Due to the moist environment in the mouth, there are many challenges that arise, such as difficult biofilm removal, short drug retention time, and low tissue repair efficiency, while treating dental caries, periodontal disease, and other oral diseases. As a biomimetic biomaterial, polydopamine (PDA) possesses multifunctional properties, including mussel-inspired adhesion and stimuli-responsive drug release. PDA adhesion properties originate from its surface catechol and amino functional groups, which maintain strong wettability in aqueous environments. With smart responsiveness encompassing photothermal, pH, and enzymatic stimuli, PDA enables controlled drug release under specific conditions. Additionally, PDA exhibits antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and osteoblast-promoting functions, thus demonstrating significant application potential in the treatment of oral diseases. In hard tissue therapies, specifically for dental caries, PDA promotes enamel remineralization by inducing hydroxyapatite crystal growth and enhances dentin collagen mineralization through Ca2+ chelation while inhibiting cariogenic bacteria. In mandibular defect repair, functionalized PDA coatings on bone implants facilitate mesenchymal stem cell adhesion and differentiation, activate osteogenic signaling pathways, and synergistically promote vascularization to improve bone-implant integration. For soft tissue treatments, specifically for periodontitis, PDA alleviates alveolar bone resorption via antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects coupled with osteoclast inhibition. In denture stomatitis management, PDA’s strong wet adhesion prolongs drug retention, while its photothermal effect and reactive oxygen generation provide both broad-spectrum antibacterial activity and wound healing promotion. This review summarizes PDA’s synthesis mechanisms and biological functions, with an emphasis on its therapeutic applications in oral diseases, providing innovative strategies for oral healthcare.

ObjectiveThis paper aims to investigate the mechanism of Jinyang Dingtong plaster in improving the peripheral pain sensitization and synovial fibrosis in rats with knee osteoarthritis （KOA） by blocking the ion channels of transient receptor potentials （TRPs）. MethodsThe active components in the transdermal absorption solution of Jinyang Dingtong plaster were identified by using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-quadrupole ion trap tandem mass spectrometry （UPLC-MS/MS） technology. A KOA rat model was established through intra-articular injection of monoiodoacetic acid. The rats were randomly divided into blank control group， KOA group， compound Nanxing Zhitong plaster Group， and Jinyang Dingtong plaster group， with eight rats per group. Among them， the rats in the compound Nanxing Zhitong plaster group and the Jinyang Dingtong plaster group were intervened with external application treatment. After the intervention period， the cold and mechanical stimulus pain thresholds of rats in each group were detected， and the transverse diameter of the knee joint was measured. The levels of inflammatory factors in the serum such as interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， nerve growth factor （NGF）， and calcitonin gene-related peptide （CGRP） were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Protein expression levels of transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 （TRPA1）， transient receptor potential melastatin 8 （TRPM8）， transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 （TRPV1）， transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 （TRPV4）， transforming growth factor-β （TGF-β）， and vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） in synovial tissue were detected by Western blot. Histopathological changes in synovial tissue were observed by using hematoxylin and eosin （HE）， Masson， and Sirius red staining， while the expression of type Ⅰ collagen and alpha-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA） was detected by multiplex immunofluorescence. ResultsA total of 35 active components in the transdermal absorption solution of Jinyang Dingtong plaster were identified by UPLC-MS/MS， including phenolic acids， flavonoids， quinones， alkaloids， terpenes， lignans， and coumarins. Among them， the constituents such as berberine， paeoniflorin， ferulic acid， and caffeic acid exhibit clear anti-inflammatory， analgesic， and anti-fibrotic pharmacological effects. Compared to the blank control group， rats in the KOA group showed a significant decrease in cold and mechanical stimuli pain thresholds （P<0.01）. After 14 and 28 days of Jinyang Dingtong plaster intervention， the pain threshold in this group was significantly increased compared to that in KOA group （P<0.01）， showing no significant difference from that in compound Nanxing Analgesic plaster group. Additionally， Jinyang Dingtong plaster reduced the levels of IL-1β， TNF-α， NGF， and CGRP in the serum of KOA rats （P<0.01）， lowered the expression of TRPA1， TRPM8， TRPV1， TRPV4， TGF-β， and VEGF proteins in synovial tissue （P<0.01）， improved synovial pathological damage in KOA rats， and significantly decreased fluorescence intensity of type Ⅰ collagen and α-SMA （P<0.01）. ConclusionJinyang Dingtong plaster can improve the peripheral pain sensitization and synovial fibrosis in KOA rats by downregulating the expression of ion channels of TRPs and related inflammatory and fibrotic factors.

