Objective:To evaluate the role of YTH domain family protein 2 (YTHDF2) in myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) in diabetic rats and the relationship with the nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (NRF2)-ferritinophagy.Methods:This experiment was performed in 2 parts. Part Ⅰ Animal experiment SPF healthy male rats, aged 6-8 weeks, weighing 200-220 g, were used. A type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) model was established by intraperitoneal injection of 1% streptozotocin at a dose of 65 mg/kg. Thirty-six diabetic rats were divided into 3 groups ( n=12 each) using a random number table method: DM sham operation group (DS group), DM myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion group (DIR group), and YTHDF2 knockdown + DM myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion group (AAV-Y+ DIR group). Another 36 non-diabetic rats were selected and divided into 4 groups using the random number table method: sham operation group (NS group, n=12), myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion group (NIR group, n=12), adeno-associated virus control group (AAV-N group, n=6), and YTHDF2 knockdown group (AAV-Y group, n=6). The MIRI model was established by ligating the left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery for 30 min, followed by reperfusion for 2 h. Adeno-associated virus was employed to knock down YTHDF2. At the end of reperfusion, serum concentrations of creatine kinase isoenzyme MB(CK-MB) and cardiac troponin Ⅰ(cTnI) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The animals were sacrificed, myocardial tissues were harvested, and the pathological changes were observed with a light microscope to assess the myocardial infarct size. The expression of YTHDF2, NRF2, and nuclear receptor coactivator 4 (NCOA4) was detected by Western blot. Part Ⅱ Cell experiment H9c2 cells were divided into 9 groups ( n=24 each) using the random number table method: control group (NC group), high-glucose group (HG group), hypoxia-reoxygenation group (HR group), high-glucose hypoxia-reoxygenation group (HHR group), transfection control group (siN group), YTHDF2 knockdown group (siY group), YTHDF2 knockdown + high-glucose hypoxia-reoxygenation group (siY + HHR group), NRF2 inhibitor ML385 + high-glucose hypoxia-reoxygenation group (M + HHR group), and YTHDF2 knockdown + NRF2 inhibitor ML385 + high-glucose hypoxia-reoxygenation group (siY + M + HHR group). The cells were transfected with siRNA to knock down YTHDF2, and a high-glucose, hypoxia and reoxygenation injury model was established by subjecting cells to 48 h of high glucose, followed by 4 h of hypoxia and 2 h of reoxygenation. The cell viability and lactic dehydrogenase(LDH) activity were determined, autophagic vesicles were counted, and the expression of YTHDF2, NRF2 and NCOA4 was detected by Western blot. Results:Part Ⅰ Animal experiment At the end of myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion, serum levels of CK-MB and cTnI and the percentage of myocardial infarct size were significantly increased, the expression of YTHDF2 and NCOA4 in myocardial tissues was up-regulated, and the expression of NRF2 was down-regulated in both diabetic and non-diabetic groups ( P<0.05). Compared with NIR group, serum levels of CK-MB and cTnI and the percentage of myocardial infarct size were significantly increased, the expression of YTHDF2 and NCOA4 in myocardial tissues was up-regulated, and the expression of NRF2 was down-regulated in DIR group ( P<0.05). Compared with DIR group, serum levels of CK-MB and cTnI and the percentage of myocardial infarct size were significantly decreased, the expression of YTHDF2 and NCOA4 in myocardial tissues was down-regulated, and the expression of NRF2 was up-regulated ( P<0.05), and the pathological damage was reduced in AAV-Y + DIR group. Part Ⅱ Cell experiment Compared with HG and HR groups, the cell viability was significantly decreased, the activity of LDH was increased, the counts of autophagic vesicle were increased, the expression of YTHDF2 and NCOA4 was up-regulated, and the expression of NRF2 was down-regulated in HHR group ( P<0.05). Compared with HHR group, the cell viability was significantly decreased, the activity of LDH was increased, the counts of autophagic vesicle were increased, the expression of YTHDF2 and NCOA4 was up-regulated, and the expression of NRF2 was down-regulated in M + HHR group, and the cell viability was significantly increased, the activity of LDH was decreased, the counts of autophagic vesicle were decreased, the expression of YTHDF2 and NCOA4 was down-regulated, and the expression of NRF2 was up-regulated in siY + HHR group ( P<0.05), and no statistically significant changes were found in the above indicators in siY + M + HHR group ( P>0.05) Conclusions:YTHDF2 can down-regulate the expression of NRF2, enhance the level of ferritinophagy, and participate in the process of MIRI in diabetic rats.

