AIM:This study aims to design pH/near-infrared(NIR)dual-responsive metal-organic framework composite nanoparticles co-loaded with indocyanine green(ICG)and sphingosine kinase 1(SphK1)siRNA(siSphK1),and to evaluate their anticancer efficacy against non-small-cell lung cancer A549 cells.METHODS:The ZIF-8 nanopar-ticles were synthesized and loaded with ICG and siSphK1 to prepare ZIF-8@ICG@siSphK1 nanoparticles.Their morpholo-gy,particle size,surface charge,and crystalline structure were characterized through transmission electron microscopy,dynamic light scattering,and X-ray diffraction.Stability,siSphK1 encapsulation and protection,and pH/NIR response were assessed.The gene silencing efficacy and anticancer activity in A549 cells were evaluated using Western blot,RT-qPCR,MTT assay,flow cytometry,and reactive oxygen species(ROS)fluorescence staining.RESULTS:The ZIF-8@ICG@siSphK1 nanoparticles exhibited a typical polyhedral structure with an average particle size of(76.8±0.9)nm and a ζ potential of(9.2±0.1)mV.The nanoparticles effectively encapsulated siSphK1,protecting it from RNase degra-dation,and demonstrated excellent NIR responsiveness with a photothermal conversion efficiency of 39.7%.After 10 h of 808 nm laser irradiation,siRNA cumulative release was significantly higher at pH 5.5 compared with pH 7.4.In A549 cells,the nanoparticles efficiently delivered siSphK1 under NIR irradiation,significantly down-regulated SphK1 gene ex-pression,inhibited cell proliferation,induced apoptosis,and increased intracellular ROS levels.CONCLUSION:The ZIF-8@ICG@siSphK1 nanoparticles effectively induce cytotoxic effects against A549 cells through gene silencing and pho-tothermal therapy.

AIM:This study aims to design pH/near-infrared(NIR)dual-responsive metal-organic framework composite nanoparticles co-loaded with indocyanine green(ICG)and sphingosine kinase 1(SphK1)siRNA(siSphK1),and to evaluate their anticancer efficacy against non-small-cell lung cancer A549 cells.METHODS:The ZIF-8 nanopar-ticles were synthesized and loaded with ICG and siSphK1 to prepare ZIF-8@ICG@siSphK1 nanoparticles.Their morpholo-gy,particle size,surface charge,and crystalline structure were characterized through transmission electron microscopy,dynamic light scattering,and X-ray diffraction.Stability,siSphK1 encapsulation and protection,and pH/NIR response were assessed.The gene silencing efficacy and anticancer activity in A549 cells were evaluated using Western blot,RT-qPCR,MTT assay,flow cytometry,and reactive oxygen species(ROS)fluorescence staining.RESULTS:The ZIF-8@ICG@siSphK1 nanoparticles exhibited a typical polyhedral structure with an average particle size of(76.8±0.9)nm and a ζ potential of(9.2±0.1)mV.The nanoparticles effectively encapsulated siSphK1,protecting it from RNase degra-dation,and demonstrated excellent NIR responsiveness with a photothermal conversion efficiency of 39.7%.After 10 h of 808 nm laser irradiation,siRNA cumulative release was significantly higher at pH 5.5 compared with pH 7.4.In A549 cells,the nanoparticles efficiently delivered siSphK1 under NIR irradiation,significantly down-regulated SphK1 gene ex-pression,inhibited cell proliferation,induced apoptosis,and increased intracellular ROS levels.CONCLUSION:The ZIF-8@ICG@siSphK1 nanoparticles effectively induce cytotoxic effects against A549 cells through gene silencing and pho-tothermal therapy.

