AIM: To assess the stability of the tear film and the characteristics of corneal nerves in patients with Parkinson's disease(PD).METHODS: This cross-sectional observational study included 72 PD patients and 50 healthy controls. Disease severity was determined using the Hoehn-Yahr(H-Y)scale, dividing patients into mild and moderate PD groups. Dry eye symptoms were evaluated via the ocular surface disease index(OSDI)questionnaire, while tear secretion was quantified using the Schirmer I test. Ocular surface damage was assessed through staining scores, and comprehensive ocular examinations were performed utilizing the LipiView ocular surface interferometer and an ocular surface analyzer. Corneal nerve parameters were examined using corneal confocal microscopy in conjunction with automated analysis software ACCMetrics, with correlations drawn between these parameters, PD course, and severity.RESULTS: PD patients exhibited significantly elevated OSDI scores, indicative of more pronounced dry eye symptoms compared to the control group(F=70.290, P<0.01). Tear film stability was markedly compromised, with significantly shorter tear film breakup time and increased corneal fluorescein staining, both showing statistically significant differences relative to controls(all P<0.01). Tear secretion indices, including Schirmer I test results and tear meniscus height, were significantly reduced in PD patients(all P<0.01), whereas lipid secretion indices, such as lipid layer thickness and meibomian gland dropout score, did not show significant variation. Corneal nerve analysis revealed significant reductions in corneal nerve fiber density, nerve branch density, fiber length, and total branch density in PD patients compared to controls(all P<0.01). Furthermore, blink frequency was markedly prolonged(F=62.353, P<0.01). Correlation analysis demonstrated a significant relationship between alterations in tear film stability and both disease duration and H-Y scores.CONCLUSION: PD patients have obvious dry eye manifestations in the early stage of the disease, including the reduction of tear film stability and corneal nerve fiber density, and gradually aggravate with the progress of the disease. Neurodegenerative disease-related dry eye needs to be diagnosed early and actively treated.

Stresses induced by the deficiency or excess of trace mineral elements, such as manganese (Mn), represent a common limiting factor for the production of crops like Brassica napus. To identify key genes involved in Mn allocation in B. napus and elucidate the underlying mechanisms, a member of the metal tolerance protein (MTP) family obtained in the previous screening of cDNA library of B. napus under Mn stress was selected as the research subject. Based on the sequence information and phylogenetic analysis, it was named as BnMTP10. It belongs to the Mn-cation diffusion facilitator (CDF) subfamily. Expression of BnMTP10 in yeast significantly improved the tolerance of transformants to excessive Mn and iron (Fe) and reduced the accumulation of Mn and Fe. However, the yeast transformants exhibited no significant changes in tolerance to excess cadmium, boron, aluminum, zinc, or copper. The qRT-PCR results demonstrated that the flowers of B. napus had the highest expression of BnMTP10, followed by roots and leaves. Subcellular localization studies revealed that BnMTP10 was localized in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Compared with wild-type plants, transgenic Arabidopsis overexpressing BnMTP10 exhibited enhanced tolerance to excessive Mn stress but showed no significant difference under Fe stress. Correspondingly, under excessive Mn stress, the Mn content in the roots of transgenic Arabidopsis increased significantly. However, under excessive Fe stress, the Fe content in transgenic Arabidopsis did not alter significantly. According to the results, we hypothesize that BnMTP10 may alleviate excessive Mn stress in plants by mediating Mn transport to the ER. This study facilitated our understanding of efficient mineral nutrients, and provided theoretical foundations and gene resources for breeding B. napus.
Brassica napus/genetics* ; Manganese/metabolism* ; Plants, Genetically Modified/genetics* ; Plant Proteins/physiology* ; Arabidopsis/metabolism* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Phylogeny ; Cation Transport Proteins/metabolism* ; Stress, Physiological

