ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Scutellariae Radix combined with epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors （EGFR-TKIs） on cell proliferation， apoptosis， cancer stem cell （CSC） marker expression， and metabolism in non-small cell lung cancer （NSCLC） cells. MethodsThe anti-tumor effects of Scutellariae Radix and EGFR-TKIs （gefitinib or osimertinib） in NSCLC cells were evaluated using the cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） and Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide （PI） double staining apoptosis assay. The activity of Scutellariae Radix and EGFR-TKIs in three-dimensional （3D） cultures of NSCLC cells was assessed using the CellTiter-Glo® 3D cell viability assay. The mRNA and protein expression levels of CSC markers， sex determining region y box protein 2 （SOX2） and aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 family member A1 （ALDH1A1）， were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Western blot， respectively. Changes in intracellular reactive oxygen species （ROS） levels were detected by ROS staining， and the redox ratio was detected by femtosecond laser labeling free imaging （FLI）. ResultsUnder both two-dimensional （2D） and 3D culture conditions， compared with the blank group and EGFR-TKI group， the combination group showed significantly reduced cell viability and increased apoptosis rate （P<0.05）. Compared with the EGFR-TKI group， the mRNA and protein levels of CSC markers were significantly downregulated in the combination group （P<0.05）. Additionally， the redox ratio was significantly elevated （P<0.05）， and ROS levels were also increased in the combination group compared with the EGFR-TKI group. ConclusionIn NSCLC cells， Scutellariae Radix enhances the redox ratio and increases ROS levels， thereby inhibiting the expression of CSC markers and strengthening the anti-tumor effects of EGFR-TKIs. This provides a novel molecular mechanism by which Scutellariae Radix may enhance the sensitivity of targeted therapies.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Yangxin Tongmai Formula （养心通脉方） by midnight-noon ebb-flow administration method for rat models of premature coronary heart disease （PCHD） with blood stasis syndrome， and to explore the possible mechanism of action from the perspective of DNA methylation differential gene expression. MethodsThere were 3 SD rats in each of the blank group， model group and Yangxin Tongmai Formula group， and the rats in the model group and Yangxin Tongmai Formula group were fed with high-fat chow plus vitamin D3 by gavage plus isoproterenol hydrochloride by subcutaneous injection to construct rat models of PCHD with blood stasis syndrome. After successful modelling， rats in Yangxin Tongmai Formula group were gavaged with 18 g/（kg‧d） of Yangxin Tongmai Formula， and rats in blank group and the model group were gavaged with 4 ml/（kg‧d） of 0.9% NaCl solution， and serum samples of rats in each group were collected for DNA methylation sequencing after 3 weeks to screen for the relevant DNA methylation differentiation genes. In addition， rats with successful modelling of PCHD with blood stasis were randomly divided into model group， Yangxin Tongmai Formula with midnight-noon ebb-flow administration method group ［18 g/（kg‧d） of Yangxin Tongmai Formula was gavaged twice in the heart channel period （12：00） and pericardium channel period （20：00）］， the Yangxin Tongmai Formula control group ［18 g/（kg‧d） of Yangxin Tongmai Formula was gavaged twice at 8：00 and 18：00］ and the Atorvastatin Calcium group ［atorvastatin calcium tablets solution 1.8 mg/（kg‧d） at the same intervention time as that in Yangxin Tongmai Formula control group］， and set up a blank group of 8 rats in each group. The model group and blank group were gavaged with 0.9% NaCl solution 4 ml/（kg‧d） for the same time as the Yangxin Tongmai Formula control group. After 3 weeks of gavage， the blood lipids ［including total cholesterol （TC）， low-density lipoprotein （LDL）， high-density lipoprotein （HDL）］ levels of rats in each group were detected； the HE staining of myocardial tissues and thoracic aorta was used to observe