ObjectiveThis paper aims to investigate the mechanism of Jinyang Dingtong plaster in improving the peripheral pain sensitization and synovial fibrosis in rats with knee osteoarthritis （KOA） by blocking the ion channels of transient receptor potentials （TRPs）. MethodsThe active components in the transdermal absorption solution of Jinyang Dingtong plaster were identified by using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-quadrupole ion trap tandem mass spectrometry （UPLC-MS/MS） technology. A KOA rat model was established through intra-articular injection of monoiodoacetic acid. The rats were randomly divided into blank control group， KOA group， compound Nanxing Zhitong plaster Group， and Jinyang Dingtong plaster group， with eight rats per group. Among them， the rats in the compound Nanxing Zhitong plaster group and the Jinyang Dingtong plaster group were intervened with external application treatment. After the intervention period， the cold and mechanical stimulus pain thresholds of rats in each group were detected， and the transverse diameter of the knee joint was measured. The levels of inflammatory factors in the serum such as interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， nerve growth factor （NGF）， and calcitonin gene-related peptide （CGRP） were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Protein expression levels of transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 （TRPA1）， transient receptor potential melastatin 8 （TRPM8）， transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 （TRPV1）， transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 （TRPV4）， transforming growth factor-β （TGF-β）， and vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） in synovial tissue were detected by Western blot. Histopathological changes in synovial tissue were observed by using hematoxylin and eosin （HE）， Masson， and Sirius red staining， while the expression of type Ⅰ collagen and alpha-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA） was detected by multiplex immunofluorescence. ResultsA total of 35 active components in the transdermal absorption solution of Jinyang Dingtong plaster were identified by UPLC-MS/MS， including phenolic acids， flavonoids， quinones， alkaloids， terpenes， lignans， and coumarins. Among them， the constituents such as berberine， paeoniflorin， ferulic acid， and caffeic acid exhibit clear anti-inflammatory， analgesic， and anti-fibrotic pharmacological effects. Compared to the blank control group， rats in the KOA group showed a significant decrease in cold and mechanical stimuli pain thresholds （P<0.01）. After 14 and 28 days of Jinyang Dingtong plaster intervention， the pain threshold in this group was significantly increased compared to that in KOA group （P<0.01）， showing no significant difference from that in compound Nanxing Analgesic plaster group. Additionally， Jinyang Dingtong plaster reduced the levels of IL-1β， TNF-α， NGF， and CGRP in the serum of KOA rats （P<0.01）， lowered the expression of TRPA1， TRPM8， TRPV1， TRPV4， TGF-β， and VEGF proteins in synovial tissue （P<0.01）， improved synovial pathological damage in KOA rats， and significantly decreased fluorescence intensity of type Ⅰ collagen and α-SMA （P<0.01）. ConclusionJinyang Dingtong plaster can improve the peripheral pain sensitization and synovial fibrosis in KOA rats by downregulating the expression of ion channels of TRPs and related inflammatory and fibrotic factors.

Objective: This prospective study evaluated the feasibility of chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI for assessing disease activity in thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO). Materials and Methods: A total of 88 patients with active TAO, 76 with inactive TAO, and 30 healthy controls were enrolled. CEST MRI-derived magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) and MTR asymmetry (MTRasym) at 1 ppm, 2 ppm, and 3.5 ppm were calculated. Clinical data, MTR, and MTRasym values for the extraocular muscles (one representative muscle per eye, yielding two measurements per participant) were compared among the groups. Spearman’s correlation was used to examine associations between imaging parameters and the clinical activity score (CAS) in patients with TAO. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent associations between imaging parameters and disease activity in patients with TAO (active vs. inactive). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was conducted to evaluate the diagnostic performance for discriminating active from inactive TAO. Results: Patients with active TAO showed lower MTR values (P < 0.001) and higher MTRasym (1 ppm), MTRasym (2 ppm), and MTRasym (3.5 ppm) (all P < 0.001) compared with those with inactive TAO. MTR was negatively correlated with CAS (r = -0.402; P < 0.001), while MTRasym (1 ppm), MTRasym (2 ppm), and MTRasym (3.5 ppm) were positively correlated with CAS (r = 0.369, 0.350, and 0.349, respectively;all P < 0.001). MTR and MTRasym (1 ppm) were independently associated with TAO activity. The areas under the ROC curve (AUCs) for MTR and MTRasym (1 ppm) in discriminating active from inactive TAO were 0.772 and 0.730, respectively. Combining MTR with MTRasym (1 ppm) significantly improved diagnostic performance compared with either parameter alone, achieving an AUC of 0.805 (P = 0.029 and 0.001). Conclusion MTR and MTRasym (1 ppm) were independently associated with TAO activity. Their combination further enhanced diagnostic performance in distinguishing active from inactive TAO, suggesting their potential as quantitative imaging biomarkers to guide treatment in patients with TAO.

