ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of liver injury induced by tripterygium glycosides tablets （TG） and the molecular mechanism of compound glycyrrhizin tablets （CG） in alleviating the abnormalities of cholesterol metabolism caused by TG via cholesterol metabolism. MethodsAccording to the body weights， male Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were randomly grouped as follows： control （pure water）， low-dose TG （TG-L， 189.0 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）， high-dose TG （TG-H， 472.5 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）， TG-L+CG （189.0 mg·kg^-1·d^-1 TG + 20.25 mg·kg^-1·d^-1 CG）， and TG-H+CG （472.5 mg·kg^-1·d^-1 TG + 20.25 mg·kg^-1·d^-1 CG）， with 6 rats in each group. Rats were administrated with corresponding drugs once daily for 3 weeks. At the end of the last administration， the mRNA and protein levels of liver X receptor-alpha （LXR-α）， low-density lipoprotein receptor （LDLR）， adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette transporter A1 （ABCA1）， adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette transporter G1 （ABCG1）， 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase （HMGCR）， cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase （CYP7A1）， cholesterol 12α-hydroxylase （CYP8B1）， and sterol 27-hydroxylase （CYP27A1） in the liver tissue were determined by Real-time PCR and Western blotting， respectively. The level of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase （HMG-CoAR）， a regulatory enzyme of cholesterol synthesis， was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. HepG2 cells were used to observe the effect of TG on the cell proliferation in vitro. Specifically， HepG2 cells were grouped as follows： Low-dose TG （TG-l， 15 mg·L^-1）， medium-dose TG （TG-m， 45 mg·L^-1）， high-dose TG （TG-h， 135 mg·L^-1）， fenofibrate （FB， 10 μmol·L^-1）， CG extract， TG-h+FB （135 mg·L^-1 TG + 10 μmol·L^-1 FB）， TG-m+FB （45 mg·L^-1 TG + 10 μmol·L^-1 FB）， TG-l+FB （15 mg·L^-1 TG + 10 μmol·L^-1 FB）， TG-h+CG （135 mg·L^-1 TG + 60 μmol·L^-1 CG）， TG-m+CG （45 mg·L^-1 TG + 60 μmol·L^-1 CG）， and TG-l+CG （15 mg·L^-1 TG + 60 μmol·L^-1 CG）. The mRNA and protein levels of LXR-α， ABCG1， LDLR， CYP7A1， CYP8B1， and CYP27A1 in HepG2 cells were determined by Real-time PCR and Western blotting， respectively. ResultsThe rat experiment showed that compared with the control group， the TG-H group showed down-regulated mRNA levels of CYP7A1， CYP8B1， and CYP27A1 in the liver tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）， which were up-regulated by the application of CG （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the TG-H+CG group showed up-regulated mRNA level of LDLR （P<0.01）. Compared with the control group， the TG-L and TG-H groups showed down-regulated protein levels of LDLR， CYP7A1， and CYP8B1 in the liver tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）. In addition， the protein levels of ABCG1 and LXR-α were down-regulated in the TG-H and TG-L groups， respectively （P<0.05）. Compared with TG alone， TG+CG up-regulated the protein levels of ABCG1 and LDLR （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the protein levels of CYP7A1 and CYP8B1 in the TG-H+CG group were up-regulated （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The cell experiment showed that compared with the control group， the TG-h group presented up-regulated mRNA level of LXR-α （P<0.01）， and the TG-m and TG-h groups showcased down-regulated mRNA levels of LDLR and CYP7A1 （P<0.01） and up-regulated mRNA level of CYP27A1 （P<0.01） in HepG2 cells. The combination of CG with TG restored the above changes （P<0.01）. Western blotting results showed that compared with the control group， the TG-m and TG-h groups showed down-regulated protein levels of LXR-α， ABCG1， LDLR， CYP7A1， CYP8B1， and CYP27A1 in HepG2 cells （P<0.01）. Compared with the TG-h group， the TG-h+CG group showed up-regulated protein level of LDLR （P<0.05）. Compared with the TG-m group， the TG-m+CG group showcased up-regulated protein levels of LDLR， ABCG1， CYP7A1， and CYP27A1 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionThe administration of TG at 189.0， 472.5 mg·kg^-1 for 3 weeks could modulate the signaling pathways associated with cholesterol efflux， endocytosis， and cholesterol biotransformation in hepatocytes， leading to the accumulation of cholesterol and subsequent liver injury in rats. CG could ameliorate the liver injury induced by lipid metabolism disorders caused by TG by up-regulating the expression of LXR-α， LDLR， ABCG1， CYP7A1， CYP8B1， and CYP27A1 to promote cholesterol biotransformation.

Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCV) was named thus because it is the causative agent of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), with 80% of MCC cases being MCV-positive. MCV has been classified as a 2A carcinogen. It promotes carcinogenesis by integrating T antigens into the cell genome. The anti-MCV seroprevalence in the general population is as high as 90%. Usually, MCV is latent after infection in immunocompetent patients, and the incidence of MCC in immunosuppressive or defective patients, such as those with organ transplants, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and HIV infection, is remarkably high. Patients with HIV/AIDS are a typical population with acquired immunodeficiency. At present, the research on patients with HIV/AIDS and MCV infection, activation, and pathogenesis is limited. In this paper, the progress of previous research is reviewed and the relationship between HIV infection and MCV activation is systematically investigated to provide a reference for the prevention and treatment of MCC in key populations, such as patients with HIV/AIDS.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the mechanism by which histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) regulates steroid-induced apoptosis of mouse osteocyte-like MLO-Y4 cells. METHODS: MLY-O4 cells were treated with 400 nmol/L trichostatin A (TSA) or 1 mmol/L dexamethasone for 24 h or transfected with a HDAC1-overexpressing vector prior to TSA or dexamethasone treatment. The changes in the expressions of HDAC1, SP1, cleaved caspase-3 and Bax, SP1 acetylation level, cell proliferation, and cell apoptosis were examined. The interaction between HDAC1 and SP1 was determined with immunoprecipitation assay and Western blotting. RESULTS: Treatment with dexamethasone significantly increased cell apoptosis, enhanced the expressions of cleaved caspase-3 and Bax, reduced HDAC1 expression, and suppressed proliferation of MLO-Y4 cells. Both TSA and dexamethasone obviously increased SP1 acetylation level and the expression of SP1 in MLO-Y4 cells. HDAC1 overexpression in the cells significantly attenuated the effect of TSA and dexamethasone, promoted cell proliferation, lowered the expressions of SP1, cleaved caspase-3 and Bax, and inhibited dexamethasone-induced cell apoptosis. Immunoprecipitation assay and Western blotting demonstrated the interaction between HDAC1 and SP1 in the cells. CONCLUSIONS HDAC1 inhibits dexamethasone-induced apoptosis and promotes proliferation of cultured mouse osteocytes by suppressing SP1 expression via promoting its deacetylation.
Animals ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Mice ; Histone Deacetylase 1/genetics* ; Osteocytes/drug effects* ; Sp1 Transcription Factor/metabolism* ; Acetylation ; Dexamethasone/pharmacology* ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Caspase 3/metabolism* ; Cell Line ; Hydroxamic Acids/pharmacology* ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein/metabolism*

Polysaccharides, predominantly extracted from traditional Chinese medicinal herbs such as Lycium barbarum, Angelica sinensis, Astragalus membranaceus, Dendrobium officinale, Ganoderma lucidum, and Poria cocos, represent principal bioactive constituents extensively utilized in Chinese medicine. These compounds have demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory capabilities, especially anti-liver injury activities, while exhibiting minimal adverse effects. This review summarized recent studies to elucidate the hepatoprotective efficacy and underlying molecular mechanisms of these herbal polysaccharides. It underscored the role of these polysaccharides in regulating hepatic function, enhancing immunological responses, and improving antioxidant capacities, thus contributing to the attenuation of hepatocyte apoptosis and liver protection. Analyses of molecular pathways in these studies revealed the intricate and indispensable functions of traditional Chinese herbal polysaccharides in liver injury management. Therefore, this review provides a thorough examination of the hepatoprotective attributes and molecular mechanisms of these medicinal polysaccharides, thereby offering valuable insights for the advancement of polysaccharide-based therapeutic research and their potential clinical applications in liver disease treatment.
Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Liver Diseases/drug therapy* ; Antioxidants ; Polysaccharides/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

Objective: To examine the developmental trajectory of fine motor ability in schoolage children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) for two years, so as to provide scientific evidence to promote motor development in ADHD children. Methods: From April to June 2019, 31 children aged 6-8 years old were selected from a public elementary school. They were diagnosed with ADHD by two psychiatric professionals according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V) criteria. Additionally, 31 typical developmental children, matched for age, sex and IQ with the ADHD group, were recruited as the control group. Fine motor ability was assessed with tasks of hand manual dexterity in Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 (MACB-2), and a followup assessment was conducted from April to June 2021. The development changes of fine motor ability between two groups of children were compared by using t test and repeated measures analysis of variance. Results: Between baseline and followup periods after two years, the total score of hand fine motor in the ADHD group did not show significant improvement (7.4±3.0, 8.0±3.4; t=-1.05, P>0.05), while there was a small effect size improvement in typically developing control group (9.5±2.1, 10.5±2.4; t=-2.12, effect size=0.38, P<0.05). Followup after two years, coin/peg throwing scores with dominant hand improved between ADHD group and control group (7.0±3.3, 9.5±3.2; 8.4±2.8, 11.6±1.6) (t=-3.74, -6.33, P<0.01; effect size=0.67, 1.14), with a smaller improvement in the ADHD group. The score for threading beads/threads decreased in between ADHD group and control group (7.9±2.4, 5.8±3.1; 9.2±1.1, 8.2±1.9) (t=3.89, 2.78, P<0.01; effect size=0.70, 0.50), with a greater decrease in the ADHD group. Conclusions The development speed of fine motor ability in children with ADHD aged 6-8 is slow and continues to lag behind normal developmental children. Fine motor development in children with ADHD should be closely monitored, and targeted interventions should be implemented when necessary.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between miR-137 gene polymorphism and genetic susceptibility to gestational diabetes mellitus.Methods:A total of 500 pregnant women with gestational diabetes who were admitted to Shunde Women and Childrens Hospital of Guangdong Medical University from January 2023 to September 2023 were selected as the observation group, and 500 healthy pregnant women with normal glucose metabolism and no pregnancy complications were selected as the control group. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect rs1625579 polymorphisms of miR-137 gene between the two groups, and the clinical data of the two groups were compared to analyze the influencing factors of the occurrence of gestational diabetes mellitus.Results:The frequencies of GT+ GG genotype and allele G at rs1625579 site of miR-137 gene in observation group were 13.20% and 7.00%, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in control group (all P<0.05). Fasting blood glucose (FPG), fasting insulin (FINS) and insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) of miR-137 genotype GT+ GG pregnant women in the observation group were (7.92±0.81)mmol/L, (19.92±3.10)mmol/L and 6.60±1.02, respectively. It was significantly higher than genotypic TT pregnant women (all P<0.05), and islet β cell function index (HOMA-β) was significantly lower than genotypic TT pregnant women (188.84±43.34) ( P<0.05). Pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and average weekly weight gain during pregnancy in the observation group were (23.81±1.92)kg/m 2 and (445.50±35.65)g, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in the control group (all P<0.05). The proportion of family history of diabetes in the observation group was 8.60%, which was significantly higher than that in the control group ( P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that preconception BMI and average weekly weight gain during pregnancy were the influential factors for the occurrence of gestational diabetes (all P<0.05). Conclusions:The occurrence of gestational diabetes mellitus has no significant correlation with miR-137 gene polymorphism, but is related to pre-pregnancy BMI and average weekly weight gain during pregnancy. Compared with other miR-137 genotypes, GT+ GG patients were more likely to develop abnormal blood glucose.

