AIM To investigate the effects of Xuesaitong Capsules(Panax notoginseng saponins)on ischemia/reperfusion injury in a mouse model of skin frostbite.METHODS The mice were randomly divided into the control group,the model group,the dexamethasone group(1 mg/kg),and the low-dose,medium-dose,and high-dose Xuesaitong Capsules groups(0.036,0.072,and 0.144 g/kg),with eight mice in each group.A frostbite model was established using a dry ice-cooled ceramic(ferrite)magnet.On the 2nd day after modeling,each group started its corresponding dosing by gavage for 14 consecutive days.The wound healing,histopathological changes,and serum levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP),thromboxane B2(TXB2),6-keto-prostaglandin F1α(6-K-PGF1α),nitric oxide(NO)and endothelin(ET)were assessed using ELISA.The superoxide dismutase(SOD)activity and malondialdehyde(MDA)levels in skin tissues were measured biochemically.The protein expressions of tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α,interleukin(IL)-1β,IL-6,Toll-like receptor(TLR)4 and phosphorylated nuclear factor-KB p65(p-NF-κB p65)in skin tissues were determined by Western blot.Additionally,LncRNA H19 mRNA expression in skin tissues was evaluated using RT-qPCR.RESULTS After the final administration,compared with the control group,the model group exhibited partial scab detachment,wound healing,and larger wound areas;hyperkeratosis with incomplete keratinization,detachment of the dermis and subcutaneous tissue,partial loss of appendages,subcutaneous edema,and dilated,congested,and hemorrhagic stromal vessels with extensive lymphocyte infiltration revealed by the histopathological examination;elevated serum levels of hs-CRP,TXB2,and ET(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);decreased 6-K-PGF1α and NO levels(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);reduced SOD activity in skin tissues(P＜0.01);increased MDA levels(P＜0.01);and upregulated protein expressions of TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6,TLR4 and p-NF-κB p65,as well as LncRNA H19 mRNA expression(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Compared with the model group,the group intervened with high-dose Xuesaitong Capsules displayed reduced wound areas(P＜0.01);decreased serum levels of hs-CRP,TXB2 and ET(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);increased 6-K-PGF1α and NO levels(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);enhanced SOD activity(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);reduced MDA level in skin tissues(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);and down-regulated TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6,TLR4 and p-NF-κB p65 protein expressions and suppressed LncRNA H19 mRNA expression in skin tissues as well(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).CONCLUSION Xuesaitong Capsules alleviate ischemia/reperfusion injury in frostbite-injured mice by exerting anti-inflammatory and anti oxidative stress effects and restoring vascular endothelial function mediated by the downregulation of LncRNA H19 expression and inhibition of the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Objective:The genotoxicity risk of graphene artificial nerve sheath conduit was systematically evaluated to provide scientific evidence for their clinical safety and to establish methodological references for the genotoxicity assessment of nanomaterial medical devices.Methods:The potential effects of graphene artificial nerve sheath conduit on genetic and chromosomal endpoints were analyzed by integrating bacterial reverse mutation assays,in vitro chromosome aberration assays,mouse lymphoma cell TK gene mutation tests,and mammalian erythrocyte Pig-a gene mutation assays.Results:In the bacterial reverse mutation assay,all plates showed good background growth.There was no significant difference in the average number of revertant colonies between the test group and the negative control group,with a ratio around 1.0.In the in vitro chromosome aberration assay,the chromosomal aberration rate in the test group was less than 5％,showing no significant increase compared to the negative control group.In the mouse lymphoma cell TK gene mutation assay,the mutation frequency in the test group was less than twice that of the negative control group,with no significant difference.In the mammalian erythrocyte Pig-a gene mutation assay,the mutation frequencies of erythrocytes and reticulocytes in the test group were both less than 3× 10-6,showing no significant difference compared to the negative control group.Conclusions:Graphene artificial nerve sheath conduit exhibited no detectable genotoxicity under the tested conditions,the research results can provide reference and guidance for the genotoxicity evaluation of nanomaterial medical devices.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of transcatheter aortic valve implantation(TAVI)for the treatment of primary aortic valve regurgitation(NAVR)and to compare the difference in the choice of prosthetic valve size and the difference in complications with aortic stenosis(AS).Methods According to the definition of Valve Academic Research Consortium(VARC-3),143 patients with NAVR/AS treated with TAVI and patients with NAVR treated with surgical aortic valve replacement(SAVR)at Tongji Hospital,Tongji Medical College,Huazhong University of Science and Technology,China,from March 2019 to September 2024 were selected,and clinical data on baseline,perioperative,and primary endpoint events were were retrospectively collected and compared.Results Forty-three patients with NAVR were treated with TAVI,with a device success rate of 86.0％and a surgical success rate of 95.3％.Subgroup comparisons:(1)NAVR-TAVI group than NAVR-SAVR group:patients in the TAVI group had a significantly shorter operative time than those in the SAVR group(P＜0.001);complete left bundle branch block was more likely to occur after TAVI(P=0.042),and complete right bundle branch block was more likely to occur after SAVR(P=0.044).SAVR postoperatively The incidence of congestive heart failure was higher(P=0.013),and the mortality rate was significantly higher in the SAVR group than in the TAVI group(P=0.019).(2)NAVR-TAVI group than AS-TAVI group:the differences in access selection,THV size[28(22,34)mm vs.24(22,32)mm,P=0.044]and proportion of THV overdiameter[14％(7％,20％)vs.7％(3％,11％),P＜0.001]were statistically significant.patients in AS and NAVR groups had 1 case of permanent pacing after TAVI treatment.In the AS and NAVR groups,there was 1 case of permanent pacemaker implantation after TAVI.2 patients in the AS group were converted to surgical treatment,and 6 patients died.Conclusions The use of"off-label"(transfemoral)and"on-label"(transapical)TAVI devices(both from domestic sources)is safer than SAVR for the treatment of NAVR,especially in elderly and high-risk patients.Compared with patients with AS treated with TAVI,larger diameter annulas are usually selected for NAVR,with higher rates of valve migration,but overall safety and efficacy are comparable to AS.

