Objective To explore the therapeutic effect of picroside Ⅱ(P Ⅱ)on diabetes nephropathy(DN)rats by regulating fatty acid synthase(Fas)/fatty acid synthase ligand(FasL)signaling pathway.Methods A DN rat model was constructed by combining high sugar and high-fat diet with streptozotocin(STZ)injection.DN rats were grouped into model group(DN group),low,medium and high dose picroside Ⅱ groups(P-L group,P-M group,P-H group),and high dose picroside Ⅱ+Fas recombinant protein group(P-H+rh-Fas group),with healthy rats as control group,and 18 rats in each group.Fasting blood glucose(FBG),body mass,24-hour urinary protein(24h UTP),and renal function(SCr,BUN)were measured in rats.Hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining and Masson staining were applied to observe the pathological changes in renal tissue of rats;immunohistochemistry and Western blot were applied to detect the expression of RAGE,COL-Ⅳ and pathway proteins,respectively.Results Compared with the control group,rats in DN group showed thickening of the glomerular basement membrane,mesangial proliferation,tubular degeneration,dilation,atrophy,fatty degeneration,obvious collagen deposition,higher levels of FBG,24h UTP,SCr,BUN,TNF-α,IL-6 and IL-1β,body mass loss,and higher expression of RAGE,COL-Ⅳ,Fas and FasL(P＜0.05).Compared with the DN group,the glomerular and tubular lesions were reduced and collagen deposition was decreased in the P-L,P-M and P-H groups,furthermore,the FBG,24h UTP,SCr,BUN,TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1β levels were lower,body mass was higher,and the RAGE,COL-Ⅳ,Fas,FasL expression was lower(P＜0.05).Compared with the P-H group,the renal tissue lesions in the P-H+rh-Fas group worsened,the FBG,24 h UTP,SCr,BUN,TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1β levels were higher,body mass was lower,and the RAGE,COL-Ⅳ,Fas,FasL expression was higher(P＜0.05).Conclusion Picroside Ⅱ exerts therapeutic effects on DN rats by inhibiting the Fas/FasL signaling pathway.

Objective:To investigate the impact of ginseng alcohol extract(GEE)on improving sleep quality in the aged Drosophila model by regulating the redox balance,and to elucidate its associated mechanism.Methods:Thirty-two male drosophila melanogaster(7-days-old)were randomly selected as young group,while 64 male Drosophila melanogaster flies(35-days-old)were randomly assigned to aged model group(n=32)and GEE group(n=32).The sleep parameters,including total sleep duration,daytime sleep duration,night sleep duration,0-4 h of sleep duration after lights off(ZT0-4 sleep duration),deep sleep duration,sleep episodetimes,sleep fragmentation,and the activity parameters such as the total number of locomotor activity daytime locomotor activity amount and nighttime locomotor activity amount were analyzed using the DAM2 Drosophila behavioral analysis system 7 d after administration.The grouping of the drosophila was as above,and there were 100 drosophila ineach group.The differentially expressed proteins in drosophila brain tissue were screened,identified,and functionally analyzed using two-dimensional fluorescence difference gel electrophoresis(2D-DIGE)and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry(MALDI-TOF/TOF-MS)proteomic methods.The grouping of the drosophila was as above,and there were 100 drosophila in each group.The activities of superoxide dismutase(SOD),catalase(CAT),and glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)and the levels of lipid peroxidation product(MDA)in brain tissue of the drosophila were determined using assay kits.Results:Compared with young group,the total sleep duration daytime sleep duration and night sleep cluration of the drosophila in agaed group were decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01);and the sleep rhythm amplitude was shortened.Compared with aged group,the total sleep duration and daytime and nighttime sleep durations of the drosphila in GEE group were lengthened(P<0.01).Compared with young group,the ZT0-4 sleep duration deep sleep duration and sleep fragment of the drosophila in aged group were decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01),and the sleep rhythm amplitude was shortened.Compared with young group,the ZT0-4 sleep duration,deep sleep duration,and single sleep fragment of the drosphila in GEE group were significantly prolonged(P<0.01),and the sleep amplitude was increased.Compared with young group,there was no significant difference in diurnal spontaneous activity or total spontaneous activity of the drosophila in aged group(P>0.05),while the nocturnal spontaneous activity was significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with aged group,the diurnal spontaneous activity,nocturnal spontaneous activity,and total spontaneous activity of the drosophila in GEE group were significantly decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01).A total of 47 differentially expressed proteins were selected in the 2D-DIGE electrophoretic mapping.Compared with young group,the expressions of 47 differentially expressed protein sites in aged group were down-regulated mainly including glutathione S-transferase,peroxiredoxin 1 and dihydrolipoic dehydrogenase,which were related to redox balance.Compared with young group,the activities of SOD,CAT and GSH-Px in brain tissue of the drosophila in aged group were decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01),and the level of MDA was increased(P<0.01);compared with aged group,the activities of SOD,CAT and GSH-Px in brain tissue of the drosphila in GEE group were increased(P<0.05 or P<0.01),and the MDA level was decreased(P<0.05).Conclusion:GEE has improvement effect on the sleep quality of aged drosophila,and its possible mechanism may be related to upregulating the activities of antioxidant enzymes,inhibiting the accumulation of lipid peroxidation products,and maintaining redox balance.