Astragalus membranaceus possesses the function of enhancing immunity, protecting the liver, diuretic, anti-aging, anti-stress, anti-hypertensive, and more extensive antibacterial effects. Polysaccharides, one kind of the major active ingredients of A. membranaceus, are considered to be responsible for their versatile use. Now, a systematic summary of research progress and prospects of polysaccharides from A. membranaceus polysaccharides (AMPs) is necessary to facilitate their further study and application. In this review, the optimal extraction methods, structural features, biological activities, and applications of AMPs were emphasized. The structure-activity relationships are also analyzed and elucidated. Solvent, ultrasonic, microwave, enzyme-assisted, ultra-high pressure, and combined methods have been used to extract AMPs. Among them, solvent extraction is the most commonly used method because it is simple and easy to operate, but the efficiency needs to be improved further. The ultra-high pressure method is the most efficient but has a low economic return. AMPs exhibited various bioactivities, including immunomodulation, antitumor, and antidiabete. The structure-activity relationships revealed that different structure configurations, chain conformations, and physical properties would have different bioactivities. However, the new method for purification of certain polysaccharides, detailed structure-activity relationships (SAR), mechanisms of bioactivities, and quality control of AMPs need to be extensively investigated.

Objective:To evaluate the role of YTH domain family protein 2 (YTHDF2) in myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) in diabetic rats and the relationship with the nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (NRF2)-ferritinophagy.Methods:This experiment was performed in 2 parts. Part Ⅰ Animal experiment SPF healthy male rats, aged 6-8 weeks, weighing 200-220 g, were used. A type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) model was established by intraperitoneal injection of 1% streptozotocin at a dose of 65 mg/kg. Thirty-six diabetic rats were divided into 3 groups ( n=12 each) using a random number table method: DM sham operation group (DS group), DM myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion group (DIR group), and YTHDF2 knockdown + DM myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion group (AAV-Y+ DIR group). Another 36 non-diabetic rats were selected and divided into 4 groups using the random number table method: sham operation group (NS group, n=12), myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion group (NIR group, n=12), adeno-associated virus control group (AAV-N group, n=6), and YTHDF2 knockdown group (AAV-Y group, n=6). The MIRI model was established by ligating the left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery for 30 min, followed by reperfusion for 2 h. Adeno-associated virus was employed to knock down YTHDF2. At the end of reperfusion, serum concentrations of creatine kinase isoenzyme MB(CK-MB) and cardiac troponin Ⅰ(cTnI) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The animals were sacrificed, myocardial tissues were harvested, and the pathological changes were observed with a light microscope to assess the myocardial infarct size. The expression of YTHDF2, NRF2, and nuclear receptor coactivator 4 (NCOA4) was detected by Western blot. Part Ⅱ Cell experiment H9c2 cells were divided into 9 groups ( n=24 each) using the random number table method: control group (NC group), high-glucose group (HG group), hypoxia-reoxygenation group (HR group), high-glucose hypoxia-reoxygenation group (HHR group), transfection control group (siN group), YTHDF2 knockdown group (siY group), YTHDF2 knockdown + high-glucose hypoxia-reoxygenation group (siY + HHR group), NRF2 inhibitor ML385 + high-glucose hypoxia-reoxygenation group (M + HHR group), and YTHDF2 knockdown + NRF2 inhibitor ML385 + high-glucose hypoxia-reoxygenation group (siY + M + HHR group). The cells were transfected with siRNA to knock down YTHDF2, and a high-glucose, hypoxia and reoxygenation injury model was established by subjecting cells to 48 h of high glucose, followed by 4 h of hypoxia and 2 h of reoxygenation. The cell viability and lactic dehydrogenase(LDH) activity were determined, autophagic vesicles were counted, and the expression of YTHDF2, NRF2 and NCOA4 was detected by Western blot. Results:Part Ⅰ Animal experiment At the end of myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion, serum levels of CK-MB and cTnI and the percentage of myocardial infarct size were significantly increased, the expression of YTHDF2 and NCOA4 in myocardial tissues was up-regulated, and the expression of NRF2 was down-regulated in both diabetic and non-diabetic groups ( P<0.05). Compared with NIR group, serum levels of CK-MB and cTnI and the percentage of myocardial infarct size were significantly increased, the expression of YTHDF2 and NCOA4 in myocardial tissues was up-regulated, and the expression of NRF2 was down-regulated in DIR group ( P<0.05). Compared with DIR group, serum levels of CK-MB and cTnI and the percentage of myocardial infarct size were significantly decreased, the expression of YTHDF2 and NCOA4 in myocardial tissues was down-regulated, and the expression of NRF2 was up-regulated ( P<0.05), and the pathological damage was reduced in AAV-Y + DIR group. Part Ⅱ Cell experiment Compared with HG and HR groups, the cell viability was significantly decreased, the activity of LDH was increased, the counts of autophagic vesicle were increased, the expression of YTHDF2 and NCOA4 was up-regulated, and the expression of NRF2 was down-regulated in HHR group ( P<0.05). Compared with HHR group, the cell viability was significantly decreased, the activity of LDH was increased, the counts of autophagic vesicle were increased, the expression of YTHDF2 and NCOA4 was up-regulated, and the expression of NRF2 was down-regulated in M + HHR group, and the cell viability was significantly increased, the activity of LDH was decreased, the counts of autophagic vesicle were decreased, the expression of YTHDF2 and NCOA4 was down-regulated, and the expression of NRF2 was up-regulated in siY + HHR group ( P<0.05), and no statistically significant changes were found in the above indicators in siY + M + HHR group ( P>0.05) Conclusions:YTHDF2 can down-regulate the expression of NRF2, enhance the level of ferritinophagy, and participate in the process of MIRI in diabetic rats.

BACKGROUND:Photothermal therapy is a novel tumor treatment strategy that uses photothermal agents to transform light energy into heat energy to accomplish non-invasive tumor ablation.The rise of photothermal therapy and nanotechnology has provided a new perspective on breast cancer treatment.OBJECTIVE:To prepare a new type of near-infrared biomimetic nanoprobe that has been modified by breast cancer cell membrane,to investigate the effect of near-infrared fluorescence/ultrasound imaging in vitro,and to observe its targeting ability and photothermal therapy effect on homologous tumor cells in vitro.METHODS:Organic small molecule ITIC-4CI with A-D-A structure was used as photothermal agents;polylactic acid/glycolic acid copolymer as nanocarrier;4T1 cell membrane of mouse breast cancer cells as a surface modifier of nanoparticles;perfluorohexane(PFH)was loaded.A novel near-infrared biomimetic nanoprobe(4T1m/ITIC-4CI/PFH)was prepared by the double emulsion evaporation method and sonication method.The basic characterization of the nanoprobe and the homologous targeting ability were detected.The photothermal properties and photothermal stability of the probe were investigated,and the near-infrared fluorescence/ultrasound imaging effect of the probe under laser irradiation was observed.The CCK-8 assay and calcein/propidium iodide staining were used to assess the efficacy of photothermal therapy.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The prepared 4T1m/ITIC-4CI/PFH nanoprobes had uniform size,high stability,and an average particle size of(92.7±2.3)nm.The probe's protein composition was identical to that of the 4T1 cell membrane.The nanoprobe's ability to target homologous 4T1 cells was validated by an in vitro cell uptake assay.(2)The nanoprobe had a red-shift absorption spectrum and tail emission extending to the near-infrared-Ⅱ,which emitted a bright near-infrared-Ⅱ fluorescence signal under laser irradiation.(3)After laser irradiation,the nanoprobe 4T1m/ITIC-4CI/PFH could be turned into microbubbles and enhanced ultrasound imaging.The results of CCK-8 assay and calcein/propidium iodide staining showed that the nanoprobe 4T1m/ITIC-4CI/PFH had an obvious photothermal killing effect on 4T1 cells.(4)The results show that the nanoprobe 4T1m/ITIC-4CI/PFH has the ability to target homologous tumors and enhance near-infrared-Ⅱ fluorescence imaging/ultrasound imaging and photothermal therapy effects.