Trastuzumab deruxtecan(T-DXd)has demonstrated significant efficacy in clinical trials for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER2)-expressing breast cancer,gastric cancer,lung cancer and other solid tumors.Its overall safety profile is manageable and tolerable,including the clinically concerning interstitial lung disease(ILD).The etiology of ILD is varied,among which drug-induced ILD is an exclusionary diagnosis.The incidence of ILD caused by different antitumor drugs varies with different symptoms,and the pathogenesis remains unclear.T-DXd-induced ILD is mostly Grades 1-2,and implementing a standardized clinical management protocol can reduce the incidence of severe ILD events,improve patient prognosis,and help maximize the clinical benefits of T-DXd.This article summarized the epidemiology,etiology,risk factors,and potential mechanisms of drug-induced ILD,with a focus on the incidence,time to onset,and outcomes of T-DXd-induced ILD after standardized clinical management.It aimed to help readers understand the importance of standardized clinical management before and during T-DXd treatment.Regarding specific clinical management strategies,the article reviewed comprehensive management approaches for T-DXd-induced ILD based on clinical trial protocols and real-world experiences from both domestic and international perspectives,covering patient screening,patient education,ILD monitoring,diagnosis,and treatment.Before initiating T-DXd treatment,patient screening helps identify those at high risk for ILD,and T-DXd should be used cautiously in these high-risk patients.Effective patient education can enhance patient initiative,encouraging them to promptly report suspected symptoms,which contributes to early identification of ILD.During T-DXd treatment,it is important to regularly monitor symptoms and signs related to ILD,implement regular imaging monitoring and leverage multidisciplinary team collaboration to diagnose ILD as early as possible,thereby minimizing the risk of severe ILD.If symptoms or imaging suggest ILD,T-DXd treatment must be immediately interrupted,and relevant examinations should be completed to rule out other possible causes while considering corticosteroid treatment.Upon ILD diagnosis,subsequent T-DXd dose adjustments,corticosteroid therapy,and supportive treatments should be guided by severity.The article also explored whether patients with T-DXd-induced ILD can be re-treated,concluding that Grade 1 ILD patients might be eligible for re-treatment under specific conditions.In conclusion,the article reviewed the epidemiology,characteristics,clinical trial-recommended management strategies,and real-world management measures of T-DXd-induced ILD,integrating clinical expert experiences to summarize and discuss comprehensive management strategies for it.This aimed to enhance clinicians'understanding of T-DXd-induced ILD and provide valuable insights for early identification,timely diagnosis,and proper management of it.

Objective To explore the application of polysomnography combined with arterial spin labeling(ASL)perfusion magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of insomnia.Methods Forty-two insomnia patients admitted to Department of Neurology were included as insomnia group,while 41 healthy subjects during the same period were included as control group.The two groups were assessed using sleep habits questionnaire,hospital anxiety and depression scale,polysomnography,and ASL perfusion magnetic resonance imaging.Results Compared with control group,insomnia group took significantly more time to fall asleep(P<0.05),and has shorter sleep duration(P<0.05).The differences in the levels of anxiety and depression between two groups were trivial.The total sleep time,rapid eye movement sleep duration,and non-rapid eye movement sleep stage S2-S4were shorter,while the sleep latency and non-rapid eye movement sleep stage S1were longer in insomnia group as compared with control group(all P<0.05).In insomnia group,perfusion was increased in bilateral prefrontal lobes,right temporal lobe,left parietal lobe,right thalamus,and pons(P<0.05),but decreased in bilateral insula and bilateral basal ganglia(P<0.05).Conclusion The combination of polysomnography and ASL perfusion magnetic resonance imaging enables precise quantification of sleep condition.

Trastuzumab deruxtecan(T-DXd)has demonstrated significant efficacy in clinical trials for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER2)-expressing breast cancer,gastric cancer,lung cancer and other solid tumors.Its overall safety profile is manageable and tolerable,including the clinically concerning interstitial lung disease(ILD).The etiology of ILD is varied,among which drug-induced ILD is an exclusionary diagnosis.The incidence of ILD caused by different antitumor drugs varies with different symptoms,and the pathogenesis remains unclear.T-DXd-induced ILD is mostly Grades 1-2,and implementing a standardized clinical management protocol can reduce the incidence of severe ILD events,improve patient prognosis,and help maximize the clinical benefits of T-DXd.This article summarized the epidemiology,etiology,risk factors,and potential mechanisms of drug-induced ILD,with a focus on the incidence,time to onset,and outcomes of T-DXd-induced ILD after standardized clinical management.It aimed to help readers understand the importance of standardized clinical management before and during T-DXd treatment.Regarding specific clinical management strategies,the article reviewed comprehensive management approaches for T-DXd-induced ILD based on clinical trial protocols and real-world experiences from both domestic and international perspectives,covering patient screening,patient education,ILD monitoring,diagnosis,and treatment.Before initiating T-DXd treatment,patient screening helps identify those at high risk for ILD,and T-DXd should be used cautiously in these high-risk patients.Effective patient education can enhance patient initiative,encouraging them to promptly report suspected symptoms,which contributes to early identification of ILD.During T-DXd treatment,it is important to regularly monitor symptoms and signs related to ILD,implement regular imaging monitoring and leverage multidisciplinary team collaboration to diagnose ILD as early as possible,thereby minimizing the risk of severe ILD.If symptoms or imaging suggest ILD,T-DXd treatment must be immediately interrupted,and relevant examinations should be completed to rule out other possible causes while considering corticosteroid treatment.Upon ILD diagnosis,subsequent T-DXd dose adjustments,corticosteroid therapy,and supportive treatments should be guided by severity.The article also explored whether patients with T-DXd-induced ILD can be re-treated,concluding that Grade 1 ILD patients might be eligible for re-treatment under specific conditions.In conclusion,the article reviewed the epidemiology,characteristics,clinical trial-recommended management strategies,and real-world management measures of T-DXd-induced ILD,integrating clinical expert experiences to summarize and discuss comprehensive management strategies for it.This aimed to enhance clinicians'understanding of T-DXd-induced ILD and provide valuable insights for early identification,timely diagnosis,and proper management of it.

