into the colonization group(n=42)and the non-colonization group(n=350)according to the screening results.Clinical data of patients,including age,gender,underlying diseases,malignant tumors,radiotherapy,chemotherapy,infection before the last screening,antimicrobial use,and invasive procedures were collected for the analysis on risk factors and pathogenicity.Results Among 42 patients with positive CRE screening results,44 CRE strains were detected,mainly Klebsiella pneumoniae(65.91％),followed by Escherichia coli(15.91％)and En-terobacter cloacae(13.64％).The average time from admission in ICU to positive screening results of intestinal CRE in the colonization group was 14 days.Long term use of carbapenem antibiotics(OR=1.47,95％CI:1.31-1.65),mechanical ventilation(OR=1.14,95％CI:1.06-1.22),and Enterobacterales infection(OR=10.10,95％CI:3.28-32.09)were independent risk factors for intestinal CRE colonization.Patients who received carbap-enem antibiotics for ≥15 days(x2=167.52,P＜0.001)and those who received mechanical ventilation for ≥15 days(x2=101.03,P＜0.001)had higher risks for intestinal CRE colonization.Conclusion In clinical practice,it is necessary to improve pathogen detection,treat Enterobacterales infection timely,choose carbapenem antibiotics carefully,shorten treatment course,actively evaluate indications for mechanical ventilation,and wean off ventilator timely.