Objective: To investigate whether Tuina alleviates fibrotic symptoms in myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) by regulating transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway, thereby deactivating these points. Methods: This study comprised two experimental phases. In phase 1, 27 specific pathogen-free (SPF) grade female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomized into three groups: control 1, model 1, and Tuina 1 groups. Model 1 and Tuina 1 groups underwent an 8-week MTrPs modeling protocol involving blunt impact and eccentric exercise. After successful modeling, rats in Tuina 1 group received manual pressing on nodules or cord-like taut bands on the medial aspect of the left hindlimb. Pain sensitivity and tissue stiffness were evaluated via pressure pain threshold (PPT) and soft tissue tension (STT). Muscle histopathology and fibrosis were observed using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and Masson staining. Inflammatory factors in muscle were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), while immunofluorescence (IF) and Western blot (WB) were used to detect the expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen Ⅲ, and TGF-β1. In phase 2, 45 SPF female SD rats were randomized into five groups: control 2, model 2, Tuina 2, TGF-β1 inhibitor (TI), and Tuina + TGF-β1 agonist (Tuina + TA) groups. All groups except control 2 underwent standardized MTrPs modeling. Rats in Tuina 2 group received consistent pressing manipulation. TI group received intraperitoneal injections of oxymatrine, while Tuina + TA group received intraperitoneal injections of SRI-011381 hydrochloride followed by the same pressing protocol as Tuina 2 group. WB was used to detect the expression of collagen I, collagen III, TGF-β1, and phosphorylated-Smad3 (p-Smad3)/Smad3. Results: In phase 1, Tuina significantly improved PPT and STT in MTrPs of rats (P < 0.01), reversed pathological damages including disorganized muscle fiber arrangement, abnormal myocyte morphology, and exacerbated fibrosis. In addition, in MTrPs of rats in model 1 group, expression levels of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and fibrosis markers (α-SMA, collagen I, and collagen III) were upregulated, and all exhibited a significant downward trend after Tuina intervention (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). This indicates that the therapeutic effects of Tuina are directly associated with reduced local inflammation and fibrosis in MTrPs. In phase 2, compared with model 2 group, rats in TI and Tuina 2 groups had decreased expression levels of TGF-β1 and p-Smad3/Smad3 in MTrPs, alongside reduced levels of inflammatory factors (IL-1β, IL-6, NF-κB, and TNF-α) and fibrosis markers (α-SMA, collagen I, and collagen III) (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). When co-administered with TGF-β1 agonist, the therapeutic effects of Tuina were significantly attenuated, with rebounded TGF-β1 expression and p-Smad3/Smad3 in local MTrPs, and fibrosis and inflammatory responses were re-exacerbated (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Conclusion Tuina can effectively reduce inflammatory responses and fibrosis in MTrPs tissue, and its mechanism is closely related to the inhibition of the TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway, which plays a critical role in Tuina-mediated regulation of MTrPs fibrosis.

[摘 要] 目的：探讨乙醛脱氢酶1A1（ALDH1A1）mRNA负载树突状细胞（DC）疫苗体外诱导抗鼻咽癌干细胞免疫反应的能力。方法：体外转录ALDH1A1 mRNA并电转染至人外周血DC，构建ALDH1A1-DC疫苗，转染EGFP mRNA为对照。流式细胞术检测DC表型、淋巴细胞亚群、细胞毒性T 淋巴细胞（CTL）增殖和细胞因子分泌。分选ALDH+和ALDH- C666-1细胞，检测干细胞标志物（CD24、CD133）和干性基因（OCT4、SOX2、Nanog）的表达水平，采用CCK-8法评估ALDH1A1-DC疫苗诱导的特异性免疫杀伤能力。结果：EGFP-DC荧光表达率显著高于未转染DC（P < 0.000 1），ALDH1A1-DC抗原提呈分子HLA-ABC、共刺激分子CD86、CD40和CCR7表达与未转染DC相比显著增强（P = 0.001 3、P = 0.005 9、P = 0.000 4及P = 0.001 9）。与单独淋巴细胞组（T）及空载DC诱导的淋巴细胞组（DC-T）相比，ALDH1A1-DC诱导的CTL比例最高（均P < 0.000 1），分裂指数最高（P = 0.000 2、P = 0.000 3），且CD8+CD69+（P = 0.000 5、P < 0.000 1）和CD8+ IFN-γ+（P = 0.012 6、P = 0.001 9）细胞亚群比例均显著提高。ALDH1A1-DC-T细胞对ALDH+C666-1悬浮细胞球的杀伤效果显著优于ALDH-细胞球（P = 0.001 0），且与其他各组淋巴细胞相比表现出较强的抗ALDH+C666-1悬浮细胞球的免疫效应（P = 0.001 0，P < 0.000 1）。然而，HLA-ABC阻断后其对ALDH+C666-1细胞的特异性杀伤效应显著降低（P < 0.000 1）。结论：mRNA转染DC后可翻译蛋白并促进DC成熟，增强其诱导特异性CTL免疫反应的能力。