The alternative pathway (AP) of the complement system is a key contributor to the pathogenesis of several diseases including paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), C3 glomerular disease (C3G) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Complement factor B (CFB) is a trypsin-like serine protein that circulates in the human bloodstream in a latent form. As a key node of the alternative pathway, it is an important target for the treatment of diseases mediated by the complement system. With the successful launch of iptacopan, the CFB small molecule inhibitors has become a current research hotspot, a number of domestic and foreign pharmaceutical companies are actively developing CFB small molecule inhibitors. In this paper, the research progress of CFB small molecule inhibitors in recent years is systematically summarized, the representative compounds and their activities are introduced according to structural types and design ideas, so as to provide reference and ideas for the subsequent research on CFB small molecule inhibitors.

Tumors are the second leading cause of death worldwide. Exosomes are a type of extracellular vesicle secreted from multivesicular bodies, with particle sizes ranging from 40 to 160 nm. They regulate the tumor microenvironment, proliferation, and progression by transporting proteins, nucleic acids, and other biomolecules. Compared with other drug delivery systems, exosomes derived from different cells possess unique cellular tropism, enabling them to selectively target specific tissues and organs. This homing ability allows them to cross biological barriers that are otherwise difficult for conventional drug delivery systems to penetrate. Due to their biocompatibility and unique biological properties, exosomes can serve as drug delivery systems capable of loading various anti-tumor drugs. They can traverse biological barriers, evade immune responses, and specifically target tumor tissues, making them ideal carriers for anti-tumor therapeutics. This article systematically summarizes the methods for exosome isolation, including ultracentrifugation, ultrafiltration, size-exclusion chromatography (SEC), immunoaffinity capture, and microfluidics. However, these methods have certain limitations. A combination of multiple isolation techniques can improve isolation efficiency. For instance, combining ultrafiltration with SEC can achieve both high purity and high yield while reducing processing time. Exosome drug loading methods can be classified into post-loading and pre-loading approaches. Pre-loading is further categorized into active and passive loading. Active loading methods, including electroporation, sonication, extrusion, and freeze-thaw cycles, involve physical or chemical disruption of the exosome membrane to facilitate drug encapsulation. Passive loading relies on drug concentration gradients or hydrophobic interactions between drugs and exosomes for encapsulation. Pre-loading strategies also include genetic engineering and co-incubation methods. Additionally, we review approaches to enhance the targeting, retention, and permeability of exosomes. Genetic engineering and chemical modifications can improve their tumor-targeting capabilities. Magnetic fields can also be employed to promote the accumulation of exosomes at tumor sites. Retention time can be prolonged by inhibiting monocyte-mediated clearance or by combining exosomes with hydrogels. Engineered exosomes can also reshape the tumor microenvironment to enhance permeability. This review further discusses the current applications of exosomes in delivering various anti-tumor drugs. Specifically, exosomes can encapsulate chemotherapeutic agents such as paclitaxel to reduce side effects and increase drug concentration within tumor tissues. For instance, exosomes loaded with doxorubicin can mitigate cardiotoxicity and minimize adverse effects on healthy tissues. Furthermore, exosomes can encapsulate proteins to enhance protein stability and bioavailability or carry immunogenic cell death inducers for tumor vaccines. In addition to these applications, exosomes can deliver nucleic acids such as siRNA and miRNA to regulate gene expression, inhibit tumor proliferation, and suppress invasion. Beyond their therapeutic applications, exosomes also serve as tumor biomarkers for early cancer diagnosis. The detection of exosomal miRNA can improve the sensitivity and specificity of diagnosing prostate and pancreatic cancers. Despite their promising potential as drug delivery systems, challenges remain in the standardization and large-scale production of exosomes. This article explores the future development of engineered exosomes for targeted tumor therapy. Plant-derived exosomes hold potential due to their superior biocompatibility, lower toxicity, and abundant availability. Furthermore, the integration of exosomes with artificial intelligence may offer novel applications in diagnostics, therapeutics, and personalized medicine.

