Aim To investigate the effect of hypobaric hypoxia on macrophage necroptosis and atherosclerotic plaque instability and explore the underlying mechanisms.Methods Mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages were i-solated and cultured,and divided into control group(21％oxygen concentration)and hypoxia group(3％oxygen concen-tration).After 48 hours,cell necroptosis was detected,and the expression of cell necroptosis related proteins was deter-mined by Western blot.Healthy male ApoE-/-mice were randomly divided into control group and hypobaric hypoxia group.After the intervention for 16 weeks,the plasma lipids and inflammatory cytokines were measured,the areas of ath-erosclerotic plaque and necrotic core were evaluated by HE staining.The content of plaque collagen was detected by Mas-son staining.The number of macrophages in the plaque and the expression of necrotic apoptosis related proteins were de-tected by immunohistochemical staining and Western blot.Results Hypoxia induced increased necrotic apoptosis of macrophages(P＜0.01),while necroptotic inhibitor necrostatin-1(Nec-1)reduced hypoxia induced cell death(P＜0.05);hypoxia leads to a decrease in the expression of adenosine deaminase acting on RNA 1(ADAR1)in macrophages(P＜0.01),and an increase in the expression of Z-DNA binding protein 1(ZBP1),phosphorylated receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase(p-RIPK3),and phosphorylated mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein(p-MLKL)(all P＜0.01).Compared with the control group,the plasma lipid levels of ApoE-/-mice in the hypobaric hypoxia group did not change significantly(P＞0.05),the plasma inflammatory cytokines(TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6 and MCP-1)increased(all P＜0.05),the area of atherosclerotic plaque increased(P＜0.05),the area of plaque necrotic core increased,the content of plaque collagen decreased,the number of macrophages increased,the expression of ADAR1 decreased,and the expres-sion of ZBP1 and p-MLKL increased(all P＜0.01).Conclusion Hypobaric hypoxia causes the imbalance of A-DAR1/ZBP1 expression in macrophages,activates RIPK3/MLKL signaling pathway,promotes macrophage necroptosis,in-creases the area of plaque necrosis core,and leads to increase instability of atherosclerotic plaque.

AIM:To explore the role and mechanism of calcium-sensing receptor(CaSR)in regulating macro-phage polarization in hypertensive rats.METHODS:Male spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHR)and Wistar-Kyoto(WKY)rats were categorized into WKY group,SHR group,SHR+R568(CaSR agonist)group,and SHR+NPS2143(CaSR inhibitor)group.The thoracic aorta was isolated,and the expression of CaSR and macrophage polarization markers in the aorta was observed through immunofluorescence staining.The primary peritoneal macrophages of SHR and WKY rats were aseptically extracted following anesthesia.After intervention with R568 and NPS2143,the expression levels of M1 and M2 markers of peritoneal macrophages were observed by Western blot and immunofluorescence staining.The levels of interleukin(IL)-1β and IL-10 were measured by ELISA.The concentration of Ca2+in peritoneal macrophages was mea-sured by immunofluorescence.Western blot was employed to identify the expression of CaSR and nucleotide-binding oligo-merization domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)inflammasome components.Following anesthesia,vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs)were isolated from SHR using an adherent method.Subsequently,a co-culture system was estab-lished with macrophage supernatant.The optimal action time for this co-culture system was determined through CCK-8 as-say.RESULTS:Compared with SHR group,activation of CaSR resulted in a significant decrease in the protein expres-sion of M1 polarization markers(P<0.05)and a concomitant increase in the protein expression of M2 polarization markers in the aorta(P<0.05).Compared with SHR group,administration of R568 led to a significant decrease in the protein ex-pression of M1 polarization markers(P<0.05)and a concomitant increase in the protein expression of M2 polarization markers(P<0.05)in peritoneal macrophages.Additionally,there was a notable reduction in the protein levels of NLRP3 inflammasome components(P<0.05).Furthermore,the fluorescence intensity of intracellular Ca2+was significantly en-hanced following R568 treatment(P<0.05).After administration of MCC950,an NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitor,the re-sults were consistent with those observed following R568 treatment,demonstrating statistical significance(P<0.05).This effect was reversed by the combined intervention of U73122,a phospholipase C(PLC)inhibitor(P<0.05).Compared with the control(0 h),the 24-h peritoneal macrophage supernatant exhibited the strongest capacity to enhance the viabili-ty of VSMCs after 24 h of culture(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:In hypertensive rats,the CaSR inhibits NLRP3 inflamma-some activation via the PLC-Ca2+signaling pathway,thereby mediating an increase in macrophage polarization towards the M2 phenotype and a decrease towards the M1 phenotype.

