ObjectiveThis study aims to explore the mechanism of action of Huangqi Guizhi Wuwutang in treating rheumatoid arthritis （RA）-associated sarcopenia by regulating autophagy and improving skeletal muscle homeostasis based on network pharmacology，bioinformatics，machine learning，and animal experiments. MethodsActive ingredients and targets of Huangqi Guizhi Wuwutang were screened using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform （TCMSP），PubChem，and SwissTargetPrediction databases. RA-related datasets were retrieved from the GEO database，and differential genes were screened. Sarcopenia-related targets were searched through GeneCards and the Comparative Toxicology Database （CTD），and autophagy-related gene sets were downloaded from the Human Autophagy Database （HADb）. Their intersection was analyzed to identify autophagy-related therapeutic targets，followed by enrichment analysis. A protein-protein interaction （PPI） network was constructed using the STRING database，and key targets were selected using multiple methods. Machine learning was applied to predict models based on the expression profiles of intersecting targets，and nomogram models were constructed based on key targets. Molecular docking of the top four active ingredients with key targets was performed using AutoDockVina. A collagen-induced arthritis （CIA） rat model was established using bovine type Ⅱ collagen，with SD rats divided into groups including a blank group，a model group，and low-，medium-，and high-dose groups of Huangqi Guizhi Wuwutang （2.44，4.88，and 9.76 g·kg^-1） and administered for five consecutive weeks. Joint scores and gastrocnemius muscle mass were recorded and analyzed after modeling. Hematoxylin and eosin （HE） staining and Masson's staining were used to observe pathological changes in muscle tissue. Immunofluorescence staining was applied to observe the protein expression levels of myosin heavy chain （MYHC） and insulin-like growth factor-1 （IGF-1） in skeletal muscle. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of autophagy-related proteins ATG5，Beclin1，LC3B，muscle-specific proteins （MuRF1），MaFbx，and MYHC. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR （Real-time PCR） was performed to measure the mRNA expression levels of ATG5，Beclin1，LC3B，MuRF1，MaFbx，and MYHC in muscle tissue. ResultsNetwork pharmacology revealed that Huangqi Guizhi Wuwutang shared 25 common targets with autophagy genes related to RA-associated sarcopenia. The PPI network and machine learning identified six key targets，which were primarily involved in autophagy and inflammatory pathways. Animal experiments showed that compared to the blank group，the model group had significantly higher joint scores （P<0.01） and lower gastrocnemius muscle index （P<0.01）. HE staining indicated a significant reduction in the cross-sectional area of gastrocnemius muscle fibers，with notable inflammatory cell infiltration and muscle atrophy in the model group. Masson's staining revealed obvious collagen fiber proliferation and deposition，with significant muscle fibrosis in the model group. The protein and mRNA expression levels of ATG5，Beclin1，LC3B，MuRF1，and MaFbx were significantly increased （P<0.01），while the protein expression of MYHC and IGF1 was significantly downregulated （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group，the high-dose group of Huangqi Guizhi Wuwutang showed significantly reduced protein and mRNA expression levels of ATG5，Beclin1，LC3B，MuRF1，and MaFbx （P<0.01） and increased protein expression levels of MYHC and IGF1 （P<0.01）. The cross-sectional area of muscle fibers increased，and the muscle cell morphology approached normal. Moreover，pathological abnormalities in the gastrocnemius muscle were significantly improved，with reduced collagen fiber proliferation （P<0.01）. ConclusionHuangqi Guizhi Wuwutang can mediate autophagy by regulating the expression of ATG5，Beclin1，LC3B，and IGF1，thereby reducing skeletal muscle catabolism and improving skeletal muscle homeostasis，which contributes to the treatment of RA-associated sarcopenia. The findings provide insight into the mechanisms underlying the effects of Huangqi Guizhi Wuwutang in the treatment of RA-related sarcopenia and offer a reference for its enhanced clinical application.

Epilepsy surgery is the main treatment method for medically intractable epilepsy，but at present，its clinical application is significantly limited by medical costs，which is also an important reason for the gap in treatment，and cost-effectiveness analysis can help to narrow this gap. This article analyzes the impact of cost-effectiveness on epilepsy surgery，the cost-effectiveness of preoperative evaluations，and cost-effectiveness across different age groups and surgical procedures，in order to promote the allocation of healthcare resources and provide appropriate surgical treatment options for patients. Preoperative evaluations，epilepsy surgery for both adults and children，and surgical methods such as resection or neuromodulation have shown favorable cost-effectiveness，particularly in the long term. However，further studies are needed to investigate the cost-effectiveness of ablative therapies.

