OBJECTIVE: To explore the preparation of nano-silver acupuncture needles and evaluate the appearance, structure and properties. METHODS: Stainless steel acupuncture needles were pretreated by polishing with sandpaper and cleaning with ultrapure water and absolute ethanol. As the working electrodes, the needles were placed in an electrolyte solution contained silver nitrate (AgNO₃), potassium nitrate (KNO₃), and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP); and the silver nanoparticles were deposited at a constant voltage of -0.2 V for 1 200 s. The heat-treatment was conducted at 600 ℃ for 15 min in an argon atmosphere to strengthen the adhesion between the nanoparticles and the substrate. The surface appearance and structure of nano-silver acupuncture needles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity and biocompatibility of the needles were evaluated. The cytotoxicity and biocompatibility of the sample were assessed using the CCK-8 assay. According to the national standard, Acupuncture Needles (GB 2024-2016), the other physicochemical performances of nano-silver acupuncture needles were tested. RESULTS: ①By controlling the AgNO₃ concentration and the molar ratio of AgNO₃ to PVP, it was found that at an AgNO₃ concentration of 2 mmol/L and a molar ratio of 5∶1, silver nanoparticles with the diameter of 50-100 nm, regular appearance, and uniform distribution were obtained. At a lower concentration, the size of silver nanoparticles was smaller and unevenly distributed particles, whereas a higher concentration tended to produce a dendritic structure. ②By sandpaper polishing, acid etching pretreatment, and heat-treatment at 600 ℃ under argon for 15 min, the adhesion of silver nanoparticles on the surface of the needle body was strengthened, and the simulated pig skin puncture test showed the intact coating without shedding. ③SEM found that the silver nanoparticles were uniformly deposited, forming a nanofilm approximately 1.5 μm thick; XRD analysis showed the diffraction peaks corresponding to cubic crystal silver (111), (200), (220) and (311); and XPS detected characteristic peaks of Ag 3d3/2 and Ag 3d5/2, confirming the successful deposition and good crystallinity of the silver nanoparticles. ④Resistivity measurements indicated that the nano-silver acupuncture needles exhibited a resistivity of approximately 0.15 Ω·cm, about three times lower than that of unmodified stainless steel needles. The infrared thermography demonstrated that their thermal conductivity was superior to that of traditional acupuncture needles. In vitro CCK-8 cytotoxicity assay showed that the nano-silver acupuncture needles had no adverse effects on human skin fibroblasts and possessed good biocompatibility. ⑤ The key parameters such as needle tip performance, hardness, and the adhesion between the needle body and handle were in compliance with the requirements in Acupuncture Needles (GB 2024-2016), ensuring a quality guarantee provided for clinical applications. CONCLUSION The preparation of nano-silver acupuncture needles effectively overcomes the insufficient toughness of traditional silver needles and improves the electrical and thermal conductivity of stainless acupuncture needles.
Silver/chemistry* ; Needles ; Acupuncture Therapy/instrumentation* ; Metal Nanoparticles/chemistry* ; Humans ; Electric Conductivity ; Animals

Objective To investigate the intervention mechanism of Shenqi Yiliu Prescription in a rat model of precancerous lesions of gastric carcinoma(PLGC)based on transcriptomics.Methods A PLGC rat model was constructed using composite factor modeling method.Rats were randomly divided into blank group,model group,folic acid group(0.002 g/kg),and Shenqi Yiliu Prescription high-,medium-and low-dosage groups(39.6,19.8 and 9.9 g/kg),with 10 rats in each group.They were given corresponding solutions for gavage for 90 consecutive days.The general condition of rats was observed,HE staining was used to observe the morphology gastric mucosa,immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression of PCNA protein in gastric tissue,transcriptomics obtains differentially expressed mRNA in gastric tissue and enriches differentially expressed pathways,ELISA was used to detect the contents of Bcl-xL,C-myc and Cyclin D1 in gastric tissue,RT-qPCR was used to detect the expression of Bcl-xL,C-myc and Cyclin D1 mRNA in gastric tissue,Western blot was used to detect the expressions of IL-6,JAK2,STAT3,p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 protein in gastric tissue.Results Compared with the blank group,rats in the model group showed decreased body mass(P<0.05),with structural disorders of the gastric mucosa,the expression of PCNA protein in gastric tissue increased(P<0.05),the contents and mRNA expression Bcl-xL,C-myc and Cyclin D1 in gastric tissue significantly increased(P<0.05),the expression of IL-6,JAK2,STAT3,p-JAK2,p-STAT3 protein significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the body mass of rats in Shenqi Yiliu Prescription high-and medium-dosage groups increased to varying degrees(P<0.05),the abnormal morphology of the gastric mucosa were improved to different degrees,and the expression of PCNA protein in Shenqi Yiliu Prescription high-,medium-and low-dosage groups significantly decreased(P<0.05).The results of transcriptomics experiments confirmed that the JAK-STAT signalling pathway showed significant differences between the blank group and model group,as well as the model group and Shenqi Yiliu Prescription high-dosage group.The content and mRNA expression of Bcl-xL,C-myc and Cyclin D1 in gastric tissue of Shenqi Yiliu Prescription high-and medium-dosage groups significantly decreased(P<0.05),and the protein expression of IL-6,JAK2,STAT3,p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 significantly decreased(P<0.05).Conclusion Shenqi Yiliu Prescription can improve the abnormal morphology of gastric mucosa in PLGC model rats,and its mechanism is related to regulating the IL-6/JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway,thereby inhibiting cell proliferation.

