BACKGROUND:The mechanisms underlying the occurrence of pressure injuries are complex,and it is not entirely clear which factors play a central role in the development of pressure injuries and how these factors operate. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the relationship between Piezo-type mechanosensitive ion channel component 1(Piezo1)and the occurrence of pressure injuries. METHODS:(1)Cellular experiment:Human immortalized keratinocytes(HaCaT)were treated with Yoda1,a Piezo1 agonist,at different concentrations.Cell viability,calcium ion influx,Piezo1,and apoptosis-related protein expression were detected.(2)Animal experiment:Twelve Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a control group and three experimental groups,with three rats in each group.The control group was not subjected to pressure,while in the three experimental groups,magnets with a thickness of 1,2,and 3 mm were used to press on both sides of the rats'back for 1 hour,respectively,to establish the animal models of pressure injuries.After modeling,all traumatic tissues were excised and subjected to hematoxylin-eosin,Masson,immunofluorescence staining and western blot assay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Cellular experiments:The results of live/dead cell staining showed that HaCaT cell apoptosis increased with the increase of Yoda1 concentration(0,2.5,5,and 10 μmol/L),and calcium ion influx increased with the increase of Yoda1 concentration(0,5,and 10 μmol/L),as well as with the prolongation of treatment time.Western blot assay results showed an increase in the expression of BAX,TG2,and PIEZO1 and a decrease in the expression of the expression of Bcl-2 protein in HaCaT cells in 5 and 10 μmol/L Yoda1 groups compared with the control group(0 μmol/L Yoda1).Animal experiments:The results of hematoxylin-eosin and Masson staining showed that the skin structure of the three experimental groups was damaged at the compression site,there was subcutaneous fat liquefaction and necrosis,and collagen was sparse and disorganized,and damage to the skin structure at the compression site was aggravated with the increase of magnet thickness.Immunofluorescence staining and western blot results showed that compared with the control group,the expression of BAX,TG2,Yap1 and PIEZO1 proteins was elevated,and the expression of Bcl-2 proteins was lowered in the three experimental groups.Moreover,the expression of related proteins showed more significant changes with the increase of magnet thickness(pressure).To conclude,skin compression activates PIEZO1,leading to a significant influx of calcium ions.As the pressure increases,this ultimately results in cell apoptosis due to calcium overload.

Objective: To explore the association between dietary patterns and overweight and obesity among primary and middle school students, so as to provide the guidance of diet balance and obesity prevention for students. Methods: Students from 11 primary and middle schools in Tongzhou District, Beijing Municipality, were selected using the stratified cluster sampling method. Demographic information was collected through a general questionnaire, and dietary intake types and frequencies over the past week were assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. Dietary patterns were determined using factor analysis, and the dietary pattern factor scores were divided into Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4 groups based on quartiles. Height and weight were collected through physical examinations, and Z-scores of body mass index adjusted for gender and age were calculated to assess overweight and obesity. The association between dietary patterns and overweight and obesity was analyzed using a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: A total of 1 485 students were surveyed, including 745 males (50.17%) and 740 females (49.83%). The mean age was (12.87±2.86) years. Three dietary patterns were identified: animal and plant protein dietary pattern, high-fat and high-sugar dietary pattern, and vegetable-fruit-dairy dietary pattern. The detection rates of overweight and obesity were 42.57%, 48.42%, and 34.75%, respectively, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that compared with the vegetable-fruit-dairy dietary pattern, the animal and plant protein dietary pattern (OR=1.406, 95%CI: 1.084-1.823) and the high-fat and high-sugar dietary pattern (OR=2.137, 95%CI: 1.643-2.779) were associated with a higher risk of overweight and obesity among primary and middle school students. Compared with the Q1 group of dietary pattern factor scores, the Q3 group (OR=1.631, 95%CI: 1.206-2.208) and Q4 group (OR=1.965, 95%CI: 1.446-2.671) of the high-fat and high-sugar dietary pattern had an increased risk of overweight and obesity, while the Q4 group of the vegetable-fruit-dairy dietary pattern (OR=0.551, 95%CI: 0.406-0.747) had a reduced risk of overweight and obesity. There was no statistical association between factor scores of animal and plant protein dietary pattern and overweight and obesity (all P>0.05). Conclusions The animal and plant protein dietary pattern and the high-fat and high-sugar dietary pattern are associated with a higher risk of overweight and obesity among primary and middle school students. Within the same dietary pattern, the more inclined students are to the high-fat and high-sugar dietary pattern, the higher their risk of overweight and obesity, while the more inclined they are to the vegetable-fruit-dairy dietary pattern, the lower their risk of overweight and obesity.