Flavanone 3-hydroxylase (F3H) is a key enzyme in the synthesis of phycocyanidins. In this experiment, the petals of red Rhododendron hybridum Hort. at different developmental stages were used as experimental materials. The R. hybridum flavanone 3-hydroxylase (RhF3H) gene was cloned using reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) and rapid-amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) techniques, and bioinformatics analyses were performed. Petal RhF3H gene expression at different developmental stages were analyzed by using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). A pET-28a-RhF3H prokaryotic expression vector was constructed for the preparation and purification of RhF3H protein. A pCAMBIA1302-RhF3H overexpression vector was constructed for genetic transformation in Arabidopsis thaliana by Agrobacterium-mediated method. The results showed that the R. hybridum Hort. RhF3H gene is 1 245 bp long, with an open reading frame of 1 092 bp, encoding 363 amino acids. It contains a Fe²⁺ binding motif and a 2-ketoglutarate binding motif of the dioxygenase superfamily. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the R. hybridum RhF3H protein is most closely related to the Vaccinium corymbosum F3H protein. qRT-PCR analysis showed that the expression level of the red R. hybridum RhF3H gene tended to increase and then decrease in the petals at different developmental stages, with the highest expression at middle opening stage. The results of the prokaryotic expression showed that the size of the induced protein of the constructed prokaryotic expression vector pET-28a-RhF3H was about 40 kDa, which was similar to the theoretical value. Transgenic RhF3H Arabidopsis thaliana plants were successfully obtained, and PCR identification and β-glucuronidase (GUS) staining demonstrated that the RhF3H gene was integrated into the genome of A. thaliana plants. qRT-PCR, total flavonoid and anthocyanin contentanalysis showed that RhF3H was significantly higher expressed in the transgenic A. thaliana relative to that of the wild type, and its total flavonoid and anthocyanin content were significantly increased. This study provides a theoretical basis for investigating the function of RhF3H gene, as well as for studying the molecular mechanism of flower color in R. simsiib Planch.
Arabidopsis/metabolism* ; Rhododendron/metabolism* ; Amino Acid Sequence ; Anthocyanins/metabolism* ; Phylogeny ; Flavonoids/metabolism* ; Cloning, Molecular ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Plant Proteins/metabolism*

Terpene synthase (TPS) plays important roles in the synthesis of terpenoids which are the main fragrances in Rhododendron flowers. To understand the function of TPS genes in terpenoid metabolism in relation to flower aroma formation, we identified all TPS gene family members in Rhododendron by analyzing its genome database. We then used a transcriptomic approach to analyze the differential gene expression patterns of TPS gene family members in the scented flower Rhododendron fortunei compared to the non-scented flower Rhododendron 'Nova Zembla'. The contents of terpenoid compounds in petals of the above two Rhododendron species at different developmental stages were also measured by using qRT-PCR and head space-solid phase micro-extraction combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Our results showed that a total of 47 RsTPS members, with individual lengths ranged from 591 to 2 634 bp, were identified in the Rhododendron genome. The number of exons in RsTPS gene ranged from 3 to 12, while the length of each protein encoded ranged from 196 to 877 amino acids. Members of the RsTPS family are mainly distributed in the chloroplast and cytoplasm. Phylogenetic analysis showed that RsTPS genes can be clustered into 5 subgroups. Seven gene family members can be functionally annotated as TPS gene family since they were temporally and spatially expressed as shown in the transcriptome data. Notably, TPS1, TPS10, TPS12 and TPS13 in Rhododendron fortunei were expressed highly in flower buds reached the peak in the full blossoming. Correlation analysis between gene expression levels and terpenoid content indicates that the expression levels of TPS1, TPS4, TPS9, TPS10, TPS12 and TPS13 were positively correlated with the content of terpenoids in the petals of R. fortunei at all flower developmental stages, suggesting that these six genes might be involved in the aroma formation in R. fortunei.
Rhododendron/metabolism* ; Phylogeny ; Terpenes/metabolism* ; Family ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant

Phenylalaninammo-nialyase (PAL) is a key enzyme in the synthesis of methyl benzoate - a plant aroma compound. In order to understand the function of this enzyme in the formation of fragrance in the scented Rhododendron species-Rhododendron fortunei, we cloned a gene encoding this enzyme and subsequently examined the gene expression patterns and the profile of enzyme activity during development in various tissues. The full length of RhPAL gene was cloned by reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) techniques. The expression levels of RhPAL gene were measured by real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) and the amount of phenylalanine and cinnamic acid were assayed with LC-MS. The results showed that the ORF sequence of RhPAL gene amplified from the cDNA templates of flower buds had 2 145 bp, encoding 715 amino acids, and shared 90% homology to the PAL amino acid sequences from other species. qRT-PCR analysis showed that the expression of RhPAL in petals during flowering kept in rising even until the flowers wilted. The expression of RhPAL in pistil was much higher than that in stamen, while the expression in the younger leaves was higher than in old leaves. However, the expression level was relatively lower in petal and stamen compared to that in leaves. We also measured the PAL activity by Enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay in the petals of flowers at different flowering stages. The results showed that PAL activity reached the highest at the bud stage and then decreased gradually to the lowest when the flowers wilted, which followed a similar trend in the emission of the flower fragrance. The phenylalanine and cinnamic acid contents measured by LC-MS were highly correlated to the expression level of RhPAL in various tissues and at different flowering stages, implying that RhPAL plays an important role in the formation of the flower fragrance. This work may facilitate the breeding and improvement of new fragrant Rhododendron cultivars.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Cloning, Molecular ; DNA, Complementary ; Flowers/genetics* ; Rhododendron/genetics*

【Objective】 To conduct a retrospective study of the population characteristics, efficacy and influencing factors of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who received iguratimod (IGU) treatment for at least 6 months from July 2015 to October 2020 and had more than 3 follow-up records. 【Methods】 In this study, 105 patients with RA were enrolled, and all the patients received IGU treatment for at least 6 months and were followed up three times. We observed their clinical manifestations before and after treatment, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), disease activity index (DAS28), rheumatoid factor (RF), anticyclic citrullinated peptide (ACPA), immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, and IgM), lymphocyte subsets, and observed and recorded adverse reactions. 【Results】 The course of disease and the positive rate of ACPA were significantly lower in IGU group than in the group of IGU combined with (MTX) treatment (P<0.05). The DAS28-ESR of the patients in IGU group was significantly lower than that in the IGU+MTX treatment group and IGU+leflunomide (LEF) treatment group (P<0.05). After 6 months of continuous treatment, visual analogue scale/score (VAS), CRP and DAS28 (ESR/CRP) in IGU group were significantly reduced. As the treatment time was extended to one year, the above indicators further improved, and the number of joint swelling (SW) and the number of joint tenderness (TEN) also significantly improved. After one year’s continuous treatment, the incidence of adverse reactions in IGU group was 32.3%(10/31). 【Conclusion】 For RA patients with early onset, short-course, and antibody-negative, IGU is an effective therapeutic drug and a treatment option for RA patients with interstitial lung disease. IGU is well tolerated and is also an effective and a safe combination therapy option.

【Objective】 To detect autoantibodies in Chinese systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients and analyze the relationship between clinical phenotype and autoantibodies in SSc. 【Methods】 We sequentially included 93 SSc patients. Their general information and clinical data were gathered. The differences in clinical characteristics among autoantibody negative and positive groups were analyzed statistically. 【Results】 Anti-nuclear antibodies were detected in 82 (88.2%) SSc patients. The positive rate of autoantibodies was detected in 26 cases (28.0%) of anti-Scl-70 antibody, 24 cases (25.8%) of anti-SSA/Ro-52 antibody, 19 cases (20.4%) of anti-U1-snRNP antibody, and 16 cases (17.2%) in anti-CENP-B antibody, respectively. The patients with positive anti-SSA/Ro-52 antibody had a significantly higher morbidity rate of pulmonary arterial hypertension (P=0.016). Patients with anti-Scl-70 antibody showed a higher incidence rate of digital tip ulcers or gangrene (P=0.004) and cardiac damage (P=0.014). The patients with anti-U1-snRNP antibody had a higher prevalence of pulmonary arterial hypertension (P=0.047) and Raynaud’s phenomenon (P=0.019), and showed an increased trend in the occurrence of interstitial lung disease (P=0.058). Those with anti-CENP-B antibody had a lower IgG level (P=0.049) and higher ALP (P=0.010) and γ-GT (P=0.003). The incidence of autoimmune liver disease was increased in anti-CENP-B positive patients (P=0.001). 【Conclusion】 Different autoantibodies in SSc are associated with clinical phenotype, and may contribute to the diagnosis, evaluation, and prognostic judgment of the disease.