Active immunotherapy for cancer aims to treat disease by inducing effective cellular immunity and humoral immunity.Research on virus-like particles(VLPs)vaccines has made tremendous progress in recent years,dramatically reducing morbidity and mortality from some infectious diseases.VLPs are nanoparticles self-assembled from one or more structural proteins,with highly ordered repeat sequences and good immunogenicity,which can induce strong cellular immune and humoral immune responses.VLPs can overcome immunosuppressive state of tumor microenvironment,break self-tolerance,and trigger strong cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity,which is critical for both viral clearance and destruction of cancer cells.This article mainly reviews current research progress of VLPs-based cancer vaccines and potential defects of VLPs as vaccine carriers in development of cancer vaccines.

Virus-like particles(VLPs)are nanoparticles that are self-assembled from one or more structural proteins,which can be arranged in several layers or contain a lipid outer membrane.Due to the lack of genetic material,VLPs cannot infect host cells,but are highly immunogenic and can induce immune responses different from conventional inactivated vaccines.VLPs can be produced using a variety of systems including bacterial,yeast,plant,insect and mammalian cells.Compared with traditional vaccines,VLPs have incomparable advantages,so they are becoming more and more popular in the biomedical field.To date,a series of vaccine candi-dates based on VLPs have been developed for immunization and prevention of various infectious diseases.At the same time,the recent successful application of VLPs in targeted drug delivery and gene therapy has attracted attention.This paper mainly reviews the com-monly used expression systems of VLPs and the research progress of their applications.

Objective To predict the target and molecular mechanism of Huayu Xiaopi decoction in the intervention of Precancerous lesions of gastric cancer(PLGC)based on network pharmacology and molecular docking technology,and to conduct experimental verification.Methods A total of 60 SPF SD male rats were randomly selected as blank control,and the other rats were replicated in PLGC model.After successful modeling,the rats were randomly divided into model group,folic acid group(2 mg·kg-1·d-1),Huayu Xiaopi decoction high,medium and low dose groups(24.8,12.4,6.2 g·kg-1·d-1),which were continuously administered for 90 days.The body mass and food intake of rats at 3 h were recorded,and the gastric histopathology was observed by HE staining.Network pharmacology and molecular docking techniques were used to predict the potential targets of Huayu Xiaopi decoction in PLGC intervention,and the core targets were verified by Western blot technique.Results Compared with the blank group,the body mass and 3 h food intake of rats in the model group were significantly decreased(P<0.05),the gastric mucosa of rats was significantly thinner,the glands were significantly reduced and disordered,and the intestinal metaplasia goblet cells and a large number of inflammatory cells were visible in some areas.Compared with the model group,the body mass and 3 h food intake of rats in each administration group were improved to varying degrees.Huayu Xiaopi Decoction improved significantly in medium and high doses(P<0.05),the gastric mucosa was repaired in different degrees,the glandular arrangement tended to be orderly,and the inflammatory cells in the interstitial were gradually reduced.The results of network pharmacology and molecular docking showed that TP53,JUN and MAPK3/1(ERK1/2)were the core targets of Huayu Xiaopi decoction in the intervention of PLGC.Molecular biological detection results showed that compared with blank group,the protein phosphorylation levels of TP53,c-Jun and ERK1/2 in gastric tissue of model group were significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with model group,the protein phosphorylation levels of TP53,c-Jun and ERK1/2 in gastric tissue of rats in all administration groups were decreased to different degrees,and significantly decreased in Huayu Xiaopi decoction high-dose and medium-dose groups(P<0.05).Conclusion Huayu Xiaopi Decoction can significantly improve the survival condition of PLGC rats and promote gastric mucosal repair,the specific mechanism of which may be related to the decrease of ERK1/2,c-Jun and TP53 protein phosphorylation levels in gastric tissue of PLGC rats,and then regulate the downstream signaling molecular response.