ObjectiveTo explore the effect of modified Lianpoyin formula （LPYJWF） in the treatment of Helicobacter pylori （Hp）-associated gastric mucosal damage based on mitochondrial autophagy and NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway. MethodsA total of 60 eight-week-old Balb/c male mice were assigned via the random number table method into control， model， high-dose LPYJWF （LPYJWF-H， 27.3 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， medium-dose LPYJWF （LPYJWF-M， 13.65 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， low-dose LPYJWF （LPYJWF-L， 6.83 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， and quadruple therapy groups. Except the control group， other groups were modeled for Hp infection. Mice were administrated with LPYJWF at corresponding doses by gavage. Quadruple therapy group was given omeprazole （6.06 mg·kg^-1·d^-1） + amoxicillin （303 mg·kg^-1·d^-1） + clarithromycin （151.67 mg·kg^-1·d^-1） + colloidal pectin capsules （30.3 mg·kg^-1·d^-1） by gavage. The control group was given an equal volume of 0.9% NaCl for 14 days. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe the pathological changes of gastric mucosa， and Warthin-Starry （W-S） silver staining was used to detect Hp colonization. Transmission electron microscopy was employed to observe the mitochondrial ultrastructure of the gastric tissue， and immunofluorescence co-localization assay was adopted to detect the expression of mitochondrial transcription factor A （TFAM） and translocase of the outer mitochondrial membrane member 20 （TOMM20）. The water-soluble tetrazolium salt method and thiobarbituric acid method were used to determine the levels of superoxide dismutase （SOD） and malondialdehyde （MDA）， respectively， in the gastric tissue. Western blot was employed to measure the protein levels of PTEN-induced kinase 1 （PINK1）， Parkin， p62， microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 （LC3）， NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3）， apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD （ASC）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， and interleukin-18 （IL-18）. Real-time quantitative PCR was employed to assess the mRNA levels of PINK1， Parkin， p62， and LC3. ResultsCompared with the control group， the model group presented obvious gastric mucosal damage， colonization of a large number of Hp， severe mitochondrial damage， vacuolated structures due to excessive autophagy， reduced TOMM20 and TFAM co-expression in the gastric mucosal tissue， and reduced SOD and increased MDA （P<0.01）. In addition， the gastric tissue in the model group showed up-regulated protein and mRNA levels of PINK1， Parkin， and LC3 and down-regulated protein and mRNA levels of p62 （P<0.01， as well as increased expression of inflammasome-associated proteins NLRP3， ASC， IL-1β， and IL-18 （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the LPYJWF and quadruple therapy groups showed alleviated pathological damage of gastric mucosa， reduced Hp colonization， mitigated mitochondrial damage， and increased co-expression of TOMM20 and TFAM. The SOD level was elevated in the LPYJWF-L group （P<0.01）， and the MDA levels became lowered in the LPYJWF and quadruple therapy groups （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Furthermore， the LPYJWF and quadruple therapy groups showed down-regulated mRNA levels of PINK1， Parkin， and LC3 and protein levels of PINK1 and Parkin， and up-regulated mRNA level of p62 （P<0.01）. The LPYJWF-M， LPYJWF-H， and quadruple therapy groups showcased down-regulated LC3 Ⅱ/LC3 Ⅰ level （P<0.05， P<0.01） and up-regulated protein level of p62 （P<0.01）. The expression of inflammasome-associated proteins NLRP3， ASC， IL-1β， and IL-18 were reduced in the LPYJWF and quadruple therapy groups （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionLPYJWF ameliorates gastric mucosal damage and exerts mucosa-protective effects in Hp-infected mice， which may be related to the inhibition of excessive mitochondrial autophagy， thereby inhibiting the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway.