Objective:To summarize the clinical, pathological and molecular characteristics of various types of pediatric glioma, and to explore the differences in the morphology and clinical significance among various types of pediatric glioma.Methods:Based on the fifth edition of the World Health Organization classification of central nervous system tumors, this study classified or reclassified 111 pediatric gliomas that were diagnosed at Guangzhou Medical University Affiliated Women and Children′s Medical Center from January 2020 to June 2023. The clinical manifestations, imaging findings, histopathology, and molecular characteristics of these tumors were analyzed. Relevant literature was also reviewed.Results:The 111 patients with pediatric glioma included 56 males and 55 females, with the age ranging from 10 days to 13 years (average age, 5.5 years). Clinically, manifestations presented from 5 days to 8 years before the diagnosis, including epilepsy in 16 cases, increased intracranial pressure in 48 cases and neurological impairment in 66 cases. MRI examinations revealed tumor locations as supratentorial in 43 cases, infratentorial in 65 cases, and spinal cord in 3 cases. There were 73 cases presented with a solid mass and 38 cases with cystic-solid lesions. The largest tumor diameter ranged from 1.4 to 10.6 cm. Among the 111 pediatric gliomas, there were 6 cases of pediatric diffuse low-grade glioma (pDLGG), 63 cases of circumscribed astrocytoma glioma (CAG), and 42 cases of pediatric diffuse high-grade glioma (pDHGG). Patients with pDLGG and CAG were younger than those with pDHGG. The incidence of pDLGG and CAG was significantly lower in the midline of the infratentorial region compared to that of pDHGG. They were more likely to be completely resected surgically. The pDLGG and CAG group included 4 cases of pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma, showing histological features of high-grade gliomas. Among the high-grade gliomas, 13 cases were diffuse midline gliomas and also showed histological features of low-grade glioma. Immunohistochemical studies of H3K27M, H3K27ME3, p53, ATRX, BRAF V600E, and Ki-67 showed significant differences between the pDLGG and CAG group versus the pDHGG group ( P<0.01). Molecular testing revealed that common molecular variations in the pDLGG and CAG group were KIAA1549-BRAF fusion and BRAF V600E mutation, while the pDHGG group frequently exhibited mutations in HIST1H3B and H3F3A genes, 1q amplification, and TP53 gene mutations. With integrated molecular testing, 2 pathological diagnoses were revised, and the pathological subtypes of 35.3% (12/34) of the pediatric gliomas that could not be reliably classified by histology were successfully classified. Conclusions:There are significant differences in clinical manifestations, pathological characteristics, molecular variations, and prognosis between the pDLGG, CAG and pDHGG groups. The integrated diagnosis combining histology and molecular features is of great importance for the accurate diagnosis and treatment of pediatric gliomas.

Demyelination of the central nervous system often occurs in neurodegenerative diseases， such as multiple sclerosis （MS）. The myelin sheath， a layer of myelin membrane wrapping the axon， plays a role in the rapid conduction and metabolic coupling of impulses for neurons. The exposure of the axon will lead to axonal degeneratio， and further neuronal degeneration， which is the main cause of dysfunction and even disability in patients with demyelinating neurodegenerative diseases. In addition to the demyelination of mature myelin sheath， remyelination disorder is also one of the major reasons leading to the development of the diseases. The myelin sheath is composed of oligodendrocytes （OLs） derived from oligodendrocyte progenitor cells （OPCs） which are differentiated from neural stem cells （NSCs）. The process of myelin regeneration， i.e.， remyelination， is the differentiation of NSCs into OLs. Recent studies have shown that this process is regulated by a variety of genes. MicroRNAs， as important regulators of neurodegenerative diseases， form a complex regulatory network in the process of myelin regeneration. This review summarizes the main molecular pathways of myelin regeneration and microRNAs involved in this process and classifies the mechanisms and targets. This review is expected to provide a theoretical reference for the future research on the treatment of demyelinating diseases by targeting the regulation of microRNAs.