Objective:To screening differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (DR) patients to provide new biological therapeutic targets for proliferative DR (PDR) therapy.Methods:A basic research. A total of 3 PDR patients (group PDR) and 3 non-diabetic patients (control group) were enrolled in the study in Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital in October 2020. In addition, 40 cases of PDR and non-diabetic patients were selected and divided into PDR validation group and control validation group. Peripheral blood validation test was performed in PDR validation group and control validation group; RNA sequencing was performed in PDR group and control group. Transcriptomics (RNAseq) sequencing technology was used to screen DEG in PDR group and control group. The selected DEGs were analyzed by gene ontology (GO) function enrichment analysis, signal pathway enrichment analysis of Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and protein-protein interaction network (PPI). The gene expression database was used to find the high-throughput data related to PDR, and multi queue comparison analysis was carried out. The target genes of differentially expressed miRNAs were predicted through targetscan platform, so as to clearly screen the correlation between DEG and PDR. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot were used to verify the expression of DEG mRNA and protein related to PDR. The relative expression of PDR related DEG mRNA and protein between PDR validation group and control validation group were compared by paired t-test. Results:A total of 1 337 DEGs were screened by RNAseq sequencing in the peripheral blood of patients with PDR, of which 419 genes were up-regulated and 918 down-regulated. Among them, direct inhibitor of apoptosis protein-binding protein with low isoelectric point ( DIABLO), zinc finger and BTB domain containing 10 ( ZBTB10), polo-like kinases 3 ( PLK3), regulatory subunit 1 ( PIK3R1) and B cell translocation gene 3 (BTG3) were differentially expressed in PDR patients. The function of GO was enriched from the analysis of molecular function, biological process and cellular composition. The results showed that DIABLO, ZBTB10, PLK3, PIK3R1, BTG3 were involved in the pathological process related to PDR. KEGG enrichment analysis showed that glucose metabolic pathways such as extracellular matrix receptors, cytokine regulatory pathway, p53 signal pathway and galactose metabolism may be involved in the process of differential genes. The analysis of PPI protein interaction network showed that the larger the DEG-associated protein node, the greater the number of associated nodes. Among them, DIABLO, ZBTB10, PLK3, PIK3R1 and BTG3 played significant roles in the formation of the action network. By comparing and analyzing the existing high-throughput data related to diabetic retinopathy in Gene Expression Omnibus database and predicting by Targetscan platform, it was found that some significant differences in miRNA reported in aqueous humor, vitreous fluid and plasma of DR patients can be regulated by the differential genes found in this study. Compared with the control verification group, the relative expressions of DIABLO, ZBTB10, PLK3, PIK3R1 mRNA and protein in peripheral blood of the PDR verification group were up-regulated, and the relative expression of BTG3 mRNA and protein was down-regulated. Conclusion:DIABLO, ZBTB10, PLK3, PIK3R1 and BTG3 are DEGs in patients with PDR, and they can participate in the disease process by regulating the biological processes of cell proliferation, fibrosis and oxidative stress.