ObjectiveTo explore the effect of modified Lianpoyin formula （LPYJWF） in the treatment of Helicobacter pylori （Hp）-associated gastric mucosal damage based on mitochondrial autophagy and NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway. MethodsA total of 60 eight-week-old Balb/c male mice were assigned via the random number table method into control， model， high-dose LPYJWF （LPYJWF-H， 27.3 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， medium-dose LPYJWF （LPYJWF-M， 13.65 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， low-dose LPYJWF （LPYJWF-L， 6.83 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， and quadruple therapy groups. Except the control group， other groups were modeled for Hp infection. Mice were administrated with LPYJWF at corresponding doses by gavage. Quadruple therapy group was given omeprazole （6.06 mg·kg^-1·d^-1） + amoxicillin （303 mg·kg^-1·d^-1） + clarithromycin （151.67 mg·kg^-1·d^-1） + colloidal pectin capsules （30.3 mg·kg^-1·d^-1） by gavage. The control group was given an equal volume of 0.9% NaCl for 14 days. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe the pathological changes of gastric mucosa， and Warthin-Starry （W-S） silver staining was used to detect Hp colonization. Transmission electron microscopy was employed to observe the mitochondrial ultrastructure of the gastric tissue， and immunofluorescence co-localization assay was adopted to detect the expression of mitochondrial transcription factor A （TFAM） and translocase of the outer mitochondrial membrane member 20 （TOMM20）. The water-soluble tetrazolium salt method and thiobarbituric acid method were used to determine the levels of superoxide dismutase （SOD） and malondialdehyde （MDA）， respectively， in the gastric tissue. Western blot was employed to measure the protein levels of PTEN-induced kinase 1 （PINK1）， Parkin， p62， microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 （LC3）， NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3）， apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD （ASC）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， and interleukin-18 （IL-18）. Real-time quantitative PCR was employed to assess the mRNA levels of PINK1， Parkin， p62， and LC3. ResultsCompared with the control group， the model group presented obvious gastric mucosal damage， colonization of a large number of Hp， severe mitochondrial damage， vacuolated structures due to excessive autophagy， reduced TOMM20 and TFAM co-expression in the gastric mucosal tissue， and reduced SOD and increased MDA （P<0.01）. In addition， the gastric tissue in the model group showed up-regulated protein and mRNA levels of PINK1， Parkin， and LC3 and down-regulated protein and mRNA levels of p62 （P<0.01， as well as increased expression of inflammasome-associated proteins NLRP3， ASC， IL-1β， and IL-18 （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the LPYJWF and quadruple therapy groups showed alleviated pathological damage of gastric mucosa， reduced Hp colonization， mitigated mitochondrial damage， and increased co-expression of TOMM20 and TFAM. The SOD level was elevated in the LPYJWF-L group （P<0.01）， and the MDA levels became lowered in the LPYJWF and quadruple therapy groups （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Furthermore， the LPYJWF and quadruple therapy groups showed down-regulated mRNA levels of PINK1， Parkin， and LC3 and protein levels of PINK1 and Parkin， and up-regulated mRNA level of p62 （P<0.01）. The LPYJWF-M， LPYJWF-H， and quadruple therapy groups showcased down-regulated LC3 Ⅱ/LC3 Ⅰ level （P<0.05， P<0.01） and up-regulated protein level of p62 （P<0.01）. The expression of inflammasome-associated proteins NLRP3， ASC， IL-1β， and IL-18 were reduced in the LPYJWF and quadruple therapy groups （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionLPYJWF ameliorates gastric mucosal damage and exerts mucosa-protective effects in Hp-infected mice， which may be related to the inhibition of excessive mitochondrial autophagy， thereby inhibiting the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway.

Immune suppression in the tumor microenvironment (TME) is closely related to abnormal glycolysis. Tumor cells gain metabolic advantages and suppress immune responses through the "Warburg effect". Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been shown to regulate key glycolysis enzymes (such as HK2 and PKM2), metabolic signaling pathways (such as PI3K/AKT/mTOR, HIF-1α) and non-coding RNAs at multiple targets, thus synergistically inhibiting lactate accumulation, improving vascular abnormalities, and relieving metabolic inhibition of immune cells. Studies have shown that TCM monomers and formulas can promote immune cell infiltration and functions, improve metabolic microenvironment, and with the assistance by the nano-delivery system, enhance the precision of treatment. However, the dynamic mechanism of the interaction between TCM-regulated glycolysis and TME has not been fully elucidated, for which single-cell sequencing and other technologies provide important technical support to facilitate in-depth analysis and clinical translational research. Future studies should be focused on the synergistic strategy of "metabolic reprogramming-immune activation" to provide new insights into the mechanisms of tumor immunotherapy.
Humans ; Tumor Microenvironment/immunology* ; Glycolysis/drug effects* ; Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Signal Transduction ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*

