OBJECTIVE To prepare reactive oxygen species （ROS）-responsive methotrexate （MTX）-modified paclitaxel （PTX）/icariin （ICA） micelles （MTX-oxi-Ms@PTX/ICA）， and perform technology optimization and in vitro anti-tumor effect evaluation. METHODS Synergistic toxicity concentration range of PTX and ICA was screened by synergistic toxicity test. The micelles were prepared by thin film hydration method， and their technology was optimized by response surface methodology. The fundamental characteristics of the micelles prepared by the optimal technology were evaluated. The micelles’ cytotoxicity， targeting ability to renal carcinoma RENCA cells of mice， and their inhibitory effects on invasion and migration were assessed. RESULTS Results of synergistic toxicity experiments demonstrated that the strongest synergistic effect occurred when PTX concentrations ranged from 2.5 to 10 μmol/L and ICA concentrations ranged from 5 to 15 μmol/L. The optimal technology of MTX-oxi-Ms@PTX/ ICA was determined to include 80 mg Soluplus®， Soluplus® and TPGS1000 mass ratio of 4∶1 （mg/mg）， 2 mg DSPE-PEG2000-TK- PEG5000， 2 mg DSPE-PEG2000-MTX， 1 mg PTX， and 1.5 mg ICA， with a hydration temperature of 35 ℃ and a formulation volume of 5 mL. Under the optimal conditions， average encapsulation efficiency of PTX and ICA in 3 batches of MTX-oxi- Ms@PTX/ICA reached 92.75%， the critical micelle concentration （CMC） was 0.007 9 mg/mL， the particle size was （62.09±1.68） nm， the polydispersity index （PDI） was 0.046±0.032， and the Zeta potential was （－2.47±0.15） mV. Within 30 days of placement， there was no significant change E-mail：yingqiang_1126@163.com in particle size and polydispersity index of micelle. In vitro release experiments showed that MTX-oxi-Ms@PTX/ICA released drugs more rapidly in oxidative environments. The half maximal inhibitory concentration of MTX-oxi-Ms@PTX/ICA against RENCA cells was （5.170±0.036） μmol/L. In vitro cellular uptake experiments indicated that compared with unmodified micelles， MTX modified micelles had stronger targeting effects on cancer cells， and also significantly enhanced the inhibitory ability of invasion and migration of RENCA cells （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS MTX-oxi-Ms@PTX/ICA micelles are successfully prepared， which exhibit high encapsulation efficiency， low critical micelle concentration， and good stability. These micelles demonstrate significant cytotoxicity against RENCA cells and effectively inhibit cancer cell invasion and migration.

Mitochondrial dysfunction in chondrocytes is a key pathogenic factor in osteoarthritis (OA), but directly modulating mitochondria in vivo remains a significant challenge. This study is the first to verify a correlation between mitochondrial dysfunction and the downregulation of the FOXO3 gene in the cartilage of OA patients, highlighting the potential for regulating mitophagy via FOXO3 gene modulation to alleviate OA. Consequently, we developed a chondrocyte-targeting CRISPR/Cas9-based FOXO3 gene-editing tool (FoxO3) and integrated it within a nanoengineered 'truck' (NETT, FoxO3-NETT). This was further encapsulated in injectable hydrogel microspheres (FoxO3-NETT@SMs) to harness the antioxidant properties of sodium alginate and the enhanced lubrication of hybrid exosomes. Collectively, these FoxO3-NETT@SMs successfully activate mitophagy and rebalance mitochondrial function in OA chondrocytes through the Foxo3 gene-modulated PINK1/Parkin pathway. As a result, FoxO3-NETT@SMs stimulate chondrocytes proliferation, migration, and ECM production in vitro, and effectively alleviate OA progression in vivo, demonstrating significant potential for clinical applications.