Aim To investigate the effect of hypobaric hypoxia on macrophage necroptosis and atherosclerotic plaque instability and explore the underlying mechanisms.Methods Mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages were i-solated and cultured,and divided into control group(21％oxygen concentration)and hypoxia group(3％oxygen concen-tration).After 48 hours,cell necroptosis was detected,and the expression of cell necroptosis related proteins was deter-mined by Western blot.Healthy male ApoE-/-mice were randomly divided into control group and hypobaric hypoxia group.After the intervention for 16 weeks,the plasma lipids and inflammatory cytokines were measured,the areas of ath-erosclerotic plaque and necrotic core were evaluated by HE staining.The content of plaque collagen was detected by Mas-son staining.The number of macrophages in the plaque and the expression of necrotic apoptosis related proteins were de-tected by immunohistochemical staining and Western blot.Results Hypoxia induced increased necrotic apoptosis of macrophages(P＜0.01),while necroptotic inhibitor necrostatin-1(Nec-1)reduced hypoxia induced cell death(P＜0.05);hypoxia leads to a decrease in the expression of adenosine deaminase acting on RNA 1(ADAR1)in macrophages(P＜0.01),and an increase in the expression of Z-DNA binding protein 1(ZBP1),phosphorylated receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase(p-RIPK3),and phosphorylated mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein(p-MLKL)(all P＜0.01).Compared with the control group,the plasma lipid levels of ApoE-/-mice in the hypobaric hypoxia group did not change significantly(P＞0.05),the plasma inflammatory cytokines(TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6 and MCP-1)increased(all P＜0.05),the area of atherosclerotic plaque increased(P＜0.05),the area of plaque necrotic core increased,the content of plaque collagen decreased,the number of macrophages increased,the expression of ADAR1 decreased,and the expres-sion of ZBP1 and p-MLKL increased(all P＜0.01).Conclusion Hypobaric hypoxia causes the imbalance of A-DAR1/ZBP1 expression in macrophages,activates RIPK3/MLKL signaling pathway,promotes macrophage necroptosis,in-creases the area of plaque necrosis core,and leads to increase instability of atherosclerotic plaque.

AIM:To explore the role and mechanism of calcium-sensing receptor(CaSR)in regulating macro-phage polarization in hypertensive rats.METHODS:Male spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHR)and Wistar-Kyoto(WKY)rats were categorized into WKY group,SHR group,SHR+R568(CaSR agonist)group,and SHR+NPS2143(CaSR inhibitor)group.The thoracic aorta was isolated,and the expression of CaSR and macrophage polarization markers in the aorta was observed through immunofluorescence staining.The primary peritoneal macrophages of SHR and WKY rats were aseptically extracted following anesthesia.After intervention with R568 and NPS2143,the expression levels of M1 and M2 markers of peritoneal macrophages were observed by Western blot and immunofluorescence staining.The levels of interleukin(IL)-1β and IL-10 were measured by ELISA.The concentration of Ca2+in peritoneal macrophages was mea-sured by immunofluorescence.Western blot was employed to identify the expression of CaSR and nucleotide-binding oligo-merization domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)inflammasome components.Following anesthesia,vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs)were isolated from SHR using an adherent method.Subsequently,a co-culture system was estab-lished with macrophage supernatant.The optimal action time for this co-culture system was determined through CCK-8 as-say.RESULTS:Compared with SHR group,activation of CaSR resulted in a significant decrease in the protein expres-sion of M1 polarization markers(P<0.05)and a concomitant increase in the protein expression of M2 polarization markers in the aorta(P<0.05).Compared with SHR group,administration of R568 led to a significant decrease in the protein ex-pression of M1 polarization markers(P<0.05)and a concomitant increase in the protein expression of M2 polarization markers(P<0.05)in peritoneal macrophages.Additionally,there was a notable reduction in the protein levels of NLRP3 inflammasome components(P<0.05).Furthermore,the fluorescence intensity of intracellular Ca2+was significantly en-hanced following R568 treatment(P<0.05).After administration of MCC950,an NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitor,the re-sults were consistent with those observed following R568 treatment,demonstrating statistical significance(P<0.05).This effect was reversed by the combined intervention of U73122,a phospholipase C(PLC)inhibitor(P<0.05).Compared with the control(0 h),the 24-h peritoneal macrophage supernatant exhibited the strongest capacity to enhance the viabili-ty of VSMCs after 24 h of culture(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:In hypertensive rats,the CaSR inhibits NLRP3 inflamma-some activation via the PLC-Ca2+signaling pathway,thereby mediating an increase in macrophage polarization towards the M2 phenotype and a decrease towards the M1 phenotype.