Objective To explore the value of CT combined with MRI(hereinafter referred to as combined diagnosis)in diagnosing sacroiliac joint lesions in ankylosing spondylitis(AS).Methods A retrospective study selected CT and MRI examination data from 102 AS patients with sacroiliac joint lesions admitted to the Third People's Hospital of Haikou,Hainan Province between January 2021 and July 2023.The study compared the grading and detection rates of various signs using CT,MRI,and combined diagnosis.Results MRI showed higher detection rates for AS sacroiliac joint lesions in grades I-II,bone marrow edema,tendon and ligament attachment point inflammation,subchondral cartilage destruction,synovial thickening,and subchondral fat deposition compared to CT(P<0.05).In contrast,CT demonstrated higher accuracy in detecting joint surface sclerosis,subchondral bone erosion/destruction,and joint surface hyperplasia compared to MRI(P<0.05).Combined diagnosis showed significantly higher grading and detection rates of AS sacroiliac joint lesion signs compared to MRI or CT alone(P<0.05).Conclusion MRI has high detection rates for early AS sacroiliac joint lesions,CT exhibits high sensitivity for joint surface hyperplasia,sclerosis,erosion,and destruction,and combined diagnosis demonstrates superior efficacy compared to MRI or CT individually.

BACKGROUND:Degeneration of nucleus pulposus cells is a key component of intervertebral disc degeneration.Ferroptosis,a novel form of programmed cell death,is closely associated with the onset and progression of intervertebral disc degeneration;however,its precise mechanisms remain unclear.OBJECTIVE:To establish an oxidative stress model in vitro by inducing ferroptosis in nucleus pulposus cells using tert-butyl hydroperoxide and to investigate the mechanisms of tert-butyl hydroperoxide-induced ferroptosis in nucleus pulposus cells,thereby elucidating the role of ferroptosis in the pathogenesis of intervertebral disc degeneration.METHODS:Nucleus pulposus cells were treated with varying concentrations of tert-butyl hydroperoxide(0,25,50,100,and 200 μmol/L),and cell morphology and viability were assessed using fluorescence microscopy and the cell counting kit-8 assay.Interventions with 100 μmol/L tert-butyl hydroperoxide,10 μmol/L RSL3,or dimethylsulfoxide were applied to nucleus pulposus cells,and cell proliferation was evaluated using the EdU assay.The expression levels of ferroptosis-related proteins(glutathione peroxidase 4,ferritin heavy chain 1,PTGS2,and ACSL4)and intervertebral disc degeneration marker proteins(matrix metalloproteinase 13 and Col2A)were analyzed via western blot and immunofluorescence.Additionally,reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation levels were quantified using the reactive oxygen species detection kit and C11-BODIPY probe.Mitochondrial morphological changes were observed under transmission electron microscopy.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)tert-Butyl hydroperoxide treatment significantly reduced the viability and proliferation of nucleus pulposus cells.(2)tert-Butyl hydroperoxide induced typical ferroptosis-related morphological changes in nucleus pulposus cells.(3)tert-Butyl hydroperoxide exposure led to a decrease in the expression of ferroptosis-suppressing proteins glutathione peroxidase 4 and ferritin heavy chain 1,while increasing the expression of ferroptosis-promoting factors ACSL4 and PTGS2.(4)tert-Butyl hydroperoxide elevated intracellular reactive oxygen species production and lipid peroxidation levels in nucleus pulposus cells.(5)Transmission electron microscopy revealed ferroptosis-specific mitochondrial changes in nucleus pulposus cells treated with tert-butyl hydroperoxide,including contraction,reduced cristae,and increased membrane density.(6)tert-Butyl hydroperoxide treatment also resulted in the increased expression of matrix metalloproteinase 13 and decreased expression of Col2A in nucleus pulposus cells.In conclusion,tert-butyl hydroperoxide induces ferroptosis in nucleus pulposus cells,contributing to the development of intervertebral disc degeneration.This process may represent a key pathological mechanism in intervertebral disc degeneration and offers potential targets for developing novel therapeutic strategies.