Objective:To observe the effect of bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) on the proliferation and migration of human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (hRMEC) under oxidative stress.Methods:The hRMEC cultured in vitro were divided into control group, 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE) treatment group (4-HNE group), 4-HNE+BMP4 group (BMP4 group). Cell culture medium of 4-HNE treatment group was added with 10 μmmol/L 4-HNE; cell culture of BMP4 group was cultured with 10 μmmol/L 4-HNE, and after stimulation for 6 h, 100 ng/ml recombinant human BMP4 was added. The effects of 4-HNE and BMP4 on hRMEC viability was detected by thiazole blue colorimetric method. The effects of 4-HNE and BMP4 on cell migration was determined by cell scratch test. The relative expression of BMP4 mRNA in the cells of the control group and 4-HNE treatment group and the mRNA expression of the control group, the fibronectin (FN) of BMP4 group, laminin (Laminin), α-smooth muscle contractile protein (α-SMA), and collagen type Ⅰ (Collagen Ⅰ), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Western blot was used to detect the relative expression of BMP4 protein in the control group and 4-HNE group. The control group and 4-HNE group were compared by t test. Results:Compared with the control group, cell viability ( t=12.73, 16.26, P=0.000 2, <0.000 1), cell migration rate ( t=28.17, 37.48, P<0.000 1, <0.000 1) in 4-HNE group and BMP4 group were significantly increased, and the difference was statistically significant; the relative expression of BMP4 mRNA and protein in the 4-HNE group was significantly increased, and the difference was statistically significant ( t=16.36, 69.35, P=0.000 1, <0.000 1). The qRT-PCR test results showed that compared with the control group, the relative expression of VEGF, FN, Laminin, α-SMA, Collagen Ⅰ, and CTGF mRNA in the cells of the BMP4 group was significantly increased, and the difference was statistically significant ( t=10.61, 17.00, 14.85, 7.78, 12.02, 10.61, P=0.0004, <0.000 1, 0.000 1, 0.001 5, 0.000 1, 0.000 4). Conclusion:BMP4 can induce the proliferation and migration of hRMEC; it can also regulate the expression of angiogenesis factors and fibrosis-related factors in hRMEC.

Humans ; Tacrolimus/therapeutic use* ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/drug therapy* ; Immunosuppressive Agents/therapeutic use* ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND: The onset and clinical presentation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are sex-related. Few studies have investigated the distinctions in clinical characteristics and treatment preferences in male and female SLE patients in the initial cohort. This study aimed to improve the understanding of Chinese SLE patients by characterizing the different sexes of SLE patients in the inception cohort. METHODS: Based on the initial patient cohort established by the Chinese SLE Treatment and Research Group, a total of 8713 patients (795 men and 7918 women) with newly diagnosed SLE were enrolled between April 2009 and March 2021. Of these, 2900 patients (347 men and 2553 women) were eligible for lupus nephritis (LN). A cross-sectional analysis of the baseline demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations, laboratory parameters, organ damage, initial treatment regimens, and renal pathology classification was performed according to sex. RESULTS: In the SLE group, as compared to female patients, male patients had a later age of onset (male vs. female: 37.0 ± 15.8 years vs. 35.1 ± 13.7 years, P  = 0.006) and a higher SLE International Collaborative Clinic/American College of Rheumatology damage index score (male vs. female: 0.47 ± 1.13 vs. 0.34 ± 0.81, P  = 0.015), LN (male vs. female: 43.6% vs. 32.2%, P < 0.001), fever (male vs. female: 18.0% vs. 14.6%, P  = 0.010), thrombocytopenia (male vs. female: 21.4% vs. 18.5%, P  = 0.050), serositis (male vs. female: 14.7% vs. 11.7%, P  = 0.013), renal damage (male vs. female: 11.1% vs. 7.4%, P < 0.001), and treatment with cyclophosphamide (CYC) (P < 0.001). The frequency of leukopenia (male vs. female: 20.5% vs. 25.4%, P  = 0.002) and arthritis (male vs. female: 22.0% vs. 29.9%, P < 0.001) was less in male patients with SLE. In LN, no differences were observed in disease duration, SLE Disease Activity Index score, renal biopsy pathological typing, or 24-h urine protein quantification among the sexes. In comparisons with female patients with LN, male patients had later onset ages (P  = 0.026), high serum creatinine (P < 0.001), higher end-stage renal failure rates (P  = 0.002), musculoskeletal damage (P  = 0.023), cardiovascular impairment (P  = 0.009), and CYC use (P  = 0.001); while leukopenia (P  = 0.017), arthritis (P  = 0.014), and mycophenolate usage (P  = 0.013) rates were lower. CONCLUSIONS Male SLE patients had more severe organ damage and a higher LN incidence compared with female SLE patients; therefore, they may require more aggressive initial treatment compared to female patients.
Humans ; Female ; Male ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Sex Characteristics ; East Asian People ; Severity of Illness Index ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/diagnosis* ; Lupus Nephritis/pathology* ; Registries ; Cyclophosphamide/therapeutic use* ; Thrombocytopenia ; Leukopenia/drug therapy* ; Arthritis