Objective To evaluate the inhibitory effects of prophylactic administration of α-zearalanol(α-ZAL)on bone microarchitecture and bone resorption activity in ovariectomized osteoporotic rats,and to investigate its regulatory effects on the osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs).Methods A total of 606-month-old unmated female Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats weighing(300±20)g were randomly divided into the sham surgery group(Sham group),ovariectomy group(OVX group),solvent group(Oil group),estradiol benzoate treatment group(Post-E2 group),α-ZAL prevention group(Pre-ZAL group),and α-ZAL treatment group(Post-ZAL group),with 10 rats in each group.An osteoporosis rat model was established using the ovariectomy method.Rats in the Sham group underwent the same surgical procedures except for ovarian removal.Seventy-two hours after ovarian removal,the Oil group received intramuscular injections of 0.5 mL of oil solvent,and the Pre-ZAL group received intramuscular injections of α-ZAL(1.5 mg·kg-1),administered every 3 days for 120 consecutive days.The Post-E2 group and Post-ZAL group began intramuscular injections of estradiol benzoate(1.5 mg·kg-1)and α-ZAL(1.5 mg·kg-1),respectively,90 days after ovariectomy,administered every 3 days for 120 consecutive days.After drug administration,bone density and bone tissue microstructure morphology were analyzed using a micro-CT small animal in vivo imaging system and staining methods.Osteoclasts were isolated and their activity was detected.Femoral BMSCs were obtained to assess their osteoblast and adipocyte differentiation capabilities,and uterine tissue morphological changes were observed via histological sections.Results Compared with the OVX group,BMD in the Sham group,Post-E2 group,Pre-ZAL group,and Post-ZAL group increased by 133.12%,75.97%,69.64%,and 24.69%,respectively(all P<0.01).BMD in the Pre-ZAL group was 36.09%higher than in the Post-ZAL group(P<0.01),and there was no significant difference in BMD between the Post-E2 and Pre-ZAL groups(P>0.05).Tb.N in the Sham group,Post-E2 group,Pre-ZAL group,and Post-ZAL group increased by 160.08%,118.14%,94.76%,and 46.76%,respectively,compared with the OVX group(all P<0.01).Tb.Ar increased by 324.21%,203.83%,177.99%,and 82.71%,respectively(all P<0.01).Tb.N in the Pre-ZAL group increased by 32.71%compared to the Post-ZAL group(P<0.05),while Tb.Ar increased by 52.15%(P<0.01).Tb.Sp in the Sham,Post-E2,and Pre-ZAL groups decreased by 58.53%,42.18%,and 35.61%,respectively,compared with the OVX group(all P<0.01).The MAR of the upper tibial cancellous bone in the Sham,Post-E2,and Pre-ZAL groups increased by 257.81%,156.72%,and 142.63%,respectively,compared with the OVX group(all P<0.01),BFR increased by 192.19%,137.23%,and 88.13%,respectively(all P<0.01).MAR and BFR in the Pre-ZAL group increased by 58.10%and 43.63%,respectively,compared with the Post-ZAL group(both P<0.01).There were no significant differences in MAR and BFR between the Post-E2 group and the Pre-ZAL group(P>0.05).MMP-9,TRAP,and CK mRNA expression was significantly downregulated in both the Post-E2 group and the Pre-ZAL group(P<0.01).The osteoblast differentiation capacity of BMSCs in the Post-E2 group and all Post-ZAL groups was enhanced,with a significant increase in the number of mineralized nodules,and the expression levels of OCN,COL1,and OPN mRNA were significantly increased(P<0.01),while the ability to differentiate into adipocytes was weakened.The number of intracellular lipid droplets in BMSCs was significantly reduced,the lipid droplet volume was smaller,and the expression levels of PPAR-γ2 and aP2 mRNA were decreased(P<0.05).There were no significant differences between the Post-E2 group and the Pre-ZAL group(P>0.05).There was no significant increase in body weight in the Post-E2,Pre-ZAL,and Post-ZAL groups,but uterine weight significantly increased in the Post-E2 group(P<0.05),with marked uterine epithelial hyperplasia.Uterine weight in the Pre-ZAL and Post-ZAL groups showed no significant difference compared to the OVX group(P>0.05),and no significant changes were observed in uterine epithelium.Conclusion α-ZAL can effectively protect bone mass,improve bone microstructure,and reduce estrogen-related uterine adverse reactions by regulating the osteogenic/adipogenic differentiation balance of BMSCs,providing a potential new therapeutic strategy for the prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the multi-target mechanism of action of Poecilobdella manillensis lyophilized powder(SZ) against hyperuricemia(HUA) based on network pharmacology and transcriptomics approaches, combined with animal experiments. METHODS Utilizing Symmap, SwissTargetPrediction, and Pharmmapper databases, the potential active components and corresponding targets of SZ were obtained. Through the Gene Cards and OMIM databases, HUA-related targets were obtained. By taking the intersection mapping, the common targets of SZ and HUA were identified. Cytoscape 3.9.0 software was used to construct a drug component-disease target interaction network, and in combination with the STRING database, a protein interaction network was built and core targets were screened. The DAVID database was used to perform GO biological function annotation and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis on the intersecting targets. A mouse model of HUA was constructed using potassium oxyzate combined with high purine diet, and the effects of SZ on these mice were examined using ELISA and biochemical index detection. qRT-PCR was used to validate the results of RNA-Seq and network pharmacology enrichment analysis. RESULTS Network pharmacological analysis identified 11 major bioactive substances in SZ and 72 potential targets involved in the treatment of hyperuricemia, involving multiple biological processes and different signaling pathways. It was shown that SZ significantly reduced serum uric acid, creatinine and urea nitrogen levels in hyperuricemic mice by inhibiting xanthineoxidase activity. SZ also reduced the levels of URAT1 while increasing the levels of ABCG2. RNA sequencing analysis revealed that there were 112, 536 and 107 differentially expressed genes in the model group vs treated group, control group vs model group and control group vs treated group, respectively. qRT-PCR results indicated that SZ downregulated the expression of genes related to Th17 cell differentiation as well as mRNA of genes on IL-17 and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways. CONCLUSION SZ has therapeutic effects on hyperuricemia. The mechanism of action maybe related to the inhibition of hepatic xanthineoxidase activity, down-regulation of URAT1 levels, up-regulation of ABCG2 levels, affecting the differentiation of Th17 cells and thus the IL-17 signaling pathway, thereby reducing the inflammatory response.