Background: Ziziphi Spinosae Semen (ZSS) contains a wide range of active components. Because existing methods cannot fully evaluate these components, a new quantitative method needs to be established for component characterization. Objective: Ziziphi Spinosae Semen has gained increasing attention in recent years, primarily as a medicinal and edible plant. The content determination of ZSS is not specified in the Chinese Pharmacopeia (2020 edition). Environmental conditions in different production areas can influence the quality of ZSS. This study aims to identify ZSS collected from various geographical origins in China. Materials and methods: High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fingerprints were established using optimized HPLC-photo-diode array methods. Subsequently, similarity analysis and quantification of ZSS from different sources were conducted. Metabolites of ZSS were identified and evaluated using the UHPLC-Q Exactive HF Orbitrap MS system. Principal component analysis, hierarchical cluster analysis, and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis were performed based on all peak areas. Results: In this study, the components of ZSS against insomnia were screened through network pharmacology. As revealed by the results of protein-protein interaction network analysis, Gene Ontology analysis, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis, 14 core components, 10 core targets, and 25 pathways were identified. Thirty-four batches of ZSS fingerprints were established through the HPLC method, which identified 12 characteristic peaks, with 6 being qualitatively identified. An identification method for assessing differences in the chemical composition of ZSS from different origins was developed by using UHPLC-Q Exactive HF Orbitrap MS. Differential markers from various origins were screened and identified. Through multiple analyses such as principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis, it was concluded that there were differences in ZSS metabolites from Hebei, Shandong, and Shaanxi provinces. Seventeen differential metabolites of different origins were identified. Conclusions: This study confirmed that ZSS played a synergistic role in improving insomnia through multiple components, targets, and pathways. The content of all 5 components was high, except for jujuboside B. In addition, 6 compounds in ZSS extracts from different origins differed in content, indicating that different growth environments might impact the quality of ZSS.

OBJECTIVE: Pseudostellaria heterophylla has been paid more attention in recent years, mainly as a medicine food homology plant. The content determination of P. heterophylla is not specified in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (version 2020). The environmental conditions in different production areas could exert an influence on the quality of P. heterophylla. The purpose of this study is to discriminate P. heterophylla collected from different geographical origins of China. METHODS: In this study, the content of polysaccharide in 28 batches of P. heterophylla was determined using phenol-sulfuric acid. HPLC fingerprints were established under optimised HPLC-PDA methods. Subsequently, the similarity analysis (SA) and the quantification of heterophyllin B were analyzed. The metabolites of P. heterophylla were identified and evaluated using UHPLC-Q Exactive HF orbitrap MS system. Principal component analysis (PCA), partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and orthogonal PLS-DA (OPLS-DA) were performed based on all peak areas. RESULTS: The polysaccharide content in Guizhou and Jiangsu was higher than that of other production areas, which varied significant from different origins. While the content of heterophyllin B in Anhui and Jiangsu was high. The correlation coefficients of HPLC fingerprints for 28 batches samples ranged from 0.877 to 0.990, and the characteristic map can be used to identify and evaluate the quality of P. heterophylla. The samples from Fujian, Guizhou, Jiangsu provinces can be relatively separated using multivariate statistical analysis including PCA, PLS-DA, HCA, OPLS-DA, indicating that their metabolic compositions were significantly different. Ultimately, a total of 15 metabolites which were filtrated by a VIP-value > 1 and a P-value < 0.05 associated with the separation of different origins were identified. CONCLUSION HPLC fingerprint was established to evaluate the quality and authenticity of P. heterophylla. The present work showed that the difference of geographic distributions had an influence on the internal chemical compositions. A sensitive and rapid untargeted metabolomics approach by UHPLC-Q Exactive HF orbitrap MS was utilized to evaluate P. heterophylla from different origins in China for the first time. Overall, this study provides insights to metabolomics of P. heterophylla and supplies important reference values for the development of functional foods.