AIM To investigate the effects of Xuesaitong Capsules(Panax notoginseng saponins)on ischemia/reperfusion injury in a mouse model of skin frostbite.METHODS The mice were randomly divided into the control group,the model group,the dexamethasone group(1 mg/kg),and the low-dose,medium-dose,and high-dose Xuesaitong Capsules groups(0.036,0.072,and 0.144 g/kg),with eight mice in each group.A frostbite model was established using a dry ice-cooled ceramic(ferrite)magnet.On the 2nd day after modeling,each group started its corresponding dosing by gavage for 14 consecutive days.The wound healing,histopathological changes,and serum levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP),thromboxane B2(TXB2),6-keto-prostaglandin F1α(6-K-PGF1α),nitric oxide(NO)and endothelin(ET)were assessed using ELISA.The superoxide dismutase(SOD)activity and malondialdehyde(MDA)levels in skin tissues were measured biochemically.The protein expressions of tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α,interleukin(IL)-1β,IL-6,Toll-like receptor(TLR)4 and phosphorylated nuclear factor-KB p65(p-NF-κB p65)in skin tissues were determined by Western blot.Additionally,LncRNA H19 mRNA expression in skin tissues was evaluated using RT-qPCR.RESULTS After the final administration,compared with the control group,the model group exhibited partial scab detachment,wound healing,and larger wound areas;hyperkeratosis with incomplete keratinization,detachment of the dermis and subcutaneous tissue,partial loss of appendages,subcutaneous edema,and dilated,congested,and hemorrhagic stromal vessels with extensive lymphocyte infiltration revealed by the histopathological examination;elevated serum levels of hs-CRP,TXB2,and ET(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);decreased 6-K-PGF1α and NO levels(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);reduced SOD activity in skin tissues(P＜0.01);increased MDA levels(P＜0.01);and upregulated protein expressions of TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6,TLR4 and p-NF-κB p65,as well as LncRNA H19 mRNA expression(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Compared with the model group,the group intervened with high-dose Xuesaitong Capsules displayed reduced wound areas(P＜0.01);decreased serum levels of hs-CRP,TXB2 and ET(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);increased 6-K-PGF1α and NO levels(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);enhanced SOD activity(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);reduced MDA level in skin tissues(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);and down-regulated TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6,TLR4 and p-NF-κB p65 protein expressions and suppressed LncRNA H19 mRNA expression in skin tissues as well(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).CONCLUSION Xuesaitong Capsules alleviate ischemia/reperfusion injury in frostbite-injured mice by exerting anti-inflammatory and anti oxidative stress effects and restoring vascular endothelial function mediated by the downregulation of LncRNA H19 expression and inhibition of the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Aim To explore the in vitro anti-human triple-negative breast cancer(TNBC)effect and mech-anism of Austocystin R.Methods MTT assay was used to evaluate the anti-tumor potential of Austocystin R for various human tumor cells and normal cells.Flow cytometry was employed to evaluate the influence on cell cycle progression.mRFP-GFP-LC3 adenovirus transfection was used to evaluate the autophagic flux process.Western blot assay was used to verify the effect of Austocystin R on the expression of related pro-teins.Results The results showed that Austocystin R significantly inhibited the proliferation of multiple tumor cells in a dose-dependent manner,especially for the MDA-MB-231 cells with an IC50 of 1.45μmol·L-1.In addition,Austocystin R increased the protein expression of PTEN,p53,p-p53,p27,p21,and down-regulated the expression of p-PI3K,p-AKT and p-mTOR.Austocystin R can significantly increase the proportion of S-phase MDA-MB-231 cells,inhibit the expression of Cyclin D1,CDK4,CDK6,Rb,Cyclin B1 and CDK1,and promote the expression of Cyclin E1 and CDK2.Austocystin R can promote the autophagic flux process of MDA-MB-231 cells,promote the expres-sion of LC3 Ⅰ/Ⅱ,p-Beclin-1,p-ULK1,HMGB-1 and Atg 14 proteins,and inhibit the expression of Beclin-1,ULK1,p62,ATG 3,ATG 4B,ATG 5,ATG 7,ATG 12,ATG 13 and ATG 16L1 proteins.Conclusion Austo-cystin R can exhibit its anti-TNBC activity by inhibi-ting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway,blocking the cell cycle at the S phase and inducing autophagic cell death.