BACKGROUND:Rev-erbα is involved in the regulation of inflammation,but pharmacological activation of Rev-erbα increases the risk for cardiovascular diseases.To reduce the relevant risk,an exploration on SR9009,a Rev-erbα agonist,combined with other drugs to relieve inflammation in skeletal myoblasts was conducted,laying the theoretical foundation for the treatment of inflammation-associated skeletal muscle atrophy. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the relationship of SR9009,indolepropionic acid and nuclear factor-κB signaling pathways in lipopolysaccharide-induced C2C12 myoblasts. METHODS:(1)C2C12 myoblasts were induced to differentiate in the presence of lipopolysaccharide(1 μg/mL).RNA-seq and KEGG pathway analysis were used to study signaling pathways.(2)C2C12 myoblast viability was assessed using the cell counting kit-8 assay to determine optimal concentrations of indolepropionic acid.Subsequently,cells were categorized into control group,lipopolysaccharide(1 μg/mL)group,SR9009(10 μmol/L)+lipopolysaccharide group,indolepropionic acid(80μmol/L)+lipopolysaccharide group,and SR9009+indolepropionic acid+lipopolysaccharide group.ELISA was employed to measure protein expression levels of interleukin-6 in the cultured supernatant.Real-time quantitative PCR were employed to measure mRNA expression levels of interleukin-6,tumor necrosis factor α,TLR4 and CD14.Western blot assay were employed to measure protein expression levels of NF-κB p65 and p-NF-κB p65.(3)After Rev-erbα was knocked down by siRNA,knockdown efficiency was assessed by RT-qPCR.And mRNA levels of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor α were also measured. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the blank control group,lipopolysaccharide time-dependently inhibited myofibroblast fusion to form myotubes,the mRNA expression levels of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor α were elevated,and the level of interleukin-6 in the cell supernatant was significantly increased.The results of KEGG pathway showed that the nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway was activated by lipopolysaccharide.Indolepropionic acid exhibited significant suppression of C2C12 myoblasts viability when its concentration exceeded 80 μmol/L.Indolepropionic acid and SR9009 inhibited the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway,thereby played an anti-inflammatory role,and suppressed the mRNA expression levels of interleukin-6,tumor necrosis factor α,TLR4 and CD14.Compared with the lipopolysaccharide group,the ratio of p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 protein expression were downregulated.SR9009 combined with indolepropionic acid notably reduced lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation,further downregulated the mRNA expression levels of interleukin-6,tumor necrosis factor α,TLR4 and CD14.The ratio of p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 protein expression was significantly lower than that in the SR9009+lipopolysaccharide group or indolepropionic acid+lipopolysaccharide group.Rev-erbα increases time-dependently with lipopolysaccharide induction.The knockdown efficiency of Rev-erbα by siRNA reached over 58%,and lipopolysaccharide was added after Rev-erbα was successfully knocked down.Compared with the lipopolysaccharide group,the mRNA expression levels of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor α were significantly up-regulated.These results conclude that Rev-erbα may act as a promising pharmacological target to reduce inflammation.SR9009 targeted activation of Rev-erbα combined with indolepropionic acid significantly inhibits the nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway and attenuates the inflammatory response of C2C12 myofibroblasts.Moreover,the combined anti-inflammatory effect is superior to that of the intervention alone.

