OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects and mechanism of total alkaloids of Corydalis Rhizoma （TAC） on the regulation of cuproptosis in rats with diabetic cardiomyopathy （DCM） based on silence information regulator 1（Sirt1）/tumor protein 53（P53）signaling pathway. METHODS DCM rat model was induced by high-fat and high-sugar diet and intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. Thirty-two model rats were randomly divided into model group， TAC low-dose， medium-dose and high-dose groups （7， 10.5， 14 mg/kg）， with 8 rats in each group. An additional 8 rats were assigned to normal control group. Related drugs or normal saline were administered intragastrically in each group， once a day， for 4 weeks. After the last medication， the fasting blood glucose （FBG） levels of the rats were measured. The levels of myocardial creatine kinase （CK）， creatine kinase isoenzyme （CK-MB）， and lactate dehydrogenase （LDH） in serum and myocardial tissue of rats were all detected. The pathological morphology， fibrosis degree， and Cu2+ deposition of myocardial tissue in rats were observed. The levels of Cu2+ and glutathione （GSH） in myocardial tissue， the expressions of Sirt1/P53 signaling pathway-related proteins [Sirt1， P53， solute carrier family 7 membrane 11 （SLC7A11）]， and iron-sulfur cluster-related proteins [ferredoxin 1 （FDX1）， lipoic acid synthetase （LIAS）， aconitase 2 （ACO2）， NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase core subunit S8 （NDUFS8）， dihydrolipoamide acetyltransferase （DLAT）， dihydrolipoamide succinyltransferase （DLST）]， and heat shock protein 70 （HSP70） were all determined. RESULTS Compared with normal control group， the model group exhibited significantly elevated levels of FBG， CK， CK-MB and LDH in both serum and myocardial tissue， as well as increased 2+ levels of Cu in myocardial tissue and the expression of P53 and HSP70 proteins （P＜0.05）； the level of GSH and the expression levels of Sirt1， SLC7A11， FDX1， LIAS， ACO2， NDUFS8， DLAT， and DLST proteins in myocardial tissue were all significantly decreased （P＜0.05）； the myocardial tissue exhibited severe pathological damage， with numerous inflammatory cell infiltrations and significant fibrosis， as well as increased deposition of Cu2+. Compared with model group， most of the above quantitative indicators in rats were significantly reversed in TAC groups （P＜0.05）； the pathological damage to the myocardial tissue was alleviated， with reduced fibrosis and Cu2+ deposition. CONCLUSIONS TAC can ameliorate DCM in rats， and its mechanism of action may be related to activating the activity of the Sirt1/P53 signaling pathway， promoting the chelation of GSH with Cu2+， and inhibiting cuproptosis of cardiomyocyte.

This paper summarizes Professor HAN Mingxiang's clinical experience in treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD）. He believes that the key pathomechanism of COPD in the acute exacerbation stage is the invasion of external pathogens triggering latent illness， while lung qi deficiency is the primary mechanism in the stable stage. The core pathological factors throughout disease progression are deficiency， phlegm， and blood stasis. Treatment emphasizes a staged and syndrome-based approach. During the acute exacerbation stage， for wind-cold invading the lung syndrome， the self-formulated Sanzi Wenfei Decoction （三子温肺汤） is used to relieve the exterior， dispel cold， warm the lung， and resolve phlegm. For phlegm-dampness obstructing the lung syndrome， Huatan Jiangqi Fomulation （化痰降气方） is prescribed to warm the lung， transform phlegm， descend qi， and calm wheezing. For phlegm-heat obstructing the lung syndrome， Qingfei Huatan Fomulation （清肺化痰方） is applied to clear heat， resolve phlegm， moisten the lung， and stop coughing. For phlegm and blood stasis interlocking syndrome， Qibai Pingfei Fomulation （芪白平肺方） is used to tonify qi， resolve phlegm， and activate blood circulation to remove stasis. During the stable stage， for lung qi deficiency syndrome， Shenqi Wenfei Decoction （参芪温肺汤） is employed to warm the lung， tonify qi， resolve phlegm， and eliminate turbidity. For lung-spleen qi deficiency syndrome， Shenqi Buzhong Decoction （参芪补中汤） is utilized to strengthen the spleen， tonify qi， and reinforce metal （lung） from earth （spleen）. For lung-kidney deficiency syndrome， Shenqi Tiaoshen Fomulation （参芪调肾方） is prescribed to tonify the lung， warm yang， and regulate kidney function to calm wheezing. These strategies provide insights into the traditional Chinese medicine treatment of COPD.