ObjectiveTo explore the distribution patterns and correlations of pet-related cat/dog dander allergens and mold allergens in patients with allergic diseases， providing evidence for individualized diagnosis， treatment， and prevention strategies. MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on 798 patients diagnosed with allergic diseases at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University between April 2021 and October 2023. All patients underwent UniCAP platform testing for specific immunoglobulin E （sIgE） levels against cat dander， dog dander， and mold mix （mx1/mx2）， alongside total IgE （tIgE） quantification. Descriptive statistics， Mann-Whitney U tests， and chi-square analyses were employed to evaluate allergen distribution and interrelationships. ResultsAmong the 798 patients （395 males， 403 females， ratio 1∶1.02）， their ages ranged from 0.67 to 69 years （median 14 years， IQR 6-29）. A total of 63.2% （504/798） had a single allergic disease， with allergic rhinitis （AR， 49.2%） being the most common. The remaining 36.8% （294/798） had ≥2 allergic diseases， with AR combined with atopic dermatitis （AD， 10.7%） as the predominant comorbidity. The positivity rate for cat/dog dander sIgE was 24.1% （192/798）， with a significantly higher prevalence in females （30.8%） than males （16.7%， P＜0.05）. Cat dander sensitization increased with age in patients under 18 years. Among positive cases， cat dander sIgE level 2 was most frequent （25.9%）， while dog dander sIgE level 1 predominated （55%）. Patients with cat dander sIgE levels 4-6 had significantly higher tIgE than those with levels 1-3 （P＜0.05）. The positivity rate for mold mix （mx1/mx2） sIgE was 7.4% （59/798）， with mx2 as the primary sensitizer and level 2 being the most common. In mx2-positive patients， the cat/dog dander sIgE positivity rate （44.8%） was significantly higher than that in mx2-negative patients （17.9%， P＜0.05）， and tIgE levels were also higher （P＜0.05）. ConclusionCat dander sensitization increases with age in children. Cat/dog dander and mold allergens are closely linked to AR and AR combined with AD. Synergistic correlations exist between cat/dog dander sIgE and mold mx2 sIgE. Combined detection of these allergens is critical for precision diagnosis and management of pet-related allergic diseases.

This study investigated the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of medical ozone on sepsis- associated kidney injury (S-AKI) induced by lipopolysaccharide in mice. Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, renal histopathological evaluation, detection of renal function biochemical indicators, immunofluorescence staining, and Western blot analysis, the effects of intraperitoneal injection of ozone on inflammation, coagulation, and renal tissue in mice were systematically detected.The results demonstrated that ozone treatment significantly reduced circulating levels of the specific markers (citrullinated histone H3 and myeloperoxidase-DNA complexes) from neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in S-AKI mice, with a suppression on inflammatory and tissue factor expression in renal tissue. Furthermore, ozone effectively improved microcirculation dysfunction, reduced tubular damage and interstitial inflammatory infiltration, thereby alleviating pathological changes of kidneys of S-AKI mice. Mechanistic studies revealed that ozone enhances phagocytic clearance of tissue factor-rich microparticles (TF-MPs) by activating the 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) / scavenger receptor (SR)-A1 signaling pathway in macrophages. In Sr-a1-/- mice, renoprotective effect of ozone was completely abolished, confirming the critical role of SR-A1 in this mechanism. In summary, this study demonstrates that medical ozone promotes macrophage clearance of TF-NETs complexes through the AMPK/SR-A1 signaling axis, exerting dual protective effects on mice through anti-inflammatory action and microcirculation improvement, which provides novel intervention targets and therapeutic strategies for S-AKI treatment.