ObjectiveTo observe the apoptosis induced by paeoniflorin （PF） in non-small cell lung cancer （NSCLC） cells and explore its mechanism. MethodCell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） was used to detect the inhibition rates of H1299， H292 and A549 cells with different concentrations of PF （2.5， 5， 10， 20， 25 µmol·L^-1）， and to screen suitable concentrations of PF and experimental cells. The inhibitory effect of PF on lung cancer cells was detected by clone formation assay. The effect of PF on cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry with annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide （PI） double staining. With the right concentration of drugs， levels of apoptosis-associated protein B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）， Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax）， cleaved Caspase-3 and Caspase-3 were detected by Western blot. At the same time， the molecular expressions of hypoxia inducible factor -1α （HIF-1α） and Hippo signaling pathway were determined. ResultCompared with the blank group， PF significantly inhibited the growth of H1299， H292 and A549 cells of human lung cancer （P<0.01）. PF significantly induced apoptosis in A549 cells （P<0.01）， decreased the Bcl-2/Bax ratio （P<0.01）， and significantly increased the cleaved Caspase-3 expression （P<0.01）. Compared with those in the blank group， the expression levels of HIF-1α， transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif （TAZ）， large tumor suppressor 1 （LATS1）， Mps one binding 1 （MOB1） and Yes-associated protein （YAP） in A549 cells of the PF treatment group were significantly decreased （P<0.01）， while the expressions of p-LATS1， p-MOB1 and p-YAP were significantly increased （P<0.01）. At the same time， there was no significant effect on the expression levels of phosphorylated mammalian Ste20-like kinase 1 （p-MST1） and MST1， which did not reach a statistical difference. ConclusionAll data demonstrated that PF showed an anti-tumor effect by improving hypoxic conditions and inhibiting the abnormally activated Hippo signaling pathway， thereby inducing and promoting apoptosis in non-small cell lung cancer.

Objective To analyze the influence of drainage volume on prognosis of acute hydrocephalus(AHC)after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage(aSAH)by continuous lumbar drainage.Methods A retrospective trial was conducted on 82 AHC patients after aSAH admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University between January 2017 and January 2022.In 6 months after discharge,modified Rankin Scale(mRS)score was used to evaluate the prognostic outcomes.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed on demographic factors,severity of subarachnoid hemorrhage(SAH)at admission,medical history,cerebral vasospasm,and lumbar drainage data.Then a nomogram prediction model was constructed.Results Univariate analysis found that World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies(WFNS)score,Hunt-Hess grade,modified Fisher grade,time for continuous lumbar drainage,shunt dependence,cerebral vasospasm,and drainage volume were factors affecting the prognosis of the patients.Then logistic regression analysis revealed that high WFNS score(OR:3.25,95％CI:1.11～9.48),high modified Fisher grade(OR:3.66,95％CI:1.08～12.35),shunt dependence(OR:15.56,95％CI:1.22～198.57),and cerebral vasospasm(OR:22.24,95％CI:3.08～160.68)were independent predictors for mRS score,while volume of continuous lumbar drainage(OR:0.57,95％CI:0.40～0.82)was an independent protective factor.ROC curve analysis indicated a good predictive performance of the model(AUC=0.898,95％CI:0.935～0.861).Internal validation through Bootstrap method demonstrated excellent discriminatory ability of the model(C-index=0.950,95％CI:0.904～0.996;adjusted C-index:0.934).Conclusion Increased volume of lumbar drainage is an independent protective factor for poor prognosis following aSAH and can improve the prognosis of SAH patients.