the pathomorphological changes； the levels of serum inflammation indexes ［tumour necrosis factor alpha （TNF-alpha）， lipopolysaccharide （LPS）， and interleukin 10 （IL-10）］ were detected； immunoprecipitation-realtime fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect the relative expression of cardiac tissue screening differential genes. ResultsThe genes screened for differentially methylated regions were calmodulin 2 （Calm2）， calcium voltage-gated channel subunit α1s （Cacna1s）， and phospholipase Cβ1 （Plcb1）. Compared with the blank group， rats in the model group showed elevated levels of TC， LDL， TNF-α and LPS， and decreased levels of HDL and IL-10 （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）； HE staining showed obvious swelling of myocardial fibres， accompanied by a large number of inflammatory cell infiltration， and thickening of the inner wall of the aortic vessels with internal wall damage， which was visible as a large number of lipid cholesterol crystals and obvious inflammatory cell infiltration. Compared with the model group， the TC， LDL， TNF-α and LPS contents of rats in the Yangxin Tongmai Formula with midnight-noon ebb-flow administration method group， the Yangxin Tongmai Formula control group， and the atorvastatin calcium group all reduced， and the contents of HDL and IL-10 all elevated （P＜0.05）， with the improvement of myocardial tissue damage and the reduction of inflammatory infiltration， and the improvement of the damage of the inner lining of the thoracic aorta and the reduction of lipid infiltration. Compared with Yangxin Tongmai Formula control group， LDL， TNF-α and LPS contents reduced， and IL-10 contents increased in the midnight-noon ebb-flow administration method group （P＜0.05）. Compared with the model group， the relative expression of Calm2 and Plcb1 genes decreased and the relative expression of Cacna1s gene increased in Yangxin Tongmai Formula control group and the midnight-noon ebb-flow administration method group （P＜0.05）； compared with the Yangxin Tongmai Formula control group， the relative expression of Calm2 gene decreased and the relative expression of Cacna1s gene increased in the midnight-noon ebb-flow administration method group （P＜0.05）. ConclusionThe intervention of Yangxin Tongmai Formula in the heart channel period （12：00） and pericardium channel period （20：00） was more effective in improving the blood lipid level， inhibiting inflammation， and improving myocardial tissue damage in rats of PCHD with blood stasis syndrome， and Calm2 and Cacna1s genes may be the key targets of Yangxin Tongmai Formula in intervening the blood stasis syndrome of PCHD.

Objective To investigate the effects of hyaluronic acid and proteoglycan-linked protein 1 (HAPLN1) secreted by synovial fibroblasts (FLS) on the polarization of macrophages (Mϕ) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods Human monocytic leukemia cells (THP-1) were differentiated into Mϕ, which were subsequently exposed to recombinant HAPLN1 (rHAPLN1). RA-FLS were transfected separately with HAPLN1 overexpression plasmid (HAPLN1^OE) or small interfering RNA targeting HAPLN1 (si-HAPLN1), and then co-cultured with Mϕ to establish a co-culture model. The viability of Mϕ was assessed using the CCK-8 assay, and the proportions of pro-inflammatory M1-type and anti-inflammatory M2-type Mϕ were analyzed by flow cytometry. Additionally, the expression levels of inflammatory markers, including interleukin 1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), were quantified using quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot analysis. Results The viability of Mϕ was increased in the rHAPLN1 group compared to the control group. Furthermore, both the M1/Mϕ ratio and inflammatory factor levels were elevated in the rHAPLN1 and HAPLN1^OE groups. In contrast, the si-HAPLN1 group exhibited a decrease in the M1/Mϕ ratio and inflammatory factor expression. Notably, the introduction of rHAPLN1 in rescue experiments further promoted Mϕ polarization towards the M1 phenotype. Conclusion HAPLN1, secreted by RA fibroblast-like synoviocytes (RA-FLS), enhances Mϕ polarization towards the M1 phenotype.