Objective To explore the therapeutic effect of picroside Ⅱ(P Ⅱ)on diabetes nephropathy(DN)rats by regulating fatty acid synthase(Fas)/fatty acid synthase ligand(FasL)signaling pathway.Methods A DN rat model was constructed by combining high sugar and high-fat diet with streptozotocin(STZ)injection.DN rats were grouped into model group(DN group),low,medium and high dose picroside Ⅱ groups(P-L group,P-M group,P-H group),and high dose picroside Ⅱ+Fas recombinant protein group(P-H+rh-Fas group),with healthy rats as control group,and 18 rats in each group.Fasting blood glucose(FBG),body mass,24-hour urinary protein(24h UTP),and renal function(SCr,BUN)were measured in rats.Hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining and Masson staining were applied to observe the pathological changes in renal tissue of rats;immunohistochemistry and Western blot were applied to detect the expression of RAGE,COL-Ⅳ and pathway proteins,respectively.Results Compared with the control group,rats in DN group showed thickening of the glomerular basement membrane,mesangial proliferation,tubular degeneration,dilation,atrophy,fatty degeneration,obvious collagen deposition,higher levels of FBG,24h UTP,SCr,BUN,TNF-α,IL-6 and IL-1β,body mass loss,and higher expression of RAGE,COL-Ⅳ,Fas and FasL(P＜0.05).Compared with the DN group,the glomerular and tubular lesions were reduced and collagen deposition was decreased in the P-L,P-M and P-H groups,furthermore,the FBG,24h UTP,SCr,BUN,TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1β levels were lower,body mass was higher,and the RAGE,COL-Ⅳ,Fas,FasL expression was lower(P＜0.05).Compared with the P-H group,the renal tissue lesions in the P-H+rh-Fas group worsened,the FBG,24 h UTP,SCr,BUN,TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1β levels were higher,body mass was lower,and the RAGE,COL-Ⅳ,Fas,FasL expression was higher(P＜0.05).Conclusion Picroside Ⅱ exerts therapeutic effects on DN rats by inhibiting the Fas/FasL signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND:Degeneration of nucleus pulposus cells is a key component of intervertebral disc degeneration.Ferroptosis,a novel form of programmed cell death,is closely associated with the onset and progression of intervertebral disc degeneration;however,its precise mechanisms remain unclear.OBJECTIVE:To establish an oxidative stress model in vitro by inducing ferroptosis in nucleus pulposus cells using tert-butyl hydroperoxide and to investigate the mechanisms of tert-butyl hydroperoxide-induced ferroptosis in nucleus pulposus cells,thereby elucidating the role of ferroptosis in the pathogenesis of intervertebral disc degeneration.METHODS:Nucleus pulposus cells were treated with varying concentrations of tert-butyl hydroperoxide(0,25,50,100,and 200 μmol/L),and cell morphology and viability were assessed using fluorescence microscopy and the cell counting kit-8 assay.Interventions with 100 μmol/L tert-butyl hydroperoxide,10 μmol/L RSL3,or dimethylsulfoxide were applied to nucleus pulposus cells,and cell proliferation was evaluated using the EdU assay.The expression levels of ferroptosis-related proteins(glutathione peroxidase 4,ferritin heavy chain 1,PTGS2,and ACSL4)and intervertebral disc degeneration marker proteins(matrix metalloproteinase 13 and Col2A)were analyzed via western blot and immunofluorescence.Additionally,reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation levels were quantified using the reactive oxygen species detection kit and C11-BODIPY probe.Mitochondrial morphological changes were observed under transmission electron microscopy.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)tert-Butyl hydroperoxide treatment significantly reduced the viability and proliferation of nucleus pulposus cells.(2)tert-Butyl hydroperoxide induced typical ferroptosis-related morphological changes in nucleus pulposus cells.(3)tert-Butyl hydroperoxide exposure led to a decrease in the expression of ferroptosis-suppressing proteins glutathione peroxidase 4 and ferritin heavy chain 1,while increasing the expression of ferroptosis-promoting factors ACSL4 and PTGS2.