BACKGROUND:In recent years,the incidence of hyperuricemia caused by purine metabolism disorders has been increasing,which can induce inflammatory responses and lead to renal injury. OBJECTIVE:To explore the role and mechanism of solute carrier family 2 member 12(SLC2A12)in hyperuricemia-related renal injury. METHODS:Renal tubular cells(HK2 cells)were divided into five groups:HK2 group,HK2+uric acid group,HK2+uric acid+NC group,HK2+uric acid+siSLC2A12 group,and HK2+uric acid+siSLC2A12+MK-2206 group.HK2 cells were treated with uric acid and transfected with siRNA SLC2A12,followed by MK-2206 treatment to inhibit AKT expression.Cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8 assay.Apoptosis was detected by TUNEL assay.qRT-PCR and western blot assay were used to detect fibrogenic factors as well as activation of the AKT/FOXO3a pathway.The concentrations of inflammatory cytokines were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Uric acid treatment inhibited cell proliferation and promoted cell apoptosis in the HK2+uric acid group compared with the HK2 group.The proliferative ability of cells in the HK2+uric acid+siSLC2A12 group was further decreased and apoptotic cells were further increased compared with the HK2 group.Compared with the HK2+uric acid+siSLC2A12 group,the HK2+uric acid+siSLC2A12+MK-2206 group showed an increase in cell proliferation and a decrease in apoptotic cells.(2)Compared with the HK2 group,the connective tissue growth factor(CTGF),α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)and transforming growth factor beta(TGF-β)expressions increased in the HK2+uric acid group;CTGF,α-SMA and TGF-β expression further increased in the HK2+uric acid+siSLC2A12 group.Compared with the HK2+uric acid+siSLC2A12 group,the CTGF,α-SMA and TGF-β expressions decreased.(3)Compared with the HK2 group,the expression of p-AKT,FOXO3a,and p-FOXO3a elevated in the HK2+uric acid group;the expression of p-AKT further increased,while the expression of FOXO3a and p-FOXO3a decreased in the HK2+uric acid+siSLC2A12 group.Compared with the HK2+uric acid+siSLC2A12 group,p-AKT expression decreased;FOXO3a and p-FOXO3a expression increased in the HK2+uric acid+siSLC2A12+MK-2206 group.(4)Compared with the HK2 group,interleukin-6,interleukin-1 β,and tumor necrosis factor α levels increased in the HK2+uric acid group;interleukin-6,interleukin-1 β,and tumor necrosis factor α levels further increased in the HK2+uric acid+siSLC2A12 group.Compared with the HK2+uric acid+siSLC2A12 group,interleukin-6,interleukin-1 β,and tumor necrosis factor α levels diminished in the HK2+uric acid+siSLC2A12+MK-2206 group.(5)These findings indicate that SLC2A12 may protect against hyperuricemia-induced renal injury by counteracting uric acid-induced tubular fibrosis and inflammation through activation of the FOXO3a pathway.

Objective:To investigate the effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on learning-memory and the expression of synaptic plasticity proteins in hippocampus of rats with post-stroke sleep deprivation.Methods:A total of 28 SPF grade healthy male Wistar rats with 8-week old were randomly divided into four groups (control group, sham operation group, model group and rTMS group) according to random number table method, with 7 rats in each group. The rats in the model group and the rTMS group were treated with middle cerebral artery occlusion and p-chlorophenylalanine intraperitoneal injection to establish the post-stroke sleep deprivation model. The rats in the rTMS group were treated with rTMS intervention for consecutive 14 days after modeling. The rats in the sham operation group were only separated arteries but not ligated and inserted. The rats in control group were fed normally. The open field test (OFT) was used to observe the autonomous behavior of rats.The water maze test(WMT) was used to observe the spatial learning and memory ability of rats.The content of tyrosine kinase receptor type B(TrkB) in hippocampus was detected by Western blot.The expressions of brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) and immediate early gene c-fos in hippocampus were detected by immunofluorescence.The morphology and structure of neurons in hippocampus were observed by optical microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. SPSS 21.0 software was used for statistical analysis, and repeated measurement ANOVA was used for the escape latency data, one-way ANOVA was used for the comparison of other data among multiple groups, and LSD test was used for further pairwise comparison.Results:(1) The OFT results showed that there were statistical differences in the numbers of crossing squares, upright times and total points of rats in the four groups after intervention ( F=27.638, 10.425, 30.690, all P<0.001). The numbers of crossing squares ((72.71±10.10)), upright times ((6.57±0.87)times) and total points ((79.29±10.03) points) of rats in rTMS group were all higher than those in model group after intervention ((43.71±6.96), (3.43±0.65)times, (47.14±6.82)points) (all P<0.05). As for the escape latency of WMT among the four groups of