Aim To study the effect of menthol on hypobaric hypoxia-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension and explore the underlying mechanism in mice. Methods 10 to 12 weeks old wild type (WT) mice and TRPM8 gene knockout (TRPM8

Objective To investigate the clinical value of coronary computed tomography angiography(CCTA)based CT derived fractional flow reserve(CT-FFR)and ΔCT-FFR in improving the diagnostic efficiency for coronary abnormal hemodynamics in patients with severe calcification.Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of coronary artery disease(CAD)patients who underwent CCTA,CT-FFR,invasive coronary angiography(ICA)and FFR during hospitalization from January 2018 to June 2019 in Chinese PLA General Hospital.Severe calcification was defined as coronary artery calcium score(CACS)≥100 on single vessel level.A total of 107 CAD patients with 149 coronary arteries were included in the present study.The enrolled coronary arteries were assigned to CACS≥100 group(n=56)and CACS<100 group(n=93).CT-FFR was performed on the deep FFR platform based on machine learning(ML)algorithms and ΔCT-FFR was defined as CT-FFR difference between proximal and distal to the coronary lesion.The correlation and consistency between CT-FFR and FFR values were analyzed by Pearson and Bland-Altman methods.We attempted to analyze the incremental value of ΔCT-FFR for coronary functional evaluation,especial for coronary arteries with severe calcification,regarding FFR≤0.8 as the diagnostic gold standard.Comparison of receiver operating characteristic curves(ROC)between different diagnostic methods was presented by Delong test.Results Pearson and Bland-Altman analyses showed appreciable correlation(CACS≥100 group,r=0.71,P<0.01;CACS<100 group,r=0.73,P<0.01)and consistency(CACS≥100 group,Mean=-0.01,P=0.25;CACS<100 group,Mean=0,P=0.96)between CT-FFR and FFR values in both groups.FFR(0.80±0.08 vs.0.84±0.09,P=0.004)and CT-FFR(0.81±0.06 vs.0.85±0.06,P<0.001)levels were significant lower in CACS≥100 group than those in CACS<100 group,while ΔCT-FFR(0.14±0.06 vs.0.09±0.06,P<0.001)levels were significant higher in CACS≥100 group.Moreover,the diagnostic efficiency of CT-FFR in CACS≥100 group was inferior to that in CACS<100 group[AUC=0.792(95%CI 0.663-0.889)vs.AUC=0.929(95%CI 0.856-0.972),P=0.04],while it achieved significant improvement after ΔCT-FFR adjustment[AUC=0.876(95%CI 0.760-0.949)vs.AUC=0.792(95%CI 0.663-0.889),P=0.02]and was similar to that in CACS<100 group(P=0.37).Conclusion For coronary arteries with severe calcification,CT-FFR demonstrated significant incremental value in improving the diagnostic efficiency of coronary abnormal hemodynamics after ΔCT-FFR adjustment.

AIM:To examine the effects of borneol on inflammation and myocardial remodeling after myocar-dial infarction(MI)in mice,and to investigate the underlying mechanisms.METHODS:Eight-week-old wild-type(WT)C57BL/6 mice and transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily M member 8(TRPM8)gene knockout(TRPM8-/-)mice were randomly divided into sham and MI groups,and were subsequently treated with normal saline(control group)or borneol(borneol group)via gavage.Survival curves were plotted for WT and TRPM8-/-mice with MI treated with or with-out borneol.After 28 d,cardiac function of the mice was assessed through echocardiography,and haemodynamic indexes were evaluated using a multi-channel physiological instrument.Infarct size,myocardial hypertrophy and interstitial fibro-sis were assessed via pathological staining.In addition,inflammatory response in the peri-infarct region was detected.RE-SULTS:The TRPM8 expression was up-regulated in the peri-infarct region of the mice with MI(P＜0.05),and borneol had no effect on TRPM8 expression(P＞0.05).Borneol increased the survival rate,reduced the infarct size,inhibited car-diac remodeling and improved cardiac function in WT mice with MI(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).However,it did not affect the survival rate,infarct size,myocardial hypertrophy,myocardial fibrosis or cardiac function in TRPM8-/-mice(P＞0.05).Furthermore,borneol reduced inflammatory cell infiltration and the expression of inflammatory cytokines,tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin-1β(IL-1β),IL-6 and monocyte chemotactic protein-1(MCP-1),in WT mice(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01)but not in TRPM8-/-mice(P＞0.05).CONCLUSION:Borneol attenuates inflammation,inhibits cardiac re-modeling and improves cardiac function in mice with MI via TRPM8.