OBJECTIVE To explore the improvement effect and mechanism of salidroside on radiation-induced parotid gland injury in rats. METHODS Rats were randomly assigned into normal group， radiation group， salidroside low-dose （salidroside-L， 50 mg/kg） group， salidroside high-dose （salidroside-H， 100 mg/kg） group， and salidroside-H+inhibitor （100 mg/kg salidroside+0.1 µmol/kg H-89） group， with 10 rats in each group. Except for the normal group， rats in the other groups were subjected to radiation exposure to establish a model of radiation-induced parotid gland injury. Rats in each group were intraperitoneally injected with the corresponding drug or normal saline， once a day， for 40 consecutive days. After the last administration， the levels of reactive oxygen species （ROS）， cyclic adenosine monophosphate （cAMP）， superoxide dismutase （SOD）， and amylase in serum were detected； the pathological changes of parotid gland tissue were observed； the apoptosis rate of parotid gland tissue cells， the expression levels of B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2） and its associated X protein （Bax）， mRNA expression levels of interleukin-6 （IL- 6） and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， the protein expression levels of type Ⅲ collagen （Col Ⅲ）， vasoactive intestinal peptide （VIP）， and the phosphorylation level of protein kinase A （PKA） in parotid gland tissue were determined. RESULTS Compared with normal group， the levels of ROS， amylase， apoptosis rate， Bax expression level， mRNA expression levels of IL-6 and TNF- α， and protein expression level of Col Ⅲ in the radiation group were significantly increased， while the levels of cAMP， SOD， Bcl-2 expression level， VIP protein expression level and PKA phosphorylation level were significantly decreased （P＜0.05）. Compared with radiation group， the above indicators in the salidroside-L group and salidroside-H group were significantly improved （P＜0.05）， and the improvement in the salidroside-H group was more significant （P＜0.05）； inhibitor H-89 significantly reversed the changes in the above indicators of the salidroside-H group （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Salidroside can effectively alleviate radiation-induced parotid gland injury in rats， and its mechanism may be related to the activation of the VIP-cAMP pathway.

Objective:To explore the potential role of mRNA m7G modification in the pathogenesis of human adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction (AEG).Methods:Pathological tissue specimens from four AEG patients who underwent surgical treatment at the People′s Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University between 2018 and 2019 were selected. Tumor tissues and adjacent normal tissues were collected from these patients. RNA was extracted from both tissue types and subjected to m7G methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (m7G-MeRIP-seq) to analyze the patterns of m7G modification, the characteristics of differential m7G modification sites, the differentially expressed mRNA, and the correlation between m7G modification and mRNA expression levels. Differential m7G-modified genes ( MSH6, BRCA1, and SOX9) were further validated using methylated RNA immunoprecipitation quantitative PCR (MeRIP-qPCR), while the expression of METTL1 and WDR4 genes was examined by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the People′s Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University (Ethics No. 20150083). Results:① m7G-MeRIP-seq analysis revealed that m7G modifications in both AEG and adjacent normal tissues were predominantly located in the GC-rich region surrounding the internal start codon of mRNA. Differential m7G modification sites between the two groups were closely associated with cancer-related genes. ② mRNA library analysis showed that differentially expressed mRNA were predominantly upregulated in AEG tissues and downregulated in adjacent normal tissues. ③ Cross-analysis indicated that genes with hypermethylation tended to exhibit upregulated expression, while genes with hypomethylation were typically downregulated in AEG tissues. ④ MeRIP-qPCR validation confirmed that the mRNA expression of MSH6, BRCA1, and SOX9 were significantly upregulated in AEG tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues (AEG vs. normal, P<0.05). ⑤ RT-qPCR results demonstrated that the mRNA expression levels of METTL1 and WDR4 were also upregulated in AEG tissues (AEG vs. normal, P<0.000 5). Conclusion:These findings suggest that mRNA m7G modification plays a significant role in the development of AEG. Furthermore, proteins as METTL1 and WDR4 may facilitate AEG progression by regulating mRNA m7G modification. These results provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying AEG and may inform future therapeutic strategies for this malignancy.