(4)tert-Butyl hydroperoxide elevated intracellular reactive oxygen species production and lipid peroxidation levels in nucleus pulposus cells.(5)Transmission electron microscopy revealed ferroptosis-specific mitochondrial changes in nucleus pulposus cells treated with tert-butyl hydroperoxide,including contraction,reduced cristae,and increased membrane density.(6)tert-Butyl hydroperoxide treatment also resulted in the increased expression of matrix metalloproteinase 13 and decreased expression of Col2A in nucleus pulposus cells.In conclusion,tert-butyl hydroperoxide induces ferroptosis in nucleus pulposus cells,contributing to the development of intervertebral disc degeneration.This process may represent a key pathological mechanism in intervertebral disc degeneration and offers potential targets for developing novel therapeutic strategies.

Objective:To investigate the effect of miR-425-5p on glucagon-like peptide-1(GLP-1) secretion in intestinal L cells induced by lipopolysaccharide(LPS), and to explore its mechanism.Methods:GLUTag cells of intestinal L cell line were incubated with LPS to determine the levels of miR-425-5p and GLP-1. Cell viability was determined by MTT assay, and cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. Quantitative real time-PCR and western blot were performed to determine the expressions of miR-425-5p, phosphatase and tensin homology(PTEN), proglucagon, and GLP-1. Activity of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway was determined by detecting TOP/FOP ratio. Interaction among miR-425-5p, PTEN, and β-catenin was analyzed using luciferase activity assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation(ChIP)assay.Results:In GLUTag cells, with the elevation of LPS concentration, the expression of miR-425-5p and the apoptosis rate were increased, while the level of active GLP-1 and the cell viability were decreased. MiR-425-5p was involved in the regulation of LPS on GLP-1 secretion and intestinal L cell viability. Inhibition of miR-425-5p reduced the mRNA expression of proglucagon and the TOP/FOP ratio, increased PTEN protein level, and inhibited cell viability. In LPS-treated GLUTag cells, miR-425-5p increased the level of β-catenin by targeting PTEN, and β-catenin acted as a cis-acting element to induce the transcription of proglucagon and promote the secretion of GLP-1.Conclusion:In LPS-induced intestinal L cells, miR-425-5p promotes the expression of GLP-1 by targeting PTEN to modulate β-catenin.

ObjectiveTo evaluate setup errors of image guided radiation therapy (IGRT) for body tumors immbilized with vacuum cushions and localized with final isocenter marked method using kilovoltage cone beam CT (KVCBCT).MethodsA retrospective study has been carried out for 223 patients from March 2009 to April 2011.All patients were immobilized with vacuum cushions and localized with final isocenter marked method in Philips PQS CT or Philips Brilliance CT Big Bore scanner,which were equipped with LAP movable laser systems. The CT images were transferred to a Varian Eclipse workstation for contouring and treatment planning.Before irradiation,a KVCBCT scan was performed and image registration was done on a Varian iX linear accelerator via OBI system.Each set of setup errors in right-left ( RL),superior-inferior (SI),and anterior-posterior (AP) directions were gathered.An independent-samples t-test statistical analysis was conducted with the 758 sets of data using SPSS 16.0.Results The statistical analysis showed that setup errors from the 758 datasets were depicted a Gaussian distribution.The system errors ± random errors in RL,SI and AP were ( -0.5 ±2.8) mm,(0.0±3.0) mm and (0.4±3.4)mm,respectively.Referring to the formula for planning target volume margin calculation,M =2.5Σ + 0.7δ,the margins were calculated as 3.2,2.1 and 3.4 mm,respectively.ConclusionsThe margins derived from this retrospective study have confirmed the premise that the treatment plans were executed in patients with high reliability,thereby created a high sense of confidence for the clinicians.