ObjectiveThis study leverages structural data from antigen-antibody complexes of the influenza A virus neuraminidase (NA) protein to investigate the spatial recognition relationship between the antigenic epitopes and antibody paratopes. MethodsStructural data on NA protein antigen-antibody complexes were comprehensively collected from the SAbDab database, and processed to obtain the amino acid sequences and spatial distribution information on antigenic epitopes and corresponding antibody paratopes. Statistical analysis was conducted on the antibody sequences, frequency of use of genes, amino acid preferences, and the lengths of complementarity determining regions (CDR). Epitope hotspots for antibody binding were analyzed, and the spatial structural similarity of antibody paratopes was calculated and subjected to clustering, which allowed for a comprehensively exploration of the spatial recognition relationship between antigenic epitopes and antibodies. The specificity of antibodies targeting different antigenic epitope clusters was further validated through bio-layer interferometry (BLI) experiments. ResultsThe collected data revealed that the antigen-antibody complex structure data of influenza A virus NA protein in SAbDab database were mainly from H3N2, H7N9 and H1N1 subtypes. The hotspot regions of antigen epitopes were primarily located around the catalytic active site. The antibodies used for structural analysis were primarily derived from human and murine sources. Among murine antibodies, the most frequently used V-J gene combination was IGHV1-12*01/IGHJ2*01, while for human antibodies, the most common combination was IGHV1-69*01/IGHJ6*01. There were significant differences in the lengths and usage preferences of heavy chain CDR amino acids between antibodies that bind within the catalytic active site and those that bind to regions outside the catalytic active site. The results revealed that structurally similar antibodies could recognize the same epitopes, indicating a specific spatial recognition between antibody and antigen epitopes. Structural overlap in the binding regions was observed for antibodies with similar paratope structures, and the competitive binding of these antibodies to the epitope was confirmed through BLI experiments. ConclusionThe antigen epitopes of NA protein mainly ditributed around the catalytic active site and its surrounding loops. Spatial complementarity and electrostatic interactions play crucial roles in the recognition and binding of antibodies to antigenic epitopes in the catalytic region. There existed a spatial recognition relationship between antigens and antibodies that was independent of the uniqueness of antibody sequences, which means that antibodies with different sequences could potentially form similar local spatial structures and recognize the same epitopes.

Reproductive system diseases are among the primary contributors to the decline in social fertility rates and the intensification of aging, posing significant threats to both physical and mental health, as well as quality of life. Recent research has revealed the substantial potential of the gut microbiota in improving reproductive system diseases. Under healthy conditions, the gut microbiota maintains a dynamic balance, whereas dysfunction can trigger immune-inflammatory responses, metabolic disorders, and other issues, subsequently leading to reproductive system diseases through the gut-gonadal axis. Reproductive diseases, in turn, can exacerbate gut microbiota imbalance. This article reviews the impact of the gut microbiota and its metabolites on both male and female reproductive systems, analyzing changes in typical gut microorganisms and their metabolites related to reproductive function. The composition, diversity, and metabolites of gut bacteria, such as Bacteroides, Prevotella, and Firmicutes, including short-chain fatty acids, 5-hydroxytryptamine, γ-aminobutyric acid, and bile acids, are closely linked to reproductive function. As reproductive diseases develop, intestinal immune function typically undergoes changes, and the expression levels of immune-related factors, such as Toll-like receptors and inflammatory cytokines (including IL-6, TNF-α, and TGF-β), also vary. The gut microbiota and its metabolites influence reproductive hormones such as estrogen, luteinizing hormone, and testosterone, thereby affecting folliculogenesis and spermatogenesis. Additionally, the metabolism and absorption of vitamins can also impact spermatogenesis through the gut-testis axis. As the relationship between the gut microbiota and reproductive diseases becomes clearer, targeted regulation of the gut microbiota can be employed to address reproductive system issues in both humans and animals. This article discusses the regulation of the gut microbiota and intestinal immune function through microecological preparations, fecal microbiota transplantation, and drug therapy to treat reproductive diseases. Microbial preparations and drug therapy can help maintain the intestinal barrier and reduce chronic inflammation. Fecal microbiota transplantation involves transferring feces from healthy individuals into the recipient’s intestine, enhancing