Objective:To construct a sizeable naive human Fab phage display antibody library to screen high-affinity specific antibodies in vitro. Methods:Total RNA was extracted from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 126 healthy individuals, subsequently reverse-transcribed into cDNA, and used as a template. PCR amplification was performed to obtain the V H from IgG, IgM and light chain κ, λ, separately, with the initial PCR products serving as templates for a second round of PCR. Overlap extension PCR was employed to generate fragments of the κ and λ light chains. These fragments were ligated with the phage vector pNC3, which harbors the variable region 1 of the heavy chain, to construct a recombinant phage plasmid. This plasmid was then electroporated into competent Escherichia Coli TG1 cells to establish a naive human Fab phage display antibody library. One hundred clones were randomly selected for identification and sequencing, and antibody gene polymorphisms were analyzed using the IMGT database and MAFFT software. Recombinant α-hemolysin from Staphylococcus aureus was utilized to screen Fab antibody fragments through biopanning of the antibody library, followed by random selection of phage ELISA-identified clones. The positive clones (antigen A450∶blank control A450≥2.1) were sequenced. Results:Two large naive Fab phage display antibody libraries were successfully constructed, in which the capacity of κ and λ chain antibody libraries were 1.25×10 11 and 1.54×10 11, respectively. The titers for two antibody libraries were 6.04×10 13 CFU/ml and 3.50×10 13 CFU/ml. The positive transformation insertion rates for κ and λ chain antibody libraries were 96% (96/100) and 100% (100/100), respectively. Sequence analysis revealed that all antibody sequences were unique. The amino acid sequences in the skeletal region were relatively conserved. In contrast, significant variations in the length of the complementarity determining region (CDR) were found, and the diversity of amino acid sequence of the complementary determining region was high, especially the CDR3. Analysis using the IMGT database indicated that the sequences exhibited a broad distribution across variable-diversity-joining gene families. After six rounds of panning, specific phage antibodies enrichment targeting α-hemolysin were achieved. A total of 142 monoclonal antibodies were sequenced, yielding 8 distinct Fab antibody sequences. Conclusion:This study successfully constructed two naive human Fab phage display antibody libraries with large capacity and good diversity, which can be used for screening human antibodies for serum epidemiology.

BACKGROUND:Basement membrane genes are closely related to the occurrence and development of rheumatoid arthritis,but the role of basement membrane-related genes in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis under different traditional Chinese medicine patterns is not yet clear.OBJECTIVE:To explore the differences in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis with five different traditional Chinese medicine syndromes based on the analysis of basement membrane-related genes and transcriptomics,and to predict potential therapeutic drugs.METHODS:Rheumatoid arthritis-related traditional Chinese medicine syndrome microarray data and basement membrane-related genes were collected from the GEO database.The differentially expressed genes were screened using the R-limma package,and the expression trends were analyzed using the Mfuzz package.The protein-protein interaction network was constructed using the STRING database and key genes were selected using UPset.The differentially expressed genes were subjected to gene set enrichment analysis(GSEA)and enrichment analysis using the R-clusterProfiler package.Receiver operating characteristics curves were plotted to evaluate the diagnostic value of core basement membrane-related targets for each of the five syndromes.The immune infiltration of each syndrome was calculated using the CIBERSORT algorithm.Finally,potential traditional Chinese medicines and small molecule drugs targeting core basement membrane-related genes for the treatment of different traditional Chinese medicine syndromes of rheumatoid arthritis were predicted using SymMap and COREMINE databases.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)67,47,59,57,and 55 basement membrane-related differentially expressed genes were screened for the five traditional Chinese medicine syndromes of rheumatoid arthritis(obstruction syndrome,cold-dampness obstruction syndrome,liver-kidney deficiency syndrome,qi-blood deficiency syndrome,and blood stasis obstructing collaterals syndrome),with 5,7,5,3,and 5 key targets identified,respectively.(2)The most enriched biological processes in each syndrome were extracellular matrix adhesion,immune cell migration,collagen metabolism,and extracellular matrix receptor interaction,PI3K-Akt,focal adhesion,and Rap1 signaling pathways.(3)According to the predictions,Smilax glabra,Sargentodoxa cuneata,and Polygonatum sibiricum have the most potential as traditional Chinese medicines for the treatment of the five traditional Chinese medicine syndromes of rheumatoid arthritis by affecting basement membrane-related genes.(4)These results indicate that abnormal expression of basement membrane-related genes may affect the occurrence and development of rheumatoid arthritis through the regulation of cell adhesion,immune cell migration,and inflammatory reactions,among other pathways.These effects vary among different syndromes,with ITGA6 serving as a common diagnostic marker for the five traditional Chinese medicine syndromes of rheumatoid arthritis.Traditional Chinese medicines with heat-clearing and detoxifying properties may be potential effective drugs for the treatment of different syndromes of rheumatoid arthritis.