Humans ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/genetics* ; Macrophages/immunology* ; Fibroblasts/metabolism* ; Phenotype ; Extracellular Matrix Proteins/genetics* ; Proteoglycans/genetics* ; Synovial Membrane/cytology* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/genetics* ; Interleukin-1beta/genetics* ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II/genetics* ; Cell Differentiation ; Coculture Techniques ; THP-1 Cells

Objective To explore the mechanism of hydroxyl safflower flavin A(HSYA)in the treatment of sepsis-induced liver injury by using metabolomics and network pharmacology.Methods A total of 50 male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into sham-operation group(10 mice),sepsis group(20 mice)and HSYA group(20 mice).Cecal ligation and puncture was conducted to establish the sepsis-induced liver injury mouse model.The mice in HSYA group were subcutaneously injected with HSYA after 2 hours of modeling.The content of serum inflammatory factors and liver function were detected,and the pathological changes of liver tissue were observed with HE staining,UPLC-Q-TOF-MS metabolomics was used to analyze liver tissue,screening for differential metabolites using multivariate statistical methods,network pharmacology was used to predict potential targets for HSYA treatment of sepsis-induced liver injury,and conduct GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis on potential targets,Metabo Analyst 5.0 database was used to match differential metabolites and potential targets between the model group and HSYA group,a targets metabolite-metabolism pathway network was constructed.AutoDock Vina software was used to perform molecular docking between HSYA and core genes,and finally RT-qPCR was used to verify the expression of core genes.Results HSYA can reduce the contents of IL-6,IL-1β and TNF-α in serum,restore liver function,and alleviate the morphological alternation in liver induced by sepsis.A total of 26 differential metabolites identified by metabolomics were screened out,including flufenamic acid,cryptolepine,opthalmic acid,fenpropathrin etc.,which were mainly involved in 5 metabolic pathways such as biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids and alpha-linolenic acid metabolism.Network pharmacology identified 81 potential targets,2 735 items enriched in GO and 124 signaling pathways enriched in KEGG;a total of 5 differential metabolites were matched for joint analysis,corresponding to 14 targets including IL1B,STAT3,PTGS2,TP53,etc.,involved in the regulation of metabolic disorders in sepsis-induced liver injury by HSYA.Molecular docking results showed that HSYA had good binding activity to IL1B,STAT3,PTGS2 and TP53 targets.RT-qPCR results showed that HSYA could inhibit the expressions of IL1B,STAT3 and PTGS2 in liver tissue.Conclusions HSYA may inhibit the release of inflammatory cytokines,maintain metabolic homeostasis,and alleviate sepsis-induced liver injury through modulating the expressions of IL1B,STAT3,and PTGS2.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of oliceridine for treatment of moderate to severe pain after surgery with general anesthesia in patients.Methods:The patients with moderate to severe pain (numeric pain rating scale ≥4) after abdominal surgery with general anesthesia from 14 hospitals between July 6, 2021 and November 9, 2021 were included in this study. The patients were assigned to either experiment group or control group using a random number table method. Experiment group received oliceridine, while control group received morphine, and both groups were treated with a loading dose plus patient-controlled analgesia and supplemental doses for 24 h. The primary efficacy endpoint was the drug response rate within 24 h after giving the loading dose. Secondary efficacy endpoints included early (within 1 h after giving the loading dose) drug response rates and use of rescue medication. Safety endpoints encompassed the development of respiratory depression and other adverse reactions during treatment.Results:After randomization, both the full analysis set and safety analysis set comprised 180 cases, with 92 in experiment group and 88 in control group. The per-protocol set included 170 cases, with 86 in experiment group and 84 in control group. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in 24-h drug response rates, rescue analgesia rates, respiratory depression, and incidence of other adverse reactions ( P>0.05). The analysis of full analysis set showed that the experiment group had a higher drug response rate at 5-30 min after giving the loading dose compared to control group ( P<0.05). The per-protocol set analysis indicated that experiment group had a higher drug response rate at 5-15 min after giving the loading dose than control group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:When used for treatment of moderate to severe pain after surgery with general anesthesia in patients, oliceridine provides comparable analgesic efficacy to morphine, with a faster onset.

Objective:To explore the clinical effect of using great toe fibular flaps of both feet on reconstruction of pulp defects of two neighbouring digits.Methods:A total of 14 digit pulp defects in 7 cases were repaired in Zhoukou Huaihai Hospital using great toe fibular flaps of both feet from August 2020 to January 2023. Of the 7 cases, there were 4 males and 3 females, with an average of 28 years old, ranging from 19 to 45 years old. Meanwhile, there were 4 cases in left hand and 3 cases in right hand. There were 3 cases of digit pulp defects in index and middle fingers, 2 in middle and ring fingers, and 2 in thumb and index fingers. The area of soft tissue defect in 1.2 cm×1.5 cm-3.0 cm×2.5 cm, and flap was 1.5 cm ×1.8 cm-3.2 cm×2.8 cm. Furthermore, 1 case underwent emergency surgery and 5 were repaired in elective surgery. The donor site of the flap was closed directly, and an intermediate-thickness skin graft was prepared from the medial plantar area for transfer in the case of high suture tension at the wound edge. After surgery, patients received postoperative by outpatient clinic and WeChat to observe the appearance, sensation, functional recovery and flap contracture of digits, as well as the movement of the great toes of both feet.Results:After the surgery, all flaps in the 7 cases survived smoothly and the donor sites healed. All patients entered scheduled follow-ups postoperatively for 6 months to 2 years, with an average of 9 months. The flap showed an aesthetic appearance and excellent sensation, with a TPD of 3-6 mm, and satisfactory digit function. The donor site of the great toe fibular flap left linear scars only, without abnormality in range of motion and gait in walking. In addition, there were 5 in excellent and 2 in good according to the Evaluation Trial Standards of Upper Limb Partial Functional of Hand Surgery of Chinese Medical Association.Conclusion:Application of great toe fibular flaps of both feet is an ideal option for the simultaneous repair of pulp defects of two neighbouring digits, which can achieve good reconstructive results.