mucosal integrity and increasing microbial diversity. This article also delves into the underlying mechanisms by which the gut microbiota influences reproductive capacity through the gut-gonadal axis and explores the latest research in diagnosing and treating reproductive diseases using gut microbiota. The goal is to restore reproductive capacity by targeting the regulation of the gut microbiota. While the gut microbiota holds promise as a therapeutic target for reproductive diseases, several challenges remain. First, research on the association between gut microbiota and reproductive diseases is insufficient to establish a clear causal relationship, which is essential for proposing effective therapeutic methods targeting the gut microbiota. Second, although gut microbiota metabolites can influence lipid, glucose, and hormone synthesis and metabolism via various signaling pathways—thereby indirectly affecting ovarian and testicular function—more in-depth research is required to understand the direct effects of these metabolites on germ cells or granulosa cells. Lastly, the specific efficacy of gut microbiota in treating reproductive diseases is influenced by multiple factors, necessitating further mechanistic research and clinical studies to validate and optimize treatment regimens.

Circadian rhythm is an endogenous biological clock mechanism that enables organisms to adapt to the earth’s alternation of day and night. It plays a fundamental role in regulating physiological functions and behavioral patterns, such as sleep, feeding, hormone levels and body temperature. By aligning these processes with environmental changes, circadian rhythm plays a pivotal role in maintaining homeostasis and promoting optimal health. However, modern lifestyles, characterized by irregular work schedules and pervasive exposure to artificial light, have disrupted these rhythms for many individuals. Such disruptions have been linked to a variety of health problems, including sleep disorders, metabolic syndromes, cardiovascular diseases, and immune dysfunction, underscoring the critical role of circadian rhythm in human health. Among the numerous systems influenced by circadian rhythm, the skin—a multifunctional organ and the largest by surface area—is particularly noteworthy. As the body’s first line of defense against environmental insults such as UV radiation, pollutants, and pathogens, the skin is highly affected by changes in circadian rhythm. Circadian rhythm regulates multiple skin-related processes, including cyclic changes in cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis, as well as DNA repair mechanisms and antioxidant defenses. For instance, studies have shown that keratinocyte proliferation peaks during the night, coinciding with reduced environmental stress, while DNA repair mechanisms are most active during the day to counteract UV-induced damage. This temporal coordination highlights the critical role of circadian rhythms in preserving skin integrity and function. Beyond maintaining homeostasis, circadian rhythm is also pivotal in the skin’s repair and regeneration processes following injury. Skin regeneration is a complex, multi-stage process involving hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling, all of which are influenced by circadian regulation. Key cellular activities, such as fibroblast migration, keratinocyte activation, and extracellular matrix remodeling, are modulated by the circadian clock, ensuring that repair processes occur with optimal efficiency. Additionally, circadian rhythm regulates the secretion of cytokines and growth factors, which are critical for coordinating cellular communication and orchestrating tissue regeneration. Disruptions to these rhythms can impair the repair process, leading to delayed wound healing, increased scarring, or chronic inflammatory conditions. The aim of this review is to synthesize recent information on the interactions between circadian rhythms and skin physiology, with a particular focus on skin tissue repair and regeneration. Molecular mechanisms of circadian regulation in skin cells, including the role of core clock genes such as Clock, Bmal1, Per and Cry. These genes control the expression of downstream effectors involved in cell cycle regulation, DNA repair, oxidative stress response and inflammatory pathways. By understanding how these mechanisms operate in healthy and diseased states, we can discover new insights into the temporal dynamics of skin regeneration. In addition, by exploring the therapeutic potential of circadian biology in enhancing skin repair and regeneration, strategies such as topical medications that can be applied in a time-limited manner, phototherapy that is synchronized with circadian rhythms, and pharmacological modulation of clock genes are expected to optimize clinical outcomes. Interventions based on the skin’s natural rhythms can provide a personalized and efficient approach to promote skin regeneration and recovery. This review not only introduces the important role of circadian rhythms in skin biology, but also provides a new idea for future innovative therapies and regenerative medicine based on circadian rhythms.