Objective To investigate the impact of esketamine hydrochloride in combination with ultrasound-guided transverse thoracic muscle plane block on stress response and inflammatory levels in patients undergoing cardiac valve replacement under general anesthesia.Methods A total of 120 patients who underwent elective extra-corporeal circulation-supported median open heart valve replacement were selected and randomly assigned into four groups using the random number table method:general anesthesia alone(Group G),general anesthesia with intrave-nous administration of esketamine(Group E),general anesthesia with transverse thoracic plane block(Group T),and esketamine combined with transverse thoracic muscle plane block(Group ET);each group consisted of 30 cases.Patients in group E and group ET received a continuous infusion of esketamine hydrochloride injection at a rate of 0.2 mg/kg-1?h-1 until the completion of the surgical procedure,while patients in group G and group T received an equivalent volume of saline solution until the completion of the surgical procedure.After the induction of general anesthesia,patients in group T and group ET underwent ultrasound-guided bilateral transverse thoracic muscle plane block,while patients in group G and group E did not receive any specific intervention.All four groups received identical protocols for anesthesia induction and maintenance,with self-controlled intravenous analgesic pumps administered to all patients postoperatively.The following time points were recorded:1 day prior to surgery(T0),pre-induction of anesthesia(T1),1 minute post-tracheal intubation(T2),1 minute post-median sternotomy(T3),1 minute prior to initiation of cardiopulmonary circulation(T4),1 minute after cessation of cardiopulmonary circula-tion(T5),1 minute after completion of surgery(T6),1 day post-surgery(T7),2 days post-surgery(T8),and 3 days post-surgery(T9).Mean Arterial Pressure(MAP)and Heart Rate(HR)were continuously monitored from T1 to T6.The levels of blood glucose and lactate were measured and recorded at T1,T4 to T6.The levels of White Blood Cells(WBC)and C-Reactive Protein(CRP)were assessed at T0,as well as at T7 to T9.The occurrence of postoperative adverse reactions was documented in all four groups.Results(1)Comparison of hemodynamics among the four groups:Compared with group G,there was a significant decrease in MAP and HR at T3 in group T(P<0.05).At the T5 time point,MAP was lower in group ET compared to group E,while HR was higher in group ET compared to group T(P<0.05).(2)The lactate and blood glucose levels of the four patient groups after extracorporeal circulation transfer were higher than those at the T1 time point(P<0.05).Patients in group E had lower lactate values at the T5 time point and lower blood glucose values at the T6 time point compared to group G(P<0.05).Additionally,patients in group E exhibited lower lactate and blood glucose values at both the T5 and T6 time points compared to those in group T(P<0.05).(3)Compared to T0,the levels of white blood cells(WBC)and C-reactive protein(CRP)were increased in all four groups after surgery(P<0.05).At the T7 time point,the WBC levels in group E and group T were significantly lower than those in group G(P<0.05).Furthermore,compared to group E and group T,the level of WBC in group ET was significantly lower at T7,while the level of CRP was significantly lower at T8(P<0.05).(4)There were no significant differences observed in postoperative adverse reactions among the four groups(P>0.05).Conclusion Combining low-dose esketamine hydrochloride with transverse thoracic muscle plane block under general anesthesia during open heart valve replacement surgery can effectively stabilize the patient's hemodynamics,mitigate perioperative stress response and postoperative inflammation levels,thereby demonstrating significant clini-cal utility.

OBJECTIVE: N6-methyladenosine (m ⁶A) is a common epigenetic modification in eukaryotes. In this study, we explore the potential impact of m ⁶A-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (m ⁶A-SNPs) on heart failure (HF). METHODS: Data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) investigating HF in humans and from m ⁶A-SNPs datasets were used to identify HF-associated m ⁶A-SNPs. Their functions were explored using expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL), gene expression, and gene enrichment analyses. Mediation protein quantitative trait locus (pQTL)-Mendelian randomization (MR) was used to investigate the potential mechanism between critical protein levels and risk factors for HF. RESULTS: We screened 44 HF-associated m ⁶A-SNPs, including 10 m ⁶A-SNPs that showed eQTL signals and differential expressions in HF. The SNP rs1801270 in CDKN1A showed the strongest association with HF ( P = 7.75 × 10 ^-6). Additionally, MR verified the genetic association between the CDKN1A protein and HF, as well as the mediating effect of blood pressure (BP) in this pathway. Higher circulating level of CDKN1A was associated with a lower risk of HF (odds ratio [ OR] = 0.82, 95% confidence interval [ CI]: 0.69 to 0.99). The proportions of hypertension, systolic BP, and diastolic BP were 48.10%, 28.94%, and 18.02%, respectively. Associations of PDIA6 ( P = 1.30 × 10 ^-2) and SMAD3 ( P = 4.80 × 10 ^-2) with HF were also detected. CONCLUSION Multiple HF-related m ⁶A-SNPs were identified in this study. Genetic associations of CDKN1A and other proteins with HF and its risk factors were demonstrated, providing new ideas for further exploration of the molecular mechanisms of HF.