BACKGROUND:Inflammation is one of the important factors that induce cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.Studies have shown that electroacupuncture can effectively reduce inflammation after ischemic stroke and improve the symptoms of neurological deficits,but the mechanism is not clear. OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of electroacupuncture on Toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor-κB in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. METHODS:Forty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham operation group,model group and electroacupuncture group,with 16 rats in each group.The rat model of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury was prepared by middle cerebral artery occlusion.At 24 hours after modeling,the rats in the electroacupuncture group were treated with electroacupuncture,once a day,20 minutes each time,for a total of 5 days.The sham operation group and the model group did not do any intervention.After 5 days of intervention,Longa method was used to evaluate the degree of neurological injury in rats.Triphenyl tetrazolium chloride staining and hematoxylin-eosin staining were used to measure the volume of cerebral infarction and the pathological changes of brain tissue in rats.Serum interleukin-6,interleukin-18 and tumor necrosis factor-α were detected by ELISA.Expressions of Toll-like receptor 4 and nuclear factor-κB in the cerebral cortex at mRNA and protein levels were detected by fluorescence quantitative PCR and western blot,respectively. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the sham operation group,the neurological function scores,serum interleukin-6,interleukin-18,and tumor necrosis factor-α levels,Toll-like receptor 4 and nuclear factor-κB mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly higher in the model group(P＜0.01).Compared with the model group,electroacupuncture significantly reduced the neurological function scores,serum interleukin-6,interleukin-18,and tumor necrosis factor-α levels,Toll-like receptor 4 and nuclear factor-κB mRNA and protein expression levels(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Compared with the sham operation group,the volume of cerebral infarction in the model group increased significantly(P＜0.01).Compared with the model group,the volume of cerebral infarction in the electroacupuncture group decreased(P＜0.05).In the model group,the arrangement of neurons was disordered,some nerve cells disappeared,nuclei presented with pyknosis and incomplete structure.After electroacupuncture intervention,the degree of neuronal degeneration and neuronal loss in the cerebral cortex of rats were reduced compared with those in the model group.To conclude,electroacupuncture can significantly improve the neurobehavior of rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury,reduce brain tissue injury,and effectively reduce the level of serum inflammatory factors.The mechanism may be related to the inhibition of Toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway.

Acute myocardial infarction(AMI)is a common cardiovascular emergency in clinic.Early reperfusion is a typical and effective method for the treatment of AMI.However,the recovery of blood supply after reperfusion therapy will accelerate the damage of ischemic myocardium and cause myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury(MI/RI).In recent years,studies have found that TCM has the unique advantages of multi-component,multi-channel and multi-target in the intervention of MI/RI.Janus tyrosine kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription(JAK/STAT)signaling pathway is closely related to MI/RI,which can reduce MI/RI process by regulating inflammation,oxidative stress,cell proliferation,differentiation and apoptosis.This article reviewed the mechanism of JAK/STAT signaling pathway in MI/RI and the research of TCM targeting this pathway,in order to provide references for the prevention and treatment of MI/RI and further drug development.

Myocardial injury is a pathological change of myocardium caused by many factors,which can lead to the decline of cardiac function and the occurrence of cardiovascular events.Astragaloside Ⅳ is one of the main pharmacological components in Astragali Radix,which plays an anti-myocardial injury role by regulating various signaling pathways.This article reviewed the anti-myocardial injury mechanism of astragaloside Ⅳ from five aspects:inhibition of oxidative stress,inhibition of apoptosis,anti-myocardial fibrosis,improvement of myocardial energy metabolism and inhibition of myocardium inflammation,in order to provide reference for the mechanism research and clinical application of astragaloside Ⅳ in the prevention and treatment of myocardial injury.

Objective To observe the effects of Angelica Sinensis Radix and Astragali Radix extract(ASR-AR)on HUVEC pyroptosis;To explore its mechanism of treating coronary microvascular disease.Methods HUVEC were divided into blank group,model group,MCC950 group,ASR-AR low-,medium-and high-dosage groups.After modeling and treatment with drug containing serum,cell viability was detected by CCK-8 method,and cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry,phalloidin staining was used to detect cytoskeletal morphology,immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expressions of VEGF,eNOS,Ang-2,ROS,ET-1 and TXA2,ELISA was used to detect the contents of IL-1β and IL-18 in cell supernatant,Western blot was used to detect the expressions of NLRP3,ASC,Caspase-1 and GSDMD protein in cells.Results Compared with the blank group,the model group showed a decrease in HUVEC cell viability(P<0.01)and an increase in cell apoptosis rate(P<0.01),cellular microfilament structure was in disorder and knotting,the expressions of VEGF and eNOS decreased,and expressions of Ang-2,ROS,ET-1 and TXA2 increased,the contents of IL-1β and IL-18 in cell supernatant increased(P<0.01),and the expressions of NLRP3,ASC,Caspase-1 and GSDMD protein in cells increased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,ASR-AR low-,medium-and high-dosage containing serum could increase cell viability(P<0.05),decrease cell apoptosis rate(P<0.05),improve cell microfilament structure,elevate VEGF and eNOS expressions,decrease Ang-2,ROS,ET-1,TXA2 expressions,reduce IL-1β and IL-18 contents in cell supernatant(P<0.05),and decrease NLRP3,ASC,Caspase-1 and GSDMD protein expressions(P<0.05).ASR-AR medium-dosage group was more obvious(P<0.05).Conclusion ASR-AR can inhibit pyroptosis of HUVEC induced by AngⅡ,attenuate endothelial cell dysfunction,thus treating coronary microvascular disease,and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of the assembly of NLRP3 inflammasome.