Objective To investigate the effects of hypoxia on the transcriptional phenotype and ultrastructure of tumor-associated macrophages(TAMs)in glioma.Methods CD14+monocytes were isolated from healthy human peripheral blood samples collected from the Blood Bank of the First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University,and the cells were induced to differentiate into TAMs through co-culture with glioma cell-conditioned medium.Hypoxic TAM models were established using varying concentrations of cobalt chloride hexahydrate(CoCl2,50～400 μmol/L)or hypoxic conditions(1%,5%,10%O2)for 48 h,while normoxic TAM models(21%O2)served as controls.RT-qPCR and transcriptome sequencing were employed to analyze transcriptional changes in TAMs under normoxic and hypoxic conditions.Gene set enrichment analysis(GSEA)was applied to compare the differences in angiogenesis,glycolysis and other hypoxia-responsive pathways between the 2 conditions.Transmission electron microscopy(TEM)or immunofluorescence staining was conducted to assess the ultrastructural alterations in cytoskeleton,endoplasmic reticulum(ER),and mitochondria in normoxic and hypoxic TAMs(1%O2).Results Hypoxic TAMs exhibited up-regulated transcription of hypoxia-responsive markers(oxygen transport,glycolysis,pro-angiogenesis),with the effects correlating with hypoxia severity(P<0.05).GSEA revealed significant up-regulation of hypoxia,angiogenesis regulation,glycolysis and gluconeogenesis,and starvation stress pathways,alongside down-regulation of innate immunity,macrophage activation,cytoskeleton,and protein maturation pathways in hypoxic TAMs(P<0.05).TEM and immunofluorescence staining demonstrated obvious ultrastructure changes,including disrupted cytoskeletal organization,shortened rough ER with reduced ribosomes,mitochondrial swelling with cristae damage,and diminished ER-mitochondria contacts in hypoxic TAMs.Conclusion CoCl2 and hypoxia induce a hypoxic transcriptional phenotype in TAMs,which may potentially associated with ultrastructural remodeling of the cytoskeleton,ER,and mitochondria.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate possible associations between physical function assessment scales, such as Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and Berg Balance Scale (BBS), with all-cause mortality in acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) patients. METHODS: A total of 108 ADHF patients were analyzed from October 2020 to October 2022, and followed up to May 2023. The association between baseline clinical characteristics and all-cause mortality was analyzed by univariate Cox regression analysis, while for SPPB and BBS, univariate Cox regression analysis was followed by receiver operating characteristic curves, in which the area under the curve represented their predictive accuracy for all-cause mortality. Incremental predictive values for both physical function assessments were measured by calculating net reclassification index and integrated discrimination improvement scores. Optimal cut-off value for BBS was then identified using restricted cubic spline plots, and survival differences below and above that cut-off were compared using Kaplan-Meier survival curves and the log-rank test. The clinical utility of BBS was measured using decision curve analysis. RESULTS: For baseline characteristics, age, female, blood urea nitrogen, as well as statins, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, or angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors, were predictive for all-cause mortality for ADHF patients. With respect to SPPB and BBS, higher scores were associated with lower all-cause mortality rates for both assessments; similar area under the curves were measured for both (0.774 for SPPB and 0.776 for BBS). Furthermore, BBS ≤ 36.5 was associated with significantly higher mortality, which was still applicable even adjusting for confounding factors; BBS was also found to have great clinical utility under decision curve analysis. CONCLUSIONS BBS or SPPB could be used as tools to assess physical function in ageing ADHF patients, as well as prognosticate on all-cause mortality. Moreover, prioritizing the improvement of balance capabilities of ADHF patients in cardiac rehabilitation regimens could aid in lowering mortality risk.