Lymphoma is a highly heterogeneous malignancy characterized by complex molecular regulatory mechanisms that result in significant differences in aggressiveness and prognosis across its subtypes.Gene copy number alteration(CNA)analysis,an emerging technology,has become a pivotal tool in the precision re-search and management of lymphoma.By detecting DNA deletions,amplifications,and chromosomal copy number changes,CNA analysis addresses the limitations of traditional cytogenetic techniques,enhances the ac-curacy of subtype classification,and aids in evaluating tumor heterogeneity and disease progression.This re-view provides a comprehensive summary of CNA detection methods and their applications in lymphoma,with a focus on recent advancements in the field.It offers a comparative analysis of CNA detection techniques and discusses their role in precision diagnosis,subtype classification,monitoring disease progression,predicting therapeutic resistance,and assessing prognosis.Additionally,the review explores the potential applications of CNA analysis in uncovering molecular regulatory mechanisms,optimizing therapeutic strategies,and impro-ving patient survival outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the potential role of mRNA m7G modification in the pathogenesis of human adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction (AEG). METHODS: Pathological tissue specimens from four AEG patients who underwent surgical treatment at the People's Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University between 2018 and 2019 were selected. Tumor tissues and adjacent normal tissues were collected from these patients. RNA was extracted from both tissue types and subjected to m7G methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (m7G-MeRIP-seq) to analyze the patterns of m7G modification, the characteristics of differential m7G modification sites, the differentially expressed mRNA, and the correlation between m7G modification and mRNA expression levels. Differential m7G-modified genes (MSH6, BRCA1, and SOX9) were further validated using methylated RNA immunoprecipitation quantitative PCR (MeRIP-qPCR), while the expression of METTL1 and WDR4 genes was examined by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the People's Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University (Ethics No. 20150083). RESULTS: m7G-MeRIP-seq analysis revealed that m7G modifications in both AEG and adjacent normal tissues were predominantly located in the GC-rich region surrounding the internal start codon of mRNA. Differential m7G modification sites between the two groups were closely associated with cancer-related genes. mRNA library analysis showed that differentially expressed mRNA were predominantly upregulated in AEG tissues and downregulated in adjacent normal tissues. Cross-analysis indicated that genes with hypermethylation tended to exhibit upregulated expression, while genes with hypomethylation were typically downregulated in AEG tissues. MeRIP-qPCR validation confirmed that the mRNA expression of MSH6, BRCA1, and SOX9 were significantly upregulated in AEG tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues (AEG vs. normal, P < 0.05). RT-qPCR results demonstrated that the mRNA expression levels of METTL1 and WDR4 were also upregulated in AEG tissues (AEG vs. normal, P < 0.000 5). CONCLUSION These findings suggest that mRNA m7G modification plays a significant role in the development of AEG. Furthermore, proteins as METTL1 and WDR4 may facilitate AEG progression by regulating mRNA m7G modification. These results provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying AEG and may inform future therapeutic strategies for this malignancy.
Humans ; RNA, Messenger/metabolism* ; Adenocarcinoma/pathology* ; Esophagogastric Junction/metabolism* ; Esophageal Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Female ; Male ; Middle Aged ; DNA Methylation ; Methyltransferases/metabolism* ; Stomach Neoplasms/genetics*

Objective:To investigate the protective effects and mechanism of exogenous milk fat globule-epidermal growth factor 8(MFG-E8) on intestinal injury and ferroptosis in mice with acute pancreatitis (AP) and its mechanism.Methods:A total of 24 male C57 BL/6 mice were randomly divided into the normal control group, AP group, AP+ MFG-E8 group (MFG-E8 group), and AP+ MFG-E8+ cilengitide group (cilengitide group), with 6 mice in each group according to the random number table. The mice of normal control group were intraperitoneally injected with 0.9% sodium chloride solution. In the AP group, MFG-E8 group, and cilengitide group, the mice were intraperitoneally injected with 8% L-arginine twice at 1-hour intervals to induce the AP model. In the MFG-E8 group, mice were intraperitoneally injected with 20 g/kg of MFG-E8 at 2 hours after L-arginine injection. In the cilengitide group, mice were intraperitoneally injected with 20 mg/kg of cilengitide at 1 hour after the L-arginine injection, and 20 g/kg of MFG-E8 1 hour later. The mice were sacrificed and blood samples and intestinal tissues were collected at 72 hours after the first L-arginine injection. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to evaluate intestinal tissue injury. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) immunofluorescence staining was performed to detect neutrophils in intestinal tissues.Adenosinetriphosphate (ATP) levels were examined to detect changes in mitochondrial function. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were tested to check the level of intestinal oxidative stress. Dihydroethidium (DHE) fluorescent probe was used to label the oxygen free radicals in intestinal tissues. The expression of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GSH-Px4), solute carrier family 7 member 11 (also named xCT), and ferroptosos suppressor protein-1 (FSP-1) in intestinal tissues were detected by western blotting. Indepent-samples t-test, one-way ANOVA, and Student-Newman-Keuls test were performed for statistical analysis. Results:Intestinal tissue injury and inflammatory cell infiltration in mice were induced by intraperitoneal injection of L-arginine. Compared with those of AP model group, the intestinal pathology score, MPO fluorescence quantification and DHE fluorescence density of MFG-E8 group were significantly decreased (3.93±0.57 vs. 1.73±0.74, (26.33±4.49)/field vs. (11.00±3.27)/field, (39.67±5.79)/field vs. (12.33±3.68)/field), while the contents of ATP, MDA and SOD were increased ((77.09±8.52) μmol/g vs. (119.87±6.83) μmol/g, (0.10±0.01) μmol/g vs. (0.17±0.02) μmol/g, (105.67±6.93) U/mg vs. (144.49±18.55) U/mg), and the differences were statistically significant ( t=3.33, 3.93, 5.63, 8.77, 6.54, 4.38; all P<0.05). The results of Western blotting showed that GSH-Px4, xCT, and FSP-1 in the intestinal tissue of AP mice in the MFG-E8 group were all elevated compared with those of AP group, the relative expression levels were 1.22±0.19 vs. 0.55±0.09, 1.48±0.12 vs. 0.34±0.08, and 0.48±0.08 vs. 0.04±0.03, and the differences were statistically significant ( t=5.60, 14.39, 9.53; all P<0.05). Intraperitoneal injection of integrin αVβ3 receptor inhibitor cilengitide effectively antagonized the protective effects of MFG-E8 on intestinal injury in AP mice. Compared with MFG-E8 group, the histopathological score, MPO quantification and DHE fluorescence density of cilengitide group (3.53±0.50, (27.67±6.02)/field, and (31.33±3.86)/field, respectively) all increased, the expression of ATP, MDA and SOD were inhibited ((77.41±8.51) μmol/g, (0.19±0.04) mol/g, (100.46±8.15) U/mg); and GSH-Px4, xCT and FSP-1 all decreased, with the relative expression levels of 0.59±0.11, 0.16±0.06, and 0.10±0.03, respectively, and the differences were statistically significant ( t=3.02, 3.44, 5.04, 8.70, 4.01, 4.86, 5.05, 17.47, 8.34; all P<0.05). Conclusion:MFG-E8 alleviates intestinal oxidative stress and ferroptosis by integrin αVβ3 receptor, thereby reducing intestinal injury and inflammation in AP mice.

Objective To explore the value of time-dependent diffusion MRI(td-dMRI)parameters for differentiating invasive breast cancer(IBC)with ductal carcinoma in situ(DCIS)(IBC-DCIS)from simple IBC.Methods A total of 19 patients with IBC-DCIS(IBC-DCIS group)and 53 patients with simple IBC(IBC group)confirmed by surgery and postoperation pathology were retrospectively enrolled.Breast td-dMRI acquired with oscillating gradient spin-echo(OGSE)and pulsed gradient spin-echo(PGSE)sequences before operation were interpreted,and apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)and microstructure parameters,including OGSE-ADC value,PGSE-ADC value,cellularity,cell diameter,intracellular volume fraction and extracellular diffusion coefficient were obtained and compared between groups.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves of parameters being significantly different between groups were plotted,and the area under the curve(AUC)was calculated to evaluate the efficacy of these parameters for differentiating IBC-DCIS from IBC.Results Significant differences of OGSE-ADC value,PGSE-ADC value,cellularity,cell diameter,intracellular volume fraction and extracellular diffusion coefficient were found between groups(all P＜0.05).The AUC of the above parameters for differentiating IBC-DCIS from IBC was 0.81,0.79,0.78,0.68,0.77 and 0.81,respectively.Conclusion td-dMRI parameters could be used to noninvasively and effectively differentiate IBC-DCIS from simple IBC.