Objective The aim is to utilize CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology to construct Dmd gene mutant mice with a point mutation in exon 23 of the Dmd gene. Subsequently, the phenotypic changes of the mice in muscles and immune systems are analyzed and verified, providing an evaluation model for Duchenne muscular dystrophy and other related diseases.MethodsBased on the sequence characteristics of exon 23 of the Dmd gene, small guide RNA (sgRNA) was designed and synthesized. Cas9 mRNA, sgRNA fragments, and oligo donor DNA were microinjected into fertilized eggs of C57BL/6J mice. After transferring the fertilized eggs to surrogate mice, F0 generation mice were born. After mating with F0 generation mice, offspring mice were obtained, and Dmd gene positive mutant (Dmd^Mu/+) mice were obtained after genotype identification. Male hemizygous Dmd^Mu/+(Dmd^Mu/Y) mice were selected for phenotype validation. The body weight of live 3- and 9-month-old mice were recorded. Muscle tension was evaluated through the grid test. Hearts and semitendinosus muscles were collected, and the histopathological changes were observed using HE staining. Further, the expression of Dmd protein in muscle tissue of 9-month-old mice was analyzed by Western blotting.An acute inflammation model was established in Dmd^Mu/Y mice using lipopolysaccharide induction. Peripheral blood from the submandibular vein was collected, and the changes in the proportion of neutrophils and monocytes were detected by flow cytometry.Results The results of genome sequencing and Western blotting confirmed the successful construction of Dmd gene point mutant mice (Dmd^Mu/+ mice). Dmd protein expression was not detected in skeletal muscle and myocardium of Dmd^Mu/+ mice, and it was significantly reduced compared to wild-type C57BL/6J mice (P<0.05). Compared with wild-type mice of the same background, Dmd^Mu/Y mice at 3 and 9 months of age showed significant weight loss (P<0.01) and decreased muscle tension (P<0.05). 9-month-old Dmd^Mu/Y mice exhibited significant pathological changes in skeletal muscle and myocardium, including widening of intermuscular space. Under normal condition, compared with wild-type mice, the proportion of neutrophils and monocytes in the peripheral blood of 3-month-old Dmd^Mu/Y mice was significantly lower than that of wild-type mice (P<0.01). After lipopolysaccharide stimulation, the proportion of neutrophils in peripheral blood of 3-month-old Dmd^Mu/Y mice remained significantly lower compared to that of wild-type mice (P<0.01). The proportion of neutrophils in peripheral blood of 9-month-old Dmd^Mu/Y mice significantly decreased after lipopolysaccharide induction (P<0.01), with a trend of change observed in monocytes between groups.Conclusion The successful construction of the Dmd gene mutant mouse model has confirmed the vital function of Dmd gene in maintaining normal muscle tissue morphology and muscle tone. It preliminarily indicated that Dmd gene deletion could significantly reduce the proportion of neutrophils in peripheral blood, offering a new perspective for the study of immune system alterations in Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients.