Objectives: Hypoparathyroidism (HP) is a rare endocrine disorder caused by parathyroid hormone (PTH) defi ciency. The PTH is a candidate gene for familial isolated hypoparathyroidism (FIH). This study aimed to investigate the pathogenicity of two novel rare variants (RVs) ofPTH through in vitro functional study. Methods: Targeted next-generation sequencing was used to identify candidate gene mutations. Clinical data were retrospectively collected. Wild-type (WT) PTH was used as a template for site-directed mutagenesis to create mutant eukaryotic expression plasmids, which were transfected into cells. Treated with or without 4-phenylbu tyric acid (4-PBA), the levels of intact PTH (iPTH) and PTH (1-84) were measured by chemiluminescence, and protein expression was assessed using Western blotting. Results: Two patients carrying PTH mutations (c.154G > A: p.Val52Ile, c.270G > T: p.Leu90Phe) were identified.Patient 1, a 45-year-old male, presented with carpal and pedal numbness, muscle cramps, and low serum calcium (1.29 mmol/L). Patient 2, a 12-year-old female, had muscle twitches, convulsions, low calcium (1.50 mmol/L), and iPTH of 4 pg/mL. The iPTH or PTH (1-84) levels in the medium transfected with mutant Val52Ile and Leu90Phe PTH decreased by 31%–38%, and 51%–96% compared to WT (allP < 0.05), which were not rescued by 4-PBA. No significant changes in intracellular PTH expression were observed. Conclusions In this study, two novel RVs of PTH(Val52Ile and Leu90Phe) were identified that may impair hormone synthesis and secretion. Our study has broadened the mutation spectrum of the PTH and shed light on potential mechanisms underlying FIH.

Objectives: Hypoparathyroidism (HP) is a rare endocrine disorder caused by parathyroid hormone (PTH) defi ciency. The PTH is a candidate gene for familial isolated hypoparathyroidism (FIH). This study aimed to investigate the pathogenicity of two novel rare variants (RVs) ofPTH through in vitro functional study. Methods: Targeted next-generation sequencing was used to identify candidate gene mutations. Clinical data were retrospectively collected. Wild-type (WT) PTH was used as a template for site-directed mutagenesis to create mutant eukaryotic expression plasmids, which were transfected into cells. Treated with or without 4-phenylbu tyric acid (4-PBA), the levels of intact PTH (iPTH) and PTH (1-84) were measured by chemiluminescence, and protein expression was assessed using Western blotting. Results: Two patients carrying PTH mutations (c.154G > A: p.Val52Ile, c.270G > T: p.Leu90Phe) were identified.Patient 1, a 45-year-old male, presented with carpal and pedal numbness, muscle cramps, and low serum calcium (1.29 mmol/L). Patient 2, a 12-year-old female, had muscle twitches, convulsions, low calcium (1.50 mmol/L), and iPTH of 4 pg/mL. The iPTH or PTH (1-84) levels in the medium transfected with mutant Val52Ile and Leu90Phe PTH decreased by 31%–38%, and 51%–96% compared to WT (allP < 0.05), which were not rescued by 4-PBA. No significant changes in intracellular PTH expression were observed. Conclusions In this study, two novel RVs of PTH(Val52Ile and Leu90Phe) were identified that may impair hormone synthesis and secretion. Our study has broadened the mutation spectrum of the PTH and shed light on potential mechanisms underlying FIH.

Objectives: Hypoparathyroidism (HP) is a rare endocrine disorder caused by parathyroid hormone (PTH) defi ciency. The PTH is a candidate gene for familial isolated hypoparathyroidism (FIH). This study aimed to investigate the pathogenicity of two novel rare variants (RVs) ofPTH through in vitro functional study. Methods: Targeted next-generation sequencing was used to identify candidate gene mutations. Clinical data were retrospectively collected. Wild-type (WT) PTH was used as a template for site-directed mutagenesis to create mutant eukaryotic expression plasmids, which were transfected into cells. Treated with or without 4-phenylbu tyric acid (4-PBA), the levels of intact PTH (iPTH) and PTH (1-84) were measured by chemiluminescence, and protein expression was assessed using Western blotting. Results: Two patients carrying PTH mutations (c.154G > A: p.Val52Ile, c.270G > T: p.Leu90Phe) were identified.Patient 1, a 45-year-old male, presented with carpal and pedal numbness, muscle cramps, and low serum calcium (1.29 mmol/L). Patient 2, a 12-year-old female, had muscle twitches, convulsions, low calcium (1.50 mmol/L), and iPTH of 4 pg/mL. The iPTH or PTH (1-84) levels in the medium transfected with mutant Val52Ile and Leu90Phe PTH decreased by 31%–38%, and 51%–96% compared to WT (allP < 0.05), which were not rescued by 4-PBA. No significant changes in intracellular PTH expression were observed. Conclusions In this study, two novel RVs of PTH(Val52Ile and Leu90Phe) were identified that may impair hormone synthesis and secretion. Our study has broadened the mutation spectrum of the PTH and shed light on potential mechanisms underlying FIH.