Humans ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Heart Failure/genetics* ; Mendelian Randomization Analysis ; Genome-Wide Association Study ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21/metabolism* ; Quantitative Trait Loci ; Adenosine/metabolism* ; Male ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease

OX40 is a costimulatory receptor that is expressed primarily on activated CD4⁺, CD8⁺, and regulatory T cells. The ligation of OX40 to its sole ligand OX40L potentiates T cell expansion, differentiation, and activation and also promotes dendritic cells to mature to enhance their cytokine production. Therefore, the use of agonistic anti-OX40 antibodies for cancer immunotherapy has gained great interest. However, most of the agonistic anti-OX40 antibodies in the clinic are OX40L-competitive and show limited efficacy. Here, we discovered that BGB-A445, a non-ligand-competitive agonistic anti-OX40 antibody currently under clinical investigation, induced optimal T cell activation without impairing dendritic cell function. In addition, BGB-A445 dose-dependently and significantly depleted regulatory T cells in vitro and in vivo via antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. In the MC38 syngeneic model established in humanized OX40 knock-in mice, BGB-A445 demonstrated robust and dose-dependent antitumor efficacy, whereas the ligand-competitive anti-OX40 antibody showed antitumor efficacy characterized by a hook effect. Furthermore, BGB-A445 demonstrated a strong combination antitumor effect with an anti-PD-1 antibody. Taken together, our findings show that BGB-A445, which does not block OX40-OX40L interaction in contrast to clinical-stage anti-OX40 antibodies, shows superior immune-stimulating effects and antitumor efficacy and thus warrants further clinical investigation.
Mice ; Animals ; Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor/physiology* ; Receptors, OX40 ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; Ligands ; Antibodies, Monoclonal/pharmacology* ; Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology*

Objective To observe the electromyography characteristics of children's handwriting with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD),and explore its electrophysiological mechanism,so as to provide an objective basis for developing non-pharmacological treatment for such children.Methods Between September 2021 and April 2022,29 ADHD children were recruited from an ordinary public primary school and the psychiatric clinic of a class-3 grade-A hospital in Beijing.Among them,25 were boys and 4 were girls,with an average age of 8.21±1.78 years.Meanwhile,23 male and 5 fe-male healthy counterparts were selected with the age gap no more than 6 months.The Delsys wireless surface EMG system was used to collect the electromyographic signals of the abductor pollicis breve,the first dorsal interosseous muscle,the flexor radial carpi motor and the extensor finger muscles dur-ing their writing tasks such as tracing trajectories,writing Arabic numerals 0-9,26 small and capital English letters,Chinese characters one to ten and"Yong".The percentage of the averaged electromyog-raphy(AEMG)of a muscle in the sum value of all measured muscles,and the coefficient of differ-ence were selected to evaluate the muscle contribution rate and the consistency of exertion,respective-ly.Moreover,the independent sample t-test was employed to compare the two different groups with the significance set at α=0.05.Results There was a significant difference in the muscle contribution of abductor pollicis breve and first dorsal interosseous muscles when writing Arabic numerals and that of abductor pollicis breve muscles when writing Chinese characters between ADHD children(27.29%,25.58%and 27.53%)and their healthy counterparts(42.87%,19.96%and 37.13%)(P<0.05).Most muscle differentiation coefficients of ADHD children were higher than 100%,with that of the domi-nant hand radial wrist flexor muscle reaching 270%in the trajectory tracing task.Conclusion Accord-ing to the characteristics of EMG signals,school-age ADHD children show an immature writing pat-tern,including poor stability of writing-related muscles,insufficient control of small finger muscle groups,poor control of hand coordination,and insufficient muscle inhibition of non-dominant hand.It is recommended to conduct the electromyoelectric assessment of handwriting movements in ADHD chil-dren,so as to carry out targeted intervention at an early stage.