Objective:To explore the clinical efficacy of free superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator flap (SCIAPF) in reconstruction of soft tissue defects of hand and foot in children.Methods:From August 2021 to August 2023, free SCIAPFs were used to reconstruct soft tissue defects of hands and feet in 8 children at the Department of Hand and Foot Surgery, Zhoukou Huaihai Hospital. There were 6 boys and 2 girls aged between 2 and 7 years old. The sites of soft tissue defect were: 1 of metacarpophalangeal joint in the functional area of left thumb, 2 of dorsal right hand, 1 of dorsal left foot, 2 of medial malleolus of right foot, and 2 of right forefoot, and all were accompanied with tendon and bone exposure. The size of soft tissue defects ranged from 2.5 cm×3.0 cm to 6.0 cm×3.5 cm. After emergency debridement, the children received flap transfers, the flaps sized from 3.0 cm×3.5 cm to 7.0 cm×4.0 cm. Donor sites were closed by running intradermal suture. All children were included in the scheduled postoperative follow-up by visit of outpatient clinic, WeChat interviews and home visits to observe the appearance, colour, texture and sensation of the flaps, the functional recovery of the affected hands and feet, as well as the healing of donor sites.Results:After surgery, all 8 flaps survived beside 1 had a partial necrosis at the edge and healed with a scab after dressing change. Flap donor sites healed in one stage. Scheduled postoperative follow-up lasted from 7 to 22 months, with an average of 10 months. The flaps presented a slightly bloated appearance, soft texture with a restored protective sensation and satisfactory functional recovery of hands and feet. Linear scars were left at the donor sites. According to the Evaluation Trial Standards of Upper Limb Partial Functional of Hand Surgery of Chinese Medical Association, 1 child was of excellent and 2 children of good in hand function of the 3 children with hand injury. The Maryland Foot Score revealed 3 children were of excellent and 2 of good in foot function of the 5 children with foot injury.Conclusion:Free SCIAPF is an ideal option for reconstruction of soft tissue defects of hand and foot in children, with concealed donor site, convenient flap harvesting, fewer complications and satisfactory reconstructive effect.

Objective To investigate the current status of frailty in patients on maintenance hemodialysis(MHD),and explore the correlation of frailty with anxiety and depression.Methods General information,clinical data and blood biochemical data of 101 cases who underwent MHD in Department of Nephrology,Shunde Hospital Affiliated to Jinan University from January 2023 to January 2024 were collected.FRAIL scale was applied to evaluate the frailty of the patients,and they were accordingly classified into frailty group and non-frailty group(including pre-frail and non-frail participants).Anxiety and depression were evaluated by GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scale.Univariate analysis and logistic regression were used to explore the association of frailty with anxiety,depression and other possible influencing factors.Results Among the 101 cases,29 cases(28.71%)were includedin frailty group and 72 cases(71.29%)in non-frailty group.There were 42 patients with depression(41.58%)and 25 with anxiety(24.75%).In the frailty group,the prevalence of depression was 65.52%and that of anxiety 55.17%.There were significant differences in age,grip strength,exercise,stroke and coronary heart disease,anxiety and depression,ferritin and CRP between the two groups(P＜0.01).Multivariate regression analysis showed that depression,anxi-ety,no exercise,stroke and high ferritin concentration were independent risk factors for frailty in MHD patients(P＜0.05).Conclusion In patients on MHD,frailty is closely associated with depression,anxiety,and lack of exercise,and stroke as well as high ferritin concentration are independent risk factors for frailty.

Objective:To establish an automated labeling method of 18F-AlF-1, 4, 7-triazocyclohexane-1, 4, 7-triacetic acid- D-Phe1-Tyr3-Thr8-octreotide (NOTATATE) and perform neuroendocrine tumor (NET) imaging. Methods:Based on the GE-FASTLab2 synthesis module, 18F-AlF-NOTATATE was automatically prepared by one-step chelation labeling with aluminum fluoride, and its labeling conditions were optimized. The product quality was analyzed. One patient (male, 47 years old) with lower rectal segment NET and one patient (female, 52 years old) with pancreatic NET underwent 18F-AlF-NOTATATE PET/CT imaging. Results:18F-AlF-NOTATATE was successfully prepared with a total synthesis time of 35 min. The optimized radiochemical yield was (23.8±3.1)% (without decay correction, n=3), the radioactivity was (4.63±0.68) GBq, and the radiochemical purity was >95%. The stability was good, and the product quality met the requirements. 18F-AlF-NOTATATE showed clear imaging in the patient with rectal segment NET, with SUV max of 13.3 and tumor/liver ratio of 3.3. Metastatic lesions in the liver, lymph nodes, and ribs showed high SUV max and tumor/liver ratios. The imaging of the pancreatic NET patient showed an abnormal increase in local radioactive uptake at the uncinate process of the pancreatic head, with SUV max of 5.6 and SUV max of 6.3 and the tumor/liver ratio of 2.3 after 2-hours imaging. Conclusions:Using the GE-FASTLab2 synthesis module, 18F-AlF-NOTATATE can be prepared with high activity. The preparation is simple, the method is stable, and the product has high radiochemical purity. 18F-AlF-NOTATATE exhibits good imaging performance in NET patients, providing valuable information for diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis evaluation.