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of transcatheter aortic valve implantation(TAVI)for the treatment of primary aortic valve regurgitation(NAVR)and to compare the difference in the choice of prosthetic valve size and the difference in complications with aortic stenosis(AS).Methods According to the definition of Valve Academic Research Consortium(VARC-3),143 patients with NAVR/AS treated with TAVI and patients with NAVR treated with surgical aortic valve replacement(SAVR)at Tongji Hospital,Tongji Medical College,Huazhong University of Science and Technology,China,from March 2019 to September 2024 were selected,and clinical data on baseline,perioperative,and primary endpoint events were were retrospectively collected and compared.Results Forty-three patients with NAVR were treated with TAVI,with a device success rate of 86.0％and a surgical success rate of 95.3％.Subgroup comparisons:(1)NAVR-TAVI group than NAVR-SAVR group:patients in the TAVI group had a significantly shorter operative time than those in the SAVR group(P＜0.001);complete left bundle branch block was more likely to occur after TAVI(P=0.042),and complete right bundle branch block was more likely to occur after SAVR(P=0.044).SAVR postoperatively The incidence of congestive heart failure was higher(P=0.013),and the mortality rate was significantly higher in the SAVR group than in the TAVI group(P=0.019).(2)NAVR-TAVI group than AS-TAVI group:the differences in access selection,THV size[28(22,34)mm vs.24(22,32)mm,P=0.044]and proportion of THV overdiameter[14％(7％,20％)vs.7％(3％,11％),P＜0.001]were statistically significant.patients in AS and NAVR groups had 1 case of permanent pacing after TAVI treatment.In the AS and NAVR groups,there was 1 case of permanent pacemaker implantation after TAVI.2 patients in the AS group were converted to surgical treatment,and 6 patients died.Conclusions The use of"off-label"(transfemoral)and"on-label"(transapical)TAVI devices(both from domestic sources)is safer than SAVR for the treatment of NAVR,especially in elderly and high-risk patients.Compared with patients with AS treated with TAVI,larger diameter annulas are usually selected for NAVR,with higher rates of valve migration,but overall safety and efficacy are comparable to AS.

Objective:The genotoxicity risk of graphene artificial nerve sheath conduit was systematically evaluated to provide scientific evidence for their clinical safety and to establish methodological references for the genotoxicity assessment of nanomaterial medical devices.Methods:The potential effects of graphene artificial nerve sheath conduit on genetic and chromosomal endpoints were analyzed by integrating bacterial reverse mutation assays,in vitro chromosome aberration assays,mouse lymphoma cell TK gene mutation tests,and mammalian erythrocyte Pig-a gene mutation assays.Results:In the bacterial reverse mutation assay,all plates showed good background growth.There was no significant difference in the average number of revertant colonies between the test group and the negative control group,with a ratio around 1.0.In the in vitro chromosome aberration assay,the chromosomal aberration rate in the test group was less than 5％,showing no significant increase compared to the negative control group.In the mouse lymphoma cell TK gene mutation assay,the mutation frequency in the test group was less than twice that of the negative control group,with no significant difference.In the mammalian erythrocyte Pig-a gene mutation assay,the mutation frequencies of erythrocytes and reticulocytes in the test group were both less than 3× 10-6,showing no significant difference compared to the negative control group.Conclusions:Graphene artificial nerve sheath conduit exhibited no detectable genotoxicity under the tested conditions,the research results can provide reference and guidance for the genotoxicity evaluation of nanomaterial medical devices.

Aim To explore the in vitro anti-human triple-negative breast cancer(TNBC)effect and mech-anism of Austocystin R.Methods MTT assay was used to evaluate the anti-tumor potential of Austocystin R for various human tumor cells and normal cells.Flow cytometry was employed to evaluate the influence on cell cycle progression.mRFP-GFP-LC3 adenovirus transfection was used to evaluate the autophagic flux process.Western blot assay was used to verify the effect of Austocystin R on the expression of related pro-teins.Results The results showed that Austocystin R significantly inhibited the proliferation of multiple tumor cells in a dose-dependent manner,especially for the MDA-MB-231 cells with an IC50 of 1.45μmol·L-1.In addition,Austocystin R increased the protein expression of PTEN,p53,p-p53,p27,p21,and down-regulated the expression of p-PI3K,p-AKT and p-mTOR.Austocystin R can significantly increase the proportion of S-phase MDA-MB-231 cells,inhibit the expression of Cyclin D1,CDK4,CDK6,Rb,Cyclin B1 and CDK1,and promote the expression of Cyclin E1 and CDK2.Austocystin R can promote the autophagic flux process of MDA-MB-231 cells,promote the expres-sion of LC3 Ⅰ/Ⅱ,p-Beclin-1,p-ULK1,HMGB-1 and Atg 14 proteins,and inhibit the expression of Beclin-1,ULK1,p62,ATG 3,ATG 4B,ATG 5,ATG 7,ATG 12,ATG 13 and ATG 16L1 proteins.Conclusion Austo-cystin R can exhibit its anti-TNBC activity by inhibi-ting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway,blocking the cell cycle at the S phase and inducing autophagic cell death.