Background: Chinese yam (Dioscorea opposita Thunb.), with medicinal and edible properties, holds a significant position in both traditional medicine and food in China. It is rich in resistant starch (RS), which imparts various beneficial effects, including anticonstipation, regulation of blood lipids, and prevention of gastric ulcers. However, the resistance of native yam starch to digestion diminishes during cooking, necessitating suitable modifications. Objective: In this article, yam starch was complexed with five different polyphenols to create RS5. The goal was to explore how these diverse polyphenols influence the physicochemical characteristics and bioactivities associated with yam RS. Method: Yam starch-polyphenol complexes, involving five different polyphenols, namely, magnolol (MAG), ferulic acid (FA), resveratrol (RES), apple polyphenols (APs), and green tea polyphenols (GTPs), were prepared. The investigation encompassed the assessment of physicochemical properties, structural traits, in vitro cholate binding capacity, and in vitro antidigestive effects of these complexes. Results: The results highlight the pronounced affinity of MAG for yam starch, followed by FA. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy reveals that starch-polyphenol binding primarily involves noncovalent interactions. X-ray diffraction analysis discloses V-type crystal structures in YS-MAG, YS-APs, and YS-GTPs complexes. The incorporation of polyphenols reduces the thermal stability of starch while enhancing its in vitro cholate binding capacity, restraining starch digestion, and elevating RS content. Notably, YS-FA exhibits an impressive RS content of up to 54.15%. In addition, YS-MAG and YS-FA significantly enhance the production of short-chain fatty acids. These findings deepen our comprehension of the interplay between yam starch and polyphenols, offering valuable insights for the development of novel food products with enhanced health benefits.

Objective To provide guidance for pre-hospital emergency treatment by studying the disease spectrum and distribution characteristics of pre-hospital emergency treatment patients in Wuxi area from 2015 to 2020. Methods The medical records of 120 pre-hospital emergency patients in Wuxi area from January 2015 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, and the disease types, gender, age, and seasonal distribution of the pre-hospital emergency patients were statistically analyzed. Results The top five emergency diseases of 16 437 pre-hospital patients were trauma (24.51%), cerebrovascular disease (19.16%), cardiovascular disease (18.33%), digestive system disease (9.70%) and respiratory disease (7.20%). In the distribution of disease types, the proportions of injuries, cerebrovascular diseases, cardiovascular diseases, digestive system diseases, respiratory system diseases, poisoning diseases and urinary system diseases in males were significantly higher than those in females (χ²=4.975, P<0.05). The proportion of male species (9 812/16 437) was higher than that of female species (6 625/16 437). From 2015 to 2020, the age group with high incidence of pre-hospital emergency patients in Wuxi area was distributed in the 50-60 years old (19.30%) and 40-50 years old (16.28%), and the least age group was 0-10 years old (2.60%). The number of pre-hospital emergency patients was 46.60% from 6 to 12 hours per day, and 10.26% from 18 to 24 hours per day. The number of pre-hospital emergency patients was the highest in summer (38.69%), and the lowest in spring (11.87%). Conclusion The pre-hospital emergency diseases in Wuxi area are mainly cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and the acute and severe diseases show an increasing trend. It is necessary to rationally allocate the pre-hospital emergency resources according to the disease spectrum and the peak months and time periods of different diseases, so as to improve the medical service level in Wuxi.