Objective To investigate the changes and diagnostic value of serum hypoxia inducible factor 1 subunit alpha(HIF-1α)and Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)levels in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)complicated with pulmonary Aspergillosis infection.Methods A total of 240 COPD patients who visited Xi'an Qinhuang Hospital(hereinafter referred to as the hospital)from December 2020 to Decem-ber 2023 were selected as the study subjects in the study,and another 218 volunteers who underwent physical examinations at the hospital were selected as the control group.The COPD patients were separated into an in-fected group(124 cases)and an uninfected group(116 cases)based on whether they had pulmonary Aspergil-losis infection.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was applied to detect the levels of HIF-1α and TLR4 in patients.Fully automated biochemical analyzer was applied to detect lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)and albu-min(ALB)levels.Multivariate Logistic regression was applied to analyze the influencing factors of infection in COPD patients.Pearson correlation was applied to analyze the correlation between HIF-1α and TLR4 levels in the infected group.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was applied to analyze the diagnostic val-ue of HIF-1α and TLR4 levels for the occurrence of infection in COPD patients.Results Compared with the control group,the COPD group showed an increase in HIF-1α and TLR4 levels(P＜0.05).Compared with the uninfected group,the proportion of dyspnea,antibiotics＞3 types,the duration of antibiotic use ≥ 14 days,mechanical ventilation procedures,the longer glucocorticosteroid(GC)use time,and levels of LDH,HIF-1α,TLR4 in the infected group were higher(P＜0.05),while the level of ALB was lower(P＜0.05).The types of antibiotics＞3 types,the duration of antibiotic use ≥ 14 days,the duration of GC use,and elevat-ed levels of LDH,HIF-1α,and TLR4 were independent risk factors for infection in COPD patients(P＜0.05),while elevated level of ALB was an independent protective factor for infection in COPD patients(P＜0.05).The levels of HIF-1α and TLR4 in the infected group were positively correlated(r=0.453,P＜0.001).The area under the curve(AUC)of HIF-1α and TLR4 in diagnosing infection in COPD patients alone was 0.816 and 0.813,and the AUC of their combined diagnosis was 0.930,which was better than their indi-vidual diagnoses(Zcombination-HIF-1α=4.923,Z combination-TLR4=5.192,P＜0.001,P＜0.001).Conclusion The levels of HIF-1α and TLR4 increase in COPD patients,and further increase after infection with pulmonary Aspergil-lus.They are independent risk factors for infection in patients,and the two are positively correlated.The combined di-agnosis of pulmonary aspergillosis has certain value and provides a theoretical basis for clinical diagnosis.

Objective To investigate the predictive value of serum Krüppel-like factor 4(KLF4)level com-bined with plasma atherogenic index(AIP)for prognosis in patients with acute middle cerebral artery occlu-sion(AMCAO)undergoing endovascular therapy(EVT).Methods A total of 187 AMCAO patients who un-derwent EVT in Baoji People's Hospital from January 2021 to August 2023 were selected as the AMCAO group.The AMCAO patients were further categorized based on one-year post-EVT outcomes into a poor prognosis group(n=64)and a good prognosis group(n=123).A total of 95 healthy volunteers who under-went physical examination in Baoji People's Hospital during the same period were selected as the control group.Serum KLF4 levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,and the AIP was calcu-lated.Multivariate unconditional Logistic regression was applied to analyze the relationship between serum KLF4,AIP,and EVT prognosis,while receiver operating characteristic curves were used to evaluate the com-bined predictive value of KLF4 and AIP for prognosis in AMCAO patients.Results Compared with control group,AMCAO group had lower serum KLF4 levels and higher AIP(P<0.05).The 1-year poor prognosis rate of 187 AMCAO patients after EVT was 34.22%(64/187).Compared with good prognosis group,the poor prognosis group had lower KLF4 levels and higher AIP(P<0.05).High national institutes of health stroke scale score,delayed onset-to-recanalization time,and elevated AIP were independent risk factors for poor EVT prognosis in AMCAO patients,while high KLF4 was an independent protective factor(P<0.05).The combined detection of KLF4 and AIP of area under the curve in predicting EVT prognosis was 0.866,sig-nificantly higher than of KLF4(0.788)or AIP(0.769)alone(P<0.05).Conclusion Lower serum KLF4 levels and elevated AIP are associated with poor EVT prognosis in AMCAO patients.Combined measurement of serum KLF4 and AIP has high predictive value for EVT prognosis in these patients.