To investigate whether Tasquinimod can influence cisplatin resistance in drug-resistant ovarian cancer (OC) cell lines by regulating histone deacetylase 4 (HDAC4) or p21, we explored its effects on the cell cycle, and associated mechanisms.RT-PCR and Western blot analyses, flow cytometry, CCK8 assay, and immunofluorescence were utilized to investigate the effects of Tasquinimod on gene expression, cell cycle, apoptosis, viability, and protein levels in OC cells. The results showed that Tasquinimod inhibited cell viability and promoted apoptosis in SKOV3/DDP (cisplatin) and A2780/DDP cells more effectively than DDP alone. In combination with cisplatin, Tasquinimod further enhanced cell apoptosis and reduced cell viability in these cell lines, an effect that could be reversed following HDAC4 overexpression. Tasquinimod treatment down-regulated HDAC4, Bcl-2, and cyclin D1, and CDK4 expression and up-regulated the cleaved-Caspase-3, and p21 expression in SKOV3/DDP and A2780/ DDP cells. Additionally, Tasquinimod inhibited DDP resistance in OC/DDP cells. These effects were similarly observed in OC mouse models treated with Tasquinimod. In conclusion, Tasquinimod can improve OC cells' sensitivity to DDP by down-regulating the HDAC4/p21 axis, offering insights into potential strategies for overcoming cisplatin resistance in OC.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

Background: and Purpose Although amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) might provide a molecular diagnosis for cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), it does not have sufficient specificity for this condition relative to incipient Alzheimer’s disease (AD). To identify a regional amyloid uptake pattern specific to CAA, we attempted to reduce this overlap by selecting “pure CAA” (i.e., fulfilling the criteria for probable CAA but without tau PET AD signature) and “pure AD” (i.e., positive amyloid PET and presence of tau PET AD signature, but without lobar hemorrhagic lesions). We hypothesized that occipital tracer uptake relative to the whole cortex (WC) would be higher in patients with pure CAA and may serve as a specific diagnostic marker. Methods: Patients who fulfilled these criteria were identified. In addition to the occipital region of interest (ROI), we assessed the frontal and posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) ROIs that are sensitive to AD. Amyloid PET uptake was expressed as the absolute standardized uptake value ratio (SUVR) and ROI/WC ratio. The diagnostic utility of amyloid PET was assessed using the Youden index cutoff. Results: Eighteen patients with AD and 42 patients with CAAs of comparable age were eligible. The occipital/WC was significantly higher in CAA than AD (1.02 [0.97–1.06] vs. 0.95 [0.87–1.01], P=0.001), with an area under curve of 0.762 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.635–0.889) and a specificity of 72.2% (95% CI 46.5–90.3) at Youden cutoff (0.98). The occipital lobe, frontal lobe, PCC and WC SUVRs were significantly lower in CAA than in AD. The frontal/WC and PCC/WC ratios did not differ significantly between the groups. Conclusion Using stringent patient selection to minimize between-condition overlap, this study demonstrated the specificity of higher relative occipital amyloid uptake in CAA than in AD.