AIM:To explore the potential targets and mechanisms of Angelica sinensis and Astraga-lus membranaceus ultrafiltration(RAS-AM)in the treatment of radiation induced myocardial fibrosis(RIMF)through network pharmacology combined experimental validation.METHODS:Using the TC-MSP database TCM@TAIWAN The Taiwan Tradition-al Chinese Medicine Database and TCMID Tradition-al Chinese Medicine Database screen the compo-nents and targets of RAS-AM,and use the Swiss Target Prediction database for target prediction.Obtain RIMF disease targets from Gene Cards and OMIM databases,obtain intersection targets of dis-eases and drugs through Wayne's online tool,ob-tain protein interaction relationships(PPIs)through STRING database,and use Cytoscape 3.9.1 soft-ware to construct a visualized network topology di-agram of"drug component target disease".Con-duct GO and KEGG enrichment analysis on core tar-gets through the David database,and use the mi-crobiome platform for mapping.Experimental veri-fication:Sixty Wistar rats were randomly divided in-to a blank group,a model group,a positive drug group,a RAS-AM low-dose group,a RAS-AM medi-um dose group,and a RAS-AM high-dose group.A RIMF model was established using a 38Gy dose of radiation induction,and was administered orally for 4 weeks.The general condition of the rats was also observed.After blood and heart collection in rats,HE staining was used to observe the morpho-logical changes of myocardial tissue,and ELISA and Western blot methods were used to detect key tar-gets for network pharmacology prediction.RE-SULTS:Network pharmacology analysis revealed 34 active components and 705 targets of Angelica si-nensis and Astragalus membranaceus ultrafiltra-tion,with a total of 154 targets,with IL-6,VEGFA,MMP2,MMP9,and ACE as the top five core tar-gets;GO enrichment analysis screened a total of 153 entries,and KEGG enrichment had 25 path-ways.Experimental part:HE staining results showed that the degeneration and necrosis of myo-cardial cells improved in each medication group,the infiltration of inflammatory cells in the myocar-dial interstitium decreased,and the proliferation of fibrous connective tissue in the myocardial intersti-tium decreased.ELISA and Western blot results showed that compared with the normal group,the expression of IL-6,VEGFA,and MMP-9 in the mod-el group increased.Compared with the model groupthe expression of IL-6,VEGFA,and MMP-9 in each medication group decreased to varying de-grees,in a dose-dependent manner.CONCLUSION:RAS-AM may inhibit RIMF by downregulating core targets such as IL-6,VEGFA protein,MMP-9 pro-tein,and regulating inflammatory pathways,colla-gen degradation,and other processes.

Myocardial infarction （MI） is a common cardiovascular disease in clinical practice and one of the main causes of cardiovascular mortality. Its pathogenesis is complex and associated with oxidative stress reactions. Nuclear factor E₂-related factor 2 （Nrf2） is a key factor in regulating oxidative stress reactions. It can regulate the expression of heme oxygenase-1 （HO-1）， playing a role in maintaining the oxidative-reductive homeostasis in the body. During the course of MI， the biological activity and levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 decrease， leading to weakened tissue antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capabilities， endothelial damage in myocardial blood vessels， release of vascular cell adhesion factors， and impaired endothelial function. In recent years， many basic research studies have explored the role and mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） in treating MI by modulating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway. The results have indicated that the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway is an important potential target for TCM in the treatment of MI. This article reviewed the mechanism of the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway in MI and the research progress of TCM in targeting and regulating this pathway， aiming to provide a theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of MI and further drug development.