Objective:To evaluate the effectiveness of staged modular theory and practice lectures in laparoscopic training.Methods:In this study, a large group of medical students and a large group of residents were selected, and each of the two groups was divided into an experimental group and a control group respectively. The experimental group received staged modular theory and practice lectures based on the conventional trainings, and the control group only underwent conventional laparoscopic skills training and instruction. Before and after the training, the completion time of 6 basic laparoscopic operations, laparoscopic suture time, suture quality and the number of accidental injuries were recorded and scored in each group according to the assessment criteria. SPSS 26.0 was used for statistical analysis of the assessment data. Independent samples t-test or Mann-Whitney U test was used for inter-group comparison between the two large groups, and paired samples t-test or Wilcoxon sign rank sum test was used for intra-group comparison before and after the training. Results:Compared with the control group, the experimental group of medical students that had undergone staged modular theory and practice lectures had a shorter time to complete basic laparoscopic operations, faster speed of suturing ( t=6.18, P<0.001) and higher quality of suturing ( t=4.17, P<0.001) and fewer accidental injuries ( Z=-2.03, P=0.043); the experimental group of residents that had undergone staged modular theoretical and practical lectures had a shorter time to complete basic laparoscopic operations, faster speed of suturing ( t=3.31, P=0.002) and higher quality of suturing ( t=3.68, P=0.001) and fewer accidental injuries ( Z=-2.44, P=0.015). Conclusion:The staged modular theory and practice lectures are able to further improve the quality of basic laparoscopic skills training.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of TBK1 overexpression on hypoxia-reoxygenation (H/R) injury in isolated mouse cardiomyocytes subjected to high glucose and the relationship with mitochondrial autophagy.Methods:Normally cultured log-phase HL-1 mouse cardiomyocytes were inoculated in a 6-well plate at a density of 1×10 6 cells/ml and were divided into 4 groups ( n=10 each) using a random number table method: control group (group C), high glucose group (group HG), high glucose and H/R group (group HG+ H/R), and TBK1 overexpression group (group TBK1). The cells were incubated in culture medium with 1% fetal bovine serum and 1% double antibody for 24 h when the cell density reached 50%.When the cell density reached 80%, pcDNA3.1 (+ ) was used as a vector to achieve TBK1 overexpression.The cells were cultured with high glucose medium (33 mmol/L) for 24 h, exposed to 94% N 2+ 5% CO 2+ 1% O 2 for 24 h in an incubator at 37℃ followed by 12 h reoxygenation in an incubator containing 5% CO 2 at 37°C to establish the model of H/R injury to cardiomyocytes subjected to high glucose.After reoxygenation, CCK-8 assay was used to detect cell viability, the activity of lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) in supernatant was detected using LDH kit, mitochondrial contents were determined using Mito-Tracter green fluorescent probe, and the expression of TBK1 and mitophagy-related proteins PINK1, Parkin, LC3B and P62 was detected by Western blot. Results:Compared with group C, the cell viability was significantly decreased, the activity of LDH in supernatant was increased, mitochondrial contents were decreased, the expression of TBK1, PINK1, Parkin and LC3B was down-regulated, and the expression of P62 was up-regulated in HG group and HG+ H/R group ( P<0.05). Compared with group HG, the cell viability was significantly decreased, the activity of LDH in supernatant was increased, mitochondrial contents were decreased, the expression of TBK1, PINK1, Parkin and LC3B was down-regulated, and the expression of P62 was up-regulated in group HG+ H/R ( P<0.05). Compared with group HG+ H/R, the the cell viability was significantly increased, the activity of LDH in supernatant was decreased, mitochondrial contents were increased, the expression of TBK1, PINK1, Parkin and LC3B was up-regulated, and the expression of P62 was down-regulated in group TBK1 ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The mechanism by which TBK1 overexpression reduces the H/R injury is related to restoring mitophagy in isolated mouse cardiomyocytes subjected to high glucose.