Gallbladder carcinoma,a relatively rare malignancy within the biliary tract,presents a grave prognosis primarily due to asymptomatic early stages leading to advanced stage diagnosis and the absence of efficacious treatment options.Research has identified chronic inflammation,predom-inantly caused by gallstones,as a critical etiological factor.While surgical intervention offers potential curative outcomes in early stages,the majority of cases are identified too late for optimal surgical outcomes.Chemotherapy and targeted therapy,despite offering new therapeutic avenues,have not significantly improved overall survival rates.Thus,understanding the pathogenesis of gallbladder cancer,especially its association with key genetic and molecular pathways,is imperative for devising novel therapeutic strategies.This review delineates the epidemiology,pathogenesis,current treat-ment modalities,and research advancements in gallbladder cancer,aiming to provide innovative in-sights for clinical management and guide future research endeavors.

AIM To explore the protective effect of Wenyang Fuyuan Recipe on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI) in rats.METHODS Among the rats randomly divided into the sham operation group,the model group,the FPS-ZM1 group and Wenyang Fuyuan Recipe group,with 6 rats in each group,all were induced into the rat CIRI models except those of the sham operation group.The rats had the model success verified by TTC staining and modified neurological severity score ( mNSS );their neuronal apoptosis detected by TUNEL staining;their cerebral protein expressions of RAGE and S100 β detected by immunofluorescence staining;their cerebral mRNA expressions of RAGE and p38MAPK detected by RT-qPCR;and their protein expressions of RAGE,AGE,HMGB1,p38 and Bcl-2 in brain tissue detected by Western blot.RESULTS Compared with the sham operation group,the model group showed marked white matter with an enlarged size in the brain tissue ( P<0.05),increased neurological function score ( P<0.05 ),increased number of apoptotic cells in neurons ( P<0.05 ),increased cerebral protein expressions of RAGE and S100β( P<0.05 ),and increased protein and mRNA expressions of cerebral AGE,RAGE,HMGB1 and p38MAPK ( P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the group intervened with either FPS-ZM1 or Wenyang Fuyuan Recipe shared improved conditions in terms of the aforementioned indicators levels ( P<0.05 ),and Wenyang Fuyuan Recipe group showed its particular priority in the efficacy.CONCLUSION Wenyang Fuyuan Recipe may protect the rat brain via AGE-RAGE and its downstream p38MAPK signaling pathway mediated neuronal apoptosis attenuation.

Aim To investigate the effect of safflower yellow on the learning and memory of scopolamine hydrobromide-induced memory impairment model mice.Methods 6-month-old C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into the control group,model group,SY high-dose group,SY medium-dose group,SY low-dose group,and Huperzine-A group(12 mice in each group).SCOP was used to establish a memory impair-ment model,the spatial learning,memory and cognitive ability of mice with memory impairment were evaluated by behavioral experiments,the function of the choliner-gic nervous system in the cortex of mice was measured by ELISA kit,the pathological changes of brain tissue were observed by Nissl staining,and the expression of synaptic plasticity and BDNF/TrkB/CREB pathway re-lated proteins in the cortical and hippocampus of mice in each group was detected by Western blot.Results Compared with the model group,the learning and mem-ory ability of the mice in each administration group was improved.The neurons in the hippocampus and corti-cal were neatly arranged,the cell morphology tended to be complete,and the number of normal neurons in-creased.The function of the cortical cholinergic nerv-ous system was significantly improved,the expression of synaptic plasticity-related proteins in brain tissue was increased,and the BDNF/TrkB/CREB signaling path-way was activated.Conclusions SY can significantly improve the learning and memory ability of mice with SCOP-induced memory impairment,and its mechanism may play a neuroprotective role by improving choliner-gic nervous system function,activating BDNF/TrkB/CREB signaling pathway,regulating synaptic plasticity,and reduces neuronal damage.