Objective:To investigate the impacts of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 (VD) and Lactobacillus plantarum (LP) on intestinal flora in animals with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and their possible mechanisms. Methods:A methionine- choline-deficient (MCD) diet-induced rat model of MAFLD was created. Forty 10-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into methionine-choline-sufficient (MCS) group, MCD group, VD group, LP group, and VD-LP group, with 8 rats in each group. The intervention groups (VD group, LP group, and VD-LP group) were gastrically fed with VD peanut oil solution (6 ng/100 g daily), Lactobacillus plantarum solution (2×10 9CFU/100 g daily), and a combination of these two solutions, respectively. MCS group, MCD group, and LP group were given the same volume of peanut oil on a daily basis. Fecal samples from rats were collected at week 4 and analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing for fecal flora structure. Portal vein blood samples were collected to detect liver biochemistry and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) levels. Pathological changes in liver and terminal ileum tissues were observed using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Results:Compared with the MCS group, the MCD group exhibited massive steatosis and lipid infiltration in liver tissues, markedly thinned ileum mucosa, severely damaged villi structure, excessive necrotic and shedding of epithelial cells, and infiltration of inflammatory cells. Compared with the histopathological changes in the MCD group, the steatosis and lipid infiltration of liver tissue, the damage to the ileal mucosa structure and epithelial cells, and the infiltration of inflammatory cells were alleviated in the VD group, LP group, and VD-LP group. Compared with MCS group, the MCD group had significantly higher serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (158.50±14.03 U/L vs. 20.38±7.39 U/L), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (43.88±11.36 U/L vs. 25.75±5.90 U/L), total bile acid (TBA) (140.60±11.77 μmol/L vs. 19.96±4.31 μmol/L), and LPS (16.57±1.19 pg/ml vs. 7.43±0.95 pg/ml) (All P<0.001),which confirmed the successful establishment of rat models of MAFLD. Serum ALT, AST, TBA, and LPS levels in all the three intervention groups were significantly lower than those in MCD group, and the most significant reductions in ALT (51.38±9.05 U/L vs. 158.50±14.03 U/L), AST (55.88±12.19 U/L vs. 143.88±11.36 U/L), TBA (21.00±8.17 μmol/L vs. 140.60±11.77 μmol/L), and LPS (9.72±0.71 pg/ml vs. 16.57±1.19 pg/ml) were seen in the VD-LP group. The microbiota in the MCD group predominantly featured Muribaculaceae, while the MCS group and other intervention groups primarily harbored Lactobacillus. Firmicutes and Lactobacillus were significantly decreased in the MCD group ,while Bacteroidete, Proteobacteria, Verrucomicrobiota, Prevotellaceae UCG-003, Escherichia coli, Bacteroides, and Enterococcus increased significantly. The opposite was true for each intervention group. There were significant differences in Lactobacillus between MCD group and the other four groups. Conclusion:VD and LP can remarkably improve lipid deposition in MAFLD by regulating intestinal flora.

Thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy(TAO) is an organ-specific autoimmune disease closely related to hy-perthyroidism,but it may also be detected in chronic autoimmune thyroiditis patients with normal thyroid functions or hy-pothyroidism.The clinical manifestations of TAO are diverse,and the progression of the disease varies.Therefore,accu-rately assessing its activity and the extent of lesions is crucial for guiding clinical treatment.Imaging examinations play an important role in the clinical diagnosis and evaluation of TAO.Commonly used methods include computed tomography(CT)and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI).In this article,the current applications of CT and MRI to the evaluation of TAO were reviewed,aiming to assist clinicians in selecting appropriate imaging modalities for accurate disease staging and formulating more rational treatment strategies.

Objective This study aimed to evaluate the clinical effect of hyaluronic acid(HA)scaffold combined with adipose-derived stem cells(ADSCs)in chronic wound healing of lower limbs and explore its applica-tion potential in promoting chronic wound healing.Methods A total of 50 patients were included in this study.They were divided into study and control groups according to the random number table method.There were 25 cases in each of the two groups of patients.HA and ADSCs were mixed in a 1:1 ratio and evenly injected into the wound base and the subcutaneous tissue around the wound at a rate of 0.1 ml/cm3.In the control group,ADSCs were only injected into the wound base and subcutaneous tissue around the wound.The infection rate,treatment satisfaction,wound healing rate,visual analogue score(VAS),and wound quantitative score were compared between the two groups at 7 days,14 days,and 28 days.Results The infection rate in the study group was lower than that in the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Moreover,at 14 days and 28 days after treatment,the wound healing rate in the study group was higher than that in the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).On the 7th,14th,and 28th days after treatment,the VAS scores and the wound quantitative scores were lower than those in the control group,and the difference was statisti-cally significant(P<0.05).Furthermore,the treatment satisfaction rate in the research group(92％)was higher than that in the control group(80％).Conclusion HA scaffold combined with ADSCs could promote the healing of chronic wounds in lower limbs,reduce infection rate,and relieve wound pain,which provides a new idea for the treatment of chronic wounds.

Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation (PARylation) is a specific form of post-translational modification (PTM) predominantly triggered by the activation of poly-ADP-ribose polymerase 1 (PARP1). However, the role and mechanism of PARylation in the advancement of acute kidney injury (AKI) remain undetermined. Here, we demonstrated the significant upregulation of PARP1 and its associated PARylation in murine models of AKI, consistent with renal biopsy findings in patients with AKI. This elevation in PARP1 expression might be attributed to trimethylation of histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4me3). Furthermore, a reduction in PARylation levels mitigated renal dysfunction in the AKI mouse models. Mechanistically, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry indicated that PARylation mainly occurred in receptor for activated C kinase 1 (RACK1), thereby facilitating its subsequent phosphorylation. Moreover, the phosphorylation of RACK1 enhanced its dimerization and accelerated the ubiquitination-mediated hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) degradation, thereby exacerbating kidney injury. Additionally, we identified a PARP1 proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC), A19, as a PARP1 degrader that demonstrated superior protective effects against renal injury compared with PJ34, a previously identified PARP1 inhibitor. Collectively, both genetic and drug-based inhibition of PARylation mitigated kidney injury, indicating that the PARylated RACK1/HIF-1α axis could be a promising therapeutic target for AKI treatment.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the role of DTX2 in regulating biological behaviors of oxaliplatin-resistant colorectal cancer cells (CRC/OXA cells). METHODS: CCK8 assay was used to determine the inhibition rate of oxaliplatin-treated CRC cells. A CRC/OXA cell line was constructed, in which DTX2 expression level was detected. The cells were transfected with a DTX2-shRNA plasmid or co-transfected with DTX2-shRNA and pcDNA-Notch2, and the changes in cell proliferation, migration and invasion ability were evaluated using plate cloning assay, scratch assay and Transwell invasion assay. The expression levels of Notch2, NICD and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) proteins of the transfected cells were detected with Western blotting. In a nude mouse model bearing SW620/OXA cell xenografts, the effects of DTX2 knockdown and Notch2 overexpression in the implanted cells on tumor growth and protein expressions were tested. RESULTS: The IC₅₀ of oxaliplatin was 6.00 μmol/L in SW620 cells and 8.00 μmol/L in LoVo cells. CRC/OXA cells showed a significantly increased expression of DTX2. DTX2 knockdown in CRC/OXA cells significantly inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and these effects were reversed by co-transfection of the cells with pcDNA-Notch2. DTX2 knockdown significantly reduced the expression levels of Notch2, NICD and vimentin proteins and increased E-cadherin expression in CRC/OXA cells, and co-transfection with pcDNA-Notch2 potently attenuated the changes in these proteins. In the tumor-bearing mice, DTX2 overexpression obviously promoted the growth of SW620/OXA cell xenograft, enhanced the protein expressions of Notch2, NICD and vimentin, and lowered the expression of E-cadherin. CONCLUSIONS High expression of DTX2 promotes proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT of CRC/OXA cells through the Notch2 signaling pathway, suggesting the potential of DTX2 as a target to improve the efficacy of oxaliplatin.
Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Humans ; Cell Proliferation ; Oxaliplatin ; Colorectal Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Animals ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Receptor, Notch2/metabolism* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Mice, Nude ; Cell Movement ; Organoplatinum Compounds/pharmacology* ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Mice

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP), whose etiology is influenced by genetic and clinical risk factors, considerably impacts women's quality of life. However, the genetic underpinnings in non-European populations and comprehensive risk models integrating genetic and clinical factors remain underexplored. This study constructed the first polygenic risk score (PRS) for POP in the Chinese population by utilizing 20 disease-associated variants from the largest existing genome-wide association study. We analyzed a discovery cohort of 576 cases and 623 controls and a validation cohort of 264 cases and 200 controls. Results showed that the case group exhibited a significantly higher PRS than the control group. Moreover, the odds ratio of the top 10% risk group was 2.6 times higher than that of the bottom 10%. A high PRS was significantly correlated with POP occurrence in women older than 50 years old and in those with one or no childbirths. As far as we know, the integrated prediction model, which combined PRS and clinical risk factors, demonstrated better predictive accuracy than other existing PRS models. This combined risk assessment model serves as a robust tool for POP risk prediction and stratification, thereby offering insights into individualized preventive measures and treatment strategies in future clinical practice.
Humans ; Female ; Pelvic Organ Prolapse/epidemiology* ; Middle Aged ; Risk Assessment/methods* ; China/epidemiology* ; Multifactorial Inheritance ; Aged ; Risk Factors ; Genome-Wide Association Study ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Case-Control Studies ; Adult ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Genetic Risk Score ; East Asian People