Objective To evaluate the setup errors of image guided radiation therapy (IGRT) for head-and-neck cancer using kilovoltage cone beam CT( kV CBCT).Methods 256 patients with head-and-neck cancer were treated with intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) from March 2009 to October 2011.All patients were immobilized with head-and-neck mask and localized with final isocenter marking method using the Philips PQS CT or Philips Brilliance CT Big Bore scanners,which were equipped with LAP movable laser systems.The CT images were transferred to a Varian Eclipse V8.6 workstation for contouring and planning.A kV cone-beam CT scans was acquired,and registered before the treatment for every patient on a Varian iX linear accelerator via OBI system.The setup errors in the right-left ( RL),superior-inferior (SI),and anterior-posterior (AP) directions were recorded.Results The setup errors for the 473 datasets followed a Gaussian distribution.The systematic errors ± random errors in the RL,SI and AP were(-0.6 ± 1.3 ),(0.5 ± 1.6) and (0.9 ± 1.7 ) mm,respectively.The planning target volume (PTV) margins were calculated respectively as 2.4,2.4 and 3.4 mm according to the formula of M =2.5∑ +0.7δ The margins of 288 sets of data using the Big Bore CT scanner were calculated as 2.0,2.1 and 1.7 mm,respectively.Conclusions The setup errors using final isocenter marking method are smaller than those using reference point marking method.The result derived from this retrospective study could be used to set the margin between CTV and PTV.

Objective To restrospectively investigate clinical outcomes and prognositic factors in localized prostate cancer treated with neoadjuvant endocrine therapy followed by intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). Methods Between March 2003 and October 2008, 54 localized prostate cancer treated by IMRT were recruited. All patients had received endocrine therapy before IMRT. The endocrine therapy included surgical castration or medical castration in combination with antiandrogens. The target of IMRT was the prostate and seminal vesicles with or without pelvis. The biochemical failure was defined according to the phoenix definition. By using the risk grouping standard proposed by D'Amico, patients were divided into three groups: low-risk group (n = 5), intermediate-risk group (n = 12), and high-risk group (n = 37). Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the overall survival rate. Prognostic factors were analyzed by univariate and multiple Cox regression analysis. Results The follow-up rate was 98%. The number of patients under follow-up was 39 at 3 years and 25 at 5 years. Potential prognostic factors, including risk groups, mode of endocrine therapy, time of endocrine therapy, phoenix grouping before IMRT, the prostate specific antigen doubling time (PSADT) before radiotherapy, PSA value before IMRT, interval of endocrine therapy and IMRT, irradiation region, and irradiation dose were analyzed by survival analysis. In univariate analysis, time of endocrine therapy (75 % vs 95 %, χ~2= 6. 45, P = 0. 011), phoenix grouping before IMRT (87% vs 96%, χ~2 = 4. 36, P = 0. 037), interval of endocrine therapy and IMRT (80% vs 95% ,χ~2= 11.60,P= 0. 001) ,irradiationdose(75% vs 91% ,χ~2=5.92,P= 0. 015) were statisticallysignificant prognostic factors for3 - year overall survival , and risk groups (85 vs 53 vs 29 , χ~2= 6. 40,P =0. 041) and PSADT before IMRT (62 vs 120, U =24. 50,P =0. 003) were significant factors for the median survival time. In the multiple Cox regression model, only time of endocrine therapy and phoenix grouping before IMRT were significantly related to the overall survival. The 3-year overall survival rates in patients with endocrine therapy less than 3 months versus more than 3 months were 75% versus 95% (χ~2= 5.45, P= 0.020). The 5-year overall survival rates in patients with biochemical failure versus nobiochemieal failure was 71% versus 92% (χ~2= 8.83 , P= 0.003) Conclusions Neoadjuvant endocrine therapy should last at least three months. Intensity modulate radiotherapy should start before biochemical failure after the endocrine therapy.