rats, the interaction effect was not significant( F=1.108, P=0.37), and the time main effect( Ftime=27.295, Ptime<0.01) and group main effect ( Fgroup=8.691, Pgroup<0.01) were significant after rTMS intervention.On the 3rd and 4th day, the escape latency of rTMS group rats was lower than that of the model group (both P<0.01). There were statistically significant differences in the numbers of crossing platform, swimming distance and residence time in target quadrant of rats in the four groups after intervention( F=8.569, 3.308, 3.547, all P<0.05). The numbers of crossing platform ((2.00±0.31)times), swimming distance in target quadrant ((196.95±24.57) cm) and residence time ((17.72±1.36)s) of rats in rTMS group were all higher than those in model group after intervention ((1.57±0.30)times, (146.61±4.79) cm, (13.58±0.98)s)(all P<0.05). (2)Optical microscopy and transmission electron microscopy showed that the hippocampal cells arranged irregularly, the organelles' integrity was destroyed in the model group compared with the normal control group. In rTMS group the arrangement and structure of nerve cells in the hippocampus were improved after rTMS intervention. (3) The immunofluorescence results showed that c-fos (1.49±0.09) and BDNF (0.84±0.06) in the hippocampus of rats in rTMS group were both higher than those in model group ((1.24±0.12), (0.48±0.08))(both P<0.05). The Western blot results showed that the expression level of TrkB (1.81±0.03) in the hippocampus of rats in rTMS group was higher than that in model group (0.96±0.02) ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The rTMS can improve the learning-memory ability and autonomous capacity of rats with post-stroke sleep deprivation, which may be related to promoting the expression of c-fos, BDNF and TrkB in hippocampus tissue.

Cognitive dysfunction caused by blast traumatic brain injury (bTBI) is a serious neurological disease with high incidence, serious condition and poor prognosis. bTBI can lead to a series of symptoms such as short-term memory loss, inattention or multi-tasking difficulties. In severe cases, bTBI can develop into Alzheimer′s disease, which has a great impact on patients′ normal work and life. At present, researches on cognitive dysfunction caused by bTBI mainly involve model construction, pathogenesis, pathophysiological changes, diagnosis and treatment, etc., and the molecular mechanism of its occurrence remains to be further studied. Under normal physiological conditions, the release of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters, the release and uptake of Ca 2+, oxidation and antioxidant systems, and the promotion and inhibition of apoptosis are in a dynamic balance. bTBI disturbs the balance, which will lead to the damage of nerve cells at the molecular level, thus resulting in the occurrence of cognitive dysfunction. To this end, the authors summarized the aspects of excitatory toxicity and Ca 2+homeostasis disorder, oxidative stress, inflammation and edema, apoptosis, etc., and reviewed the research progress on the molecular mechanism of cognitive dysfunction caused by bTBI, so as to provide a reference for the treatment and rehabilitation of cognitive dysfunction in patients with bTBI.

Objective To compare the efficacy of TightRope loop plate and Endobutton plate in the treatment of acromioclavicular joint dislocation.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 94 patients with acromioclavicular joint dislocation who were treated at this center from March 2021 to February 2023.They were divided into two groups based on different admission date.The Group E(n =47)received Endobutton plate treatment between March 2021 and February 2022,while the Group T(n =47)received TightRope loop plate treatment between March 2022 and February 2023.At the last follow-up,the perioperative indicators,Visual Analogue Scale(VAS),Constant-Murley shoulder joint function scores,and surgical complications were compared between the two groups.Results The surgical time,intraoperative bleeding,incision length,and VAS scores at 7 days after surgery in the Group T were shorter or lower than those in the Group E(P<0.05).There were no statistical differences in the incidence of perioperative nerve injury,internal fixation displacement,clavicle fracture,vascular injury,and infection between the two groups(P>0.05).The subjective and objective scores of Constant-Murley shoulder joint function in both groups at9 months after surgery showed significant improvement compared to preoperative scores(all P =0.000).There was no significant difference in the subjective and objective scores of Constant-Murley shoulder joint function between the two groups at 9 months after surgery(P>0.05).Conclusions The treatment of acromioclavicular joint dislocation with TightRope loop plate ot or Endobutton plate has a significant effect and can effectively improve shoulder joint function.Compared with Endobutton plate,use of TightRope loop plate has minor surgical trauma,less bleeding,and significantly reduced postoperative pain,being more conducive to early functional exercise for patients.