BACKGROUND:Various proteins,signaling pathways,and inflammatory mediators are involved in the pathophysiological process of osteoarthritis.The development of small molecule drugs targeting these proteins,signaling pathways,and inflammatory mediators can effectively delay the progression of osteoarthritis and ameliorate its clinical manifestations. OBJECTIVE:To review the research progress of small molecule drugs in the treatment of osteoarthritis based on the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis. METHODS:PubMed,CNKI,and WanFang databases were searched with English search terms"osteoarthritis,arthritis,osteoarthrosis,degenerative,arthritides,deformans,small molecule drugs,small molecule inhibitors,small molecule agents"and Chinese search terms"osteoarthritis,small molecule drugs,small molecule inhibitors."A total of 68 articles were included for review according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Currently,studies concerning the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis remain unclear.The occurrence and development of osteoarthritis are strongly associated with proteins,cytokines,and signal transduction pathways,so its therapeutic mechanism is relatively complex.Currently,targeting proteins,cytokines,and signal transduction pathways related to osteoarthritis with small molecule drugs has become a major research focus.(2)Small molecule drugs frequently possess visible intracellular or extracellular targets and efficacy,containing enhancing cartilage repair,resisting joint degradation,attenuating inflammation,and relieving pain.Other anti-osteoarthritis small molecule drugs have shown promise in promoting stem cell chondrogenic differentiation and cartilage matrix reconstruction.(3)At present,small molecule drugs targeting the pathophysiological process of osteoarthritis to delay the progression of osteoarthritis are still in the experimental stage,but most of these small molecule drugs have shown the expected results in the experimental process,and there are no relevant studies to illustrate the efficacy of small molecule drugs in the treatment of osteoarthritis.(4)Small molecule drugs for the treatment of osteoarthritis have reached the expected experimental results in the basic experimental stage.Numerous studies have exhibited that small molecule drugs can target the suppression of specific proteins,cytokines,and signal transduction pathways that cause osteoarthritis,so as to treat osteoarthritis.Nevertheless,its safety and effectiveness still need to be identified by further basic and clinical studies.This process needs to be investigated and studied by more scholars.(5)At present,many scholars in and outside China have made contributions to the treatment of osteoarthritis.Compared with traditional treatment methods,small molecule drugs reveal better efficacy and safety in the basic experimental stage,and it is expected to become an emerging method for the treatment of osteoarthritis in the future to rid patients of pain.

ObjectiveTo explore the possible mechanism of action of Lifei Xiaoji Pill （理肺消积丸， LXP） in the treatment of non small cell lung cancer based on the Warburg effect and the USP47/BACH1 pathway. MethodsFifty C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into five groups， model group， LXP group， inhibitor group， LXP + inhibitor group， and cisplatin group， with 10 mice in each group. A lung cancer mouse model was established by subcutaneously injecting Lewis cells. On the next day， the model group mice were given 0.2 ml of saline by gavage daily， the LXP group given 240 mg/（kg·d） of LXP solution once a day by gavage， the inhibitor group intraperitoneally injected with P22077 at a dose of 10 mg/（kg·d） every day， the LXP + inhibitor group given both LXP by gavage and P22077 by intraperitoneal injection once a day， and the cisplatin group received 0.5 mg/（kg·d） cisplatin intraperitoneally every other day. All treatments lasted for 14 days. On the day after the last dose， tumor weight and volume were measured， tumor histopathology was examined by HE staining， apoptosis in tumor tissues was detected by TUNEL staining， and proliferation cell nuclear antigen （PCNA） protein levels were detected by immunohistochemistry. Warburg effect indicators， including glucose concentration， lactate content， and adenosine triphosphate （ATP） production in tumor tissues， were measured. Western Blot and qRT-PCR were used to detect the protein and mRNA expression levels of USP47， BACH1， hexokinase 2 （HK2）， and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase （GAPDH）. ResultsCompared with the model group， all drug intervention groups showed reduced tumor weight and volume， improved tumor pathology， decreased PCNA positive rate， increased apoptosis rate， and reduced expression levels of USP47， BACH1， and HK2 proteins and mRNA （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Except for lactate content in the cisplatin group， the glucose concentration in tumor tissues of other drug intervention groups increased， while lactate content and ATP production decreased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared with the LXP group， the LXP + inhibitor group showed more significant improvements in these indicators （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared with the cisplatin group， the LXP + inhibitor group had lower mRNA expression of HK2 and GAPDH， and lower protein levels of USP47 and HK2 （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared with the inhibitor group， the cisplatin group had higher HK2 protein levels， while the LXP + inhibitor group showed lower mRNA expression of BACH1， HK2， and GAPDH （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. ConclusionLXP significantly inhibits tumor growth in lung cancer mice， and its mechanism of action may be related to inhibiting the Warburg effect via the USP47/BACH1 pathway.