Objective To investigate the role of hydrogen therapy in reducing radiation-induced lung injury and the specific mechanism. Methods Forty C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into four groups: normal control group, model group, hydrogen therapy group I, and hydrogen therapy group II. A mouse model of radiation-induced lung injury was established. The pathological changes in the lung tissue of the mice were examined with HE staining. Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression of surface markers of M1 and M2 macrophages to observe macrophage polarization. The expression of interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and IL-10 in the lung tissue was measured by immunohistochemistry. The expression of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) p65 and phosphorylated NF-κB (P-NF-κB) p65 was measured by Western blot. Results HE staining showed that compared with the control group, the model group exhibited alveolar septal swelling and thickening, vascular dilatation and congestion, and inflammatory cell infiltration in the lung tissue; the hydrogen groups had significantly reduced pathological damage and inflammatory response than the model group, with more improvements in hydrogen group II than in hydrogen group I. Immunohistochemical results showed that compared with those in the control group, the levels of the inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly increased in the model group; the hydrogen groups showed significantly decreased IL-6 and TNF-α levels and a significantly increased level of the anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 than the model group, which were more marked in hydrogen group II than in hydrogen group I. Immunofluorescence results showed that compared with the control group, the expression of the surface marker of M1 macrophages in the model group was significantly upregulated; the hydrogen groups showed significantly downregulated M1 marker and significantly upregulated M2 marker, and hydrogen group II showed significantly increased M2 marker compared with hydrogen group I. Western blot results showed that compared with that in the control group, the ratio of P-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 in the model group was significantly increased; the P-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 ratio was significantly reduced in the hydrogen groups than in the model group, and was significantly lower in hydrogen group II than in hydrogen group I. Conclusion Hydrogen inhalation therapy may reduce the inflammatory response of radiation-induced lung injury by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway to promote the polarization of the macrophage M1 subtype to the M2 subtype.

BACKGROUND:Metal ions play an important role in the human body.With the progress of material synthesis and processing technology,a variety of metal ions that can be used in bone tissue engineering have been developed,such as magnesium(Mg2+),zinc(Zn2+),manganese(Mn2+),strontium(Sr2+),and copper(Cu2+). OBJECTIVE:To summarize the research progress and development direction of metal ions in bone tissue engineering. METHODS:The literature collected by CNKI,PubMed and WanFang databases from 2014 to 2022 was retrieved.The Chinese and English key words were"metal ions,bone tissue engineering,osteogenic activity,magnesium ions,zinc ions,manganese ions,strontium ions,copper ions,calcium ions,lithium ions,cobalt ions". RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Different metal ions will be released to varying degrees after the materials are implanted into the body,which can change the tissue microenvironment,thus improving the ability of materials to form blood vessels and bones.Compared with growth factors,metal ions are easier to control the release rate,have lower cost,and can also improve the mechanical properties of implant materials.The application of metal ions in bone tissue engineering is full of prospects.Although some metal ions can already be used to treat bone defects,the mechanism of action of many metal ions in the human body is not completely clear,and the application effect is a lack of clinical experiment verification.Further exploration is needed before clinical application.

BACKGROUND:Pulsed electromagnetic fields,as an important physical therapy,are exactly effective in the treatment of osteoarthritis,but the mechanism has not been fully clarified. OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of pulsed electromagnetic field on the degeneration of knee joint cartilage in aged rats. METHODS:Eight 6-month-old Sprague-Dawley rats were selected as the young group and were subjected to normal diet with no treatment.Sixteen 22-month-old Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into old group(n=8)and pulsed electromagnetic field group(n=8).The rats in the pulsed electromagnetic field group were subjected to a pulsed electromagnetic field intervention,once a day,5 days per week for continuous 8 weeks.The rats in the old group were given no treatment.All rats were anesthetized and executed after 8 weeks for the detection of relevant indexes. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the young group,serum type Ⅱ collagen C-terminal peptide level was increased in the old group(P<0.05);compared with the old group,serum type Ⅱ collagen C-terminal peptide level was decreased in the pulsed electromagnetic field group(P<0.05).Micro-CT showed that the bone volume fraction,bone mineral density,and number of bone trabeculae decreased(P<0.05)and the trabecular separation increased(P<0.05)in the tibia of rats in the aged group compared with the young group;and the bone volume fraction,bone density,and number of trabeculae increased(P<0.05)and the trabecular separation decreased(P<0.05)in the tibia of rats in the pulsed electromagnetic field group compared with the aged group.The tibial plateau Safranin O-fast green staining showed that the articular cartilage structure of rats in the aged group was disorganized,and the number of chondrocytes was obviously reduced,and the tidal line could not be distinguished.The above results were improved in the pulsed electromagnetic field group.RT-qPCR and western blot assay showed that the mRNA and protein expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase 1,matrix metalloproteinase 13,P53 and P21 in the articular cartilage and subchondral bone of rats were elevated in the aged group compared with the young group(P<0.05)and decreased in the pulsed electromagnetic field group compared with the old group(P<0.05).To conclude,pulsed electromagnetic fields may improve osteoarthritis in aged rats by inhibiting chondrocyte senescence,alleviating articular cartilage degradation and inhibiting subchondral bone osteoporosis through suppressing the expression of P53/P21.